In a fresh look at the gay travel scene, Vermont, New Mexico and Indiana are “coming out” along with some classic resorts.
The 2007 summer season was the busiest one post-9/11, and it left some new trends in its wake. Among them, we have juvenile spas; pet hotels and restaurants and… yes… pet spas; yoga everywhere; fitness-equipment-filled hotel rooms; an abundance of butlers; and again, mounting interest in the LGBT market. LGBT stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (“gay” for short); not only has the travel industry outed itself to attract this market, it’s coming along nicely in support of same-sex couples traveling with children. Here’s what’s in store.
According to the San Francisco-based research firm Community Marketing Inc., 97% of gay travelers vacationed in 2006, compared with 64% of the general American population; 82% spent at least five nights per year in hotels; 84% had a US passport (29% is the national average); and 20% took at least one cruise. It’s natural that savvy travel companies are courting this market with advertising dollars and new products to new destinations. Wayne S. of Staten Island, father of a teen, agrees, “There are tons more venues where we find ourselves welcome than there were 10 or 12 years ago.”
But for the near future, some of the newest destinations being marketed are unlikely to be on the gay travelers’ short list. We’re talking about Santa Fe, New Mexico; Burlington, Vermont; and Bloomington, Indiana. They ranked as the top three US cities with a population under 200,000 in the number of gay residents, according to a recent analysis of Census Bureau data from 2000.
As the Bloomington Convention & Visitor Bureau states on www.visitbloomington.com under the “Gay Bloomington” tab, “While Bloomington obviously has an appeal to gays and lesbians looking for a place to live, its potential as a vacation destination for the discerning traveler is just beginning to attract attention.”
New Gay-Friendly Family Destinations
What is it about these three cities that attracts discerning travelers? Let’s take a look.
Burlington, Vermont is not only a hip and very fun college town, it’s also a great base in northern Vermont for visits to the Shelburne Museum (802/985-3346), Lake Champlain, Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream Factory (866/BJ-TOURS), or the Vermont Teddy Bear Factory (800/829-BEAR). Check out Vermont’s official site or call directly at (800/VERMONT); seasonal recreation, such as boating, hiking, mountain biking, skiing, snowboarding and ice climbing abound. A few recommended everyone-welcome hotels include:
The Sheraton Burlington Hotel & Conference Center (802/865-6600) is the state’s largest, with 309 rooms furnished with all the mod-cons you’d expect at a business hotel. Some sleep up to five people. Most popular for its proximity to several ski areas, this full-service resort provides free shuttle service from the airport and a continental breakfast. Added perks: the heated indoor pool is staffed by fitness center personnel and has an adjacent outdoor sundeck and hot tub.
Outside the city is the notable Inn at Essex (800/727-4295, 802/878-1100), which bills itself as Vermont’s “premier culinary destination.” In fact, their restaurant is staffed by graduates of the acclaimed New England Culinary Institute. Your kids will more likely be impressed by the 120 elegant guest rooms, many renovated in a colorful mix of country and Swedish modern style. The property has lovely gardens, gazebos and on-site golf. Note that the Essex Inn also offers packages for Civil Unions and Commitment Ceremony receptions.
New Mexico’s culturally rich city of Santa Fe, or Fantasé as some prefer, has long been a magnet for alternative lifestylers and the tourists who follow them. In addition to its famous International Museum of Folk Art (505/476-1200), Georgia O’Keeffe Museum (505/946-1000), world-class galleries and educational Native American attractions, this chic pueblo boasts excellent restaurants and hotels. Families will find wonderful opportunities for hiking, biking and not too far away, skiing. Contact the Santa Fe Convention & Visitors Bureau (800/777-2499) for more information.
Of the many top tier hotels, the Bishop’s Lodge Resort & Spa (800/419-0492, 505/983-6377) is among the most welcoming. It mixes the local Native American stucco pueblo flavor with some Spanish colonial flair to create a beautiful and pricey hotel. The Lodge is located at the foot of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, and has been a restful retreat since 1851, when namesake Bishop Jean Baptiste Lamy stayed there. Today, families will find Camp Appalossa, a summer children’s program, organized Bar-B-Qs, trail rides and Dive-In movies every Saturday night during the summer, as well as a pampering staff, and richly furnished rooms with Indian patterned carpets and exposed beams.
Casa Pacifica B&B (877/982-2078 toll free or 505/982-2078) is much smaller and a has a very different style, focusing on the Healing or New-Age interests of Santa Fe visitors. Large guestrooms each have their own steamroom for bathing, and the inn’s chef recommends and likes to prepare special healing menus. The sales people say, “We are completely handicapped logical, adult pet friendly, child friendly, elderly friendly and gay friendly,” which covers all the bases. Public spaces are great for expending energy; there are courtyards, an open air courtyard dining room and small gardens. Inquire about their spacious suites, some with sofabeds or extra beds.
Bloomington, Indiana for the gay family? Why not Indianapolis, you ask?Indy has the famous raceway, a highly lauded Children’s Museum, Wonderlab Museum of Science, Health & Technology (812/337-1337) great art collections and a downtown of famous architecture. Well, Bloomington boasts a certain New England charm — sort of small town meets college quad — and it’s less precious and pricey than Cambridge for the visiting family. According to the Bloomington C &VB, the city is “home to the nation’s fifth largest per capita population of same-sex couples and one of the most progressive cities in the Midwest, both socially and politically.” You’ll find a diverse local population, a huge University (home to the famous Dr. Kinsey and his Kinsey Research Institute) and lots of ethnic restaurants, galleries and fun shops. The city also boasts some fine museums, as well as Lake Monroe, popular for outdoor activities during the summer.
Bloomington’s Fourwinds Resort & Marina (800/824-2628, 812/824-2628) is unusual in that it promotes itself as a “tropical” resort. This place seems to offer waterfront dining, boating, fishing and tennis, along with a casual vibe, to all its guests. Along with its motel style decor and marina on the shores of Lake Monroe, there are simple rooms, most with two double beds. Rates are reasonable, with midweek specials in summer, and steep discounts in icy winter.
A Summerhouse Inn (800/371-0934, 812/332-2141) is more a motel than an inn, but it features a very kid-welcoming lawn, picnic area with firepit and Bar-B-Q, a sunken speedboat turned sandbox (no kidding!), play ground, and outdoor pool. The 96 rooms, not grand, are comfortable and inexpensive, and the staff are known for their can-do attitude. Gay and straight families will appreciate the range of guests, from sports teams, to wedding parties, to visiting parents and Hoosier alumni.
Classic Destination Resorts Become Gay-Friendly
Besides promoting new destinations, the travel industry — including some of the major hotel chains — has turned its attention to attracting same-sex couples to the classic resort destinations. That’s good news for gay and lesbian parents who are more interested in being around other families than those with their sexual orientation. Notes one gay Mom, “I have tons of gay friends, but on holiday with my kids I’m not looking to bond with other gay couples.” Reasons for this vary; most gays agree that lesbians traveling with children attract little attention and so, feel more welcome in a variety of destinations. But, concede Ann and Kathy of New Jersey, mothers of two toddlers, “Maybe two men with kids (and with no ‘Mom’) might get a different reaction.” No parent wants her/his child to be put in an uncomfortable situation. Some male couples even prefer mainstream resorts to avoid the prejudice they feel from other gays, who may think having kids is a “hetero” thing to do.
“I’ve never been to a lesbian resort and I certainly wouldn’t choose to go to one,” insists Australian Carol Ann, who travels frequently with three teens and a ‘tweener from a prior marriage, with and without her female partner. “I’m not a homogeneous type of person — our family’s idea of travel is more cultural — to go to India, visit a monastery, meet the monks.” Many years of international travel, including 12 summers on the gay-friendly Greek island of Mykonos, have given her kids, “an attitude that anything goes.”
The newly gay-welcoming Wyndham Hotels & Resorts (877/999-3223) have been a favorite with families for many years. The company’s Wyndham ByRequest guest loyalty program, which promises the pillow of your choice and other pre-selected, personalized amenities, is the umbrella under which gay, lesbian and other travelers are welcome. Deluxe, service-oriented resorts such as the El Conquistador (866/317-8932) in Puerto Rico and The Peaks (866/282-4557) in Telluride, Colorado — each with their own superb outlet of the Golden Door Spa — have award-winning children’s programs, wonderful facilities for sports and recreation, and a pet-friendly policy. (Some resorts even offer pet massages through their Golden Door Spa progam!)
In 2005, these resorts and some Wyndham properties, such as The Boulders in Arizona; Palm Springs and Hollywood hotels in California; Key West and Miami hotels in Florida; Boston; and Philadelphia, became official members of the IGLTA – the world’s leading travel trade association committed to the gay and lesbian tourism business. The company says many other Wyndham hotels and resorts will become IGLTA-approved next year. This synergy makes Wyndham a good choice for same-sex couples who prefer a diverse mix of clientele; their guests typically come as much for the beautiful resorts as for the noted spa treatments, tennis, golf, watersports and ski facilities.
The Viva Wyndham brand of self-contained, all-inclusive resorts in the Caribbean is another option popular with families. Same-sex couples should be extremely discreet when touring most Caribbean isles, where homosexuality of any type is culturally (and often, legally) taboo. Note: As part of its new LGBT initiative, Wyndham will offer specially-designed commitment ceremonies at some of its resorts, making them ideal honeymoon destinations for same-sex couples with children and step-children.
Many families – gay or straight – prefer the privacy (and anonymity) that rental homes or condos provide. The gay-welcoming Club Sunterra (800/GETAWAY) is self-described as “one of the world’s largest vacation ownership companies, with more than 300,000 owner member families and 100 affiliated resort locations in 13 countries.” Sunterra’s Americas destinations include Arizona, California, Florida, Missouri, New Mexico, Tennessee, Virginia and the Caribbean. Travelers will find that many of these timeshare resorts have studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom apartment or townhouse style units that are available as rentals to families who don’t have an ownership stake. The prices are moderate and the facilities exceed most hotel standards: kitchens, extra bedding (such as pullout sofas), balconies, fireplaces, pools, hot tubs, laundry facilities, restaurants, spas, supervised children’s programs and myriad recreation opportunities are demanded by year-round owners — and provided at each property to renters as part of their fee.
Location and recreational opportunities are not the only factors that go into choosing a vacation. A key for any family travel planner is the participants’ ages. When interviewed, the dads of 1- and 4-year-old daughters said they would prefer to vacation at a resort with other gay families with toddlers. But they acknowledged that when the girls get older, they’ll prefer to spend time with their peers. “Our friends have said that when we have teens, we’ll be going to regular places like Club Med, where we can find something for everyone,” they sigh. In fact, Club Med (88/WEBCLUB) has a long history of working with gay and lesbian tour operators who typically book an entire resort for a week-long LGBT group. While these are mainly all-gay, adult, party-oriented affairs, Club Med management insists that their sophisticated staff and clientele are used to welcoming same sex couples with children at any resort, any time of year. A spokesperson adds, “Our focus is on the child in the activities program, not who their parents are.”
Classic Gay Destinations Welcome Families
America’s top gay resort destinations include Key West, Florida (see FTF’s coverage of Key West here); Palm Springs, California (see FTF’s coverage of Palm Springs here); Provincetown, Massachusetts; and Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. While a large destination resort makes an easy, self-defined vacation on its own, many families prefer the smaller, more intimate and cheaper getaways to inns and B&Bs. That type of lodging abounds in these destinations.
Provincetown, Massachusetts is a favorite destination for many families and gays. During the annual Family Pride Week, its Main Street is transformed by LGBT parents and their kids, window-shopping and strolling from early morning to well past midnight. One same-sex couple and teen that have spent many summers in Provincetown prefers a condo, where they can prepare meals before and after a day at the beach. They recommend renting a condo through In Town Reservations (866/376-5170).
Among Provincetown’s many B&Bs and small hotels is the Benchmark Inn & Central (888/487-7440) a member of the Foremost Gay & Lesbian Hotels group, but a very family-welcoming place. Five of its 14 rooms will accommodate a family of three, and there’s no charge for children under 6 years sharing a room, if they use existing bedding. The Four Gables Cottages (866/487-2427) in the town’s west end is also recommended. Here, kids and pets fill the 1940’s-style Cape Cod cottages, each with its own porch and kitchen.
The South Florida area has a gay haven in Greater Ft. Lauderdale, an area with 23 miles of beaches (three of them gay-friendly), more than 100 gay-owned establishments and more than 30 gay or lesbian-oriented accommodations. While most are members of the active Rainbow Carpet Lodging & Hospitality Alliance (954/258-9915), few allow guests under 18. Instead, this beach town has sister resorts, the Sheraton Yankee Trader (954/467-1111) and the Sheraton Yankee Clipper (954/524-5551). Both are similar white highrises on the broad, gold sand Ft. Lauderdale Beach, and each has its own steak restaurant, 24-hour deli, poolside grill, laundry room, private childcare with advance notice, and daily recreation program. The smaller Yankee Trader has 459 rooms and a tennis courts, the larger Yankee Clipper has 500 rooms yet sends its guests next door to the Trader’s tennis courts. Both are known for thfeir friendly staff and top value rates.
Nearby is Orlando, every family’s dream vacation. The success of the annual Gay Day celebration, held the first week of June, is further proof of growing tolerance of the LGBT market. More than 10,000 guests have attended this event, noted Brian Bottorff, the festival organizer, in an interview. While he cited several hotels, such as the Wyndham Palace Resort, that were selling themselves as “boy hotels” or the Courtyard by Marriott that billed itself as a “girl hotel,” he noted that same sex-couples with children, an important segment of festival-goers, had almost sold out the Hilton brand Doubletree Suites (800/222-TREE) and Embassy Suites (800/EMBASSY) hotels affiliated with Walt Disney World. Added amenities, extra sleeping quarters, guaranteed early admission to some of the theme parks, and character breakfasts, noted Bottoroff, made these properties the most popular with families.
Other cities popular with families are making their orientation known. The city of Minneapolis (888/676-MPLS) boasts one of the nation’s top children’s theatres, the enormous Mall of America, fine museums, dining and recreation facilities. It’s also the home of Rainbow Families, one of America’s largest gay, lesbian, bigender and transsexual parenting organizations, with more than 2,000 family members. Working with the local tourist promotion board, they have created a very useful website, www.glbtminneapolis.org that features all of the wonderful things to do with kids when visiting Minneapolis and the region, and lists a calendar of local Rainbow Family events and conferences. Note Safe Space, the nation’s first after-school recreation center for LGBT teens, their friends and families.
Washington DC, not considered the most “open” city during the George W. Bush administration, is actually a popular destination for gay and lesbian travelers, and certainly for families with children. (See FTF’s coverage of Washington DC here.) The nearby beach community of Rehoboth, Delaware, known for its Atlantic beach, lively boardwalk, shops, and attractions for all ages, has recently begun welcoming LGBT families as a summer playground.
Cruises For The Gay Family
The family market remains a huge segment of the cruise industry, with many cruise lines vying for parents by instituting new kids clubs, teen lounges and juvenile massages, plus skating rinks, rock walls, and cyber cafes. For gay families, the only success story is R Family Vacations (866/732-6822), a tour company begun by Rosie O’Donnell. R Family Vacations offers an annual chartered family cruise from New York harbor. Instead of returning to the Bahamas, its original port of call, the chartered Norwegian Dawn has sailed up the New England coast to Canada.
A heart-warming account by Liza Schoenfein of the 2004 journey published in Out Traveler (May 2005) begins, “I looked around at the joyous seas of parents and children who had come from near and far for this floating festival of family diversity…”
As the travel industry continues to make social progress, a landscape of diversity will be something to aspire to.
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For summer vacation St John in USVI is an excellent place to visit. St. John is a true gem in the Caribbean with crystal clear waters, lush green mountains and gorgeous white sand beaches. Though it is the smallest of the three U.S. Virgin Islands, St. John’s unspoiled beauty is perhaps the greatest found anywhere in the Caribbean. Sixty percent of the island is national park land, creating the illusion that you are as far from civilization as possible. However, fine shopping such as upscale jewelry stores and boutiques are just a short distance away. Boating is also a popular activity for visitors of the islands. Rent a boat and island hop to neighboring islands and cays or enjoy a day of snorkeling, swimming, picnicking and relaxing aboard one of many day sail charter boats.
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I would suggest a car seat cover it helped me and my wife a lot from our last trip to Hawaii with my baby daughter here it is
Trunk Bay, Cinnamon Bay, Hawksnest Bay, and through the termites’ nests of Virgin Islands National Park. These are some beautiful places which are really attracts travelers to visit the islands.
Yes! Go to the Dominican Republic at least one time in your life.
Travel Forum are always helpful
Hello Clary, we are not attorneys but we do not see a need to have a power of attorney over your cousin for your trip. A permission to travel letter from the guardians, as well as a medical authorization letter — in case your cousin needs medical treatment — should be fine for your trip. This letter should come from the guardians, not you, so they should do it now rather than wait till your arrival to finish the paperwork. When they fill it out does not matter, since the letter will have the travel dates that your cousin will be with you. Have a safe trip and enjoy!
Hello
I’m traveling with my cousin who is a minor to South Korea in July 2018 its less than 20 days away along with the travel to consent letter should I get a temporary power of attorney. Also should I set a specific time frame to do these things or can I do it the day before we leave. I ask because I have to travel to where she lives and we are flying out of her city two days after I get there.
Its a lovely place. My experience was very excellent. I enjoyed such an amazing camel ride. Staff was well-trained & well-dressed up. Very helpfull staff ,I am very impressed. I suggest to all to go there & have some fun.
Royal Desert Camp is one of the best tent camps in Sam, Jaisalmer. We had visited on 31st Dec and stayed here for the night. There was an extra charge for the Gala Dinner, but it was worth the money spent. We were 3 girls on a road trip and it was a safe and good place to be at.
Being in the city of Royal Tents in Jaisalmer of moving sand ridges, you can’t get away from the seat travel. A rough ride on a camel in the Thar Desert is one of the energizing things to do in Jaisalmer Royal Camps. It enables you to investigate the remote and segregated spots tucked amidst the abandon. Absolutely, the additional time you give on your safari, the more remote spots you are probably going to see and the more you may acclimate to and appreciate the abandon serenity.
Jaisalmer luxury camp in Sam Sand Dunes is an unquestionable requirement visit in the province of Rajasthan in the environs of the city of Jaisalmer. It is likely that you are going for a Desert Safari when wanting to visit Thar Desert or the consequences will be severe, the purpose of going there is pointless, making the Sam Sand Dunes an expanding significant vacation spot of the city.
Visit Us : http://www.desertdreamroyalcamp.com/rooms.php
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There is a reason why Iceland is a favourite travel destination. It’s natural beauty of mountains, volcanoes, and bodies of water make this country seem surreal … https://www.merrchant.com/daily/2/travel-blogs/
Indeed Caribbean islands are popular with families in the summer because of less rates than in winter, and the beaches and cultural attractions are just as appealing.
If you are interested in visiting Cusco, getting in touch with its people, volunteering in our Nutrition and education projects, then visit http://www.takemeinyourheart.org
My wife and I (US citizens) want to to take my 16 year old niece (who is a FIlipino citizen) to Korea for a graduation gift. We plan to pick her up in Philippines and fly together to Korea. We have all parental permissions and have proof of ability to support her trip. Is it possible for my niece to obtain the visa? A travel agent in the Philippines is telling us no.
What a wonderful graduation present! We cannot speak on behalf of the government of Korea, as they determine their visa policy for citizens of all countries who want to visit. What we suggest is that you contact the Korea Embassy in the US – 202-939-5600 – as you are U.S.citizens, and ask them for their advice.
Regardless of the visas, it is important that when you travel with your minor niece you have the Permission Letters, so that is a great first step.
Have a safe trip, please let us know if we can be of help.
I want to know how much cost the whole trip can be required to visit this destination. I would like to specific answer on thanks in advance.
The Montcalm Club is a reward program offering free membership for all 5-star MontCalm hotels in London. Each of The MontCalm Luxury Hotels is uniquely and elegantly designed to enhance your stay whether you are in London for business, shopping, theatre or sight-seeing. We extend a diverse range of benefits for our valued guests. Become a member by registering online or at reception at any of MontCalm properties and earn 100 points straightaway & 10 points on every pound you spend on your room booking at any of our hotels. Collect the requisite points and redeem them for a free night stay at the Mont Calm Hotels in London. So, what you are waiting for? Join, Earn & Redeem at the montcalmclub. This time montcalmclub offering the loyalty rewarding in that people can save up to 15% on membership.
This is such a piece of paradise.
Love the pictures, outstanding post! You absolutely re-fueled my wish to visit Morocco. It’s been on my bucket incline for fairly some time. Sounds like you had a blast!
Indeed! Agra is one of the most beautiful places in India to visit. Taj Mahal is one of my favourites. Seeing Agra Fort in Person is quite mesmerizing too. Thank for the trip planning details. I will bookmark this for my future India travels.
A very nice information about Agra and its related places. People usually think a lot about making their trip well-organised. This will gonna help them.
Hurricanes strike without intimation, we need to take some preventive measures to reduce the impact of hurricanes. The information given here is really useful. I would like to add some of the tips that help to survive a hurricane like, create a plan for the family, secure your home with hurricane resistant products, always have a survival kit with you. Take some helpful hints from the professionals and secure your home and make sure you have an escape route ready with you.
Of course! Christmas is a magical time for children – and equally unusual for moms and dads who love nothing more than to see their little ones’ faces smiley with festive joy.
There are so many countries and their cities where people can enjoy these festivals, but I think London is the most popular place to enjoy the lightning of the festivals like Christmas.
Christmas is magical especially for kids. We were lucky enough to take our kids to Lapland when they were younger. Meeting the real Santa and his elves was wonderful.
Great article with good information
thanks for it
If anyone is looking for anything else to do in London, there is a Christmas market in Hyde Park that lasts through New Years. There are several other seasonal events that you can enjoy.
https://londonconnection.com/upcoming-events-london/
Great products!
Volunteer vacations, or voluntourism, is one of the fastest growing trends in the travel industry. By taking a volunteer vacation, you’ll be able to do good as well as have fun and make a difference in the world. Whereas volunteer is always appreciated by all people. One of my friends is a working as a volunteer for voyage humanitaire, these trips offer a great charity experience, Where you can offer your support to the needful people.
Nothing is more beautiful than Europe. Would definitely travel to Europe one day.
Bangkok, the capital city of Thailand is known for its vibrant street life and ornate shrines. It is a city which is exquisitely decorated with Buddhist temples all around along with various natural beauties. The city of Bangkok welcomes more visitors than any other city in the world and is known as a hot and chaotic city.
How did Halloween get to be so big? The most fun we ever had was at the Day of the Dead celebrations in Oaxaca, but I see now that in the US, it’s gone to a whole new level of madness.
A road trip through New England is beautiful at any time of year, but when the leaves begin to turn (anywhere from early September to late October) it can be spectacular.
The common wisdom is that the leaves get their signal to change color when night time temperatures drop below 40 F degrees. The farther north you go towards Canada, and the higher the elevation, the sooner this occurs. By mid-September you may see a whole range of colors in northern Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine.
In New York, Pennsylvania and Connecticut, those colors could reach their peak around early October. In Manhattan, New York City where my family lives, we always count on Columbus Day as being the height of leaf color around us, but a big storm or early frost can change all that.
The safest bet is to ask the source — tourism offices in the states you are interested in — as they monitor the climate and moisture in the leaves very closely. Here is a round up of resources for leaf peepers:
Leaf Peekers Guide Americas Fall Foliage
What a great list this is — I just got back from Norway and have to say that the Raumer railway, from Alesund up to Bergen, is another gorgeous ride. The Norway fjords are very beautiful.
I never knew South Dakota was an ice-cream hotspot, sounds like a great place for foodie familes. The local dishes–I need to try chislic–are making my mouth-water. Thanks for such an informative peice on a part of the country I know so little about.
We’ve just heard the good news that Finnair is increasing airlift to five airports in Lapland for the winter 2017-2018 season. Between Jan 1- March 24, 2018, Finnair will add four weekly frequencies to Rovaniemi, three to Kuusamo, and extra flights between Helsinki and Ivalo and Helsinki and Kittilä.
During the winter 2017-2018 season, Finnair will also operate new non-stop flights to Lapland airports from London Gatwick, Paris and Zurich.
we love this idea, to add actual storybooks to the amazing storytelling that goes on at Disneyland. Imagine you can follow up on the excitement of a thrill ride with the moral tale that influenced it, how much more meaningful that would become for our kids. thanks for sharing it!
My 16 yr old is planning to go to Costa Rica with an 18yr old and a 19 yr old. What papers do I need to fill out and have him bring?
Submitted by D.A. to moderator
This article explains the forms that we recommend and why they are needed for the 16-year-old: https://myfamilytravels.com/content/14513-permission-travel-letters-and-why-you-need-them
There is a field within the article where you can input your email address to request that blank forms are sent to you. Please check your Inbox and spam filter for a confirmation email that will ‘confirm’ your request, and once you have clicked on it, you should get a second email with the forms themselves.
My family has been in the wholesale end of the souvenir supply business dating back to 1952 when my Grandfather came out of retirement at age 51 and bought a local wholesale jobber distributor that sold some small wooden novelties made in the Ozarks.
Along with my father’s youth, energy and drive they built a small regional business into a national Importer/Distributor with regional warehouses serving the souvenir needs of Tourist attractions throughout the US. It’s an interesting story and one that started with cheap trinkets Made in Japan that transformed Asia into the powerful Manufacturing Revolution that feeds thousands of Big box Retailers today.
One of our oldest and most popular local attractions here in the midwest that is still operating under the original Family is Meramec Caverns. The attraction has been largely shut down early this spring due to some troubling environmental problems which I believe developed after a regional Flood of the Meramec washed out the visitor center. I believe its set to reopen soon. This is the type of “Attraction” that has kept families on the road and vintage souvenirs making a comeback.
Fairway Mfg. Company
Mark Sobelman, President
2424 Schuetz Rd.
Maryland Heights, MO 63043
Thanks for the feedback, that travel stroller you got looks like a great solution with 2 kids, but it’s pricey! Let us know how you like using it on your trip.
Congratulations!
Traveler Carla K asks:
My eleven year old son will be traveling with his grandmother to Vietnam and Cambodia. They will have a plane change in Korea (which will be a port of entry, so I assume they will go through immigration and customs here as well).
This is my question: Do I need to sign and notarize three separate forms (one per country)?
Our answer:
We are not attorneys but we recommend that you have several copies of the same form, and that the form include the travel information about the whole itinerary. In terms of changing planes, there may not be a need to go through Immigration in Korea. However, if you have an original form that mentions all the flights/countries within a broad range of travel dates, and have photocopies that grandparents can leave behind if requested by an Immigration official, they should be fine.
We wish your son and his grandmother a safe and fun trip — it certainly sounds like a fascinating journey to us.Thank you and please get in touch with other questions.
The CPB has some useful advice on this topic on their web page: http://ow.ly/Q2WEY
Well the 1st of June started out soggy. I, along with most all the captains had to cancel due to the fact that it rained and lightened most of the day. The rest of the week was beautiful. None of my clients this week wanted to Tarpon fish, so I stayed inshore most of the week, but the reports I’m getting are still saying that the tarpon bite is remaining strong at Bean Point and along the beach. All my clients this week wanted to stay inshore to take home some fish for the dinner table. The bite this week was slow in the morning but picked up at the tale end of the high tide and was good through the outgoing tide. Most days we were able to catch 20 or so trout with about half being in the keeper range. The big trout of the week was 23″ with most of the trout being caught in 3′-4′ of water on small grass patches. The Redfish bite has been slow but we are managing to catch a couple each trip during the higher water along the mangroves. The Snook bite has been good as long as the tide is moving. Most trips we were able to catch around 15-20 with most being in the 25″ range. If you are looking to book at fishing charter or fishing trip and are near Anna Maria Island, Bradenton Beach, Holmes Beach, Longboat Key, Bradenton, Sarasota, St. Pete, or Tampa areas book with Anna Maria Inshore Fishing, LCC call Fishing Guide Capt. Kyle (941) 345-7182 http://www.annamariainshorefishing.com or check out my brother Fishing Guide Capt. Ryan (941) 812-7435 http://www.bradentoninshorefishing.com
I just wanted to inquire how much a cruise is how long it is what the fees and baggage charges etc are there accommodation for children that are autistic _ is there a discount for people that are Disneyland annual pass holders
By Deb L, moved by Forums moderator
Disney cruises are really fun, and their staff is so well trained to work with all kids, that I think you will find them able to include a child with autism in the regular children’s programming. (Royal Caribbean is the only cruise line I know — see story — that has specific accommodations and loaner toy kits, for example, for guests on the spectrum.)
DCL Cruises run 4 to 7 days typically, pricing varies because some have theme park tickets bundled in, some leave from Florida, others from California and a ship will be in Europe this summer.
You can find out more about Disney Cruise Lines at their site: vhttp://disneycruise.disney.go.com/ – that would be the place to inquire if pass holders get any type of discount. One good cruise travel specialist we know is Magic For Less — http://www.themagicforless.com/ – and they can help you sort through the many choices.
Have a great trip, we don’t think you’ll go wrong!
From a quirky retail store, to a nature park with over 380 live animals, the Shell Factory is “must see” for families visiting The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel in Southwest Florida. Located in Fort Myers, this iconic, offbeat roadside attraction offers a variety of activities, souvenirs and experiences for visitors of all ages to enjoy.
You can shop for Christmas decorations in the Christmas store (which is open year-round!), try out a hurricane simulator, watch hermit crab races, stroll through aisles filled with taxidermy, indulge in homemade fudge, channel your inner pirate in the Pirate room and more.
Thanks to Julianna Bryan for her fun suggestion.
Hello, my name is Joshua. You have a great site. I have a few questions that has branched off from reading your article by Kyle McCarthy about the road trip from Jacksonville Florida to Key West using A1A and also Route 1. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I am in the navy and live in Jacksonville. I recently decided that I am going to take a long (month or longer) backpacking trip from Jacksonville to Miami (or Key west if I can make it). I am having trouble decideing which route to take A1A or Route 1. It seems as if you took both on your road trip. Maybe you can suggest which I take. If you can make any suggestions maybe you could consider I will be backpacking and looking for a decent sized shoulder on the side to walk on. I would like easier access to motels and food. I also wonder if I could plop a tent down anywhere in my travels? Also, I picture myself stopping for a cold beer here and there along my travels somewhere that a dirty backpacker would be welcomed. The problem is I am currently on deployment overseas so my research is limited and I am not very familiar with Florida at all yet. Any help for my backpacking trip would be greatly appreciated so I can start to plan it as much as I can at sea for now. The descriptions of your trip are very well detailed, I am just not sure which route to concentrate on or would be easier, more scenic and fun for a backpacker. I will continue to read your site as I love to travel and you have very detailed and relevant information. Thanks so much.
ubud would be super for a mother-daughter getaway. The Yoga Barn is terrific: it cascades down a hillside, first with welcome bungalow, then a really good restaurant, then a yoga building (photo below), then gardens and what I think are either cottages for accom or treatment rooms. And meanwhile you’re in ubud!
Some people stay at the yoga barn but it’s pretty expensive by ubud standards. I had a beautiful guest house– traditional compound with statuary and pool and ornate platforms — for $25 cDN and I left it for a better one. Plus today I went to beautiful spa, garden setting, 5 mins from yoga barn, and had massage , papaya scrub, and soak in a flower-filled tub — $27 cDN , so that’s maybe $20?
< The patio of my guesthouse.
Ubud is so very beautiful, my room is like a private bungalow by a ravine, beautiful greenery, sounds of cicadas and rushing water, and this little temple where the lady of the house does a ceremony every morning.
Ubud also has Balinese dance performances every night ($6), exquisite meals ($5)…
Contributed by user Teresa Plowright.