BAJA: Top Five Reasons – plus one more

June 24th, 2010

Underwater play

There are many reasons Baja Mexico is an adventurous family’s delight. Maybe you haven’t considered it, but here are some reasons why you should:

1) It’s a breeze to get to, with nonstops from Dallas, Atlanta, Los Angeles, Phoenix – and more?
2) We sweep you away from the chaos of Cabo and up into the peaceful and relaxing environs of Todos Santos – such beauty!
3) Everyone knows the guide makes the trip – our TFA guide in Baja is no exception.
4) Boredom doesn’t live here: Spend your days surfing, tidepooling, hiking, and horseback riding. Kayak in crystal clear water, and snorkel with curious sea lions by your side!
5) In February come see the whales migrating through – it is said they’ll look you right in the eye and they glide by!
6) Become a language mentor, and help teach local children English while learning about their lives.
We could say more, but isn’t this enough??

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Remember the ash cloud from the Eyjafjallajokull volcano?

May 27th, 2010

Gayle and Matthew

…Well, so do Gayle Botti and her grandson, en route to Egypt. Thanks to luck, good humor, and our included trip cancellation insurance  this story has a happy ending! Gayle is a travel agent at  Let’s Travel in Santa Monica CA. Her specialty is ‘unusual trips’ – and this was no exception. Her letter follows in its entirety:

“First I would like to thank you and everyone at Thomson Family Adventures for the most wonderful travel experience I could ask for.  It was truly incredible and so worry free.

I recently took my 11 year old grandson to Egypt for 10days on Egypt – Valley of the Nile.  I told my 3 grandchildren that when they turned 10 years old I would take them on a trip anywhere in the world they want to go.  Matthew being the oldest has always wanted to go to Egypt so that is why we went there.

We did get delayed in Frankfurt, Germany because of the volcano eruption in Iceland for four days.  Everyone at Thomson was on top of it and said I would be able to pick up the tour whenever we arrived.  Fortunately I had us arriving in Cairo a day before we would meet the group and also stay a day after the tour ended.  Beth, at Thomson kept  in touch with my daughter, Matthew’s mother, in Rochester, New York with the latest happenings.  Mohammed in Cairo also called my daughter to reassure her we would be taken care of.

By the time we finally left Frankfurt the group of 8 – 4 adults and 4 children, ages 9, 11 and 14 were already in Sharm el Sheikh.  Well Matthew was in his element because now there were 4 boys, three of whom were 11 years old and one girl.  Shortly after our plane from Frankfurt arrived in Cairo we were met my Mohammed and taken to dinner.  He told us that we were confirmed on a 10:30 p.m. flight to Sharm el Sheikh but he was trying to get us on the earlier flight at 8:30 p.m.  As it turned out we made the earlier flight and Mohammed never left our side until he saw to it that we were on the plane.  What service is unheard of!

Matthew did miss the snorkeling in the Red Sea. He was disappointed at first but once he met the other children in our group he quickly got over it especially when he saw the Red Sea wasn’t really red!  From then on we joined in the scheduled tour.

Now for a word on why Thomson is the very best in my estimation.  Not only was our guide, Randa, top notch but the mentor, Temer, was fantastic.  He kept the kids entertained and happy the entire time including eating with them at all meals and letting the adults eat together.  Every day Thomson had some little gift for the kids to open.  How they looked forward to that!  Every time I asked a question about our air schedule on the return flights I was told not to worry just enjoy the trip!  When they say don’t worry they will take care of everything, they mean it and you really have no reason to worry.  That is so important to me.  I seem to worry about everything!  Another wonderful part of the trip was for the dinners we were able to order from the menu. A fabulous touch!  Hotels were wonderful – all 5 star and great locations, the vans were always very clean and the drivers very professional.  Snacks, water and soft drinks were provided everyday.  No need to pack any munchies for the kids.  There was plenty for everyone.  We were even given coins to use the public restrooms.  Honestly, they left no stone unturned!!!!!

I was told by Thomson to save all my receipts from Frankfurt and whatever out of pocket expenses I incurred would be reimbursed by their insurance company.  What a nice feeling that was.  On our last day in Cairo, which should have been on our own, Thomson said we could make up the full day of sightseeing that we missed at the beginning of our trip including meeting Matthew’s Pen Pal at the Pyramids.  We had our own van, driver and guide for the entire day.  Mohammed reconfirmed our return reservations for us and for the flights home all went well.

Now on a personal note, Matthew’s brother, Robert will turn 10 in November.  After hearing Matthew and me talk about the trip and of TFA he asked me when it is his turn will I chose Thomson or look around for another tour.  I don’t think I have to tell you what my answer was!  It looks like I’ll be contacting Thomson for a trip to Tanzania in the not to distant future!

I didn’t just take Matthew on a trip, I created a memory for him that will last forever.  I am very fortunate to have accomplished what I had hoped to do and I can thank Thomson for making this come true!

Thanks again for a truly wonderful experience.  Look forward to working with you again.

All the best,

Gayle”

Posted in Destinations, Egypt, Past Guests | 1 Comment »


Portugal – The Top Ten Reasons to take your Family

May 25th, 2010

Atop Lousa Mountain

Did you know Portugal used to rule the world? Now it’s a sleepy little country off the beaten path which frankly makes its vast history even more fascinating. Here are the reasons we think this was one of the coolest places we’ve ever been:

10:  The climate is perfect. Summers along coastal Portugal are warm and breezy – but not hot and humid like its inland cousins.

9: Treats. You  may have enjoyed a pastry or two in your life, but really you have not lived until you have consumed a warm Portuguese Pasteis de Nata. Maybe even two.

8: Learn to sing ‘Uma Casa Portuguesa’ by Amalia Rodrigues, Portugal’s beloved Queen of Fado.

7:  The women selling pecans in Nazare. It’s not often you get to buy freshly roasted nuts from a tiny woman in full native dress. And one who dances too! I’ll say no more, but trust me – this is a moment your family will remember and reflect on for years to come.

6: The Amarante water park. Maybe you’ve done the water slide, wave pool thing close to home. But to join the locals in Portugal, with a backdrop of historic vistas, is really unforgettable. Don’t forget to order the Tosta Mista for lunch, along with a cold bottle of Orange Fanta.

5: Kayaking on the Mondego river.  Portuguese adventurers escort you down a rushing river, with plenty of time for swimming and a picnic too.

4:  Hiking to the shale village on Lousa Mountain. History here is not just in the cities. Enjoy a wonderful walk up the mountainside and discover an ancient way of life that still exists today. Don’t want to hike? Ride in a comfortable van and meet the hikers at the top.

3: Fabulous hotels. Adventure often means simple hotels in out of the way places; not in Portugal where you’ll  sleep in palaces and manor houses. While everyone is busy having fun you’ll also luxuriate in European sophistication.

2: Palaces, moats, and gardens. Beautiful spaces to invite learning, encourage imagination, and expend energy. Every spot you see simply overflows with fascinating tales and history. All ages will be captivated by the spell of Portugal’s magic.

1: Portugal is a balance of history and cultural relevancy. It’s ancient but new. Your teen will relate to these contrasts. Your teen might even thank you for the experience. Mine did!

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The Power of the Great Pyramid. And an iPhone.

May 10th, 2010

the procession to the Great Pyramid

Thanks to the Sanger Family for sharing their story.

Our first day in Cairo, we visited The Great Pyramid in Giza. Only 200 people are allowed in each day and we were one of the lucky ones. It’s not for the faint of heart, believe me. A long, narrow ascent through a three-foot high tunnel, followed by a steeper climb up many steps to the ancient burial tomb. All the while breathing a warm, stale air – trying to imagine how this mammoth structure was created and how the tomb raiders were able to loot the place dry.

Joining myself, wife Kim, son Matt and daughter Julia were the LoPicollo’s – Greg, Gayle, Sam and Joe – our wonderful traveling partners for the week. Once we reached the burial tomb – we were the only people in the place! The group ahead of us had already vacated the room and nobody was making the ascent behind us. We had this amazing piece of history to ourselves. You could almost feel the ancient spirits in the darkened room.

Soon Sam began humming, before too long we all joined in, harmonizing an eerie sound that echoed through the empty chamber. So I whipped out my trusty iPhone. Now, you aren’t allowed to take photos in the pyramid, but you can certainly record! I tapped open the voice recorder, pressed record and came away with this.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

As we listened to it later, a smile came to all our faces, remembering the moment. That will be an experience none of us will ever forget – the Sangers and the LoPicollos. And to think, it was only the start of one of the greatest adventures of our lives.

Posted in Destinations, Egypt, Fun Stuff, Past Guests | 1 Comment »


Dogs, Puppies, and Us

May 7th, 2010

Benson, the Thomson Dachshund

Thomson Family Adventures is a dog friendly office. Henry, Benson, and Jessie hang out there on a regular basis, and other dogs like Hank visit on occasion. Having the dogs with us is comforting and reassuring in so many ways. Mostly we slave on the computers and phones through the work day while the dogs drape themselves over the leather sofa in the reception area or enjoy a sunbath in the front window. And then they  perk up at lunch time which usually produces a snack or two.

But sometimes, once in awhile, these dogs get called into service. A tough phone call, a difficult moment, a hard day. Maybe we reach for the leash to go for a walk. Maybe we reach for the dog  for a cuddle. Either way I’d bet 100% of the people in this office are so glad we have these warm happy pups to share our day with.

And now – welcome to Ridgeback Brown, Nancy’s new pup and the latest addition to our stable. We can’t wait to meet him, though we hope he gets a name before he moves to his forever home next week.  Stay tuned!

Posted in Fun Stuff, Nancy | 1 Comment »


World’s Expo: Shanghai

May 3rd, 2010

Shanghai Skyline

Our China Adventure just got even better for 2010! Enjoy our breathtaking Great Wall, Guilin, and Giant Pandas tour this summer and have the opportunity to stay on and visit the 2010 World Expo. So once you’ve explored history with a walk on the Great Wall, visited the terra cotta warriors,  and perhaps hugged a baby panda you can get a peek at the future too. Our three night package begins at just $295 per person

With an urban theme of “Better City, Better Life” the 2010 World’s Fair runs May 1 to October 31 in Shanghai. Built along the waterfront of the Huangpu River in the downtown area, this will be the largest and most expensive Expo the world has ever seen. In stark contrast to the ancient China seen on the tour, here you’ll witness stunning architecture and the latest in environmental technology while exploring different areas of urban development in the five pavilions of innovation: Urban Footprints, Urban Planet, Urban Dwellers, Urban Beings, and Urban Dreams.

In a quote from the official Expo website :  ”World Expositions are galleries of human inspirations and thoughts”.

If you’ve been thinking of traveling to China you just may not want to miss this year’s chance to discover extraordinary new worlds with your family.


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How it Rolls in Peru: The April Update

April 29th, 2010

Training to Machu Picchu Town

After severe flooding in January washed out the tracks, train service to Machu Picchu was interrupted and the sanctuary closed. Many families scheduled to travel in February and March had to scramble,  shifting their vacations to other destinations and putting their Peru plans on hold. Let us promise you none of this was fun, but least of all for the residents of Peru who lost homes and livelihoods as a result of the floods.

Now we are glad to say we’ve had our first family reach Machu Picchu since this disaster happened! Tourism is getting back on track and repairs to the rails are progressing, with partial service between Cusco and Machu Picchu Town (Aguas Calientes).   Peru Rail is running buses to connect tourists, but Thomson guests have the benefit of private van service to get them to and from the trains. Predictions have the Vistadome train as well as the Hiram Bingham back in action along their full routes by June when our families are next traveling.

The biggest inconvenience to tourists will be the luggage restrictions; with fewer trains running there is less room for bags. Currently there is a limit of 5kg (11lbs) per person on the train to Machu Picchu- needless to say this does not equal a suitcase! If this rule is still in place in June  we’ll do our best to minimize the complications. In the worst case scenario you’ll be parted from the bulk of your luggage for the two days at Machu Picchu… you can handle that, right?

This is why it’s called adventure!

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Life in Motion – Without Turning Green

April 27th, 2010

Turkish gulet

Several of our Thomson Family Adventures involve time on boats, or in vans on mountain roads… Ah yes, just this first sentence makes me feel queasy. And indeed we spend a lot of time chatting with families about how to combat the effects of motion.

I’ve been plagued by motion sickness my whole life. When I was a little girl the 15 minute drive to ballet lessons left me so green I couldn’t participate in the class I’d looked forward to all week.  Products like Dramamine provided some relief, but mostly because I’d be passed out cold as a side effect. Over the years I learned some coping techniques – sleeping, meditation, avoidance – all of which did nothing to help me join in on the things I wanted to do. Does this sound like familiar?

Lucky for me and my traveling heart, I found a formula and a solution that works for me. Boats, cars, planes – now I am fearless, and  use those little bags only for writing notes (not – you know).  Maybe it can work for you too. There are three important components to this fix:

1) Stock up on Bonine, an over the counter, non drowsy anti-motion sickness medication.  I’ve also found the generic drug store chain versions just as effective; look for the non drowsy label. It’s a small chewable tablet and you only need to take it once a day!

2) Take this little miracle tablet well before you step foot on a boat or car. One thing I know for sure is as soon as I begin to feel poorly there is no going back to feeling terrific. Nip it in the bud! If you’re heading out early in the morning, you might even begin taking it the night before.

3) Keep taking it once a day for as long as you are on that boat, or facing bumpy car rides. Don’t stop because you feel good! In fact you may be feeling good because of the drug. It is true you may also get your sea legs after a few days on a boat, but do you want to take the chance of ruining your good time??

Following these simple steps have allowed me to sail on small boats for days on end, and even enjoy long, bumpy, winding car rides to interesting places all while staying alert. Well, except for nap time which is mandatory on a vacation, right?

Bonine or its generic version is inexpensive,  simple to use, and transformed my life. Your results (and side effects) could be different so try it out for yourselves before deciding if this is your solution too. Happy sailing!

Posted in Costa Rica, Destinations, Galapagos, Moo, Turkey | No Comments »


Meet Our Pal, Barbara Ruttenberg

April 21st, 2010

Another is our ocassional series of  interviews with our past guests. Barbara began her Thomson travels on a Thomson Safari in 2000, and has been on 3 Thomson Family Adventures with her grandchildren since; and we hope there will be many more!

How / when did you find TFA? My first trip with TFA was in 2002 with my granddaughter Kayla.  She had selected Africa as her chosen destination for her Bat Mitzvah gift.  Internet research indicated to me that TFA had the best family trip to Tanzania so off we went.  It was an amazing experience and convinced me that TFA was the best organization for traveling with my grandkids.  Since then TFA has taken me and one of my grandkids to Panama, China, and Turkey, and each trip has provided a gift of learning and adventure. These trips have encouraged my grandchildren to experience fascination, not fear, when confronting difference, and I am grateful.

Why do you like to travel? Travel is one of my passions and sharing it with my grandchildren makes it extra special.  Travel provides a kind of learning that far surpasses what we gain from books or media.  We not only learn firsthand about other cultures, but we come home with a different vision of ourselves.  When I am standing on the Great Wall of China or staring at Turkey’s Hagia Sophia at sunset, I experience a sense of joy and wonder that cannot be replicated any other way.  Travel is an amazing tonic for the spirit.  The whole idea after the journey is to return home, not just with souvenirs, but as a changed and more conscious human being.

What was your first trip outside the USA? In 1975 I visited several European countries.  Back then Europe was not so westernized so it was my first taste of the newness and strangeness of a foreign culture.  The enchantment hooked me and I’ve been traveling ever since.

What is your favorite travel moment? My favorite travel moment always involves interaction with the people of the country I’m visiting.  I am mostly interested in the human landscape, learning about the myriad ways we humans meet the challenges of living on this earth.  One of the things I love about TFA is that they encourage this aspect of travel.  There have been many moments of serendipity when I’ve interacted with people of the country we’re visiting and I’ve never felt rushed to move on to the next activity.  I travel to open myself to the endless diversity found on our planet……to experience it, relish it, celebrate it.

What is your favorite hobby/ activity / passion and why? My passion is people – my family, my friends, the children I serve in my work as a special educator, and the people I connect with in the world through travel and charitable giving.

Anything else you want us to know about you? Just one of my favorite quotes: Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body.  But rather to skid in sideways, chardonnay in one hand, strawberries in the other, body thoroughly used up – totally worn out, and screaming “WOO HOO!  What a Ride!”


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Alaska and a Small World

April 12th, 2010

Arctic swim - just before the jump

Saturday evening I went to the High School Gospel Fest concert at Tufts University. Eight or nine different area schools had come together for the day to meet and inspire each other with music; their sessions were capped off by an evening concert of wonderful music, which is the part I went to.  Through an evening of foot tapping and singing I kept looking over my shoulder wondering why everyone looked so familiar. Well maybe not everyone, but SOME of them.

End of the evening, the lights came up and it clicked. Mike, Anne, Conor and Molly – new friends made years ago on my first Thomson Family Adventure, in Alaska. We all live in the Boston area, but I guess we had to travel to Glacier Bay National Park to meet.

This is one of the amazing things I’ve discovered about a Thomson trip, that like minds find like adventures. And on these adventures families who might never have found each other do meet, and children make friends they’ll remember through their lives. Most importantly the memories formed on these great discovery trips are imbedded in a way so that you are bonded forever, whether you maintain a close relationship through the years or simply bump into each other every so often. The stories remain part of all of us, and visit our dinner table on a regular basis.

So this night at Tufts, true to form, we instantly burst into excited chatter about our memories from Alaska, and we all exclaimed it was still the best we’d ever done (I guess I say that a lot – but it really was fantastic!). Immediately we all remembered my favorite story that I’ve told many times. How my daughter Mira – then 15 – took little Molly – then 7 – under her wing and protectively said “Molly, if you want to jump into the water for the Arctic swim, I’ll go with you” Mind you, that water was about 40 degrees, and Mira had no interest at all in going in – and of course she thought Molly wouldn’t either. But Molly had proven herself that week, and was committed to keeping up with everyone on board, and so she said: SURE LET’S GO!  Well they did jump holding hands, but while Molly paddled around, Mira shot straight back up out of the water and on deck almost before she submerged. She wrapped herself in blankets and hibernated in her cabin until her body temperature rose again – poor thing!

My Mira, hearing I saw Molly this weekend, immediately said “OH MOLLY!” and asked a hundred questions about the family and how they are and what they’re doing, with all the excitement and enthusiasm of speaking of any of her favorite things.  And this is exactly what I love about a Thomson trip. It makes my heart swell that I have such a lovely, caring daughter and that I’ve been able to give her this gift of discovering the world and the many people in it, all of whom have helped shaped who she is today and who she’ll become in all the years of her life.

Mira and Molly

Thank you Molly, and to all the great friends we’ve made in our travels.

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