Rustic Luxury on the California Coast

A wonderful gem on the northern California coast is Costanoa Resort. It’s the perfect combination of full service resort (including spa and meeting rooms) and nature retreat. And it’s perfect for families who like to be close to nature, but still want their creature comforts.

Lodging is quiet varied, guests can choose from campsites (bring your own gear) to luxury cabins to traditional hotel rooms. My favorite are the Douglas Fir Cabins, which have a down comforters, fireplaces, and a deck overlooking the coastal hills. Only hotel rooms have private baths, the others share “comfort stations” located throughout the property. And these comfort stations are quite comfortable, with upscale décor and an outdoor fireplace. In addition to the spa, onsite amenities include a hot tub & swimming pool, firepits, picnic grounds, BBQ facilties, horseback riding, grocery store, and plenty of lawn area for energetic kids to run around and burn off steam. A short walk across the road and down a sandy path leads to a beautiful, quiet beach with great tidepooling. And a Kids Camp is offered on summer weekends for ages 5-12.


The Cascade Bar & Grille serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and I can attest that the food is very good, and made with fresh, organic ingredients. While there isn’t a lot offered in the way of nightlife, there is occasionally live music, Winemaker’s Dinners, and seasonal events.

A large menu of outdoor activities are available, including guided hikes, surfing lessons, cycling, wine tasting, and sea kayaking. Or families can head off on their own to local attractions such as Ano Nuevo State Park, Half Moon Bay, or Santa Cruz, or one of the many public beaches within a 10-20 minute drive. Hiking trails lead from the resort directly into a neighboring state park, or a short drive takes visitors into a redwood forest.

This is an ideal resort for a short family getaway, small group retreat (I stayed there for a Girl Scout mother/daughter weekend) , or as a stopping point on a trip down the California coast. The location is convenient, about 2 hrs from San Jose or San Francisco, and the setting could not be more beautiful.

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

A Crystal Clear Luxury Cruise Deal

I couldn't believe my eyes when I made a cruise reservation for a client this week. Not only were they getting a great price on a luxury cruise, but they were going to receive over $2000 per person in shipboard credits, plus many other perks. I double-checked the price against other mid-market cruises I had booked recently for clients, and sure enough, they were getting the same or better price!

If you have wanted to try a luxury cruise, but thought you couldn't afford it, 2010 may be the year you have been waiting for. Crystal Cruises, repeatedly voted the best large ship cruise line by Travel & Leisure and Condé Nast Traveler, is offering their best promotion ever on all 2010 sailings. Guests receive:

- 2 for 1 cruise fares on ALL sailings

- Free air (or an air credit) on MOST sailings

- A $1000 or $2000 per stateroom onboard credit on ALL sailings

Because Brownell Travel is a Virtuoso agency, my clients also receive Voyager Club amenities with Crystal. Specific amenities vary by sailing, but always include at least a private cocktail reception and a complimentary shore excursion. In my client's case, their sailing also includes pre-paid gratuities.

My clients will also be paying with a World Elite MasterCard, which provides them with additional benefits on luxury travel arrangements. For a Crystal Cruise, cardholders receive a $125 per person shipboard credit and prepaid gratuities, plus an additional $1025 per person credit as part of a special promotion! And unlike AMEX Platinum, the World Elite MasterCard benefits are combinable with Voyager Club amenities.

Crystal has also announced that kids sail free on two 7 day Baltic cruises this year:

* June 14 – “Ballads of Britain” cruise sailing roundtrip out of London
* August 7 – “Russian Inspiration” voyage from Copenhagen to Stockholm

So what's the bottom line? After applying the free air and 2 for 1 credit, my client's cruise fare is $5680 per person including port charges and fees, plus they are receiving $2150 per person total in onboard credits. That comes to a net price of $3530 per person for a 12 day luxury Europe cruise! Also, they'll receive prepaid gratuities, an exclusive complimentary shore excursion, and be invited to a private cocktail party by a Virtuoso representative who will be their personal host throughout the cruise.

Now that's a deal!

For more information on these and other luxury travel promotions, contact Suzette Mack at suzette@family-treks.com.

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.

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.

Pastry Chefs Gone Wild - Part 2

I've received more pictures of amazing hotel gingerbread houses, so I decided on a follow-up to my previous post.

Ritz Carlton Chicago
(I love the ewok theme!)

Ritz Carlton Bachelor Gulch

Four Seasons Austin

Ritz Carlton South Beach
Ritz Carlton Sarasota

Pleasant Holidays Corporate Offices
(a gift from the Ritz Carlton Kapalua)
Four Seasons Las Vegas


Ritz Carlton Moscow

To learn how to obtain the best rates and amenities at any of these resorts, contact Suzette Mack, Family Travel Specialist, at suzette@family-treks.com

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.

Pastry Chefs Gone Wild

Some hotel pastry chefs make amazing gingerbread creations to display in their lobby during the holidays. I asked them to send me pictures to share.

Enchantment Resort and Mii Amo Spa, Sedona

Ritz Carlton, Half Moon Bay

Fairmont Banff Springs

Ritz Carlton, Charlotte

Ritz Carlton, Amelia Island

Grand Floridian Resort, Walt Disney World
(See a time lapse video of its construction.)

At all of these resorts, my clients receive exclusive amenities such as complimentary upgrades, resort credits, daily breakfast, and more. For information about these and other special offers for families, contact Suzette Mack, Family Travel Specialist at suzette@family-treks.com.