We headed east to review The Fairmont Southampton and The Fairmont Hamilton Princess hotels in Bermuda thinking they would be the perfect resort duo for us – a family with young adult children taking advantage of that rare moment when everybody’s schedules lined up. One kid had graduated from college a few days earlier and hadn’t found a job yet, and the other – a relatively recent college graduate – was between jobs.
We made the trip plans completely last minute because we had our fingers crossed that at least one of kids would be working and a family vacation wouldn’t be in the cards. But as it turned out, their lack of employment was our family vacation bonus, and we jumped at the chance to relax together for a few days.
Family Oriented Bermuda works for an Adult Kids Vacation
Easy-to-get-to Bermuda is just a 90-minute flight from Washington DC and New York, and just under two hours from Boston. It sits off the coast of the Carolinas and is in the Atlantic, not the Caribbean, as many people think. Its atmosphere is somewhat formal and polite, but it’s still easy-going and is one of the safest islands in this part of the world – perfect for teens and twenty-somethings who want some independence and to stay out late.
Of the two properties, formerly part of the beloved Princess hotels chain, the Fairmont Southampton is the best place for families to stay. It has a beach, the Kids program, tennis courts, a lavish spa, golf course, night club for ages 18 and up and all kinds of activities. We couldn’t help but think it would make an excellent multi-generational family vacation if we had the grandparents with us or even family members with babies and toddlers in tow.
Its sister resort – the pale pink Fairmont Hamilton Princess in the town of Hamilton — is more popular with business travelers and is within walking distance of many shops, restaurants and pubs in town. Guests at both properties can take a 20-minute complimentary ferry boat ride across the bay to commute between the two properties.
The Beach & Pools at Fairmont Southampton
The Southampton is perched atop Bermuda’s highest point, so it has a shuttle bus system to take guests around its expansive property.
We hopped on a trolley for the two-minute ride to the beach and settled into four shaded lounges chairs on the pink sand before renting snorkel equipment and a fat round raft to play on. The Beach Club area has a bar and grill, changing rooms with showers, water sports rentals, dive center and a shop.
Right next door is Horseshoe Beach, one of the island’s most beautiful beaches, so we headed there one afternoon to explore its long, wide expanse of pink sand and some interesting rock formations you can climb.
If you tire of the beach, you can head to one of the resort’s two pools. The outdoor pool can be a bit cramped on a sunny day if the resort is full, but the spacious indoor pool has a waterfall spilling down a “limestone” cliff and doors opening to sunny patios.
Fairmont Kids & Family Activitiesat Southampton Princess
There’s a year-round Kid’s Explorers Camp for ages 5-12 (in a particularly spacious room) for $30 per child per day and an evening program for ages 7 and up. Plus there are toddler time activities for 2- to 5-year-olds (must be accompanied by an adult) and special teen activities.
My two kids loved the ping pong table, air hockey games and other video games outside the Kid’s Camp. The resort often shows movies around the pool in the summer months and has other family-oriented activities of all sorts.
Young adults and their parents will appreciate the 31,000-square-foot Willow Stream Spa. The fitness center has treatments, classes and workout machines of all types. There are two sets of tennis courts -– one near the beach and one near the golf course with a pro shop. You can also book dive trips, fishing trips, jet skis and boat rides.
Take advantage of the facilities at both hotels for variety. Be sure to take the free ferry ride to the Hamilton Princess to explore the shops and restaurants in town or enjoy the hotel’s high tea or the Friday evening cocktail party on the lawn.
Bermuda is for Golf
We’re not golfers, but seasoned golfers claim the Fairmont Southampton golf course is challenging, with elevation changes, unpredictable ocean breezes and spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean.
There are three tee offerings on all 18 holes, making it perfect for golfers of all skill levels. Golf Digest named it “Best Place to Play Golf” in 2002. As you would expect, there is a pro shop, club and shoe rentals and a bar and restaurant in the golf complex. While we were there, night golfing was offered complete with glow-in the-dark balls.
Bermuda Nightlife for Young Adults
The Fairmont Southampton nightclub was an important stop for our two kids, although they were occasionally irritated by the 18- to 20-year-olds who couldn’t drink at home in the U.S. but took advantage of a drinking age of 18 to pound down the cocktails here.
People of all ages dropped in over the evening to dance to a lively DJ and we often saw parents and young adult children requesting tunes and dancing together.
Older kids can take the free ferry ride to the Hamilton Princess in the evening. It’s a good base to check out the nightlife in Hamilton. Afterwards, they’ll have to take a cab back to the Fairmont Southampton as the hotel ferry doesn’t run late.
Getting around & exploring Bermuda
Visitors are not allowed to rent cars on this small island, so there are plenty of taxis, buses and ferries. You can rent scooters if you want to navigate the left-hand drive streets, but we were advised not to and all of the tourists we saw driving the scooters looked rather terrified.
If you feel the need to explore more beaches, there are plenty of other gorgeous stretches of sand to sample. Shelley Bay is great for families as it’s shallow, warm and sandy and backs on to a playground and sports field.
John Smith Bay is a popular local’s beach and Elbow Beach has a shipwreck within swimming distance of the beach.
Check out the Crystal and Fantasy Caves on a rainy day – they are two separate cave complexes and you can buy a ticket for each or visit both on a single ticket. Each has crystal stalactites and stalagmites that were formed over 30 million years ago and a lake so clear you can see the formations below. There are safe steps, ramps, trails and lighting through the cave complexes. Underground water passageways connect the cave “lakes” with the ocean.
Trip Planning Details for a Bermuda Family Vacation
Bermuda is served by several major airlines with non-stop flights from the US and Europe. Because the island is in the Atlantic Ocean and prone to cold winds, winter is the low season, making it a top value Christmas destination, if not a guaranteed sunny getaway. Resort rates are highest in the summer, but the Fairmont properties often have family specials. For more information about the island, visit the Bermuda Tourist Office site.
For more information and reservations at the Fairmont Hotels in Bermuda, check out the websites of Fairmont Southampton and Fairmont Hamilton Princess.
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People who choose to book trips for summer or further out should do so with caution; the coronavirus pandemic is unpredictable. And many reservations may claim flexibility. Amid so much unknown, there will be one certainty: the headaches of rescheduling and canceling.
With a rugged interior featuring 286 peaks topping 3,000 meters Taiwan’s railway system is shoehorned onto the coastal margins where most of Taiwan’s cultural life is concentrated. Whether you ride the high-speed service from Taipei City to the second city of Kaohsiung or spend a week slowly circumnavigating the island by local train, all journeys are within eyeshot of either the cobalt-blue Pacific Ocean, flatlands of verdant rice-paddies, or towering mountainsides
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Amazing Post! about Amsterdam
There’s one street in Baltimore that’s more festive than the rest. Every holiday season, the neighborhood of Maryland’s miracle on h Street is decked out in Christmas lights and festive displays. From a tree made of hubcaps to classic candy cane fixtures, each house is uniquely decorated.
Considering Northeast Ohio has plenty of breweries, as well, Thomann was asked if it’s more likely we’ll find the members of Dorfrocker touring different venues tasting beers or visiting the Rock Roll Hall of Fame?
Covid-19 certainly affects travels plan…Not long ago my friends were among passengers of the British cruise ship Braemar. And how could the US refuse to help the ship and close the borders?? Unlike the US, Cuba showed its humanity and friendship! Thank you Cuba
Would you like to stay in the gorgeous area around Keukenhof? You can! We have a broad range of great hotels and bed and breakfasts for you. Accommodations in Haarlem, Leiden or Amsterdam are also good options.
I will reach Amsterdam only on 19 May morning, the last day of the flower exhibit. Is it still worthwhile to go Keukenhof Gardens? Will there still be many flowers to be seen?
Tulips and other flowers mainly bloom during spring. March through May is therefore the best time to visit the Netherlands if you want to watch them in bloom. The world’s most beautiful spring park, the Keukenhof, is open during this time.
If a court order states that one parent can travel abroad with the child without the consent of the other parent, what documentation is required? We recommend carrying a copy of the court order stating that the other parent’s consent is not needed to travel abroad with the child. Any questions about the wording of the court order should be directed to a family lawyer.
If transporting your pet by air is the only option, find out whether they can travel in the cabin with you. Most airlines will allow you to take a cat or small dog in the cabin for an additional fee. But you must call the airline well in advance; there are limits to the number of animals allowed in the cabin. If you are transporting your dog, make sure they meet the size requirements. If you get overwhelmed by all the regulations, there are companies that can help you navigate through the process of flying with a pet.
Is a consent letter mandatory? There is no Canadian legal requirement for children to carry a consent letter. However, a consent letter may be requested by immigration authorities when entering or leaving a foreign country, airline agents or Canadian officials when re-entering Canada. Failure to produce a letter upon request may result in delays or refusal to enter or exit a country.
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2 adults available to drive your car from New Orleans to north suburb of Chicago mid October. Need 3 or four nights. Split the gas,
Dogs and cats should always be kept safely inside the car. Pets who are allowed to stick their heads out the window can be injured by particles of debris or made sick by having cold air forced into their lungs. Never transport a pet in the back of an open pickup truck.
Ever dreamed of driving along the cliffs that overlook the Pacific with the windows down? Or wanted to travel the historic Oregon Trail in a car instead of on a computer? Explore these eleven incredible cross-country road trip routes across the U.S.
Rhonda, from a railman who started his train travel when he was 16, I would strongly suggest a Canadian Train Ride! Via Rail Canada offers four significant rides through wilderness and coastal areas with deluxe, overnight trains from Toronto to Vancouver ( 4 nights), and Montreal to Halifax, Nova Scotia (one night). Both offer a chance to have decent meals enroute, and sleeping car accommodations. Train crews tend to be a bit friendlier than south of the border, Canada, largely uninhabited, offers many scenic vistas with little hamlets few and far between, certainly a wonderful way for both of you to enjoy these new experiences.
Via Rail Canada also offers Railpasses, which enable you to travel on other routes as well for a bit of a price reduction. It’s all up to you!
Their website is http://www.viarail.ca for further information.
My son is a rail fan and we have traveled only in the US but I would love to surprise him with an excursion where he could talk to the train staff and railroad personnel. I would also like to include beautiful scenery as well for Both of us. My son is 16 and I am 59. We love to explore and don’t mind walking and roughing it!! any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Get your pet geared up for a long trip by taking him on a series of short drives first, gradually lengthening time spent in the car. And please be sure to always secure the crate so it won??™t slide or shift in the event of a quick stop.
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This driving route of the Appalachian Trail parallels the epic hike. From the top of New England to the heart of Dixie, it takes you through continuous natural beauty—without the sweat, bugs, or blisters.
7 memorable Tips for Traveling to Mexico
Don stress if you don Mexico is agreeable to English speaking travelers, And there a ton of tips to get to know the country landscapes, terms, And younger culture.
yet still, If you new to traveling or have never been out of the us, A trip to Mexico may be somewhat frightening.
If you interested in learning some tips for traveling to Mexico, Take a look at our 7 easy to remember tips for your journey. We outlined some of the basics that you’d like to learn for your own aventura!
1. Choose the Right Transportation If you traveling to Mexico, You need to decide you might arrive by car, aeroplane, Or liner. It important to know how you want to arrive because it will searching,an extravagance,good to have city you arrive in, How much luggage you results, and so forth.
an individual can find international flights if you prefer to travel by air. instead, There are plenty of cruises to Mexico that you can enjoy if you like the amenities and beautiful views that are included in ship travel!
If you live nearby the border, Or just need to take a bit of a road trip, going down the road by car is always an option as well.
2. Use Pesos When You Can It best if you use the local currency pesos when you can. while touristy areas accept USD, They choose the rate at that they accept it, So it is possible to get a better deal if you just use pesos.
Consider exchanging USD for pesos somewhere in the usa before your trip and dividing up your cash between USD and pesos during your trip.
3. Know bathing room Etiquette In Mexico, The sewage pipes just aren built to handle a lot. this means that people rarely flush their toilet paper. rather than, There will often be a trash bin near the toilet for you to put your used toilet paper in.
further, Men may make of entering a bathroom labeled with an M, let’s assume that it stands for However, The M actually can stand for mujeres, Which is the word for in Spanish. Men needs to look for doors labeled H, Which stands for the Spanish word for men, Hombres.
4. Practice Some Spanish One of the most basic tips for traveling to Mexico is to learn a few Spanish phrases before your trip.
once you know basic things, Like how to ask where the bathroom is or how to order food, Will make your trip to Mexico a lot smoother. sometimes, The locals will appreciate the effort, Even if they undoubtedly speak English as well!
5. Adjust to the Time Whether you are changing time zones while having trip or staying in the same one, You find that Mexico runs on a lot more fluid schedule. Punctuality is less of a concern, So you take pleasure in it a lot more if you can relax and don push a strict schedule.
furthermore, Meals are spaced out a bit distinct in Mexico. You will usually have a large breakfast, associated with the main meal of the day between 2:00 together with 4:00 pm hours. then finally, You will enjoy a smaller meal at dusk.
6. Drink Bottled Water Bottled water can be found on just about any street corner for purchase. Why exactly do you wish to buy bottled water?
let me tell you, Most of Mexico plain faucet water is unpurified. Some hotels may have filtered water, But be sure to go shopping for a sign above your sinks before you test it out!
If you be residing in Mexico for a lengthier trip, Consider buying or bring a water filter with you to purify the tap water and avoid buying so much bottled water. You be decreasing costs and plastic consumption!
7. Stray off the Beaten Path While sightseeing attractions and famous beaches are always fun to see, Traveling to lesser known places will offer you a more authentic taste of Mexico.
of which this isn an excuse to be reckless or oblivious to your surroundings. Be mindful of the areas you visiting and research where you will make sure it a safe area.
Now You Armed with all very reputable Tips for Traveling to Mexico Mexico is a diverse country with so much to see and offer.
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Many parents of individuals with an Autism Spectrum Disorder dread traveling or often avoid it altogether. Most people with ASD do better with routine and structure and a break from that (vacation) can often lead to stress and even meltdowns. Additionally, traveling by air can include having to navigate a multitude of unpleasant experiences from airport security procedures, moving sidewalks, and boarding tunnels to cramped seats, unfamiliar noises, and lots of strangers. Experts indicate that preparation and practice is the key to a successful flight and travel. Before your trip, talk with your child about what to expect. Go over the details of the travel: how you’ll get to the airport, wait in line, go through security, find your departure gate, get on the plane, buckle seatbelts, and spend time onboard. Flying to See Janet: A Fun Guide to the Airport Experience is a book you can use to prepare children for the unfamiliar sights and sounds of the airport experience. You can also write your own social story.
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Emily, my coming of age years were the late 1970s, early 1980s at the YMCA. I agree with you about the open showers versus the individual shower stalls. From a guys perspective, I spent many nights and weekends swimming or playing basketball at my local YMCA. Showering with not only my friends, but over the years, dads, neighbors and guys from church. It really makes one comfortable, not in a sexual way, with one self and others. Never had the nude swimming, I think that ended in the 1960s as women/girls joined the YMCA, forcing may YWCAs to close their doors.
Amelie, here in the US a number of Korean Spas have opened. As with Japanese, Korean families bath together (grandmother, daughter, grand-daughter), (dad, son) separated by gender. They are starting to attract a diverse clientele (age, race, etc). So who knows, maybe the nude swimming will return to the Y someday.
The Ski and Snow Vacations for Families article is one of the best I have ever read!
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Note that Global Affairs Canada cannot provide you with advice about the Consent Letter for Children Travelling Abroad beyond what is offered on this website.
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Chicago is a famous place that has many impressive landscapes.
Most visitors like traveling there.
I am always looking online for tips that can facilitate me. Thx!
helo, do you happent allow drive passengers to another state?
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I’m so happy that you enjoyed your experience at the Onsen!
I’ve never been to an Onsen, but I would love to get to visit one some day.
Back in the 1980s and 1990s my mom was the head supervisor at a YWCA in Ohio. I practically lived in the YWCA (not literally, of course) for the 19 years that my mom worked there. I had a part time job at the YWCA for a few years in the 1990s.
One of the great things about spending so much time at the YWCA was that I grew up using the locker room all of the way from a young child to a young woman and being 100% comfortable with both my own nudity and the nudity of all other females.
I feel that it was so much better back then when the Y had one big room full of shower heads on the walls than it is with stalls these days. The group shower setting was great from a bonding experience. I feel that it’s much healthier psychologically speaking that females are exposed to other women’s and girl’s bodies, as opposed to feeling that we need to hide from each other and change clothes in toilet stalls or under towels.
One of the benefits of having a mom who was a supervisor of the Y was that after hours my mom and my sisters and myself could just skinny dip in the pool, and my sisters and I were allowed to have our female friends with us for a skinny dipping session on Friday and Saturday nights.
Also, my aunt and a few of my female cousins would skinny dip with my mom, my sisters and I every once in a while.
My mom said that she had heard that the YWCA used to have one night a week that was for nude swimming back in the 1960s and most of the 1970s. Obviously it was a female only facility at the time.
Dubbed the Great Northern in memory of the pioneer railroad that parallels the western half of the route, US-2 is truly the most stunning and unforgettable, not to mention longest, of all the great transcontinental road trips.
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Oh man. I’m so sorry this happened to you. I certainly appreciate your take on this though, a little humor goes a long way. I’m headed to Barcelona in a few days, so I’ll be sure to keep my valuables close. Thanks for sharing.