Trip Review: Turks and Caicos Paradise

March 29, 2016Comments Off on Trip Review: Turks and Caicos Paradise

Over winter break, Mindy and her family (two adults and two teens) stayed at the Ocean Club on beautiful Grace Bay in Providenciales, Turks and Caicos.  They enjoyed it so much they said they would go back!  turksvalenci1The facilities at Ocean Club’s sister resort, Ocean Club West, is also available to all guests with a shuttle in between (one mile down the beach).  Mindy found that both properties provided a relaxed and quiet atmosphere, lots of tropical foliage and good recreation and dining options.  Ocean Club’s 84 condos are newly renovated while the 64-unit Ocean Club West is more centrally located on Grace Bay and therefore closer to more shops and dining.  Their one-bedroom unit, with 1,200 sq. ft. and 1 ½ baths, was on the top floor with huge cathedral ceilings in the bedroom.  They had a large lanai, full kitchen, separate living room with DVD player (where the teens slept on a sofabed and rollaway) and a washer/dryer.  Their only complaint was thin walls (in combination with a crying baby next door).   Mindy loved the intimacy of the resort, the location at the quieter end of Grace Bay and the friendly staff.  Tennis, moving between the pool and beach depending on where they could find chairs after sleeping in, working out at the larger gym at Ocean Club West and riding around on the free bike rentals kept the family busy along with free DVD rentals and board games.  Water sports are available for an added cost (most resorts on Grace Bay offer free water sports, but have less recreation available) and some guests were smart to bring their own floats to relax in the pool and calm ocean.  Outside the resort they enjoyed a wide variety of excursions such as parasailing; chartering a boat one day for watersports (water skiing, tubing and snorkeling) and another day for fishing.  Being out on the water also allowed them to explore nearby islands (there are 40 in the Turks and Caicos of which only eight are inhabited!).  Families who love nature can enjoy a ferry to the Middle and North Caicos to explore caves, see tons of iguanas and the pink flamingo reserve.  They also rented a small car (a clown car, as they affectionately called it) which came in handy.  It gave them great flexibility to dine out at night, grocery shop and explore all around the island. As a British Overseas Territory, driving is on the left.  This was only a challenge in the roundabouts! The family discovered out of of the way places to eat, many of them on the beach, that served the freshest daily catch which included a lot of delicious conch.  The long wait to get through customs and passport control was a reminder to slow down to island time, but the weather was 82 and sunny every day!  Turks and Caicos continues to be developed as it gains in popularity, but is still a great destination for families looking for a safe and easy to reach destination (1 ½ hours south of Miami) with gorgeous beaches and ocean.  Most of the resorts here are condo-style (so you don’t have to eat out every meal) and available in all quality levels from basic to luxury.

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Trip Review: Star Clipper Adventure

February 28, 2016Comments Off on Trip Review: Star Clipper Adventure

The Blaudow Family from Neptune Beach, FL (two adults and two teen boys) thoroughly enjoyed a cruise on the blaudowcaribbeanStar Clipper over the winter holidays.  The authentic, tall sailing ship traveled round-trip from St. Maarten with stops in Nevis, Dominica, Iles des Saintes, Guadeloupe, Antigua and St. Barth, mostly in small harbors that can’t be accessed by large cruise ships. It is a working tall ship and travels under sail whenever possible, giving you the real experience of sailing.  You can also climb the mast if you’re feeling brave (as one family member did)!   The Blaudows noted that the ship doesn’t have a casino, balconies or a fancy gym or spa, but the experience is so amazing, you won’t miss a thing.   In port, sports activities are available such as sailing, windsurfing, snorkeling and kayaking, weather permitting. The bridge can also be accessed if you’re interested on seeing how the ship is navigated.  The family enjoyed meeting so many interesting people among both the other passengers and crew including the president of the cruise line.  Excursion highlights included a zip line at Loterie Farm in St. Martin (the French Side), river tubing in Dominica, hiking in Guadeloupe and sailboat racing in Antigua.  Their cruise rate included shipboard credits that they used for an excursion, a great Thai massage on board and a nice bottle of wine. They also noted that the food was good and plentiful with vegetarian options at every meal. A pre-night cruise stay on the Dutch side of St. Maarten was comfortable in a spacious 2-bedroom condo at Princess Heights.  Overall the trip was a great success!

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Trip Review: Adventure in Panama

January 29, 2016Comments Off on Trip Review: Adventure in Panama

The Somers/Siegel family from Penn Valley (two adults and two young adult children ages 20 and 17) traveled to Panama over winter break.  The trip began in Panama City, then into the rainforest and ended up at a beach.  somerspanamaIn Panama City, they stayed at the at the Hard Rock Panam Megapolis.  They didn’t love its Vegas vibe or slow elevators.  But the rooms were very nice and breakfast was good.  They absolutely loved the Casa Viejo section of the city which they toured with our private guide, Tony. On their first full day they went to the Miraflores Locks at the Panama Canal and on a tour of the city.  They thought the guide was super informative and also took good care of them.  The only thing they missed was going inside the Biomuseuo designed by Frank Gehry as it was closed when they were there.   They ate in great restaurants in the Old Yown and loved seeing all the people out and about.   Next up was the Gamboa Rainforest Resort.  They described the rainforest as cool and very “out of Africa” like. Their junior suite at the resort was large and comfortable with a loft ideal for sleeping children. They did a ton of trips from the resort’s excursion desk including day and night boat trips, kayaking, trams, wildlife tours, information sessions at their animal refuge and also sat by the pool.  The wildlife was abundant including sloths, crocodiles, monkeys, lots of birds and iguanas. The resort’s meal plan made it easy for dining at this remote location.  At the beach, the family stayed at the Westin Playa Bonita on the club level.  The said that the resort was beautiful and that being on the club level was awesome!  The free water, wine, beer and breakfast was well appreciated.  The rooms were lovely with amazing views of the ocean. The resort pools and open spaces were just lovely. They didn’t have to fight for lounge chairs – there were plenty!  Dining reservations were a little tricky, but the club level concierge was able to arrange dining for them both off and on property.  Overall the trip was a success.  The family explained that Panama is very different – very “Central American” with little English spoken. The locals also bend rules, make new rules and forget rules that they made moments before!  It was very sunny, very hot and the people were awesome!  The family felt safe and welcomed everywhere.

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Trip Review: Winter in Iceland

December 28, 2015Comments Off on Trip Review: Winter in Iceland

A mother/daughter duo from the Silverstein Family from Parkland, FL traveled to Iceland in November for a five-alissadianekefnight adventure and to see the Australis Borealis.  The trip began in the capital city of Reykjavik where the two explored the city including a visit to the Northern Lights Center to learn more about this unique phenomenon.  They also enjoyed a nice contrast in city architecture with amazing city views from the top of the iconic Hallgrímskirkja Church and a visit to the modern Harpa Hall; a concert venue.  They then alissadianekef2ventured south for an overnight, guided trip to the ice caves and the region of the Vatnajokull Glacier and Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon.   The Vatnajokull region is one of the most beautiful in Iceland where the group took several hikes (including on the glaciers) to witness the unique topography and nature such as floating ice bergs, black sand beaches and waterfalls that you can walk behind.  The color of the ice ranged from gorgeous blue to completely clear.   Evenings were spent witnessing the northern lights which are best experienced with slow exposure photography (open your lens to its widest aperture, set your ISO to about 1600 and shoot an exposure of 10-15 seconds).  The trip ended up back in the capital with a relaxing visit to the Blue Lagoon Geothermal Spa.

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St. Martin Condo Stay

August 24, 2015Comments Off on St. Martin Condo Stay

The Schumacher/Epstein Family from Philadelphia (two adults and two teens) traveled to St. Marten for winter break.  Tstmaartenreviewhey were looking for a clean and comfortable two bedroom condo that would be located close to a friend’s house.  Princess Heights fit the bill with a spacious, modern and comfortable unit with 1,400 sq. ft. and a fully stocked kitchen.  Housekeeping even did the dishes!  The property sits on a hillside overlooking Dawn Beach and has a small pool and gym.  The family enjoyed exploring beaches around the island with beautiful blue water everywhere they went.  Restaurants were available within walking distance at the nearby Westin, but they chose to dine at several restaurants within a 5-20 minute drive.  Both the towns of Phillipsburg on the Dutch side and Orient Beach on the French side are within 15 minutes of the property.  It didn’t take long for them to figure out the hilly and narrow roads on the island which made it easy to explore.  They also took a day trip to St. Bart’s which was really beautiful and reminded them of St. Tropez.  Overall they enjoyed the island, the non-stop flight, easy access to great beaches and nearby islands and a nice variety of locally owned restaurants.

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Ya Mon!

August 24, 2015Comments Off on Ya Mon!

This past November and December Lauren and Evan and Mindy’s family of four (2 adults and 2 teens) both traveled to Jamaica. It had been some time since our last visit to this lush and friendly island.  valencijamaicaMindy’s family enjoyed the new and upscale Hyatt Ziva Rose Hall which is the former Ritz Carlton Montego Bay.  The rooms are quite spacious and the staff goes out their way to help.  Dining was a highlight with a nice variety of food choices including lobster and 24 hour rooms service. There were plenty of lounge chairs and cabanas by the pool and beach and the evenings were made cozy with fire pits.  The size of the resort is very manageable compared to other all-inclusives. Lauren stayed at two adult-only properties as we are sending many couples and families with young adult children on vacation (plus girls’ getaways, honeymoons, etc.).  The Riu Montego Bay was modern, new and convenient to the airport with full access to the Riu Montego BRiu Palaceay next door.  The amount of amenities and man-made beach made this a good choice for a short stay.  Couples Swept Away in Negril was old-school Jamaica (lots of dark wood and tropical flair) and sits on a beautiful beach. The highlight here are the sports facilities with a great tennis program, Olympic size lap pool, squash courts, fitness classes, watersports, basketball, soccer and more.  Lots of extras such a sunset cruise and shuttle to shops are included.  Lauren also toured two family properties in Negril.  The gorgeous Azul Sensatori (with a family and adult-only side) is an intimate and upscale property with swim out pools, fresh and modern décor, excellent dining and more.  Beaches Negril is a larger property with a wide array of accommodation options for families.  The property showcases extensive children and teen programs, a wide variety of recreation and plenty of great dining choices.

A Moroccan Adventure

August 24, 2015Comments Off on A Moroccan Adventure

The Gastwirth Family (one adult and one teen age 16) traveled to Morocco during spring gastwirthmorocco2break for an exciting adventure.  The Family Traveler created a custom trip based on their interests, time and budget requests.  The trip began in Marrakesh with a private tour of the city’s Old Town, markets, royal tombs, mosques and more along with a dinner show. The trip moved onto the nearby High Atlas Mountains for visits to local villages and extensive hiking.  Some time on the coast in the fishing town of Essaouria included a visit to a local argan oil co-op and camel ride on the beach. The trip ended in Casablanca with guided city tour and a stop along the way in the picturesque town of Oualidia known for its oysters.  Hotels were all independent and authentic accommodations. The family really enjoyed the experience and took amazing photos.  They made some great friends along the way and said that their drivers were friendly and timely.  The experience left them with a unique look at Moroccan culture and history and the hope to return some day to visit their new Moroccan friends.  Andrew Gastwirth is an amazing photographer and we thank him for sharing these photos with us!

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California Dreamin’

August 24, 2015Comments Off on California Dreamin’

Mindy’s family of 4 (2 adults and 2 teens ages 18 and 16) traveled to Carmel Valley and San Francisco goldengatethis month for a fun and relaxing family getaway.  Their first stop was the Carmel Valley Ranch, an upscale resort that sits at the base on the Santa Lucia Mountains.  Activities at the ranch include golf, tennis, hundreds of miles of hiking trails, organic garden, learning about honey bees, equestrian center, spa, mountain-top yoga, pools and daily activities such as geocaching and s’more making.  Their huge suite had a separate living area with sofa bed.  They enjoyed exploring the seaside towns of Carmel-by-the Sea, Monterey and Pacific Grove which offered plenty of great dining options, shops and place to watch beautiful sunsets.  One day was spent visiting Big Sur, the second most visited tourist attraction in the US (after Times Square) and where the mountains meet the sea. There are plenty of spots to pull over for undeniably beautiful photos.  A stop at Julia Pfeiffer State Park included a hike.  After two nights, they moved onto San Francisco with a stay in a one bedroom suite at the Hotel Monaco (with separate living room with sofabed and rollaway). This small, boutique hotel offers attentive service, nightly wine receptions and complimentary coffee and tea each morning.  The staff was friendly and helpful– quickly learning their names and lending to the “homey” feel of the hotel.   As a Kimpton Karma member (free membership) they got coupons for their minibar, a free movie and free internet.  Day one in the city included a small group highlight tour which featured the valencisfoGolden Gate Bridge, Golden Gate Park, Chinatown, the Haight, Twin Peaks, the Presidio, Embarcadero, Fisherman’s Wharf and Ghiardelli Square.  They learned about the history of the city and about local politics, sports, culture, architecture and life style unique to San Francisco. The tour proved to be a great orientation of the city and to figure out which neighborhoods to further explore.  Day two included a walking tour of Chinatown, home to the 2nd largest Asian population in the country.  They learned how and when the Chinese arrived in San Francisco and how they live today.  The tour was led by Linda Lee, a second generation Chinese American who was born and raised in the neighborhood.  Linda was a pleasure and delight to walk with and her sense of humor added to the experience.  They learned about Chinese medicine (herbs and other natural healing elements), religion, language (an incredible variety of dialects are spoken) culture, art, and food.  They even toured a small factory where fortune cookies are still made. A dim sum lunch was the perfect ending to this tour.  The Valenci’s also biked over the Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito, explored various neighborhoods, visited family and friends and enjoyed a comedy show.  Overall a great trip!

A Journey to Israel

August 24, 2015Comments Off on A Journey to Israel

The Silverstein Family from Parkland, FL (traveling with parents and 3 young adult children; 2 who had already been on Birthright trips) ventured to Israel this summer for a custom, private tour.  silverstein1They took off running upon landing to make the most of their 10-night journey.  The itinerary first took them to north to Caesarea with its Roman theater and aqueducts, Haifa and throughout the Galilee and the Golan.  Their northern adventures included river rafting, wine tasting on a kibbutz, meeting with an active military unit as well as with a local border resident to better understand what life is like.  The trip then ascended to Jerusalem for the Sabbath and to explore the many facets of this unique city both old and new.  Private tours of the Knesset (Parliament) and Yad Vashem (Holocaust Memorial) were included.  Walking along the walls of the Old City kotelafforded interesting views and was a trip highlight.  They also went underground at the Western Wall Tunnels and really enjoyed seeing the Dead Sea Scrolls and menorahs from around the world at the Israel Museum.  On the way to the Dead Sea they visited the Ayalon Institute, a former ammunitions factory hidden in a laundry that was a trip highlight and the caves at Beit Guvrin.  They hiked up and down Masada, floated in the Dead Sea and then spent the afternoon hiking in Ein Gedi where they were fortunate to witness a herd of ibex.  The trip ended in Tel Aviv for some down time and to visit Jaffa.  They enjoyed renting bikes to explore the city (part of the city’s Tel-O-Fun bike share program) and traveling along the city’s beach promenade.  They stayed in a variety of hotels and inns.  A favorite was Mitzpe Hayamim in Rosh Pinah which was also a working farm.  The trip was thought provoking and informative on many levels. Overall a successful trip full of history, culture, religion, lots of fresh food, amazing photos and outdoor adventures.

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UK Adventure

August 24, 2015Comments Off on UK Adventure

The Kaplan and Naab Families (4 adults and 3 teens) from Philadelphia traveled to the United Kingdom in July.  The families started their trip with several nights in London at the St. Ermin’s Hotel (rich in British spy history).  They filled their days with a nice variety of tours, sights and museums and used the London Pass to make the most of their stay.  The families let us know that the Harry Potter themed Muggle Tour was really fun, but they do not recommend the Ghost Bus Tour that they decided to try.  Bad actors, but lots of laughs and taking in new neighborhoods as a result.  The teens loved Westminster Abbey, the London Eye, the Tower of London and the Tower Bridge Tour.  They said the later tour is not to be missed- the views and glass floor are wonderful.  The London Dungeon Tour also turned out to be better than expected with lots of laughs and learning.  The only other bomb was the Sherlock Holmes Museum –  it is a bust!  Most of the group took the train out to Windsor Castle (while others checked out Wimbledon) which was spectacular and easy to do. In a visit to Parliament, they got in to see the House of Lords in action which was a highlight for the adults. After London, the two families headed to Bath by train and really loved this charming town.  They took a full day Mad Max tour to Stonehenge, Avebury and The Kaplans @ StonehengeCotswold’s and thought that the tour was perfect and the guide marvelous.  The small bus was ideal.  They explain that their hotel, The Queensberry, was a little tired, but the staff made up for that – they were helpful and agreeable. The sights and shopping in Bath were also excellent – they loved the Roman Bath Museum and the abbey. From Bath they trained to Oxford for a day trip and visited the Great Hall at Christ Church (the dining room from the Harry Potter films) and its surroundings.   The Naabs headed home and the Kaplan Family then flew up to Glasgow, Scotland from nearby Bristol.  They loved Scotland and their relaxed stay at Mar Hall Golf and Spa Resort just outside town.  They agreed with us that at this point they would need a break after so much touring.  They had a rental car and found it easy to get around the countryside and cities.  They spent a day in Glasgow and drove up to Lock Lomond.  The boat tour we suggested was a hit and they completely enjoyed the sights, views and the peacefulness.  They even had fun getting lost and driving in circles!  They moved onto Stirling and really liked the Stirling Castle, the history and the town.  They used points to stay at the Hilton in Dunblane which wasn’t so great, but just for the night.  The trip ended in Edinburgh which they completely loved. The hotel was borderline, again using Hilton points, but the staff was very good.  They loved the Edinburgh Castle and also got to see the Holyrood Palace – which was wonderful and not crowded – the Queens marksmen were there having an archery competition in the gardens; so that was a nice surprise.  All in all both families had a marvelous trip.  They can’t wait to go back!

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