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  We're Traveling Mamas sharing our adventures with the world. We offer tips on great (and not so great) places to visit with children and how to have the best family vacations -- but it's not all about the kids, of course! Romantic escapes, girlfriend getaways, and solo trips are also important to us. Plus, we cover industry news and review travel gear, and we love to give things away!

  
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What To Do Outdoors in Sedona, Arizona

Mention you’re planning a trip to Sedona, and you may get some quizzical looks. Really? People wonder. So you’re into that whole vortex-New Age-crystals philosophy? Well, no, but that’s a big part of the subculture in this part of Arizona.  Sedona means many things to many people, and while I tried to feel some sort of otherworldly sensation at the Vortex, all I got was a view. But…what a view it is. Sedona is one of my favorite places to vacation in the United States, and the prevalent New Age culture has very little to do with it. There are many things to see and do in Sedona, almost all of which involve getting outdoors and appreciating one of the most beautiful places on Earth.

What to Do Outdoors in Sedona Arizona

Jeep Tours: My family visited Sedona last summer, and since we had our kids with us, this vacation involved more placid activities; the Red Rock Jeep tour took us off the road, but it wasn’t quite an off-roading experience. This past trip was just my partner and I; the Pink Jeep tour was everything an off-roading adventure should be (heart-pounding bumps, access to off-the-beaten-path cliffs and mesas) with a guide who nonetheless knew the local flora and fauna like the back of his hand. This Broken Trail jeep tour was a real highlight of our trip. I recommend both: Red Rock Jeeps for families with young children, Pink Jeeps for teens and adults. There is also A Day in the West jeep tour, but I haven’t personally experienced that one…yet. Earth Wisdom jeep tours offers a New Age experience, going to the famous vortex as well as some sacred sites.

Hikes: Oh boy, the hikes. Hiking in the morning to see the sun rise over the red rocks of Sedona must be an exhilarating feeling, but I slept right through that. The sunset hikes are just as magnificent – I hope, since that’s what I (with my sleeping-in-is-a-vacation-priority self) did. Now, there are over 100 hiking trails in Sedona, so my list of recommendations is by no means complete.

• Quick, easy, low grade hikes in Sedona include the Vultee Arch wilderness area (elevation gain 400 ft), Deadman’s Pass (don’t let the name scare you off) is appropriate for horseback rides with its wide trail (elevation gain 300 ft), Fay Canyon running along Bear Mountain, with views of a rock arch and Indian ruins (elevaton gain 95 ft), the easy Brins Mesa Loop (there’s a hard one, too) which takes hikers through arches and affords a view of Uptown Sedona, and Dry Creek Trail, the longest of the easy hikes at just over 5 miles both ways (elevation gain 450 ft).
• For those of us who hike regularly and don’t mind some challenges, moderate trails in Sedona include the Secret Canyon, which follows a stream bed along the base of those amazing red mesas and buttes (elevaton gain 660 ft), Lost Canyon at the “Brins Mesa #119″ trailhead marker which takes hikers through small canyons and Indian ruins; follow the marked trail carefully as there are some steep drop-offs here. Other moderate hiking trails in Sedona are Long Canyon, which brings hikers up close to some of the most intricate natural rock formations around (elevation gain 580 ft), Boynton Canyon, off the property of Enchantment luxury resort, through a box canyon with multiple paths and trails to explore and a supposed vortex (elevation gain 400 ft), and Doe Mountain, which at less than 2 miles is a fairly easy part of Boynton Canyon that leads to the top of a mesa with 360-degree views (elevation gain 400 ft).
• For experienced hikers looking for even more of a challenging hike, the Cathedral Rock Trail off rte 179 has the best views of any on the list; a 360-degree perspective of all of Red Rock County, through to Verde Valley and all the way to Jerome (30 miles away). The strenuous Brin’s Mesa Trail begins in a manzanita forest but gets challenging along the way – this trail begins at the end of Jordan Road.

Aerial Views: There are helicopter rides and a hot air balloon tour through the red cliffs of Sedona. I haven’t done either, but I’ll be honest with you: If a helicopter had come chopping through the air during one of my hikes, it would have seriously interrupted my groove. While I can’t speak from experience, I imagine that Red Rock Balloon Adventures offers a much more peaceful aerial tour of the county. That company also doesn’t disturb the peace and quiet of the natural surroundings.

Shopping: There are a lot of shops in Uptown Sedona, along Highway 87A. These range from the tackiest of tourist traps to some pretty awesome art galleries featuring local artists. But a shopping vacation in Sedona really isn’t complete without a stop in Tlaquepaque. The stores here are ultra-high end, yes, and the few restaurants are pricier than a fast food joint. But the enclosed area of Tlaquepaque is modeled after an authentic Mexican village, with lovely architecture and cobblestone streets (cars pack outside). Be sure to check out El Prado Gallery here; it’s probably my favorite art shop in Tlaquepaque. I also like Geoffrey Roth’s gallery and, on the less expensive end, Esteban’s.

Just Outside Sedona: I recommend taking a morning trip to a couple of historic sites of the Sinagua Indians. Tuzigoot National Monument is an ancient pueblo that travelers can really explore, although of course with respect. Montezuma Castle National Monument is an elevated cliff dwelling (and park), hence cannot be experienced in quite the same hands-on way, but my family loved it. There is also the nearby Montezuma Well, which is a visible underground well the Sinagua built for farming purposes.

These are just a few of my favorite things to do outdoors in Sedona, Arizona. There are bound to be countless others; feel free to mention your favorites in the comments below!

Two Best Hotels in Las Vegas: MGM Signature and Four Seasons

I don’t book a hotel room without first consulting the firsthand reviews and rankings on TripAdvisor.com. (I also do a search on Uptake.com, where I blog about hotels, for still more reviews from other sites.) I take all hotel reviews with a grain of salt — there’s always someone who wants to complain about the hard beds or a surly front-desk staffer. But on the whole, I can get a great feel from a place with user-generated reviews. Two top hotels I stayed at in Las Vegas earlier this month were among the best of the best, ranked #2 and #4 out of all the hotels in Vegas — plus, they were named big winners in the TripAdvisor.com 2009 Travelers Choice Awards: The Signature at MGM Grand and the Four Seasons.

The Signature at MGM Grand

This property is ranked second by TripAdvisor.com users out of all 292 Vegas properties. Plus, it was named a top hotel for romance in the United States (ranked #7 out of 10) in the TripAdvisor.com Travelers Choice Awards. This is a huge feat for a relatively new hotel that opened its first tower just three years ago. But, frankly, I’m not that surprised. It’s fabulous.

The Signature is a non-gaming, non-smoking hotel comprised of three towers about a 15-minute walk from the Strip, behind its sister property the massive MGM Grand. Set far from the action of the MGM’s casino, nightclubs and busy restaurants, The Signature caters to a crowd that appreciates quiet sophistication.

The Signature hosted me and my husband in a junior suite in Tower 2; our spacious room overlooked the pool area and the Strip. While we didn’t use the kitchenette in our suite,  I think it’s great for longer stays and storing snacks in the mini fridge or preparing simple meals with the cooktop stove and microwave (dishes, glasses, cooking utensils included).

We found the beds comfy, the on-site Delights deli yummy, and the pool relaxing (as opposed to the super-crowded and loud MGM Grand pool). Yes, it’s a hike to the Strip — at least 15 minutes and more than a half-mile — but when you’re in Vegas you tend to walk a lot anyway. We didn’t gamble once on this weekend getaway, so we didn’t miss the casino at all.

I highly recommend the Signature for couples — it feels romantic and sophisticated because it doesn’t have that crazy party atmosphere that the mega resorts do. I also saw just one family with young children in my tower during my two-night stay (though the one-bedroom units, with full kitchen, would be fabulous for families). It’s also a nice place for girlfriend getaways; each suite type has a pull-out sofabed, so if friends don’t mind bunking together, you could fit four adults in a room easily.

TripAdvisor.com says average nightly rates are $200, but I see prices starting at $129/night at The Signature website.

Four Seasons Las Vegas

The Four Seasons Las Vegas was named in the TripAdvisor.com Travlers Choice Awards as the fourth-best hotel in the United States in terms of luxury. It also got the top-ranking hotel in Las Vegas as part of the “Best in the Top 25 World Cities” category.

TripAdvisor.com actually hosted my night’s stay to this top hotel to see if all the fuss is legit. On many levels, I’d have to say, “Absolutely.” Like all Four Seasons properties, this one exudes elegance and sophistication. Service (for the most part; more on that later) is very attentive.

The Vegas property is actually on the top 4 foors of the Mandalay Bay. The lobby and check-in process are totally separate from the Manadaly Bay (which is more like a cattle-herding process, with more than a dozen front-desk staffers). So from the moment you step into the Four Seasons and the door is held open for you by a smiling bellman, you feel special.

Our Executive Suite (upgraded from the standard room that was booked) featured a separate living room and bedroom with large bathroom. I loved the generous portions of spa toiletries (Bulgari; yes I took some home) and the separate shower with Jacuzzi tub.

Guests at the Four Seasons enjoy use of the private Four Seasons pool (packed by 10 a.m.; we couldn’t find an empty chair) or the monstrosity that is the Mandalay Bay pool area, with lazy river, wave pool and sandy beach (where guests are packed in like sardines and whose average age is likely 22). The entire pool and nearby full-service spa area smelled heavenly, like eucalyptus. That was a small touch, but one I fully appreciated. The fitness center is filled with cardio machines, strength training equipment and free weights.

We didn’t eat on site, even though our package included 20 percent off at the Verandah restaurant (still too expensive for our pocketbook); buffet brunch cost $35 for adults ($16 for children, who would adore the decorate-your-own freshly made donuts station).

I suppose my only complaint about the Four Seasons is this: When we left the Four Seasons to transfer to The Signature, the bellman handed us our luggage and asked if we needed transportation. “Nope,” we said, “We’re taking the  bus.” He made a digusted face and said, “Reeeeeaaaallly?” — like we were absolute idiots to pay a few bucks for a bus ride instead of paying closer to $15 to get us up the street in relative luxury in a taxi. No, we didn’t save that much money, but we’d bought the 3-day bus passes and wanted to use them. No big deal to us, but the snotty attitude of the bellman put a damper on our last few moments at the Four Seasons.

Here’s a funny: I’m now reading on the Four Seasons Las Vegas website that the property offers “house car service,” which delivers passengers to where they need to go within a 3-mile radius. The Signature at MGM might have made it within that distance limit; but we weren’t offered any complimentary ride. Just attitude.

TripAdvisor.com says rates at the Four Seasons average $398/night, but we had a package that starts at $279/night (standard room), and includes the 20 percent off restaurant coupon, $25 off a spa treatment and general $50 resort credit that can be applied to any room charges or even the nightly room-rate fees — not a bad deal for one of the best hotels in Las Vegas.

Winning Wednesday – LUSH Contest Giveaway Prize Winner

Wow! We had a near-record entries for our Lush contest giveaway: 375 comments is a lot for this humble travel site. What can I say? People love their fresh, organic luxury bath products.  Giving away a LUSH gift box full of The Art of Bathing bath bombs and bubble bars sure taught us that. There’s not much that relaxes me as much as a wonderfully scented Lush bath – I’m so happy that our (random) prize winner is also, clearly, a big fan of Lush products! Just take a look at what Emily had to say:

“I work a pretty customer service oriented job and am definitely a people pleaser so it is really hard for me to let go of my day or not take my job home with me. I am a HUGE fan of LUSH products and they always come into play when I am trying to unwind. My favorite thing to do to get away from it all is to give myself a facial and make myself a really really good sandwich. Often my boyfriend participates in both (since the day I noted his flaky tzone and did the LUSH Love Lettuce mask on him – he was very impressed with the results) and I start with Ultrabland, then steam my face over a bowl of hot water with a C toner tab to get everything out of my pores. Then I do the Cupcake mask which smells just like chocolate frosting and wipe it off with the toner water and moisturize with Imperialis. Then we watch a bad bad wedding movie or old episodes of The Cosby Show and he tells me I won’t always be able to please everyone and we have a cup of tea. It’s my favorite thing. This is an awesome giveaway. Thanks for letting me enter!”

Congratulations, Emily. I’m thrilled to see that this prize is going to someone who will definitely appreciate it. Contact me through this site, and the Art of Bathing gift box will be mailed to the address of your choosing. Happy bathing!

Travel Gear Review: cinda b Zippered Tote

Regular readers know I’m a fan of Tom Bihn’s Medium Cafe Bag that has taken me from the rainforest in Puerto Rico to PTA meetings here at home. It’s sporty and functional and fits a ton of stuff. Now, I’ve got a fave in bags for when I’m feeling a bit more feminine: the cinda b Zippered Tote.

I was able to use this lightweight tote (courtesy of cinda b) in Las Vegas last weekend, and found it great for carrying my wallet, camera, notebook, cell phone, sunglasses and more while sightseeing and walking along the Strip. I had plenty of room to store brochures and small souvenirs I picked up along the way, too. With six interior open-top pockets, it’s a good organizer, and I like the slight padding on the shoulder straps. The zippered top helped me feel secure negotiating through crowds.

The tote also pulled double-duty at the pool: because quilted cinda b bags are constructed with poly/nylon fabrics, they are water-resistant. I didn’t worry about the bag getting splashed poolside. According to the specs on the main cinda b website, the quilted bags are machine washable — plus they’re made in the USA.

cinda b (named for owner Cinda Boomershine) has an entire line of fabulous-looking travel bags. I’m now coveting the Super Tote, The Garment Bag That Grows and the Resorter. Cute accessories include the Happy (a “happy solution for carrying around all your little stuff”), cosmetic bags, sunglasses cases and wallets. Each product comes in a myriad of colorful and feminine patterns.

The cinda b Zippered Tote retails for $78, so these pretty pieces of travel gear are not necessarily cheap. That said, you might look at each well-constructed piece as an investment, or put cinda b on your birthday or holiday wish list!

Celebrate National Get Outdoors Day

For the MountainFamily, summer vacation is just around the corner, and we intend to spend as much as possible of it outside — whether that’s camping with our pop-up, taking local hikes, swimming, kayaking or biking in our beloved Colorado mountains. Even though Colorado is repeatedly named one of the healthiest in the nation, I know that many parents in the state may not have the resources or time to introduce their kids to outdoor adventures.

That’s why I’m thrilled to help spread the word about National Get Outdoors Day taking place in Denver, at City Park, on Saturday, June 13, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. A coalition of public land management agencies, outdoor recreation and education groups have banded together to provide a ton of free activities and hands-on education to visiting families and local residents on this one day.

Kids will have the chance to actually ski (in the summer!), fish, canoe, rock climb and mountain bike — all for free — during this event. Then there’s a low-ropes obstacle course, Jr. Ranger camp, 5k or 10k walk, plus Native American dancing and geocaching. While the U.S. Forest Service and the American Recreation Coalition are co-sponsors the event, more than 80 entities — such as Vail Resorts, REI, Girl Scouts of Colorado and Leave No Trace — are involved in pulling this great day together.

If you’re in Denver with your family on June 13, I hope you’ll check it out! Otherwise, there will be more than 50 events happening simultaneously throughout the country, from Alabama to Wyoming — see if there’s one near you at the official National Get Outdoors Day site.

Best Top 10 Beaches 2009

Dr. Stephen P. Leatherman (aka Dr. Beach), Director of Florida International University’s Laboratory for Coastal Research released his list of Top 10 Beaches for 2009. He uses a multitude of criteria to evaluate beaches, which includes water and sand quality as well as safety, facilities and environmental management.

The Traveling Mamas love Hawaii, but we’re also big fans of beaches. Period. Here’s Dr. Beach’s official list. Some are great for families, others are perfect for that romantic escape, but all are perfect for relaxing and getting some sand between your toes.

1. Hanalei Bay Kauai, Hawaii

2. Siesta Beach Sarasota, Florida

3. Coopers Beach Southampton, New York

4. Coronado Beach San Diego, California

5. Hamoa Beach Maui, Hawaii

6. Main Beach East Hampton, New York

7. Cape Hatteras Outer Banks of North Carolina

8. Cape Florida State Park Key Biscayne, Florida

9. Coast Guard Beach Cape Cod, Massachusetts

10. Beachwalker Park Kiawah Island, South Carolina

Do you disagree with Dr. Beach’s list? Keep in mind that past list leaders are ineligible for inclusion. The annual top beach pick by Dr. Beach has always been in either Florida or Hawaii, with the exception of 2007, which was in the Outer Banks of North Carolina.

My personal pick for top beach of 2009 would have to be Nannygoat Beach on Sapelo Island, a Georgia barrier island. It is undeveloped, pristine, fantastic for shelling, and the first time I’ve ever actually seen the beach shimmer with gold flecks. Simply breathtaking.

Here’s a video by brew journalist, Ale Sharpton, that ends on Nannygoat Beach.

Direct link to video.

If you were doing the choosing, what beach would be your top pick for 2009?

Top Free or Cheap Things to Do in Denver

Everyone’s looking for a bargain these days. And why not? The best things in life are free! The Mile-High City of Denver offers visitors some fabulous free things to do. Here are my picks:

Ride the 16th Street Trolley. The 16th Street Pedestrian Mall is the main thoroughfare in downtown Denver. Its 15 blocks are lined with dozens of shops and restaurants, and especially in the warm-weather months, there’s often streetside entertainment going on–from impromptu jugglers to musicians strumming guitars. The trolley that runs up and down the mall is free, so take a ride to get an overview of what’s along the mall, or to get from one end to another in a hurry.

Tour the U.S. Mint. Find out how money is made at Denver’s U.S. Mint building. Tours are free, offered on the hour from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Make a reservation on the Mint’s website; reservations are highly recommended, though you can take a chance that there will be availability for a walk-up tour.

Teach your kids at the Denver Art Museum. Families who visit the Denver Art Museum can ask for Family Backpacks, filled with activities, games and puzzles to do in several galleries, or Art Tubes, little mini-activities if you don’t have time tour the entire museum. Also, general admission to the DAM is completely free every first Saturday of the month. Otherwise, prices are $13 adults ($10 CO residents) and $5 for kids 6-18 ($3 CO residents).

Play at a park. Denver has more than 200 of them! Take a jog or ride your bike around Washington Park, with its pretty flower gardens in the summer. Bring the children to the swings and slides at Cheesman Park. Go fishing in Sloan’s Lake Park (adults need a fishing license; kids don’t).

Hit the trails. With more than 850 miles of off-street bike paths, it’s no wonder Denver residents are among the fittest in the nation! Make like the locals do on this vast urban trail system, and bike, walk, run or roller blade along the popular paved paths that follow Cherry Creek or the Platte River.

For more free or cheap things to do in Denver, check out the chock-full-of-deals website Mile High on the Cheap. Coupons, bargains, free admission and special MHOTC-reader promotions are compiled by in-the-know area residents and travel writers Claire Walter and Laura Daily.

Cheap (and Urban) Family Camping: Colorado National Monument

A couple weekends ago, we broke out our family’s pop-up camper for a trip to Colorado National Monument in Fruita — a whopping two hours from our house. It wasn’t a “staycation,” however (because I detest that word and put a pox on anyone who actually uses it in travel-related articles). We were instead “exploring our own backyard” and doing it incredibly cheaply, overnighting at Saddlehorn Campgrond in this fascinating national monument that we’d never explored before. And we had a ball doing it — namely because it was “urban camping” and we weren’t too far from some creature comforts (read: microbrews) and attractions for the kids. Plus, our camping weekend was budget friendly and didn’t break the bank.

Colorado National Monument is filled with otherworldly sandstone formations, striking canyons and towering monoliths. In addition to hiking some of the easy nature trails in the park — including the Window Rock and Otto’s trails, which lead to absolutely incredible overlooks — we also took a short bike ride from the campground to the visitors center, where the kids turned in their activity books and earned their Jr. Ranger badges.

We scooted down the hill just six miles to check out Dinosaur Journey, a museum dedicated to the unusual number of fossils in the area (ironically, my kids liked standing on the earthquake simulator better than looking at any old bones). We also hiked the mile around Dinosaur Hill, where a Brontosauras skeleton was found in 1900. We went on an urban bike ride along the paved trails next to the Colorado River in Grand Junction (less than a 20-minute drive away), and took in an art show/street festival in downtown Grand Junction, where we took a load off at Rockslide Brewery. (Frankly, one of the highlights of the weekend for me — what tastes better than a cold draft beer after a day of outdoor activity?)

I highly recommend a camping stay or a drive through Colorado National Monument for Colorado residents or anyone passing through the state on I-70. The fee to enter the monument is just $7, and campsites for RVs or tents are just $10 a night. Entrance to Dinosaur Journey is $16 for a family of four, and hiking Dinosaur Hill is free. Of course the memories made while enjoying nature, being together in the outdoors and giggling in a camper during evening storytime — well those are priceless.

Indulge me while I share a few more photos of our urban family camping trip to Colorado National Monument:

I look forward to other family camping trips this summer — in Colorado and beyond!

Best All-inclusive Resort for Families in the Riviera Maya, Mexico: Azul Sensatori Hotel Review

A toy-lending library, kids’ personal video-players in on-site restaurants, Gerber baby food included in the room rate, suites designed for families of five, and guaranteed connecting rooms are only a handful of the incredible family-friendly amenities offered at Azul Sensatori by Karisma, an all-inclusive, oceanfront property near Puerto Morelos, Mexico. With the carpet rolled out for kids at Azul Sensatori, I confidently call it the best all-inclusive resort for kids in the Riviera Maya.

My family and I were hosted for two nights at Azul Sensatori this spring. It’s a mid-sized resort, as far as all-inclusives in Mexico go: 438 rooms.  The resort is divided into four sections: Adults-Only (with its own pool; which happened to be the most raucous), Family, Luxury and Premium. The Premium suites, where we stayed, have a private pool with access to pool butlers, who come around to lounge chairs with sunscreen, water, fruit and sandwiches through the day. But if you’re traveling with young children, I’d stay in the family section, right next to the phenomenal kids’ club (more on that later) and kids’ pool area with slide and splashing water features.

The resort is brand new — it just opened in November 2008. We found the grounds incredibly clean, beautifully decorated and easy to navigate. Azul Sensatori is is part of the “Gourmet Inclusive,” brand, a term that applies not only to the top-notch service and amenities you’ll enjoy here, but also, naturally, to the food. Is it five-star dining? Maybe not. But the food is among the best I’ve eaten at Mexican all-inclusives, and I’ve stayed at 10 different properties.

Each restaurant at Azul Sensatori offers a la carte dining (the word “buffet” is not used on property; they are called “interactive dining stations.”). The self-serve stations are great for families who need food quickly for hungry kids; but if you choose, you could spend an entire week here and only order off of menus — a far cry from many large resorts where buffets are the norm, not the exception.

Here are just a few reasons why the Azul Sensatori is a top resort for family travel to Mexico:

Large Suites: The rooms are gorgeous, with flat-screen TVs, half-canopy beds and in-suite Jacuzzi tubs. Family suites include a private queen-size bed area, plus a double sofa bed and a single sofa bed for that third child. Want to accommodate Grandma, too? Book guaranteed connecting rooms.

Fisher-Price Partnership: The Azul Sensatori teamed up with Fisher-Price to provide a toy-lending library. Borrow items like the Laugh & Learn Musical Table or even Kid-Tough Digital Cameras for 24 hours; then return them and check out something new! Fisher-Price highchairs and other baby gear are also available for complimentary use in your room; you’ll also find Fisher-Price highchairs and personal DVD players (with loaded animated movies) at the restaurants.

Kids’ Club: This is the best resort kids’ club facility I’ve ever seen. It’s huge and circular shaped, with My Gym equipment in the center area; scheduled, teacher-led My Gym classes cost extra, but the kids have opportunities play on the slide, trampoline, etc. when they are enrolled in the complimentary Kids’ Club. Off of the main space are smaller themed rooms for imaginative play, napping, table games and arts and crafts. Activities are scheduled throughout the day; drop your kids for an hour or from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and then again from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. (perfect opportunity for an adults-only meal).

Teen Space: Tweens and teens have their own dance club with non-alcoholic drinks, board games and comfy seating. An arcade with fee-based games is adjacent.

Still more kid amenities: A playground on the beach; kids’ menu at each on-site restaurant offering items like quesadillas, cheeseburgers, grilled chicken or chicken nuggets, as well as kid-sized desserts; a kids’ wading pool with water slide, nets for “water polo” and a water-spray area; kid-sized tennis raquets to borrow; boogie boards, snorkeling gear, kayaks and sand toys for complimentary use; stepstools in the bathrooms; child-size robes; fruit smoothies at check-in.

Perhaps one drawback of the Azul Sensatori is its beach area. The sandy area is great for building sandcastles (with the plethora of sand toys, shovesl and buckets available for families to borrow), but the ocean is rocky and not ideal for swimming. But if you want to enjoy the water with your kids, you can walk down the beach to a more sandy area and gentle waves.

I’m a huge fan of the Azul Sensatori — for families with toddlers, preschoolers, school-age kids and teens. Its sister property, Azul Beach, just down the beach, is also amazing for families. Azul Beach doesn’t have quite as many bells and whistles, since it is a smaller property — just 97 rooms — but equal in top-notch service, family-friendly perks and excellent food. If anyone has questions for me or wants to learn more about my firsthand experiences at Azul Sensatori or Azul Beach, feel free to email me at mountainmama@travelingmamas.com. I’d love to share my experiences at either of these properties that I consider tops among all other family-friendly resorts on the Riviera Maya.

Travel Tuesday: Wine and Vineyards

Wine tourism has become a popular aspect of almost any destination. In fact, it isn’t just a pastime for the wealthy anymore. Moms just like me are learning about color, bouquet, and taste, all while taking some time for themselves and learning how to choose affordable wines to serve when entertaining.

The TwitterMoms Wine Club hosts online tastings each month. A bottle is selected and participants from all over the world taste and discuss the wine, sharing notes through Twitter. There is also another event that is popular, Twitter Taste Live.

I’m fortunate that as a travel writer, I am given opportunities to tour vineyards and wineries, learn the stories of how vintners got interested in wine, and of course sample some interesting and flavorful wines.

But, wine tasting isn’t limited to online events or special occasions. You can broaden your wine knowledge by hosting a tasting with your neighbors, finding wineries during your travels, or just opening a new bottle on a Saturday afternoon.

The news segment below shows just how much fun a wine tasting is:

(Video courtesy of WAFB in Baton Rouge, LA. If you can’t see the video, the direct link is here and the backstory from the cool camera dude is on his blog.)

This Travel Tuesday is all about the vino, so please share your stories of wine tasting or travel to a winery. Whether you visit Napa, Solvang, or even Disney World, we want to know about it. If you toured an Inn and enjoyed some great dinner pairings on a romantic getaway, please share. Even if you have tips for someone’s first wine tasting or if you just want to tell us about awesome wine expert, Natalie MacLean.

Please leave a relevant link to the specific post/story or it will be deleted. When Mr. Linky asks for your name, type in the title of your blog with the post title in parenthesis. Then, leave your post link in the link box and you’re done. Here are the official rules of Travel Tuesday on Traveling Mamas.

We’d love for you to tell your friends and readers about this post and even link back here, but we won’t require you to do that. The purpose of Travel Tuesday is to introduce our readers to interesting blogs and sites.

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