Win a Spa Getaway Vacation in Napa Valley, CA

Quick - who here loves California’s wine country, spa treatments, and long weekend getaways? Really? Me too! Imagine that. I’m excited because one of my favorite resources for luxury family vacations, Ciao Bambino, is running a giveaway that seems tailor-made for me: A 3-night stay for a family of 4 in Napa Valley’s Solage Calistoga, plus a (get this) MUDSLIDE spa treatment for two. No wonder I’m excited.

Win a Spa Getaway (ciaobambino.com)

Honestly, part of me considered keeping quiet about this - giving myself a better chance to win - but then, that wouldn’t be fair. Solage Calistoga, after all, is a beautiful resort that is really child-friendly, somewhat of a rarity in upscale Napa Valley. Wine tastings and romantic getaways are more typical of Napa Valley vacations.

Just fill in this form to enter, and good luck. I entered too. The contest run ends July 17, 2009.

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July 1, 2009 | Filed Under Destinations, Family Travel, Luxury Travel, Travel News | 3 Comments 

What’s Open on Christmas Day in NYC?

Your Questions Answered: A little while ago, one of our readers wrote to ask about Christmas in New York City. Specifically, she wanted to know what would be open on Christmas Day in NYC: It would be her last day in the city, as she has a nighttime flight home and some time to spend strolling around by herself. Well, the Mudslide family spent a lot of Christmases in New York City, so I’m happy to help her figure out how to fill the last day of her vacation with NYC activities!

Radio City Christmas Spectacular in NYC (radiocitychristmas.com)

  • Sure, not EVERYTHING’S open in NYC on Christmas Day, but you’d be surprised at what IS. Since you’re not leaving until nighttime, you have all day to wander the chilly streets and take in the sights. Radio City Christmas Spectacular has shows at 1PM, 4PM and 7PM - plan ahead, buy a ticket, and watch one of the most famous Christmas time shows in the world. Who hasn’t heard of the Rockettes?
  • If you’ve already seen the Radio City Christmas Spectacular Show, or if you’re just not that interested in it, there are several Broadway theaters that aren’t dark (i.e. closed) on Christmas Day. This changes year to year, of course, so check playbill.com to see what your options are.
  • Why not see NYC on Christmas Day from up high? The Empire States Building is open until early Empire State Bldg. is open on Christmas Day (wikipedia.com)afternoon (last year it opened from 10AM-2PM) and Top of the Rock at Rockefeller Center is open all day.
  • Also at Rockefeller Center, the ice skating rink is open all day, straight through to midnight on Christmas Day. Other ice skating rinks that are open on Christmas Day include the Wollman Rink in Central Park and the Pond - well, it’s presumably a frozen pond by late December - in Bryant Park. Both remain open through the late evening.
  • Now, tons of restaurants stay open during Christmas Day in NYC. If you want to splurge, consider making a reservation at the Rainbow Room. Yes, this is in Rockefeller Center, like the Rink and the Top of the Rock - this restaurant is pretty fancy, though, and men need to wear jackets. If you’re wearing what you want to fly home in (meaning comfortable clothes), then The Rainbow Room Grand Holiday Buffet may not be the smart choice for you. Chinatown restaurants are by and large open. A great resource for dining is Open Table. It has updated lists of the restaurants in NYC that are open on Christmas Day.
  • And, you know, it IS Christmas Day. If you so choose, there are religious services (and special concerts) in churches all over New York City. St. Patrick’s Cathedral Christmas Day Mass is celebrated nearly every hour on the hour until 1PM. and St. John the Divine hosts annual Christmas Day concerts - usually one mid-afternoon and one at night. The Trinity Wall Street has a late morning Holy Eucharist on Christmas Day too, although St. Paul’s Chapel itself is closed on Christmas Day.

He Knows What To Do in NYC on Christmas Day! (TapRootDancer via flickr.com)B. wrote back and said, in part, “…Going to NYC at Christmas time  has been a dream for years and I’m going alone as no one else thinks it’s such a wonderful idea!! (I think it’s just because it’s so cold). But I love Xmas lights and all the excitement. I’m all ready to go shopping and see the sights…Thanks again for all your information.” You’re welcome, B. The Traveling Mamas hope you have a wonderful Christmas in New York.

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June 8, 2009 | Filed Under Destinations, Family Travel, Luxury Travel | 4 Comments 

Kid Friendly JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort In Phoenix, Arizona

Marriott Desert Ridge

If you tuned in a few days ago you saw my review of the JW Marriott’s new Room with a viewNickelodeon Getaway Program at JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort in Phoenix, but this resort deserves even more attention than I could give in the earlier SpongeBob and Dora filled post.

Talk about an extremely kid-friendly resort!

Nickelodeon aside, this Marriott was perfect for the kids right from the start.

1. Comfy rooms. I’ve mentioned in previous posts that I love a good beds, Luxury Suite and Marriott has them. In addition, if you’re a family who needs a lot of space, I recommend you reserve a Luxury Suite. The main suite has two separate entrances  and is equipped with a murphy bed, a dining/conference table (perfect for room service or for a family pizza gathering when you want to take a break from the pool). The suite has a wetbar, desk, TV and sitting area and one of the most spacious bathrooms I have ever seen. On each side of the suite are door leading to two traditional bedrooms (also with spacious bathrooms), one room has a king-sized bed, the other one has two doubles. Depending upon your clan size, you can reserve only one or all three rooms.

2. Kid-friendly dining. There are several dining options on the property Kids Buffetbut we stayed within the comforts of  Blue Sage restaurant because 1) With the resort fee, kids eat for free, 2) The environment was casual enough to accommodate our preschoolers, and 3) The buffet had a kid-sized area filled with mac n cheese, chicken strips and tater tots (Darling!). My kids loved being able to help themselves.

3. Fun in the sun! Sure, mom can hit the on site Revive spa and dad can play a Lazy Riverround at the Wildfire Golf Club, but the entire family will want to spend time in one of the four pools. We opted to spend the entire day in the lazy river and playing on the waterslide. There are no rental fees for the tubes, just grab a one or two person tube and relax.

4. Water, water everywhere. When in the desert, it’s imperative you stay Fruit Waterhydrated, and Desert Ridge happily helps guests do just that. Scattered throughout the pool areas are pitchers of ice water with plastic cups so you can help yourself as needed. In the lobby (this one was near Blue Sage) was fruit flavored water which changed daily. My kids are big water drinkers so fruit water was quite  a treat.

This JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort made it so easy to have a relaxing yet memorable weekend with all of its kid friendly features. I can’t help but recommend this resort to other families looking for the perfect weekend.

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June 4, 2009 | Filed Under Family Travel, Luxury Travel | 3 Comments 

Q&A with Nia Vardalos, My Life in Ruins Movie Star

Nia Vardalos, My Life in Ruins (foxsearchlight.com)Show of hands: Who here has seen My Big Fat Greek Wedding? Whoa! Maybe I should ask, who here has seen My Big Fat Greek Wedding over 5 times? …That’s still a lot of hands. Well, the Traveling Mamas are extremely proud to have Nia Vardalos with us for this Mama Interview. Nia Vardalos is, of course, the creator/writer/star of Greek Wedding, and June 5, 2009, sees her starring in another fun comedy, My Life in Ruins. This movie takes place in Greece (get it? Ruins?). I loved the gorgeous background scenery for Mamma Mia; My Life in Ruins promises to be a movie with settings that makes the travel lover in all of us want to pack our bags, too.

Nia Vardalos is also a strong supporter of the Alliance for Children’s Rights - the Traveling Mamas’ featured nonprofit this month. What with starring in movies, raising her daughter, and supporting this worthy organization, she is one busy mama. She still finds time to be HILARIOUS though.

Your movie, My Life in Ruins, takes place in Greece. Where were some of the locations? Had you been to those specific places before?

All the locations are within the Mystical Triangle: Acropolis, Olympia, and Delphi which were built 121 kilometers Movie in Greece (foxsearchlight.com)from each other…2500 years ago! I had visited all these sites (bored) as a kid. Now I see the healing powers of traveling the triangle. You’ll come out refreshed. Your skin will be clear. And you will fall in love!
How did you come to be such a strong supporter of the Alliance for Children’s Rights?

I didn’t know, before my husband and I adopted our daughter, that we didn’t have orphanages in the U.S. But we do have 500,000 kids in foster care. Of these kids, 129,000 are legally free for adoption and waiting for a family. We had waited on many waiting lists for an infant and when these routes kept falling through, turned to FosAdopt. Nine months later our daughter, at the time 3 years old, walked into our house, and turned it into a home. Now I feel compelled to tell anyone and everyone: American FosAdopt does not discriminate against age, single parents, sexual orientation, income level.

Where is your favorite travel destination?

Clearly I love Greece, and not just because the men look like my costar Alexi G, and the landscape looks like Nia Vardalos, Alexis Georgoulis; My Life in Ruins (foxsearchlight.com)the posters, but because there is a laid-back wisdom and joy in that country. Also, I loved being in Japan because I couldn’t speak the language or even read the street signs. It was a joy to just get lost and figure out what to eat every day (oh boy, I can only imagine what I thought was a gum ball, may have been an eye. Anyway, I loved it there!)

Any mama can be a Traveling Mama. Have you taken any trips with your daughter yet?

Yes, and I always thought I would be an organized drill sergeant. I am surprised how laid back I’ve become. So, we forgot the crayons, big deal…I hand her a lipstick and let her draw on my pants.

Lipstick on pants? Been there. Believe me, the Traveling Mamas are going to be first in line to see My Life in Ruins. And who knows - a group trip to Greece may be next! …we can dream, anyway. Thank you, Nia!

A Travel Guide in Greece (foxsearchlight.com)

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June 3, 2009 | Filed Under Destinations, Girlfriend Getaways, Luxury Travel, Mama Interviews, Travel News | 10 Comments 

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.

Pink Jeep for Off Road Travel Adventure

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 Cathedral Rock in Sedona AZft), 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.

View of Sedona

View of Sedona

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!

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May 29, 2009 | Filed Under Adventure Travel, Destinations, Eco Travel, Family Travel, Luxury Travel | 21 Comments 

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 tch2009front-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.

signaturejunior1The 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.

fourseasonbedOur 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.

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May 28, 2009 | Filed Under Destinations, Luxury Travel, Travel News | 5 Comments 

A Best Beach Resort for Families in Hawaii

Frequent readers of this travel blog know that the Traveling Mamas absolutely love Hawaii. From great hikes on Kauai and somewhat treacherous ones on Maui, to fun in Oahu and multigenerational musing on the Big Island, well, we rave about it all. When it comes to luxury family travel, Hawaii just can’t be beat. Maui, in particular, wins award after award for its child-friendly beaches and resorts. One luxury resort there also just won recognition for its family-friendly beach. This is the Fairmont Kea Lani.

Ah…Just saying “kea lani” is transportive. The Fairmont Kea Lani is one of my favorite child-friendly luxury resorts in the world. It’s right on the beach in upscale Wailea, noted as one of the best stretches of beach in Hawaii. Every room is a suite in the Fairmont Kea Lani, and the curve of the coastline here makes for easy waves - not exactly for surfers, but perfect for little kids. The sand is soft and powdery, a far cry from the a’a lava rock that bedevils the beaches on the Big Island.

Kids Love the Kea Lani
Kids Love the Kea Lani

I have a soft spot for the Fairmont brand, and the Kea Lani in Maui, particularly, because that’s where we stayed the first time I took my kids to Hawaii. They learned to snorkel right off the beach, and spotted many species of tropical fish lazing around. My children loved the Keiki Kids camp, the food (pricey!) and the playtime with other kids their ages. Parents love having a safe place to essentially dump their kids, making a hike around Haleakala National Park feasible. Or just a visit to the spa, whatever.

The Professional Travel Guide website has named the Fairmont Kea Lani, in Maui, as one of the the Top 10 Beach Resorts for Families, and I have to agree. My kids have stayed at around five resorts on the Hawaiian islands now, and the Kea Lani gave them their best camp experience. Yes, we still have the coconut turtle-shell craft projects they made there…somewhere…and I still have great memories of watching them splash around in the pool (with waterslide) while I enjoyed the swim-up bar. The beach is so pristine, despite the steady influx of tourists, that it’s easy to spot the sea turtles that hang out at the edge of the resort property.

These Top 10 lists abound in the travel industry, and let’s face it, some are pretty questionable. But the Professional Travel Guide site certainly got this one right. The Fairmont Kea Lani is one of the world’s best luxury family-friendly beachside resorts. Oh, and some proof? The view of the ocean from a Kea Lani pathway is my Twitter wallpaper. See for yourself!

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May 1, 2009 | Filed Under Destinations, Family Travel, Luxury Travel, Travel News | 6 Comments 

Unexpected Hawaii Whale Watching Experience

One of the better snorkel trips I’ve had was on a morning trip to Molokini, a small uninhabited (by humans, at least) atoll off the coast of Maui. The snorkeling itself was nice, of course, but what really made the trip was the boat ride back to Maui. We were enjoying our post-snorkeling juice and pastries, when suddenly two humpback whales breached around 15 feet off starboard side of the chartered catamaran. They did this a few times, and each time, the passengers in the boat gasped. Some pointed, some rummaged for their cameras, and the woman next to be broke out in tears. I found myself laughing without being aware of when I started even to smile. It was a pure Hawaii experience: Spontaneous, in-the-moment, and completely joyous.

Something similar just happened this month, with the passengers on the Atlantis Submarines Maui. This underwater sightseeing trip usually takes its passengers off the coast from Lahaina. While Molikini is off the east part of Maui (which is roughly shaped like the two side-by side volcanoes that formed it), Lahaina is off the west coast, near Ka’anapali. On this particular cruise, a pod of around 5-10 humpback whales appeared maybe 25 feet from the Atlantis submersible, swimming around and apparently vying for the attention of one very desirable female whale. Isn’t she lovely? A quick-minded passenger took a video, check it out:

The activity lasted for 45 minutes or so, and then the humpback whales moved away. Only then did the Atlantis submarine return to the surface. It’s great that the Atlantis extended the tour to accommodate this special, amazing experience for the passengers. It gave them an experience they’ll never forget, I’m sure, and that’s what a Hawaiian vacation is all about.

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April 21, 2009 | Filed Under Adventure Travel, Destinations, Eco Travel, Luxury Travel, Videos | 4 Comments 

Family Friendly In Phoenix: The Legacy Golf Resort

This past weekend my family and I loaded up our Camry, slid open the sun roof and headed up to Phoenix for an unplugged family-friendly weekend. After about an hour and half we arrived at The Legacy Golf Resort, which hosted us for the weekend, located on 280 acres in the foothills of Phoenix’s South Mountains. As we pulled in we immediately began admiring the lush golf courses and colorful flowers surrounding a pretty waterfall that greeted us as we parked in front of the registration office. The entire resort is Spanish mission-style, complete with wrought-iron accents and striking arches. We knew we were going to love it here.

While I checked in, my husband took the kids for a walk around the corner to an on-site gated playground to burn off some of that built up energy from the drive. Nearby, a family was grilling burgers and hot dogs on one of the many community grills, while other guests cruised by with towels over their shoulders on their way to and from the huge swimming pool.

As we made our way to our one-bedroom condo we couldn’t help but notice even more families staying at the resort and when we saw the list of activities we knew why. The Legacy truly is a family-friendly resort. In addition to golf, there is sand volleyball, shuffle board, a fantastic health club, tennis, a spa, and daily activities and programs for adults and kids. While we were there I noticed there was yoga in the morning for adults and later that afternoon was t-shirt tie-dying. Everyday is something new and the staff is incredibly nice - not resort snobbishness here, just smiling faces (one of my favorite things about the resort). We didn’t get a chance to eat at the Trail’s End Grill, but other families raved about the food- and the view from the patio is spectacular.

Our one-bedroom condo was surprisingly spacious (the property has 328 suites and condominiums). The living rooms have a  fold-out couch (the kids’ bed) and an entertainment center. The fully equipped kitchen is furnished with a full-sized fridge, dishes, silverware and a dishwasher. Each condo also has a washer/dryer - a must when traveling with children. The bedroom has a comfy king-size bed and the bathroom is fantastic with a massive whirlpool tub. A private bathroom with a walk-in shower allows access from the front entryway and the bedroom. All of the space made the entire stay so relaxing. The kids had plenty of room to stretch out and run around indoors, while our patio opened up onto a stretch of grass where the kids enjoyed playing tag each evening. At one point we saw a mommy and baby hummingbird feeding on nearby flowers. Shopping, restaurants, sports games and attractions are all a short drive away, but you don’t have to leave the property if you don’t want.  If you’re looking for a family friendly resort in Phoenix, Arizona I highly recommend The Legacy Gold Resort.

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April 21, 2009 | Filed Under Family Travel, Luxury Travel, The Cookie Jar | 1 Comment 

Interview with a Traveling Mama - Nancy Solomon

The Traveling Mamas adore and support our travel blogging bretheren. From camping to cruising, there are as many types of travel writers as there are types of travel - there’s room on the interweb for us all. And when we daydream, we daydream about luxury family travel; imagining that there’s some way the whole lot of us could work out a fantastico deluxe European vacation together, with all our children of varying ages magically wanting to see the same sights as us. Not gonna happen, of course, but when we indulge our fantasies, we go to Ciao Bambino.

Ciao Bambino is our favorite luxury family travel planning website. It doesn’t merely list classy vacation packages and 5-star travel deals in swanky destinations. Ciao Bambino has reviews, opportunities for community feedback, and a hoppin’ blog. Nancy Solomon, one of the freelance contributors to the Ciao Bambino blog, was happy to sit for an (email) interview.

What special compromises do you make when you travel with your children?

Dinners out! We simply cannot enjoy a lovely meal with our four children. This is harder for my husband, a true foodie, than myself. We tend to get a nice lunch and then just a simple evening meal. We also love to hit local markets and picnic. Occasionally, my husband will take one of the older kids out while I stay back with the younger ones. By 8:00 PM, after playing tour guide all day, I’m usually exhausted, so I’m delighted with this. Every once in a while, we’ll book a sitter and enjoy a nice meal.

The other area where we compromise is in the destinations that we choose. For the last eleven years I’ve been either pregnant or traveling with a baby. This presents safety issues that limit where we felt comfortable traveling. We have tabled the exotic, far-off destinations. My youngest is 20 months now, and we are just starting to look at Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. For the last while, we chose Europe, the Caribbean, and the USA.

What destinations are on your “bucket list?” That is, where have you not yet been, that you’d love to get to when you have the time and it’s feasible?

London Bridge (ciaobambino.com)
London Bridge (ciaobambino.com)

I can’t wait to take my kids to London (pre-kid favorite). My daughter has been studying the Middle Ages and the time is perfect. We are headed there and to Ireland this summer. Other than that, I really want to go to Turkey, Morocco, Israel, Kenya, Costa Rica, Chile, Vietnam (gain, loved it pre-kids) and Greece. I want to do a farmstay in the Netherlands and a bike trip anywhere. Oh yeah, I’d also love to show my kids Yosemite, Zion, and the Grand Canyon National Park.

If there is one personal aspect of yours regarding travel that you’d love your children to emulate, what would it be?

To just go with the flow and to try to connect with the destination.  There are so many little things that happen when you travel that can be seen as irritating. You have to just be patient and enjoy the ride. Rarely do things work out just how I planned them. We have to be flexible and adjust. We also don’t over plan. We have a list of things we’d like to do and then go with it.  Also, I always love asking locals for suggestions. It’s how I’ve found the best things. While we are at a destination we try to do things that locals do, like grocery shop, visit the park, go to an amusement park or local ball game. When we side step from the tourist spots is when we really connect with a destination.

Family travelers who really engage in their vacation destinations give an enduring gift to their children.  World travelers will often say that they meet the nicest people while exploring different destinations. I’ve found that this is true. It’s heart-warming to know that this camaraderie exits between fellow travel writers, as well.

Dix Bay, British Virgin Islands (ciaobambino.com)
Little Dix Bay, British Virgin Islands (ciaobambino.com)
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April 20, 2009 | Filed Under Destinations, Family Travel, Luxury Travel, Mama Interviews | 4 Comments 

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