Some people like to describe Club Med like "camp". This is probably pretty accurate, although you're not REQUIRED to take part in any of the activities. You could just lounge by the pool with a pina colada all day. But most people who I encountered during my visit to Club Med Sandpiper Bay were not lazing around.

The children's clubs have a busy roster of fun activities scheduled throughout the day...and the adults have not been forgotten!

Each Club Med is a little bit different. At Club Med Sandpiper Bay in Florida, there is a clear focus on wellness and sports academies.

Unique to this Club Med property are the Tennis Academy, Golf Academy, Fitness Academy, and the Beach Volleyball Academy. Group lessons are included for those who are beginners or looking to improve their skills. For an additional fee, you can opt for private lessons or more intensive instruction. 

Currently, the Tennis Academy is directed by Gabe Jaramillo and Scott Del Mastro and their coaching staff. Gabe Jaramillo has trained many top tennis players in the world. Daily group lessons are included In your vacation, whether you are a beginner or you've been playing for years. You can also include the Tennis Boost Package (at an additional cost), that combines a personalized coaching program with spa therapies, healthy cuisine, and specialized fitness training and analysis.

The Golf Academy is currently under the direction of Don Law, a founder and director of one of the largest golf training programs in the country.  Group lessons (and full equipment) are included in your vacation package, for beginners up to more advanced players. Guests also have full access to the driving range, putting green, and practice facility. While you're visiting, you can also take advantage of the Active Boost Golf Training Package; if you can't make it, don't worry - there are also remote training options available! 

If you're looking to train for a triathlon, or just improve your fitness overall, then consider the Fitness Academy at Sandpiper Bay. Though several packages are at an extra cost for more intensive focus on fitness training, there are several programs offered at the resort that are included, and geared for all levels. Each day, you can try classes in Yoga, Cardio Fusion, Water Aerobics, Zumba, Pilates, and more. 

This is actually the first and only Beach Volleyball Academy in the world at this time. Like the other sports, there are group lessons offered that are included in your vacation package. But if you're looking to take your sport to the next level, a Beach Volleyball Boost Package is available.

With all of the enticements from the Academies, I'll admit that I didn't get a chance to try any of them. I think if I stayed for a whole week I would have had more time to branch out and try new things. On a day to day basis, I don't play tennis or golf or volleyball, and I don't have any current plans to participate in a triathlon.

However, my family and I did try to partake in some of the other sports offered around the resort!

I noticed that the basketball courts were often being enjoyed, but anyone who wanted to play could join in. There were also daily pick-up soccer games, including one for kids (every day at 5pm!) After a while, I noticed some kids on the field who seemed to be there all the time! I guess that was just their favorite thing to do!

This is a popular activity found at several of the Club Med resorts. I gave it a shot, and it was fun. Again, if I had more time at the resort, I think I would have been able to definitely learn some new skills! The staff at the trapeze was great at making you feel comfortable and confident! 

Circus school and Trapeze were also highlights for my kids. Children as young as 4 years old are allowed to participate (though an adults-only session is scheduled each day so the grownups can have their own play time!). For kids, there is also a smaller version that they try before going up on the big trapeze.

Though the resort is not located on a typical white-sand beach, it is situated on the St. Lucie River. So the resort's small beach is used as a base for setting out on sailboats and paddle boards, and some people do swim there. Instruction is given for sailing twice a day; once you've taken a lesson, you're free to take a boat out as often as you'd like. Kids as young as 6 can be passengers on a sailboat, but you need to be at least 11 to learn to sail.

Stand-up paddle boarding seems to be a new popular sport these days, and I finally had the chance to give it a try. I thought it was easier than it looks (I was brave enough to try it upside down too!).  My 13 year old daughter really picked up on this and loved it. She doesn't really like typical sports, so I was glad she found a new activity that she enjoyed. That's part of the beauty of a place like Club Med - there is a huge variety of things to try, that maybe you wouldn't do in your day-to-day life, and it could turn out to be a personal favorite. You needed to be at least 11 years old for paddle boarding; but for kids under that age, but over age 6, they can be a "passenger" on an adult's board.

On my last day, I noticed an informal sign-up for a sunrise paddle board tour the next morning. It was a 2 hour tour, and included in your vacation package. Too bad we had to leave. I thought about Izzy and the folks at the beach the next morning when I was driving the kids to school!

There were 3 pools at Club Med Sandpiper Bay: the main pool, where water aerobics and games were held each day; the heated lap pool for swim training (and water polo?); and the children's pool, which was a shallow pool with spray features and a small climbing structure.

I saw plenty of people having fun with ping pong! The bocce ball court was not used as much, but my guess is that most people probably don't know how to play bocce!

Club Med Sandpiper Bay is part of a large group of French-owned resorts - over 70 properties around the world! Though Club Med may not be a household name in the U.S., it is well known in Europe. And as a result, a lot of Europeans visit the property. During our stay, we heard other people speaking in French, Spanish, Russian, Hebrew, and more. At evening shows, the chef de village (i.e. Village Chief, sort of like your 'cruise director') would make announcements in both English and French. As American English-speakers, we never felt out of place or had problems communicating with people. The children's clubs were very accommodating to children who spoke other languages too; I noticed at least one family of children who only spoke French, and the counselors spoke to them in French and made sure they were included. 

The rooms are spacious, and clean. But they are not "fancy". On the outside, the buildings do appear quite dated. But on the inside, they have been reasonably updated. There are seven buildings in all, each with 3 stories (and elevators to reach upper floors). Club Rooms are the standard rooms, and most have balconies. Deluxe Rooms are the same size, with slightly different furnishings. You'll also get evening turndown service (with chocolates on the pillows!), a stocked mini-fridge (with water and sodas), robes and slippers for in-room use, and a nicer view. Catering to families, there are plenty of connecting rooms available, as well as Family Deluxe Rooms that have a separate bedroom area for the kids.

Tip: If the cost difference is minimal, definitely choose the Deluxe Room! The kids loved getting the chocolates on their pillow at night, and everyone appreciated the cold bottled water in the evenings, or to bring along to the beach.

If the overall look of the hotel underwhelms you, just remember that the highlight here is not "the look". The rooms are clean, and the food is fresh and tasty... but what's really outstanding here are the programs for kids and families, and especially the Sports Academies. In the next post, I'll highlight what really makes Club Med a great resort for families and people who like to be active.

If you're headed to Seattle for some sightseeing, whether it's your entire vacation or a pre- or post-cruise trip, I highly recommend the Hyatt Place Seattle/Downtown.

I recently had the opportunity to check out this Hyatt Place, and it was every bit as great as I expected!

Th Hyatt Place Seattle/Downtown is quite similar to other Hyatt Place properties - spacious rooms, a hot breakfast buffet, free wi-fi, and a super-friendly staff. A big standout here, though, is the location. You literally step out the front door of the hotel, and you can see the Space Needle. For a first-time visitor, it's pretty exciting!

It's less than a 5 minute walk to the Space Needle, EMP Museum, and more! And for places a little further away, the Hyatt Place runs a free on-demand shuttle service. They will take you to the Pike Place Market, or anywhere else you'd like within a 1-mile radius, and when you're ready, give them a call and they'll pick you up!

The lobby was friendly and inviting, with several tables, chairs, and couches for hanging out, or if you're waiting to meet someone. There's a small nook with computers available so you can do your airline check-in, if needed, or for a quick check of your email. If you have your own computer or tablet, there's free wi-fi available. And of course, there's a kitchen area, where a nice hot breakfast buffet is served each morning. For other meals, there is a small counter with a few items for grab-and-go, as well as a small menu (we tried the nachos - they hit the spot!) offering a variety of foods and drinks throughout the day.

One thing I really appreciate about Hyatt Place is their larger rooms. If you have a bigger family, like I do, you know it's tough to find a single hotel room that will accommodate 5 or 6 people. But the Hyatt Place always works out great for us, with a room with 2 beds and a sleeper sofa. And if you are a smaller family, or not traveling with kids at all, you'll still appreciate the extra space in the rooms!

The hotel also had a few other amenities, such as a small gym, an indoor pool, and conference facilities.

If you're going to be in the Seattle area, I highly recommend the Hyatt Place Seattle/Downtown - it's a new, clean, and modern hotel with some great amenities at a fantastic value. Be sure to contact Sunshine Travel for the best prices for your travel dates!

If you're going to Alaska, no trip is complete without a train ride. Whether it's a glass-domed train trip all the way to Fairbanks, or a shorter version from Anchorage to Whittier, a train is a great way to sit back and enjoy all of Alaska's beautiful scenery.

I just got back from an Alaska cruise that sailed from Whittier. The closest airport is Anchorage, which is over 2 hours away. If you're sailing from Whittier, and flying into Anchorage like I did, you have a few options: rent a car, take a bus, or take the Alaska Railroad. We opted for the Alaska Railroad's Glacier Discovery Train, and I'm so glad that we did. The ride is extremely scenic, the seats are comfortable, and it's easy to get up and walk around, get a snack, and some fresh air too. Renting a car might seem like a more flexible option, but it's hard to look around at the scenery while you're driving, and you might run into a slight issue at the tunnel (more on that later).

Our train ride was scheduled to leave Anchorage at 9:45am, and arrive to Whittier at 12 noon. We were supposed to arrive an hour early for check-in, but since our hotel's shuttle left every hour on the hour, we ended up arriving closer to 8:15 vs. 8:45; that worked to our advantage as there were absolutely no crowds! It was easy to drop off your suitcases - just put your cruise luggage tags on there, and they took care of getting them to the ship for you in Whittier. Then go inside and pick up your tickets... and that's all there is to it! While you're waiting, you can browse in the gift shop, go outside to take some pictures, or purchase a cup of coffee or small snack.

Boarding is quick and easy. The seats are pretty plush, and there's plenty of room under the seat or above you on the overhead shelf to store any bags you've carried on. Just sit back, relax, and enjoy the view now!

There are Alaska Railroad train route booklets available for purchase onboard for $5 (cash only, prices as of July 2013), as well as a free magazine that was still relatively informative about what we were passing along the way.

Note: the last portion of the ride to Whittier involves 2 tunnels, so it does get dark for a few minutes. The benefit to railroad is that they have priority through the last tunnel, which is shared with trains and cars, and only allows one-way traffic. If you decide to drive, you'll need to know the schedule, or you may be stuck waiting up to an hour until it's safe to drive through!

Keep a lookout for Beluga whales in the water!

There's more wildlife to watch for in the mountains, especially Dall Sheep. You can also see some remnants from the big earthquake from the 1960s.

When you arrive in Whittier, it's a short walk across the street to the cruise ship terminal for checking in. Since your luggage was tagged for the ship back at the depot in Anchorage, it will automatically meet you at your stateroom in the afternoon!

The Alaska Railroad Glacier Discovery Train was a really easy and scenic way to get to the cruise port - I highly recommend this for cruisers flying in or out of Anchorage! We also met several locals who were doing a daytrip to Surprise Glacier, so note that the Alaska Railroad has many options, not just cruise transfers.

A few notes on kid-friendliness: This was a great trip with children! Here's a few reasons why:

• 2 hours was about the limit for our younger ones, so this was just the right amount of time for a scenic train ride
  
• My 9-year-old son got asked to do a Welcome announcement on the train over the PA system - when we arrived at the ship, he got to say "Welcome to Whittier", and then he received a few small prizes:  an Alaska Railroad pin and keychain. 
  
• There were several children onboard, including a small baby, so your kids will not be the only ones!
  
• You can get up and move around (can't do that in a car!) - my son enjoyed hanging out in the snack car: he could spread out and do some drawing at a table. 
• Another important note on train vs. car: there are several restrooms onboard, so no need to make stops for bathroom breaks!
  

Do you like the convenience of cruising - the ability to visit several destinations without having to pack and repack? An all-inclusive feeling onboard, with meals and entertainment rolled into one price? But are you tired of the same old ports and destinations?

What if you could cruise right into the heart of some of the world's greatest cities, without having to worry about tenders or long transfers into town? What if all of your shore excursions were already included in the cost of your cruise? Or better yet, wouldn't it be nice if you could just borrow a bike from the boat, and ride around on your own, exploring at your leisure?

Now factor in wine and beer with meals, free wi-fi throughout the ship, and scenery along some of the most famous rivers, and things are starting to sound pretty good, huh?

Add to this the fact that there is absolutely no seasickness to worry about from the motion of the ship. And to top it off, you're cruising with about 100 other people, instead of THOUSANDS!

With river cruises, you can really explore the heart of the countryside, whether it be scenic towns along the Danube, while you're cruising between Prague and Budapest... or the Rhine, cruising between Amsterdam and Basel. And don't think you're limited just to the rivers of Western Europe - that's just a starting point! These days, river cruises can allow you to easily explore Portugal, Russia, Vietnam, Africa, and more. There are also special themed cruises, centered around wine in the fall, or even around Holland's tulips in the springtime.

And what about bringing the family? Note that due to the small size of the ships, none of the major river cruise companies offer a kids program or babysitting like the major ocean-going cruise lines. However, most do accept children, even as young as 4, making the river cruise an ideal trip for extended families traveling together to share a special experience, a unique summer family vacation, or even just a grandparent-grandchild trip. For example, Tauck Bridges offers 2 family-friendly river cruise options in 2013: 2 nights in Paris followed by a 7 night Rhone River cruise; or a 7 night Blue Danube cruise between Budapest and Regensburg. Both are excellent introductions to Europe for children, yet offer enough to keep every member of the family happy!

If you've always dreamed of visiting Europe, and think a river cruise sounds great, contact Sunshine Travel to find out which itinerary and river cruise company might be right for you!

A friend of mine has lived in Homestead for years.  When I told him I was highlighting Homestead as my Florida Destination of the Month, he said, "WHY?!"  Well, at first glance, Homestead isn't really a top tourist destination, like South Beach or Orlando. But there are actually plenty of interesting things to do!

Homestead is about 40 minutes south of downtown Miami.  There are only 3 National Parks in the state of Florida, and 2 of them are easily accessed from Homestead: Everglades National Park and Biscayne National Park. (The 3rd one is Dry Tortugas National Park, about 70 miles west of Key West.)  Frommer's also lists Everglades and Biscayne National Parks on their list of 100 Places to Take Your Kids!



Everglades National Park is the number one spot for ecotourism in Florida.  The Ernest Coe Visitor Center in Homestead is just one of 4 entrances to the National Park, and it’s open every day of the year.  Several good walking, hiking, and biking trails are nearby, including: 

• Anhinga Trail (from Royal Palm Visitor Center, about 4 miles from Ernest Coe) - .8 miles and wheelchair accessible; see an abundance of wildlife
• Gumbo Limbo Trail (from Royal Palm Visitor Center, about 4 miles from Ernest Coe) - .4 miles and wheelchair accessible; see a variety of trees, including the Gumbo Limbo, often nicknamed the "tourist tree" because of its peeling bark
• Long Pine Key Trails (around Long Pine Key Campground, about 7 miles from Ernest Coe) - over 28 miles of connecting trails for hiking or biking.  Not wheelchair accessible.
• Pineland Trail (7 miles from Ernest Coe) - .5 miles, wheelchair accessible; loop through a forest
• Pahayokee Overlook (13 miles from Ernest Coe) - .25 miles, wheelchair accessible; raised observation platform on a boardwalk
• Mahogany Hammock Trail (20 miles from Ernest Coe) - .5 miles, wheelchair accessible; boardwalk trail through a hardwood hammock and lush vegetation

There are also many options for bird-watching, boating, and ranger-led activities.  Note that most of the Ranger Programs take place between December and March, when the weather is the driest, coolest, and most pleasant (read: mosquito-free).  If you're looking for wildlife, you'll be likely to see alligators, many varieties of snakes and lizards, white-tailed deer, and more.  For a complete listing, see the national park's website here.  

If you're traveling with kids to Everglades National Park, be sure to check out the For Kids section of the park's website, where children can complete tasks to become a Junior Ranger and earn a badge! Note that many of the trails listed above are wheelchair accessible; this also means that if you're traveling with kids, those trails are stroller accessible!  

For another unique experience, head about 20 minutes east from Homestead to the Biscayne National Park.  The Dante Fascell Visitor's Center is a good way to get acquainted with this park with a small museum that displays the four ecosystems found in the park.  For kids, there's a touch table and the option to get started on a Junior Ranger badge.  On the second Sunday of each month from January through May, the park hosts Family Fun Fest with hands-on activities for kids.

But remember that 95% of the park is underwater, so the best way to really explore is by getting out on the water!  Between boating, snorkeling, diving, canoeing, kayaking, and fishing, there's no shortage of water-based activities available.  If you don't have your own boat, an outside concessioner runs snorkel trips, boat rides to the Boca Chita Lighthouse, and shuttles to Elliott Key for overnight camping adventures; just be sure to reserve ahead of time to guarantee availability.


And a reminder, no matter which park you choose, don't forget the sunblock and mosquito repellant!

My family and I just returned from a quick weekend aboard Disney’s newest ship, the Disney Dream.  If you’re traveling with children, or are a Disney fan of any age, then I know you’re going to love the Dream!

While the ship is 40% larger than the other ships in Disney’s fleet (Magic and Wonder), it’s still about half the size of the Allure of the Seas.  That being said, I want to note that three days is still not enough time to really experience everything the ship has to offer!

While I could go on and on about all the great things on this ship, I’m going to highlight the features of the Disney Dream that really make it unique among cruise ships.    

To begin with, you know your cruise is going to be different when the ship doesn't even have a "regular" horn blast at sail away...

Aside from all of this, there is a Mickey waterslide for the kids, a mini-golf course, basketball and sports courts, two family pools, a giant LCD screen by the pool for watching movies, and a 3D movie theater with first-run films (we saw Cars 2 and The Help).

Service was first-rate, the entertainment was fun (and suitable for the whole family!), and the food was pretty good too!  So, what did we like the best?

The Adults' Favorites: 

• Palo, one of 2 adults-only specialty restaurants
  
• unique interactive experiences like Animator’s Palate and enchanted art
  
• friendly and attentive staff
  
• AquaDuck (it's not just for kids!)

The "Big Kids" Favorites (ages 7 and 10):

• AquaDuck
  
• Oceaneer Lab
  
• Midship Detective Agency
  

The "Little Kids" Favorites (ages 2 and 3):

• evening shows, especially “The Golden Mickeys”
• seeing characters around the ship
• Mickey Ice Cream Bars for dessert!

Stay tuned for a series of posts that compare the Allure of the Seas to the Disney Dream when it comes to kids programs, private islands, dining, and more!

I just returned from an amazing week onboard Royal Caribbean’s Allure of the Seas.  Now, there are a lot of people out there who feel that a week on ANY cruise is an amazing experience…and I won’t argue that.  But this ship is so unique, so different.  I don't think you can even compare it to other “cruises”.

Because once you have a huge Central Park, with live trees and foliage, pathways lined with boutiques and cafes; a real Boardwalk, complete with fun house mirrors, a hot dog stand, a carousel, and a clown doing face painting; sports activities like a 40+ foot high rock climbing wall, ice skating rink, 2 surfing simulators, mini-golf course, and a zip line… it hardly feels like you are on a cruise ship!

For my family, the cruise was a perfect match.  If you don’t already know, we have 4 children, ages 2, 3, 7, and 10.  Choosing a cruise requires a little extra attention – for example, we need one room that will accommodate all of us (a real rarity, but several choices on the Allure of the Seas!) or two connecting rooms.  We also prefer a cruise with childcare options for our youngest child so we could see a show, have a quiet dinner, or explore the ship.  And as far as the kids go, we needed something that would entertain the little ones as well as the older ones.  The Allure of the Seas (or her sister, the Oasis) is perfect for this.  In fact, I would whole-heartedly recommend this ship for any family traveling together, from babies up to grandparents.  There is really something for everyone here.

There are many reviews all over the internet, so I will just focus here on our favorites, which happened to be geared towards the more "active".  But trust me, even if you are not interested in these sorts of activities, there is still so much to see and experience on this ship; my experience is merely one perspective, but I can honestly say I wish I had another week onboard to try to do EVERYTHING!  If you have any questions to ask about the Allure or Oasis of the Seas, please don’t hesitate to contact me!

My favorites: 

• boogie boarding and stand-up surfing on the Flow Rider
  
• amazing lamb chops (and entire meal for that matter!) at Giovanni’s Table specialty restaurant
  
• the sheer amount of “fun” available to experience onboard the ship