GLF asked local parents for their favorite vacation getaways without the kids. Here’s what we heard:
Turks and Caicos Islands
“There are miles of pristine white sands, sparkling turquoise water, fine restaurants, quaint boutiques, and luxury hotels,” shares Heather Cosmano. She described the trip as an adventure filled with a snorkeling charter, stand-up paddleboarding, and jet skiing. “We snorkeled the third largest barrier reef in the world, and our captain caught fresh conch from which salads were made for us. We were lucky enough to enjoy a surprise visit from a school of dolphins that followed us halfway on our tour. If you’re looking for the ultimate romantic dining experience, Coco Bistro should be first on your list,” Heather recommends, but she advises making advance reservations. Other favorite dining spots included Infinity Bar at Grace Bay, Mango Reef, Parallel 23, and Da Conch Shack.
One of our favorite daily activities was biking to the Salt Mills shopping area. The hotel provided the bikes, and since we didn’t rent a car, it was a great way to soak up the sun while sightseeing. – Heather Cosmano and George Prokos recommend Grace Bay Beach in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
New York, NY
Kay and Robert Tait suggest a weekend in Manhattan. “The hard part is choosing what to do out of all the options during such a short visit,” says Kay, who mentions that some of their favorite activities include window shopping on 5th Avenue, visiting the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA), and taking the Staten Island Ferry for close-up views of the Statue of Liberty.
“We stayed on Central Park South – our favorite location so far,” Kay continues. “It’s not as noisy as Times Square and offers a lot more activities than Soho. We grabbed sandwiches and salads at a nearby deli and picnicked on a park bench by a waterfall in Central Park.”
Europe
“We loved sailing on Windstar Cruises from Istanbul to Athens through Turkey and Greece. What we appreciated most was being on a small, luxury ship that had access to special ports that larger ships could not visit. My favorite port was Santorini, and I can’t wait to go back!” – Wendy and John Sandridge on a recent trip to Europe.
San Francisco, CA
“In San Francisco, we started our adventure in Chinatown, where there are all kinds of jewels and trinkets to find. Then we moved to Fisherman’s Wharf for fish and chips and endless views. After that, we headed to the Golden Gate Bridge for unbelievable views from all angles,” says Lauri. “Then off to Napa Valley for a four-day tour of wineries.” – Lauri and Darren Braschler enjoyed their time in San Francisco and Napa under the Golden Gate Bridge.
Napa Valley
“We love to travel to Napa without our kids. The weather is fantastic, and there are amazing places to visit. You could return again and again and never see it all! We stayed in Yountville, which has a small-town feel with plenty to do within walking distance. Our favorite hotels include Hotel Yountville and Block Street Hotel. Our go-to vineyards are Pride, Scribe, Peju, Quintessa, Trefethen, and Kelham. Our favorite restaurants are Mustards, Brix, and Bottega. We enjoy tasting rooms like Elizabeth Spencer and Beau Wine.
Smart advice: Always hire a driver. We recommend Napa Bee Driven. Ask for Donna.” – Jennifer and Louis Shaff at Kelham Vineyard.
