Trip Review

Over Thanksgiving, Mindy and Lauren’s families stayed at the Boca Raton Resort and the Boca Beach Club. The property proved to be a relaxing escape for all. The Boca Raton Resort sits on Lake Boca Raton in an iconic building called The Cloister that opened in 1926. The historical charm is evident everywhere you look. Mindy stayed in the attached Yacht Club with views of the lake and where you can find rooms with two queen beds. Lauren stayed at the oceanfront Boca Beach Club with a super modern design. The resort also offers rooms and suites in the main Cloister building, Tower building as well as bungalows that have views of the golf course. It sits on 356 acres and offers several pools, watersports (including surfing lessons), kids clubs (ages 3-12), spa, marina, golf, tennis, several dining and shopping options and more. For the holidays, they also had an ice skating rink and offered lessons. A variety of family activities change according to the seasons. Their popular hotel scavenger hunt called Mizner Quest teaches families about the local nature, wildlife and interesting historical facts. Fans of modern art can take a tour of the funky sculptures that are boldly placed around the resort. We appreciated the boat and bus transportation to get around the resort, the variety of dining options including takeout food outlets with plenty of healthy food options and the plentiful and overly attentive staff.

Travel Tip

We hope your travels are always smooth and safe. Here are some tips to avoid headaches:

TRAVEL DELAYS

— If you miss your connection — or bad weather causes delays — the airlines will automatically rebook you on the next available flight. However, with flights at near capacity, the next open seat could be several days away.

— Don’t like the flight you’re rebooked on? Call us or get in line to speak to a customer service representative. But also, call the airline’s toll free reservations. If the phone lines are jammed, try the airline’s overseas numbers. You’ll pay long-distance rates, but might not have to wait. Finally, consider sending a Tweet.

— Consider buying a one-day pass to the airline lounge. For one thing, there are usually free drinks and light snacks. But the real secret to the lounges is that the airline staffs them with some of its best — and friendliest — ticket agents. The lines are shorter and these agents are magically able to find empty seats. One-day passes typically cost $50.

— Travel insurance will reimburse you for expenses related to travel delays (depending on the amount of time you are delayed).  Don’t travel without it!

SEAT ASSIGNMENTS

— Book your flights as early as possible to get seats together.

— If you and your loved ones don’t have seats together already, and don’t want to pay an extra $9 to $99 domestically for a “premium” coach seat, it’s very likely that you will sit apart.

— Set up alerts for seat openings. ExpertFlyer.com offers free notifications when a window or aisle seat becomes vacant. For 99 cents, it sends an email if adjacent seats become available.

— Check the airline’s website five days before the trip. That’s when some elite fliers are upgraded to first class, freeing up their coach seats. Another wave of upgrades occurs every 24 to 48 hours.

— Check in 24 hours in advance, when airlines start releasing more seats. If connecting, check for open seats 24 hours before the second flight departs.

— Ask again at check-in and at the gate. Even after checking in, seats can be changed at airport kiosks and on some airlines’ mobile applications.

LUGGAGE

— Weigh your bags at home first. Anything over 50 pounds (40 pounds on some airlines like Spirit) will generate a hefty overweight surcharge — typically $100 — in addition to the typical $25 checked bag fee.

— Before your bag disappears behind the ticket counter make sure the airline’s tag has your name, flight number and final destination. As a precaution, place a copy of your flight itinerary inside your suitcase with your cellphone number and the name of your hotel.

— If you can’t live without it, don’t check it. A lost bag can take days to recover. Don’t pack medication or outfits for tomorrow’s meeting or wedding in the bag you’re checking. The same with jewelry or electronics.

— You could be asked to check your carry-on bag, given today’s crowded overhead bins. Pack a small canvas bag inside the carry-on. Use that to hold onto your valuables if you have to check the carry-on.

Trip Review

Amy and Gary Barss from Seattle enjoyed a couples-only anniversary getaway to the brand new Andaz Maui, on the island where they honeymooned. This property is well suited for romantic getaways as well as for family trips. The Barss thought that the service was excellent with a knowledgable and friendly staff who were happy to share information about the island (such as where to get a ukele and where to find the best seared ahi sandwhich at Leoda’s Kitchen and Pie Ship!). Located in Wailea, the Hyatt property showcases stylish and modern decor and sits on 15 acres of beachfront. No reception desk here, you are checked-in via iPad in the expansive lobby. Recreation abounds with 4 infinity pools, 2 restaurants (including a Morimoto outlet), watersports,  spa, gym with fitness classes and yoga, free kids club for ages 5-12 (there will be a charge for nightime programs) and Hawaiian cultural experiences. Plus free property wide wi-fi. The Barss really enjoyed the food as well as the watersports including snorkeling, stand-up paddle boarding and surfing lessons. The Shops at Wailea are less than 10-minute walk away with plenty of golf nearby. Accommodations range from standard rooms up to four bedroom villas.

Travel Tip

Did you know that children as young as age 10 can complete Junior PADI open-water scuba diving certifications that allows them to dive as low as 40 feet with a parent or dive professional?  At age 12, children may go to a depth of 60 feet and children as young as eight can learn dive skills in a pool through the PADI Seal Team program.  Finding the right PADI course and child-friendly teacher are important as is finding child-friendly dive sites and an experienced and PADI-certified guide or dive shop.  Using a private guide is best with younger children. Check out http://www.padi.com/scuba/padi-courses/diver-level-courses/kids-courses/ for more details.

Trip Review

Four of the Gastwirth’s from Rockville, MD (2 adults and 2 teens ages 14 and 16) traveled to Paris, London and Iceland this summer for a unique blend of culture, visiting friends and nature.  The trip was deemed a blast!  Starting in Paris, the family enjoyed staying in the Marais neighborhood at the Bourg Tibourg boutique hotel.  The family thought the hotel was charming and staff lovely despite a typically tiny Parisian elevator and climbing spiral stairs to reach their rooms.  The Gastwirth’s loved hanging out in the Marais, an artsy and trendy neighborhood that is also home to Paris’ Jewish history.  Afterward they took the train to London to spend time with friends from home who were living in the city for the summer.  The Gastwirth’s stayed at the Chancery Court, a hotel we use often for our families with great success.  They appreciated that it was close, but not too close to Convent Garden.  The recently remodeled hotel actually closed just after the Gastwirth’s checked out to reopen as a Rosewood property this month.  In Iceland, the family thought that the natural beauty and friendly people made for a great visit.  They stayed just outside of Reykjavik at the Hilton which had the bedding and pricing that suited their needs.  One day they hired a private guide to do a Golden Circle tour of Iceland, a popular touring route that loops from Reykjavik  into central Iceland and back stopping at national parks, waterfalls, geyers, a geothermal active valley, volcano crater, villages and a geothermal power plant!  The photos you see were taking by Andrew Gastwirth.  His photos are amazing!

Travel Tip

How To Dine in Italy-From Context Travel

1. Avoid dining near major tourist destinations

Our first tip is valid for almost any city worldwide, yet is always worth repeating. Stay away from eating at establishments close to a major monument or in a famous square. Just remember that the prices on the menu are reflecting the prime real estate of the restaurant and to always read the fine print. Any surcharges that may sneak up on you? Remember, you are paying for that view and/or convenient pit stop. Generally speaking most restaurants located close to major monuments get such a high volume of hungry travelers that the quality of the cuisine is greatly diminished, though this is not always the case. One exception, Armando, is located around the corner from the Pantheon.

2. Avoid restaurants with hawkers outside or tourist menus

Tourist menus that promise incredible deals, such €8 for a five-course meal, drinks included, should arouse suspicion. Taking into consideration the reality of food costs, one may suspect something is afoul, such as low grade ingredients or attempting to rid the kitchen of food that has probably exceeded its shelf life. Restaurants with pictures on their menus or signs are also to be avoided. Unlike Japan, where food displays and photos are the norm, restaurants with pictures typically cater to tourists exclusively, a sign that the food quality will be lower. Anyone who has visited Rome will also be familiar with staff situated outside, calling passersby to come inside for a meal. This is a typical give away of a restaurant to be avoided. In general, high quality establishments keep their clientele with their food and have no need to drive traffic from the streets.

3. Don’t leave home without an expert in your pocket

One of the joys of modern technology is the ability to access local experts quickly and efficiently via apps. Simply downloaded an app onto your smartphone before you depart gives a safety net when you arrive, ensuring that you’ll be with the most up to date, accurate information on the best eats in town. Some of our favorites for Rome? Katie Parla’s Rome and Eat Rome.

4. Avoid establishments without trusted recommendations

SlowFood and Gambero Rosso are two organizations that reward restaurants of quality. While both have guides one can purchase, it’s also as simple as looking for the organization’s sticker on the front door of the restaurant when you walk in. Both were founded in Italy, with SlowFood now a worldwide organization, and help diners recognize excellent cuisine. SlowFood in particular rewards restaurants with local, sustainable practices that connect with the community, while Gambero Rosso also runs a well-respected cooking school.

5. Avoid restaurants with out of season cuisine or dishes that are not really Italian

The classic Italian diet is all about seasonal cuisine and restaurants will typically be rotating their menus as the seasons change and new, fresh ingredients become available. A menu with out of season ingredients, such as mushrooms in July or strawberries in December, can be a sign that the restaurant is not up to the highest standard. Not sure what’s in season when? See this post on Parla Food for a succinct list. By the same token, it’s best to be suspicious of restaurants that claim to be classic Italian, yet have non-Italian dishes on the menu. That fettucine Alfredo you have been craving? It’s actually not a classic Italian dish, so if present on the menu is a sign that the proprietors are catering to the American palette instead of giving you the local Italian food you want.

Travel Tip

Are you weary of airplane food like we are?  Here’s a nice list of healthy travel snacks thanks to Budget Travel magazine.  Don’t forget to bring lots of water too!

Not  Nuts! Seed and Fruit Mix-A perfect plane-safe snack since it’s flavorful, filling, and allergy-friendly. Gluten-free, wheat-free, dairy-free, peanut-free, tree-nut-free, and  egg-free.

KIND Healthy Grains Bar-They’re  made from all natural ingredients and pack more than  one full serving of whole grains per bar (amaranth, millet, buckwheat,  gluten-free oats, and quinoa).

Wonderful Pistachio Roasted & Salted Snack  Pack-Pistachios are one of the lowest calorie and higher  fiber nuts.

Creative  Snacks Co. Okra Chips or Green Bean Chips-These are not highly  processed chips with veggie flavoring; these are the actual whole veggies in the  form of a 100 percent real crunchy snack.

Garden  Lites Zucchini Chocolate Veggie Muffins or Kashi Chocolate Soft-Baked Squares-Garden  Lites muffins are made with all-natural ingredients including zucchini and  carrot; Kashi squares have whole grains, sweet potatoes, and black beans.

Saffron Road Crunchy Chickpeas- A flavorful way to satisfy the munchies and get a  punch of protein—naturally and without GMOs.

CLIF Kid Organic ZFruit Rope-A tasty fruit snack with a burst of vitamin C with no  preservatives or artificial flavors (we are also fond of Island Stretch Co. Fruit Strips).

Trip Review

With children away at summer camp, many of our parents took advantage of a couples getaway. The Family Traveler’s Lauren and Evan did the same and traveled to New York City and the Hudson River Valley on their way to camp visiting week-end in The Catskills. The trip proved to be full of surprises and fond memories. To start, using a car service from JFK airport to Manhattan was so easy and well worthwhile. We stayed at The Pearl, a boutique style hotel in the busy theater district where the rate includes a nice continental breakfast, afternoon wine and cheese, internet, all day snacks, infused water, New York Times as well as a gym. Rooms were well appointed and quiet with minifridge and nice bathroom with a TV, but unfortunately the beds were just too soft. A mixed experience as a result. Our New York adventures took us to the High Line, an elevated rail line that has been completely transformed into a pedestrian walkway with lush landscaping. It runs through the Meat Packing District and down to Chelsea. The end of the path is near Chelsea Market; a great place for lunch after the walk! A visit in the rain to the 9/11 Memorial was very apropos and emotional and getting timed entry tickets in advance helped avoid any lines. Grand Central Station was both an architectural beauty and a good place for lunch as well. A visit to the Guggenheim was appreciated more for the unique building than the limited art collection although special exhibits and some celebrity spotting made the experience memorable. And of course theater. Just can’t get enough of that and a revival of Pippin (Cirque de Soleil style) and Kinky Boots were both a hit and Tony Award winners. A marriage proposal right on Shubert Alley was icing on the cake as well as meeting both friendly New Yorkers and visitors from around the country. Onward to Milton, NY in the Hudson River Valley and a relaxing stay at Buttermilk Farm Inn and Spa. This charming retreat includes a working farm, farm to table restaurant, spa with indoor pool (we indulged in a few treatments) and excellent breakfast and afternoon snacks. From here we visited the home and library of FDR in Hyde Park which was really interesting after seeing the recent Hollywood movie about it. Leave plenty of time to enjoy the library and extensive exhibits.  Lunch at the famed and nearby Culinary Institute of America followed (make reservations in advance). A stroll across the Walkway over the Hudson offered scenic views. This is another former railway line that has been transformed for pedestrians. At 212 feet tall and 1.28 miles long, it is the longest, elevated pedestrian bridge in the world. Up to The Catskills for camp productions at Stagedoor Manor Performing Arts Training Center wrapped up a wonderful getaway.

Trip Review

The Josloff family of 5 from Philadelphia (2 adults and 3 teens) stayed at the new Dorado Beach, a Ritz Carlton Reserve in June. On arrival, the family was met by the Front of the House manager with cool towels, refreshing drinks and an upgrade to a two bedroom suite! The Josloff’s said that the suite was unbelievable, with its own private pool that was large enough for their three teenagers to play in when they weren’t in the ocean. They loved spending time in their villa that the family frequently ordered room service and found themselves dining outside on their patio overlooking the ocean. They said that the hardest part was deciding where to relax and read and enjoy the view: directly from the bed (amazing view of the ocean), one of three patios they had (off our bedroom, the main living area, or the kid’s bedroom), by the pool, in the pool, or on the private lawn between the pool and ocean! They also swam in the resort’s larger pools including a fantastic waterpark and also enjoyed the 10 mile bike ride around the premises (the bikes were dropped off right at the suite the day they checked in). They said that the service was exemplary.  Other recreation at the resort includes golf, tennis, watersports, nature programs, kids club and more.

Travel Tip

5 Tips for Shooting Great Video from Budget Travel Magazine and documentary filmmaker Roger Sherman:

1.  Hold Steady

Hold the camera, even a small smartphone, with two hands. Bend your knees a  bit. Tuck your elbows in close to your body. Breathe slowly and don’t rush your  shot. Don’t hit the record button until you’re really relaxed and ready.

2. Don’t Pan Back and Forth

Most professional films are made with static shots, no camera movement at  all. If you did the same, the quality of your videos would soar. Amateurs  usually move the camera far too much, to disastrous results. If you need to pan  (moving the camera left or right), take a quick look at the scene to determine  where the energy is. Pan slowly in that direction. Let’s say you’re in Florence  and you spot a majestic statue and a beautiful fountain. Frame on the statue and  pan over to the fountain—towards the energy. That’s where you’ll want to move in  for closer shots. Never pan left and then right in the same shot. Pan left, cut,  reframe, Then shoot again, another pan if you must, but it’s usually better to  follow a pan with a static shot. That’s the way pros do it.

3. Don’t Zoom

According to Roger, zooming is death. It’s guaranteed to ruin your film. No  one, not even pros, can hold steady a shot zoomed in all the way. Instead of  zooming, walk closer to the subject, then shoot. My rule of thumb is zoom no  more than 10-20% from full wide angle unless your camera is equipped with steady shot, a smoothing mechanism. Even then you can’t zoom in all the  way. Do a test to determine how far in you can truly hold a zoom.

4. Short Shots

Most shots can be six seconds or less for statics. It all depends on what  you’re looking at. A beautiful view of the Grand Canyon will keep your  audiences’ attention longer. A close up of a piece of Murano glass doesn’t need  to be held as long. Think about how long you held the previous shot. It will  help determine how long the next one should be. Look at your footage to learn  how to pace your movie. Watching TV shows, movies, anything with the sound  turned off is a great teacher.

5. Vary Your Shots

Professional films are made of a variety of shots: wide, medium, close. Yours  should too. Again, watch a few minutes of any movie or drama on TV with the  sound off and you’ll see what I mean. Many home video shooters make the mistake  of shooting their films repeating the same wide shot from the same distance to  the subject over and over.  Boring! If we go back to the example of the fountain  in Florence, we might begin with a wide shot of the whole fountain—people  hanging out, kids playing. If we walk in closer, we might frame a second shot of  most of the fountain with fewer people. That would be a medium shot. Going in  closer still, we might frame a shot of the mermaid spouting water, a close up.  Those three shots become a sequence that tell a complete story about the  fountain, one that viewers will be captivated by.

The best way to make great home videos is practice. Shoot a bit. Look hard at  your results. Learn from your mistakes. Shoot some more.