A Girls’ Getaway to San Francisco

San Francisco is a fun city to spend a few hours or a few nights, a perfect destination for a girls’ getaway weekend. And when “the girls” are mother and daughter, it makes for great memories.

Recently, my daughter and I spent a night in the city along with a group of friends. Our “home” for the evening: the fun and hip Hotel Triton. The location couldn’t have been more convenient. Out the door to the left was the Union Square shopping district. To the right was the gate to Chinatown. Across the street was a Starbucks, and right next door was Café de la Press which had great breakfast and pastries. And cable car stops were just a short walk away.

As soon as you walk into the lobby of the hotel, you know it’s a special place. The whimsical decor, bright colors, and wall murals pay homage to pop art culture. It’s the kind of place where you notice new details on every visit, and there are fun surprises, too, like Dr. Seuss books on the lobby tables one morning. We were all impressed with the staff, who were warm, friendly, and eager to go the extra mile for their guests. I half expected eye-rolling when they saw a group of 10 year old girls march in the door, but they went out of their way to accommodate us, such as having plenty of juice and soft drinks on hand for the complimentary manager’s reception in the evening.

Since there were just two of us, we had a standard room with two double beds. Though on the small side, typical for a boutique city hotel, the details were impressive. A beautiful vanity lined with mirrors, custom glass light fixtures, fun wall art, a checkerboard shower stall, and, much to the girls’ delight, zebra print robes in the closet. And if that’s not enough, the Hotel Triton welcomes pets, and has also been widely recognized for its eco-friendly practices. Harper’s Bazaar named it the best hotel in San Francisco: “a happening and unique escape from the mundane.”

For families, I’d recommend the specially themed Häagen-Dazs Suite. It has a king bed, sofabed, and room for a rollaway, so it can comfortably sleep up to four. And the best part: all the ice cream you can eat. There is even a stocked freezer in the room! (The hotel also has two other Celebrity Suites: Kathy Griffin and Jerry Garcia.)

Hotel Triton is a member of the Kimpton Hotels group, which offers a great selection of accommodations in many cities across the country. They all offer the Kimpton Kids program, with special amenities and services for families.
There are lots of activities for all ages in San Francisco. On our trip, we strolled through Chinatown, saw the musical Wicked, and visited the King Tut exhibit at the De Young Museum in Golden Gate Park. If we had more time, some other activities kids love are a cruise on the bay, a tour of Alcatraz, walking across the Golden Gate Bridge, and shopping and eating on Fisherman’s Wharf. And many other northern California attractions are an easy drive away, including beautiful coastline, giant redwoods, and wine country.


For more information about planning a great family vacation, contact Suzette Mack at suzette@family-treks.com.
/by
,

Big Fun in the Big Apple

One of my favorite movies of all time is “Big” starring Tom Hanks, about a boy who wishes to be grown-up, and then has that wish granted by a mysterious carnival game. Everyone remembers the scene where he dances with his boss on the big piano in the toy store.

So I got a kick out of a new program recently introduced by Kitt Garrett: a private dance lesson on the big piano at FAO Schwarz – before the store opens to the public!

Kitt is a New York City insider who knows just about everyone and everything in the Big Apple. She is my best resource for clients who want exclusive experiences, from a guided walk with a professor of art or architecture, to a shopping tour in the Garment District, to private cooking or dance classes.

“Dance on the Big Piano” is a part of a custom New York City vacation package which can include the following options:

– Roundtrip Airport Transportation
– Hotel Accommodations
– Broadway Theater Tickets and Backstage Access with a Cast Member
– Private Tour at the American Museum of Natural History with Preferred Space Show Seating

– Private Scavenger Hunt at the Metropolitan Museum of Art

– Lunch at the River Café with Private Guided Walk Across the Brooklyn Bridge
– One Hour Harbor Tour
– Two Hour Private Bike or Pedi-Cab Tour of Central Park
– Visit to Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island with a Private Guide
I don’t have a price as the program is completely customized, depending on the client’s interest and budget. It’s safe to say it’s not the cheapest way to visit NYC. As we found on our trip this past summer, many of the tourist attractions are easy to see on your own (though advance planning is recommended to avoid long lines during peak times).

But Kitt’s programs are perfect if looking for something “over the top” to celebrate a special occasion, or as a special reward for a corporate incentive trip. And working with Kitt ensures clients a seamless, hassle-free experience with full VIP treatment.

For more information about planning a memorable trip to New York City, contact Suzette Mack at suzette@family-treks.com.
/by
,

The Best Family Adventures in the UK

I asked Jonathan Epstein of Celebrated Experiences about his favorite hotels for families in the UK, outside of London (which has so many family-friendly hotels it was worth its own blog post.) Here is his top list:

Sheen Falls Lodge (Ireland): Kids can not only learn how to fish, but also how to smoke them. Nearby is Lorge Chocolate which offers classes for all ages on preparing and handling chocolate confections. There is a great swimming pool on the property, which offers a variety of rooms, suites and villas at guaranteed USD rates.

Ashford Castle (Ireland): Regarded as one of the world‘s finest castle hotels, it is full of history and dates back to 1228. Perfect for families, there is a myriad of things to do from falconry and horseback riding to fishing and boating. Rooms and suites are uniquely decorated, but offer modern amenities.

The Torridon (Scotland): This is the most authentic Highlands destination, a 58 acre estate nestled between mountains and a loch. Families will find outdoor activities ranging from kayaking, rock climbing, and hiking to fishing and archery. It even won the prestigious award “Scottish Activity Hotel of the Year.” This is Jonathan’s favorite family destination in Scotland.
Mount Juliet (Ireland): Kids can have the best equestrian experience here, not only riding and jumping, but even taking an exclusive tour of the Ballylinch Stud Farm to see the fowls. Nearby, families can also visit many local craftmakers who specialize in silver, glass, crystal, and leather. There is also a Jack Nicklaus designed Championship Golf Course, spa, and indoor pool.

Bovey Castle (England): Located in Dartmoor National Park, a 2 hr train ride west of London, Jonathan says this is the best hotel in the UK for families. In addition to activities such as falconry, tennis, and cycling, kids can collect eggs in the morning, make apple cider, or participate in dozens of activities in the Bovey Rangers program.

I work closely with Jonathan and his staff to create a memorable and fun trips for all ages, whether it’s a short weekend getaway to a themed Harry Potter tour to a custom journey exploring your family history. For more information about planning your next family vacation, contact Suzette Mack at suzette@family-treks.com.

/by
,

Where The Wild Things Are

Ok, maybe you think traveling with your kids is all the wildlife you need. But honestly, there is almost no better way to ensure kids have fun on vacation than to take them where they can see cool animals up close.

Here are some of our most memorable animal encounters:

Riviera Maya – The jungle extending from Puerto Morelos to Tulum is home to not only dozens of great family-friendly resorts, but also to many lizards. At the Fairmont Mayakoba, we couldn’t take two steps without seeing a gecko or iguana, and there was even a resident alligator in the canal! And Akumal Bay will always have a special place in our hearts, after hours spent snorkeling with manta rays, turtles, and even the occasional barracuda.

Alaska – While grizzlies have the most fearsome reputation, we had more encounters with black bears, including a very persistent guy who kept following us around on a backpacking trip in the arctic. Watching bear cubs tumble down a hillside in play (from a safe distance via spotting scope) was adorable. But one of my favorite experiences was kayaking in a small arm of Glacier Bay alongside seals that delighted in surfing with the incoming tide. San Juan Islands – One of the highlights on our Backroads family cycling trip was a wildlife-watching cruise. There are resident orcas in the waters off San Juan Island, which can also be observed from land at Lime Kiln Point State Park, along with the occasional minke and gray whale. It’s also a great destination for bird-watching.

Yellowstone – A visit to our nation’s first national park is like going on a safari – wide open spaces and lots of big game. The kids squealed in delight as a bison practically stuck his (her?) head through our car window. And a bear foraging alongside the road was a real traffic stopper. We also saw moose, bald eagle, antelope, and heard there were also some wolves in the area, though we didn’t get a chance to see them.

Canada – Near the top of my list of amazing animal experiences was during a trip to the Canadian Rockies one year around Labor Day. Fall is the elk breeding season when these beautiful creatures literally can be found walking the streets of town. But the real treat was when a bull decided to make the lawn of our cabin along the Athabasca river home to his harem. Every evening we had a herd right outside our door, and we listened to the haunting melody of the elk bugling, one of the most unique sounds I have ever heard in my life.

There are many other great family vacations that offer amazing opportunities to view, and sometimes even interact, with wildlife. Costa Rica, the Galapagos Islands, Africa, just to name a few. These are the kind of vacations that not only create memories to last a lifetime, but can also change your life.

For more information about planning your next family vacation, contact Suzette Mack at suzette@family-treks.com.

/by
,

Just For Kids in Los Cabos

Los Cabos is a great beach destination just a short flight from West Coast cities. Located on the Baja Peninsula, the climate is arid and dry, very different from other Mexico resort areas.

Here is a sample of what resorts have to offer for families:

Dreams Los Cabos Suites Golf Resort & Spa – The Explorer’s Club for ages 3-12 offers a playground area, indoor game room, plus movies under the stars and a weekly camping adventure on the beach.

Royal Solaris Los Cabos Resort & Spa – A water park has fountains for toddlers to splash in and a water slide for children under 12. A teen club is open 10 am to 10 pm for ages 12-18.


Melia Cabo Real – In addition to a kids’ club for ages 5-12, they also provide childcare for children as young as 4 months. Older kids and adults can enjoy a zip line on the beach and rock climbing wall.

Fiesta Americana Grand Los Cabos – The Fiesta Kids Club features six animated characters to entertain children. A cove beach area, protected by its own reef, is safe for swimming.



One and Only Palmilla – Children 4-11 enjoy a fully supervised program which explores the culture of Mexico, including Spanish lessons, piñata-making classes, and cooking lessons. Virtuoso amenities for my clients include a complimentary upgrade based on availability, daily continental breakfast, a 30 minute in-room Foot Rejuvenation for two people, and a set of candles.


For help planning the family vacation of your dreams, contact Suzette Mack, Family Travel Specialist at suzette@family-treks.com.

/by
,

Family Travel Diaries: Yellowstone & Grand Tetons

Here is a report from a client who visited Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks this summer. To make the most of their time in Yellowstone, they booked a guided tour which gave them behind the scenes access to some of the amazing natural features. They enjoyed the guided tour so much the first day, they upgraded to a private tour for the next so that they could have an even more exclusive and personalized experience.

Below are excerpts from the travel journal written by the children:

Day 1 -We flew into Bozeman, MT on a puddle-jumper this afternoon. About a half an hour later, we were half way to 320 ranch (our “hotel”) when we saw two black bears (that were brown) and one stood up on its hind legs!… Our “hotel” actually turned out to be a historic cabin which had one bedroom- until J. found the magic door in the ceiling to the finished attic for us kids. That night was our first tour: “The S’mores Tour”. On that tour we saw old faithful erupt. When it got dark, we pulled over to a “picnic” area where we had Smores and our tour guide told us a scary story…


Day 2 – [We] took another Yellowstone tour. It was the best! This time, we went to Lamar Valley, or the Upper Loop. We saw way more animals. At the end of the tour, HUMOUNGO Bison were crazily crossing the road. There must have been hundreds of them! About half were babies, and that was totally cool.


Day 3 – Today was a crazy day. We went into Yellowstone this time to see The Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. We drove up to Artist Point, and when we got there it was pouring down rain!… Anyway, the view of the canyon was absolutely beautiful! It is made of literally, “yellow” stone. Also, we saw Upper falls, which drops two times longer than Niagara Falls! The drop on Upper Falls is 309 feet! The view was excellent!

Day 4 – Today, we started a hike that was an animal trail…We were walking in places that your typical tourist would not travel. We picnicked at the top of a hill – we ate right there on the ground…

Day 5 – [We] started off the morning going horseback riding. It was the awesomist horseback ride I’ve ever been on…. J rode the biggest horse, on his first horseback ride ever! It was extremely fun!!!! We had the best views of the Teton Mountain range.
For more information about planning your family’s next adventure, contact Suzette Mack, Family Travel Advisor at suzette@family-treks.com.
/by
,

New York City Through the Eyes of a Child

We recently spent a weekend in New York City, the first time we have taken our children who are 9 and almost 12. This was a great age, as they were very excited about seeing famous landmarks as well as movie sights such as the Trinity Church (National Treasure) and the American Museum of Natural History (Night at the Museum). And they were also old enough to handle the long walks that were required in our jam-packed schedule.

I asked them to tell me in their own words what they liked best. The part written by my son is probably obvious (hint: it’s about the food).

“I liked seeing the Statue of Liberty and going inside the pedestal. I learned that it is actually copper instead of concrete painted green. It was AMAZING! From the Empire State Building I could see for miles from up there! It was so cool! I experienced what it was like to ride on a subway and a train.”
“It was really cool to be just a few feet below the Statue of Liberty. I also really liked the pizza and hot dogs. My favorite part was seeing Manhattan from the 102nd floor of the Empire State Building.”
Since we had a relatively short amount of time, I purchased as many tickets in advance as I could to avoid waiting in lines. This turned out to be a big time savings when visiting the Statue of Liberty and the Empire State Building. On a summer weekend the lines to purchase tickets can be exceptionally long. And we saw several disappointed families who didn’t realize that a limited number of tickets were distributed each day to enter the Statue of Liberty, so if they didn’t get there early enough, they could only walk around the island. We had reserve tickets for the Liberty Island ferry, so we breezed by the crowds! We also visited Grand Central Station and Rockefeller Center, walked across the Brooklyn Bridge at sunset, had dinner at the South Street Seaport, and took a carriage ride in Central Park. That was a lot packed into one weekend, but there is still much more to do and see in New York City, so we plan to go back and enjoy it at a more leisurely pace next time. Maybe take in a Broadway show, and use one of my local connections to visit the actors backstage and get a close-up view of the make-up and costumes!

New York City has several Virtuoso hotels which offer exclusive rates and amenities for my clients.

– Ritz Carlton Central Park offers daily breakfast for two and a $100 food & beverage credit.
– Hotel Plaza Athenee offers continental breakfast daily and choice of afternoon tea or 2 cocktails. Their Pillows & Penguins package includes 50% off a connecting room for children, milk & cookies, a children’s gift bag, and 4 tickets to the Central Park Zoo.
– The Plaza offers daily breakfast for two and $100 hotel credit, and through Sept. 7 the 3rd night is free.
– The St. Regis has a Summer Suite Family Package including 3rd night free, daily continental breakfast for four, afternoon tea, and four tickets to two museums of the family’s choice. Kids receive milk & cookies with St. Regis teddy bears, and enjoy two in-suite movies with a popcorn and ice-cream sundae bar delivered by room service! (Available through Sept. 7)

All these hotels also automatically upgrade clients of Virtuoso agencies, if space is available.

For help with your next family vacation, contact Suzette Mack at suzette@family-treks.com.

/by
,

Think Christmas in May

Now that the weather is just starting to warm up in many parts of the country, it’s hard to think about winter travel planning. But if you are considering a tropical family getaway for Christmas, the time to plan is now. Despite the economic climate, holidays are still one of the most popular times for families to travel, and flights and hotels will continue to book up early.

However, families will find one change in their favor. In the past, a minimum 10 night stay was often required for travel late December through New Year’s. But many resorts have relaxed this policy for 2009, which can make a holiday trip easier for families to manage this year.

Here are some great family resorts which are only requiring 7 night stays this holiday season:

Westin St. John Resort & Villas – This is a lush retreat for families who want to either “do it all, or do nothing at all.” Rent a jeep to explore the island, or hike and snorkel in Virgin Islands National Park. Or just relax on the 1,200-foot beach on calm Great Cruz Bay, featuring slides and trampoline rafts. Kids have plenty to do, either in the Westin Kids Clubhouse for ages 3-12, or the 1,200-square-foot teen center with air hockey, video games, foosball, and plasma TV. And the whole family can enjoy activities such as dive-in movies and beach volleyball.

Casa de Campo, Dominican Replublic – This is one of the best family resorts in the Caribbean, offering a large variety of accommodations from luxury guestrooms to spacious villa homes. It’s great for family reunions because of the amazing variety of activities, including world renowned golf, tennis, watersports, fishing, cycling, and horseback riding. And parents of infants and toddlers will appreciate having a supervised children’s program and nanny services available.

Fairmont Mayakoba, Riviera Maya– Fairmont Resorts excel at family-friendly luxury, and this relatively new resort in the Riviera Maya is no exception, as my family recently discovered. (Read my trip report here.) Set amidst lush vegetation and canals on a safe swimming beach, the resort offers exceptional dining, fun pools for kids and adults, and spacious rooms and suites. Families wanting the ultimate in pampering and convenience can book beachfront bungalows with private pools and butler service.

Paradisus Playa Conchal – This all-inclusive, all-suite resort on 2,400 lush, beachfront acres in Costa Rica is paradise for families who love nature. The children’s program entertains kids up to age 12 (including babies!), and Family Concierge Suites include specialized amenities for families such as walkie-talkies and a Paradise Kidz Beach Kit. On-site activities include golf, eco-adventures, nightly shows, free cooking, dancing and fitness classes, and a casino.

Ritz Carlton Grand Cayman – They have arguably the best and most unique children’s program to be found, created in collaboration with sea legend Jean-Michel Cousteau. Kids age 4 to 18 can kayak through mangrove jungles, dive underwater in a submarine, learn to navigate by the stars, and practice digital photography. While the program is fully supervised by a well-trained staff, the experience is so spectacular parents often tag along. And everyone is pampered by the traditional Ritz-Carlton world-class service. (Other Ritz Carlton destinations with 7 night minimum stays are located in San Juan, Cancun, Jamaica, and St. Thomas)

St Regis Punta Mita – This is one of the newest luxury resorts in Mexico, having just opened in November, 2008. The slogan here is “barefoot elegance,” with every room offering Signature St. Regis Butler Service, outdoor showers and private terraces, and easy access to a white sand beach. Children are entertained in a bright, cheerful Kids Club, or can splash in the family pool or calm Banderas Bay. Golf, fishing, tennis, and excursions to local villages round out activities for the whole family.

Don’t get left out in the cold! To get started planning a great family vacation for the holidays, or any time of year, contact Suzette Mack, Family Travel Specialist, at suzette@family-treks.com.

/by
,

Fun Activities for Families Visiting France

Visit a prehistoric cave decorated with wall engravings of horses, ibex, mammoths, deer, and bovines dating from the Aurignacian period (between 33,000 and 26,000 BC).

Ride a little red train from Chamonix to the world famous glacier de la Mer de Glace. A 20 minute ride through wonderful scenery brings you to the largest French glacier – 7 km long!


Spend a day hiking with an ornithologist guide through meadow and mud flat in southern France, to discover the diversity of European water birds, including all nine European Heron species!

Canoe the Gardon River to the Pont du Gard, part of an impressive system of channels and tunnels and it has survived intact over a period of some 2000 years.

Learn to make perfume in the laboratory of the Molinard factory in Grasse, a small town overlooking the Mediterranean which offers private visits to the best perfume factories.

Enjoy a flight in a paraglider over the beautiful Alpes de Hautes Provence mountains.


Visit a modern goat dairy farm in Normandy, and learn about raising and caring for livestock, milk production, as well as the local history.

Visit Normandy beaches on bicycle, traveling from Omaha Beach to the Pointe Du Hoc through unforgettable, bomb-scarred, cratered terrain, and enjoy the panoramic views from the coast. Visit the reflecting pool and memorial at Saint Laurent sur Mer, which houses a 22-foot high bronze sculpture, maps of the invasion, and bronze urns.

For more information about creating a family vacation you will remember forever, contact Suzette Mack, Family Travel Advisor at suzette@family-treks.com.

/by
,

A Fun Riviera Maya Family Vacation

Iguanas and geckos and lizards, oh my!

That’s what my kids were saying on our vacation to the Riviera Maya. Of course they raved about the pool, and the waterslide, and the cool bathroom with the glass wall. But the biggest reaction came from seeing geckos hanging out (literally) on the patio, or huge iguanas sunning themselves on the roofs or in the middle of the sidewalk. My kids were in lizard heaven. But what else would one expect when vacationing in the middle of a jungle?


Extending almost 90 miles down the coast south of Cancun, the Riviera Maya is one of the hottest family vacation destinations right now. The tropical climate draws visitors year round, as daytime temperatures stay in the upper 80’s, evenings rarely dip below 70 degrees. And as word spreads of the amazing natural beauty, gorgeous beaches, and large variety of kid-friendly activities, it’s been growing in popularity with families.

The hotel industry has responded by building dozens of new resorts, both family-oriented all-inclusive chains like Palace, Dreams, Barcelo, and Iberostar, as well as luxury resorts with state-of-the-art spas and exceptional dining. In fact there are several Virtuoso properties in the Riviera Maya, including the Fairmont Mayakoba, Mandarin Oriental, Rosewood Mayakoba, Hotel Esencia, Maroma, Tides Rivera Maya, and Royal Hideaway Playacar. All offer exclusive amenities such as private airport transfers, champagne, spa treatments, or complimentary breakfast when guests book through a Virtuoso agent such as me.



My family has what I call an “eclectic” travel style – we enjoy everything from backpacking and camping to sipping drinks poolside at a five star luxury resort. So when planning this vacation, I was torn between trying out one these resorts, or staying at a small, laid-back property with local flavor. We managed to have it all by dividing our time between a boutique hotel in Akumal, and the Fairmont Mayakoba near Playa del Carmen.

Our first four nights were spent at Hotel Akumal Caribe, a small property with hotel rooms on the beach, and bungalows set back in the garden. The rooms were simple, the beds a bit hard, but the location could not be beat. We were steps from one of the most beautiful bays in the Riviera Maya, a place where the locals and many tour boats would come to snorkel because it is a nesting site for sea turtles. We snorkeled daily, and every trip in the water we were sure to see turtles and stingrays, and even an occasional barracuda.

Staying in the southern end of the Riviera Maya was convenient for sightseeing, as most of the archeological and natural sights are located nearby. Tulum is the most well-known of the ruins in that area, but easily reachable in the same day is Coba, less excavated and thus more natural (and less crowded), than Tulum or Chichen Itza. While my husband and I were fascinated with the Mayan history, my kids were more enamored, again, with the hundreds of iguanas that currently reside there. Obviously the environment suited them, as these guys were 3 or 4 times the size of the ones at our hotel!

Xel-Ha water park was only minutes away from Tulum, and we spent a full day snorkeling in the huge lagoon. This is a great spot for teaching young children to snorkel, as they provide life vests, there are no waves, and there are numerous platforms around the lagoon where swimmers can exit. The admission includes food, drinks, and snorkeling gear, and for an additional fee guests can swim with dolphins or walk underwater with Sea Trek, a “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea” style experience.


Atkun Chen was another hit with the whole family. Even the kids enjoyed an hour long guided tour into a beautiful cave with a pristine cenote, which remains so because it is off-limits to swimmers. We unfortunately we unable to fit in Xcaret, another eco-park, so hopefully we can plan a trip back soon. Their focus is more on educating guests on the Mayan culture through exhibits and shows, but they also have dolphins, snorkeling lagoons, and a fun float on an underground river.


But our favorite part of Akumal had to be the food. We had an amazing seafood dinner at the tiny restaurant next to the marina one night, with the fattest, sweetest shrimp I have ever tasted. And the tiny little food counter attached to the grocery store wasn’t much to look at, but we frequently reminisce about the wonderful taco platters they served.

Though we were sad to leave Akumal, we were excited about our home for the next six nights, the new Fairmont Mayakoba luxury resort, just north of Playa del Carmen. When we checked in, we were handed a drink and a cool towel, and told that our butler would be with us shortly. Our butler?! Unbeknownst to me, we had been upgraded to a Signature Casita in the exclusive beachfront section of the resort. While at first I wasn’t sure what I was going to do with a butler, it turned out to be a wonderful perk that is becoming increasingly common at luxury resorts, and even on cruise ships.

The butler was basically our personal concierge, ready to do anything from unpacking our suitcases and ironing our clothes, to giving advice on where to park in Playa del Carmen, and reserving our chairs on the beach. And he made sure we were introduced to the other butlers, so wherever we went we were greeted with a wave and a friendly “Hola, Mack Family!” I’ll be posting more details about the Fairmont Mayakoba in a separate blog.


For more information about family vacations in the Riviera Maya, contact Suzette Mack, a Virtuoso Family Travel Advisor at suzette@family-treks.com.

/by