Welcome to a better year

Happy New Year to Everyone


I don't know about you, but I am super happy to welcome 2010. It was the best year of my life because I finally became a Mother, but 2009 was really tough for most everyone.

I am sorry I have not been updating this blog, but it took every once of energy I had (plus a full time nanny) to figure out this Motherhood job. I have been a terrible blogger and not such a good travel agent. Anyhow, I am back. My kids are amazing, beautiful, smart and awe inspiring, but I am sure they will be happy to know I am getting back to work, even if it is just a couple of hours a day.

So this is my travel advice for everyone. Take the time for yourselves, your significant others, and your children of all ages. I have never seen such joy and happiness in my children's faces as when we spent a week together on vacation. I know it helped that we went to Beaches in Turks and caicos where the Sesame Street characters entertained them daily, but nothing at home can compete with a vacation away from home. My neice asked me if "we can live at the hotel" and every day my 7 year old nephew insisted it was "the best day of his life". If I have learned anything so far about being a parent, it is that what children really want from us is our time. I don't know about any of you, but when I am home there are so many distractions (work, laundry, cooking, cleaning, shopping to name a few) but once you are away, you really have the time and energy to spend with the ones you love.

That is why everyone's after New Year's resolution should be to take a vacation with someone you love or even take one by yourself if you need the alone time. I know money is tight, but like my father always says, "you cannot take it with you".
Vacations are like pizza, even a bad one is better than nothing. If you book with us, you will not have a bad vacation.
I cannot believe I am saying this, but even a cheap vacation is better than nothing. In my former life (before having children and being broke all the time) I thought it was better to stay home than go away to a place if the sheets did not have at least 500 thread count or my room didn't directly face the ocean. I even remember telling people that wanted to keep their vacation under $500 to go camping or save their money until they had enough for a real vacation. I was really wrong. I know now that a vacation is what you make of it. Obviously if you spend $500 a night instead of $100 a night you may get more amenities, but it doesn't mean you will have more fun. I no onger think that if an all-inclusive does not serve eggs benedict or smoked salman for breakfast that there is nothing to eat. My 2 1/2 year old son ate chocolate muffins for breakfast 7 days straight and cheered every morning. We swam every day until our fingers were like prunes and went to shows every night. If you would have told me a year ago I would be going to Elmo's birthday party and liking it, I would have thought you were crazy. My point is, vacations are about doing things you wouldn't necessarily have the time to do at home. Vacations are also about trying new things and making the most out of each day.

In 2009 I learned that life is really short and unpredictable. I always said that "life is not a dress rehearsal" but it wasn't until this year that I actually started living my life that way. Right now you probably have 100 good reasons not to take a vacation, but take one anyhow. Take the time for your family and for yourself. I'll be back to you really soon with some great vacation specials, but call us in the meantime, and start planning this year's vacation.

Beth