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Best Island Travel, Islands To Live On, Island Resorts …

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Family vacations fuel a lifetime of nostalgia, from the time we are small children through our adult lives. Island travel evokes a particularly romantic reverie, which jetsetters of all ages will appreciate. Although pulling off a multi-generational trip does take effort, the planning can be fun if you approach it with the right attitude.

First off, it's everyone's vacation, so involve everyone. Call a family meeting, and have each person announce the top three places they'd like to visit and why. Note any overlaps, and draft a list of vacation-spot finalists. Think about each family member's goals or requirements for the trip. If you and your daughter want to pick up surfing, Barbados might top your list. If your son and his grandfather love history, the Maya sites near Cancn are an ancient marvel. If you continue to research, you'll discover several places that offer both surfing and historical sites, plus a kids camp for Timmy and a nature reserve for Grandma. The most important family travel advice: Don't plan on spending every minute together. A little breathing room goes a long way toward family harmony. Instead, choose a destination with a wide range of attractions, so loungers can hit the beach while active types swim with sea turtles. Plan on meeting up at specific points throughout the day, but otherwise, keep itineraries loose. Think about all you'll have to catch up on at dinner! When traveling with little ones, a flexible schedule is key, as Teresa Plowright, About.com's Travel with Kids column writer, advises. "Kids can so easily get their hearts set on something, and if problems arise (anything from a transportation issue to a sibling's tummy ache) then the disappointment is huge. When sightseeing with young kids, for example, I plan one morning activity and don't even mention the afternoon activity until I'm sure everyone's up for it."

Once you've chosen a location, your accommodations will play a large role in your family's overall experience. Family-focused resorts are especially appealing for groups with younger travelers in tow. Adults can savor precious one-on-one time while their little ones enjoy organized and supervised activities. The best advice is to look for resorts with programs aimed toward specific, narrow age ranges a program for 4- to 12-year-olds will likely bore both your preschooler and your preteen. Some resorts even offer themes or "celebrity" appearances, such as your children's favorite TV characters. All-inclusive family resorts make things even easier, especially when trying to coordinate numerous adult families. Plowright says: "Bottom line about all-inclusive vacations: All needs are provided for, fun is abundant, parents can enjoy a beautiful setting and relax. And with all-inclusive pricing, parents never need wonder 'How much will this cost?' when kids want more drinks or activities." One up-front payment means no splitting checks, and purses and wallets can stay in the room. Buffet-style meals are generally available anytime a huge advantage when easing toddlers into new time zones. Plus, picky eaters can make their own plates, while gastronomes-in-training sample chicken luau, okra, steamed mussels or plantains. Families seeking more space and privacy should consider vacation rentals. Justin Halloran of vacation rental network HomeAway Inc. says, "Hands down, the best tip I can offer when traveling with kids is to stay at a vacation rental instead of a hotel." This father of three children under age 4 adds, "Plus, separate bedrooms for the adults and kids is also key for my family because no sleep means no vacation." Depending on the level of service your group desires, prices for basic rental accommodations can be quite comparable to those of resorts, especially when divided among multiple adults. Vacation rentals offer the convenience of your own kitchen, laundry, dining room, etc., so you really can feel right at home only better. Parents don't have to fret over a crying baby at mealtime, and family members with special needs may be more easily accommodated. Plus, your party will experience a more authentic version of island living driving or walking to local food markets, speaking with the neighbors and sightseeing off the beaten track. For the ultimate vacation, villa rentals will have your group living like royalty. These luxurious dwellings often lie steps from the beach, with sweeping ocean views and top-notch amenities. Your personal chef prepares all meals to order, the laundress sees to the washing, a gardener keeps the grounds up to snuff, and whenever you'd like to explore the area, just consult your driver. Nannies are also available at many properties, so adults can enjoy time alone together. Debbie Moncure, owner of The Villas of Bluefields Bay in Jamaica, communicates extensively with families ahead of time to coordinate the details of their stay. "Before they depart, we send them a long list of lunch and dinner options, so they will have exactly what they want when they arrive the first day," she explains. Her all-inclusive villas come fully stocked with guests' favorite food and drink, and chefs easilyattend to dietary restrictions or special requests for children. Whether your clan chooses a Tahitian resort, a villa in Jamaica or a cruise around Hawaii, remember the true luxury of a family vacation is spending time together. As children grow up and lives get busier, our opportunities to devote an entire week or two to family bonding grow increasingly rare. So enjoy each moment and be sure to take lots of pictures.

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Best Island Travel, Islands To Live On, Island Resorts ...

USCG: Commercial ice-breaking operations Monday

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DETROIT The Coast Guardis warning residents of southern Lake Erie islands that commercial ice-breaking operations are scheduled totake placeMonday, and possibly Tuesday, between South Bass and Catawba islands.

Operations are scheduled to begin Monday at about 1 a.m. when the tug Ohio departs Cleveland and transits to South Bass Island between Kellys and Middle islands.

At about 10 a.m., the Ohio will then depart South Bass Island from Put-in-Bay, Ohio,and will be followed by the tug Bessie J,whichwill be towing one barge. All vessels will travel around the eastern part of South Bass Island toward the Millers Ferry Dock on Catawba Island and will utilize the Miller'sFerry route.

The vessels plan to remain in Catawba Island for about two hours during loading operations.

At about 1 p.m., the vessels will depart Catawba Island and transit back to South Bass Island again by way of the ferry route. After unloading, theywill then return to Cleveland.

Should a delay occur during loading operations, the vessels may need to remain overnight on Catawba Island. Departure to South Bass Island would then take place on Tuesday morning. Transit times and locations are subject to change based on weather conditions.

The Coast Guard has already begun sending out a broadcast notice to mariners on VHF-FM marine radio channel 16 with the latest information and will continue hourly broadcasts through the conclusion of the operations.

Safety marine information broadcasts are also being communicated onFM channel 16. Those messages will be broadcasted every three hours.

All efforts are being made to limit the impact on winter activities on the ice, including ice fishing.

The Coast Guard advises everyone to remain away from these areas and warns that ice is unpredictable and dangerous.Recreational users of the ice should plan their activities carefully. All ice in the vicinity of the vessels and the planned transits should be considered unsafe.

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USCG: Commercial ice-breaking operations Monday

British Virgin Islands signs deal with Norwegian, Disney cruise lines

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TORTOLA, British Virgin Islands The British Virgin Islands signed an agreement Friday with two major cruise ship companies expected to help boost the territory's sluggish cruise tourism sector.

Norwegian Cruise Line and Disney Cruise Line promised to deliver a total of 425,000 passengers yearly beginning in 2015 for the next 15 years or pay for lost tax revenues if the quota is not met.

The deal also gives preferential berthing to both cruise lines, a move that angered Carnival. Last year, that company delivered some 53,000 passengers to the territory of 30,000 residents. Carnival said in October that it would cancel its British Virgin Islands itinerary in 2015, but it has since rebooked some of those trips.

Some 340,000 cruise ship passengers visited the territory last year, compared with 571,000 in 2008. Officials blame the decrease partly on an existing dock unable to accommodate larger ships that have gone elsewhere.

The government said the deal could help them obtain funds to lengthen the dock. The bidding process to select a contractor is ongoing and construction is expected to start in upcoming months.

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British Virgin Islands signs deal with Norwegian, Disney cruise lines

Dr Robert Brooks, on Islands of Competence, NYCI 2013 Annual Conference – Video

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Dr Robert Brooks, on Islands of Competence, NYCI 2013 Annual Conference
Dr Robert Brooks, a psychologist on the faculty of Harvard Medical School, has lectured nationally and internationally and written extensively about factors ...

By: National Youth Council of Ireland

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Dr Robert Brooks, on Islands of Competence, NYCI 2013 Annual Conference - Video


  1. Islands