Caicos Dream Tours

    Ever since we first stepped foot on the beautiful sand of the Turks and Caicos two years ago, I have dreamt of taking the kids out to Half Moon Bay to see the famous iguanas that inhibit the island. The issue has always been whether or not they were too young for the tourist cruises that will take you there. When I found Caicos Dream Tours I was quite hesitant to take a 3 and 5 year old on a 4 hour cruise alone. Still, the company reassured me that we would have a great time and I figured we would all at least survive it. We ended up doing much more than that.

Will climbs aboard for a day of adventure

     In true island fashion, we were told to just wait on the beach between 1:00 and 1:15 pm and to look for a yellow boat. I arrived on time expecting to wait quite a while but as I looked at the horizon I quickly saw a yellow boat approaching with two waving and smiling crew members aboard. We were taken from our hotel to Alexandra Beach to meet with the rest of the cruise.

John and the crew working away in the shack

     As we disembarked from the first boat, we were directed to a little shack on the beach to sign in for the cruise. There we met John Esper, the owner of the company. John and his wife Kim are fellow Canadians who moved to the Island from currently chilly Toronto and I must admit I thought about asking for room and board for the next few months. John immediately put my worries at ease and told me the kids would have a wonderful time. The most striking thing about watching John work was the amount of people coming off the earlier tour telling him how great his crew was and what a wonderful time they had.

Will, me and Charlie waiting to depart

    Before I knew it we were boarding the company's newest boat, complete with water slide, and off on our ocean adventure. We pulled out to sea with Captain Kwee and his crew mate Leecky telling us about our day. In short, we were going to snorkel at two locations, one of which was shallow to find conchs, and then head to Half Moon Bay for ceviche conch salad and iguana exploration. I looked at my kids and thought this would be a long day.

Charlie and Leecky picking out snacks

    As the boat began to speed up, Leecky came over and explained to me that they often had kids on the boat and he would show me what to do. At our first stop, the rest of the cruise was let off in deep waters to drift to where the boat would go next with Leecky as their guide. Kwee asked me to stay on the boat and explained he would bring us to an easier spot for the kids. Will and Charlie were given life jackets and Kwee dropped us in appropriately shallow water near the boat with a rope and life preserver so we could easily float along the water and get back on the boat. The three of us searched for conchs and were able to see quite a few fish. I'm pretty sure we saw a few conchs but must admit I was a little too scared of what might be living inside to pick them up.

Leecky leading the conch search

    Once all of the snorklers (except us) had found a conch, we were back on board and found that Leecky had picked up a conch for each of us. Will and Charlie were slightly excited and partly mortified by the fact the shells had been taken from the ocean and after making sure every party on board had a shell, Kwee let Will and Charlie return the rest to the water. The three of us, knowing we wouldn't eat our conchs, decided to also throw ours back in the water letting them live another day.

Leecky and Will with our conchs

    A short time later, we arrived at a deeper location to partake in some snorkelling. The crew helped with the kids while I entered the water to see the fish. After that, the kids and most of the adults made use of the fun water slide on board the boat.

A snorkeler entering the water via the water slide

     Next, we were off to see the iguanas at Half Moon Bay. The tour stops on the prestine beach here for two reasons. The first is to see the iguanas and the second is to make conch salad. Each party is taught how to remove the conch from the shell and a ceviche is made from the conchs. I quickly let the crew know that we would prefer to skip this demonstration and they went to great efforts to let us get off the boat and onto our search for iguanas before doing the demonstration. When we returned everyone on board was very kind to leave the shells with their belonging and to not tell the kids what they were eating. I tried the salad and must admit that although it didn't taste exactly like coconut, the way Kwee promised it would, it was in fact quite good.
  

Fresh conch salad aboard the boat

    While the conch demonstration was happening, we took the extra time to explore the island and the beach. Almost immediately we spotted a giant iguana and I knew we were in for some fun. Will decided to start a travel log in which he counted every creature we saw. By the time we boarded the boat, we had a count of 15 iguanas, 7 butterflies and 1 mysterious bug that landed on my leg and scared me half to death. The iguanas were incredible to see and we were able to get quite close to them. One came out while we were playing in some hammocks and was as curious about us and we were about him. Altogether, we spent close to an hour creating our exploration log and roaming the small island. As Kwee had told the boat to do, we finished our exploration by heading to the beach which was breathtaking.

Our first iguana sighting.

Hanging out by the hammock with a friendly iguana.

Exploring Half Moon Bay

    Once back on board, everyone compared notes on what a great day we all shared. As we headed back toward the hotel, the sun was setting and Kwee and Leecky told stories of things they had seen out on the water and answered questions about the island itself. The kids sat contently listening in and laughing when others laughed and then both thanked me for the fun we had.

Kwee, Charlie, Leecky and Will

     I must admit I was far too worried about this excursion before getting on the boat and I would do it again without question. The crew aboard the boat and the owners of the company were incredibly kind to us and were truly professional. There wasn't a point on the tour where more than 10 minutes passed without Leecky checking in on all the passengers and making sure we were having fun. If you are going to do a tour here on the island, I highly recommend giving Caicos Dream Tours a call.

The Caicos Dream Tours boats at Half Moon Bay

Kwee, Leecky and Me

    The tours run twice a day, seven days a week and are $89 per adult and $44.50 per child. This includes unlimited beverages as well as all snorkelling equipment, conch salad and light snacks. Private charters are also available. All the information you need as well as contact information to book your tour is available at caicosdreamtours.com. 

Why I Travel- A Tribute to My Parents

     Often people are shocked to find out how much the kids and I travel alone. They question why I wouldn't wait for my husband to be able to go with us or if the money we spend travelling without him takes away from our family vacations. The reality of the situation is that there will never be a perfect time to travel but, even with the obstacles you may face, it is smart to travel young.

     On this day 10 years ago, my 57 year old mother passed away. Until this time, I did not appreciate how quickly an illness could take your life or how young an otherwise healthy person could simply die. Not long after my father was diagnosed with early on set Alzheimer's and passed away a few years ago now.

     What struck me the most about both these situations was that my parents still had plans to travel. They dreamt of seeing the Great Wall of China and relaxing in spas across the world once their children were grown. My mom always spoke of going on a great African safari and my dad wanted to walk the Great Wall with his only son. In the end, they simply waited too long for these dreams to be accomplished.

     When you consider how fleeting life can be, it can be a real gamble to wait to travel. An accident or illness can simply take away your ability to walk before you are able to climb any mountain and with travel it often makes sense to live in the moment. You may dream of scaling Everest in your twenties and simply find by the time you begin to arrange the trip, you are forty with two kids and different priorities.

     My advice for those of you are still relatively young and able is simply to do it now. Financially it may seem impossible but with a little planning and a lot of Internet research, most trips are doable. Often I hear people say that they simply can't afford to travel but in reality there are hostels across the world that would be glad to have you. Seat sales are easy to find and travel is getting less expensive with advances in technology.

    For those of you with young children it can be overwhelming to try and plan a trip. Costs for family vacations are high and in reality once you have the money it is usually because you have a job that doesn't allow for a lot of vacation time. My advice is to find a way to take the time off. Your children are only young once and my greatest moments with mine have been spent away from electronics and our busy lives in Toronto. The conversations you can have with even young children when you shut everything else off are incredible and its an excellent way to regroup as a family and to find out what is going on inside those tiny adorable heads.

     Another benefit to travelling while your kids are still young is that they have so little negative experiences in their lives, they can truly experience places for what they are. When they meet young children from wherever you are visiting, they see them as friends and are keen to learn about their lives. Having taken my children to a track meet in Jamaica last year, I can attest that I first noticed the condition of the school while Will who was 4 at the time noticed how much fun the kids were having and asked to join in.

     The benefits of taking young kids on vacation can also be seen in the more commercialised trips we have taken to places like Disneyland. Up to a certain age, children simply believe in the magic of Disney and don't question if a princess is the real one or how Lightning McQueen talks to them. They simply trust that these things are real and its a gift they are blessed with for only so long. When I hear people say they are waiting to take their kids to Disney when they are 10 or 12, I always advise that it will be too late for them to really experience the magic of it all.

     If I could go back to when my mother was 55, I would change a lot of things. I wouldn't go directly to university and I would convince her to take a gap year with me and to see the world. I never took the time to travel before university or before taking my first full-time adult job and its an opportunity I wouldn't throw away again. Once you own a house, have children, and have a job or a working spouse, everything changes. Priorities shift and your schedules are chocked full of activities. Still, it is so important to take the time while you are still living to see the world and create memories that will live on through your children.

     You only get one shot on this planet, might as well explore it while you can.

Beaches Day 2: The People

     I thought quite a bit about what to tell you about today's adventures at Beaches Turks and Caicos before deciding on this evening's blog post. It could have be an easy account of what we did today from our early morning beach visit to the many hours spent at the water park or an account of where we  ate on the premises but the thing that rang clear were the people here at the resort.

     Having visited Beaches both here in Turks and Caicos and in Ochos Rios, Jamaica, I have now encountered many staff members. They weren't all extremely pleasant or noteworthy but on the whole the people who work here are fantastic.

     What strikes me most about the staff here is that the people who are worthy of mention are not necessarily who you would imagine. My brief encounters with the day camp staff here today left a lot to be desired and management of the hotel completely ignored a reasonably query I had last night. Still, its the many other people that in fact have such an impact on your stay here.

Charlie wanted a little girl to dance with her who said no.
This woman watched it happened and then went to ask Charlie if she would be her dance partner. 

     Throughout three different stays in Beaches resorts I have yet to encounter a disgruntle cleaning lady. Today was no different. Although our room was a mess and I needed a lot of extra linen, the woman who helped us was a ray of sunshine. We arrived just as she was finishing cleaning the room and she made sure our every wish was complete. When we returned to the room, the kids things were in very tidy piles with their beds ready and made for each of them. She really had no reason to be extra nice to them but she had a great conversation with each of them and really made them feel at home.

    Another equally impressive moment occurred this morning when Charlie, who is 3, picked a flower to give to me. A gardener called her over immediately and I thought he would discipline her for picking the flower off the bush as I often do. Instead, he took her hand and led her to a section of the garden which had at least 5 different types of flowers. He patiently waited as she picked her favourite and then assembled the bouquet for her and wished her a great day.

Charlie and her freshly assembled bouquet

    Later in the day when the kids were exhausted we decided to take a ride on the train that tours the resort. I feared a major meltdown from both kids was about to ensue but the conductor of the tiny train made sure that they had the time of their  lives. She spoke to each of them as they got on the train and throughout the ride never forgot their names. As we were pulling into a stop, Will began dancing to one of his favourite songs and she immediately noticed, stopped the train and asked him if he would like to start a dance party. She then let every child out of the train and led them in an incredible dance routine making sure even the youngest guests knew the moves.

Dance party with the train conductor, Onica

     Although these situations deserved a write-up, there are so many more moments here that make you realise that you and your children are welcome and cared about here. Each time I think of the Beaches Ochos Rios, I can't help but miss the incredible lifeguards there that made our vacation what it was. From engaging the kids in activities and conversations to helping them get over their fears of water slides, I still wish I could properly thank the young men who take care of us at this time last year.

One of our favourite lifeguards at Beaches Ochos Rios 

     Across the company, the wait staff and bartenders we have encountered have also been fantastic. I've never been made to feel like my food substitutions were annoying or that my children had made too big of a mess and have always found a helping hand when I needed someone to help me watch one child while the other needed something. This is especially remarkable seeing you are not allowed to tip them.

    If you are considering a Beaches vacation, I can tell you that years from now you may not remember their names but you will remember the people who made your children smile.

Beaches Turks & Caicos- Key West Village

     We arrived at the Beaches Turks and Caicos earlier today and once again were blown away by the resort. I would like to make clear before you read this review of their new hotel that I was in no way compensated for this blog and that these are my true impressions. The new resort is absolutely amazing.

Key West Village- Beaches Turks & Caicos

     

     Located in what used to be a neighbouring hotel, the Key West Village is designed to impress. From the moment you arrive you are treated as an important guest and handed fresh drinks and hot towels upon arrival. Check-in is incredibly fast and easy even with two excited kids running around the property.

A wonderful employee helping Charlie enjoy her welcome drink 

The concierge lounge in Key West Village 

     

    Once we headed to our room, we were even more impressed. We are staying in a one bedroom concierge suite on the second floor and the amenities in the room are quite remarkable. Upon entering the room, I was shocked by the size of it. The room features a full kitchen, two bathrooms, a trundle bed for the kids and a king size bed in a separate room for me.

Kitchen in the Key West Village one bedroom suite

Kids trundle bed and dining table 

Separate Bedroom

      

     Upon entering the room I thought the most remarkable feature was clearly the gigantic balcony that was accessible from every room of the suite. I realised I was in fact clearly mistaken when I opened what I believed to be an extra closet and found a full washer/dryer. I immediately threw our travel stained clothes in the wash and felt an odd sense of relief.

Wrap-around balcony 

Washer and Dryer!

    Once we were done exploring the room, we headed toward the beach and pool. The beach is quickly accessible from anywhere in the Key West Village and less than a 2 minute walk from our room. There are multiple pools in the new development including some suites that feature private pools. The restaurants are also quite nice looking although we have yet to eat there.

One of the pools near our room in Key West Village

Walkway to the gorgeous beach

A four-bedroom villa with private pool 

    

     Although the new village is near perfect there are a few things to consider when booking here. Key West Village is on the farthest edge of the property which means that if you have much smaller children it is quite a hike to activities like the Sesame Street show. Also, although the village features multiple pools, there isn't a dedicated kids' pool like the other villages meaning if you have a child like I do that is out of water wings but not quite an independent swimmer, pool time will be a lot more challenging. That being said the pools besides the private pools are all beach entry pools which makes it a little easier.

     Key West Village certainly feels like an entirely different resort at times than the rest of the Beaches Turks and Caicos which is both a blessing and a curse. I tend to enjoy a quieter atmosphere on vacation and am thankful to be away from the main pool and action of the stage although I do dread the long walks back from the Sesame Street show with two very exhausted children. Somehow I know we will make do.

*UPDATE*-- I wanted to update this blog to say that we ended up loving the Key West location and the distance to the room from the main area was quite a bit closer than I originally thought. The village has large lawns that all the kids gathered on each morning to play together while parents could safely watch from balconies enjoying a coffee. If we are able to return at some point, we will book again in Key West Village. 

Sprouts Toronto

Sprouts, a new Leslieville indoor playground and much more

     Every once in while I find a fun Toronto activity that I like to feature on my blog for anyone considering a staycation or for moms like me who are permanently on one (or so people think).

      Yesterday I was invited by a friend to check out Sprouts, a new playplace in Leslieville on Toronto's East side. From the moment we entered, the staff was welcoming, kind and attentive. You can really tell that these people are trying to create something great and want Torontonians to consider this place like a second home for their children. In doing so, they have created a safe and incredibly fun place for kids 0-6.

The indoor gated 3000 square foot playground and gym at Sprouts 

      One move that I found incredibly smart is that Sprouts offers your first visit free. There are no strings attached and there is no sales pitch on the way out the door to return or buy a pass. It truly is just a free opportunity to check out the space for yourself without any pressure or cost.

     Upon entering the play zone, I was blown away by what I saw. In many major cities like ours, you can find tiny cafes with playplaces, the run-of-the-mill McDonalds playplaces and extremely large and often daunting playplaces. Sprouts has carved out a space that falls exactly in between. The room features a wood climbing centre with slides that is not too small and certainly not as big as some of the giant plastic ones I have climbed into to retrieve my children.  It also features two miniature trampolines surrounded by a lot of soft and permanent mats to fall onto to. There is a baby zone as well and some interesting play tables with Lego and Duplo.

     Here is where it gets interesting. There is staff at all times inside the play area. They are not there to completely care for your children but they do a great job of engaging them and entertaining them. They also monitor safety issues and make sure everyone is having fun. One man that worked there half-way through our visit very quietly went and set up an entire Lego jungle while the kids weren't watching and then walked away from it. Within minutes, individual children caught sight of the jungle and began playing together in an area they had previously not even noticed. He also hid little critters high up on posts and waited for children to notice them so he could engage them in a game of hide and seek.

Charlie and her friend Hudson exploring the Lego and Duplo tables with a helpful staff member

     Sprouts has not missed out on much in building this indoor playground. They have installed a high quality coffee machine which serves free coffee, tea and hot chocolate. They also have installed a filtered water tap and a GMO-free vending machine for healthy snacks. The only criticism that I found of the whole place was that some of the items in the vending machine like Snackimals cookies are not actually made in peanut-free facilities so parents do need to be mindful that even though Sprouts is a nut-free facility there are some potential dangers to look out for.

The snack and coffee table area

GMO-Free and organic vending machine

      The facilities at Sprouts are spotless and frankly adorable. There are men's and women's washrooms with each featuring a tiny adorable toilet for toddlers as well as lower sinks for hand washing. There is also a really well designed nursing room and a nice change table area. I do want to mention that there were women openly breast-feeding in the playground and this is completely welcome at Sprouts. The nursing room is an option if you or your baby need privacy or peace and quiet. I swear I almost locked myself in there a few times it looked so welcoming.

A private nursing room at Sprouts

Washrooms and Diaper Changing Area at Sprouts

     Parents are free to consume drinks within the play area but there is also a nice sitting area with adorable little seats for babies to be entertained in.  A nice touch is that the music played at Sprouts is a mix of child-friendly adult music. It is not an annoying elevator track or radio loop and is a nice break for parents who don't want to hear the Frozen soundtrack another 30 times a day.

     Sprouts isn't just a playground but also a learning centre offering classes in baby yoga, arts and crafts, reading and song, movement and dance and early enrichment. You can enrol in classes without buying a membership for the playground. Admission to the centre, once you have used your free visit, is based on a membership option of $95 a month for all day access, $50 a month for holidays and weekends and $55 for a 6 time pass. The great news is that membership and the pass apply to the whole family and not a single child making this a great deal if you have more than one child.

One of the classrooms at Sprouts

    All in all if you are anywhere near this facility with toddlers or kids up to 5 or 6, you will likely be glad you found it. And hey if you don't like it, your first visit was free anyways. There is street parking available directly outside of Sprouts and the centre is very TTC accessible being just north of Carlaw and Queen.  If you do decide to visit, maybe this Solo mom will see you there. 

Ireland

     At this time of year, many of us bloggers sit down and reminisce about the past year of travels. From the heights of warm vacations and great times in New York City to the lows of illnesses while abroad and missed flights, this has been a busy year for me and the kids. Instead of recapping the year, I wanted to do a special blog dedicated to one of my favourite trips I have taken with the kids, the land of saints and scholars, Ireland.

Powerscourt, Ireland

      We arrived in Ireland and spent the first few days in Dublin staying at the Four Seasons Dublin. Located outside of the city centre, the Four Seasons is nestled in Ballsbridge, a residential neighbourhood where we were able to experience the life of locals. We spend our days eating in local restaurants and visiting parks with Irish families. Our favourite way to pass the time was to explore the lustrous Herbert Park, which is used by runners, families, dog walkers, and tourists alike. The park features a gorgeous duck pond as well as tennis courts and two different children's playgrounds. Although we did head down to Grafton Street and other famous spots, the locations closer to our hotel in Ballsbridge were our favourite by far. A great tip for any Four Seasons is to tell them you are visiting with children at or before check-in. We arrived to cookies and treats as well as two miniature sized bathrobes that the kids loved. The hotel also lent us a stroller and car seat while we were staying with them.

Charlie, loving the kids perks at the Four Seasons

Feeding the ducks and swans at Herbert Park

     Once our time was up in Dublin, we packed up and drove to Powerscourt, Ireland in Wicklow County. Arriving on the grounds of the Ritz-Carlton Powerscourt, I felt we were transported to an Ireland of years past and witnessing tea time I also felt I had been given a walk-on role in Downton Abbey. I recently was broken hearted to find out that this hotel has since been re branded as a Marriott. I am not sure what of the hotel has stayed the same or been changed but I do know that the famous Gordon Ramsey restaurant has shut down. One of my favourite attributes of the Ritz was the incredible staff and babysitters as well as the wild horses that roamed free on the property and I can't be sure that any of these remain. That being said the hotel is located on gorgeous grounds right next to the well-known Powerscourt Golf Club and the stunning Powerscourt Gardens and due to location alone, it is still worth visiting.

Making friends with the horses at the Ritz-Carlton

Exploring the art work on the grounds of the Ritz-Carlton

Exploring the woods surrounding the hotel

     Although I could go on and on about County Wicklow, our next stop was quite incredible too. I packed the kids and and drove to Cork, Ireland. The drive should have taken around 3 hours but we couldn't help but stop to visit amazing sea-side villages along the way. Once we arrived in Cork, we headed to the Fota Wildlife Park. I had spent quite a bit of time researching Ireland and I knew this would be a great day out with the kids. The Fota park is an incredible place where many of the animals roam free on the grounds. The park is filled with primates, birds, bisons and giraffes. We spent an entire day roaming the grounds and had an incredible time being so close to such incredible animals. Admission to the park is a reasonable 14.30 Euros for adults and 9.20 Euros for kids.

Checking out the Giraffes at Fota Wildlife Park

Charlie couldn't resist a frog ride

     After a few days exploring Cork, I knew we needed to do something incredibly touristy and well-known so I decided it was time to head to Blarney Castle. Most famous for the Blarney Stone, which visitors line-up to kiss in order to be granted the gift of eloquence or the gift of gab, Blarney Castle is an incredible site. Heading there with young children is an experience on its own. Firstly, I must warn you that the castle is plastered with warnings that the young and the elderly should not enter the castle but if you are like me, you will walk right past those signs and then literally spend the rest of the time praying your children won't fall out of the castle. Essentially, the stairs are tiny and complicated to manoeuvre and you must hold on to your children at all times since there are actual holes in the castle floor. Other tourists helped the kids get around and it was definitely worth it to visit the castle but be prepared for how difficult it is for young kids to explore. Mine loved the dungeons and looking out from the castle but I mostly remember praying that we would soon be firmly and safely on the ground. I did engage in tradition and lean over the edge with two burly Irishmen holding on to me tightly but must admit I was far too short to even reach the Blarney Stone which in all honesty I didn't even see. The good news is I already seem to be overly blessed with the gift of gab.

Exploring Blarney Castle 

Happy to find the dungeon entrance 

Charlie heads up the staircase at Blarney Castle 

The roof of Blarney Castle

      After the excitement of Blarney Castle, we began the drive back to Dublin and on our way found a wonderful spot, The Farm located in Grenagh, County Cork. We found the Farm by literally driving by it and couldn't believe our luck. The farm is a mix of education centre, play centre and an actually farm. The kids loved meeting donkeys, exploring how cows are milked and raised and playing on the slides and playgrounds. The Farm also has an indoor restaurant/cafeteria where we enjoyed the best potato soup in all of Ireland.

Charlie breaking the slide rule. 

Donkey kisses at the Farm

      The end of the year is always a time of reminiscing and I'm so glad I had the chance to write this blog post about Ireland. Its a time I will always remember for the people, the places and frankly the world's friendliest donkeys and horses.

      On to 2014 and a world of adventure!

Vacation Planning...or Dreaming

     It's around this time every year, when the dark comes upon us so much earlier, that I start to endlessly search the internet looking for incredible vacation destinations to take the kids too. This winter we have a vacation planned for me and the two kids to return to the Beaches Turks and Caicos and I cannot wait to once again walk upon the warm sand and play in the pools and water park with the kids.

Me and the kids enjoying a day in the sun at Beaches 

     Although we already have our vacation planned, I have researched other vacations that may be fun to attempt alone with my two tiny travel companions. Here's a few in no particular order that may get you thinking about a warm destination trip yourself.

Beaches Family Resorts

     I have previously reviewed the Beaches chain extensively and won't repeat too much but you can find the original Beaches blog post here. The trip we booked for January 2014 was 65% off in the new Kew West hotel and cost approximately $5000 with flights including all food and alcohol as well as daytime child care and scuba diving. Although the sale is still on, most of the resort is sold out in January and the cost for remaining rooms has risen quite a bit. I will say that the time we have spent at Beaches is some of the best vacation time we have had and we are extremely excited to see the new hotel and water park expansion.

Some of our friends that we are excited to see again at Beaches 

Disney's Aulani Hawaii

     I know I have said in the past that we won't be returning to Disneyland or Disney World anytime soon and I stick by that decision as I feel there is so much more of the world to explore. The question is--does that preclude us from visiting some of Disney's vacation properties like Disney's Aulani Hawaii? One incredible consideration about this property is that much like the Beaches resorts, it has day camps for children as well as in-room childcare which would make travelling solo quite a bit easier. My largest concern about this resort, besides the approximate 10 hour flight, is that much like Beaches the resort looks so incredible that it might be hard to actually see much of Hawaii. The resort has an 8,200 square foot pool, a 2,100 square foot water park with 3 slides and play areas, as well as two tubing rivers on site. It also offers an adult only pool for when you need a getaway from what I would assume are a lot of children. The resort also has an additional pool that serves as a local reef to many fish that can be accessed for the entirety of your stay at an extra cost of $20 per adult and $15 per child. This would be an incredible way to teach your kids to snorkel and get them excited about the ocean.

     Sounds to good to be true? Well for most of us it probably is. The nightly rate on a basic room in January 2014 ranges from $370-$400 a night and only includes breakfast for two adults at one designated restaurant. That means that you are still covering two meals a day and all snacks and beverages for the whole family as well as breakfast for your children. All in all a trip for three in January from Toronto will cost you $6,687.60 including flights but without meals or drinks. A sample menu online shows entrees ranging between $35-50 for adults with the kids meal dinner costing $13 a child.

    The resort also offers a number of expeditions and resort add-ons that frankly may be hard to pass up. Bring your Visa.

Disney Bahama Cruise

     If I was truly being honest, I would only take my kids on a Disney Cruise to Alaska but for comparative pricing I wanted to include Disney's Bahamian Cruise. Currently, Disney is offering Canadian residents 20% off prevailing rates on most 3 or 4 night Bahamian cruises departing from Port Canaveral Florida from January 10, 2014 to February 28, 2014 on the Disney Magic. According to the the website, the Disney Magic has recently been renovated and includes enhanced kid's spaces, adult entertainment, luxurious staterooms, many dining options and slides and water play areas on the upper deck. For a family of 3, the cost of a 4 day cruise can be as low as $1000 including dining but not beverages. Add airfare from Toronto and the cost jumps exponentially to $4018.96.

G Adventures

     As my kids are getting older, I am truly looking forward to taking some much more adventurous vacations with them. In case you haven't heard of them, G adventures is a Canadian company that offers safaris and expeditions across the world. A simple key word search of their website using "kids" brings up an incredible list of family friendly trips. You can access the G Adventure search results by clicking here. Most of the trips listed show a minimum age of 5 or 6 and these are trips your children will remember for a long time. A nine day tour of Costa Rica for one adult and two children costs $4147.00 without flights. We aren't quite at the point of doing a 9 day adventure vacation alone just yet because of Charlie, who is 3, but I am guessing Will, who is now 5,  and I would have the time of our lives. Looking forward to getting passed the 5 year old mark with Charlie and trying some of these out. Borneo or the Galapagos anyone?

     Where are you headed with your kids this winter?