Trip Review

Mindy and her family (2 adults and 2 teens ages 16 and 14) spent part of their December holiday vacation aboard Royal Caribbean’s Adventure of the Seas. They chose this Southern Caribbean cruise because of the unique itinerary- which included stops in St. Thomas, St. Kitts, Aruba and Curacao. Cruising from San Juan was easy– no customs required! Their excursions were the highlights of their trip. Mindy pre-booked independent tours through our supplier Shore Trips and they did not disappoint. Unlike some of the crowded and impersonal excursions offered through the cruise line, they enjoyed small group and private trips. In St. Thomas they sailed on a catamaran to Buck Island, where they snorkeled and swam among sea turtles. In spite of the torrential down pour on the return, it was a fabulous trip. In St. Kitts they arranged for a private fishing trip with one of the local fisherman. They trolled for native fish, but only ended up catching barracudas! The kids particularly enjoy the “fishing seat” which was planted on the rear of the boat to allow them to brace themselves while reeling in the catch. In Aruba, they rented a car to explore the island checking out the natural rock formations, a lighthouse and beautiful beaches. They spent most of the day on Baby Beach, on the southern tip of the Island, where there are rental chairs to enjoy the gorgeous white, silky sand. Curacao turned out to be their favorite island. The natives are so warm and welcoming, and the Dutch culture is quite interesting. They had pre-arranged a snorkel safari on double jet skis and it turned out that they were the only ones on the trip. While the ocean was rough they learned that if you keep your speed up you can more easily handle the waves. Fortunately, they were only in the ocean for a short time. The majority of the trip was spent in lagoons and more protected areas where the snorkeling was unrivaled– they saw fish and coral of all kinds above a ship wreck. You barely needed a mask to enjoy the views under water. While Mindy and Rich did the driving on the way out to the reefs, the kids took over on the return. Jordan got to practice her driving skills while Max got his first driving lesson. Smiles galore!  While the ship was older and in need of repair, it was still an enjoyable cruise. They were disappointed by the food, but the time they enjoyed together as a family without internet, computers and cell phones, was priceless!

Travel Tip

We are sharing this information from Budget Travel magazine about scams that prey upon tourists in Paris, but these are applicable to many places in the world.

Please Sign My Petition for a Super-Worthwhile  Cause! This scam is really banking on you being a nice person who  wants to help change the world…and a silly tourist who can’t understand French  writing. I was standing on the “Love Bridge” at Pont  de l’Archeveche, looking for a spot to attach my lock when a young girl  approached me with big, sad eyes, said nothing, and shoved a clipboard in my  face that said, “Won’t you help the blind and the deaf?” There were a few  signatures to indicate that this was a petition, but the rest was all in French,  and as our Tour Manager informed us, most likely said something along the lines  of, “If you sign this, you have to give me 500 euros or else.” Recognizing the  scam for what it was, I simply said, “No, sorry, no,” until she took the hint  and moved onto the next person. Watch out for this one around any major city  sight, and never sign anything while you’re away from home just to be on the  safe side.

The String Trick This particular scam is most commonly  practiced throughout the Montmartre area and our group ran into it on our way  from the Metro to the giant staircase (described below) that leads to the Sacre  Coeur, a popular stomping ground for tourists. Honestly, this is the one I  really want you to watch out for—the other scams are all based on distractions  and tourists not knowing any better, but this one could actually get ugly if  you’re not paying attention. What happens is someone will approach you on the  street with a piece of string, yarn, or other crafty-looking item and ask if you  want them to make you a “Friendship bracelet” or “Friendship Ring.” Whatever  you do, just say no and keep walking. Trust me. Our Tour Manager explained  how if you agree, the person will slide the string over your finger (or wrist)  and tie it so tight that it’s impossible to escape from. This person (and  possibly a few of his or her larger friends) will then lead you over to the  nearest ATM, only setting you free from the trap after you’ve emptied the  contents of your bank account. A group of hopefuls approached us as we walked,  but we knew it was coming, so were able to say, “No” and keep walking away, no  harm done. We did, however, spot a woman on the other side of the street having  a bracelet made, so it was a rude awakening that this actually does happen. Just  say no thanks, and keep going.

The Ring Trick Deeply based in distraction and the hope  that the victim will fall for just about anything, there are several versions of  the Ring Trick that usually involve a gold ring or otherwise valuable looking  object being left in plain sight. When the unsuspecting tourist picks it up and  tries to see who it belongs to, someone either steps forward and demands money  for your newly-found “gift,” or tricks you into believing it’s worth paying  crazy amounts of money for. Our Tour Manager said he’s heard of people paying 50  euros for a gold ring they were promised would bring them luck. Please,  oh please, don’t be that tourist. If it’s not yours, just leave it alone.

Did You Drop Something? (A variation of the Ring Trick) I  encountered this one on the steps of the magnificent Sacre Coeur in the  Montmartre neighborhood of Paris, just moments after ascending what has to be  the world’s longest, steepest, tallest staircase—at least it feels like that.  (Lesson learned, next time, just suck it up and take the nifty little funicular  stationed right next to it!) Anyway, it’s a distraction technique guaranteed to  draw your eyes—and your attention—off your wallet. Basically, if you’re standing  somewhere and hear something drop to the ground, but you know you haven’t  dropped anything, just walk away. The idea is to make you think you did actually  drop something of value, and bend over to look for it, thus giving the person  who really dropped it enough time to snatch your wallet. Sneaky, huh?

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.