I remember my first snowy Christmas.  It was when my husband and I first moved to Colorado Springs just after our wedding 10 years ago.  We visited a local hotel there and were amazed at the ice sculptures and train displays.  I couldn’t imagine anything better… until now!   My family and I were blessed to spend a few days at the Gaylord Texan and experience a resort that does so much more than decorate for Christmas; it brings fantasy, theatrics, and whimsy together to create the ultimate family getaway!

The moment my family and I stepped into the lobby of the Gaylord Texan, we knew we were going to have a good time.   The lobby opened up into a massive atrium filled with giant soldiers, over 52 rotating Christmas trees, several train displays, toy soldier stilt walkers, balloon makers, over 1.5 million Christmas lights, and so much more.  We loved walking inside the giant gingerbread house which smelled oh, so sweet, visiting Santa, and shaking hands with Dreamworks characters like Shrek, Puss & Boots, and King Julien!   The atrium’s winding riverwalks were each unique and my children loved looking at the fish and spurting fountains.

The very friendly bell led my family and I to our adjoining rooms which had amazing views into the atrium.  We opened the balcony doors and instantly felt connected with the energy and excitement of our surroundings!  The rooms themselves were large and immaculate, one with a king bed and one with two queens, but each with a flat screen tv, dark wood, light walls, and upscale Texan décor.  Altogether, it was breathtaking!

Each year, the Gaylord Texan puts on a spectacular display called ICE!, and this year they joined Dreamworks Animation for an unforgettable attraction!  With special artisans flown in from Harbin, China, 2 million pounds of ice, and a temperature of only 9 degrees, it took a month to put together this wintery wonderland in which Shrek learns the true meaning of Christmas.  The ICE! tent also includes giant ice slides, a Christmas light display put to music, a video about the making of ICE! and a breathtaking nativity scene made of crystal clear ice.

In the room next to where ICE! takes place, join Kung Fu Panda’s Po for indoor snow tubing with occasional Po sightings.  I had as much fun as my children did grabbing an inner tube and sliding down the snow covered slopes!   Next to the slides and past the gift shop, you can meet Shrek in his home or get a piping hot cup of cocoa.

The Gaylord Texan is such a unique and fun experience, you’ll want to make this visit an annual tradition…I know we do!  From the immaculate cleanliness of the resort as a whole and the overwhelming displays and creations, you will never be bored and will never want to leave.  Start making those plans for Christmas 2012!

Park City, Utah, once a silver mining boom town deep in the Wasatch Mountain Range, has been transformed over the past few decades into one of the most family friendly vacation destinations in the USA.  Just like it lured hopeful miners in search of silver fortune and drew the 2002 Winter Olympians going for gold, Park City continues to attract numerous visitors in search of something special.  Here are just a few of my family’s favorite things about Park City.

 Historical, Cultural and Environmental Attractions

Civic pride has ensured that visitors come away from Park City with a greater appreciation of its history and future place on the world stage.  If you are driving into town, stop by the Kimball Junction Visitors Center  to pick up a training schedule for the nearby Utah Olympic Park.  We had a thrill riding in a bobsled along the same track that was used in the 2002 Olympic Games and our professional driver made sure we were racing along at top speed.  After our victory dance, we explored the Park’s two museums, the Alf Engen Ski Museum and Eccles Salt Lake 2002 Olympic Winter Games Museum.  We even got to touch a real Olympic torch!

If you prefer to keep your feet on the ground, explore the great outdoors at your own pace at the Swaner Preserve and Eco-Center.  There we learned about this region’s natural habitat and saw some of the plants and animals that make their homes in the mountains surrounding Park City.  While in downtown Park City, stop by the Park City Museum  to learn about the transformation from a silver mining town to a world-class ski destination.  Be sure to visit all three floors of the museum including  the basement which houses The Dungeon, the original jail which is always popular.  Artistic kids may prefer the creative exhibits at the Kimball Art Center.  The docents are always eager to chat about the artists and their works which helps engage our kindergartner. Her eyes light up when she discovers artwork she likes.  That’s a treasure worth sharing anytime!

Ski and Snowboard Resorts

Only 45 minutes from Salt Lake City International Airport, Park City is home to three of the top-rated ski resorts in the world:  Canyons Resort, Deer Valley Resort, and Park City Mountain Resort.  Families flock to these mountains not only for the incredible range of terrain to suit any level skier, but also for Utah’s famous powder dubbed the greatest snow on earth!  Park City Mountain Resort is where my kindergartner learned to ski so it will always hold a special place in my heart.  Ski Magazine named Park City Mountain Resort as the #1 Family Vacation for 2012.  If you or your kiddos need a few lessons, do yourself and them a favor…go with the pros!  The ski, snowboard and adaptive school instructors are absolutely incredible.  I went from a beginner to a confident green trails skier in just three days.  Now, I cannot wait to return!  If your family is made up of mixed level skiers, there are some amazing group meetups on the mountain; the black diamond skiers can venture off on the resort’s famous groomed trails while the beginners can safely ski at their own pace on the turtle trails.  This was such a relief and no one got hurt trying to ski a trail they were not ready to explore.  If you’re looking to refill hungry tummies, the Cobra Dogs are legendary and the bison chili at the Legacy Lodge is my personal fave.  Some of the resorts, such as the Marriot’s MountainSide, have outdoor hot tubs which are a huge hit after spending a few hours on the slopes.

Hand-crafted Snow Bugs, made in Utah by Frank Conlon, make great souvenirs and hang in our house to remind us of our time spent on the slopes.  They are  a great conversation starter when guests visit.  The Snow Bugs are available for purchase at all three Park City resorts as well as at the SLC airport.

We’ve found that a vacation to Park City is like a silver lined memory all dusted with snow.  Once you visit this magical land, you’ll find yourself dreaming of a return trip just like we are.  Hope to see you there!

Stay tuned for more in depth ski resort anaylsis on Trekroo:  January 2012.

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For families traveling on a budget, a trip to an all-inclusive beach front resort in Cancun is an ideal way to plan for an enjoyable vacation any time of year.  For those of you unfamiliar with all-inclusive resorts, once you check in, all of your drinks and meals are included.  There are no unexpected fees which allow you to kick back and relax.  AMResorts Now Sapphire, Now Jade and Dreams Riviera Cancun are luxurious full service getaways overlooking the Caribbean Sea.   Their attention to detail is evident in all aspects of the resort’s offerings.  From the varied menu selections to the relaxing spas and energetic youth program activities, the staff happily caters to the needs of each family member.  We easily slipped into a relaxed vacation mindset as soon as we were settled in our spacious room.  The only challenge we had during our stay was deciding which fabulous restaurant to eat in every day.  Somehow, we managed.

Accommodations

Now Resorts& Spas offer a variety of beautiful accommodations to suit any size family.  Guestrooms are all nonsmoking rooms, have high ceilings and plenty of space to spread out.  The flat screen TVs have familiar network cable programs and internet access allows you to stay in touch with things back home as much or as little as you like.  One room would be fine for a family of four but if you prefer a bit more space, you can opt for adjoining rooms which are ideally set up with one king bed in one room and two queen beds in the other.  Both rooms have large bathrooms with hot tubs, a separate sitting area and great views of either the beach or garden areas.  You’ll pay a bit more for the beachfront views but the sunrises are spectacular!  The plush bathrobes, whirlpool bath, minibar and 24-hour room service really could tempt you into staying cuddled up in your room with good books, but you’d miss out on all of the other fabulous parts of the resort–  like the restaurants!

Dining

Whether you’re in the mood for a romantic fine dining date, casual beach front fare or just want to float over for a drink of the day from the pool bar, these resorts offer plenty of tasty options.  Each day, we enjoyed a delicious breakfast buffet with a wide variety of familiar favorites, local selections, custom omelet orders and exotic fruit juices all while watching the sunrise over the Caribbean Sea.  There are plenty of kid friendly choices to suit even the pickiest eaters and there are lowered buffet counter heights so the kids can see their special menu options.  For lunch and dinner, we decided to try as many restaurants as possible to see if the quality was as wonderful from place to place.  It was!  Everything we ordered was presented so beautifully, tasted fantastic and was full of delicious flavors.  There is a no-reservations policy but we never had to wait more than five minutes to be seated.  The Paramour, an adults-only fine dining restaurant, was an ideal way to spend the last night of our stay.  The food presentation, wine pairing and service were delightfully top-notch.

Kids Activities

The Explorers Kids Club is an adventure waiting to happen for kiddos from 3-12 years old.  Starting each day at 9am, parents can sign in their children for a day filled with arts and crafts, movies, and outdoor games. Under the watchful eyes of the American Red Cross certified staff, the kids engage in all sorts of playground, beach and pool games as well as create some adorable, Mexican themed arts and crafts.  We saw the kids create decorations that were then used on the dinnertime buffet tables for resort guests.  The play areas are clean, colorful and safe.  The Mayan rock climbing wall at the Dreams Riviera Cancun and the Now Sapphire’s kids splash pool and playground look like so much fun that even the grownups want to play there.  But they can’t, it’s for kids only, 3-12 which made lots of the kids feel like extra special resort guests…and they are! The Explorers Kids Club is open until 10pm and babysitting services are also available separate from the Explorers Club.

The Now Entertainment team also coordinates daily activities for teens ages 13 to 17 in the Core Zone Teens Club.  We saw Spanish lessons, water polo, beach volleyball and ping pong tournaments that kept the kids engaged, laughing and making new friends.  The schedule of activities changes daily and is announced in the resort’s “Sundial” newsletter which is delivered to your door each morning.  With the kids safely engrossed in their activities, it was time for some pampering at the spa.

Spa

If you want to really indulge your senses, there are wonderful spas at all three of the resort properties.  We were warmly greeted with cucumber water then given a tour on what amenities were available to us during our spa visit.  As I slipped on the warm, fluffy robe and slippers, I felt my tensions melt away.  Besides the massage, my favorite spa experience was the outdoor cascading Jacuzzi but I did not have the courage to take the cold water plunge as the final step in the hydrotherapy circuit…maybe next time.  The staff was friendly and professional and the décor was a tropical paradise.   Take the time and treat yourself to a spa visit.  You’ll be glad that you did!  Additional costs apply and vary depending on the services provided.  Spa promotions are offered daily so check with the concierge or read the “Sundial” newsletter for the latest deals.

Ground Transportation and Airport Shuttles

Getting to the resort from the airport was a breeze!  After clearing customs, we followed the AmResort signs and easily found a uniformed representative from the shuttle bus company.  We were directed to wait for our driver at a designated spot and just moments later, we were climbing aboard a new, air conditioned van on our way to the resort.   The drive took about fifteen minutes on a four lane highway.  We even passed a few familiar fast food restaurants!

Ground transportation via airport shuttles can easily be arranged through the resort as part of any type of vacation package.  Of course, an additional fee would apply but the convenience is worth it!  You can always opt to rent a car and drive to the resort but unless you plan to go sightseeing on your own, I would suggest taking the shuttles.

Holiday and Family Specials

To add to your holiday cheer, there are a variety of family friendly discounts available at the Now Resorts.  Special holiday dinner menus will be offered at each of the Cancun Now Resorts and the Kids Explorers Club will feature unique holiday-themed crafts.  Rest assured, NFL games will be shown on big screen TVs in the sports bars as well as outdoors at a starlit tailgate party.  In between the games, you can work off your holiday meal while playing flag football on the beach with other guests.

Please visit the Now Resorts website to take a virtual tour of these beautiful resorts and to see the latest travel specials available.

Disclosure:  Thank you to the Now Sapphire Resort for hosting me on this Mexican adventure.  As always, the opinions expressed in this article are my own. 

Lisa-Marie Leihy is Trekaroo’s Florida Destination Guroo

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Ahhhh… the Holiday Season is here!  What could be better than whisking your family off to Italy to enjoy winter in Venice???

If you are like me, this thought has run through your head a few times, but the actual planning, organizing, and financing a trip of these sorts is more than you can jump on board with.  This year, instead, my family indulged in a much closer Venice.  The Palazzo and The Venetian Hotels in Las Vegas, collectively the largest five-diamond resort in the world, have created a magical Venetian holiday package that will draw your family (as it did ours) into the wonder of a holiday in Europe, only much closer to home.

My family in front of one of the beautiful fountains in "Venice"

If you have never been to these resorts, or even to Las Vegas for that matter, let me explain that everything – from the architecture of the buildings to the painted ceilings, and even canals inside the mall made to look like streets in Venice – gives the very authentic representation of being in Venice, Italy.  The added holiday decorations, lights, strolling carolers, as well as the fun, whimsical walking entertainers give the finishing touches of Venice during Christmas.  The Venetian and The Palazzo are beautifully adorned in holiday cheer from their large interior atriums with beautiful glass snowflakes, to tiny touches in all the shops, to the amazing 65 foot LED Christmas tree, ice skating rink, and holiday lights outdoors.

Giant LED Christmas Tree

The Palazzo is offering a lovely Winter in Venice package that my family was thrilled to enjoy.  The Prestige level package includes a fantastic assortment of holiday cheer including your stay in a luxury or bella suite, two ice-skating rentals, two free hot chocolates for warming up (yes, it was actually quite chilly at night in Vegas, helping to aid the Venetian theme!), access to the Prestige lounge that offers daily continental breakfast, afternoon snacks and evening hors d’oeuvres and a hosted bar.  In this private, smoke-free, non-Vegas feeling lounge area, Santa & Mrs. Clause stop in nightly to meet with kids and read them Christmas stories; later at night, festive holiday movies are even shown!

Your stay also includes an elf tuck in, which was the highlight of my kid’s stay.  I was a bit intimidated by how this would play out, but was so pleasantly surprised.  An adorably festive and cute female elf arrived in our room as scheduled, with a decorated holiday cart full of goodies playing quiet Christmas music.  She brought each of our girls a Christmas plate full of beautifully decorated cookies and cute glasses full of milk – all that they got to keep.  She then read them the story of “Christopher Pop-In-Kins”, and presented them with their own Christopher elf (and book) that would come alive at our house and report back to Santa each night.  Our girls were truly caught up in the wonder of this activity and it was such a fun, magical experience for all of us.

Elf tuck in with cookies & milk

The whole resort is taking part in the Winter in Venice theme and your booking includes a free gift from the shops at the Palazzo and a shopping passport; restaurants are offering holiday prix-fix menus, and you will find special holiday concoctions at bars and eateries around the resort. The prestige package has more perks than I can list here; you can read my full review of The Palazzo (and see all of the benefits of booking a Prestige package.)  One of the coolest benefits of this package was the free access to the Canyon Ranch Spa, full of classes, a very cool Aquavana water treatment experience, and a full service salon and spa.  The resort treated me to one of their Winter in Venice body treatments, a holiday cocoon consisting of a deep exfoliation and then relaxing wrap.  No more last minute Christmas shopping for dad, hint to him how much you would love a relaxing spa day—your Winter in Venice package includes a $40 voucher toward any spa treatment!

Beautiful Angel "statue" coming to life as we took the picture

Every night, the outside of the Venetian rings in the season hourly (on the half) with a festive holiday light show highlighting the amazing focus the resort has placed on the Winter season.  Statue-like drummers come to life with epic “Blue Man Group” style entertainment, violinists rock out to some upbeat holiday tunes, and a magnificent angel lights the LED Christmas tree.  All of this, set outside with beautiful lights and decorations, lighted gondolas passing by, and outdoor ice skating under the lights and stars, makes for an incredibly themed holiday getaway that you won’t want to miss.

Watch this video following my family on our trip:

Disclosure:  I received a complimentary Prestige package at The Palazzo in order to write about my experiences.  All opinions are entirely my own.

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Navarre Beach, Historic Milton, and the Blackwater River are all part of Santa Rosa County, Florida, located between Pensacola and Destin. I have lived less than 45 minutes from Santa Rosa County for years but I haven’t done a lot of exploring in the area.  During a tour of the area where I got to play tourist for a long weekend, I was excited to visit some old tried and true favorites but I was also surprised to find some family friendly activities that we hadn’t yet visited.

Navarre Beach

During our visit, we were hosted by Resort Quest by Wyndham Vacation Rentals at   Summerwind West.  The  condo we stayed in made me want to sell my house and move out to the beach.  The three bedrooms were tastefully decorated and the living area was comfy and welcoming.  The kids immediately claimed the room with bunk beds for their own.  Both the master bedroom and the living area had large sliding glass doors that opened up to a beautiful balcony overlooking the beach and the pier.  We had a fully stocked kitchen and had we been there longer, we would have brought groceries to save money. Though there are many property choices on Navarre Beach, we liked the location of Summerwind Resort.  We were just a few steps away from the Navarre Beach Pier and several restaurants.

Read my full review of Summerwind West.

The Navarre Beach Fishing Pier is the Gulf of Mexico’s (and Florida’s) longest pier at 1545 feet.  My kids loved walking along the pier and over the ocean.  We spent time looking for turtles and sting rays but all we found were fish.  We wandered up and down the pier and watched the fisherman pull up their catch.  There is a restaurant at the beginning of the pier that serves up a pretty good fish sandwich, but be prepared to wait for your food if they are busy.  Throughout the year there are various festivals that are held at the beach.  We happened to be there during the Navarre Beach Sand Sculpting Festival.  Staying in Summerwind Resort allowed us to wander over and watch the sculptures progress from piles of white sand into amazing works of art throughout the weekend.

Just over the Navarre Bridge, there are a number of restaurants, shops and one of our favorite places to visit in Navarre, the Panhandle Butterfly House.  From April or May to Labor Day, the Panhandle Butterfly House is open to the public where you can learn about butterflies and watch over 200 seasonal species float around you.  In October, celebrate the monarch migration with the Monarch Madness Festival.  During the summer months, visit the splash pad next door and there is also a gigantic playground perfect for entertaining the kids year round.

The Gulf Breeze Zoo is located just a short drive from Navarre Beach down Highway 98.  After sustaining major damage during a hurricane, the zoo is now under new management.  This was my first visit to the zoo in months and I was pleasantly surprised by the growth and cleanup that has occurred since the last time I was there.  Feed the baby goats in the petting zoo or the giraffes.  Ride the train or walk the boardwalk to get a better view of some of the animals.

Historic Milton

Milton is one of the oldest towns in the Florida panhandle, established in 1825 as a trading post on the Blackwater River.  As you drive into Milton, you can’t help but find yourself slowing down a little bit.  We love to explore nature in Milton at Arcadia Mill.  Arcadia Mill is one of the largest antebellum complexes in Northwest Florida.  There was a silk cocoonery, a sawmill, textile mill and much more but the structures are no longer standing.  As you wander over the boardwalk that surrounds the grounds, stop and read the signs to learn more about this complex and enjoy walking over  a small swinging bridge.  There is also a visitor center and museum with guided tours available.

If you have a child fascinated with all things trains, you won’t want to miss the West Florida Railroad Museum.  This small museum pays tribute to the depot and the trains that traveled through Milton over the past 100 years.  There is a large model train display where children can watch the trains chug along on the tracks and railroad cars that kids can climb in and see as well as a children’s steam engine ride.  The steam engine ride doesn’t run every day so call ahead.  Our favorite part is timing our visit to watch a real train zoom by the depot on railroad tracks that have been there for years.

Blackwater River State Forest

There are lots of hiking opportunities in the Blackwater River State Forest as well as a number of swimming options.  Our personal favorite is a trip down Coldwater Creek in an inner tube, a kayak or a canoe!  You can camp but if tent camping isn’t for you there are cabins that you can rent.  I have yet to try the more adventurous tour, a guided canopy tour where you zip line across the river with Adventures Unlimited.  Our kids haven’t reached the height requirement for this activity yet but when they do I am going to muster up the courage to try myself!

It might have taken us years to do some in-depth exploring of Santa Rosa County, but I can assure you it won’t take us years to drive back over that county line to explore some more.

Thank you to Santa Rosa County for hosting me on this tour.  All opinions are my own with no outside influences.

Jen Close is the Gulf Region Destination Guroo for Trekaroo.

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