Trip Ideas By Activity
There are so many ways to vacation with your children.
City explorations, museum sleepovers, condo-style rentals, road trips, mountain and lake cabins, beaches, cruises, and all-inclusive vacations stretch budgets. Resorts run the gamut from moderate to pricey. Staying midweek or during shoulder season saves money.
Dream trips—African safaris, Galapagos treks, polar bear watches—deliver the thrill of wildlife encounters but at a hefty price. Farmstays, state and national parks, and hikes through Costa Rican rain forests let you enjoy animal encounters at a fraction of the cost.
Time travel fascinates kids. At living history parks, march with the militia and meet pioneers. In Europe, tour centuries-old castles, climb atop medieval walls, and stroll streets laced with 18th-century buildings. Go back millions of years to the dinosaur era. Satisfy your kids’ curiosity by going on a dinosaur dig, walking in dinosaur footprints, and ogling fossils of these fierce critters in museums.
Build sandcastles at the beach, canoe and fish at a lake, get tossed, twirled, and dropped on rollercoasters at an amusement, ski downhill, or snowshoe through snowy woods.
Stay overnight, for a few days, or a week. Plan carefully, allow for spontaneity, know that things will go awry, and maintain your sense of humor. Have fun.
Turks and Caicos’ Providenciales
BellaOnline.com||by Candyce H. StapenCategories: Adventures, Beach Resorts, Beaches, Caribbean, Bahamas & Bermuda Destinations, College Age & Adult, Cruises & Resorts, Family, Grade-Schoolers Ages 6-9, International Parks, Non-U.S., Multigenerational, Preschoolers Ages 3-5, Teens Ages 13-17, Trip Ideas, Tweens Ages 10-12Providenciales, affectionately called “Provo,” features one of the Caribbean’s best beaches: 12-mile-long Grace Bay Beach. Despite the fact that Provo’s been discovered and low-rise condo-hotels are opening along Grace Bay Beach, there’s plenty of room on the sand as well as on the island, population about 24,000. And you won’t encounter traffic jams or cruise ship hordes in this getaway haven.
Provo, one of our favorite Caribbean destinations, offers a slow-paced, beach getaway with eco-adventures and great food.
You can snorkel and dive the Princess Alexandra Marine National Park, just off-shore from Grace Bay Beach. A few of the dive sites feature reefs with walls that drop to 95-feet. The reef between Provo and Little Water Cay offers good snorkeling. Big Blue Unlimited, one of Provo’s outfitters, offers diving and snorkeling outings.
If you’re curious about conch, then visit Provo’s Caicos Conch Farm, the Caribbean’s only such facility. On the tour you find out how the popular critter morphs from larval state to white shelled prettiness. To find out how the local staple tastes try da Conch Shack, a seaside eatery where kids can splash in the water and watch the cooks split the conch from their shells while waiting for really fresh conch chowder and platefuls of breaded or stir-fried conch.
Our two favorite places for lobster: Coco Bistro and Anacaona. If you can, book a table in Coco Bistro’s palm tree shaded garden. Other favorites include the shrimp satay and the blackened mahi mahi. Grace Bay Club’s Anacaona sits beachfront. In addition to the lobster, highlights include the vegetarian spring rolls and the wild Chilean sea bass.
For something special, arrange a private, torchlit dinner served on tables set-up in the sand.
The Grace Bay Club also features a Very Important Kids Club. When enrolled, children receive a welcome terry robe to keep and a special treat each afternoon of their stay. At Kids Town, the children’s program, ages five to 13 enjoy complimentary morning pool games, kite building and beach walks. In the afternoon, you may sign your kids up for kayaking, snorkeling and excursions to the conch farm. Although the original hotel remains adults-only, the resort offers roomy two and three bedroom villas (condos), each with a kitchen plus even larger estate units.
Among the newest properties on Grace Bay Beach is Seven Stars. The luxury resort consists of three buildings containing a total of 115 studio and one to four bedroom condominiums, each with a kitchen. The resort features attentive service, a large pool and up-market accommodations. The staff navigates the grounds by Segway so they can minister to your needs quickly.
Related links
www.gracebayclub.com
www.sevenstarsresort.com
Swimming with Horses in Jamaica
BellaOnline.com||by Candyce H. StapenCategories: Adventures, Caribbean, Bahamas & Bermuda Destinations, College Age & Adult, Family, Grade-Schoolers Ages 6-9, Teens Ages 13-17, Trip Ideas, Tweens Ages 10-12Swimming with Ziggy, a retired polo pony, in Jamaica proved to be the highlight of our horseback trip with Chukka Caribbean Adventures, Sandy Bay, Jamaica.
Before we hit the water, though, Ziggy and his pal Scrappy, handled by my daughter Alissa, took us inland on a two hour scenic “walk” in the hills, something I enjoyed, but my daughter, accustomed to the challenging trot and canter trails at dude ranches, dubbed “boring.” But even she smiled at the brief 8 to ten minute swim at the ride’s end.
When we saw the busload of riders arrive at Sandy Bay, we were skeptical, having experienced too many horseback outings with long strings of riders monitored by too few guides. But Chukka Caribbean surprised us.
The guides matched riders with horses. Never-evers and kids (ages six and older) mounted mellow, smaller horses and the more experienced riders saddled-up on retired polo “ponies,” steeds with some pep and lots of personality.
That’s how we got Ziggy and Scrappy. Scrappy ambled along content to follow Ziggy, who remained calm as long as Palmsitter, our guide Howard’s horse, stayed yards away. This, however, proved problematic. Chukka Caribbean assigns one guide to ride alongside every 5 to 6 participants. The company’s diligence impressed us. Despite being among 40+ riders in a snaking row, we felt watched.
Howard rode up and down his stretch of participants, pointing out the bamboo and the almond trees and telling us about the stone ruins of the sugar mill plantation as he encouraged us up hills and across a stream. But every time Palmsitter came within a head’s length, Ziggy turned sharply to bite him. Howard, deftly maneuvered his horse just a nose out of Ziggy’s reach.
Despite Howard’s repetition of “No problem,” Ziggy’s lip curling, teeth bearing, head jerking antics unnerved me. Howard watched me more closely and that, of course, put Palmsitter within biting range. After about an hour, Ziggy calmed down, only occasionally aiming for Palmsitter.
The slow and hot ride inland bothered Alissa. Bring water and a bottle holder so you can carry the water with you. For me, the scenic ride provided a nice way to view the “other” Jamaica, the one away from the coastal tourist resorts.
After the hills, the horses led us along the beach back to the starting point where we dismounted. As the guides removed the saddles, we donned life vests and took off our shoes to mount whatever horses were ready. The guides led us into the water in groups of about 8. Since I wanted to finish the adventure with Ziggy, Howard matched us up.
Ziggy and Alissa’s horse followed their pals into the azure Caribbean. In the shallower water at the beginning, the horses seemed to trot and then, with the sea up to their necks, the horses swam. Holding on tight to the reins so as not to slip off the slick wet sides of the horse, I marveled at Ziggy’s synchronized series of smooth, quick kicks. He and I glided through the sea, a magical, fast ride accompanied by lots of snorting and deep breathes on Ziggy’s part and lots of giggles on mine. Alissa too thought the swim was “awesome.”
In Montego Bay, Alissa and I stayed at the Half Moon Rose Hall, an upscale resort on 400 acres offering golf, an impressive spa, a children’s program and an ample stretch of sandy beach.
Related links
www.chukkacaribbean.com
www.halfmoon.com
Caribbean, Stress Relief
Continental Magazine||by Candyce H. StapenCategories: Beach Resorts, Caribbean, Bahamas & Bermuda Destinations, Central & South America Destinations, Cruises, Cruises & Resorts, Cruising, More Lodging, Relaxing Getaways, Trip IdeasNew treatments at the Caribbean’s top spas revive the mind, body and soul.
Mango, papaya, chocolate, ginger, and lime are not just for eating. At top spas in the Caribbean, guests can get rubbed and scrubbed with these indigenous products, or in some cases even soak in them. The experience is both good for you — think of all the antioxidants — and pleasurable.
“Many spas are moving toward focusing on ingredients from their local areas and creating experiences that focus on local remedies and culture,” says Stephen Phillips, director of the Fern Tree Spa at Half Moon Rose Hall in Montego Bay, Jamaica. He cites the work of Fern Tree’s “spa elder,” Stella Gray, who not only creates lotions and oils from fruits and herbs grown at Half Moon, but also crafts treatments utilizing elements of Jamaican folk healing, from bush baths to bamboo massages.
The move to customized treatments is another exciting spa trend, notes Lynne McNees, president of the International Spa Association. At nearly a quarter of U.S. spas, she says, clients can book blocks of time instead of specific services, allowing the professionals to decide on treatments.
That’s especially helpful if you want to relax, or as Phillips puts it, “vacate,” on your vacation. “Many spas are turning their marketing and services away from beauty and more toward stress management and relaxation,” he says. “Spas are also reducing prices and creating packages that focus on taking care of yourself during stressful times.”
Those are comforting words for work-weary urbanites looking to renew their energy without sapping their budget.
Take advantage of the savings by indulging in a nurturing treatment at one of these first-rate Caribbean spas.
Fern Tree Spa, Half Moon Rose Hall, Montego Bay, Jamaica
Situated on 400 acres fronting two miles of sandy beach, Half Moon’s 68,000-square-foot Fern Tree Spa is among the Caribbean’s largest. But guests aren’t rushed in and out — every patron is treated to a personalized experience.
You can meet with the spa elder to design a program that’s right for you. She will advise you on such matters as whether to choose the Jamaican green coffee scrub to firm your skin or the sugar and allspice scrub to soothe it, or to schedule the rosemary-scented reflexology treatment before or after your West Indies scalp and body massage with wild lime and ginger oil.
With only nine treatment rooms, Fern Tree devotes much of its space to creating an indoor/outdoor oasis. Guests can cool off in the plunge pools, watch the hummingbirds in the garden, or fall asleep poolside to the sound of waterfall fountains. If you prefer, enjoy a massage in the privacy of an oceanfront spa suite equipped with its own treatment room. 888.830.5974, halfmoon.com
The Spa, JW Marriott Cancún Resort & Spa, Cancún, Mexico
The 35,000-square-foot spa at this AAA Five Diamond property features 16 treatment rooms and offers ancient therapies based on the Mayans’ use of local plants. Rehydrate with achiote, a Mayan remedy for dry or burned skin; detoxify with chaya, a plant rich in calcium, iron, and phosphate; reenergize with a massage with warm chocolate, the Mayan gift for the gods; and soothe your soul with an exfoliating treatment topped off with a bath with flecks of real gold. 888.813.2776, marriott.com
Golden Door Spa, El Conquistador Resort, Fajardo, Puerto Rico
El Conquistador, on Puerto Rico’s northeastern coast, overlooks the confluence of the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean. Five villages spread across nearly 500 acres feature more than 900 rooms. The beach, on the resort’s private island, is an eight-minute boat ride away.
Despite the resort’s size, the Golden Door Spa provides a peaceful sanctuary. Featuring 25 treatment rooms, the 26,000-square-foot facility emphasizes Eastern-based treatments using natural ingredients. Signature therapies such as the Spirit of Life aim to destress. The process unfolds with the Shirodhara, in which warm oil is drizzled onto your forehead. It continues with a mini-facial and a Bindi balancing massage employing a brush technique, and ends with a detoxifying wrap. 888.543.1282, elconresort.com
The Blue Spa, Carlisle Bay, Antigua
Sometimes smaller is better. Carlisle Bay owner Gordon Campbell Gray describes the design of his 82-room,all-suite hotel as “sleek and chic.” The boutique spa has only six treatment rooms, but the uncluttered feel makes it a perfect place for cocooning. Orchids and dried grasses accent the spa’s soft gray and blue hues.
Upon arrival, cool off with iced towels infused with the scent of almonds. Then request one of the popular wraps and scrubs aimed at detoxifying and reviving, such as the Thai Lemongrass Scrub, the Lavender and Peppermint Cooler, or the De-Stressing Soother, which blends frankincense, chamomile, and rosemary. 866.502.2855, carlisle-bay.com
Six Senses Spa, Puntacana Resort & Club, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
The Puntacana Resort & Club exudes star power — Julio Iglesias and Oscar de la Renta call it home — from its 15,000-acre setting on Hispaniola’s eastern shore to its Six Senses Spa to its 15 upscale, de la Renta-designed Tortuga Villas. The 355 hotel rooms and beach casitas are also quite comfortable.
The 19,375-square-foot Six Senses Spa is known for its low-key but luxurious facilities, which include indoor and outdoor massage pavilions. Thai, Vietnamese, Shiatsu, and other Asian-inspired therapies are on the menu. For the ultimate destressor, enjoy seven hours of treatments, interrupted only by lunch in the beach pavilion. Soak in a flower bath, exfoliate with a tropical fruit body smoother, relax with a hot stone massage, and enjoy a facial, followed by a cleansing hand and foot treatment — all to the calming accompaniment of the breaking surf. The sybaritic experience ends with — what else — champagne and chocolate. 888.442.2262, puntacana.com
Venus Spa & Fitness, CuisinArt Resort & Spa, Anguilla
Since it debuted in December 1999, this 93-room property, touted for its healthy food and spa indulgences, has been a mainstay on Rendezvous Bay, one of Anguilla’s superb beaches. At its onsite hydroponic farm and organic gardens, the resort grows some of the fruits, produce, and edible flowers used in meals as well as in spa lotions and potions. The cucumbers in the Cucumber & Aloe Wrap, for example, are farm-fresh, the better to rehydrate and soothe your skin after too much sun. The lavender and flowers used in the Organic Garden Fresh Wrap are also homegrown.
The 27,000-square-foot Venus Spa & Fitness facility features elegantly appointed treatment rooms and a diverse menu of spa services. Relax on the submerged lounge chairs in the mineral-enriched, saltwater Healing Waters Pool, the perfect place for in-water massages. Men account for close to 40 percent of Venus Spa’s clientele, and in the Men’s Club, they can enjoy a private treatment room equipped for manicures/pedicures, massages, facials, and a hot towel shave. 800.943.3210, cuisinartresort.com
Other Islands to Consider
Bermuda
You can see the ocean from the lounge at the Willow Stream Spa at the Fairmont Southampton Hotel & Resort, and the sunlit indoor pool is big enough for swimming laps. Specialty massages include jet lag recovery, maternity, and sports. 800.441.1414, fairmont.com
Bahamas
Signature offerings at the 25,000-square-foot Senses Spa at Our Lucaya Beach and Golf Resort on Grand Bahama Island include the Bahamian Wrapsody, which combines rum, freshly squeezed lime, and island spices. 866.870.7148, ourlucaya.com
Seagoing Spas
Onboard spa facilities are a key amenity on many of the top cruise ships. Some passengers like to test the massage waters, while others experiment with beauty treatments, says Elizabeth Jakeway, a spokeswoman for Celebrity Cruises. “People are more inclined to dabble in less mainstream services while on vacation,” she notes. “A good portion of our guests choose treatments such as Medi-Spa cosmetic services.”
Here are four ships that offer great spa facilities:
Celebrity Cruises’ AquaSpa, aboard the line’s latest ship, the Celebrity Equinox, offers Botox and Restylane treatments and facial peels. The new 24 Karat Gold Facial combines medicinal plants, rose quartz, and a gold leaf mask to speed up cell renewal. You can add a set of thick eyelashes at the spa’s lash and brow bar. 800.437.3111, celebritycruises.com
Royal Caribbean International’s Oasis of the Seas, the world’s largest cruise ship, accommodating 5,400 guests, will debut in the Caribbean in December. The Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Center will feature 29 treatment rooms plus a Vitality Café serving juices and light fare. If you want to look younger, consider Botox, facial peels, and other MediSpa treatments. 866.562.7625, oasisoftheseas.com
Cunard’s Queen Mary 2, which sails the Caribbean in November and December, features the 24-room, 20,000-square-foot Canyon Ranch SpaClub, modeled after the land-based destination spa. The signature Total Transformation Facial uses Canyon Ranch potions with time-released ceramides and antioxidants. 800.728.6273, cunard.com
Carnival Cruise Lines’ newest ship, the Carnival Dream, includes the Cloud 9 Spa, a 23,750-square-foot, two-deck facility. Noted treatments include an exotic frangipani body wrap and a Balinese massage. After debuting in Europe, the ship relocates in November, offering two Bahamian cruises, followed by weekly Caribbean sailings in December. 800.227.6482, carnival.com