5 Tips to Make Your Family Beach Vacation Unforgettable

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I am a mother of three now-adult children.  I’ve had kids from all over the US, Europe, the Caribbean, and even the South Pacific.  When you are a family of five and have a mix of girls and boys, it is crucial to make sure you take everyone in the family into consideration to make your trip enjoyable. I’ve put together a list of tips below for making the most of your next family beach vacation.

5 Tips to Make Your Family Beach Vacation Unforgettable

Involve the children in the planning process. Share and show them pictures of the possible destinations. Find out what activities are important to them. For example, I let each of our three children choose an excursion for our last family trip. This gave us 3 of our 7 days off the resort doing things we knew each child would enjoy.


Pick a resort with a good kid’s activity program. Make sure the program the resort offers has activities that your child would enjoy participating in. Be sure that the resort’s activities cater to the age of your children. Not all resorts have activities that entertain that “tween” and “teen” crowd. When your children are busy being entertained, you can steal some time for yourselves.
Pick a resort with a variety of dining options. We all know how picky kids can be when it comes to eating. Make sure the resort has a good buffet option. It is also helpful when they have an American option that you know the kids will go for, such as a Pizzeria. If your child has any food allergies, check before booking, see if the resort can accommodate the allergy. Often the chef will meet with you to arrange the necessary meal plan for your stay. Several resort chains have now begun to include gluten-free options for their guests, as well as handling, dairy, and peanut allergies.


Pick a resort that provides spacious room accommodations. When you are used to having your own bedroom and or bath each morning, it is important to consider the size and amenities of the room types at the resorts you consider for your family. Many resorts now offer bunk bed options for families of 5, separate rooms for kids, and family suites with 2 bedrooms.


Remember to relax. You are on vacation after all. Consider locking the electronics in the room safe. Do activities together and apart (Spa time for mom?). But most of all, have FUN!

PS: Don’t forget to use your favorite travel professional to help you find the perfect resort match for you!



Lisa Rossmeissl is the owner of Boomerang Escapes, a home-based agency located in Old Bridge, New Jersey with agents in TN, MS, and WI. 

She has been a professional travel consultant since 2008 and specializes in Australia and the South Pacific. Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti, Fiji, and Cook Islands are among the specialist certificates she holds.  Her agency’s focus is on creating custom itineraries with their client’s wants, desires, and budgets in mind.  She and her planners believe in getting to know the traveler to ensure they have a vacation to remember.  With each planner specializing in a different market area, Boomerang Escapes can offer a wide variety of leisure vacation planning.

Lisa Rossmeissl5 Tips to Make Your Family Beach Vacation Unforgettable
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Things to See & Do in NYC Right Now

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It’s spring, one of the lovely times to visit New York City. And while not everything is fully open, such as Broadway (which expects to return this fall), it is a beautiful time to see the city that never sleeps.

I recently returned from a five-day stay where I acted as a guide and tourist with my friend who was seeing the city for the first time. Here are some great things to see and do in NYC right now. It is the perfect time to take advantage of the low crowds.

Central Park-One of the great beauties of the city and a must stop when visiting. Just starting to have the spring blooms pop, it will probably be magnificent these next few weeks with colors. Whether you are walking it or spending an afternoon on the lawn, it makes for a perfect spring day activity. We even caught some excitement with the filming of the Guilded Age taking place. Covid notes: No reservations are needed, and people are wearing their masks when walking. Joggers and small groups on lawns or, if socially distanced, will have masks off. 

The Highline-An architectural beauty and landscape masterpiece, this walking trail designed from an old rail pathway is ideal for spending a couple of hours out of the day. Again, ready for pure bloom beauty over these next few weeks. Be sure to have your camera ready to capture some great city pictures. Covid notes: Use their app to make a reserved walking time. Depending on traffic, you can scan and book your time at arrival, but to ensure you will be able to walk right away, book in advance. 

Masks are required.

Walking Tours-Many of the tours are back up and running. We did a fantastic Art Deco tour learning about the architecture and buildings in the city. Some incredible design features and surprise buildings you might not even be aware of are in your walking discovery. The tour was about two and a half hours. Covid notes: Masks are required. Pre-book tours. 

The Empire State Building-This iconic landmark in the city is rich in history and deserves at least one stop when coming to New York. Be sure to go all the way up for the best views of the city. I highly recommend reserving the sunrise or sunset times. Covid notes: You must pre-book and purchase tickets. Masks are required. 

The Museums-We hit a bunch of the majors this trip. Most asked you to reserve your time slot and or reserve and purchase a ticket ahead of time. The great thing is crowds were down with everything not yet back to the total capacity. Highly recommend visiting The Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Museum of Arts and Design, The Museum of Modern Art, and The Museum of Natural History. You can get a city pass, but be sure to check which pass you buy as not all the museums are on all the city passes. 

The Food Scene-With both indoor and outdoor dining again, you can pass up on New York’s food scene. I highly recommend finding a diner for your morning breakfast. You know how they say eat where the locals eat. Consider something with outdoor views for lunch and dinner. Rooftop dining and street dining is excellent with the warmer temperatures arriving. And you can genuinely find something to suit any budget. In New York, it is always wise, especially for dinner, to make a reservation. Covid notes: Masks required in public areas, but not at tables. At least one member of the party will have to sign in for tracing. Expect to have your temperature taken at some locations. 

There is always so much to do in New York. I can tell you the tourism workers are pleased to see people again. There is most definitely excitement in the air now and always when visiting. New York is a city you likely want to visit again and again. Truly with so many things to do, you will need more than one visit. For advice, arrangements, and recommendations, be sure to reach out to a travel advisor when planning your city escapes. 



Lisa Rossmeissl is the owner of Boomerang Escapes, a home-based agency located in Old Bridge, New Jersey with agents in TN, MS, and WI. 

She has been a professional travel consultant since 2008 and specializes in Australia and the South Pacific. Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti, Fiji, and Cook Islands are among the specialist certificates she holds.  Her agency’s focus is on creating custom itineraries with their client’s wants, desires, and budgets in mind.  She and her planners believe in getting to know the traveler to ensure they have a vacation to remember.  With each planner specializing in a different market area, Boomerang Escapes can offer a wide variety of leisure vacation planning.

Lisa RossmeisslThings to See & Do in NYC Right Now
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The 4 Most Significant Benefits of Rising Early on Vacation

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Are you a morning person? Maybe not. And you’re probably thinking, isn’t vacation when I get to sleep later?

And there is truth in that question, but I would like to share with you 4 of the most significant benefits of rising early on vacation. 

A chance to watch the sunrise

I absolutely love to watch that big ball creep up slowly from the landscape and cast light on the day. Getting yourself up early and watching the sun’s ascent is a one-of-a-kind experience, especially when you are in incredible foreign lands. There are few experiences better than, say, watching the sunrise on the African savannah or atop a mountain peak.

A chance to enjoy the quiet

Early in the morning is a great time to take in the silence before the hustle of the day begins. Take your coffee out on your ocean-view balcony with only the sounds of waves and birds in the air. Use the time to journal or meditate—just a time to inhale and exhale. 

Avoid the crowds

Getting up and out to popular spots means fewer people. Beat the crowds and get to take advantage of the attractions you have planned to see. Smaller crowds mean fewer lines and waiting time.  

More time in your day

Rising early means you’ve added hours to your day. For those of you who love to fit as much in as possible when away in a new destination, rising early, you those few extra hours.  

I hope I have enlightened you on why getting up early the next time you are on vacation is worth it. I would love to hear about your early morning vacation experiences during your travels. 



Lisa Rossmeissl is the owner of Boomerang Escapes, a home-based agency located in Old Bridge, New Jersey with agents in TN, MS, and WI. 

She has been a professional travel consultant since 2008 and specializes in Australia and the South Pacific. Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti, Fiji, and Cook Islands are among the specialist certificates she holds.  Her agency’s focus is on creating custom itineraries with their client’s wants, desires, and budgets in mind.  She and her planners believe in getting to know the traveler to ensure they have a vacation to remember.  With each planner specializing in a different market area, Boomerang Escapes can offer a wide variety of leisure vacation planning.

Lisa RossmeisslThe 4 Most Significant Benefits of Rising Early on Vacation
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