Reviews Archives – Page 5 of 6 – Parents with Passports

Coco Beach Resort Review

June 13th, 2018admin0 Comments

At our last dinner in Belize, we each picked one of our favorite memories from the trip – not necessarily a favorite activity or place, but a moment that stuck out to us. For me, it was the moment we stepped off the dock at Coco Beach and were given a tour of the property. I wish I could freeze that moment in time – the boys’ faces lit up like Christmas morning. Every thing he pointed out got a bigger reaction than the thing before. Just when I thought their faces couldn’t get any brighter, he would point something …

Roxy Ortiz Tour Review

June 12th, 2018admin0 Comments

I challenge you to research Tikal and not come across the name Roxy Ortiz. Every google search about Tikal guides brings up her name. Every TripAdvisor forum post about Tikal guides mentions her name. Every guide book has her name at the top of the list for Tikal guides. She is synonymous with Tikal. We were wavering about whether or not to make the trip to Tikal at all, and then whether to do it as a day trip or an overnight. The idea of an overnight trip was appealing for several reasons, but the logistics of a day trip …

Jungle Lodge Review

June 12th, 2018admin0 Comments

There are three hotels inside Tikal National Park – Jaguar Inn, Tikal Inn, and Jungle Lodge. Jaguar Inn is the lowest priced and offers both bungalow rooms and tents. This is the only place to legally camp in the park. They have their tents set up on stone platforms under a roof so you have good protection from the elements. The tents include mattress, sheets, access to shared bathrooms and showers, and use of the hotel amenities. For budget travelers and those who enjoy camping, Jaguar Inn is a unique option. Tikal Inn is the middle of the road option …

Black Rock Lodge Review

June 10th, 2018admin0 Comments

Black Rock Lodge is a beautiful eco-lodge located deep in the jungle of the Cayo District of Belize. The lodge is about 30 minutes from San Ignacio, but the majority of that trip is spent on their long, bumpy 7 mile dirt driveway. Driving to the lodge is an adventure that is probably best left to the experts. While you can rent a 4×4 and drive to Black Rock Lodge, the road is bumpy, narrow, and teetering on the edge of a cliff in many places. We were more than happy to let their expert guides handle the drive there …

Green River Cove Tubing

September 9th, 2017admin0 Comments

On our way back to Charlotte from Lake Lure, we decided to stop and take the kids river tubing for the first time. They were super excited to give it a try. We found a few different places online and ended up at Green River Cove Tubing based on reviews and location. We packed a picnic lunch, checked out of our house on Lake Lure, and headed about thirty minutes southwest. After eating a quick lunch in the back of the car, we got our tubes and life jackets for the kids and hopped on a bus that took us …

Angelo’s Boat Tours

June 2nd, 2017admin0 Comments

Although we ultimately did not get to go on this tour, I wanted to give them a shout out for great customer service. I contacted them when they were still closed for the season, but they still responded promptly and gave me updates on their boat’s status as our dates drew near. Once it was confirmed that their boat would be in the water by our visit, we booked the Evening Tapas Tour, one of their three options. The day of our tour, the waters were quite choppy and they decided it would be best not to go out. Their …

Hotel Villa Steno Review

June 2nd, 2017admin0 Comments

Hotel Villa Steno is a family-run hotel high in the hills of old town Monterosso. I can’t say enough about this hotel. We absolutely loved it. Finding it and getting up to it were a bit of a challenge, but it was well worth it. Built high up in the hills with a commanding view over old town, the grounds were covered with beautiful flowers and the air was filled with the smell of the lemons and oranges that grew in their gardens. Fourteen of the sixteen rooms in the hotel have a balcony. When we originally booked, a non-balcony …

Italy and Wine Review

June 1st, 2017admin0 Comments

We booked our Tuscan wine tour through Italy and Wine. They have 6 Tuscan wine tours to choose from, as well as a truffle hunting tour and some wine tastings in Florence. We went on the Castle and Chianti Wine Tour and it was fabulous. I gave the full details of the trip in my Tuscany blog but suffice it to say, the tour was one of the highlights of our entire trip. The booking process was easy, the tour guide friendly and informative, the wineries well chosen, and the overall experience fantastic. (Note: this is obviously an adult activity …

Hotel Porta Rossa Review

May 31st, 2017admin0 Comments

Hotel Porta Rossa is an NH Collection hotel and claims to be the oldest hotel in Italy. It is located on a narrow street in Florence, close to the Uffizi Gallery and a short walk away from the Duomo and other sites. The historic building has modern updates but retains its charm. The staff at the hotel was fantastic. They were friendly and helpful in making reservations and providing us with directions and suggested activities. We had read widely positive reviews about the hotel but there seemed to be one underlying complaint… the noise level. Surely it can’t be that …

The Fifteen Keys Hotel Review

May 30th, 2017admin0 Comments

Well, I wish I could write a more informed review about this hotel but unfortunately I missed our night there because of my flight issues. But I will say that my husband absolutely loved it. Seriously, I had to tell him to stop talking about how great it was because it was making me sad. The hotel has a wonderful central location, close to it all yet still quiet and secluded. A converted 5 story townhouse, the inside is impeccably decorated in a modern yet understated manner. With only 15 rooms (hence the name), this boutique hotel provides wonderful personal …