Come back from your vacation feeling truly refreshed

Resting, relaxing, recharging - that's the name of the game when you are on vacation. But how often do you get the chance to explore and experience opportunities to improve your health and wellness?

Perhaps it's time to try a different type of vacation - one that can have a lasting effect on your personal well-being. Resorts offering wellness programs are one of the most recent trends in the travel industry that present an opportunity for true renewal during your getaway.

Active vacations have long been an option for travelers, but the aim of wellness-centered getaways is arming guests with suggestions and ideas that they can take home with them so they can continue to improve their health. These types of lessons are mixed with more exotic activities often identified with vacations, such as zip-lining. 
Whether you are traveling with a family or with business associates, wellness retreats offer options for everyone. Here are a few examples of how a wellness vacation would work for different types of travelers:
Families: If you're traveling as a family, taking a wellness class or two during your time at a resort can be a great way for Mom and Dad to get some quality time together while the kids attend other supervised programs. If you have older children, taking a fitness class or cooking class together can be a great bonding experience.

Corporate retreats: Corporate wellness retreats can enhance regular business gatherings designed to reinvigorate employees. Since companies can save on health insurance costs when employees are healthier, organizing a trip with a wellness component can be a fun and relevant way to encourage healthy habits.

Personal: If you're looking for a way to relax on your own, wellness retreats offer the chance for self-improvement during your getaway. They also can provide an opportunity to socialize with other guests while enjoying your time away.

Group trips: Activities offered through wellness centers, like cooking classes and group fitness activities, can provide a great opportunity to bond with friends. By going through the experience together, you can also help each other stay on track with wellness goals when you go home.

While you may gather the impression that a wellness getaway would interfere with much-needed downtime, most programs allow visitors to opt in to as many sessions as they would like. Therefore, you can still kick back and enjoy your time away.

For more on destination wellness vacations in the Riviera Maya, visit http://www.rivieramayaweb.com/

Source: http://www.bonnersferryherald.com/

Going It Alone: 12 Tips For Vacationing With Grandchildren

By Nancy Schretter, Editor


Many of today's seniors are craving more time to connect with their grandchildren. That's just one reason why multigenerational travel is one of the fastest growing segments of the leisure travel market. According to the Travel Industry Association of America, thirty percent of traveling grandparents in the U.S. have taken at least one vacation with their grandchildren and that number is expected to skyrocket.

Independent grandparents who are seasoned travelers have taken this trend one step further by planning vacations alone with their grandchildren. This allows lots of one-on-one time together, forging strong bonds and creating memories that will last a lifetime. Many grandparents plan these events around a special occasion, such as a graduation or birthday. Others start taking regular trips alone with their grandchildren once the kids reach eight or nine years of age.

If you are contemplating traveling with the grandchildren in tow, make sure to walk before you run. Ease into intergenerational travel with careful planning and an open mind. Here are twelve tips to help make your vacation with the grandkids an "awesome" success:

Have your grandchildren take turns. Many grandparents have found that traveling with one or two grandchildren at a time works out best. Taking two provides each grandchild with companionship and entertainment, but double the pleasure may not be double the fun. Traveling with one grandchild at a time is generally less stressful and allows more time for those special one-on-one bonding experiences grandparents crave.

Do a test run. Start with a short trip together before traveling alone with your grandchildren for an extended vacation. Take an excursion to the zoo, a day trip to a nearby lake or beach, or invite them to stay at your house for the weekend. This will let you see how you interact together and find out if your grandchildren are ready to go with you on a longer journey away from home.

Talk with the parents. Creating successful vacations with grandchildren depends on developing a good understanding of their interests, preferences, habits and personalities. Talk with your children about your travel plans and ask for their advice on the length and type of trip. Parents can provide invaluable insights about their children's favorite interests, activity levels, needs for supervision and peer companionship, as well as their sleeping and eating habits. Use this information to help design your trip.

Consider health, safety and personality issues. Plan an intergenerational vacation that will cater to the needs of all ages rather than one solely designed with the grandchildren in mind. Be honest about your own preferences and limitations as well as those of the grandchildren, and keep in mind any activity, diet or health restrictions. If standing in long lines is not comfortable for you, think twice about going to a theme park. Likewise, if your grandchildren are accustomed to plenty of daily structured activities with kids their own age, you may wish to choose a cruise line, tour or resort that offers daily children's and teens' programs.

Brainstorm and plan the trip together. Travel experts have found that the most successful family vacations are those that involve both parents and children in choosing destinations and planning for their trip. The same is true for intergenerational travel. Talk with your grandchildren about their interests, activities, favorite sports and dream destinations. Tell them more about your goals for the trip - such as having fun, getting to know each other better, experiencing enriching activities together, and learning about the world. Take the time to share your own experiences and travel interests as well. Through these conversations, you will learn more about each other and find destinations and activities that all of you can enjoy.

Look for travel agents with experience in intergenerational vacations. Trips with grandchildren have grown in popularity over the last decade. As a result, travel agents are more experienced in catering to the needs of this burgeoning market. Using the information gleaned from your discussions with your children and grandchildren, knowledgeable travel specialists can direct you to a variety of vacation destinations, tour companies, cruise lines, theme parks and resorts that will meet your needs. These agents can also help design a fun-filled itinerary that will allow you to bond with your grandchildren in a way that is only possible through travel. If you are interested in a group travel experience, companies such as Grandtravel, Adventures by Disney, and Elderhostel Intergenerational Tours are experienced in intergenerational travel and offer a variety of tours from which to choose.

Set a budget and shop for savings. Successful trips with grandchildren do not have to be expensive ones. The best intergenerational vacations are those that are designed with your personalities, needs and interests in mind. Decide on a comfortable budget for your trip and make sure to include such items as souvenirs, tips, and a few unexpected activities or necessities. To help stretch your vacation dollars, make sure to look for discounts provided by membership organizations like AAA and AARP as well as special travel promotions offered by cruise lines, resorts, and tour operators. Search the Internet for deals and discounts, too. When calculating your budget, however, be careful to consider the needs of your traveling companions and cut corners wisely. For example, even though on-property theme park lodging may be more expensive, it is often well worth the cost for easy proximity at naptime or to provide the chance for a relaxing afternoon swim. Go over your final itinerary with your children and make sure they feel comfortable with your travel plans.

Build in private time together as well as "down" or "apart" time. While the goal of your trip is to create shared memories, it is also important to remember that children need time to burn off energy and enjoy the company of kids their own age. Likewise, grandparents need quiet periods for rest and some adult company as well. Keep this in mind when sorting through your vacation options. Cruises and intergenerational tours are popular for this reason. They offer supervised activities and programs for children and teens, allowing grandparents to enjoy some time on their own. These itineraries typically also include blocks of time for shared activities, such as meals, tours, excursions to local attractions, entertainment, and group events. Remember to stay flexible on your trip, as children's moods and interests can change constantly. If you and your grandchildren find something you'd rather do, be spontaneous and go with the flow rather than sticking with the planned schedule.

Keep up the excitement. Travel plans are often made far in advance of the trip, but out of sight doesn't have to mean out of mind. Pick up some travel brochures and a guidebook and share them with your grandchildren. Look for books that are set in your vacation destination and send them along in the mail. The Internet contains a variety of websites with pictures of your destination and information on activities that can be easily shared via e-mail. As the date draws closer, send along a suggested packing list for the trip.

Be prepared and expect the unexpected. Make a list of items that you and your grandchildren will need to bring on your trip. These include identification, contact and health insurance information, a notarized letter empowering you to act in case of medical emergencies, recent photos, and medicines. In addition, check the latest federal requirements well in advance and bring the proper travel documents with you. If your grandchildren have any dietary needs or medication requirements, make sure to be aware of those and have a written record as well. In addition, bring along a notarized letter from the parents authorizing travel with the grandchildren if you will be traveling internationally. Some countries require this and rules vary, so it is better to be safe than sorry. Take a few additional items in your carry-on luggage along with medicines and travel documents, such as a cell phone for emergencies, a change of clothes and bathing suit in case luggage is lost, and travel games and snacks for the trip. Think ahead and plan for occurrences such as air travel delays, illness, and homesickness. If unforeseen events happen, stay positive. Your grandchildren will learn important life lessons from watching you on this trip.

Make space for a few favorite items. Allow your grandchildren to bring along a few comfort items on the trip, such as a stuffed animal or blanket, books, or a portable music source with headphones. If your grandchildren usually sleep with a night light, make sure to pack one for your room. Travel backpacks and activity kits can be a lifesaver on plane and car rides. Make one easily by filling a small backpack with items such as colored pencils, story books, activity books, magnetic games, card games, travel-size board games, hand held electronic games, sticker books, non-melting crayons, coloring books, Mad-Libs, paper dolls, magic slates, small cars, finger puppets, small action figures, felt books with stick-ons, sewing cards, puzzles, pipe cleaners, and origami paper.

Capture and preserve your vacation memories. Consider giving each grandchild a journal and a disposable camera to bring along on your journey. Kids love taking their own pictures and it is fascinating to see travel through their eyes. In addition, be sure to bring along plenty of digital memory cards or film to capture every moment of your trip. Pictures and postcards can be put into a scrapbook after you return, providing a lasting keepsake of your wonderful experiences together.

©Copyright 2011. The Beacon Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved
Source: The Family Travel Network

Is Safety an Issue for Americans Living in Mexico?

During the past few months, it's been an ongoing theme that just about every article I've written for Escape From America Magazine or Expat Daily News, at least one concerned reader asks why safety isn't mentioned. This is with good reason; with all the news reports on violence, that seem to be more and more frequent, any retiree or other potential expat has the right to be concerned, and ask.


Why, then, don't I dedicate at least half of every article I write to talking about violence?

The bottom line is, those of us who live in Mexico don't think about it much. Our lives our defined by walks on the beach, bike rides, sports, a relaxing culture, excellent food, etc. Of course, those of us who aren't retired yet work too. As far as problems are concerned, we're much more likely to be thinking about the annoying bureaucracy of government offices; although this only turns up when you have to renew your visa or if you start the process of becoming a permanent resident, it's something we have to deal with far more often than violence. In fact, most of us never experience or witness violence. (Note: it's not seldom or infrequent – it's never, for the majority of us.)

When I write my articles about life in Mexico, or about the different real estate areas people could consider buying properties, I write about the issues that define our lives as expats - the things we think about, the things we do and see.

The worst crime I've witnessed was that when I lived in Mexico City, I saw young Mexican guy being robbed coming out of the subway; he walked away completely unharmed. Petty theft can happen, but that's true in any U.S. city, big or small. Even petty theft, however, is not something we see every day, or even every month or year; especially not here in the main tourist and expat centers. Even Mexican nationals I know are shocked and appalled when they hear that their cousin who lives in another city was robbed, and will remember the event for years to come. It's by no means common, although its by far the worst crime problem that exists for regular residents. You do have to avoid leaving a big fat wallet hanging out of your back pocket, or leaving a purse sitting on a park bench, but this the same common sense you would use in a U.S. city.

This contrasts heavily to the news Mexicans hear of the senseless killings and serial murders that take place in the U.S. on an ever more frequent basis. Sadly and unfortunately, it's often impossible to identify the motivation of these events. When it comes to petty theft, at least you know what their looking for, and 99% of the time, it can be avoided through common sense.

Many expats in communities like Lake Chapala, Playa del Carmen or Puerto Vallarta say they actually feel safer than in their home city.

So, what about the big news reports about dozens of drug-related deaths? Are they exaggerated? The details are definitely not fabricated, and the problem of drug violence is a real one. No one has to invent anything to make these stories shocking.

But news reports fail to put the details into perspective; the headlines of CNN state "Dozens die in Mexico." Mexico is huge. Where did this happen? Who were these people?

The reality is that these events happen mostly up in areas along the U.S. border with 3 or 4 other isolated pockets throughout the country. In virtually every situation of this sort, all the people involved are members of the warring drug mobs. That's why even Mexican nationals in most communities throughout the country feel fairly distant from these problems. (Mexican news papers are actually worse about this kind of exaggeration and lack of perspective than U.S. papers, by the way.)

We also hear the news sometimes that a tourist experiences violence, or even worse, in one of these beautiful paradise locations. No one can deny that these unfortunate things to happen now and then. But again, the events are not put into perspective; when one American is attacked in [name any beachfront city], we forget the number of Americans here at the time. In some of these areas there are upwards of 50,000 expats, and this number is greatly swelled by large influxes of tourists. When the stats are compared, the rate of violent crime against Americans is still much lower here than back home.

The news is much more shocking when it happens to someone away on vacation to relax. News sources know this and capitalize on it to grab people's attention.

While living in Mexico, expats are generally so distant from all of this, that we forget about it. We go home to visit, and are surprised by concerns of friends and family. It's not something we think about, most of the time – usually only when a friend from back home calls or e-mails us concerned about our safety.

If you're concerned about safety in Mexico, start by talking to someone you know who lives here, or comes on vacations regularly. Then come and see for yourself; you'll be pleasantly surprised.

TOPMexicoRealEstate.com; Mexico's Leading Network of Specialists for Finding and Purchasing Mexican Properties Safely

If you are considering Living In Mexico there are hundreds of articles and resources on EscapeArtist that you can browse for more information.

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Is it time for airlines to offer child-free travel options?

An air-rage-fueled rebellion is brewing, as travelers without children pressure airlines to protect them from their worst travel nightmare — being seated next to a relentlessly screaming toddler. Nearly 60 percent of travelers surveyed by price-comparison website Skyscanner said airlines should put all groups with children in a "families only" section on flights, and there have been several recent scuffles over poorly behaved kids who angered other passengers. Is it time for airlines to offer child-free travel options?

It would certainly make flying more pleasant: It's just a fact of life, says Kim Gray at Modern Family. Passengers who don't have toddlers of their own "dread" dealing with "ear-piercing wails" and "foul-smelling diapers," especially on long flights. Child-free flights might not be feasible, but it's easy to understand why people want them.

"Child-free flights"

What a "ridiculous" proposal: "Airlines are not going to stick families together," say the editors of Online Travel Review. It would just spawn another protest — from parents who resent being relegated to a section filled with youngsters. Yes, it's no fun to sit next to a crying baby. "We've all been there. Get over it."

"The NY Times on child-free flights and airline amenities"

Parents just need to act responsibly: "As a parent, I know that unpredictable things can happen," says Kim Stuart Swidler at the Albany, N.Y., Times-Union. Those of us who travel with kids need to anticipate the problems, keep our offspring in line, and — if necessary — rethink our travel plans. If a kid can't sit through a half-hour meal at a restaurant, don't try to take him on a three-hour flight.

Flying next to kids is not all right, some travelers are telling airlines, after a string of high-profile, midair tantrums

Original Posted at The Week.