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Spring Break Inspiration Part 1 – Europe

As a family travel specialist, I solve the problems that frustrate parents when they try to plan a trip overseas. Some of the services I provide include:

– Finding guaranteed connecting rooms or family rooms that sleep 3 or more guests
– Arranging age appropriate activities that are fun for everyone
– Hiring expert guides who can engage even young children
– Arranging family photo shoots to capture the memories forever

Happy kids = happy parents (and vice versa!)

My clients also receive exclusive amenities at preferred partner hotels, which may include free nights, daily breakfast, and hotel credits.

Here are offers from some of my clients’ favorite hotels in Europe:

LONDON

The Corinthia Hotel is loved by many clients for its excellent location close to many attractions, luxurious rooms, and huge spa. Virtuoso clients receive a 4th night free through April 22, 2018, and these amenities:

A luxurious retreat after a busy day in London!

  • Daily breakfast for two
  • £85 Hotel Credit
  • Complimentary high speed Wi-Fi throughout the hotel
  • Access to the extensive Thermal Floor at award-winning ESPA Life at Corinthia
  • Complimentary 24-hour gym access
  • Complimentary Upgrade (if available at check-in)
  • Butler Service for River Suites and Penthouses
  • Complimentary use of the hotel car within Central London (Zone 1)

The award-winning spa-aaaaah.

For travelers who book by April 9, there are bonus amenities! Get all of the above and a choice of one of the following:

  • Guaranteed early check-in
  • Guaranteed late checkout
  • Guaranteed upgrade to the next room category

* Offer applies to Deluxe King Rooms up to The Whitehall Penthouse

Check out The Crafty Concierge which offers lots of great ideas for families in London.

It’s just a 10 min walk to the Golden Jubilee Bridge

PARIS

Esprit St Germain is located near Luxembourg Gardens on the Left Bank, within walking distance of the Louvre and Notre Dame.  Families love it for the warm hospitality towards children of all ages, making it feel like a home away from home.

Book the Prestige room on the top floor to get a private terrace with this gorgeous view.

They are offering a 4th night free through April 30, which includes the following complimentary amenities:

  • Daily American breakfast
  • Lobby bar with champagne, wines, spirits AND minibar in room (yes, complimentary!)
  • WI-FI
  • Access to the fitness centre, steam room, and sauna
  • Access to the business centre
  • Daily newspaper of your choice
  • Flowers and fresh fruits daily

Blackout dates: March 3 to 7, 2017 (inclusive). Valid only for Superior & Deluxe Rooms

Feel like a guest in someone’s home while enjoying complimentary drinks in this “bar.”

ROME

The Hotel Eden near the Spanish Steps just completed an extensive renovation, so it’s more stylish than ever. They are offering a 4th night free through March 31, and my clients are eligible for Dorchester Club amenities:

  • One category upgrade guaranteed at time of booking
  • 100 EU hotel credit
  • Daily full breakfast buffet for 2 people
  • Unlimited wifi for unlimited devices

Who says historic hotels have to have dark rooms?

They still have their lovely rooftop dining room overlooking the Borghese, featuring some of the best views in Rome, where guests can take breakfast, or enjoy music and cocktails in the evening.

 

They don’t even charge for the view!

You can read about traveling to Rome with kids in a previous blog post.

Roman sites are impressive, but hiring a guide gives deeper understanding, and helps make navigating the crowds less stressful.

LISBON

The Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon is offering a 4th night free. My clients always receive the Four Seasons preferred Partner amenities, which include daily breakfast and a spa credit. And if you book a suite, they’ll also pick you up in a limousine on arrival!

Plenty of room for the whole family.

A run with a view

Lisbon is a beautiful city steeped in history, but there are many kid-friendly attractions including an aquarium and safari park, or you can hire a driver for a day trip to beaches or castles.

Sometimes getting out of the city is the best way to enjoy it.

For a special treat, you can go for a spin through winding cobblestone streets with a professional photographer in a vintage Moto-sidecar. Check it out here.

For help finding your family’s perfect European vacation, contact suzette@suzettemacktravel.com.

 

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When in Rome (With Kids)

We started our Italy adventure in Rome. a five night stay at the Westin Excelsior.  This is a Virtuoso hotel located on the Via Veneto, next to the US Embassy.  So my clients receive complimentary daily breakfast for two, upgrade on arrival if available, and a $100 food and beverage credit.  And if you are a Starwood SPG member, you get a discount on lunch and dinner as well.

Deluxe twin room…
…with plenty of space and great A/C

 Here are my top tips when visiting Rome with kids.


* Hire a driver to pick you up at the airport. You’ve had a long flight, you’re tired and hungry, and it’s crowded. It’s a relief to see someone waiting for you outside customs, who will whisk you to an air conditioned car for the 30+ min drive into the city.

* Take an umbrella stroller which is easy to collapse and carry. Better yet, use a backpack. Many streets are bumpy and difficult to navigate.

It’s not fun to schlep a stroller up the Spanish Steps

* It’s hot and humid in summer, so always carry a water bottle.  You can fill them at fountains and water spigots around the city. (Yes, it’s safe to drink).  Plan to rest in the afternoon at the hotel when temps are highest, then visit piazzas in the evening when it’s cooler and kids will be less cranky.


Kids are happy to have water when it’s fun to get

* Use the bathroom before going to train station. They are not centrally located and you have to deposit coins to enter.


* A hop on/off bus tour is a great way to get oriented to the city early in your trip.  But don’t purchase tickets in advance. All companies stop at the same places and run the same route.  But if there are service problems on a particular line, you might have long waits between buses, or find that some don’t even have seats available.  There are “sales reps” at each stop, so try to find out from them if there are any service issues.  We also got off and walked between two stops, just to have an opportunity to explore some small streets far from our hotel, which turned out to have nice shops and cafes.


* Buy Colosseum tickets for the kids, in advance. Though children get free admission to the Colosseum, you have to show their ID, even with pre-purchased tickets.  If you can skip this step, you will truly have”skip the line” access.  Visiting the Roman Forum first? Make sure you know which exit is closest to the Colosseum and allow plenty of time to meet your guide.
  


* Always have some cash on hand. Small cafes and street vendors often don’t take credit cards.  And coins are handy for public toilets.

* Book a family-friendly guide for the Vatican Museum. It’ll make the experience better for the entire family because the crowds can be overwhelming.  Our guide found a pleasant place for us to sit in the courtyard where she could give us some background information and also explain what we’d see in the Sistine Chapel later, since she wouldn’t be allowed to talk in there.  

One of the rare places without crowds in the Vatican

* Note that pasta is “first course.” If that’s all your kids (or you) order, note that it may come out before the other dishes, and the server may not bring any other food until the pastas is finished!  So if you want a pasta dish to arrive at the same time as everyone else’s main entree, ask the server to bring it with the second course (or “with the meat”). When someone only orders one course, servers will often ask when to bring it, but if they look puzzled, just explain what you want.


And antipasta is before the first course.
(Thank goodness for all that walking to burn this off!)

* Let kids burn off steam at Pincio Gardens at the top of the Spanish Steps. You can rent pedal cars, Segways, and surrey bikes, there are vendors selling gelato, drinks and snacks, but most importantly, there’s lots of shade! It has sweeping views of the city, and it’s a great place to watch the sunset.

Great place to hang out on a summer day.

* Add an extra day in Rome to day trip to the Amalfi Coast.  It’s just a one hour train ride, and you can hire a driver guide to pick you up for a full day of sightseeing. (Talk to them about your itinerary before booking the train tickets.) A guide is a must at Pompeii, especially with kids, due to the size.  There aren’t many signs so the only alternative is audio headsets, and they can run out in peak periods.  And don’t you think your kids have headphones on enough already?

Enjoying the view while someone else
hassles with the driving.
Our guide explains why this is
 the “McDonalds” of Pompeii

I would love to design the perfect Italy itinerary for your family.  Just send an email to suzette@family-treks.com.

Roman Forum


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What I’ll Miss Most About Italy

I am on Italy withdrawal after our two week family adventure to Rome, Tuscany, and Venice (including a day trip to Pompeii and the Amalfi Coast).  Here is what I am missing already, in no particular order:

* Steamed milk instead of cold cream served with coffee in the morning and fresh squeezed orange juice as the norm


* Watching artisans work in their studios


* Water fountains everywhere (a real treat coming from drought-stricken California)


* Pasta as first course at lunch AND dinner


* Cheese and Tuscan ham as an acceptable appetizer before the pasta (I have never liked cheese but I learned to love pecorino, especially with the right honey)

* The pleasant surprise of stumbling across a beautiful statue or church while strolling narrow cobblestone streets



* Yummy unique pizzas


* Stunning art and architecture



* Lounging around a pool with beautiful views of Tuscan hills, and chatting with families from other parts of Europe. (It’s interesting to learn how much is the same no matter what part of the world you are from.)


* Amazing limoncello from the biggest lemons I’ve ever seen



* And the wine!


Ok, most of these are about food but is that really so surprising? 

Stay tuned for more posts about our amazing Italy adventure.

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A Home Away From Home in Europe

Families planning a trip to Europe are often challenged finding suitable, and economical, accommodations. As most hotel rooms sleep only two people, and connecting rooms are usually not guaranteed, I often recommend apartments or private home rentals for families traveling with children. They not only provide more space and many of the conveniences of home, but they are often comparable in price to booking two hotel rooms. And travelers need not worry that that they will be foregoing any luxury, either! There are exceptional apartments that are beautifully decorated, and in the best locations, if you know how to find them.


I asked my favorite source for Europe apartments, Small and Elegant Hotels, about their top picks for families. Small and Elegant specializes in luxury boutique hotels and apartments throughout Europe, including Italy, France, and Spain, as well as charming villas in areas like Tuscany and the Loire Valley. Bonnie, the owner, visits the properties regularly to ensure they meet her high standards, and she knows London and Paris like the back of her hand!

The Collingham (London) – This fine period building is located in fashionable South Kensington near Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park, overlooking a tranquil garden square. The superb shopping areas of Knightsbridge and Chelsea are close by. Well furnished apartments ranging from 1-3 bedrooms each have a fully equipped kitchen and satellite TV. Maid and laundry service is available as well as 24 hour reception and security.

Hotel Residence du Roy (Paris) – Just a few steps from Champs-Elysees, and Plaza Athenee, this tastefully decorated 4 star hotel is equipped with all the comforts of a prestigious hotel: bar, satellite TV, in-house movies, air-conditioning, internet access, concierge, room service. personal safe, and parking. They offer standard rooms, split level duplexes with full kitchens, and suites with kitchenettes. And their restaurant is rated in the top 20 in Paris!


Domus (Rome) – This is a wonderful 18th century building of prestigious flats located in the famous Palazzo Pierret in Piazza di Spagna in the heart of Rome, with an incredible view over the Spanish Steps. The spacious apartments, which sleep 2- 10, have sitting rooms, kitchens, elegant bathrooms, and are equipped with air conditioning, satellite TV, direct telephone lines, and internet access. Suites which sleep up to 3 guests are also available with kitchenettes. I am confident that my clients are in good hands when I book their accommodations through Small and Elegant Hotels. They not only have some of the best rates, but their expertise and personal connections are priceless. In fact, they can still guarantee 2009 rates for next year, but soon that option will go away, as 2010 is predicted to be a busier travel season.

So if you are planning a family vacation to Europe, contact Suzette Mack, Family Travel Specialist at suzette@family-treks.com. I have arranged a special amenity with Small and Elegant Hotels exclusively for my clients!

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