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.
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.
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.
Trip Review: Down Under Adventure
The Kaufman/Brand family from Nyack, NY traveled Down Under for a 3-week adventure through New Zealand and Australia. The mother/daughter duo visited nine different destinations to highlight each country’s unique wildlife, topography, and culture! The trip included Auckland, Rotorua, Christchurch, and Queenstown, New Zealand along with Melbourne, Cairns, Ayers Rock, Alice Springs, and Sydney in Australia. We used a tour operator due to the complexity of this tour which included flights (international and domestic), transfers, hotels, tours, experiences, and more. But the tour was customized to meet their needs, interest, and budget. Some of the unique experiences in New Zealand that were included in their package were the Waitomo Caves to see the glow worms and the Hobbiton movie set on the way from Auckland to Rotorua; an eco-thermal tour of Rotorua to see volcanoes, geysers, boiling mud pool, and hot springs; dinner in a Maori village and a cruise on gorgeous Milford Sound. The itinerary allowed plenty of free time to explore on their own as well. In Australia, their favorite highlights were day trips from Melbourne that included a drive along the Great Ocean Road and a Philip Island tour to watch the penguin parade. They also experienced Great Barrier Reef snorkeling, the Kurunda Railway, and separate sunset and sunrise experiences at Uluru. They added a tour at Uluru on their last morning to see Kata Tjuta (the Olgas). They also added a trip to Featherdale Wildlife Park in Sydney where they witnessed a baby koala come out of its mother’s pouch and fed kangaroos and wallabies. Other memorable experiences: getting wrapped up in the Women’s World Cup excitement by attending a match in Sydney and also watching the Aussies win at Fan Central. They enjoyed all of their deluxe hotels and stayed at hotels by Pullman, MSocial, Crowne Plaza, and a few smaller chains. All but the Queenstown hotel were in the city centers. They let us know that they both really loved the trip and had an excellent time!
Trip Review: Croatian Island Experience
The Dimry family from Southern California (7 adults and 2 teens) gathered in Croatia this summer for a private and custom charter boat experience. For a week, they explored the islands of the Central and Southern Dalmatia portion of the Adriatic Coast. They all met up in Split after some of them visited London and Barcelona on the way. They began the Croatia portion of their trip in the seaside town of Trogir, just outside of Split. They stayed for two nights at Brown Beach House, which they appreciated for its boutique style and service. The family enjoyed wandering around Trogir and had an outstanding guide in Split for a tour of the fascinating Diocletian Palace. Then they boarded the fully crewed Gulet Andjeo in Split. Their 88 ft. boat is a classic wooden yacht with 5 cabins and water toys on board. They opted for two meals per day to also experience local food on each island. Breakfast was prepared on the boat each morning and they were able to help plan the daily lunch or dinner menu depending on the day’s plans. The family’s first stop was Brac, the largest island in Dalmatia, and the third-largest island in the Adriatic Sea. Their guided jeep safari of the island included a memorable visit to an olive oil factory and the hidden monastery of Blaca. The tour ended with a private lunch at a local farm in Milna which they loved. This island is very hilly; so they said that jeep exploration was ideal. The next stop was in Hvar which is Croatia’s most popular island known for its lovely architecture, quaint town, beaches, and nightlife. They explored this port on their own later in the day to avoid the heat. The next day they meandered around the small island of Korcula which is only 20 miles long and 4-5 miles wide. The island is known for its dense forest and quaint town with medieval squares, churches, and palaces. A wine tasting here was a nice experience. On the thickly forested island of Mljet, the family took a guided bike tour which they noted was the easiest way to explore since one-third of it is a national park. The family also sailed through the Elaphiti Islands which is a gorgeous archipelago of 13 islands (only three are inhabited) with lush woodland, hidden caves, dramatic cliffs, and secluded beaches. The trip ended in Dubrovnik from where they flew home. All along the way, the ship also docked in some quiet coves where they were able to sunbathe, snorkel, paddleboard, kayak, and more. Swimming off the boat was great fun too. The boat’s plank made an excellent high dive! The ship had a tender boat to take them onto land whenever they wanted. They found many tasty places to eat and especially appreciated restaurants where you could select a freshly caught fish and have it prepared family style. They also loved finding local artwork at the myriad of small galleries and purchased some pieces to bring home. They found their crew to be outstanding. A few hiccups regarding what was prepaid and paid at the time of sailing dampened the experience somewhat along with no A/C in the bathrooms, but overall the trip was great fun for all.
Trip Review: African Adventure
The Josloff Family (parents and 3 young adult sons) from outside of Philadelphia traveled to Botswana, Zimbabwe, and South Africa this spring on a completely custom-designed 13-night African adventure. Their itinerary combined two diverse safari experiences with a trip to Victoria Falls and Cape Town. It began with an overnight at a Johanessburg airport hotel followed by a 3-night stay at Machaba Camp in Botswana’s famous Okavango Delta and the game-rich Khwai area. They really enjoyed the upscale tented camp experience and got to explore the waterways by mokoro canoe. The family appreciated their game driver going off-road to locate the wildlife and said that the staff and food at the camp were fantastic. The next two nights were spent on the Zimbabwe side of Victoria Falls, a destination highlight. They stayed at the lovely Ilala Lodge. Their itinerary was chock full of activities including a Sundowner sunset cruise on the Zambezi River; a walking, wet, and immersive tour of the falls; and a helicopter ride over the falls! The ride was smooth with amazing views…a must-do! From the falls, they flew south to Cape Town with a 4-night stay at Blackheath Lodge which is located in the Seapoint, an upscale neighborhood that sits between Signal Hill and the Atlantic Ocean. They said the hotel and its staff were great. Their driver for their two private days tours was terrific as well. One day the family traveled south on a Cape Peninsula Tour that included the Cape of Good Hope and a visit with the penguins at Boulder Beach. Another day was spent on an amazing Winelands Tour to visit the nearby vineyards and taste some of South Africa’s best wines. On their last day in Cape Town, they had planned to climb Table Mountain, but it was too cloudy. They appreciated a day of rest and relaxation! The trip ended with a second safari at Jaci’s Sabi House in the Sabi Sands Reserve near Kruger National Park…a private villa experience with private game drives, a butler, and a chef. A pampering experience. They found the wildlife viewing more limited here and the ride to the camp was so bumpy that they decided to fly back to Johanessburg on their travels back home. But overall, the family said the entire trip was smooth travels and amazing!
Trip Review: Exploring Madrid
The Edelman Family of 7 (parents, young adult children and significant others who gathered from Cleveland, Chicago, and New York) traveled to Madrid last month for a 6-night getaway. They based themselves in the capital city and took day trips to explore the central region of Spain…much easier than moving around with 7 people and luggage in tow. The brand new and boutique-style JW Marriott was their Madrid home and is nicely located next to Plaza de Canalejas and close to the Puerto del Sol. With just 139 rooms and suites, the luxury hotel was previously one of the oldest perfumeries in the city and uses that history in its décor. They found the service to be very attentive and let us know that the rooms were lovely and comfy. But the hotel, as expected with any debut, is still working out some kinks here and there. But overall a nice stay. A private orientation tour on the family’s first afternoon was a great way to get to know the city’s layout and history. Our favorite guide, Pepe, uses a tablet to showcase photos, maps, etc. to better understand and digest all of his commentary. The next day they explored the Royal Palace and Prado Museum on their own with pre-purchased entry tickets. We didn’t want to overtax them with guided tours, which they appreciated. The following day Pepe drove the group to Toledo for a full-day tour of the city’s Jewish, Muslim, and Christian history. They learned so much about the city’s location and how and why these religions converged here. The next day some of the family went for a run in Retiro Park and then the whole family enjoyed hanging out together in the park afterward. That afternoon they took a private flamenco lesson. The teacher’s lack of English and a very hot room due to neighbors’ complaints about noise created both a fun and funny atmosphere. Later that evening they met back up with Pepe for a wine and tapas tour. Pepe ensured that all special dietary needs were met! Another evening they went to an authentic flamenco show and one night indulged in a paella dinner. Due to scheduling issues, the family spent the last two days on day trips. The first was a private tour of the walled city of Avila and another day was spent on a somewhat challenging hike through the Sierra de Guadarrama National Park and then a tour of nearby Segovia and its famous aqueduct. Overall, the Edelmans appreciated that Madrid was a cost-efficient city, offered such a nice variety of dining options, and had such a rich culture and history that peaked all of their interests.
Trip Review: A Punta Cana Getaway
The Ross Family from Philadelphia (2 adults and 2 girls ages 13 and 15) vacationed in Punta Cana in April with a stay at the family-friendly Finest Resort in Uvero Alto, about 45 minutes north of the airport. They said that the trip was perfect and exactly what they needed! The family was very appreciative of the resort staff saying each one of them, and there were so many, could not have been nicer. There was an issue with the parents’ room as it faced some construction that included a bad smell. The hotel kindly moved them to the adult-only Excellence side of the property, which they said was amazing! It was so relaxing, and chill and their girls didn’t miss them one bit. They were originally in club-level rooms down the hall from each other, but it didn’t matter at all. The girls had each other and were very independent. The nightlife was another highlight for the family. The resort showcased different shows every night, typically more than one, and drew a fun crowd. The sports bar was also a good spot to hang together as a family and play pool, karaoke, etc. They met another family with children of similar ages to theirs and enjoyed a rainy-day extravaganza of cards and tequila. The property had a ton to do for families, rain, or shine. The food was fine, but we warned them not to expect top-quality cuisine although on the club level there are some more upscale options (including the room service menu). Everyone in the family found something at every restaurant and the chefs and waitstaff were very accommodating to some of their special dietary requests. The club level also includes a private check-in and other amenities. Every day they hung out in the beach cabanas that we booked in advance for them. They were especially appreciative of the resort’s overall cleanliness. The excursions were good too. The zip line through the jungle with Runners Adventures was a fun adventure and the tour company staff were amazing, but the transport was a bit disorganized. The horseback riding arranged through Punta Cana Adventures was ok…unfortunately, they strolled through lots of trash to get to the beach from the ranch, but once they got there it was pretty. Overall, a relaxing and fun time for the entire family.
Trip Review: European Arts
Brittany Fenkel and her teenage daughter Anna from Bryn Mawr took a mother/daughter trip to three countries in Europe last summer with a unique focus on the performing arts. Their custom-planned trip began in Prague with a 3-night stay at the 22-room Hotel Residence Agnes, located in the city’s Old Town. They found the hotel to be charming with staff that treated them like family. On arrival, freshly made apple strudel, wine, and coffee were offered with complimentary snacks and drinks whenever they wanted. The staff reviewed their itinerary with them to make sure they knew where to go, made excellent dining recommendations and reservations, did their laundry for free, and even offered complimentary airport transfers and driving services. The duo took a city driving tour to all corners of the city with our favorite Prague guide, Luba, and also visited Prague Castle on their own. Their entertainment roster included a jazz concert with the Czech Jazz Workshop at the Jazz Dock (a jazz club literally right on the river) which they said was really fun, authentic, and unique, as well as a version of Swan Lake ballet, performed in a small (but hot) venue without live music, but enjoyable, nonetheless. A day trip to Cesky Krumlov rounded out their Czech experience. They then flew to Vienna for a 4-night stay at the Hotel Beethoven, fitting for this arts-inspired trip. The boutique hotel is centrally located in the city near the Naschmarkt. They said that their room was spacious and comfortable, but the hotel didn’t have the same family feel and service levels as Prague. They took a walking tour of the city with a private guide, and she recommend some iconic restaurants and gave them plenty of local lore. Their long day trip to Salzburg for a Sound of Music tour was also combined with Mozart history. They were hoping for more Sound of Music stops, but still found Salzburg to be adorable and gorgeous. An incredible classical music concert that included some opera was a Vienna highlight. The top-notch musicians were in period costumes which were both touristy and charming at the same time. Their last stop was Venice where they flew in and stayed at the upscale Starhotel’s Splendid for 4-nights, located on a canal for easy access and a short walk from the Piazza San Marco. While the hotel was a bit dark, they said the staff was amazing and they enjoyed their room. They took a Boat Ride and Walking tour of the city and a tour of the Burano, Murano, and Torcello Islands. The later was a large group tour, but still fun. They were pleasantly surprised by the lovely Burano which is known for its lace. They went shopping at a beautiful store that had extraordinary handmade items that the shop sells to many royals and celebrities. Torcello was nothing special, but they were fine with that and Murano was also nice with all of its glassmaking artisans. A stop for drinks at the Hotel Cipriani was beyond extravagant, but a lovely experience. The Barber of Seville opera performed in an incredible palace topped their stay. They said the intimate setting felt like an extravagance…so small, personal, special, and creative. It was a truly delightful and memorable way to end their trip. A wow! Overall, a great trip. They let us know that they walked over 20,000 steps a day in the summer’s 90+ degree heat and loved every minute of it!
