Author: JenniferRound

I am not a runner, but I was in Boston on April 15, 2013. I, along with my family,  made the trip to cheer on my brother, who is a phenomenal runner, in my very biased opinion, as he ran the Boston Marathon.  The long weekend was full of fun, laughter and taking in all that Boston had to offer. We ate fabulous Italian food in the North End, sampled beer at the Sam Adams Brewery, visited the iconic Fenway Park,  and watched street performers at Quincy Market.

Then, on the morning of April 15^th, while my brother was preparing to run the marathon, we lined the streets of Boston to cheer on the runners. We stood shoulder to shoulder and clapped, whistled, and cheered for thousands of men and women we did not know, and one that we did.  The enthusiasm was infectious. Together, the crowd worked to buoy the spirits of these runners, so full of endurance and determination. While not personally connected we all fed off each other.  We cheered for the troops that walked the course in fatigues and boots, carrying full backpacks, we cheered for the wheelchair and hand bicycle participants.  We cheered as the elite runners sped past, and we will cheer again.

The beautiful day, and hard work of over 27,000 runners and over 500,000 spectators, was soon interrupted when bombs were set off near the finish line of the Boston Marathon.  Luckily, my brother is a fast runner, finishing the marathon in just under 3 hours.  By 2:50pm, when the first bomb went off, our family was accounted for. We had taken an extremely crowded train to the equally as crowded family meeting area and were all within about 3 blocks of the bomb site. It was quite a while before we discovered the severity of the situation, however, it became immediately clear, by the number of emergency vehicles, sirens and helicopter hovering overhead that something larger than an industrial accident or car crash had occurred.

As word of the disaster filtered through the crowd we turned to our smart-phones for more information.  We were unable to make calls, but the internet connection was still available, it wasn’t until a few hours later that we learned that cell phone service had been shut down, as a precautionary measure throughout Boston.  It was through social media that we were able to quickly get a message out to friends and family that we were safe.  We then set off on foot across town to the Omni Parker House hotel, where my brother was staying for the weekend.  When we arrived at the Omni we were met in the lobby by the wonderful staff of the hotel. A hospitality room, stocked with tables, chairs, water, bagels and a large screen TV was set up for marathoners and their families. The Omni did a superb job of relaying the little bit of information they received. A few hours later we decided to set off again on foot in search of dinner. The streets were eerily quiet, except for the very strong police presence. By late evening we were able to take the train back to the hotel we were staying in just outside the city.

A long day had come to an end.

I’ve been asked many times in the few short days since about my thoughts on the safety of travel in light of the bombings.  I learned a lot that cool spring day, much of it from the runners themselves who throughout their training and 26.2 grueling miles exhibited such determination and endurance.  I know this doesn’t come as a shock to many of you that of course I will continue to travel. In fact, just this evening my family was discussing a return trip to Boston. I realize that the world we live in is increasingly becoming a hotbed for destruction and violence. However, I also deeply believe that we cannot let these acts of terror allow us to bury our heads in the sand, that is what “they” (whomever, they are) would like the most.  I read recently that travel changes people, and people change the world.  I know that the world needs change, it needs compassion instead of complacency, it needs much more than taking a vacation can provide. But, if in some small way I can expose my daughter to a world where people work together and cheer people along  that they don’t even know, if I can show her our similarities and kindness there is hope, and that is why we will not only continue to travel, but return to Boston as well.

 

***Update – My family did return to Boston the following year for the Marathon. Brian even raised $2,650 for the victims from the 2013 bombing. Unfortunately 9 days before the race he was running a 5k charity run to raise money for foster children in Washington DC. He won that race and was playing with the kids at the finish. He stepped off a curb and fractured his ankle.  He was  in a cast for a few days but was able to find an orthopedic doctor that told him he wouldn’t do additional damage if he ran the marathon, but “it’s going to hurt like hell.” He did run on his broken ankle, he had to stop a few times and walk a good bit, but he finished. His time of 3 hours and 24 minutes was not quick enough for him to qualify for the 2015 Boston Marathon. You can read about his fundraiser here: https://www.crowdrise.com/back-2-backboston26-2

What a whirlwind it’s been the past few weeks. You may remember having read, in our newsletter or on our Facebook page,  that I was attending a conference in Napa Valley.  Since it was only a two day conference I was able to extend the trip and take my husband and daughter. Yes, we took our four year old to Napa. Yes, I’ll blog about taking kids to Napa soon. Before heading to Napa, we had the pleasure of spending time on the Monterey Peninsula  We visited Monterey, Carmel, Pebble Beach and even drove down the iconic HWY 1 to Big Sur before we headed to Napa for 4 nights.  While the time spent on the Monterey Peninsula, as well as the time in Napa was fabulous, getting home was a bit of a challenge.

The day we left  Napa was also the day the Bay Area was hit with the “Pineapple Express.” You’re probably asking the same question I did, “What’s a pineapple express?” Well, it’s a rain and wind storm that blew in from the Pacific, not unlike a Nor’easter here on the East Coast, but it didn’t seem nearly as severe. Unfortunately, it was severe enough to delay our flight home out of  San Francisco.

I received two phone calls on the way from Napa to the airport. The first said that the flight was delayed and instructed me to go to the airport as scheduled. The second call said that the flight was delayed but told me NOT to go to the airport. Both calls were automated recordings.  Luckily, it was able to get Ann on the phone to start looking into availability for alternate flights.  With weather bad in San Francisco and not promising to improve, we decided our best option was to leave on the delayed flight and overnight at our connection point, which was Chicago, where the weather forecast was calling for an unseasonably warm and sunny day.

However, instead of  taking the first flight the following morning from Chicago at 6am, we were able to take the last flight of the day at 7pm. The reasoning behind this was two-fold. Knowing we wouldn’t be arriving in Chicago until after 10pm, the thought of having to be back at the airport at 4am with a 4 year old was not something we were looking forward to. Secondly, we were the one’s paying for the hotel room, as the delay was weather related, so we decided to make the best of it. Instead of staying at a hotel near the airport, I made a reservation downtown just a block off Michigan Avenue.  We were able to turn what for many would have been a bad experience into a good one.

Shortly before midnight we settled into a cozy hotel room overlooking the Chicago skyline lit for Christmas. The following morning we hit the streets and were able to see some of this beautiful city and even enjoy some famous Chicago deep dish pizza for lunch before flying home.

While the trip  from the time we left the Westin Verasa Resort in Napa, until we crawled into bed at home was nearly 36 hours, the time spent seeing Chicago all decked out for the holidays made it all worthwhile.  Obviously,  the trip would have been shorter had we accepted the offer of the first flight out the following morning, but it wouldn’t have been nearly as enjoyable. Ultimately, isn’t that what travel is all about, enjoyment? Or as Jimmy Buffet sings, “Go fast enough to get there, but slow enough to see.”

 

After a short 20 minute drive from the Kona airport, along the Kohala coast, you will find yourself in the tropical oasis that comprises the 62 acres of the Hilton Waikoloa Village. A playground for all ages, it is a destination in itself. This unique property offers something for everyone. It starts as you leave the lobby and head towards your room. Options include an air conditioned tram or a beautiful mahogany boat that travels the canals on the property to deliver you to your destination.

While the 1,240 guest rooms and suites are impressive, it is the natural beauty that makes the Hilton Waikoloa the perfect island getaway. The most unique feature is a 4 acre ocean-fed lagoon that is teeming with tropical fish and sea turtles.  This sheltered lagoon is the perfect spot to introduce your children to snorkeling or kayaking.

Just beyond the lagoon is the dolphin quest where the whole family can indulge in the once in a lifetime experience of a personal encounter with these amazing creatures. Imagine the memories you will capture all while your children gain a deeper appreciation for the importance of preserving the oceans. There are even dolphin encounter opportunities for children as young as 2 years old, which is a photo opportunity that you can’t pass up!

 

Once you have worked up an appetite swimming with the dolphins, sea turtles or simply exploring along the shore, you won’t be disappointed with the meal options. There are 13 restaurants with something to please even the pickiest eaters.

Want to combine dinner and entertainment? Why not treat the family to an authentic Hawaiian Luau? Offered three nights a week, it is certain to fit into even the busiest schedule. Enjoy the Polynesian music and dancing as well as interactive demonstrations that will delight guests of all ages while you feast on roast kalua pig and other local favorites.

While the Hawaiian Islands have long been a preferred destination with honeymooners, their popularity as a family vacation destination is on the rise.  With so much history, culture and pure natural beauty throughout Hawaii, what are you waiting for? Contact one of the family vacation experts at Slaydon’s Travel today!

 

Beaches Resorts sets the standard that all other all-inclusive resorts try to live up to, while Beaches Turks and Caicos takes it up a notch. Sandals Resorts has long been established as the stand out for adult’s only all-inclusive vacations, but what about an all-inclusive the whole family will enjoy?

With two resorts in Jamaica and one in Turks and Caicos, a Beaches resort does not disappoint.  The Italian Village at the Turks and Caicos location is clearly the standout.  The Family Suites that make up the Italian Village at Beaches Turks and Caicos are not only pure luxury, but also a dream come true for families. Picture your family spending a week in a suite with plenty of room for everyone and even the services of a concierge or with the top-tier suites, your own private butler!  There is a separate kid’s bedroom, complete with a mahogany bunk bed and trundle, 27” flat screen TV, Xbox 360© and game table.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Before you get to the bedroom you will pass a huge marble bathroom that not only has a walk in shower, but also a double sink and whirlpool tub, across from a bank of closets, microwave and the stocked refrigerator.

Finally you arrive in your sanctuary for the week, greeted by the four poster mahogany bed, 42” flat screen TV and sliding glass doors that open onto the patio. Just a few steps further and you are walking into the inviting zero entry pool.

The Italian Village pool is located between the breathtaking powder soft beach and the Pirates Island Waterpark. You could spend all day indulging in the wide variety of water sports, from Stand Up Paddleboarding to surf simulators, and even complimentary Scuba diving, for PADI certified divers.  The possibilities are endless.

After a day chocked full of water sports you will certainly work up an appetite. Luckily, with 16 restaurants and 12 bars to choose from you will not go hungry. Remember, all of this is INCLUDED! These aren’t your typical all-inclusive feeding lines, these are top notch restaurants. You can begin your day with a cappuccino or espresso and mouthwatering pastries that will have you reminiscing of a café in Paris. Grab a fabulous seafood lunch just steps from the ocean, with your feet in the sand, at Barefoot by the Sea. Then why not indulge in an Adult’s only dinner at Sapodilla’s while the kid’s enjoy activities custom designed for their age group.

Speaking of kid’s clubs, from tots to tweens to teens, there is something to keep everyone smiling from the hours of 9am to 9pm, or later. The little ones will love spending time in the company of Elmo, Big Bird and the rest of the Sesame Street gang.  There are activities such as baking cookies with Cookie Monster, live shows and parades in the evening featuring the characters, treasure hunts and more. Pre-teens will have days filled with activities such as sailing, snorkeling, beach volleyball, pizza making and reggae sessions. Not to be left out, the teens even have their own disco and the Scratch DJ Academy!

As you can see, there is truly something for everyone at this resort.  It is really a fabulous place to reconnect with your teenagers, or introduce your toddlers to the tradition of a family vacation. Looking for the best time of year to go? I love visiting in the fall, before the rush of the Holiday season and after things have settled down from the summer rush.  Call one of the Certified Sandals Specialists at Slaydon’s Travel to find out about the current specials, in the meantime, enjoy these photographs and start packing!

 

As a family travel specialist, I follow the news and trends in this niche closely. During the past year we have seen a significant increase in the number of families planning multigenerational vacations together. These are not typically large family reunions but more often grandparents traveling with their children and grandchildren. Families are seeking opportunities to capture time together and build lasting memories.

Creating a vacation that everyone in the family will enjoy is the most important part of my job as a travel professional. Cruising has become a very popular choice for these families. Itineraries and ships are so diverse now that there truly is something for everyone. One of the biggest advantages of a cruise for the whole family is the variety of onboard activities. Cruising gives families the flexibility to enjoy their own activities aboard the ship, at their own pace, but also with the peace of mind that they are building memories to last a lifetime. The whole family can participate in activities together, or they can do as they please during the day, knowing that they will sit down together over dinner. With kid’s clubs, spa treatments, wine tastings, cooking demonstrations, enrichment seminars, movies and more, the possibilities are endless aboard the ship. Not to mention the destinations!

As more and more families follow this vacation trend, I expect to see cruise lines offer a greater variety of itineraries and activities for all ages. While increased options are always a good thing, it can be confusing and a bit overwhelming to make sure that you have both the right vacation destination for your travel party and making sure that you get the most value for your vacation budget. Working with a professional travel consultant will ensure that all of the details are taken care of and you will have a vacation that exceeds your expectations, but not your budget.

One of the most important aspects of my job as a Travel Concierge is making sure that you not only are able to get the best value for your travel budget, but also make the most of your time while you’re on your vacation. I am able to achieve this by making sure that you are aware of the activities that are going to be offered while you vacation and actually planning out when you will participate. There’s nothing worse than seeing your child disappointed because the dolphin excursion is sold out the only day you were in the port that offered it during your annual family vacation. By utilizing my expertise as a travel professional, you’re on the right track. I can guide you in choosing excursions that not only enhance your family vacation, but allow you to capture memories to last a lifetime.

Whether zip lining through the jungle in Mexico, swimming with the sting rays in the Cayman Islands or taking a helicopter ride to land on an Alaskan Glacier, I have been able to experience firsthand these once in a lifetime opportunities.  Through my connections as a travel professional I am also able to establish relationships with the suppliers that ensure you are able to stretch your vacation budget to include these enhancements.

One of my favorite excursions in Alaska is through a small company that Slaydon’s Travel has worked very closely with for over 10 years now. I had the pleasure of experiencing their Icefield Excursion several years ago. It was like nothing I could have imagined. We left the Juneau airport on a six seat helicopter, the pilot was able to point out landmarks and terrain features as we flew towards one of the many glaciers in the area. Within minutes we were landing on Norris Glacier and walking around. The scenery was truly breathtaking. The pilot was able to explain the history behind the glacier and point out features that the untrained eye would have never noticed. We sipped pristine water from a waterfall as if flowed into a crevice, took a seemingly endless number of photographs and marveled at the beauty that surrounded. Soon, it was time to board the helicopter again and head back to the airport. During the return flight we toured some of the popular hiking summits and other glaciers in the area. The pilot was able to tell us how much things had changed in his years in Alaska and about his experiences flying in the area. It was this personal attention that made this excursion so special.

In the years since I have been able to recommend this excursion to a number of clients ranging in age from 3  – 93, all have returned raving about the experience.

Working full time as a travel concierge, in addition to being busy wife and mother to a very active toddler, I’m keenly aware of trying to capture every memory. My husband and I were both blessed to grow up with a love of travel; there wasn’t a chance that our daughter wouldn’t have been bitten by the travel bug as well. We took our first big road trip when she was only 8 weeks old, she had her first passport a few weeks later, her first plane ride was at 9 months, and she hasn’t slowed down much since. While her dad and I didn’t make it to our third Continent until we were adults, we rode a Camel in Africa together before she turned 2 and a half.

 

I think it is important to show your children that despite the culture differences around the world, that we are all inherently similar. Take your child to any playground around the world, or give a child a soccer ball in a patch of sand or grass far from home and they will find a way to communicate. It is through traveling at a young age that forms a part of who your children are and more importantly, their understanding of the world.  This is why we travel, and it is why you should travel as well.

Don’t let the fear of the unknown keep you at home. If you are concerned about how your child will react choose a vacation that gives them consistency. The right cruise will give all of you a vacation full of memories to last a lifetime. We could have never seen Malta, Rome, Sorrento, Pisa and Monte Carlo in one trip with a toddler had we not been onboard the Disney Magic. Being aboard the ship gave us the luxury of seeing these beautiful locals with our daughter, and gave her the consistency and familiarity that she needed by sleeping in the same bed every night and eating dinner at the same time most days with a waiter that knew what she would want and how to keep her entertained.

There’s so much to see beyond  the horizon if you just take that first step. Remember, that the first step to any unforgettable journey starts at Slaydon’s Travel