Recently in Family Vacation Ideas Category

Planning a summer family vacation can be exciting and a little stressful. The good news is the planning process can be less stress and more fun by getting the entire family involved. Each of my children had the task to research a cool place they would love to visit and present at our weekly family meeting why we as a family should travel to their place of choice. The decision to travel to Houston, Texas was mutually agreed as a family.

Using our Wyndham Reward to reserve our hotel online is easy as 1, 2, 3. Travel on Southwest Airlines is affordable when we booked in advance. We enjoyed our stay at the Wingate by Wyndham. The hotel is in a great location, the staff are warm and friendly and Fun in the Sun by the poolside added to the many amenities. Each morning the kids were able to make homemade waffles in the shape of the state of Texas.

Our last trip of 2011 was to travel to Panama City Beach Florida the first week of November 2011.  We stayed at the Wyndham Vacation Resorts Panama City Beach.  This area is known for its Emerald Waters and White Sands. We stayed in one of the Presidential Reserve 2 Bedroom Units on the 20th floor.  What a view from up there!

We came with relaxation on our minds to sit on the beach or near the many pools and soak up the sun and read a good book or two.  In the evenings we went to Pier Park which was just down the street for an assortment of excellent dinning and shopping opportunities.  Then back to our balcony or to the pool to enjoy one of the many beautiful sunsets.

We just returned from a much needed spring break. The winter months in Chicago had worn us down - it evened snowed the day we left (in late April!) - and we were all in dire need of sunshine. A quick flight to Miami followed by an even quicker flight to the big island of the Bahamas was all it took to get us out of our winter rut. Our resort of choice, the Wyndham Viva Fortuna Beach was just right: the beautiful ocean view, the spotless, white sand beach, and the crystal clear, warm Bahamian waters were all we needed to enjoy some uninterrupted family together time.

Our third day in San Jose we dedicated to relaxation in the hotel.  It was the first sunny day we had experienced, so I was anxious to put on my swimsuit and head to the pool.  Due to the rain, and start of the rainy season, the water was cool, so I spent most of my time soaking up the sun and reading some books.  The poolside service is excellent, and drinks and towels are available.  In the evening we enjoyed playing a few rounds of poker at the casino, which also features a jazz bar on the weekends.

Tip #11: The sun is quite powerful in Costa Rica - put on plenty of sunscreen, even when you do not expect to get burnt.

Tip #12: Due to the ecological sustainability practices, the hot tubs are not kept at high temperatures, so prepare for cool waters.

I can't do the splits anymore, can you? My dancing days are long gone.  I can get about half of the way down (okay, a quarter) before I start feeling that familiar pull that lets me know I better back off...quick, fast and in a hurry...before I get stuck or something. It hurts my inner thighs just thinking about it. Ouch.