Going Places Blog: Cookiemag.com

Deals: Plot Your (Tropical) Escape

We might be in the midst of the dog days of summer, but it's time to start planning a tropical getaway for this fall (and cashing in on amazing deals). Head to the white sandy beaches of the Occidental Grand Aruba for an all-inclusive getaway that features free sailing, kayaking, and SCUBA clinics, plus beach soccer, horseback riding, and a kids' club for rates starting at $192 per person per night. Book by August 31, 2008 for travel between September 1 and October 31, 2008. Or, at the all-inclusive (yes, that includes frosty cocktails of the umbrella variety) Allegro Nuevo Vallarta in Mexico, kids up to age 12 stay free and rates start at $71 per adult per night now through December 19. For more properties and deals, go to occidentalhotels.com.

August 06, 2008

nanny diaries: esencia resort

Elisabeth Lepine | nanny to Charles, the four-year-old son of globe-trotting fashion photographers.

On a recent trip to the Mayan Riviera, Esencia, an elegant, discreet resort, became Charles and my private little Mexican paradise.

Due to consecutive fashion shoots, we ended up staying for almost three weeks, so there was ample time to try out all of the resort's kid-friendly activities.

Although most of Esencia's amenities are designed for adults, the resort and surrounding area had lots to offer its littlest guests, like yoga sessions, cooking classes, horseback riding, boat fishing, snorkeling - even a chocolate massage! Here are a few of our favorites:

Cooking Class:
Charles' face lit up every time we were off to another cooking class with the resident pastry chef, who was so patient with the eager four-year-old participant. The chef bestowed a white chef's hat on Charles' head and helped him prepare guacamole and cookies to share with our group.

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July 04, 2008