Three Generation Family Vacation
When we started to think about how we would celebrate our 45th wedding anniversary we considered a family vacation. The problem what type of vacation would be suitable for all family members, especially with the ages of the grandchildren running from 6 years to 16 years. We decided on a Caribbean Cruise on a family friendly ship. One of the best decisions we made. The ship offered a host of activities that met the needs of all age groups and had a suite that accommodated the entire family. And the Caribbean Ports of Call provided an ample choice of shore excursions that pleased all
One of the most memorial shore excursion was to Dunn’s River Falls in Ocho Rios, Jamaica. My grandson thought we were going to just see the Falls but was ecstatic to discover on our arrival that we would be climbing the Falls. It was truly a family adventure since we were required to hold hands and climb the Falls together, helping each other in making the climb creating a great family experience.
Dunns River Falls
In Georgetown, Grand Cayman we all participated in different excursions. Some went snorkeling, others to the turtle farm and swimming with the stingrays while we toured the Island
Swimming with Dolphins
Our last port of call Cozumel, Mexico gave us the opportunity to swim with the Dolphins, and spend some time at the beach.
Family Photo Formal Night
Another highlight that we did not expect was that the grandchildren enjoyed dressing for the formal nights.
Two Tickets to Paradise!
Infinity Pool Suite
by Leah Wuergler
Pack your bags! Wait…I just unpacked. Good song though!
I went to Cancun with my sister in law Aug 6-9. It was amazing. I love Cancun and think it is amazing just about every time I go…………..but, this time was different. This time was blissful and unreal.
We stayed at the El Dorado Maroma! It’s an adults only all inclusive in the Riviera Maya. When you arrive they hand you a glass of champagne and welcome you to paradise. Let me tell you…let me say words to you and have you hear me! They aren’t kidding around.
The view from my BEACH BED!
View 2
This was the most beautiful resort I have ever been to. As a travel agent I get to travel quite a bit…and I’m sure I will see many more wonderful things. But, I wonder if anything will ever compare to the El Dorado Maroma.
The beach was soft white sand, the water was clear and you could walk out so far! The Marina Maroma is next door…but, I’m surprised about how little noise you hear from the boats and jet skis.
Now, you all know I like food………………..but, can I tell you how much I like gourmet food? PEOPLE! I even at seafood over the weekend. I had clams, lobster, something that was slightly crunchy, shrimp and Mahi Mahi! Now, will I be eating seafood again in the near future? NO. The slightly crunchy thing scared me, but the lobster was pretty good!
I will say that there were times I wished my brother could be there with my sister in law instead. The resort is so full of romance! But, there were also times when I wished I had a special someone to share it with as well.
The staff was amazing and attentive…I can’t say enough about my trip. I can’t say enough about how well we were treated and how much I want to go back tomorrow.
Enjoying the music
Get your tickets! If you get what you pay for…..then pay for paradise and travel without a care in the world! It’s the only way to go!!!
Ramona in the Riviera Maya
The Family Enjoying the Riviera Maya
An all- inclusive package is probably the best vacation option for a young family with small kids. It’s so comforting to know that everything is arranged and planned and there’s nothing left for you to worry about! You can then truly enjoy spending time with your beloved ones and making precious memories!
Our experiences so far have been great, thanks to Legacy Travel. We’ve been to Riviera Maya twice so far (Grand Sirenis last year and Iberostar Tucan this year) and I have never regretted my choices! Riviera Maya is close enough so that two small kids like mine (ages 2 and 4) wouldn’t get too tired travelling, it is moderately expensive so you don’t have to give up all your life savings just to spend a week at the ocean, and the hotel and dining services are overall impressive. We’ve traveled through Apple Vacations and everything went as planned.
The Beach at Iberostar Quetzal/Tucan
The beach at Iberostar Tucan was clean, well- maintained and it did have the exotic touch that we expected it to have. Check out the wonderful clear water, the palm trees, and the sandy shore in the pictures that I’m attaching! The beach at Grand Sirenis is just as wonderful, but the shore is a little rocky, so we had to wear water shoes. This year, at Iberostar Tucan, we even made plans to try some of the water activities in the future, when the kids grow a little. There are options such as snorkeling, scuba diving, jet skiing, swimming with dolphins. There are also archeological tours that I would love to take, but they imply, of course, some more travel and I was sure they wouldn’t have been too interesting to my small kids. No doubt I will do all these later though.
The meal options were great at both places even though it seemed to me that the Grand Sirenis service was slightly better (the choices were more varied). In my perspective, this made up for the rocky beach☺ Grand Sirenis also has extras such as a lazy river, a coffee shop, and an ice cream shop. Iberostar Tucan doesn’t have all these extras, but it offers wonderful exotic scenery: peacocks, monkeys, egrets, flamingos, parrot are part of the family there!
Iberostar Tucan
Monkeys at Iberostar Tucan
Beach at Iberostar Tucan
For those who love entertainment, there are choices here too. There’s a musical program for kids that my little ones loved and there’s also adult shows with live music and dance every night. The show that I liked the best was a selection of Mexican folklore dance.
We will definitely want to go back to Riviera Maya in the future.
Brad and Kelly – Valentin Imperial Maya
Brad and Kelly at the Valentin
Kelly and I just returned from Playa del Carmen and the celebration of our 20 year anniversary (ok, a few months early). We had a splendid time in this paradise on the Mayan Riviera, south of Cancun. We honeymooned in Cancun in 1989 and returned twice in the 1990s. Much has changed…more commercial and not so undiscovered anymore. Every place we spent money accepted the US dollar…felt like home. Playa del Carmen remains fairly quiet unlike the chaos in Cancun. We did everything we set out to do this week…lots of rest on the beach.
We stayed at the Valentin Imperial Maya – an all inclusive, 5 star resort. Everything from the architecture of the buildings, to the gardens, to the room, to the 8 themed restaurants, to the 9 bars, to the largest swimming pool we have ever seen, to the amazing white sand/turquoise waters and the hospitality of our Mexican hosts was – Awesome. Every single person greeted us with a smile and “Hola”. As large as the resort is, it never felt crowded as it is spread out over many acres and attendance is down due to the economy. We HIGHLY recommend this resort – it’s adults only and caters to those that want a quiet week on the beach and to those that desire lots of activities.
Now, the real reason for including you on this email. We want to recommend our new best friend – Terrah Rominger of Legacy Travel in Plano. Her recommendation of the Valentin was based on her prior stays at the Valentin and what we said we were looking for in a vacation. She hit it out of the park. You can reach her through the Legacy website at http://www.legacytravel.com/profiles.html
Special thanks to Grandma and Grandpa Harwick and Texas Tech Red Raider Meghan for taking care of our kids! Ya’ll did great!
Buenas Dias,
Brad and Kelly
The Beach at the Valentin Imperial Maya
Home is….
….where the heart is? Then I have not been home in years. My heart is with these people:
Leah's Family
(Note: My Mom, Dad and older brother are missing from this photo.)
My heart is with my family, my heart is with Disney, my heart is with my friends, and my heart is always on the road. I did not want to come back to Texas! Even though it was hot and muggy…it was magic for me.
Granted, I didn’t like all of Disneyworld. I could have done without most of Animal Kingdom, I’m sad that Space Mountain was closed, I’m sad they didn’t have the Indiana Jones ride….and I never found a churro. (Although, the cream cheese pretzel MORE than made up for the loss of a churro)
I’m actually hoping to get to Disneyland in October. I’m going to Cancun next week! I’m happier on the road. I love the adventure….but, my favorite part about being on the road is the learning.
I think that’s why I spent so much of my life moving! New surroundings meant new people, new lessons, and maybe a new Leah. But, I didn’t change….well, I guess growth is a change. But, I didn’t change the way I set out to. I did learn though.
Oh….how I learned. But, I got sick of moving. The excitement of the new surroundings died after years of boxes, storage, buying and selling furniture, and job searching. Now I am in a place where I want to find a home off the road. Although, the need for new lessons and adventure will never leave me.
For now…my heart is on the road. And until I get to Cancun next week……..I will pine for my adventures in Florida at the second happiest place on Earth.
