Mango Tree Travel

We all have places that hold special meanings for us - places that helped to shape our personal journeys. Two of mine - Grenada and the Grenadines - were hit hard yesterday by Hurricane Beryl, and my thoughts go out today to all the people I’ve come to know in those wonderful islands.

12 years ago—pre-marriage, pre-kids, pre-Mango Tree—Andrew and I sat on Grand Anse Beach, having just arrived in Grenada for a 6 week sabbatical. We were befriended by a Grenadian woman who lived in the UK but who was headed home for a visit to Carriacou the next day. She graciously invited us to come and visit her in Carriacou and — as one did in those youthful travel days — we of course said yes. We ventured off on the ferry two days later for a personal guided tour of the small island by a complete stranger who owed us nothing, but who opened her home to us so we could experience Carriacou. I have very few photos from that adventure, but deep memories that remind me why we travel.

I also remember from that same trip to Grenada all the people we met who had stories of how the communities of Grenada banded together to recover from the last major Hurricane to barrel through - Hurricane Ivan in 2004. I have no doubt they will do so again now.

One of the best parts of working in family travel is collaborating with fantastic minds. I recently interviewed Kaitlin Malaspina, CEO of - a family experience company that helps families and hotels prioritize sensory play for kids while traveling.

She really opened my mind to how we can intentionally use play during travel to relieve anxiety and tough travel moments with kids — and how hotels focusing on family travel can help us do so!

Check out the full article about our interview on the blog!

One month ago in Belize… Don’t forget to pack your for your Memorial Day getaways! My top travel toy going on 6+ years now.

This post is not sponsored, we’re just true fans 🤣

Sometimes, you just need easy. 🏝️✨

When life is busy and you want a quick getaway, these destinations are perfect from the East Coast.

But don’t worry, easy doesn’t HAVE to mean charmless or overly touristy! We’ve got a handful of favorite hotels in each of these spots. We’ll make sure you won’t feel like you’ve sacrificed your trip goals by pushing the easy button.

Mexico: With lots of direct flights to Cancun and now Tulum, the Riviera Maya is always an easy choice for a beach vacation. Our favorite hotels include a peaceful adult-focused hotel with a small kids’ club.

Montego Bay, Jamaica: This is the land of the all-inclusive resort. But there are a couple of amazing luxury properties within 15 minutes from the airport where you’ll feel like you got away from it all.

Nassau, Bahamas: You won’t find us recommending the Atlantis or Baha Mar — they just are not our vibe. If you want a luxury boutique hotel down the island with a pizza window open all day, we’ve got you covered. Or, add a hopper flight from Nassau and get to one of the Bahamas less developed islands.

Turks and Caicos. Turks is a favorite for many US travelers; it’s close (not far from the Bahamas) and has dazzling beaches, along with a great collection of small, family focused hotels with suites — and options to get off the grid too, which we work into many of our itineraries. Don’t come here for a budget affair, though, it’s a luxury choice through and through.

Antigua: Antigua has a hotel for every budget and style! And lots of direct flights. Soak up the sun on 365 beaches, one for every day of the year.

Grand Cayman: A long beautiful beach, direct flights, and excellent snorkeling. There’s no shortage of luxury hotels, but we’ve got a gem with lovely family cottages just off the beach that’s calling your name.

Start planning your trip now and get those short flights you’re dreaming of with a unique, boutique hotel waiting for you on the other side. 🌴

This is exactly what we’re here for: To find you fantastic options for the trip you and your family need, and to make it feel easy. ❤️ Thank you all for trusting us to bring these trips to life.

When is the best time to plan for December 2024? Now!

if you want to head somewhere warm over the holidays, plan it early. We’ve already booked a few fantastic trips for Mango Tree families, and these three things have been critical in the planning process.

Several Mango Tree families traded in the usual “quick getaway” between Christmas and NYE and opted for an extended holiday. By committing early and using the extra time to go a bit further, they now have incredible trips to Belize, Colombia, Nicaragua ahead of them. Others managed to lock in 2023 prices at luxury resorts by booking in January.

This is the year for special - not a last minute scramble - and we’re here to make the decisions easy for you so you can get it booked with confidence!

“Marvelous,” “Amazing,” “Fabulous.”

Winter breaks are in full swing. These are the words Mango Tree travelers are reaching for upon their return home.

Planning Caribbean travel for families is a true matching game: Whether you’re looking for natural beauty (like Ambergis Caye, Belize), to get to know a community (like at Jakes Hotel, Jamaica), or ease and all-inclusive luxury (Blue Waters, Antigua) — we have a spot in mind for you.

Find your dream hotel on our website and book through us for perks, or let us play matchmaker — it’s our favorite thing to do. It’s never too early to plan next year’s tropical getaway!

We have lots of Caribbean spring breaks ahead of us to knock out of the park in March or April, but these client reviews from last week’s travels sure are energizing me today!

Wow - I almost can’t imagine a review that could better capture the Mango Tree mission.

My goal is not necessarily to design you the “perfect” trip with kids — you simply can’t guarantee perfection in travel. It’s unpredictable, and that’s part of the joy.

But unpredictability can (understandably!) cause parents fear and anxiety. We’re less likely to take travel risks with kids, for fear of how our children will handle tough situations, and stress about how WE will respond in challenging travel moments.

My job is to give you the confidence to do it. And the optimism that it’s going to be ok when you do! I will always encourage you to take the trip, and help you be decisive in your choice of where to go.

It’ll be ok because you’ve got an expert in your corner to help you navigate the details — and because you CAN handle the unpredictably and it IS worth the effort.

Thanks Katy and Adam for trusting me with two big family trips! Excited to help you plan the next one. 💕

It’s not too late for spring break, families. If you know where to look, there are some great options left if you act quick this weekend! A few ideas -

- just 43 rooms on a top-notch snorkeling beach, the fish are right at your fingertips. Great one- and two- bedroom suites for families, and a personal favorite for an easy, charming, snorkeling-focused trip with kids.

- we just booked a lucky Mango Tree family here for spring break, in a three bedroom suite. Great pools and a newly refurbished playground for littles, a stunner of a walking beach, and a whole fried fish on the menu that I still think about. Their nonrefundable rates are a steal.
cancun - sometimes all you need is an affordable jaunt to an all-inclusive and a kids club. I get it. Garza Blanca is bigger than many of the hotels we often highlight, but with huge two bedroom ocean view suites and great food, it’s fit the bill for two of our clients this month.

- grab some friends and get to Jakes in southern Jamaica ASAP for all the charm and authenticity. They have a brand new four bedroom villa which still has some March and April break availability for $850 a night! Other villas still have availability too. A no-brainer.

Which one do you pick? ⬇️

There’s a trip idea swirling around in your mind, but you haven’t booked it. What’s stopping you?

If you bring in an advisor to help, you could have that trip fully planned from start to finish, customized for you. Don’t let these common misconceptions stop you from getting it planned right and getting it planned now.

🌟 Myth 1 - We’re just here to find deals.

Price matters, but our role goes so far beyond bargain hunting. Think of us as the general contractors bringing all the right partners and moving pieces together to execute a joint vision. We add value rather than shave pennies, and get that trip across the finish line.

🌟 Myth 2 - Luxury travel just means expensive hotels.

Luxury is personal. For you, it might simply mean the feeling of walking into a family vacation with confidence and optimism - knowing that someone planned your trip with intention, and with your family dynamic in mind. We can offer guidance for all manner of budgets.

🌟 Myth 3 - It costs too much.

Your time and peace of mind is worth it. Our travel planning packages start at just $275. For busy parents, outsourcing that reduces stress, simplifies your life, and improves the time you get to spend with your kids is an investment that will pay off.

November was a wild trip planning month for me.

Trip dates ranged from last minute holiday bookings to August 2024, but most of the requests I received were for spring break. Here are my top three takeaways:

1️⃣ For all travelers headed to the islands for spring break:
Booking early is a must! By November, especially for those peak March weeks, options were limited and prices high for our favorite properties. If you have a specific destination in mind, start the planning process as soon as you can.

Or - if you wait too long next year and find yourself without a plan in November, then brainstorm your top choices, stay flexible, and pounce on Black Friday sales without hesitating.

2️⃣ If you need a two-bedroom space:
Start your search even earlier. The two-bedroom rooms at my favorite hidden gem hotels were sold out for peak weeks long before November. Don't miss out.

3️⃣ If your travel budget for a family of 4 is less than $10,000:
Double down on flight-first travel. Flights can devour that budget, so finding good deals is crucial. Be open-minded about your destination - there are so many incredible places in the world to make lasting memories. Let your flight choice guide your destination choice, leaving more room for amazing hotels and family fun. And always, always consider Monday or Tuesday travel days – missing a day of school can be worth the adventure.

Let's start early next year by trying something new. Schedule a call with me now for May 2024!!

Get someone in your corner to encourage you to start planning early. What do you say?

Meet our incredible Mango Tree clients - currently halfway through an epic three-week island-hopping adventure in the Caribbean! 🏝️

This go-getting family from Australia seized the moment and turned maternity leave into mom’s bucket list vacation of seeing the Caribbean islands.

They’ve gone from the naval dockyards of Antigua to the glamour of Saint Barths, are experiencing the French charm of Saint Martin, and have the peace and calm of Tortola and Virgin Gorda ahead of them.

But what makes this adventure truly special is that they're doing it all with their little ones in tow! 👶👶

I am so proud of them for doing it! And I am overjoyed to have been a part of their journey, curating an itinerary that strikes the balance between adventure and relaxation. They've stayed in unique, intimate hotels, like the charming .antigua and will end at the luxurious . They are truly seeing all sides of the islands.

These clients have proven that you don't have to put your bucket list on hold when you become a parent.

Let us help you take your bucket list trip WITH your babies.

✈️

Is a travel advisor worth it? If you’re thinking about outsourcing your travel planning for the first time, I’m sure you’ve asked this question.

Our new blog post walks through all the benefits of using a travel advisor – and 2 key scenarios when you should definitely NOT use one.

Click the link in bio to get a full picture of the benefits of using a travel advisor for your next trip – and to see a sample itinerary too!

Or drop a “link” in the comments and I’ll send it along directly.

✈️ Flight to the Dominican Republic: $750

🏝️Room at Luxury Hotel: $3500

🐋Whale Watching Excursion: $250

✨Discovering the deep cultural significance of the drain: Priceless ✨

✈️ Flight to the Dominican Republic: $750

🏝️ Room at Luxury Hotel: $3500

🐋 Whale Watching Excursion: $250

✨Discovering the deep cultural significance of the drain: Priceless ✨

Do you keep your kids up late on vacation?

Yes… and No.

Some nights it’s totally worth it. These little guys enjoyed this sunset dinner - which ended with huge ice creams cones at 8pm, normal bedtime – and we will always remember sharing it with them.

But beware doing that every night on vacation! The tired will catch up with them, behavior will start to unravel.

Pick and choose your late nights on vacation with kids - for them, and for your own mental sanity.

Can you think of a late vacation night that was totally worth it? Share it in the comments!

🧳What’s your packing strategy with little kids?

A question I get asked a lot.

For us, it’s not about having the most or best baby gear. It’s about keeping it simple — less is more really applies here.

Until recently, my kids never had their own suitcases. Our family had everything in packing cubes, and we shared two suitcases. Less to carry — and they could ride on them (without spending money on special suitcases designed for riding). 😉

What’s your strategy? Less or more, or maximum gear game?

My first official Mango Tree scouting trip was to Roatan, Honduras.

It seems like a lifetime ago (actual time: 18 months) but when I get to plan trips to Roatan for clients it brings me right back.

I had been listening to a podcast - shoutout to - about all the cool things going on in Roatan and my fingers were itching to book a ticket. A week later - when our whole house had COVID - Scott’s Cheap Flights came through with a flight deal. I booked it in the middle of the night without clearing it with my husband, and two weeks later, took off by myself without the kids for three days. 😬

It was incredible. The island buzzes with excitement. It’s small and manageable and I took it all in - a different hotel each night, a different conversation at each restaurant bar picking the brains of every local who would talk to me. I met the owner of the delightful and the local hot sauce connoisseur.

I’ll never get enough of planning Roatan! Clients check into the four bedroom villa at XBalanque next week and I wish could be a fly on the wall of their trip as they get to know this gem.

If you ever consider heading to this island - hire me to plan it 😊

But in the meantime, click the link in bio to read my recently updated blog post about all the great things to do in Roatan.

FYI if you haven’t heard Scott’s Cheap Flights is now !

My first official Mango Tree scouting trip was to Roatan, Honduras.

It seems like a lifetime ago (actual time: 18 months) but when I get to plan trips to Roatan for clients it brings me right back.

I had been listening to a podcast - shoutout to - about all the cool things going on in Roatan and my fingers were itching to book a ticket. A week later - when our whole house had COVID - Scott’s Cheap Flights came through with a flight deal. I booked it in the middle of the night without clearing it with my husband, and two weeks later, took off by myself without the kids for three days. 😬

It was incredible. The island buzzes with excitement. It’s small and manageable and I took it all in - a different hotel each night, a different conversation at each restaurant bar picking the brains of every local who would talk to me. I met the owner of the delightful and the local hot sauce connoisseur.

I’ll never get enough of planning Roatan! Clients check into the four bedroom villa at XBalanque next week and I wish could be a fly on the wall of their trip as they get to know this gem.

If you ever consider heading to this island - hire me to plan it 😊

But in the meantime, click the link in bio to read my recently updated blog post about all the great things to do in Roatan.

FYI if you haven’t heard Scott’s Cheap Flights is now !

I just revamped my blog post on the best Caribbean islands 🏝️with kids!

The article highlights the best Caribbean islands 🏝️for your next family trip, and in particular identified which islands are best for which kids of trips.

Headed to the Caribbean with a toddler? Turks and Caicos.

How about school aged kids ready to snorkel? Bonaire or Roatan.

A trip with the grandparents? Antigua is a good bet.

A resort with a baby who’s not yet on the move? We’ve got some gems in Saint Kitts and Jamaica.

Older kids ready for rainforest hikes? Saint Kitts, Puerto Rico, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Lucia! So many choices.

Head to link in bio to plan your next trip. Or better yet, DM me and I’ll plan it for you. 😁

Have you ever stayed in a room with a private pool?

Did it take your Caribbean trip to the next level?

Last year, I wrote a blog post highlighting 6 Caribbean hotels with private pools.

A year later, I now have 26+ hotels in my rolodex!

These private pool resorts range from tiny hotels to the ultimate luxury boutique resorts, and I’ll keep adding to the list as I find more.

Head to the link in bio to check out the full list.

Where have you left your mark?

In the last year, Jane has etched her name in the wood on two reggae beach bars. Shipwreck Beach Bar in Saint Kitts and the floating Pelican Bar in Jamaica.

There’s no knowing whether her travels as an adult will take her back to these corners of the Caribbean, but I can’t wait to remind her when she’s older of all the places she’s left her mark. ❤️

The school year came to a close this week, and we’re kicking off a summer of adventure – and relaxation.

I could tell this week that our rising first grader needed a break. (She put herself to bed early 2 nights in a row.)

This week reminded me that kids, as much as adults, need time to slow down and, frankly, to just be bored for a minute. So here’s to a summer of prioritizing down time for everyone.

Photo taken at luxury resort in Curacao, the week before Kindergarten started.

Off to Saint Kitts! Tropical airline vibes getting me into vacation mode.

Where to next? Belize!

We’ve got three new hotel profiles up in the Mango Tree database to help you pick your next destination.

This summer, we’re sending a family with four teengers to Las Terrazas on Ambergis Caye. The kids can explore by golf cart, and we love the three bedroom residences that will give everyone their own space. This hotel makes things easy for you by coordinating all the logistics for the hopper flights needed to get from Belize’s international airport to Ambergis Caye.

For luxury a little further south, we’ve got Francis Ford Coppola’s Turtle Inn in Placencia. How can we tell kids are welcome at this luxury resort? A kids-only gelato bar - no adults allowed.

And finally, something completely different. Off the Wall sits 90 minutes offshore on a private island on the reef. A handful of rustic cabins, outdoor showers only, it’s for the adventurous families, not the faith of heart.

Which would you choose?

Where to next? Belize!

We’ve got three new hotel profiles up in the Mango Tree database to help you pick your next destination.

This summer, we’re sending a family with four teengers to Las Terrazas on Ambergis Caye. The kids can explore by golf cart, and we love the three bedroom residences that will give everyone their own space. This hotel makes things easy for you by coordinating all the logistics for the hopper flights needed to get from Belize’s international airport to Ambergis Caye.

For luxury a little further south, we’ve got Francis Ford Coppola’s Turtle Inn in Placencia. How can we tell kids are welcome at this luxury resort? A kids-only gelato bar - no adults allowed.

And finally, something completely different. Off the Wall sits 90 minutes offshore on a private island on the reef. A handful of rustic cabins, outdoor showers only, it’s for the adventurous families, not the faith of heart.

Which would you choose?

Looking for a last minute summer holiday?

Beachfront houses in the US have been booked for months. But you can get the ultimate beach escape if you go just a little further.

Some of our favorite Caribbean islands are outside the hurricane belt, with great weather and lower prices during the summer season.

We love sending Mango Tree clients to these destinations and they are FANTASTIC choices for a last minute summer trip.

☀️ Bonaire
☀️ Curacao
☀️ Bequia
☀️ Grenada
☀️ Cartagena

What are you waiting for? It’s not too late to book.

DM me your island of choice for a hotel rec.

How much entertainment do your kids need on vacation?

Many parents turn to Caribbean resorts in search of water slides, kids programming and clubs, and constant entertainment.

But a client told me this week that her granddaughter’s favorite part of their recent beach trip was going to the smoothie stand with mom, while her little brother loved playing in the sand shower. The small things.

Nothing delights my two year old son more than the moving walkways at the airport.

Traveling with kids - especially in the first few years - lets you slow down and enjoy the little things.

Have you found the good in this? Are you able to enjoy it?