Trip Review: Riviera Maya Return

Mindy’s family of 4 (2 adults and 2 teens age 19 and 18) recently returned from Paradisus La Perla in Playa del Carmen, Mexico.   It is an adult-only resort that is part of a complex that also includes the family-friendly Paradisus La Esmeralda. Both resorts are wonderful!  The family stayed in a huge 2-bedroom Master Suite that offered a living room and dining room and connecting master bedrooms each with their own bathroom. There was a large balcony off each bedroom that featured a large jetted tub and lounge chairs.  The highlight of the resort was the service and food.

Meals were delicious… it was hard to believe that the caliber and variety of food was being served at all-inclusive resort!  Guests at both properties share a number of dining options.  In addition, there are some adult-only restaurants at La Perla.  Mindy was also impressed with the buffets that served lots of fresh seafood including sushi, langostino, shrimp, stone crab as well as other delicacies.  Best yet, Mindy was able to confirm dinner reservations prior to their arrival.

The resorts are both modern, intimate and easy to get around. The main pools are large with swim-up bars with lots of lounge chairs and Bali beds- which are first come; first serve at no charge. The resort also offers club level services with Royal Service for adults and Family Concierge Service for families.  Separate pools, beaches and dining options, along with butler services, are included with this level of service. The beach is nice here, but is not the main attraction.  It is narrow and rocky in certain areas.  You cross beautiful mangroves to reach it. The spa is very zen and Mindy enjoyed a hot stone massage.  It featured relaxing cabanas, quiet pool and various water therapies.  The gym was large and well equipped. Personal trainers, yoga and fitness classes are available.  Every day there was a different activity- salsa dancing, flower arranging, tequila tastings, etc. and the sushi making was a hit.

The family enjoyed visiting Playa del Carmen for shops and dining including a restaurant located in a cenote – a cave, which was a unique and special.  They also have fun on a variety of excursions.  The Coba ruins are great for those who already visited Tulum and where you can still climb the pyramid.  Their tour included bike rentals to explore the ruins, a visit to a local Mayan village, a traditional Mayan dinner with a show depicting ancient Mayan culture.  Another afternoon was spent riding ATVs and wave runners at Maroma Beach. This was the highlight of the trip for the teens.

This was the Valenci’s 5th trip to the Riviera Maya over the last 12 years. They keep going back because there are always new resorts to experience, new adventures to enjoy, and it is easy and convenient destination to reach from major cities in the US. The locals are friendly and welcoming. The Yucatan Peninsula is located just off the second largest barrier reef in the world making snorkeling, scuba and other water sports spectacular. The Riviera Maya and Cancun have a tremendous selection of resorts and there is plenty to do—ecoparks, zip lines, horseback riding, snorkeling or diving, fishing, swimming in cenotes and more along with lovely beaches and clear blue water. Many of our families are also returning time and again.

Trip Review: NYC

Lauren and her daughter, Anna (age 20) traveled to New York City right before Thanksgiving for a quick mother/daughter getaway.  We have made many trips to the city together over the years, but the magic of NYC is that there is always something new to explore and experience with each visit.  We stayed at the new Fairfield Inn a few blocks from Columbus Circle in Midtown West.  Friendly staff; small, but well appointed rooms and a large and communal breakfast room with a hearty breakfast buffet made for a comfortable stay.  We started off our stay with a visit to the new Whitney Museum.  We really enjoyed it inside and out with a wonderful array of modern art.  A short walk on the Highline next to the museum on a very windy day ended up with lunch at Chelsea
Market.  The following day we toured the UN; a first for Anna who is studying linguistics in college and therefore was interested in learning about the process of bringing the world together, the translators etc.  Before going to see The Great Comet of 1812, one of Broadway’s new hits that was taken from a part of Tolstoy’s War and Peace epic and takes place in Moscow, we had dinner at Samovar; a Russian eatery in the theater district.  We even had tea from a samovar!  It would be fun to make this an ongoing tradition by finding restaurants that match the topic of the show!  Anna was also thrilled to dine on Russian cuisine after spending the summer studying in Moscow.  The show was also fantastic.  We also saw the new acapella show, In Transit…another thumbs up for an entertaining show.  Overall a fun getaway.  And many thanks to the kind flight attendant on American Airlines for moving us up to first class!  We all share stories of the airlines when things go bad…but sometimes they can bring us joy as well.

Travel Review: Hawaii Adventure

The Hassoun Family (2 adults and 3 young adults ages 21, 18 and 16) traveled from Pittsburgh to Hawaii this summer for eight nights in paradise.  This travel loving family usually spends their vacation time in Europe with trips focusing on culture and history; so they were pleasantly surprised by their experience in the tropics! Hawaii is also a destination with rich culture and interesting history along with amazing scenery, outdoor adventures to experience the nature and relaxing resort time.  The family began their trip in Maui with four nights at the beautiful Ritz Carlton in Kapalua which is beautifully situated on the hillside overlooking Kapalua Bay.   The resort offers a nice array of amenities and recreation including excellent golf, tennis, gym with fitness classes, water sports, spa, pools, restaurants and the wonderful Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ambassadors of the Environment program.  This program introduces families to the natural wonders and rich cultural traditions of the Hawaiian Islands.  The Kapalua Zip Line are located just across the way from the resort which made for a convenient adventure for the family.  They enjoyed the amazing views as they
zipped over the West Maui Mountains and over tropical forests, native pineapple fields, and waterfalls. The family also enjoyed a sunset sail from nearby Ka’anapali on the Trilogy catamaran offering great views of the nearby islands of Moloka‘i and Lana‘i.  The family then flew to the island of Kauai with a four-night stay at the lovely Grand Hyatt Kauai located in Poipu.  This upscale and oceanfront resort has a unique lagoon setting, golf, tennis, spa, water sports, gym with fitness classes, pools, restaurants and daily activities such as fitness walks, hydroponic garden tour and golf and tennis clinics.  The resort also showcases a variety of Hawaiian cultural activities including a luau which the family attended and appreciated.  The resort also offers a unique and local volunteer program called ENRICH providing guests another layer of learning about Hawaii.  Opportunities range from beach clean-up to forest restoration.  On Kauai, the Hassouns took a sail trip up to the Napili Coast with Captain Andy to see the amazing cliffs. It proved to be a bit of a rough sailing for some.  They also took the Blue Hawaiian helicopter to view this gorgeous island from the sky.  Overall the Hassoun children raved about their Hawaii experience and look forward to their next family trip!

Trip Review: Kosher Italy

The Erlbaum family of Philadelphia (2 adults and 4 children ages 14, 12, 9 and 6) traveled to Italy this summer in celebration of a Bat Mitzvah.  This religious family needed accommodations to keep their kosher dietary laws; so The Family Traveler arranged apartments and an apartment hotel that were also close to a synagogue, kosher markets and restaurants in each city they visited: Rome, Florence and Venice.  The trip was chock full of unique experiences and tours with the Sabbath open for relaxation, services and wandering.  The trip began in Rome with an apartment stay in the Jewish Ghetto.  Their first tour was a guided golf cart ride around the city for a nice city overview.  This is an ideal touring option especially after a long, overnight flight and zipping around in a golf cart allows you to get to many sights with ease.  Other Rome tours included private touring of the Jewish Ghetto, Great Synagogue and Jewish Museum as well as the Colosseum.  For a nice history lesson, they also visited the Time Elevator for a film about the city’s ancient past.  On the way from Rome to Florence, our favorite private driver and guide, Giancarlo, took the family for a day trip to Orvieto in Umbria which was enjoyed by all.  In Florence the family stayed at the Residence Hilda apartment hotel.  They took a private city tour to learn about its Renaissance past that also included the Accademia Museum, the Palazzo Davanzati (a reconstruction of an old Florentine home) and learned how to make Florentine marble paper with a local artisan.   A kosher cooking class in nearby Lucca was a highlight with bike riding along the rampart walls after a great meal.  A private drive and private boat ride brought them to their Venice apartment.  In Venice they took gondola rowing lessons, privately toured the Doge Palace along with a city orientation tour and took a private tour of the islands of Murano, Burano and the Jewish Ghetto.  Seeing the glass blowers and lace makers in action was a treat. Overall the family truly enjoyed Italy and its culture with so many special experiences to bring it all to life and to celebrate a special occasion!

Trip Review: Adventures in Africa

The Shapiro Family of Philadelphia (2 adults and 1 teen) experienced Africa this summer with travel to Uganda, Tanzania and Kenya. Mom started the trip at the Sanctuary Retreats Gorilla Forest Camp nestled deep inside Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in southwest Uganda; the perfect base for gorilla tracking.  Bwindi has the highest concentration of primates on Earth and is home to half the world’s remaining mountain gorillas. The park is inhabited by a population of about 340 individual Mountain Gorillas; almost half of all the mountain gorillas remaining in the world.  Groups of eight tourists are allowed to visit one of four gorilla families for no more than one hour per day – brief, so they would not be seen as “invading their space.” Each family has between 12-15 gorillas per group ranging in age from 6 weeks to 20 years. The mountainous trek to visit the gorillas took between 2-3 hours per direction. The task was monumental, but well worth it!

After this amazing experience, the family then met up for a two-week Tauck tour to Tanzania and Kenya.  The tour started in Arusha, Tanzania at the Lake Duluti Serena Hotel at the foot of Mount Meru, the second-highest mountain in Tanzania. The tour then went to Lake Manyara National Park for their first glimpse of giraffes, baboons, hippos and elephants along with hundreds of species of birds.  Later, they arrived in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, populated by an estimated 30,000 large mammals. The Ngorongoro Crater is one of the largest calderas (a volcanic depression) in the world and contains a variety of ecosystems and an astounding concentration of birds and animals, including massive herds of zebras, wildebeests, and gazelles. They also had the opportunity to spot the Big Five – elephant, leopard, lion, buffalo, and rhinoceros – all in one day!

Next stop was the Oldupai Gorge, where, over 50 years ago, archaeologists Louis and Mary Leakey discovered the fossilized remains of some of the earliest known human species, an estimated 1.8 million years old. They then enjoyed the Serengeti’s amazing wildlife while staying at the Four Seasons Safari Lodge in Serengeti. The family said that this area was amazingly beautiful. While they ate lunch 24 elephants visited their watering hole which abutted the human swimming pool. Such a glorious sight! They also saw lions, zebras, hyenas, leopards, cheetahs, hippos, buffaloes, jackals, gazelles, and giraffes while on safari at the Serengeti National Park. 

The trip continued to Kenya and the majestic Mt. Kilimanjaro which peaked over surrounding landscapes from more than 15,000 feet up. They stayed at the Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge in Amboseli National Park, where herds of free-ranging elephants and other wildlife like to roam. Later in the day they enjoyed a private lecture on the elephants of Amboseli.  An early morning visit to a Maasai village preceded a morning game drive in the park with plenty of more animal viewings.  Next up they visited the Mount Kenya Safari Club and animal orphanage which straddled the equator. This was the former retreat of actor William Holden. After settling in, they got a private visit to the nearby William Holden Wildlife Education Center and animal orphanage. This was a sanctuary for animals that have been orphaned or injured and need special care. It also teaches local children to cherish and appreciate the unique wildlife of their homeland.  They also visited the Ol Pejeta Conservancy, home to the largest resident black rhino population in East Africa and other members of the Big Five. It is also home to the Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary, founded by Jane Goodall, which gives lifelong homes to orphaned and abused chimpanzees. One chimp in particular, Coco, stole their hearts. He had been kept in a small, standing cage for 6+ years. Now he is free to roam and be rehabilitated.

They also visited the Masai Mara National Reserve with several game drives. They stayed at the Fairmont Mara Safari Club, an elegant tented camp hotel.  The most amazing day of the safari was a sunrise balloon ride over the plains of the Masai Mara. Afterward, a special champagne breakfast awaited them in the bush!  A farewell dinner in a traditional boma rounded out the trip.
On the last day they flew to Nairobi where The Family Traveler arranged for them to visit the amazing David Sheldrick Elephant Refuge. They visited with 20+ baby elephants who were orphaned throughout Kenya. They all pranced past them to their own “rooms” where they are bottle fed. The smaller babies had blankets on them because their skin was too fine for the chilly Kenyan evenings. Men also roomed with the babies who were prone to waking up in the middle of the night crying out for their bottles. What truly generous gentlemen they were!  The Family Traveler adopted an elephant in honor of the family.  Afterward, the family said “Kwaheri” (goodbye) to the amazing countries they visited.

Trip Review: Custom Ireland

The Gross Family from Philadelphia with 2 teenage boys (19 and 16) explored Ireland this month.  The Family Traveler created a custom itinerary for this well-traveled family based on their desire to explore the southern coast line of the Emerald Isle, have authentic experiences and stay in diverse accommodations within a specific budget request.  The trip started on the west coast with a flight into Shannon Airport and a 3-night stay at the Ballinalacken Castle Country House Hotel in Doolin.  The family enjoyed the hour ride to the hotel on winding roads especially since they are seasoned drivers of the left-hand side.  They thought the food and hospitality at Ballinalacken were great despite slightly worn rooms. A tour of the ancient castle located on the hotel grounds was a treat.  Another highlight was a sunset dinner at O’Donohue Pub overlooking Fanore Beach in the heart of the Burren with great seafood and views.  They recommend the Burren Perfumery for natural products using native herbs and also for afternoon tea.  The Cliffs of Moher was the best part of the Burren Way despite the challenging walk along the sea cliffs from Doolin to the Visitor Centre.  They used the bus for the return.  This active family also took an awesome Lord of the Rings Burren Tour mountain bike ride which they said required a fair amount of skill and effort.  They got to watch peat fuel being made and explored the Pol na Gollum (Hole of Gollum), the longest cave in Ireland. It is believed that the Burren landscape and this cave inspired J.R.R. Tolkien to write the Lord of the Rings.  The Fleadh Festival in nearby Ennis which showcases traditional Irish music and dance was fine, but surprisingly missable.  The car ride to Killarney was long, but tolerable because of a stop in charming Adare for lunch. The family recommends checking out the ferry from Kilrush which crosses the Shannon Estuary to shorten the drive.  In Killarney, they stayed for 3 nights in a 2-bedroom apartment at the Muckross Park Hotel and Spa which is located right in the national park.  The location was great because Killarney town is a bit over run by tourists.   Their review of the apartment was mixed since their view wasn’t that great overlooking a parking lot (although an hour long rainbow was nice!), but they did like having a kitchen.  They loved the hotel spa and free bike rentals.  Hiking the Gap of Dunloe was a commitment (1/2 day at least), but totally worthwhile. Their trip to the Dingle Peninsula was also special and the restaurants in town were a nice way to cap off to the drive.  Their journey to Kilkenny was long, but they stopped in Cork to break up the trip.  Their said their lunch at the English Market was not worthwhile.  They said that Kilkenny was a surprising highlight.  They stayed at the nearby Lyrath Estate Hotel for 3 nights.  The town had great pubs, restaurants and music.  The family enjoyed the Kilkenny Castle and grounds as well as the Rothe House, a 16th century merchant’s townhouse which is now a museum and gardens.  Their experience at the hotel had some contrasts.  The family thought the property was beautiful with a unique combination of old and new architecture.  They had nicely appointed rooms with great views from the 4th floor.  But some of the recreational facilities are in need of a serious update including the gym and pool.  At least there were scenic places to run on the property and the spa was lovely (although not discovered until late in their stay).  The breakfast spread was excellent, despite being overly busy and loud with lots of young families.  The trip ended in Dublin with a 2-night stay at the Brooks Hotel.  The hotel location was incredible and staff was so friendly. The famous Guinness tour which was totally commercial and yet really fun. Overall, the family had a fantastic vacation and noted that our recommendations were highly appreciated!

Trip Review: Cuba by Boat

Lauren traveled to Cuba in June.  It was everything she expected and nothing like what she expected.  This theme followed her throughout her stay.  As we sailed out of Key West on a charter boat, we thought about how far yet how close the island nation is to the US.  In just 3 1/2 hours of smooth seas we pulled into the Hemingway Marina in Havana to start our week long Cuba adventure.  Our days in Havana were spent seeing the tourist highlight as part of our required People to People program.  We started with a city bus tour showcasing all the large monuments to Cuba’s heroes of the revolution which appear all over the city.  We also learned about the city’s architecture and history on a walking tour of the Old Town, experienced the evening cannon blast at the La Cabana Fortress (the time when the city gates were closed for the night back in the 18th century), visited a local synagogue and heard about Cuba’s religious freedoms, saw the famous Tropicana show with 60 energetic dancers plus musicians and singers, purchased Cuban cigars and learned about the rum making process.  And we loved seeing all the old American cars that the locals keep in shape with new engines from China and having a drink overlooking the sea at the iconic and 5-star Hotel Nacional de Cuba.  Our favorite stop was Fusterlandia; home to Cuba’s most famous artist, Jose Fuster, who not only decorated his entire home with mosaic art, but the nearly entire neighborhood as well! Our touring outside of Havana included a trip across the island to the Bay of Pigs to learn about the CIA-backed paramilitary attempt to overtake the government in 1961.  The town’s museum and multiple billboards (some of the only billboards we saw anywhere) showcase the great pride of that event.  We also stopped to snorkel and have a meal in nearby Playa Largo.  Cuba’s preservation of their natural resources was a pleasant surprise and clear water provided optimal viewing for snorkeling and diving.  We also ventured to Las Terrazas in the interior of the country to learn about this pioneering eco-village that dates back to a reforestation project in 1968. It’s a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve with a variety of recreation activities and the site of the earliest surviving coffee plantations in Cuba. Both locals and tourist were taking advantage of the beautiful setting high in the Sierra del Rosario mountains and we enjoyed a swim in the lake, learning about coffee and visiting a local artist studio.  The highways in Cuba were in good shape, but we saw few
vehicles on the road.  Most locals hitch rides to get around, but there are some local buses.  The boat then took off for nearby Varadero on the Hicacos Peninsula.  This is one of the largest resort areas anywhere in the Caribbean where Canadians, Europeans and others vacation at familiar resort chains.  We docked behind the lovely and fresh Melia Marina Varadero.  The area is ripe for marine activities such as fishing, diving and snorkeling.  Beautiful mangroves lined one side of the peninsula.  We also visited a nearby Sugar Cane Museum in Cardenas at a former sugar production plant that now showcases the mostly American made steam trains that were used to transport the crop.

 We had a lovely dinner and sunset at Xanadu Mansion which was built in 1927 as the retirement home of Irenee Dupont de Nemours.  We really enjoyed a day for relaxing beach and pool time with such a full schedule that is required by the U.S. government to qualify for a People to People tour.  Most meals were at private rather than government owned restaurants.  At nearly every meal, serenading with Cuban folk tunes was a popular method of entertainment.  Sometimes even throughout a meal.  Mojitos were always served (and sometimes cigars) along with a bountiful of food choices including fresh fish, lots of lobster and fresh meats along with plantains, rice, beans and vegetables.  Transportation was in a comfortable minibus and our guide and driver were precious.  Some translation issues were evident, but didn’t distract us from their ongoing efforts to keep us informed about our travel plans and providing plenty of information about their country’s history, politics, culture and dreams.  Our 3-hour sail back across the Atlantic Ocean to Key West on a sunny day with calm seas gave us time to reflect on our trip, admire the warm Cuban hospitality and also to appreciate our freedoms.

Travel Review: London and Paris

The Harrison Family of Collinsville, IL traveled with two teenage daughters (age 19 and 16) to London and Paris this past May.  The trip began with a 5-night stay in London at the Citadines Holborn which offers apartment style accommodations ideal for longer stays.  It is well located close to Covent Garden and the tube. A 3-day London Pass was used to hit all the city’s highlights and avoid waiting in ticket lines.  Their Shakespeare loving daughter relished seeing A Midsummer Night’s Dream at The Globe Theater.  The updated version was full of energy from the actors and getting seats in advance instead of standing is recommended.  Other fun experiences included afternoon tea at Fortnum and Mason and seeing an intimate production of Phantom of the Opera on the West End.  Other touring highlights included St. Paul Cathedral, the Tower of London, a special Egypt exhibit at the British Museum and all of the city’s history and architecture (especially the churches).   The Eurostar train was used to get to Paris where they stayed in a family sized accommodation at the Hotel Marignan near the top of the Champs Elysee.  They mentioned that the hotel staff was outstanding, their two room and two bathroom suite was very comfortable and the hotel had a very intimate feel.  Their time in Paris was well used and planned as we them prebooked entry into the Eiffel Tower at sunset, a private Louvre tour, a group Notre Dame and Gothic Paris tour and entry into the Catacombs.  They also ventured outside Paris to Versailles for a private tour of the palaces and beautiful gardens.  Overall a great trip filled with fun adventures, history, culture and more.

Trip Review: Southern Respite on Beaufort

This month Lauren and her husband Evan traveled to the small and charming Southern town of Beaufort, SC for
an anniversary celebration.  Located right in between Charleston and Savannah, Beaufort can also be a great getaway for families looking to vacation for more than just a few days away.  Beaufort is a small town with a big heart in the middle of the Low Country.  The historic downtown area sits on the Harbor River which provides lovely views and recreation.  It offers a family friendly waterfront park with excellent playground, plenty of good dining options and shops.  We really enjoyed kayaking and stand up paddle boarding around the river and its sand bars, frolicking dolphins and friendly locals.  We also visited nearby islands including the beautiful Hunting Island State Park with its hiking and biking trails, beautiful beaches, fishing pier, nature center and lighthouse.  We climbed to the top of the lighthouse for amazing 40 mile views and enjoyed its museum to learn its rich history.  The nearby town of Blufton is an artistic center with funky galleries and great dining options that we also enjoyed.  We stayed at a new inn called Anchorage 1770; a beautifully restored Greek Revival–style mansion that offers a rich history and sits across from the marshes and river.  The inn showcases two fully furnished patio decks, comfortable living room area and breakfast room.  It is appropriate for couples as well as families with rooms with two queen beds.  A yummy home cooked breakfast is included as well as afternoon snacks; free bike rentals and beach chairs and equipment for badminton, croquet and bocce ball.  Yoga can be organized as well.  The lovely and friendly staff make your feel right at home and can organize all the details for a relaxing stay.

Trip Review: Jamaica with Young Adult Children

The Neuman Family of Owings Mills, MD traveled to Jamaica with 3 young adult daughters (24, 21 and 20) to the all-suite Iberostar Rose Hall Suites in early January.  They stayed in two suites.  We use this property often for families with children, teens as well as young adults with equal success.  The family found the hotel to be spotlessly clean and well maintained.  Their rooms were modern and comfortable, but with some mildew issues.  Internet worked well in the rooms, but was spotty at the pool and didn’t work on the beach.  They thought the staff and entertainment was unbelievably great. Everyone was unceasingly friendly and very engaged, but not overly pushy.  They got people involved and made the vacation infinitely more fun. The entertainers are remarkably talented and even if some of the shows were hokey, they were all fun (although the family prefers the outdoor theater experience to this Iberostar’s indoor one).  The family thought the food was good. The four sit down restaurants on property were very good (they did not venture to the Iberostar Rose Hall’s restaurants next door which are included in their stay). They had no problems making reservations for one of the restaurants every night (the benefit of traveling just after the winter break which is great with college age children with longer breaks), but thought it would be nice to have more outdoor dining options.  They found the pools and lazy river to be clean and well-maintained and enjoyed the water sports, but were hoping for better snorkeling.  Note that Jamaica is a mountainous island where runoff makes snorkeling less ideal than a flat island like Aruba.  They found the gym equipment to be somewhat dated and tipping to be a touchy issue since it is supposed to be included.  They did see others tipping; so they also tipped extra where they thought the service was extra special or when extra attention would be beneficial.  Many all-inclusives are also time share resorts that have guests returning year after year.  These owners get to know the staff really well and tend to tip extra as a result.  Overall the trip was relaxing and fun for the entire family!