WHAT A TRIP!

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HOTEL OF THE WEEK: EXPLORA IN PATAGONIA, CHILE

I hope I don't say this too often and lose credibility, but this seriously is one of the most gorgeous spots on Earth...Hotel Salto Chico is situated in one of my favorite places for natural beauty.

I visited this Explora resort in Patagonia,Chile 13 years ago this month. A girl friend and I made the stop as part of our South America journey through Argentina and Chile. This particular region is the southernmost point of the Americas, located in the Torres del Paine National Park. What an amazing time we had here.

The stunning architecture neither competes nor detracts from the awesome setting. The concept here is to bring travelers into nature and the surrounding environment. The crystal clear blue-green lake and scraggly Paine Massif mountains was the view from our room.

What makes the Explora experience unique is that it is run like a camp for grown ups. Every morning we'd wake up and check out the activities for the day on the blackboard in the common area. One day we went for an all day hike up mountains through lush forests dappled with waterfalls. A serious hike - walking sticks were definitely needed.

Another day we went for  half day a hike..and yet another we went horse back riding in the pampas.

We met so many people from all over the world - socializing in the bar at cocktail hour with the drink specialty "pisco sours" was a fun way to cap the day. Everyone ate together in the intimate dining room.

The only downfall to this exquisite, upscale lodge is that you are definitely paying for the high thread count sheets....and getting there is definitely a journey. Planes, trains, and four hours on a rickety bus that made me so carsick I was clutching a paper bag. I guess that is just a small price to pay for being in such a remote and still pristine hideaway...

www.explora.com

Super Bowl Sunday : Miami with Kids

MIllions of eyes will be upon Miami this weekend when the Colts and Saints face off for Super Bowl XLIV. I'm sure there will plenty of aerial beauty shots of this tropical town, but nothing can quite capture the true essence of this vibrant and diverse city like being there. So I'll do my best to recapture my experience there, and describe some great things to do with kids.

Many people don't associate Miami with children - they think nightlife, sexy beaches, art scene..but really, it is a great place to take the kids if you know where to go. Here are some of my favorite family-friendly destinations:

1) Monkey Jungle: I've never been anywhere like this - it was very entertaining. There are hundreds of different kinds of monkeys roaming free on this 30 acre rain-forest like preserve. (Don't worry - from what I remember the gorillas can't get out of their habitat!) But there are small monkeys that will jump on your shoulder if you walk through their space with food in your hand...I had about 6 monkeys on me at one time, and had to say my lines for a travel show while cracking up as more monkeys hounded me. www.monkeyjungle.com

2) Children's Museum of Miami: A wonderfully educational and fun experience for children - with enough exhibits and special programs to spend all day here. www.miamichildrensmuseum.org

Some original exhibits were:

The Bank: A 6 foot piggy-bank where kids can learn to save, spend, and earn money. They also get to design their own dollar bills.

Health and Wellness Center:In a fun way,  kids discover how good food and exercise keep us healthy and fit.

Port of Miami: Kids find out what happens in a real port - importing and exporting and how to operate a giant crane.

Artist in Residence: Kids can observe and interact with a professional artist. There is also an art space at the museum so kids can create their own masterpieces after they've been inspired.

Music Studio: Kids try out different instruments and can visit a recording studio.

Other programs that sounds great: Cooking classes, fish tank feeding, and up close with a cruise ship.

3)Jungle Island: A 18.6 acre theme park with some 3,000 exotic animals. You can attend the animal stage show, visit a petting farm, see reptiles and a bird show. www.jungleisland.com

4) Miami Seaquarium: A marine life entertainment park with a killer whale show..and many other up close and personal opportunities with endangered sea turtles, manatees, etc.

The really special exhibit at the Seaquarium is the dolphin program - 30 minutes in the water with dolphins touching, feeding, and training with them. The price is steep: $199...but ya do get a photo op with the smart swimmers - priceless. Kids have to be a certain height to participate.  www.miamiseaquarium.com

5) Everglades Alligator Farm: If you can swing it, and you haven't overdone the animal theme here, the alligator farm is 28 miles from MIami. There are more than 3000 gators to view in a rustic atmosphere. You can even get a photo taken with a baby gator..I wish I could find my photo of that - don't worry - they duct tape the little guy's jaws shut. There are entertaining shows with the gators, including watching them get fed and a "weird animal show." www.everglades.com

6) We'll leave the animal world, and head to the water... The Venetian Pool in Coral Gables is a little cheesy and enchanting at the same time, although I veer more toward the enchanting side..especially because it is located in beautiful Coral Gables. The Venetian Pool is included in the Register of Historic Places. It is a unique sight: Vine covered loggias, shady porticoes, a European fountain, cascading waterfalls, coral rock caves and Venetian style architecture. It almost looks like something shipped out of Orlando's Disneyworld. This public pool sees a lot of kids during the summer, and they reportedly take great pains in draining the pool every day to keep the water clean. Must be 3 years old and 38 inches tall to enter. www.coralgablesvenetianpool.com

7) See Miami by Boat: Many tour operators offer cruising through Biscayne Bay.. soaking up the sun, and checking out the luxurious homes of the rich and famous. Most kids love a ride on the water..do your research and you will find various operations that take you out on the bay.

8) Lastly - you can't forget a day at the beach. According to locals, two of the best family friendly beaches are on Key Biscayne:

--Crandon Park Beach with food stalls, picnic tables, beach chairs, water sports rentals, volleyball, restrooms,swing set, and lifeguards.

--BIll Baggs Cape Florida State Beach with concession stands, picnic tables, historic lighthouse, beach chairs, walking and bike trails, life guards.

Good times to go: Oct-May - sunny and nice... weather should be great for Sunday!

Travel Tip Tuesday: How to Get the Best Plane Seat in Coach

The middle seat, in the last row of the plane, right near the restroom, on a red eye...can you say nightmare?

There are ways to prevent that dreaded scenario...of course, some airlines are charging now to reserve a specific seat in advance, so you better know what you are paying for.

There are some reasons you may want to pay to reserve your seat - for instance if you are traveling with a companion or children - you'd want to sit together. Or if you are on a perpetually crowded flight. (Think Newark-Los Angeles, Friday at 5PM) If you don't have a reserved seat, your chances of being bumped from a flight are greater.

So, if you are going to pay to reserve a seat, first check with websites like seatguru.com, or seatexpert.com to get great information like what amenities your plane offers (in flight movie? WiFi?), how close a seat is to the restroom, the width of the seats, and my personal favorite - which seats have power ports so you can charge your laptop, iPod, and DVD player to keep those kids entertained! Especially important for us parents.

The reason this is my favorite is because I can't tell you how many times I have been on the phone with an airline agent who has no idea which seats have power ports,or if WiFi is offered. To top that, I have asked at the gate agents for seats with power ports, and they didn't know either.

Luckily, I have done online research in advance with the above mentioned websites, and  learned if the plane had WiFi and which seats offer power ports. I would have been really annoyed if I hadn't packed my laptop or adapter and listened to the uninformed airline employees who told me there was no WiFi or power ports. **Do remember to bring an adapter to plug into the plane's cigarette-lighter-like power ports.

If you aren't going to pay to reserve a seat, try to check in online the MINUTE the airline lets you (24 hours in advance most times)..that way you can avoid any lines just to pick a seat and beat the crowd. Also, try to fly at off peak times so the likelihood of empty seats is greater; translation: you might not be stuck with a middle seat. And if you are traveling with children, check to see which airlines offer pre-boarding for families so you can get convenient seats all together.

Happy Travels...