Good Food and Good Fun on the Perfect Island

Your holiday time is when you dedicate yourself to letting go and making I tall about you. You have worked hard all year and put in the hours to get this vacation, so you want the time spent to be well spent. 

His means that you want a vacation destination that can deliver the goods for you. So selecting where to go con sometimes be an emotional affair. You re excited, but also nervous because you want to make sure you make a great selection. 

If I had to guess what you would find desirable, I would say that you want a place where you can find an amazing resort that offers great rooms and beautiful views. And the service should be exemplary relax during the days in privacy if you choose, but when you want to be with people you can easily make that happen. 

You also want to be able to do some fun activities during the day and you want to be able to do these on both land and water.

You want good food that you can buy close and from locals and also some really nice restaurants for when you want to have a special meal with whoever you are travelling with. 

You want good shopping, and a place that looks pleasing to the eye. You also want it to be safe.

For the nightlife you want restaurants that overlook the water or mountains and discos or clubs that are filled with beautiful people who really know how to have a great time.

If this fits your description for your next desired vacation, you should take a trip to the beautiful Greek island, Mykonos.  

Great Hotels

Mykonos offers some of the Mediterranean’s best hotels. One great example is the Adorno Suites Mykonos beach hotel. This lovely beachfront hotel sits on a private beach and offers great room with private pools and perfect views. And as importantly the service there is excellent. Finally you are never too far from the action. So you can relax there all day in the sun while drinking your favorite cocktail or go into town and have lunch at a seaside café. 

Fantastic Shopping

Mykonos has lots of great shopping with many of the top clothing designers represented on the island. Whether you want cool summer wear, great swimwear, or evening wear, that you can style around the island in, you can find it on Mykonos. 

Great Beaches

Many people come to Mykonos for the beaches. The water of the Mediterranean is clear and warm many months of the year. The beaches in Mykonos are clean and bright and offer the perfect places to relax and enjoy the sun. 

Amazing Watersports 

Mykonos offers a range of watersports. Whether you want to Jet Ski, scuba, snorkel, kayak, parasail, or swim, you can do it on Mykonos. You can also rent a boat or yacht and go sailing or motoring around the island or to other islands. 

A trip to a Mykonos is a wonderful opportunity to have a great vacation. You can partake in a full range of wonderful activities, stay at a top quality hotel, and enjoy wonderful Greek food. Further you can spend time on great beaches, and watersports that are available throughout the island. Come to Mykonos and have a memorable time! 

Visit Barbados. Like, Right now.

I’ve been obsessed with Barbados since I was a kid, when I read the Newbery Medal winning book “The Witch of Blackbird Pond” by Elizabeth George Speare. For anyone who somehow managed to escape their summer reading, the book is about a fictional 17th Century young woman who, orphaned, must leave her home in Barbados and travel to New England. Now in Puritan Connecticut, she often reminisces about her home and her childhood growing up in beautiful Barbados.

Yes, as an adult, I now realize the colonizer themes that ran rampant in the book. However, the images left in my mind’s eye of the lush and balmy Barbados had impressed on me the desire to make my way over to the tiny island as soon as I was able.  No better time then the present, so we headed over to finally see the nation well known as the birthplace of rum.

Located in the lesser Antilles of the West Indies, in the Caribbean region of North America, Barbados is about a 5 hour flight from New York City.  Just 166 square miles in total, it dwarfs the smallest state in the USA by quite a bit (Rhode Island, at 1,034 square miles), it packs a lot into a small space.

Though she be but little, she is fierce. Alright, perhaps not exactly fierce, but definitely a force. On this wisp of an island, you will experience amazing food (yes, quite a lot of seafood, but vegans and  vegetarians rejoice, there are plenty of options on this very foodie-progressive island), blissful beaches, friendly people, and incredible scenery. No matter what you are interested in, you will find plenty to keep you occupied while you vacation in beautiful and diverse Barbados.

Not ones to lay about the beach and resort all day, we wanted to see as much as we were able to in our (much too short!) stay. Not that lying about has anything wrong with it- you couldn’t pick a more picturesque place to relax and take in the sun and sand. We did our share of lazing, but spent most of our time exploring the island.  The history of the island is as colorful as it’s gardens, and during our stay we enjoyed learning about the island’s first peoples through events in our current time period. Luckily for us, there are some fantastic tour guides who are gracious enough to share Barbadian culture and history with tourists, and they are very thorough. The best part is, the more you learn, the more you want to know.

The Arawaks and the Caribs were the first inhabitants of what became known as Barbados. English Captain John Powell arrived in 1625 and claimed the island for King James I of England. After returning to England and back again, the island was given the name “Los Barbados”, a variation of “Os Barbados”, used by the Portuguese sailors since 1536.  It was named after a tree that grew on the island, the “Bearded Fig Tree” aka  Shortleaf Fig (Ficus Citrifolia) that the sailors thought looked like a bushy beard. As Barbados was named for it’s magnificent foliage, you can rightly assume that the natural beauty surrounding is going to make it hard to put your camera away.

Regardless of what kind of touring or adventure you are after, you are bound to be excited by and admiring of the natural beauty that will envelop you. One of the first tours we opted to take was a walking tour of Historic Bridgetown. This 3 hour walking tour was the perfect introduction to the area, and was led by local professor and historian Morris Greenidge. Extremely passionate, knowledgeable, and just honestly impressive, Mr. Greenidge is “the” expert, called to discuss Barbados and topics that intertwine with the local history on panels and conferences worldwide.

When there was not enough history or information available, Mr. Greenidge just decided rather than lament it, he would research and write the histories himself. Almost all by himself, as well. Self taught, he has researched and written the history of the island from it’s founders to local legends and heroes as well as walking guides and more. (Side note, some of these books are hard to find outside of Barbados, so you may want to buy them while you are there if you like them. Bonus, he will be happy to sign them for you. I regretfully only bought two of his books at the time, and am having a rough time finding some of the others. Lesson learned, hopefully you can avoid my error.) There are not a ton of books out there on the history of Barbados, not many novels either, so they were a good find and give good insight from that of a lifelong inhabitant. As well, I have to admit that after having spent time with Mr. Greenidge, I hear the books in his voice and they are quite a fun and unique reminder of our time spent touring.

Meeting us in dress slacks, crisp shirt, and suspenders on a blisteringly hot day, Mr. Greenidge speaks slowly and deliberately, often pausing in thought, giving an incredibly thorough tour of a place you can see he loves dearly. We began the tour at Chamberlain Bridge in aptly named Bridgetown (the capitol and by far largest city in Barbados) under Independence Arch. The bridge connects Bridgetown over the Careenage aka Constitution River, which cuts the city in two parts. Formerly a swing bridge that was vital to the shipping industry as well as connecting one part of the city to it’s other half, it’s now rebuilt and designed for the current needs of the island- mostly pleasure boating and fishing. Not only one of the oldest cities in the Caribbean, but also a recognized UNESCO World Heritage Site, there is a lot to experience in Bridgetown.

We toured the “best of” and “must see” spots like the garrison, forts, and religiously important buildings, as well as some hidden gems, hearing interesting stories and about local characters, and of course important governmental sites like the Parliament building. We ended our tour in the shopping and restaurant district, which was perfect, as it was indeed lunchtime. Those outdoor cafes are delightful, but if it’s still too hot for you, head indoors and find some air conditioning. Many offer both options.

barbados rum tour

As mentioned, Barbados is the birthplace of rum, which Bajans are quite proud of. There are more rum tours and tastings then you can shake a stick at (because that’s something normal people do, anyway) so you will have to choose your tour(s) wisely. We really enjoyed out time at St. Nicholas Abbey, which is one of the smaller options in terms of distilleries, but the extraordinary house, gardens, and museum aspect more then made up for that. Located in Saint Peter parish, it gives visitors more then just rum. If it were not enough to be a plantation house, museum, and rum distillery in one, St. Nicholas Abbey is architecturally unique as well, as it is one of only three genuine Jacobean mansions in the entire Western Hemisphere. Built in 1658, it has never had anything to do with the Church despite it’s heavenly name, and was always a sugarcane plantation (until 1947). Barbados thinks enough of this location to name it one of the “Seven Wonders of Barbados“, and we agree. It’s absolutely lovely- and yes, you can indeed visit the distillery and taste the rum. 

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Historical touring and gardens are a “must” in my book, but with the clear, always warm waters that stretch in nearly every direction you turn, I’m guessing at least part of why Barbados calls to you is it’s open ocean. There are as many ways as there are hours in the day to spend time in Bajan waters, narrowing it down might be the hardest thing you do while on your holiday. Of course, beach lounging has it’s place in the sun (so to speak? Pun intended? Sorry, I had to) but while you are here and escaping your ordinary, why not opt for some extraordinary as well? I highly recommend taking the time to go snorkeling or scuba diving. The water is warm and clear as day, the fish and underwater flora are varied and beautiful (and friendly! No fear of humans, and will swim in your oh-so-close proximity),  it’s both a relaxing as well as exciting day. About how many things can you say that? As well, I cannot, cannot recommend taking the Bliss Boat tours enough.  When you book, make sure you head out with Hayden and Emmanuel, they and their crew are the most excellent team. Experienced, fun, easygoing, and the best part- well prepared. Honestly just all around cool people. This was a standout portion of our time in Barbados, and the people made it so as much as the location and tour itself. Hayden and Emmanuel will get you to all the best spots in their glass-bottomed-boat, and while not crowded with other boats or catamarans.  This is important, since you don’t want to be swimming into other people (or have them endlessly crashing into you).

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Not only that, but it makes for better photos and wildlife spotting. There is an excellent chance you will not only see, but swim with turtles (who are treated with the respect and care they deserve). Hayden comes with you and your group, and takes underwater photos that he sends everyone in a Dropbox after the trip for no extra fees. These are beautiful, we cherish them. Visual keepsakes of this amazing time are priceless and quite special, some of the shots are amusing as well. Really- this excursion is one to top the list. Don’t forget to book with Hayden, you will be so thrilled that you did.

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One rainy day, we decided the best use of our day would be to take surfing lessons. Water above, water below- it was such an interesting experience. We headed out to the deAction Beach Shop, owned and operated by world ranked windsurfer and “Bajan beach culture promoter” (as per self and personal site), Brian “deAction Man” Talma. The word I would use to best describe it would be “groovy”. It was a chill place with a relaxed vibe, covered in art mostly created by Talma himself (some available for purchase) as well as beach and surf paraphernalia. Located in the Silver Sands area, equipment rentals are available, as are lessons. Take your pick of equipment- starboard boards, surfboards, sail models, SUP/ stand up paddle boards, and more are available for rent. Wetsuits are also available if you would like.  After you have signed in, met your instructor, and chosen your equipment (or had it chosen for you), you will all head out to a local beach where there aren’t many swimmers. This is important, because you don’t then need to worry about hitting anyone as you flail about on your watercraft of choice. If you are new to the sport and anything like us, you might not be the most graceful as you learn. We ended up falling off the boards and “into the drink” more often then not, but by the end of the lesson we had each gotten up and stayed up at least a few times. I don’t mean to brag, but one time even making cleanly it to the shore (pinkies up, quite fancy). Clearly, headed for the pros. This was different than everything else we had done while in Barbados- it was physical, it was fun, it was at times silly, and something we had never tried before. It was letting yourself look foolish and perhaps act foolish as well. It made us a little closer by doing this new thing, where we looked goofy and were constantly coughing up ocean water, a good example of a lovely (loving) bonding experience we still talk about and won’t forget.

local art barbados

I could go on for ages about all there is to do and experience in Barbados, and that’s not even touching upon the amazing food (don’t even try to diet) or the laid back atmosphere, the gracious people we were lucky enough to meet and spend time with, the perfect weather (even during it’s bursts of rain, perfection), and of course, more food. I was ridiculous to wait 20 years to visit Barbados, I kept putting it off, because…well, you know. Life. I won’t be waiting 20 more to return. Don’t wait. Book the vacation you’ve been waiting on. Visit https://barbados.org to find exactly what’s calling your name.

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Coconut Bay Resort, St. Lucia

No matter what kind of vacation you are looking for- family trip, a romantic couples retreat, girlfriends getaway- you can find what you are looking for on the diverse island of St. Lucia. Coconut Bay is located near the airport (in fact, just five minutes away), so you won’t have a long trek to your room once you arrive. That’s never a welcome surprise, is it? Once there, you are greeted by friendly staff with cool towels and cold drinks of your choice- water, rum punch, or champagne.

Coconut Bay

As you refresh and cool off, you and your entourage check into your room.  You can take your bags or have them taken to your room for your, and your vacation really begins. A recently renovated resort on 85 acres, the all inclusive Coconut Bay offers plenty to see, do, (eat!) and explore.  There are nine restaurants, seven bars, five pools, a fully functional and not all all lacking fitness center (lets face it, often “gyms” while vacationing are weak sauce) the largest waterpark on the island, and more. Did I mention it was all inclusive? Because that makes things so. much. easier. Also, the beach is just past the pools- no long hike to and fro.

best family vacation

We took my daughter for a long weekend, and there was definitely not enough time to see all that we wanted to on the resort, let along the island. So it’s a great spot for a quick getaway, but for sure even better for those who like a more immersive experience. If you are traveling as an adults only getaway, you will likely prefer to stay o the “Harmony” wing of the resort, which does not allow children. When you get a moment to get away from it all- your routine, the kids, the noise-  the last thing you want to hear is someone else’s kids screaming, and that’s totally fair and understandable- and other adults get that. It can be hard to find time to reconnect as a couple, and Coconut Bay makes sure you can have those quiet moments you are looking for, complete with hammocks and lounge chairs everywhere you look.

St Lucia Resort

Brining the kids? Totally cool. I usually do as well. The “Splash” wing is for families, and where you will find the waterpark, the only resort petting zoo on the island (and the only one I can remember seeing ever in my own experience), the Kidz Club, and even a paintball course.  It is for sure the louder side of the resort, and there are plenty of family friendly activities to keep everyone busy. Also, a note for those looking to keep active while traveling- they have really good fitness classes offered. Actual quality, that are both fun and challenging. You will be working up a sweat but enjoying yourself at the same time. Again, not something I see all the time. Places might have gyms and classes, but they are not usually anywhere near this intensity, and we were super impressed.

If you are getting away for a couples retreat for a girlfriends getaway, there are plenty of places that are kid free. Sometimes, you just need some quiet time. With separate pools, cabana area, and bar, the “Harmony” area has adults only peace and quiet in mind.  The rooms are luxurious and have evening turn down service, and there are quite a few options when it comes to views. Pool, ocean, or garden, they are all beautiful (and what tropical view would you turn down right now, really?)

There are great packages at the Kai Mer Spa, which you can receive indoors or outside, in your own private cabana, beachside. Nothing like a warm ocean breeze, is there? That’s like a double shot of relaxation. There are quite a few massage options to choose from, as well as other beauty options, like nail salon services and more. You can go on your own, or with your girlfriend, partner, daughter- whatever works for your party.

St Lucia vacation

There are also plenty of touring options, should you want to venture outside the resort. Head to the front desk and choose from a great variety of options. While most resorts offer some kind of tours, Coconut Bay has a really large variety to choose from. St. Lucia is a tiny island, but it has a lot to offer. Not many islands have active volcanoes, mountains, award winning scuba locations, several kinds of sandy beaches (including black sand), amazing vegetation and flora and fauna- it’s a one of a kind island.

amazing views

The watersports are plentiful, from water skiing to sailing to kite surfing and more. Snorkeling is amazing, the waters are beautiful and there are many kids of marine life to find. There is also a beautiful botanical garden with waterfall and thermal pools, ziplines, rainforest sky rides (a unique attraction) and more. There is also an active volcano, aforementioned, that creates a thermal bath and spring. Those willing can climb into the sulfuric smelling waters and coat themselves with the gray mud that is created by the ash. Wash it off in the warm waters below, and your skin glows for days. Really, your skin will look and feel amazing. Wear a bathing suit you don’t love or is dark, the mud will stain. Sulphur Springs is also the world’s only “drive in volcano”, where you can really drive right up and see steam rising, bubbling, and feel the heat. You can’t get too-too close, and you will be accompanied by a ranger who will make sure safety rules are followed and tell you about the volcano. DO NOT MISS THIS!

volcanic bath

 

For hikers and climbers, you will want to save a day for St. Lucia’s iconic Pitons, which technically can both be climbed, although only one is legally sanctioned. Gros Piton, the legal mountain, is steep and challenging. Taking you up roughly 2000 feet in an average of two hours (and two more hours to get back down), there are benches and areas to rest. Bring plenty of water, you will be glad you did.

tours in st lucia

 

A Unesco World Heritage site, nature lovers and hikers will not want to miss Gros Piton. You will  register at the base of the mountain, pay the fee of $50 per person (in US dollars), and hike with a guide. Guides are at the base of the mountain, and reservations are not required. As the hike is not a short one, tours are available from 7am until 2pm daily- last tour ends at 2. It is recommended to go early.

horse riding on beach

After your day out, head back to the hotel, relax, and grab something to eat before choosing which pool to lounge next to.

Relaxation AND adventure- sounds too good to be true? Visit https://cbayresort.com to choose a package that works for your next vacation.

Atlantis Resort, Paradise Island

Nassau Paradise Island, Bahamas is home to sand, surf, and family-friendly accommodations (like the mega-resort Atlantis), but families on spring break will find that the destination also offers immersive and educational experiences fit for kids and adults alike.  Have you ever considered taking the kids to Atlantis in the Bahamas? There are so many things offered that will make this a vacation to remember, from Dolphin Cay (an experience on 14 acres and almost 7 million gallons of crystal clear water) to Aquaventure (the island’s water park on 141 acres) and more pools and slides then you will have time to visit in a long weekend. Then there is the Atlantis Blue Project Foundation, where you can learn how they are working to conserve the reefs. Should you care to venture off the resort, Paradise Island has many activities that your children can enjoy at any age.

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Atlantis has a great habitat that supports marine life and animal rescue and rehabilitation facilities. You can see tanks and aquariums all over the resort, which is enormous.  You have to take buses all over in order to get from place to place- it’s as big as a town, for sure.  Walking would be nearly impossible.  You pick up the buses in the lobby of your hotel, and each of them has the names of the stops they make on the side and top of it.

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Aquaventure is of course the water park and has non-stop action. There are Atlantean-themed towers, water slides and a mile long river that has rolling rapids. This thrill of a place has over twenty million gallons of water, 20 swimming areas, a kids water play fort, and 11 swimming pools. Everything is connected together by a tropical environment and is sure to please everyone visiting from young to old. There is also a “Cartoon Lagoon” which looked very cool, but we were not able to try out.  Turns out you need to make an appointment to use it, and it often fills up months in advance for a time slot, so if you want to use it, book it when you book your stay, and don’t be late or forget to show up or you miss your chance.

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There is a fun cartoon character parade through Atlantis, check with the desk for times and locations.  You can also see Caribbean dancing, music, and more depending on the date and time. My son loved seeing his favorite TV toons in person!

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As I mentioned,  you can learn how scientists are conserving the coral reefs through the Atlantis Blue Project Foundation. You can ask about any of the Blue Adventures at the center that is operated by Stuart Cove. As you learn, you will also be donating to the foundation as a portion of the the proceeds of each adventure goes to help the foundation.

You can also experience activities that involve fitness, golf, shopping, pottery, rock climbing, Atlantis theater and of course a spa. The Mandara Spa brings together Balinese healing touches, traditional European therapies and natural elements that are specific to the Bahamas. The Taking of the Waters has both warm and cool pools as well as steam and sauna rooms for you to enjoy. There is even a Couple’s Spa Suite and a women’s aromatherapy area. Men can experience  time for themselves too with barber services and a plasma TV in the lounge. The Earth and Fire Pottery Studio was a big hit with my son, who loved making and taking home his own painted creation (note- you only paint it, you don’t mold it).

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Kids will fall in love with the colorful sea creatures they will get to see, the water slides, and of course searching for treasures on the beach. There are things that will surely bring a smile to their faces and they will remember always. As tweens and teens, they will also want to explore Atlantis on their own and not just with their parents. Atlantis has something to offer for them, too. Preteens can have tons of fun in the sun by going on snorkeling and scuba adventures to come face to face with marine life. Atlantis also has a kids-only nightclub along with them adventure play rooms and an “underwater” video arcade.

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Teens that vacation on Paradise Island can have non-stop fun and excitement with the Aquaventure Waterpark, up close encounters with dolphins, and rides in the shark filled lagoons. And as the sun goes down, there are multiple activities such as a nightclub where there are no parents allowed, the “underwater” video arcade, and the Atlantis Movie Theatre.  There are also movies and TV shows offered on a large screen on the lawn each night (weather permitting) for everyone to enjoy.  We were able to see “We Bare Bears” before it was on TV back home, which thrilled my boy.

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Also available (for an extra fee) is  in room babysitting- all sitters are CPR-certified. You will have to call one week prior to travel in order to book the babysitting. Something else to think about is that children must be free of diapers and pull-ups to go to the Atlantis Kids Adventure Club, and proof of their age will be required. Some of the waterslides that the children will want to get on will have the requirement that  they are at least 48 inches tall.

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Atlantis aims to please those of all ages. With all that there is to do in paradise, you can be sure that you will be wanting to come back again and again to experience the thrills that Atlantis has to offer- this will be a vacation to remember forever. As your children get older there will be different things that they can enjoy, there is something for everyone and all ages.

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Should you feel like spending time off resort, head to some of the very cool museums and see what the island is all about.  The The Heritage Museum of the Bahamas will give you a brief history of the island (complete with real and original artifacts on display) and houses a collection of items spanning more than a 1000 years . The Pirates of Nassau Interactive Museum is not to be missed, either. From 1690 to 1720, Nassau had the highest concentration of pirates ever seen in the New World. At the Pirates of Nassau Museum, which provides the perfect mix of entertainment and education, kids and parents alike will love learning about the Golden Age of Piracy. Guests can board the “Revenge,” a replica of a real-life pirate ship, and feel as if they’ve gone back in time for a truly interactive history lesson.

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For more information, and to book your stay visit www.nassauparadiseisland.com.

Jewel Runaway Bay Resort in Jamaica

Jewel Runaway Bay is an all-inclusive resort in Jamaica that will give you everything that you need for a personal getaway. It doesn’t matter if you just want to lounge about or play some golf, there is something for you.  It’s also a great place for couples to say “I Do” on the beaches in Jamaica- quite lovely.

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There is always something for you to do at Jewel Runaway Bay, because this Jamaican resort has it all. They are a beachfront resort that has three different pool areas and an-on site spa. There are also Jewel exclusives that you will not be able to experience anywhere else.

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If food ranks highly on your list when you are visiting somewhere new, there are five restaurants where you can discover delicious food. There is a style of restaurant for everyone from a laid back atmosphere serving jerk chicken beachside to more gourmet dining experiences- try them all, and eat often at your favorites.

Check out their activitites schedule – there is sure to be something that you will enjoy on your stay.  It’s a great place to bring the whole family, there is quite a lot to do.

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The full-service spa has four treatment rooms; one for wet treatments, and services that range from facials to full body massages. Relaxation is top priority- you are on vacation after all.  If you love golf, Jewel Resorts has everything that a golfer will need for the Jamaican Golf Vacation of their dreams. Runaway Bay Golf Club is next door and has 18-holes on a PGA-quality course. Even if you aren’t Tiger Woods, you will still feel at home on this golf course. Guests who stay at Jewel Resorts will enjoy complimentary green fees.

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There are all sorts of areas to relax including the garden, the beaches, or go inland to see the attractions that include Dunn’s River Falls, Dolphin Cove, Mystic Mountain, Nine Mile, and Appleton Rum Estate. After you have tons of fun in the Jamaican sun, head back to your room that is full of all the comforts and amenities that you could imagine. The beds are plush and will make it so that you get a great nights sleep so that you can get up and enjoy everything that much more the next day.

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And there is now NEW WATER PARK FUN! Families and kids can enjoy a whole day of fun at Jewel Lagoon Water Park that is now open. This park is a day long adventure with over 10 attractions that will satisfy toddlers to teens. There is even a family raft ride.

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You can rent a private cabana or there is a 5,000 square foot oceanfront deck. Also enjoy the two splash-down pools, kids gang slide, the lazy river, speed slide and the family raft ride. There are multiple levels of the kid slides and of course a splash zone. After you have enjoyed the sun and water fun make sure to check out the dining area and the stage that has daily live music. It is a fun time for the whole family and definitely needs to be scheduled for your trip to Jewel Runaway Bay.

Norwegian Breakaway Cruise Day 4

Today we woke up to a beautiful, sunny day and gorgeous view. The sparkling blue waters of Nassau were right outside our door, and we could not wait to greet them in person.

family travel

After a quick breakfast, we headed into town. We walked through the shopping district a bit, but mostly were interested in some beach time. The closest one was Junkanoo Beach (also known as “The Long Warf”), about 15 minutes away. As soon as we arrived, it was time to hit the beach. We of course had to build sandcastles, then my son and I were in the water for most of the day. Daddy preferred his beach time. (Hmmmmm….ha)

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After spending most of the day, we decided to head back. We stopped in a few local stores (we were looking for something special for a friend of ours who made a request) and headed back to the ship. After grabbing a quick bite to eat, we showered and headed down to the “Breakaway Pier Party”, which was so much fun. The crew was out en masse, dancing and partying the whole time.

Even SpongeBob and Patrick got in on the action, and posed for some photos with the kids as well.

SponeBob was a dancing machine, let me tell you . He really knows how to bust a spongy move.

We stayed out for nearly the whole party, and were having a great time- it really was super fun. One thing that stuck me as well was that Julie, the Cruise Director, who is Canadian but whose last name I don’t know- was out on stilts. She is the one in the pink pants. Really! That’s something. One of the kids club crew was the clown on stilts- very multi- talented. Julie also danced in the last song in “Burn the Floor”, and will soon make several more appearances today. The woman does not mess around.
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Take the Kids to the Dominican Republic? Of Course!

When you think of the Dominican Republic, you likely think of soft, sandy beaches, palm trees swaying in gentle breezes, and crystal clear ocean waters- as well you should.  What might not come to mind directly is the perfect family holiday, but it ought to.  Long thought of as a couples retreat from the world, or a delightful girlfreinds’ getaway, this island paradise is a great place to bring the whole troupe.

Beyond the beach and pool at your resort, what to do with the kids?  There are plenty of options, and mom and dad will enjoy them, too.  First up, head to Bavaro Adventure Park.

Dominican RepublicClose to both the Punta Cana and the Bavaro hotel areas (one of which is where tourists are likely to stay), this newly opened, open air park is not only fun for the whole family, but is also super safe (keeping in line with both North American and European safety standards) so you won’t need to worry about a thing.  With options ranging from zip lining, balloon rides,  paint ball, crazy ball zorbing (in which you are strapped into a ball, either solo or with another person, and rolled down a hill), Bungee Trampoline and more, you and your family can easily spend the whole day at Bavaro Adventure Park.

Did I mention there is a flight simulator?  Patented and certified in Germany, in the “SkyDiver” you can fly like an eagle.  Strapped into a safety harness and given safety and usage instructions, up to three people at a time are able to fly together to a height of up to 65 feet.

WP_20140719_11_43_11_ProSmaller kids will enjoy Dinosaur World Jurassic Adventure, where they can take a walk through a land of the dinosaurs, watch them move, and hear them roar!  These dinos are animatronic, and move when people are near them.  Learn all about these creatures, what they ate, how they lived- and even see some of their young.  There are more then forty dinosaurs on the walk, set to scale, and made to look, sound, and move how paleontologists believe they did.
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Turks and Caicos – Get Away From It All

Feeling the chill of winter?  Warm up with a trip to Turks and Caicos. Warm weather and good food await-and it’s not a long flight, either.

A great way to start our trip, The Conch Farm is both beautiful and educational. With conch being such a huge part of the island (a major food, source of many festivals, it was even on the flag) making sure that it is sustainable is vital. Located on the island’s eastern end, and first created (and still used as) a research facility, this is the only spot in the world that conch is commercially produced and grown.

turks and caicos

According to the farm, it “exports much of the conch you eat in the Florida Keys and Miami, (and) it’s breeding techniques could help save the conch from extinction”. With many predators (man being number one) and only a small percentage of eggs surviving to adulthood, this farm and it’s research are important to the island and to the conch in general. More then 25% of conch eggs grown to maturity at the farm, and the money made from the tours help fund research that goes into better farming, sustainability, and new techniques. Soon, completely round geodesic fish pens that will further help these and other fish from being depleted from over-fishing. This “revolutionary and state-of-the-art form of environmentally conscious commercial fish farming referred to as off-shore deep water submerged cage farming” spells good news for conch and conch lovers alike. While on the tour, you can the life cycle of the conch, shells in various parts of it’s life, breeding basins where they grow, a hatchery and laboratory, and even some fish hatcheries. You can hold tiny, growing conch, as well as meet the mascots- one male, and one female (Jerry and Sally). Yes, you can tell the difference- the male has a piston, which apparently is a delicacy.
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