By Judy Sweetland
We all have memories of family vacations growing up, and for the most part, they are happy ones. Whether piling into the family station wagon for a camping trip, or catching a flight to a new destination,
“Back in the Day” Seaside Heights, NJ
the thrill and anticipation of the next trip was practically uncontainable. In my case it was a spacious Buick Electra heading down the Parkway to the Jersey Shore, where sun-kissed days were spent on the water catching bushels of crabs, and nights were spent surrounded by the neon lights of the Boardwalk. Even now, the sights, sounds, smells and tastes are still palpable when I close my eyes and imagine myself there. I have my parents to thank for that. They worked and saved all year to make that annual trip to the shore so special that it would stay with me forever.
As an adult I realize that traveling with kids requires a little more thought and planning on the parent’s end, especially when kids are of varying ages. Thinking back to my own childhood days at the Jersey
Little beach bungalow
Shore, my folks would rent a bungalow for the week, which accommodated us all nicely. We traveled with my grandparents, as well, so it was nice to have our own rooms, and the backyard offered the perfect place to spread out the day’s newspaper and crack open those crabs!
I guess this was a scaled-back version of what we would call villa travel today. The matter of convenience cannot be understated when traveling with children, can it? Having your own bedroom and bathroom, plus the use of your own kitchen to prepare meals for picky eaters is nothing short of heaven on earth. Expecting your child to behave for one meal at a restaurant is attainable, but three
Multi Generation Family Eating Meal At Outdoor Restaurant
meals a day for the duration of your vacation is a lot to ask. It’s so nice to wake up in the morning and have breakfast at your leisure, and start the day on the right foot.
Single family residence and estates like Casa La Laguna in San Jose Del Cabo, or Villa Punto de Vista in Costa Rica are equipped to accommodate multiple families traveling together, and a butler is available to help with all your needs and itinerary planning. Excellent chefs are available to prepare delectable meals from peanut butter and jelly to fresh caught fish, or even dramatic holiday dinners!
For those who prefer the resort lifestyle, but cherish the space and privacy of a villa, look no further than the Little Nell in Aspen! The ski-in/ski-out resort is a winter wonderland! Ajax Tavern with their
San Jose Del Cabo, Mexico
incredible burgers and truffle fries is right next door to the resort, and there’s tons of places to play in the snow. Plan your winter stay now as this highly sought-after resort fills up fast!
One thing we can’t control when we travel with or without kids is the weather, and nothing can ruin a vacation like being crammed into a hotel room waiting for the weather to change. Getting on one
Costa Rica
another’s nerves is not on anyone’s itinerary. Having the ability to spread out and enjoy the amenities of your villa can definitely help. Many villas have board games, some have video games, and often times you will find a selection of books, movies or music. In any case, room to roam is a very good thing!
Wherever we go, and whatever we do, we do it to bring us closer together as a family. Being under one roof as opposed to multiple hotel rooms can do just that. Family travel creates life-long memories that are only a blink away, and they are so worth investing in! To read more on accommodating kid’s eating habits read my blog titled, “Traveling with Kids: What’s for Dinner?”
Where would you like to go to create lasting memories for your family? Is villa travel right for you and your family? . Email Judy Sweetland at jsweetland@privatetradewinds.com
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