What comes to mind when you think of Ireland? Is it the emerald green rolling hills? The iconic scenery of The Quiet Man or more recently Leap Year? 

Ireland is one of my favorite European destinations. When I think back on my time spent on the Emerald Isle I’m drawn to my visits to the local pubs and the towns so small that they were barely dots on the map.

It was in these tiny towns that we were able to really interact with the locals. Where my sister-in-law was approached by an elderly Irish man complete with beard and tiny hat, who gleefully asked her “Are ye gettin’ enough Craic*, lassie?”  Where we met Mary, the B&B owner who also ran the local pub. Where we played snooker with the locals and you didn’t have to pay for the game, but for the light overhead. This is the Ireland I remember, and would return to in a heartbeat. These are the same Irish men and women who surrounded a table of American tourists, weeks after the tragedy of 9/11 and sang God Bless America. 

*Craic – pronounced crack – the closest translation is having a good time, or simply, fun

Sure, the larger towns like Dublin, Shannon, Cork and Waterford are iconic and in some respects not to be missed, but it’s the small towns where you become a traveler instead of a tourist. The same is true across the globe.

Maybe you feel like you’ll blend in easier in a big city, or that you will find it easier to get someone to speak your language, but will you really get to experience the culture? Ultimately, isn’t that why we travel? I shared the sentiment below on social media last week, it’s one that I deeply believe is true.

Do you want to really experience the next destination you visit, rather than simply checking the boxes of sites that were recommended by friends and websites? When you are ready to be a traveler instead of a tourist, click hereand let’s get started.

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I’m taking you back to the Dominican Republic this week to recap more of my trip as an ambassador to Fathom.  As I mentioned last week, our group was able to experience 6 of the 8 projects that Fathom is currently developing. Cruises begin a month from today, with the inaugural sailing to the Dominican Republic from Miami on April 10th.

It’s safe to say that one of the highlights of the trip was our day spent at Chocal, an organic chocolate producer founded by a group of 30 women.

We were able to visit the nursery next door where some of the plants are grown and meet the farmer, Gumercindo Cristano. He explained the growing process from seed germination all the way through fermentation and the drying process. His daughter, Noemi, is one of Chocal’s founders

Once inside the facility we were broken into smaller groups to work in stages throughout.   Our first station happened to be where the chocolate bars are wrapped and boxed so they can be distributed in grocery stores and other lo
cations throughout the country. To date, the bars can not be shipped to the US, but you sure can bring some home to enjoy after your trip!

The next stop for my small group was outside in the gazebo helping sort the cocoa beans so they could be processed. This was actually a very
relaxing part of the operation, we were able to talk a little bit, through our translator with the ladies we were working with. They both told us how the co-op had improved their lives by allowing them to work in their own community.

Once the sorting was complete the beans went to processing, where the shells were removed from the nib. We then took trays of the nibs to make sure that all of the shells had been discarded. It was here that I worked alongside Agustina, she is one of the original co-op members. Since the formation of Chocal in 2007 she was able to give up her job as a maid in Santo Domingo, a nearly 8 hour drive from her family. She was making less than $50 a month and only able to see her children every 15-30 days. Now she is working in her own neighborhood and able to see her children and now her grandchildren as well. 

Our group was able to save the best stop for last – this was the part of the day where we got to try our hand at some chocolate making. It’s harder than it looks, but the payoff is fantastic, as we got to start sampling while we were here as well as at lunch.  I know this was the favorite activity for the two children who were with our group, a 12 year old girl from New England and a 13 year old boy from Florida, each traveling with their Dad.

While each did politely eat a few bites the meals that were made for us at the facilities, they thoroughly enjoyed eating the chocolate!

I spoke to each of them several times throughout the trip to get their feedback on the destination, the activities and the impact. I have to say, they were both wise beyond their years. I imagine that with fathers in the travel industry, that both are very well traveled. However, it was interesting to hear them talk about how different things were than at home. The young man commented to his Dad, while we were touring the cruise port, that it didn’t look like the surrounding areas, that it was very new and polished compared to the neighborhood that we had visited only hours before. This is exactly why I think a Fathom cruise is an ideal trip for children and young adults. We get so used to our surroundings and the comforts of home that it’s difficult, for children especially, to grasp that in other parts of the world the conditions aren’t the same as at home. It’s not all country clubs and iPads! Some of the children that live in the neighborhoods we visited had no running water in their home. The travelers that visit through the cruises on Fathom will have the opportunity to help improve the lives of those that they meet directly on the projects, but that will spread through the community as well. I can’t help but think that the impact will also be made on the traveler, as it was me.

You may wonder how much of an impact we had working in a chocolate factory where we actually ate what we made, that was a question I had as well. Luckily, there was someone who could break it all down for us. In the few hours that we were there we sorted 15 bins of seeds  which was about 35 kg, or enough to make 50 dark chocolate bars. Removing the shells from the bins, we were able to sort through about 30 kg. Our largest impact was through wrapping just over 500 bars that went straight to market – actually I think the bulk of those bars were purchased by members of our group to take home!

This is not a “fun ship” cruise for the party crowd, this is a vacation that will let you get your hands a little dirty, let you meet the locals, other than the taxi driver that drops you at the beach, let you work side by side with someone who wants to build a better future for their loved ones. In the end, if that is something that sounds like the vacation you’ve been looking for, but didn’t want to give up all the comforts of home to experience, I would love to talk to you more about Fathom and the opportunity to “Vacation for Good.”   Click here and let’s get started.

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Do you wonder if the things you do for others really do make a difference? Whether that check made out to (insert any charity here) trickles down to those who need it most? If the $5 you gave the woman standing on the corner went to really feed or family? What if you could stand shoulder to shoulder with someone and really see the difference you make? That’s exactly what I was able to do last week with Fathom. They are developing a product unlike anything ever seen in the world of cruising. Next month the M/V Adonia will start sailing two very different weekly itineraries from Miami. April 10th they will begin impact sailings to the Dominican Republic, May 1st will begin their people-to-people sailings to Cuba.

I was invited as part of an advance travel team with Fathom to fly to the Dominican Republic last week and take part in the activities they are planning and provide feedback. When they launch next month in the Dominican Republic there will be 8 impact activities offered in over 30 locations, as time goes on they will continue to add activities and additional locations. Our group was able to split up and experience 6 of the 8 activities.

I’ll start this week with our day at RePapel, a co-op in the Javier neighborhood of Puerto Plata, this location is run by 13 entrepreneurs, all women. It was here that I met Marcia, Rafaela, Yelanda, Andrea, Altagracia and Nidia. They each shared stories of how RePapel allowed them to provide for their families. Nidia perhaps said it best when she described all of them as “entrepreneurs who like to fight for our families.”  Prior to their involvement with Fathom, the women worked one day a week, usually gathering at someone’s home, which meant they had to transport all of their materials and equipment from location to location. Since their partnership with Fathom they have a new facility to use daily and by working in their own neighborhood they are able to spend more time with their families and be home when their children or grandchildren return from school.

The women collect paper that would otherwise be discarded as garbage. There are not recycling facilities in Puerto Plata as we have here, so this keeps things out of the landfill.  The paper is torn into scraps and separated with solid white in one bin and that which has ink in another.

From there, the paper scraps go to my friend Nidia, pictured above. She puts the scraps into a modified washing machine, then into a blender to make the pulp.

Above, is Rafaela, she told us that what motivates her is to “help provide for my children’s education and care for the environment since we live so close to the sea.” She is able to do both of those things through RePapel. Rafaela molds the pulp into what will become sheets of paper.  She taught each of us how to prepare the screens, mix the pulp and make our own sheets of paper, luckily, she is quite patient!

After the sheets are formed, they are set to dry in the sun, as pictured below. Once dried they are rolled thin with old metal fence posts that have been filled with concrete, or jars that are filled with sand. As you can see, a lot goes into making this recycled paper! There were times that we questioned whether or not we were slowing down their process, rather than helping. By lunch time it was apparent that we had in fact helped increase production on the day.

We finished the time with these ladies over a delicious meal prepared in the back yard of the facility. The fresh avocado from the tree above was out of this world. While the impact that we made by lending a hand might not have been as immediate as pouring a concrete floor in a home that only had a dirt floor, the impact that these ladies are making on the community and the travelers that visit is long standing. Not to mention the impact they are having on their family.

This is not a “fun ship” cruise for the party crowd, this is a vacation that will let you get your hands a little dirty, let you meet the locals, other than the taxi driver that drops you at the beach, let you work side by side with someone who wants to build a better future for their loved ones. In the end, if that is something that sounds like the vacation you’ve been looking for, but didn’t want to give up all the comforts of home to experience, I would love to talk to you more about Fathom and the opportunity to “Vacation for Good.”   Click here and let’s get started.

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Jennifer’s favorite travel themed gifts for 2015:

#1 – TOMS – it’s no secret I love these shoes, not only for travel, but all the time.  They are super comfy and lightweight, so they are easy to pack. They also come with a purpose, for every pair you purchase a second pair is donated to a child in need. To date over 45 million pairs of new shoes have been donated according to their website.

#2 – Kindle Voyage – available on Amazon. This newest version of the Kindle provides exceptional battery life. It also comes equipped with an adaptive light sensor that can tell what the light levels are where you’re trying to read. It can adjust for bright sunlight or in darkness. This is a great item for your carry on when you don’t want to carry the latest hot book release in hardback form.

#3 – Traveling with little ones, or want something to keep yourself more entertained? Pick up a set of Story Cubes! These are great for passing time as you travel and very easy to pack. They are dice sized cubes with illustrations on each side. You roll anywhere from 3-9 at a time and then make up a story that incorporates the items. These are also available on Amazon

#4 – Make those long flights a bit more comfortable with a good neck pillow. I prefer the inflatable version, to save on space. However, I’ve got colleagues who love the J Pillow. It also happens to be the best selling travel pillow in several European countries and Japan, according to Amazon.

#5- A good eye mask is a must on an overnight flight. I prefer the neoprene masks over the traditional satin ones. The neoprene are molded, so they don’t actually touch your eyes while you’re trying to get some rest.

#6 – Of course you need a great bag to carry these things in, right? Did you see these on Shark Tank? Taaluma Totes are a Virginia based company, started by a couple of Virginia Tech graduates.  They are manufactured in Virginia from fabric that represents different countries. They also fund microloans in those countries to help give back to the communities the backpacks represent.

#7 – You didn’t think I would finish off the list without a shameless plug for my book did you? Remember, $1 from the purchase of each book, whether Kindle version or paperback will be donated to The First Tee of Hampton Roads.

#8- Still not sure what to get? Slaydon’s Travel gift certificates are available in any amount. Let that hard to buy for person in your life start planning the vacation they have been talking about taking for as long as you can remember.

I read an article this week titled 10 Rules for Flying With Small Children, in a travel publication.  It contained some of the worst advice I’ve heard for families traveling. Starting with “ Seriously, if you can avoid it, just stay home.” followed by “For your own sanity, it’s never worth it.” the article went down hill from there. As a result, this week I wanted to share my own advice on how to fly with small children that I hope is more useful than “just stay home.”

There’s a big world out there for you to share with your children, there’s so much to show them beyond a theme park. Don’t be afraid to go see it!

Children are much more resilient than we give them credit for, they are also mirrors of our own anxieties and moods. Perhaps you are anxious or apprehensive about flying with your little one? They will pick up on those insecurities and make for a potentially bumpy ride. On the other hand, if you prepare them for their flight, let them know what to expect and how fun it’s going to be for everyone the whole mood of the trip will change. That’s not to say there won’t be the possibility of trepidation, but if you go into things thinking positively you’ve got a better chance at a good flight than if you go in expecting the worst.

Make flying fun for your kids, my daughter first flew before she was a year old on a few short, pleasant flights. By the time she was two she knew the boarding procedures and would immediately sit down, buckle up and exclaim “take off!” She had experienced consistency during all of her flights. She knew what to expect as we approached the security check points, she knew what we expected of her on board the aircraft and she had snacks and activities to keep her entertained during the flight.

One of the things that we found useful was to keep an activity bag in her suitcase that we used only when traveling. We quickly discovered that items such as a magna doodle or, as she got older, story cubes were a great way to pass the time as we traveled.

We also found that if our daughter had her own          suitcase, in our case a Trunki®, that she was responsible for it was easier for us to navigate the airport. Trunki®was fantastic, when she was younger, because she could ride on it, while being pulled by Mom or Dad, she could pull it, or propel it with her feet when we had time to kill. Trunki® was a big hit in many airports.

Should your child be one who works best in familiar situations and those he or she is comfortable in or used to, perhaps an FAA approved car seat is the answer for you. Kids are used to having the structure of a car seat nearly every day. Put them in an airplane without one and they might feel uneasy, but if they have their familiar seat and are buckled in things could be much easier for everyone involved.

Many airports have play areas that can be used during longer layovers, find them and use them, they are a great way to help your little one use up some energy that they have built up from sitting on the plane.

What if you get stuck in the airport longer than expected? That’s where your preparation as a parent comes in. I don’t think there’s a parent in an airport anywhere that doesn’t have enough snacks to feed an entire plane for at least 12 hours, we all travel with much more than we’ll ever need in a normal situation, that’s just smart parenting. But, we also travel with extra diapers and extra outfits not just for Jr., but for Mom and Dad as well.

Other handy things to keep in the diaper bag or carry on include things like a deflated beach ball. With airports having more and more gates that are no longer in service, it’s easy to find some open space in the airport, should you be caught in an unexpected delay. Simply blow up the beach ball and you’ve got instant entertainment if the need arises.

Remember, even though liquids over 3 ounces are not allowed through security by standard travelers, there are exceptions made for people traveling with infants and small children. Another good idea is to bring along an empty water bottle. Once you have cleared the TSA checkpoint you can fill it at a water fountain.

The majority of your family’s travel experience is what you make of it, as I said above, if you go in expecting the worst, that’s what you’ll get. A positive attitude will get you pretty far these days and it will let you experience new places, new cultures and new horizons with your children. Nothing can replace those memories you make together, whether riding a camel as a family in Africa or surviving an unexpected 9 hour delay in Chicago’s O’Hare airport alone with your toddler. The worst thing you can do is “just stay home.”

If you are ready to capture the memories that only a family vacation can provide, I would love to help.  Contact me or one of the other travel professionals at Slaydon’s Travel. We can make sure your vacation provides memories to last a lifetime.

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What is slow travel?

Slow travel is the antithesis of those “if it’s Tuesday it must be Belgium” type vacations. You know, the ones that you come home from more tired than when you left on vacation!

Gone is the trend of packing every possible site into your vacation itinerary. The slow travel movement evolved out of the slow food movement, introduced a few decades ago in Italy as an alternative to fast food.

The idea is to immerse yourself in the destination, to literally slow down and take it all in, rather than snap a selfie at every landmark you pass as you drive by.

Instead of queuing for hours to get a glimpse of the Mona Lisa, imagine strolling to the market with a chef and selecting the freshest local ingredients before you assist in the kitchen to make a grand feast.  These are experiences that will provide vacation memories for years to come.

Rather than the high speed train through the French country side, what about a luxury barge for you and a few of your closest friends that ambles along the canals from winery to winery?

The possibilities are bountiful and not limited to the destinations mentioned above. Perhaps a spa or yoga retreat in Costa Rica is more your speed when planning a vacation.

Would you like to learn to make authentic Thai food in Thailand? Sail through the Greek Isles or even closer to home, in the British Virgin Islands on a catamaran?

Are you ready to experience the slow travel phenomenon for yourself? Click here and let’s get started today.

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The golf bug has bitten hard in our house this summer for our daughter. She is in her second year of golf camp as well as participating in the local First Tee program.

This past weekend we were able to play our first round as a family, a short 9 hole course, but it was a lot of fun. Both my husband and I play, although this was my first 9 holes since our daughter was born.

It felt good to get back on the course and I was happy with my round of 40. I was happier still that this is an activity that we can all participate in together at home, or on our travels.

My husband and I have been able to incorporate rounds of golf into our travels throughout Ireland, Bermuda, Florida and the Caribbean together.

Have you considered bringing golf, or a sport that your family can enjoy together into your next vacation? 

Top 9 destinations to play a round of golf as a family

#1 –  Arizona – You don’t have to leave the States to play some fantastic rounds of golf with the family while you vacation. Within the Greater Phoenix area there are hundreds of courses to choose from and great temperatures from fall through spring.

#2 – Jamaica – Most couples are familiar with the Sandals brand when it comes to the excellent value they provide for golf vacations at their Sandals Emerald Bay property in Exuma, Bahamas. However, did you realize that their Beaches family brand offers golf for the entire family in Ocho Rios? Complete with both adult and child clinics held throughout the week! The savings on greens fees alone are phenomenal.

#3 – Scotland – Wouldn’t you love to hang a photo of your family, standing on the Swilcan Bridge at St. Andrews to your wall? Just think of the years of memories this golf destination would provide the entire family!

#4 – Bermuda – a short flight from the East Coast and more golf courses per square mile than any other nation, with gorgeous views? What more could you want in a destination? Factor in the fantastic beaches, world class water sports and friendly locals and you’ve got a dream vacation on your hands.

#5 – Pebble Beach – while not as economical as some other destinations, what could be more memorable than walking up to the iconic 18th green with your family as you finish off the round of a lifetime?

#6 – Spain – Spain is an up and coming golf destination for many travelers. We have a fantastic custom itinerary for families, but also groups of golfers that want to travel together.  Take advantage of the beautiful Spanish weather, the culture as well as the opportunity to play a round at the only European course outside of the UK to host the Ryder Cup. There is also the opportunity to learn from 4 time Ryder Cup team member, Jose Maria Canizares.

#7 – Hawaii – much like the fabulous winter temperatures in Arizona and Florida, Hawaii is also a mecca for golfers and always a top destination for families.

#8 – Florida – Did you know that there are 4 golf courses just on Disney property alone? What a great way to take a break from the madness of the theme parks and make some great memories with your family!

#9  – Ireland – Long known as a golfers dream, Ireland provides a huge number of courses to live out your families dreams of links style golf.

Are you ready to put golf on your wish list for the next family vacation? Perhaps another sport is more appealing to your family, whatever the scenario, the professionals at Slaydon’s Travel are only a click away!  If you would like to read more sign up here 

Are you ready to push the online search frustrations aside and rely on the training and expertise of a professional? Click here and let’s get started together planning your next vacation!

Last week, returning to the US from Canada, by car, was my family’s first opportunity to test out our new Global Entry privileges. We waited in line for about 20 minutes to cross the border into Canada on our way out of the US. With the ability to use the Sentri lane on our return from Canada, there were only 2 cars in line! We were able to save some time and not wait in the long lines for inspection. We are looking forward to testing out it’s other benefits on upcoming trips, such as TSA Pre-check and an easier entry process when flying back into the US from abroad.

What is Global Entry? 

“Global Entry is a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) program that allows expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers upon arrival in the United States.” http://www.cbp.gov/global-entry/about

How do I apply? 

The process is fairly easy and begun online by filling out the application and submitting non-refundable application fee of  $100.

The application is fairly straight forward, asking questions about your residence and job history. The fun part is going through the list of countries to mark those visited in the past 5 years.

Once you submit the application and the fee you will recieve a conditional approval, or a denial within a week or two. Mine was quite quick, others took a few days longer.

What about the interview?

The most difficult part of the process, for those of us living in the Tidewater area is traveling for the interview. The nearest interview sites are either in DC itself, or at the Dulles Airport. The DC office is only open Monday – Friday, while the Dulles office is open 7 days a week. We were able to schedule interviews on a weekend that we had already planned to be in the DC area. The interview process lasted less than 10 minutes, including having our photo and fingerprints taken.

After the interview, then what?

Before we got back home from the interview, we received emails saying our applications had been approved and a few days later we received the Global Entry cards in the mail.

Once approved, what are the benefits?

Now the fun starts! Even when you are not traveling internationally, the Global Entry program gives you the benefit of TSA Pre-check. This means that you no longer have to take your shoes off when clearing the TSA checkpoint. Your liquids and laptop can also stay in your bag. In many airports there are dedicated security lanes for passengers with TSA Pre-check.

When you travel internationally and are flying back into the US you can skip the long immigration lines and head straight for a Global Entry kiosk. I’ve had clients that arrived back to the US facing immigration lines that stretched for over 3 hours. With their Global Entry status they were able to clear immigration using the Kiosk in less than 5 minutes.  They said that the program paid for itself in just that one trip!

If you have questions about how the program works, or the application process I would be happy to share more of my experience with you.