7 Tips For Traveling With Kids

Traveling with your children is a wonderful opportunity to share an experience, explore and learn about new places, and just spend some time together. Now that school's out for the summer this is a great - but prime - time to travel and vacation. 

Before you book your flights, consider these tips for making your summer travel fun for you and your kids.

1. If you have older kids, let them help plan the trip. Talk about places they might want to go, activities they might want to try, and sights they want to see! You're much less likely to have a moody child if they've helped pick out the tours or activities on the itinerary.

2. Bring entertainment for the travel. This is the time to loosen any restrictions you have on screen time. Watching a movie on the plan with a tablet and headphones is a great way to make the time pass and reduce "when are we going to get there" conversations. Choose headphones made specifically for kids as they have volume controls that don't allow the volume to get dangerously high.

3. Consider all-inclusive resorts. Most all-inclusive packages include meals, drinks, snacks, and sports packages. This can be really helpful when you have kids in your group.

4. Look for hotels or resorts with specific kid packages. Many hotels and resorts will have a kid center or kid's activity zone that may include babysitting, games, and other recreational activities so you can take a snorkeling lesson while your child is safe and having fun.

5. Bring children's medicine. It's a good idea to bring your own children's Tylenol, cough medicine, and antacid. If they end up with a fever, cough, painful scrape, or upset stomach you don't want to risk trying to dose down on an adult medication. This also includes sunscreen and bug spray. 

6. If you're traveling internationally, plan ahead with passports, which can take up to three months. Remember that children's passports expire in five years. It can be stressful and expensive trying to expedite a forgotten passport.

7. Try some new things and keep some things familiar. It's exciting and fun to try new cuisines and new activities but sometimes a familiar meal and a low-key afternoon help to rejuvenate before the next adventure.

Whether you're looking for a beach vacation, a cruise, or a DisneyWorld  trip, I can help you plan a perfect kid-friendly get-away! 

Why Jamaica?

Looking to plan your next vacation or destination wedding and can't decide on a location? Jamaica is a fabulous option to consider! Why Jamaica? Here are 8 reasons:

1. Beautiful Beaches for Miles

Home to some of the Caribbean’s most impressive beaches, Jamaica offers a vast expanse of spectacular white sands. With breathtaking sunrises and sunsets, mountains, and crystal blue waters, the beaches are the perfect place to relax on vacation. Consider Whitehouse, & Montego Bay as wonderful beaches to enjoy. Or the famous Seven Mile Beach with amazing sunsets!

2. Tropical Climate & Weather

If you like tropical weather, then Jamaica is for you. Jamaica is a tropical destination where you can put on a bathing suit and enjoy an island with an average temperature of 81˚ all year round!  

3. Enjoy Local Cuisine

Jamaica is well known for its exotic and locally sourced food. You may have heard of jerk-seasoned dishes, which is native to Jamaica. And while you're here you have to try the national dish of Ackee and Saltfish, a locally grown fruit sautéed and served with onions, peppers, tomatoes and salt cod. Delicious!

4. Perfect for Nature Lovers

If you love to experience nature, you'll be delighted with the new experiences and adventures to take in while visiting Jamaica. Known for their exotic wildlife, the area bird species and flora will astound you. And if you dream of swimming with the dolphins, you can in Ocho Rios!

5. All-Inclusive Resorts Abound

The easiest and greatest way to experience Jamaica is with an all-inclusive resort. Vacation packages with all amenities and activities included give you the freedom to immerse yourself in the culture and island while on a refreshing travel. Whether you're traveling on a budget or searching for the luxurious side of the island, you're sure to find an all-inclusive package that fits your needs.

6. Child Friendly Resorts & Activities

Traveling families know the importance of making sure children can and will enjoy the vacation just as much as the adults do! That being said, the adults need to have some fun themselves, too.

Many resorts in Jamaica offer childcare for the days and nights when parents need a little alone time. Don’t worry about dreary childcare in a room filled only with crayons and paper. Kids are on vacation too, and you want to make sure it stays that way!

7. An Island Rich in Culture

Still asking yourself “why visit Jamaica?” Jamaica has a proud and astounding culture, embracing the land and the lifestyles they lead. One of the greatest aspects of Jamaica’s culture is the friendly and welcoming nature of the locals. You won’t feel like a stranger when you arrive at the island; the locals will welcome you with warm hearts. Visit the island with a schedule a tour, and don't miss out on the Bob Marley House in Nine Mile.

8. Destination Weddings

It's easy to have a destination wedding on a friendly island with no blood tests required, where you only have to arrive 2 days prior to the ceremony, and with so many resorts to chose. From large all-inclusive resorts to boutique hotels to villas, your destination wedding in Jamaica will never be forgotten.

Celebrate St. Patrick's Day by Planning a Trip to Ireland

Celebrate Saint Patrick's Day by Planning a Trip to Ireland!

What better way to celebrate Saint Patrick's Day than to plan a trip to Ireland? Ireland is a warm and inviting country full of emerald green pastures, friendly folks, plenty of beer pints and is a wonderful place to make memories.

Ireland is an excellent choice for couples, families, or groups of friends looking for adventure. The members of your party will play a part in determining where to go and how you want to see this beautiful country. You may want to drive yourself with a self-guided vacation or select a stress-free escorted motor coach tour with C.I.E. Tours International. You might choose to stay in a bed and breakfast, castles or manor houses, or different hotels. Many people choose to spend one or two nights in one place before moving on to another in order to travel around the country and see as much as they can. The type of trip and length of stay that you're planning will help determine the best places for you to stay.

There are so many amazing sites to see in Ireland: The Blarney Stone, Ring of Kerry, Dingle, The Cliffs of Moher, Dublin, Giants Causeway. You probably won't be able to see everything in just one trip, but building the right itinerary will allow you to see the places that are most important to you without being exhausted and missing out on what Ireland has to offer. The best landmarks and sites are hidden from the main tourist routes, so let's work together to plan the right itinerary!

Maybe you have ancestors from Ireland and want to reconnect the past to the present; maybe you're a Game of Thrones fan and want to see the heart of the Seven Kingdoms, the wicked Lannisters, and the honorable Starks; or maybe you just want want to raise a pint in honor of Saint Patrick. Whatever the reason, Ireland is a wonderful place to plan your next trip.

Our mascot, Marco, recently took a trip to Ireland and he had a wonderful time!

Want to see what Marco saw? Contact me today and we'll plan your trip to Ireland!

Norwegian “Epic”

Exciting newest & biggest ship, Norwegian Epic, will be sailing out of Miami to the Caribbean starting in July 2010.  Just imagine witnessing "BlueMan Group" at sea,  or wrapped in a  faux fur coat sipping vodka in the Ice Bar or sliding down a water tube slide into a pool at sea.  Contact Sensational Travel for the latest cruise fares at 978-745-2575.

Summer Travel with Children

Ok, so you have done Florida, Grand Canyon, and some Caribbean islands and are searching for a different but educational vacation with your children.  Consider this......................Gladiator Training in Rome, Italy 2010!

• Master the basics of hand-to-hand combat at a genuine gladiator school on the ancient Appian Way. You'll discover the secrets of Imperial Rome's gladiator games, get hands-on with ancient Roman history and have the best fun you can imagine!

During your two-hour lesson, your gladiator instructor will teach you how to fight with authentic weapons used by the gladiators of ancient Rome. Lessons are organized and led by members of the Historic Group of Rome who specialize in the re-enactment of Roman life and gladiatorial combat.

Don't miss this opportunity to re-create Roman history and life as a gladiator. Dressed in a traditional gladiator tunic, belt, leather protective glove and rudis (training sword), you can let your imagination run wild as you play like Spartacus for a day, fighting off ferocious lions and sword-wielding warriors!

Next, learn the basic techniques of gladiatorial sword fighting and take part in an optional gladiatorial tournament, with the winner receiving a victory prize. All participants receive a certificate of accomplishment.

If you're fascinated by Roman Gladiators but not sure if you're up for it, you can choose to watch friends or family free of charge. There's a great viewing platform.   Are you up to the challenge of this truly Roman experience combining culture, sport and ancient legends!