Ginormous Gingerbread - Part 3

And here is the final installment in this year's hotel gingerbread gallery:

Disney's Boardwalk Inn

Princess Kaiulani, Oahu

The Homestead, Virginia

Four Seasons Denver

Langham Hotel London

Four Seasons Las Vegas

Disney's Contemporary Resort

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

Ginormous Gingerbread - Part 2

Here are more amazing gingerbread creations from hotels & resorts around the world.

Ritz Carlton Bachelor Gulch

Fairmont Royal York Hotel

Hyatt Regency Vancouver

Ritz Carlton Charlotte


Fairmont San Francisco

Fairmont Scottsdale Princess

Westin Calgary

Fairmont Vancouver

Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island

Want to plan a "sweet" family vacation for 2011? Contact Suzette Mack, Family Travel Advisor at suzette@family-treks.com

Ginormous Gingerbread - Part 1

Continuing a tradition on my blog, here are some impressive gingerbread creations from hotels & resorts around the world.

Ritz-Carlton Naples, FL

Four Seasons Sydney, Australia

Manchester Grand Hyatt, San Diego

Embassy Suites South Anaheim, CA

Louisville Marriott, KY

Four Seasons Washington, DC

Fairmont Hamilton Princess, Bermuda

More photos coming! If you have a photo to share of a great gingerbread creation from a hotel or resort, please send it to suzette@family-treks.com.

Playing in Puerto Rico

I always knew we would take a family vacation to Puerto Rico, I just didn’t know when (so many places, so little time!). After a more “urban” vacation last year, to Walt Disney World and New York City, we were ready for something a bit more natural. So it was a an easy decision, as I knew this was a destination that offered our favorite things: lots of outdoor activities like hiking, snorkeling, and kayaking, interesting historical sites, and beautiful Caribbean beaches.


Here are some highlights of our trip:

El Yunque Rainforest – The only tropical forest in the US, it feels a world away from the beaches and city, like stepping back in time. An easy hike led to a beautiful waterfall, but the real fun was in the journey along the way. The park is not only a scenic wonder, it is of great scientific importance, too. It contains over 240 species of trees and plants, and rare wildlife including the Puerto Rican Parrot, which is one of the ten most endangered species of birds in the world.

Culebra Island – A visit to Culebra takes a little bit of planning, but is well worth the effort. If I had any qualms about my family’s seaworthiness, the test was passed on the 90 min ferry ride through choppy waters (flights are available, too). But the bumpy ride was well worth the trip, not only to see Flamenco Beach (shown above), one of the most beautiful in all of the Caribbean, but also to kayak & snorkel in an amazing, but off the beaten path, preserve. Our tour company, Kayaking Puerto Rico, was not only professional and knowledgeable, but they catered to the kids in our group that ranged from 6 to 13 yrs of age. And they took photos during the whole trip using a high quality waterproof digital camera which we were welcome to download from their Facebook page.


Old San Juan – The city itself is gorgeous with narrow cobblestone streets and brightly colored buildings. But the 200+ year old forts, El Morro and San Cristobal, were the highlight, with 18 ft high thick stone walls, cannons, and sentry boxes dramatically suspended over the corners offering panoramic views of the ocean. While my kids, like many, can only tolerate so much history in one day, they were happy to spend hours just exploring the labyrinth of tunnels, spiral staircases, and dungeons.

Bioluminescent Bay - Though it was the most touristy of our outings, it was also one of the most memorable. After a relatively short and easy paddle through a mangrove forest at sunset, we reached the center of a large lake. It was nearly pitch black as we sat lined up in our kayaks, bobbing quietly. Then the guide gave the signal to swish our hands in the water. The silence was broken by the ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’ as the water mysteriously lit up with thousands, if not millions, of tiny glowing particles which cast an eerie glow in water’s wake. We had fun splashing each other with our paddles to watch the bright speckles run down our legs and backs like little sparks. This was truly a wonderful and amazing natural phenomenon, and we would not hesitate to experience it again.

Many Southern Caribbean cruises depart out of San Juan, so it's easy to visit these sights before or after a cruise. Most of them are a 45 - 60 min drive away from the port, so I'd suggest at least 2-3 nights at one of the beach resorts along the coast for a great pre- or post-cruise trip.

I am going to post a review soon about our hotel, Las Casitas Village at El Conquistador Resort. It is great for families, and would be perfect for a destination wedding or family reunion.

For more information about planning your family's next adventure, contact Suzette at suzette@family-treks.com.

Top Ten List for Family Travelers

This weekend I attended Brownell Travel’s annual sales meeting in Atlanta. I spent an intensive two days meeting with travel suppliers from all over the world to find out the latest news for families. Here is my top ten list from the weekend:

1. Ireland is an amazing value right now due to their struggling economy. Families can have an affordable European vacation while at the same time helping a country in need. There are activities to please all ages, from fishing & falconry to castle and farm visits, and family-friendly accommodations, including connecting rooms, are the norm.


2. The Mansion on Peachtree, a Rosewood hotel in Atlanta, is offering "Elf on the Shelf" packages over the holiday, and guests of all ages can join the search for the elusive little elf. A whimsical tea service will feature a book reading and signing by the authors.

3. The lodges run by explora in Patagonia and Atacama not only welcome kids, they offer family rooms. With all meals, excursions, drinks and transfers included, it’s an easy way to visit some of the most dramatic and remote areas on the planet.


4. Brendan Vacations has added four new family trips, including “Monkeys, Jungles, and Volcanoes” in Costa Rica and “Trails of Liberty” in the eastern US. Designed for all ages, the family trips include rooms that sleep four, and kid-friendly activities such as making a chocolate bar at the Hershey factory.

5. A ski butler at the Ritz Carlton Bachelor Gulch makes getting on & off the slopes with kids easier. When you’re ready to hit the slopes, your equipment will be ready and warm. And at the end of the day, there is no need to go back to room before heading out for a meal or another activity. They also have a hot chocolate sommelier!

6. Crystal Cruises’ Family Memories program provides special amenities with a minimum of only 3 cabins booked together, including prepaid gratuities, shipboard credits, and a family photo. And children under 17 are free when sharing a cabin with two adults.

7. Sardinia is easy to visit being only an hour flight from Rome or Milan. With gorgeous beaches and a Mediterranean feel, it is a relaxing way to wrap up a tour of Italy, especially when traveling with kids.


8. Alnwick Castle, which portrayed Hogwarts in the Harry Potter movies, is 3 hours by train from London, a reasonable day trip for fans. The current home of the Duke and Duchess of Northumberland, it offers fun activities for kids including knight training and Dragon’s Quest.

9. The iconic Hotel Cipriani in Venice has introduced “The Smile Club,” a complimentary program for children ages 4-12 to play and experience Italian culture, leaving parents free to go sightseeing or just relax. Activities include traditional Venetian arts & crafts, pizza-making, treasures hunts, and fruit-picking, and even mini-manicures.

10. Viviani Wine Country Specialists can craft a family itinerary for all ages in Napa & Sonoma, from a private safari (yes, a safari in California!), to kayaking and cycling, to sailing on San Francisco Bay where kids can try their hand as captain.

This just scratches the surface of the information I received this weekend. Over the next few weeks I’ll write in more in-depth about specific suppliers & destinations. In the meantime, if you'd like help with planning the family vacation of your dreams, contact me at suzette@family-treks.com.

How Virtuoso Adds Value

Here’s a great example of how families can save money and get more value by booking through a Virtuoso travel advisor.

A client recently inquired about a vacation to the Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows on the Big Island of Hawaii. Mauna Lani is wonderful family resort, with a wide range of accommodations from regular hotel rooms to beachfront bungalows with private pools. Camp Mauna Lani is a complimentary program for kids 5-12, where they explore tidal pools, fishponds, and petroglyphs, and make Hawaiian crafts.


The resort is also only US property in North America honored as one of the world's Top Luxury Eco Friendly Beach Destinations by Condé Nast Traveler because of its environmental stewardship.


My client inquired about a promotion he saw on the resort's website, a special winter promotion offering 20% off all rates. A Standard room would be $296 night plus taxes (no resort fees at the Mauna Lani). Because I am a Virtuoso Travel Advisor, if I booked his stay, he would pay this same rate, but would also receive these exclusive amenities:

- Automatic upgrade at time of booking, That means he would pay for a Standard room but be booked into a Garden View room, which normally cost $352 per night.

- Daily buffet breakfast for two (a $100 daily value)

- Deluxe fruit basket

- Early check-in and late check-out , subject to availability

The difference in value for a weeklong stay: over $1100!


There are hundreds of Virtuoso hotels and resorts worldwide. If you are planning a luxury vacation, why not get the most for your money and book through a Virtuoso travel advisor.

For more information, contact Suzette Mack, Family Travel Specialist, at suzette@family-treks.com.

Kailua-Kona Vacations

Europe Travel Alert FYI

On October 3, the US State Department issued a travel alert for Europe. It did not mention any countries or cities specifically, and it did not advise against traveling to Europe. However, the government is reminding US travelers to be aware of their surroundings, take normal safety precautions and register their travel plans with the US Embassy.

The following quote is from a briefing yesterday by Under Secretary Patrick Kennedy:

"Well, we’re not saying don’t travel to Europe. We’re not saying don’t visit tourist -- major tourist attractions or historic sites or monuments. In the State Department website we offer some very practical situations. Make sure that you’ve registered with the American embassy. If you -- avoid public demonstrations, avoid civil disturbances. Don’t discuss your travel plans or where you’re going with others or where others may overhear them. Know what you’re doing, be aware of your circumstances around you. If you see something that looks untoward, move away from it and inform law enforcement personnel. If you see unattended packages, or such, move away from them and inform law enforcement."

Here are links to more information:

October 3 travel alert

Transcript of State Department briefing

Wall Street Journal article

State Department's travel registration website

Note that travel insurance generally does not provide coverage for trip cancellation due to a travel alert. Usually they only cover for trip cancellation in the event of a terrorist act in your destination, as deemed by the US government. For answers to specific questions regarding coverage, travelers should contact the insurance company directly at the customer service number noted on your policy. If you are interested in purchasing travel insurance, contact me for quotes and additional information.

If you have questions about a specific destination, or about the alert, visit the State Department's website for the most up to date information. You can also subscribe to the Twitter feed for the State Department's Bureau of Consular Affairs to get real time updates and post questions.