Thanksgiving Mountain Retreat

This Thanksgiving, escape to the Four Seasons Resort and Residences Vail, where crisp mountain air and cozy moments create the perfect holiday setting. Book a private residence and let the Four Seasons handle the cooking, so you can fully enjoy the holiday magic!

Your Private Residence Package benefits include:

• Complimentary Fourth Night with every three paid nights
• Curated Thanksgiving Feast delivered to your residence on your preferred date
• Haute Chocolate Experience with their in-house chocolatier
• In-Residence Cookie Baking with the pastry team
• One 50-Minute Massage in the newly renovated spa for one guest per bedroom
• Expedited Check-In
• Bespoke Arrival Amenity
• Complimentary Laundry Service
• Dedicated Guest Experience Manager
• Fridge Stocked with complimentary non-alcoholic beverages
• Complimentary Polestar House Car for convenient local travel
• Priority Shuttle Access to explore Vail Village with ease

Our agency is part of Four Seasons Preferred Elite Program, so your family will also enjoy daily breakfast and a $200 resort credit per room!  This package is available from November 22 – December 7, with a minimum four-night stay.

Located in beautiful Vail Village, Four Seasons Vail features 16 luxurious Private Residences with up to 6 bedrooms, a full-service hotel, spa, daily activities (like yoga, art workshops, and nature walks), a teen lounge, year-round pool, and more. The perfect mountain retreat for family gatherings!

Festive Baja Cruise

Looking for a unique holiday getaway? Uncruise is offering a 10-night cruise departing from Cabo San Lucas, Mexico on December 18 with a special voyage: “Steinbeck’s Wake: An Epic Voyage Through the Sea of Cortez”.  The family-friendly adventure will be led by their owner and CEO, Captain Dan Blanchard.   And now you can save 20% off your cruise plus an additional $500 discount per child with your second child sailing for free! The single supplement is also waived.

Your family will follow in the footsteps of John Steinbeck and Ed Ricketts as you explore the places featured in their famous book, “The Log from the Sea of Cortez”. Captain Blanchard, who has a deep personal connection to this region, will share his insights and even lead guided excursions, giving your family an insider experience you won’t find anywhere else. Holiday activities include children’s programs, a festive Christmas dinner and holiday themed drink and desserts. This trip is ideal for nature enthusiasts, history buffs, or just a relaxing getaway.  Enjoy marine life exploration, whale watching, kayaking, hiking, star gazing and more!

Kosher in Paradise

The Grand Hyatt Baha Mar has enhanced its offerings with a full range of kosher dining options and religious services for guests. The resort features Cinko Asian Latino Grill, the Caribbean’s first 100% certified kosher restaurant, along with Knosh, a kosher food truck serving delicious vegetarian and pescatarian options. For added convenience, in-room kosher dining is available 24/7, and guests can also enjoy pre-packaged kosher meals.

Religious services are hosted onsite, including Shabbat services with minyan on Friday night at Cinko, as well as throughout the week at either the hotel chapel or nearby at The Chabad of the Bahamas. A newly completed Eruv now surrounds the entire Baha Mar resort, allowing religious families to carry items during Shabbat.

For Yeshiva Winter Break, the resort is offering a special package from January 11 to February 6, 2025. This package includes 20% off rooms and a $350 food and beverage credit for stays of five nights or more.

Beyond its kosher amenities, Grand Hyatt Baha Mar features a waterpark, multiple pools, a lazy river, a wildlife sanctuary, golf, tennis, a children’s program, and much more—ideal for a relaxing and memorable family vacation.

Expanded Family Destinations

National Geographic Expeditions and G Adventures have expanded their National Geographic Family Journeys with three exciting new destinations: Ecuador, Mexico, and Spain. These family-focused trips aim to combine learning and adventure, providing culturally immersive experiences that reflect National Geographic’s expertise in wildlife, photography, storytelling, history, and exploration. The addition brings the total number of family journeys to 19!

New Family Journeys:

• Ecuador Family Journey: Volcanoes and the Amazon – Discover the Amazon jungle with native wildlife encounters and biodiversity lessons, including a memorable three-night stay in a jungle lodge.
• Mexico Family Journey: Ruins and Cenotes of the Yucatan – Experience communal life with the Maya in Yaxunah, learn ancient culinary techniques, explore cenotes, go on a wildlife safari in Cozumel, snorkel near Chichen Itza, and more.
• Spain Family Journey: Vibrant Cities and Artistic Icons – Tour Real Madrid’s Bernabeu Stadium, embark on a Barcelona scavenger hunt, visit Salvador Dali’s surreal house, take a paella cooking class, and dive into Spain’s artistic wonders.

Plus, with at least eight people, you can make your tour private—a perfect way to bring family and friends together!

For even more family fun, G Adventures also announced a new fleet of 57-ft. yachts, offering exclusive 7- to 14-night journeys through the Greek Islands beginning in 2025. These yachts accommodate up to 10 people, perfect for an unforgettable family travel experience.

Trip Review: Punta Cana Adult Getaway

This summer, our Jen, her husband, and six other couples from the Philadelphia area and Northern New Jersey traveled to the adult only and upscale Sanctuary Cap Cana in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, to celebrate their 50th birthdays together.

The group stayed in Castle One Bedroom Oceanside Suites and Castle Junior Oceanfront Suites where all the views were amazing and the rooms modern and inviting. One highlight of staying in this section was having a dedicated butler who provided attentive and responsive service, making sure everyone’s needs were met. Their presence added an extra touch of luxury, and their attention to detail made the stay even more relaxing and enjoyable. Birthday cakes in each room was an added surprise.

They even discovered a secluded pool at the end of the Castle building, which became a private hangout spot. The main pool and beach always had ample seating, which the group appreciated, along with the overall excellent service and helpful staff.  They founds lots of quiet nooks and crannies throughout the resort to enjoy time together.

The group pre-booked most dinners, with a minor $15 per person fee for securing reservations at select restaurants; the fee could be applied toward wine or premium dishes. They enjoyed meals at Blue Marlin (seafood), Wok (Asian), Capriccio (Italian), and the Steakhouse, with consensus that Capriccio and the Steakhouse were the top dining spots. They also spent a fun, relaxed evening in Sanctuary Town, enjoying pizza, pasta, salads, and burgers. Overall there were plenty of good food options.

They enjoyed a variety of resort activities, from water aerobics and beach volleyball to corn hole, darts and bike riding. Many enjoyed arts and crafts, with some creating painted vases as memorable keepsakes. The spa was another highlight, with those who indulged in treatments raving about its top-tier quality.  Several of the men enjoyed a round of golf at the renowned Punta Espada Golf Club, known for its stunning oceanfront holes. They returned with high praise, calling the course one of the best they’d ever played.

Overall, Sanctuary Cap Cana provided the perfect setting for this milestone celebration. With beautiful accommodations, excellent service, and a variety of activities and dining options, the resort ensured an unforgettable 50th birthday experience for Jen and her friends.

Travel Tip: Mexico and UK Updates

We’re pleased to share that Mexico has removed additional customs charges for travelers bringing in multiple electronic devices. ¡Gracias!

Meanwhile, starting January 8, 2025, travelers to the United Kingdom will need to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA). Applications open on November 27, 2024, at a cost of £10, valid for two years or until your passport expires.

Note that the UK’s ETA is separate from the planned European ETA for mainland Europe, which has faced ongoing delays. Visit the official UK website for details and updates: Apply for an ETA.

We’ll keep you informed if any changes arise!