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Most families dream of taking a vacation full of fun bonding that won’t break the bank. When I was growing up, my parents made sure that we always had a week together each summer. We would get a condo or house at the beach, sometimes with other families, and it would be a magical week of sun, swimming, and no worries.

Now that I have my own family, we’ve continued the tradition of an annual family vacation. I’m always searching for destinations and lodging that offers a good value without compromising all our needs. One of our favorite destinations is the Northwest Florida Beaches, especially the Destin area.

Here are some tips on planning your own dream family vacation for less:

Vacation Home Rental

Hotels can be fun if you’re overnighting or just in town for a few days, but for a family, renting a vacation home directly from an owner gives you plenty of space, privacy, and some added luxuries that would cost an arm and a leg at a hotel. I’ve used HomeAway.com in the past to negotiate a low rate on a beachfront vacation home for our family.

Some homes offer onsite pools and hot tubs, along with gorgeous views of the Destin beaches. I like waking up in the morning, fixing a fresh pot of coffee, and enjoying it on the balcony or patio of the home.

Dining In

A wonderful way to save money while on a family vacation is to utilize the kitchen facilities or outdoor grill at your vacation home rental. While I don’t suggest eating in for every meal, because after all, you ARE on vacation, you can offset your overall vacation costs.

Activities

Staying in a vacation home, especially one near the beach, provides a low cost activity right out your back door – the beach! Many vacation homes offer the use of select beach supplies, such as chairs, beach toys, and umbrellas. All you need to bring is the sunscreen.

Not all families are content spending their entire vacation at the beach. Destin and the surrounding area offers discount shopping at the outlet malls, go carts and mini golf, water parks, and so much more. Have you ever thought about taking a fishing charter where you not only bond as a family, but you can catch a few fish to grill at your vacation home later that evening.

There are so many reasons why a vacation home can provide that dream family vacation for less, but as someone who travels with my family frequently, I’ll admit that the spaciousness of staying in a vacation home beats out the cramped quarters of a hotel room every time.

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HomeAway.com offer’s the world’s largest selection of vacation home rentals that provide travelers with memorable vacation experiences and benefits, including more room to relax and added privacy, for less than the cost of traditional hotel accommodations. Make memories where you stay, not just where you go. HomeAway.com – let’s stay together.

This is a sponsored post by HomeAway.com but my opinions are always my own. I have used HomeAway.com in the past to book my own family vacations to save money.

The Aloft Hotel is Uptown at the Epicenter in Charlotte, North Carolina is urban and trendy.  Fellow Traveling Mamas, Jen of One Moms World, and I were in Charlotte recently.

It is in the heart of the Epicenter of Charlotte.  There you will find an abundance of city life and activity.

This Fall, I attended a Conference at the Time Warner Arena Charlotte.  The Aloft was the perfect location for this event, within walking distance to everything.  Downtown was bustling and Starbucks was hopping.  The shops were fantastic with a variety of dining options in the area.  There was even an outdoor concert at the Epicenter, providing  a  lively and fun atmosphere.

Meanwhile, after our inspiring conference, we wanted to hit the Aloft and get back to the comfort of our rooms.  The hotel had city views, so you can pick up the energy of the city right from your room with a view.

There was an indoor lap pool to get a little exercise year round.  The lobby was funky, hip and casual, too.  Young people were visiting and playing games.  Some were shopping in the hotel shops.

The service was warm and friendly just what you would want in this bustling Southern city.  A visit to the Aloft Uptown Epicenter Charlotte is a must for comfort, flare and enjoying the heart of the city.  Aloft is a Starwood Hotel a part of W Hotels.

Special thanks to Aloft Hotel Charlotte, North Carolina for hosting my visit.  My opinion is my own - I loved it.

Destinations all over the globe celebrate this time of year according to the local culture. Here in Louisiana, we light the way for Papa Noel on Christmas Eve with the tradition of bonfires on the levee. There are two versions of how this tradition started, but no matter the origins, this is a wonderful way to celebrate Christmas Eve and being part of a community.

Last year on Christmas Eve, we loaded up our family and brought some out of town relatives to witness the lighting of the bonfires along the Mississippi River. It was such a magical evening and even brought tears to my eyes to see so many different people from south Louisiana gather together, sharing their food and their music with anyone who was there. My aunt who was visiting from Louisiana gave me a hug towards the end of the evening and whispered in my ear, “This is the best Christmas Eve ever. I’ve wanted to do this my whole life!”

We spent our Christmas Eve walking along the levee during sunset waiting for the lighting. At 7PM the first bonfire was lit, with each one following one by one for miles along the Mississippi River. Fireworks lit up the sky behind the bonfires, various types of music began to play, with strains of hip hop to zydeco on the wind.  We enjoyed hot bowls of gumbo purchased from a church tent and also authentic crawfish balls (the stuffing of crawfish bisque, without the shell).

You don’t have to spend your entire evening at the bonfires. Many families with little ones or those that have mobility challenges opt for a slow drive along the river road, from one end of the bonfires to the other. Since my children are now older, we opted to spend the entire evening at the levee. Here are a few tips if you plan on attending the lighting of the bonfires on the levee of the Mississippi River:

Dress for the Weather – The weather in Louisiana changes from day to day. One day you might be wearing shorts and the next day there could be a hard freeze. Last year it was pretty chilly at Christmastime and we made sure to wear our gloves and hats. This year you might need a raincoat. Keep in mind that the levee is windy.

Get there early – If you are parking and spending the evening, you’ll want to get to the area by 4:30 and before the sun goes down so that you can see what’s around where you decide to park. Also, make sure you have a means of egress for your vehicle or you may find yourself blocked in and stuck longer than you planned. Be sure to check out our driving directions for Louisiana Christmas Eve Bonfires.

Have a Picnic – Many people who live along the levee near the bonfires will have private house parties for friends and family. There will be a few churches and food trucks dotted along the river road, but be sure to pack yourself drinks and snacks to last through the evening, just in case. We made a gallon of adult beverages for my aunt and I, while the kids enjoyed soft drinks and the dads had a few beers early in the evening. We also brought along a few blankets to spread out in the field near our vehicle so that we could observe the bonfires while we ate.

Bring some cash – If you decide to purchase some of the homemade goodies to nosh on while at the levee, cash in small bills will get you fed.

Bathrooms are few and far between – There aren’t really any bathrooms, so be sure to keep this in mind. My aunt and I did find one Port-O-Potty as we walked along the river road, but it was dark. This would be a good reason to have a pocket flash light with you.

Watch your step, pack a flashlight – It’s dark along the levees, even with the bonfires lighting the way for Papa Noel. If you plan on walking around, the levees are steep and there might be hidden holes here and there. Be sure to access the levee from a gravel drive where everyone else is walking. If you decided to walk down the levee, make sure gravity doesn’t get the best of you. Take baby steps and don’t let your kids run.

Pack your camera – You don’t want to miss the chance to take a family photo with all the bonfires along the levee. Be sure to do this right before sunset when the sky turns so many beautiful colors and the light is still good.

Be respectful – If you aren’t from around Louisiana, you may not know that many of these bonfires have been built by the same families for generations. Everyone is nice, no matter what they look like or how they are dressed. The builders of the bonfires are proud of each of their creations, and they spend up to a month building these with their own time and their own money. Stop and talk with the people at each bonfire. Thank them for providing this free and beautiful way to celebrate Christmas Eve.

Enjoy the moment – Christmas is different for everyone. If you get the chance to attend the Festival of the Bonfires, be sure to stop for a moment of reflection.

Have you ever been to the Bonfires on the Levee? What are some of your tips? If no, is it on your bucket list?

A few weeks ago as I was driving I-10 in Baton Rouge, I noticed on one of the digital road signs an advertisement for a cool looking app — RoadNinja. A few days later I saw it again. Being the road trip and app freak that I am, I decided to download the free app to see what it was all about.

First, I’ll admit, I think the name itself is absolute coolness. Add the little character to the mix along with the useful information provided by RoadNinja, and I’m sold. The app was created by Lamar Advertising and offers much more information for travelers than those official state exit signs. I can’t tell you how frustrated I get when we’re on a road trip, looking for a particular restaurant or gas station, only to have the sign obscured by an 18 wheeler as we pass the sign.

Thanks to Lamar Advertising and their RoadNinja, I no longer have this frustration. I can locate businesses within a three mile radius, along with their specials, Twitter feeds, and share my finds with my social media communities.

Features

• Travel with Ease – Automatically detects your location and displays the nearest upcoming exit.
• Plan Ahead – Plan your trip effectively with a directory of every interstate/exit in the U.S.
• Locate Places – Search by business name or browse through default categories at each exit to locate points of interest.
• Promotions – Save money with promotions displaying deals nearby.
• Customize – Modify categories displayed at each exit on the app (there are over 30 options).
• Notifications – Save your favorite places and receive push notifications when you’re close by.
• Socialize – Share your favorite promos/reviews on Facebook and check-in on Foursquare.
• Interact – Access info and reviews for businesses/points of interest and map your route. Share reviews, ratings and photos of places with others.

RoadNinja is my new must-have app for any road trip. No longer will there be frustration when trying to find some of my favorite places to stop on a trip. You know you’ve been there, looking for YOUR favorite place to stop, not knowing how far you’ll have to go to find the place. The kids are crying (or whining) in the back seat and the hubby just wants you to choose someplace soon so he can get out of the vehicle to stretch his legs, so you end up at McDonald’s or Burger King for lunch. Sadly, as soon as you get back on the highway, you see that your favorite place was at the NEXT exit. RoadNinja takes some of the stress out of the family road trip and helps keep everyone happy.

RoadNinja is currently available on iTunes and soon it will be available for Android. For more information, check out the official site of RoadNinja and follow on Twitter: @Road_Ninja.

Happy Holidays!

Travel can be stressful, but when you add the aspect of family travel during the busy holiday season and many of us are overwhelmed. We’ve put together our best travel tips and ideas to help you make the most out of this crazy holiday travel season.

• Take a Tip from Santa – Make a packing list (and check it twice).
• Weather Check – Check the weather at your destination and pack accordingly.
• Documents – Make sure to have your passport, ticket information and other photo ID BEFORE leaving home. Keep those documents handy when going through security as well. Place them in an outside pocket of a carry-on.
• Carry-on Gifts – If flying with gifts, place them in a carry-on unwrapped. Bring along wrapping paper and tape to decorate once you reach the final destination.
• Pack an Extra Bag – Pack an extra bag so you can bring back gifts or items purchased while traveling. I like the new Lands’ End FlightWise Carry-on Trip Tote. It is lightweight and easy to shove into a larger bag.
• Ship Ahead – When possible, ship gifts ahead of time or look for a gift retailer that will ship direct. Lands’ End will ship gifts directly to recipients and even wrap them for a small fee.
• TSA Guidelines – Be sure to check with the latest TSA guidelines and pack your carry-ons accordingly. If you plan to carry your bag on rather than incur luggage fees, consider looking for a lightweight bag that will fit in overheads such as the Lands’ End FlightWise Carry-on Upright ($169.50). We’ve reviewed the entire line of this carry-on luggage collection.
• Get Packing – Make the most out of packing your luggage. Pack large items in your suitcase first, and fill gaps with small items such as socks. Soft-sided bags work great to maximize space and packing. We’ve got 10 packing tips for a carry on.
• Toiletry Items – Squeeze excess air out of toiletry items before packing. The air expands during the flight, which can cause items to leak. Better yet, transfer toiletries to small containers when possible. Read about a green way to pack reusable travel containers.
• Stay Charged – Are all of your chargers packed? Batteries? You’ll need these for cameras, computers, phones and handheld games. It’s also a good idea to pack a mini power strip so everything can charge at the same time.
• Calling All Credit Cards – Let credit card companies know you are traveling. Sometimes charges out of the ordinary get flagged and companies may freeze the account.
• Helping Hands – Let the kids get involved by allowing them to pack an activity backpack. Just be sure to check and make sure all items will make it through security.

Here are our holiday travel tip videos to help make your holiday travel easy and stress free. Happy Holidays from all of us at TravelingMamas.com.

CajunMama‘s Holiday Travel Tips

ThemeParkMom‘s Holiday Travel Tips

CarolinaMama‘s Holiday Travel Tips

OneMomsWorld‘s Holiday Travel Tips

If you aren’t staying at a beach resort in Cozumel, you can still get the beach time you might be looking for. Cozumel has a number of beach clubs available for day use, with facilities, bars and other amenities. One of the most popular beach clubs is Paradise Beach, which recently added a new pool, boasting one of the biggest pools in Cozumel.

Located in the south end, about five miles from the port terminal, you can expect to spend about $20 each way for a taxi ride. I’ve been there twice, once while it was super busy, and another time when it was virtually deserted.

When Paradise Beach was busy, our small group grabbed some beach chairs under a few palm trees, a bit aways from the water. This was okay with me, because there were lots of kids there that day and I appreciated the quiet corner where we were. I immediately ordered a bucket of beer for our party and an order of guacamole. The total was around $25US.

I stepped down to the water, and found the beach a bit rocky, but where I stood it was fine. Nearby was an inflatable water playground for kids. The price for unlimited play was $12US per person. There is also a $2 per person chair fee.

I spent the afternoon relaxing in a beach chair before it was time to head back to the cruise terminal. I still had time to make a few purchases, and enjoy one of those cold little bottle Coca-Colas before stepping back onto the ship.

How to Get There: Take a taxi and ask for rate to get to Paradise Beach.

Website: Paradise Beach

Spending quality time as a family, even when on a vacation can sometimes be hard to manage. If going to theme parks or other lively destinations, sometimes members of a family go off in smaller groups. One fun aspect of travel as a family is staying in a condo or vacation home where there are more opportunities for family bonding.

It’s a good idea to bring along a few games for those evenings sitting around the fire at a ski lodge or when it’s raining at the beach condo. We like to do this and sit around with a cold Coca-Cola or other drink of choice.

Coca-Cola supports Family Game Night and is offering this amazing family game night package through the Coke Rewards Program. Be sure to visit My Coke Rewards to check out the creative ideas and snack tips by Chef G. Garvin that are perfect for spending a quality evening with your loved ones.

This $100 value kit includes:

• (1) $25 Amex Card for snacks and supplies
• (1) Coca-Cola Coupon
• (1) Yatzee Board Game
• (1) Monopoly Board Game
• (1) Coca-Cola Polar Bear Puzzle
• (1) Checkers Mat
• (1) Set of Playing Cards

I must have heard it about a thousand times this past weekend:  “What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.”  In fact, Las Vegas has been making a concerted effort lo, these many years to market itself as a very, well, adult destination.

Don’t believe the hype.  While, yes, there are lots of grown-up, all-night, scantily-clad activities in Sin City, there’s also tons to do if you have tweens along for the ride – so much, in fact, that my two girls fought me like cats and dogs when I told them it was time to head to the airport and fly home.

The roller coaster at New York New York

Need ideas?  Try these:

Hotels

Live it up at the lake.  Lake Las Vegas is home to a kid-friendly Loews property, the place to kick back and get away from it all.  While the lake is in a different part of town than the Las Vegas Strip (where a lot of that scantily-clad stuff happens), rental cars are cheap (we got a mid-sized sedan on Expedia for $17/day), and the hotel provides a free shuttle in to the casinos.  What’s nice:  You’ll feel like you’re at a Caribbean resort, even while you have easy access to all the city has to offer!  The Loews has a giant pool complete with water slide, huge rooms with balconies over the lake, and fun water activities like kayaking and paddle boarding.

The outdoor lobby at the Loews Lake Las Vegas

•  Hit the beach. A fake beach, that is, at the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino, where the wave pool and lazy river will keep kids happy while mom and dad enjoy adult beverages on the sand.  We went whole hog and booked a Skyview Suite on the 62^nd floor – the kids loved watching the planes and helicopters take off from the airport across the street, and my husband and I appreciated the mountain view.   Best of all?  The suite had 1 ½ baths and a full living room with two twin-sized couches, so we had separate sleeping quarters and room to spread out.

Hit the beach at the Mandalay Bay!

•  Check out what’s new. The brand new Cosmopolitan has the cushiest pool lounge chairs and the most modern décor on the Strip.  While we didn’t get a chance to stay overnight, it’s on our list for next time. 

Dining

• Bust your seams at a Las Vegas buffet.  The classic Vegas dining experience is perfect for families with kids; there’s something for everyone, and kids don’t have to wait for the food to arrive.  Our favorite?  The Wicked Spoon at the Cosmopolitan, a one-of-a-kind food hall that delivers a multi-ethnic mix of top-quality, familiar staples arranged in an imaginative small-plates format.  My kids liked the asiago stuffed gnocchi so much that they went back for sixths; the prime rib carving station and macaroni and cheese made me drool.
  

  The beef carving station at the Wicked Spoon

• Take in the view.  At Marssa in the Loews Lake Las Vegas, you can sit by the window and look out at the lake while you and the kids feast on gourmet steaks, sushi, and fish.  While this gem of a fine dining spot has an Asian theme (complete with sushi bar and bento boxes for kids), the menu’s got something for everyone.  Don’t miss the chocolate lava cakes and the banana tempura!
• Fill up on pasta.  Lupo, a Wolfgang Puck restaurant in the Mandalay Bay, offers small pizzas and kid-friendly pasta dishes, as well as sea bass carved tableside.
• Hit the neighborhood pizza joint.  Ask for directions – it’s worth the hunt!  Evoking the feel of an authentic New York pizza joint, Pizzeria at the Cosmopolitan is a hidden gem serving whole pies and pizzas by the slice, an ideal stop-in-anytime kind of place.  A long, vaulted entry corridor is lined with a curated collection of vintage Italian record album covers, leading to the pizza counter and kitchen with high counters and mismatched antique bar stools.  The kids can play pinball while you wait for your pie.
  

  The pizza chefs at Pizzeria in the Cosmopolitan throw some dough around.

Activities

• Laugh for a full hour.  Mac King, who has been headlining at Harrah’s Las Vegas for more than 11 years and was recently named Best Strip headliner by the Las Vegas Weekly, presents a super family-friendly show filled with laughter and magic that keeps the audience asking “How did he do that?”  The show is G-rated and in the afternoon, so it’s perfect for kids (mine are still giggling).
  

  The hilarious Mac King

• Ride an ocean liner.  Or pretend you did, anyway, at the Titanic exhibit in the Luxor.  When you “board,” you’ll get a boarding pass for a real Titantic passenger.  Strolling through, you’ll learn the story of the Titanic’s doomed voyage and see artifacts recovered from the ocean floor.  At the end, you’ll find out whether “your” passenger survived the iceberg collision (Abby’s and mine lived to tell the tale, but Steve’s perished in the icy waters).
• Reflect on the circle of life.  At the Lion King show at the Mandalay Bay, your kids will be mesmerized by the joy pouring out from the stage (I’m not kidding – Abby smiled from ear to ear for two hours plus).  The Las Vegas production is virtually identical to the other companies seen around the globe and is staged with all of the same spectacular music, sets, and costumes that have made it a worldwide phenomenon. Try for an aisle seat, all the better to see the performers dance down to the stage through the audience.
  

  The Lion King wows Las Vegas audiences.

• Get ”Tanked.” Yep, the popular Animal Planet show takes place right here in Vegas.  Acrylic Tank Manufacturing, the company featured on the program, is open to the public and easy to access if you have a rental car.  Even better, Brett and Wayde, the show’s hosts, really work on site and are great with kids.
  

  With Brett and the family at "Tanked"

• Take the plunge.  Lots of Vegas options for this one:  Ride the roller coaster at New York, New York; slide through the shark tank at the Golden Nugget; or bungee jump off the top of the Stratosphere.  Or, if you’re interested in a different kind of plunge, do what Steve and I did and renew your vows with “Elvis.”
  

  Renewing our vows with Elvis

This fall, I jetted halfway around the world to Palau, a beautiful Micronesian island nation  where the people are friendly, the culture is fascinating, and the reefs are spectacular.  Palau’s an archipelago (a group of islands), and visitors can choose to stay at traditional resorts on one of the main islands or at funkier places in the Rock Islands.

If your family is looking for a classic resort experience, the Palau Pacific Resort is the place for you.  The luxury resort features 160 bungalow-style guestrooms, all of which are comfortable and well-appointed (after a long flight from Philly to Palau, the light-as-air comforters on the PPR beds felt like heaven).  Families will love the 1000-foot white sand beach, where they can rent aqua bikes, sailboats, and kayaks, as well as kick back in cushy lounge chairs.  Even better, the resort is committed to biodiversity, offering a “clam planting program” (an opportunity for guests to plant their own baby giant clams at the resort’s private lagoon), a nature trail (where guests can see kingfishers and Palau fruit doves), and a fish pond (where baby stingrays make their home).

Palau Pacific Resort

Some families, on the other hand, aren’t looking for all the amenities; they’re all about diving, and that’s it.  For them, Carp Island Resortmight be just the ticket.  Sure, you can only reach it by a 45-minute boat ride, and sure, the cottages are rustic, but the roughing-it feel of this place is part of the fun.  At Carp Island, you’re sort of glamping, but you’re in a beautiful spot to see the sunrise and catch the dive boat out to the reefs.

Photo by Lynn O'Rourke Hayes

Want luxury and Palau charm?  Check out two sister properties, Palau Plantation Resort on the large island of Koror and Ngellil Nature Island Resort.  a brand-new, eight room property on one of Palau’s outlying islands.  At the Plantation, tucked away but in the heart of all the Palau action,  you’ll find twenty matchless guest rooms, a tranquil spa, an outdoor pool, and walkways through carefully planted jungle plants. Ngellil, on the other hand, is all about isolation and peace.   The resort staff will transfer you to and from the airport by car and boat; once you’re there, you’ll revel in the silence (not to mention the delicious barbecue meals).  Designed to harmonize with nature, the resort has only two buildings, one housing the luxe guest rooms and the other serving as lobby and restaurant. Families can enjoy sea kayaking and sailing tours, hikes on the private hiking trails, and relaxing in the plentiful hammocks around the property.

Palau Plantation Resort

If my post on the environmentally friendly destination of Palau piqued your interest, boy, do I have more to tell you.  That’s because Palau is all about being outdoors, exploring the Rock Islands and the coral reefs, dipping into the tiny coves and marine lakes.  It’s the perfect place if your family (like mine) is always looking for activities that will tear the kids (OK, and the parents) away from TV and video games, online chats and Facebook.

Sunset in Palau. Photo by Lynn O'Rourke Hayes.

Take the jellyfish lake.  This marine lake – accessed by speedboat and a short hike – is the only one in the world with millions of non-stinging jellyfish.  Yep, that’s right – the jellyfish don’t sting (so kids with allergies are not at risk).  And there are millionsof them.  As in bumping up against you.  And forming clouds around you.  And showing you their pale orange beauty at all stages of their two-week life cycle.  I’m telling you, snorkeling with the jellyfish is mind-blowing.

A diver at Jellyfish Lake. Photo by Lorry Heverly.

Speaking of life stages, families can book a kayak tour with Palau-based Fish ‘n Fins (beginners welcome) to venture out to a natural, bona-fide baby shark nursery.  There’s an area off one of the tiny islands that’s very shallow and full of sea grass; when you paddle around there, you’ll spot dozens of the tiny guys (they’re about eight to sixteen inches long) darting through the rocks.  No worries, it’s safe here, too – sharks in Palau do not attack, and these tiny ones are way too small to do any harm.

Kayaking in the Rock Islands. Photo by Molly Blaisdell.

Loving the water, and want to take a dip?  As I explained in my last post, the coral reefs in Palau are second-to-none.  Sam’s Tours can book a custom snorkeling trip for the whole family and teach even tiny ones to put on a mask and breathe through a snorkel.  They’ll provide life jackets and keep a sharp eye out for little swimmers.  Best of all, the Sam’s guides know all the best spots to see fish, rays, sharks (remember, they don’t bite!), nautilus, and other sea life.

A cluster of grunts on a Palau reef. Photo by Lorry Heverly.

If you’re out in the Rock Islands, get your guide to show you Survivor Rock.  Fans of the popular reality show will be excited to know that several seasons (including French and Asian versions) were filmed right here in Palau.  When you see the gorgeous beaches where the tribes camped, you’ll feel jealous of the production crew (who, of course, had food and water and shelter).

My visit to Survivor Rock! Photo by Molly Blaisdell.

Feeling a bit soggy after all that water activity?  Head back to Fish ‘n Fins and sign up for an ATV tour through the jungle.  While kids without a driver’s license can’t drive, they can ride in a small jeep with Mom and Dad – and Mom and Dad’s driving skills will be put to the test!  Over about three hours, you’ll explore bumpy routes through the jungle beauty that is this tropical nation.
If you’re an adventure-loving family, don’t miss the brand new Palau eco-park.  It’s the only place to zip line in Palau (those guests who are more, well, relaxed, can ride a snazzy monorail instead), and the zip routes are outrageous, flying you above super-cool rock formations and a giant waterfall.

My turn driving the jeep. Photo by Lynn O'Rourke Hayes.

Heading to the airport?  End your trip with a visit to the Palau jail.  Think I’m kidding?  Nope.  The Palau jail has a real rehabilitation program, teaching inmates a trade and helping them build a bank account.  In the lobby of the jail (or the nearby Tebang wood carving shop), you can see (and buy!) a huge variety of classic Palaun storyboards, mahogany panels carved into works of art that tell the story of Palau’s traditional legends.  They’re beautiful and meaningful – perfect for remembering your Palau family vacation.

Tebang Wood Carving - Image provided by Molly Blaisdell

Travel assistance for this story provided by Palau Visitors Authority.