Travel Tip: Yosemite Reservations
Yosemite National Park will once again require reservations for visitors arriving by car beginning this spring as part of a new pilot program to manage visitation at the park. The Peak Hours Plus program will be like previous versions of the timed program but will include more reservation slots for afternoon entries. Yosemite last required reservations during the 2022 season. They will be required from April through October, in three stages: on weekends from April 13 to June 30; every day from July 1 to August 16; and on weekends from August 17 to October 27. You can now purchase access online which will be required for vehicle entry to the park between 5:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. during the above periods. You will be able to choose between a full-day and half-day visit, which allows entry any time after noon, and both types are valid for three consecutive days. The charge is $2 per reservation, on top of the $35 entry fee.
Trip Review: Jen’s Cruise Holiday
Jen and her extended family (5 adults and 4 teens aged 14-17) sailed on Royal Caribbean’s Wonder of the Seas for a week out of Port Canaveral over the winter break. At the time, this was the largest ship in the world, and it did not disappoint! The ship made four stops at CocoCay in The Bahamas, Cozumel and Puerto Costa Maya in Mexico, and Roatan in Honduras. At CoCoCay, RCCL’s private island, part of the group went to the large and impressive water park. Unfortunately, the weather was overcast and chilly, so their time there was shorter than expected. In Cozumel, the family stayed together for a snorkel, beach, and island jeep tour which included a delicious lunch of fajitas and a tequila tasting. The snorkeling was short but exhilarating, as was the rest of the day. They loved exploring this compact island. At the next stop in Roatan, they split up into three groups – Jen and her family went ziplining and to a beach. The ziplines were long and fun through the dense forest mountains. The whole operation was run efficiently and there was a ton of staff. The beach area was busy, and the water was beautiful. They enjoyed a most delicious lunch of fresh paella at a restaurant right on the beach. Some of the others went on a horseback riding excursion and the rest went on a wildlife tour where they saw monkeys, sloths, iguanas, and other animals. Holding the sloths was a big highlight. At the last port in Costa Maya, part of the group rented a golf cart and toured around town, making many stops along the way to soak up the culture, try different foods, visit the beaches, and of course, more tequila-tasting. All small group excursions were booked through Shore Excursions Group except the cruise line’s waterpark.
Everyone loved the ship, service, amenities, and food and remarked how easy the boarding process was (this ship can sail with up to 6,988 guests!). They found the staff to be hardworking, friendly, and super accommodating. The ship was huge and there was so much to explore. There were always tons of activities and things to do and see – you could never be bored. Even just walking around the ship was fun. There was live music and entertainment everywhere and the artwork on the ship was striking. Their days at sea were busy and fun lounging at the many pools. The pool water was warm and there were plenty of lounge chairs (although the staff didn’t clear away cups and plates very often). There were also slides, surf rider, rock climbing, basketball, and mini golf. They also enjoyed an art auction, trivia events, and watching the Eagles game and other NFL games in the sports bar. The shows at night were great – high energy, always packed and the performers were very talented. The casino provided additional entertainment and they spent plenty of time there too. The food was delicious and plentiful, with so many options for every meal and snacks. They ate in the main dining room for most nights – the service was great and there were always vegan options that Jen loved, especially the desserts. The lobster night was especially amazing! They went to two specialty restaurants, the Italian restaurant (Giovanni’s) and the steakhouse (Chops Grille) where both meals were excellent. The taco restaurant may have been their favorite for lunch, and everyone loved the candy store. Their cabins were a nice size and well-appointed. There was so much storage! The group had both ocean view and Central Park balcony cabins. Having an ocean balcony made the room feel bigger. Overall a fun multi-gen vacation with fond memories for all.
Travel Tip: Accessibility App
Friendly Like Me, available for Apple and Android devices, is a first-of-its-kind app designed for those who may need special accessibility while traveling. The app works to improve size & mobility accessibility in public places and to make accessible places easier to find. Through a profile and unique search features, you can narrow down businesses in a travel destination, or even just in your home city, to find which are the most accessible based on your individual needs. Based on reviews, businesses are given a friendliness score. In addition to listing businesses like restaurants and hotels, the platform also features concert and event venues, sports stadiums, national parks, beaches, and more.
Trip Review: Soccer Down Under
The Shehu and Brown Family traveled Down Under to Australia this past August to take in the semifinal and final games of the Women’s World Cup! The mother/daughter duo traveled to Melbourne, Cairns, and then Sydney. Their custom-created itinerary also included several day trips for a nice variety of Aussie experiences in and outside of the cities. Their vacation started in Melbourne with a 4-night stay at the Adina Apartments Melbourne. They liked the downtown location, the extra space, early check-in, and the washer/dryer, but found the apartment to be a bit dreary and drab. They took a small group and full-day eco-trip to the Great Ocean Road, one of Australia’s most famous coastal roads and the highlight of any trip to Victoria. It was a long day with so much to see including the Twelve Apostles limestone stacks and Gibson’s Steps, the site of historic cliff lines along with a bushwalk in Great Otway National Park. While the tour felt a little rushed, they really enjoyed the day. Next, they flew north to Cairns where they spent four nights at the Doubletree Cairns. They found the hotel quite bright and cheery and loved their room’s water views and the spacious hotel atrium. They also appreciated the hotel’s central location and the tropical, beachy vibe of the city. From here, the two took small group day tours to explore the scenic beauty and wildlife of Northern Queensland. The first tour was to Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation where they took a guided walk, a 4-wheel drive into the forest, and a cruise down the river to see crocodiles and more. On another day, they took an eco-tour to Paronella Park and Millaa Millaa Falls with a naturalist guide to explore the Wet Tropics Rainforest of Wooroonooran National Park and the Atherton Tablelands. Their trip ended in Sydney with a 6-night stay at the Pullman Quay Hotel. They commented that they enjoyed the spacious room, great location, and hotel staff. They got a nice orientation and historic tour of Sydney with a guided 4-hour bike ride where they saw all the city’s classic highlights. We also pre-booked their entry to see inside the Sydney Opera House where they returned later to see Miss Saigon. Another small group and full-day trip, this time to the Blue Mountains and Featherdale Wild Animal Park, rounded out their New South Wales stay by offering sweeping views of the Three Sisters and Jamison Valley, a ride onboard the Scenic Railway, koala and kangaroo interactions and a cruise by boat back to Sydney Harbor on the Parramatta River. For the long day trips, the family recommends bringing some food as the breakfasts and snacks provided by the tour companies vary greatly. Overall, the trip was tremendous fun with enthusiastic soccer games, lots of clear skies, and clean cities.
Travel Tip: Family Airplane Seating
JetBlue recently introduced a formal Family Seating Guarantee to ensure that children aged 13 years and younger can sit next to an adult traveling with them on the same reservation. The guarantee incorporates a new process that proactively identifies reservations with children and adults traveling together without prior seating assignments. For no additional fee, the process will ensure a traveling child is assigned a seat next to at least one accompanying adult when seats are available. For bookings made within 24 hours of planned travel, seats may need to be assigned manually by a JetBlue airport crewmember. The airline is urging you to continue to proactively select your seats at the time of booking to ensure the smoothest travel experience possible.
Trip Review: A Tahitian Anniversary
We love planning celebratory trips for our families…including exotic and romantic getaways to commemorate a special wedding anniversary. The Silversteins from Parkland, FL recently returned from such a trip to Tahiti. Their first stop was Le Taha’a, a luxury resort located on the private islet of Motu Tautau just off the island of Taha’a. They flew from the US into Papeete, Tahiti, then flew onto the island of Raiatea where a private boat took them right to the resort. They said it was a perfect resort to start their trip and unwind as the resort had several restaurants for dinner (including a private romantic dinner they enjoyed), plenty of water activities and the islet was nice for walking & exploring. Special anniversary and Virtuoso added amenities included an upgrade to the Royal Suite, a 3-course dinner, a couples massage, and resort credits! Their spacious suite had a private pool, beachfront patio, and access to a private gym. The Silversteins love to hike; so we arranged for a private hiking guide. Lorenzo was very knowledgeable and informative. He explained that most Tahitians have low stress which is why they smile so much! After four nights, the couple then chartered a 52 ft. catamaran for three nights. The captain and one crew picked them up at the resort. The bedroom was small, as was expected. But the staff spoke and understood English very well, plus the food was the most delicious and freshest of their entire trip. Their days were spent relaxing, snorkeling, and enjoying the views. The boat charter ended at their second resort, the St. Regis Bora Bora. This was a larger resort that provided golf cart service and bicycles for getting around, but they preferred to walk. They stayed in an upgraded over-the-water bungalow, a highlight of any Tahitian travel experience. Their St. Regis experience also included a Canoe Breakfast…a huge meal delivered by water to their room. They also enjoyed a private snorkel trip. This special trip ended with a boat ride to the Bora Bora airport (the only way to reach it!) for their flight back to Tahiti. We arranged for a driver to take them to dinner on arrival before the long flight back home. The trip highlight was the plethora of marine life they saw which was ideal for these seasoned scuba divers. They went snorkeling and/or scuba diving once or twice every day! The coral reefs are thriving in Tahiti, unlike in Florida. They said it was amazing to see huge manta rays swim amongst so many fish and witness non-aggressive blacktip sharks. They were equally thrilled to see over 50 eagle rays moving in formation, truly resembling eagle birds!
Trip Review: A Group Gathering in Italy
Seven couples from around the US recently returned from a gathering in Italy. This group of longtime college friends and friends of friends spent a week exploring Rome, Amalfi, and Tuscany. We curated this custom getaway based on their needs and interests (history, art, religion, food, and wine) that included three nights in Rome and four nights at a private Tuscan villa. While in Rome, most of the group stayed at the Hotel Stendhal close to the Piazza Barberini. Their rates included free airport pick-ups…a rare perk for Rome. They found the rooms on the small side but appreciated the wine gift. On arrival, the entire crew headed out on a golf cart tour, our favorite way to get oriented after an overnight flight. They said the tour was “spot on” and was “the best thing ever” as they zipped around the city to see all the highlights! They did comment on how crazy busy Rome still was with tourists. The following day they took the train round-trip to Naples where we arranged a privately guided bus tour for the day to Sorrento, Positano and Pompeii. They found our Amalfi guide Vincenzo to be energetic, informative, and professional and said his knowledge of Pompeii was wonderful. The following day we arranged private tours of the Vatican complex and the Colosseum. They loved our Vatican guide Patrizia and said she was amazing and found our archeologist Colosseum guide Valentia lovely and energetic albeit a bit redundant. To get to Tuscany, the group rented one minivan and hired a van service for the rest of the group. They said that their villa just outside of Monteriggioni was awesome! They stayed at the Borgo Gallinaio, a former hotel that is now rented out as a villa with up to 10 bedrooms. It was simple and rustic, but with all the necessities (although bring your own toiletries). They said that the manager was a gem. One night he cooked them a steak dinner that they enjoyed outdoors and also gave them a ride into town for dinner as taxi service can be spotty. We booked two full day tours for the group with our guide Tuscan guide, Giancarlo. The first tour was to Florence with a packed itinerary that included a slightly rushed guided tour of the Accademia and Michaelangelo’s David, visits to the Medici Mausoleum and the Basilica of Santa Croce as well as prebooked entries to climb the Duomo. They had lunch at the Central Market and finished off the day at a delicious restaurant full of locals, Alla Vecchia Bettola. The other guided Tuscan tour was their wine themed day. They began the day with a vineyard wine tasting and lunch, a visit to Pienza and the Val d’Orca, another wine Brunello tasting in Montalcino and ended with a nice dinner. They also traveled on their own to Siena one day with a prebooked city tour with our guide Sylvia. Unfortunately, she wasn’t feeling great, which affected the tour some. But she did use quiet streets to get around the city, found them great views and avoided the crowds. The group dispersed around Italy on their last day at the villa as some planned additional travel adventures while others headed home after an overnight at the Rome airport. Overall, they said that the trip was awesome. They said it was perfect for those who had visited previously and for those who have never been to Italy and provided lifetime memories! Such a trip can easily be created for families and multi-generational groups.
Travel Tip: Enroll in STEP
The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) is a free service to allow U.S. citizens and nationals traveling and living abroad to enroll their trip with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. By signing up, you will:
- Receive important information from the Embassy about safety conditions in your destination country, helping you make informed decisions about your travel plans.
- Help the U.S. Embassy contact you in an emergency, whether natural disaster, civil unrest, or family emergency.
- Help family and friends get in touch with you in an emergency.
Go to https://step.state.gov/ to sign up and for more details.
Trip Review: A European Journey
Lauren and her young adult daughter Anna traveled to Krakow, Poland in August. They were both very impressed by Poland’s second-largest and most charming city. Our visit included a privately guided Jewish tour of Krakow that introduced us to the Kazimierz neighborhood which is south of Krakow’s Old Town. This is where the Jewish community has lived since the fifteenth century and where seven synagogues still stand (most are now used for other purposes such as a museum and bookstore). There is also a Jewish Community Center that was opened in 2008 and funded by King Charles of England! We then walked across the Vistula river to where the Jews were rounded up in the ghetto by the Nazis. This tour ended at the Schindler Factory, now a museum that showcases the wartime experiences of all the people living in Krakow during World War II and the story of how Schindler saved 1,100 Jews from perishing in the Holocaust. Our spirited and passionate guide created an interesting and engaging tour. We also went to Auschwitz and Birkenau concentration camps with a private driver/guide. Located an hour west of the city…this was a difficult, but paramount experience. We toured the grounds with an official small group tour. For another local experience, we donned miners’ gear and went underground at the Wieliczka Salt Mine to learn how salt was excavated from the thirteenth century up until 2007. With a labyrinth of passageways and a depth of up to 1,000 ft., the extensive mine includes an underground lake, several chapels, statues, and even a ballroom. Our hotel stays in Krakow included a few nights in Wieliczka at the charming Turowka Hotel & Spa. It has a lovely outdoor courtyard for dining and a full-service spa with an indoor pool. We particularly enjoyed the spa’s sauna and salt room. We also enjoyed our stay at the new Novotel Krakow Centrum with its modern vibe and tribute to Poland royalty. It’s located a short walk from the Old Town and across from the railway station where we took the train to Prague. This was Lauren’s third Prague visit and where her daughter resides. Lauren thoroughly enjoyed exploring this beautiful city on foot on both sides of the river visiting its castles, Old Town, and parks. Then Lauren flew to London for a few nights. Her itinerary for her 7th visit to London included the Tate Modern Museum, Borough Market, a long walk along the Southbank, seeing Six: The Musical, walks through Hyde Park, the fascinating Churchill War rooms and a visit to Kensington Palace. The special exhibit at the palace was a bit odd in an attempt to compare fashion from the seventeenth century to fashion created for the Met Gala in New York. Lauren stayed at a cute and zen-style boutique hotel in Paddington called Inhabit. The townhouse-style hotel had an awesome vegan restaurant, a small gym, yoga space, library/working spaces, a meditation pod, and a well-appreciated water station with still or sparkling water! And it was within a short walking distance of Paddington Station for ease in getting from and back to Heathrow Airport. Overall, three weeks in Europe made for some great mother/daughter time and a few solo days to reflect on it all.
Travel Tip: Car Rental Documentation
We always recommend taking a good look at any vehicle you rent for dents, scratches, and other damage. Inside and out of the car. Taking a video of the car at the time of the rental and at the return is a great way to prove to the rental company who may later try to claim any damage. When documenting your car, you’re going to want to cover all angles inside and out. Start by walking in a complete circle around the outside of the car, ensuring that the entire vehicle is always within the frame. Then you’ll want to cover the top of the car and the undercarriage if possible. Finally, it’s time to head inside the car. Make sure you film the front seats, back seats, and the trunk. We recommend keeping this documentation, along with receipts from the rental company, for at least six months. It might sound like a lot of work, but if it can save you hundreds or thousands of dollars, it’s well worth the time.
