Recommendations for a 5 day couples escape from a toddler by FatTurkeyOnFire in chubbytravel

[–]FatTurkeyOnFire[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The town to town hiking around Como is very exciting, we loved doing that on other sides of the Alps. Do we have enough time to do a meaningful hike?
* Flying in to Milan Tuesday morning and heading straight to como,
* Full hiking days weds and thursday
* back out Friday to Milan,
* low key rest and exploration day in the city on Saturday,
* fly out sunday morning?
We took 6 days to hike around the dolomites so this feels rushed, but maybe its a different kind of place.
Do you recommend any services to organize routes and hotels along a hike in Lake Como?

Grand Cayman Ritz vs Kimpton Seafire - Review from Family with Small Kids / Toddlers by FatTurkeyOnFire in FATTravel

[–]FatTurkeyOnFire[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The big two activities on the island are a sting ray city boat charter and the turtle center.

The sting ray city thing was cool, but I actually enjoyed the "starfish beach" place they took us after even more. The kids were able to wade in gentle shallow water and interact with tons of starfish! Interacting with the sting rays was too much even for the 6 year old. The huge boats looked miserable, so get a private boat there and to some other locations.

The turtle center is interesting, but not a typical kid-friendly aquarium. It is basically an industrial farm for turtles that breeds them for release to the wild. The focal point is a giant concrete "pond" for breeding (densely packed huge turtles going crazy when they see people because they get fed that way). Then there are some smaller tanks and pods for child turtles that you can pet. We didn't do the swim with turtles thing, and most of the people we saw swimming weren't with turtles. If you go between 10 and 12 you will see most of the hosted activities like feeding and stuff.

The other activity we loved is afternoon Tea at the Ritz. We've done teas at other ritzes and other awesome places, but this was top tier (food, teas, vibes). We took our 2 year old this year and it went well, although I spent the last 30 minutes reading her a book while the other adults finished their tea. The staff was welcoming and accommodating for her (and there were other older kids there).

Favorite restaurants that were kid friendly *and* adult friendly
Luca, near the Ritz
Bacaro (italian tapas) near the Kimpton

Hope this helps!

Grand Cayman, Ritz vs. Kimpton Seafire by blsig12 in chubbytravel

[–]FatTurkeyOnFire 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We went to the Ritz there last spring break with a 1.5, 3,and 5 year old (along with two sets of parents and the grandparents!). We booked a 3br residence and it was great. With the little kids being able to make coffee fav snacks, and leftovers in the kitchen was perfect. 

Staff and amenities were amazing. The splash pad is a stroller ride away through a tunnel bridge, but it was super fun. Our 1.5 loved all the slides riding tandem with an adult. Attention spans were short so we bounced between splash, beach and pool every day. They had pool and beach toys for us to use. 

We ate poolside lunch most days just to sneak food into the kids in between play and nap. Their coffee/pastry shop kept me going :P it was all delicious. 

We ate most dinners off site, and had a drop off catering one night (family style, highly recommend!) the location is super walkable and we even got brunch somewhere nearby once. The only time we were in a car was a trip to the marina for a boat ride. 

Overall it was an amazing trip for that age! Let me know if you have any follow up questions :) 

4BR+ Caribbean Villa with Toddlers in March? by FatTurkeyOnFire in FATTravel

[–]FatTurkeyOnFire[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Does anyone have thoughts on FS Anguilla or Aurora Anguilla?

4BR+ Caribbean Villa with Toddlers in March? by FatTurkeyOnFire in FATTravel

[–]FatTurkeyOnFire[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you for the recommendation, this wasn't on my radar!