Cassius Clay rolls a flaming torch down his chest, and then nonchalantly inserts it in his mouth (Clearly, this would be in the “Don’t try this at home” category). A little later, three masked men on stilts dance to Caribbean music, making moves from eight feet up that I wouldn’t try on the ground. We’ve seen limbo dancers, colorfully-costumed dancers re-enacting 18th-century life in Bridgetown, and barely-costumed dancers shaking and leaping to every form of music known to Barbados in the past 300 years. Every so often I turn to look at Alessandro and his new 4-year-old friend, Taylor. It’s late, but both boys are transfixed, their wide-open eyes catching every movement onstage. This is dinner theater, Barbados-style, and Alessandro won’t forget about it any time soon. Nor will he forget the Jeep “safari” on which we go tearing around the beautiful island, listening to calypso music and hanging on for dear life (Alessandro giggling with joy) as sugar cane fields, cliffs overlooking wild surf, farm animals, and colorful little houses from which “Bajans” wave to us, fly by. The submarine ride to 140 feet below the surface of the ocean definitely makes an impression (especially the rusted carcass of a sunken ship); as does the cathedral-like magnificence of Harrison’s Cave, whose caverns and streams we explore in a trolley-like vehicle as a Barbadian guide narrates in a voice which makes her sound as if she’s been hypnotized. Only once in four days does Alessandro take a break from our frenetic tour of the 166-square-mile island (such is the wretched existence of a travel writer’s child). He and Taylor spend the day at the children’s club at Almond Beach Village, the all-inclusive resort where we’ve been staying. Having gotten the strong sense that the club’s counselors actually listened to what I told them about Alessandro when I dropped him off, and having seen the two big, well-equipped playrooms, I can relax as I spend the afternoon snorkeling and hanging out with the grownups on a catamaran. Alessandro and Taylor are exhausted and perfectly content when we pick them up, having spent the day building sandcastles, making collages using real tropical flowers, eating snacks, and watching Toy Story. By evening, of course, Alessandro has revived enough to spend an hour or so dancing to the music of a reggae band with six or eight other small children on Almond Beach’s dance floor. Watching him, I notice that he’s picked up a bit of Bajan rhythm somewhere along the way.
—ISLAND SAFARI BARBADOS LTD. Bush Hall Main Road, St. Michael (246-429-5337/[email protected])
—CAVES OF BARBADOS LTD. Welchman Hall, St. Thomas (246-438-6640/[email protected])
—ATLANTIS SUBMARINES (BARBADOS), INC. Shallow Draught, Bridgetown (246-436-8929/www.atlantissubsbarbados.com)
—ALMOND RESORTS (1-800-425-6663/www.almondresorts.com)
—For more information, go to www.barbados.org.
——————————————————————————————————— Cruisin’ Cuisine Great for kids
“Fun” is a key concept on Carnival cruises, and no one had more fun than my 4-year-old son on our seven-day cruise to Bermuda aboard Carnival’s Pride. Except for the three days we were in port (I always take him with me when we visit ports; it’s important to me that he experiences new places as much as I do when we travel together.), his every moment was spent either at the ship’s Fun Club, asking when he could go back to the Fun Club, or sleeping (no doubt dreaming about the Fun Club). Fortunately for all of us, Carnival has instituted a new program which allows children to eat dinner with their Fun Club friends and counselors — as opposed to having to endure a long meal with their boring parents — every night except the first and last nights of the cruise (on most cruise lines, children-only dinners are available only on “Formal Nights”). Fun Club counselors take orders and serve the meals (the menu is, for the most part, the usual kids’ fare — pizza, hot dogs, etc. — but there’s usually a somewhat more sophisticated choice as well for children with more adventurous palates). After dinner, children can either rejoin their parents or head back down to the Fun Club for arts and crafts, computer games, movies, or to simply run around like very happy enfants terribles. The fun (almost) never ends. And parents have a little extra time to linger at dinner, and to make some fun of their own. (One more note about Carnival Fun Clubs: There is often a relatively long wait in line to drop off and pick up your children, but it’s for a very good reason — Carnival is extremely careful about releasing the right child to the right adult, and the person who drops a child off MUST be the one who picks him or her up). For information about Carnival cruises, or to make a reservation, go to www.carnival.com. — Nancy Bevilaqua
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Ultimate Disney: Adding on their cruise
Can your daughter recite every line from The Little Mermaid? Have you had an urge to dance with Donald Duck? If so, head to Florida for a Disney Cruise. Several different vacation packages are available; our family chose the land-and-sea package, which included three days at Walt Disney World followed by a four-day Bahamian cruise. On board, there are activities for every age group. Children ages 3-7 can be checked into the Oceaneer Club at 9am, where there is something to do all day until midnight. Parents are given pagers so that if your Mouseketeers need a break from celebrating Peter Pan’s birthday or dressing up with Snow White, you can come and get them. Children ages 8-12 can attend the Oceaneer Lab with science, animation, and broadcasting activities. Teenagers will enjoy hanging out in their own club, when they’re not playing sports or lounging by the pool. For a fee, group babysitting is available for children age 12 weeks to 3 years. Disney doesn’t forget about adults. While the kids are busy, you can take advantage of the full-service spa and salon or work out at the fitness center. There are activities scheduled throughout the day and Broadway-style performances, game shows, and current movies to see at night. Shore excursions are available at each stop for an additional cost. We found that the international staff was friendly and attentive. Our stateroom was roomy as far as cruises go. The couch converted into a bunkbed at night so that our family of four didn’t feel too cramped. Outside rooms include a veranda, complete with Plexiglas shielding for your children’s safety. Every night your family will come together for dinner at one of four restaurants that range from casual to formal dining. Dinners are rotated through each of the restaurants so that you can enjoy something different each night, from filet mignon for you and Mickey Mouse chicken nuggets with fries for the kids. For more information go to http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/disneycruiseline. — Kristen J. Gough
———————————————————————————————————— Tantalizing Turks & Caicos
By Ann Brown
Uncrowded beaches. Lots of family fun. And Caribbean hospitality. The islands of Turks & Caicos offer all this, and more. Turks & Caicos (www.turksandcaicostourism.com) actually comprise eight islands and some 40 cays in the West Indies that lie at the southeastern end of the Bahamas chain, just an 85-minute flight from Miami. Providencials, or Provo, is the focal point of all the islands. The most developed, it will probably be your island of choice for a family vacation. Provo offers wonderful distractions. While most visitors come for the incredible snorkeling and scuba diving (since visibility is up to 200 feet), there’s lots more to do. First, get off the beach (there’ll be plenty of time for fun in the sand), and tour town. Take the kids to the Caicos Conch Farm, which raises and harvests millions of these sea creatures. It’s the only farm of its kind in the world. A tour will take you through each stage of the conch’s development, and the kids get to touch two of the farm’s oldest, largest — and slimiest — conch. Next, head out to sea for a semi-submarine tour. The subs are docked at the Tiki Hut Restaurant (649-231-0006). Most hotels provide transportation to the location. And don’t worry, the sub doesn’t fully submerge. The lower glass-enclosed observation deck is five feet below water, or you can stay on the above-water upper deck. But below, you’ll get to see sharks, tropical fish, stingrays, coral formations, and maybe the island’s famed Jo Jo the Dolphin. Cost: $39 per adult; $29, children under 12. Charter a boat for a day of sailing. Pack a picnic lunch and dine aboard or stop off at a quiet spot on the beach. Snorkel and scuba dive along the way, but be sure to ask for a stop at Little Water Cay, also known as Iguana Islands. The kids will love seeing hundreds of iguanas — you can view them from the boardwalk or the beach. Turkoise Exercusions (649-946-5379) is one of many companies offering sailing excursions. For an historic perspective of the island, make a trip to Sapodilla Hill Point on the south side of Provo. After a brief and easy hike to the highest peak on the island (make sure to have your camera ready for some amazing shots), you’ll find scores of rocks carved with the names of shipwrecks, some dating back to 1767. For some more fun on land, take the family horseback and pony riding on the beach. Many companies, such as Provo Ponies (649-241-6350), offer riding for all ages. Lastly, if the time is right, take a Glow Worm Adventures tour. Once a month after a full moon, the waters of Provo light up with millions of worms that glow in the dark. Your hotel can tell you more. After all this island touring, you will have worked up a hearty appetite. Local cuisine is a mixture of cultures and there are a number of fine dining establishments on this small island. One is Coco Bistro. Designed as a French-Mediterranean villa set in the middle of a coconut grove, Coco has dishes from both the Caribbean and Mediterranean. They feature nightly jazz bands. After the kids are tucked in, hit the dance floor at Provo’s newest nightclub — Stardust & Ashes. You’ll find a mix of tourists and locals enjoying a live band, DJ and even a James Brown impersonator. On the hotel side, one of the best for families is Ocean Club Resorts (800-457-8787; www.oceanclubresorts.com). Ocean Club is actually two all-suite luxury resorts set on Grace Bay Beach. Each resort, located right down the sand from each other, offers a variety of beachfront suites (from studios to three-bedrooms), all with balconies, kitchens (you’ll save on eating out), and in-suite laundry facilities. The resort also offers babysitting, free Internet service, and a lending library with videos, books and children’s games. The suites are actually owned by Ocean Club Resorts shareholders and rented out when the owners aren’t in residence, so they’re very homey. The resort also features three tournament lighted tennis courts, two fitness centers, and two spas offering therapeutic massages and other spa treatments. There’s an 18-hole golf course nearby that’s said to be one of the best island courses around. No matter what your pleasure, the island of Provo is sure to have it — without the crowds or tourist traps.
————————————————————————————————————A Family Affair: Aruba
By Melissa B. Stoller
Thinking of an inter-generational vacation? Our recent week in Aruba, to celebrate my mother’s birthday offered a combination of perfect weather, excellent restaurants, interesting activities and sightseeing, world-class shopping, and fabulous beaches. We stayed at Divi Resorts (800-367-3484) in two duplex townhouses, and spent the week relaxing, enjoying one another’s company, and exploring the island. Here are some of our favorite spots:
Restaurants: For excellent food and ambience, try Madame Jeanet, El Gaucho, Driftwood, Gasparito, and Cuba’s Cooking.
Activities: We loved a four-hour snorkeling adventure aboard De Palm Tour’s Palm Pleasure catamaran, and a sunset sail on the Mi Dushi, a classic mahogany ketch. In the evening, we enjoyed limbo contests, outdoor dancing, and casinos (adults only).
Sightseeing: We rented a car and marveled at the Natural Bridge that was carved by the pounding sea, the California Lighthouse, the rugged coastline, the countryside “canucu” houses, the abundant cacti, and the island’s towns and beaches.
Shopping destinations: Spend time shopping in Oranjestad, Aruba’s capital (try Iguana Joe’s for lunch), and San Nicolas (try Charlie’s Bar for lunch).
Beaches: Palm, Eagle, and Manchebo beaches boast cool, white sand and beautiful palm and divi-divi trees. For breathtaking snorkeling in calm waters, visit Arashi and Baby beaches. ——————————————————————————— Wyndham wants families!
The islands of the Caribbean offer several lures to New York families: just a few hours on a plane, and a variety of sparkling beaches and interesting and varied sightseeing opportunities. But how to choose? Perhaps by hotel chain. Wyndham Hotels & Resorts are dotted throughout the islands, and they’re going all out to make their properties family-friendly. CEO Fred Kleisner is a congenial grandfather and appears to be the driving force. Six Wyndham Caribbean resorts made a big splash this summer by teaming up with Nickelodeon to offer vacationing families SpongeBob Splash Party Packages (this promotion continues through this year). A SpongeBob beach ball and beach towel awaits each young guest upon arrival; breakfast is free for kids under 12, when accompanied by a parent; resort restaurants offer SpongeBob themed menus for kids; and kids receive invitations to participate in SpongeBob Splash Parties — great fun in the pool and poolside — and a host of other events, from getting “slimed” (by choice!) to post-dinner Dive-In Movies, where the young guests congregate in rubber rings in the pool to watch SpongeBob movies al fresco. Wyndham was the first to offer the custom hotel experience; their ByRequest program allows all guests, at no charge, to alert staff, in advance, particular preferences related to their stay. For instance, you can request a certain type of bottled water, or a favorite snack upon arrival; perhaps three fluffy pillows instead of two, or favorite reading material to take poolside. Recently they gave this customized request idea a decidedly family spin by teaming up with JetSetBabies.com, a company started by two Minnesota moms, which provides arriving families with everything from diapers and wipes to formula and sunblock. Parents can log on in advance of arrival and choose to have the goods delivered to their room. JetSetBabies,com offers a selection of 40 baby- and child-related items. “Expanding our Wyndham ByRequest philosophy to customize guest rooms for family needs allows parents to arrive at their destination relaxed, with less baggage, and knowing everything has been taken care of,” says chief marketing officer Andrew Jordan, father of two young children. And mindful that in this fast-paced world, many families are opting to spend time together, Wyndham also offers a Family Retreat program. The whole family can enjoy evening Dive-In Movies in the pool; or participate together in activities like “Campfire Celebration”, which features storytelling emphasizing local culture, as well as a sampling of local cuisine, and traditional group games. And in “Cooking with the Chef”, kids can prepare a special meal for their parents under the guidance of the resort chef. Wyndham resorts are located in Los Croabas, and in San Juan, Puerto Rico; Palm Beach, Aruba; Montego Bay, Jamaica; St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands; and Nassau, Bahamas. The Martineau Bay Resort & Spa is brand new, on Vieques. Ask about the 50/50 Weekend Escape, which gives parents a choice of either 50 percent off the cost of a second night stay, or 50 percent off the cost of a second room. Their Getaways ByRequest program gives the fourth night free after consecutive three-night stay. 1-800-WYNDHAM, or www.wyndham.com. — H.R.F
