Four Fantastic Vacations

For our travel issue, we reached out to four Tanglewood Moms who recently returned from amazing trips. We asked about their trips to Lombok, Indonesia; Siem Reap, Cambodia; Costa Rica; and the Netherlands. [Editor’s note: Due to limited print space, we had to edit the answers for the magazine. These are the promised extended answers!]

COSTA RICA

MW: Where did you travel in Costa Rica?

Sally Alband: We’ve been to Costa Rica twice. Both times, we flew into San Jose and rented a car. On one trip, we split our time between La Fortuna in the Arenal Volcano Region, Monteverde and Manuel Antonio. On the next trip, we explored the beaches in the northwest region (Playa Flamingo and Playa Conchal). Then we returned to Monteverde because we loved it, and we weren’t able to do all the things we wanted to do the first time.

MW: What were your favorite activities in Costa Rica?

SA: Each city has so much to offer. In La Fortuna, we booked an excursion that included white water rafting, a Costa Rican lunch and a chocolate and coffee tour. The kids loved all of that. The waterfall in La Fortuna is beautiful with a gorgeous hike down to the bottom where you can swim. You don’t have to stay in a fancy hotel to experience the hot springs. You can park on the street and walk down to the river. My boys still remember all the monkeys we saw there.

Monteverde is super cute with some fun restaurants and shops that’s about a three-hour drive from La Fortuna. It’s also known for the cloud forest. The boys highly recommend ziplining and doing the “Tarzan swing.”

Guanacaste in the northwest is known for its beaches and fishing. Manuel Antonio is also known for its beaches and rainforests. You’ll have monkeys on your balcony, and sloths are everywhere!

MW: What’s your best advice for first-time travelers?

SA: Like I said before, you don’t have to stay in resorts or fancy hotels to get a fantastic experience. We stayed in VRBOs or Airbnbs everywhere we went. There are a lot of travel bloggers out there, so do your research before you go. Tanglewood Moms and Trip Advisor are both great places to find ideas and reviews. They can give you some great tips.

I asked one of my boys what advice he would give to new travelers, and he said to always do a jungle night tour. We did several; you see so many more animals at night.

MW: What do you suggest for adventure travel in Costa Rica?

SA: Zip lining, hiking, rappelling, rafting, snorkeling, surfing, whale watching, fishing… Costa Rica is the perfect place for an adventure trip!

MW: If you were to go back, would you do anything differently?

SA: We want to see other parts of the country. We’ve never been to the Caribbean side.

LOMBOK, INDONESIA

MW: Of all the beaches in the world, why Lombok, Indonesia?

Jade Bailey: We chose Lombok because of my son’s hobby of surfing global maps, and it quickly became the entire family’s favorite beach. The private coves surrounded by mountains and the incredibly kind people are why we love Lombok so much.

MW: What was your favorite part of the trip?

JB: The beach connected with our hotel is beautiful. The boys took surfing lessons and spent hours in the waves daily. Our favorite spot was a secluded beach near Tanjung Aan, about a two-hour drive from Lombok. Near the hotel, the Selong Selo beach had lovely shops along the obligatory water sport rental shops.

MW: What should visitors know before going?

JB: Immerse yourself in the culture. The island is very affordable. Plan that travel will be scenic, bumpy, and full of animals on the side of the road. There are fun night markets, and the island is very affordable overall.

MW: What’s the local cusine like?

JB: Our boys would say the KFC in the airport – partly due to name recognition and partly due to travel exhaustion. They quickly changed their tune! Lombok is full of culinary choices.

MW: Where did you stay, and why did you pick it?

JB: Selong Selo Resort is a luxury villa resort on top of a hill overlooking Selong Belanak Bay. It is heaven on earth, with gorgeous private villas and pools. Wati, our private concierge, is one of the loveliest people I’ve ever met.

MW: Rest and relax or high-octane adventures?

JB: Lombok is a perfect mix of the two!

SIEM REAP, CAMBODIA

MW: You always pick such exotic destinations. Why Siem Reap?

Meredith Miner: We typically travel to places based on food. We started this adventure in Singapore and Thailand. Seeing that Cambodia was so close, I felt like it was a “must see” because of Angkor Wat. Cambodia is very much third world country.  The city center of Siem Reap is more developed; however, just a few blocks away, it is unlike any other country we had been to before.  It was really cool for the kids to be able to see a culture so very different than our own.

MW: Do you recommend Siem Reap for families? Is it better for older or younger kids?

MM: I would absolutely recommend Siem Reap for families. My kids were 16, 15, and 13 at the time, and it definitely held their attention.  I think it’s essential for kids to experience different cultures when we travel – seeing how others live is priceless. Because of the heat and humidity, very young kids might have a more challenging time.

MW: What was the highlight of the trip?

MM: We really enjoyed seeing Angkor Wat and the temple from “Tomb Raider;” however, I would say that overall, the highlight of the trip was our countryside tour with an ex-pat who has lived in Cambodia for 30 years.  We went through a market in the city and sampled some of the “less scary” stuff.  We then went into the countryside where we visited a temple with young monks, a Cambodian school, a local wedding, a stone carver, and many other cool things.

MW: What is Cambodian cuisine like?

MM: Cambodian cuisine combines Thai, Vietnamese, and European influences. We enjoyed rolls wrapped in what looked like shredded rice paper. We also loved egg pancakes filled with herbs and bean sprouts that you dip in a lightly sweet and spicy sauce that we had at a food stall. There’s a lot of coconut and rice, and everything we had was really good!

MW: What’s your number one tip?

MM: I wish I had some local currency before we got there, but Cambodian currency is hard to find in the States. Most places in Cambodia accept US dollars; however, they will only take them if they are in PRISTINE condition. And be respectful of their culture. When visiting a temple, cover your shoulders and knees.

MW: What’s your best advice for packing light for international trips like this?

MM: For all our extended travel, each person is only allowed to take a backpack and a carry-on. It makes it easier for all of us to get around. I took sheets of detergent and a net laundry bag. We did laundry every few days, and I planned our stays to have access to laundry facilities.

THE NETHERLANDS

MW: When is the best time of year to visit The Netherlands, and why?

Nina Wollman: Spring for the tulips and the weather. It’s cool and possibly rainy, but you will be surprised with beautifully sunny days.

MW: What’s an itinerary for a first-time visitor?

NW: The Netherlands is a small country with many great cities and town with beautiful countryside between them. Some of my favorites:

Amsterdam, of course, as it is quintessentially Dutch with so much to do and see. Don’t miss the Van Gogh Museum, the Anne Frank House, and be sure to tour the canals.

The Hague sits on the west coast facing the North Sea. While Amsterdam is the capital of the Netherlands, the Hague is the country’s administrative center and is home to the International Court of Justice. But don’t let this formality fool you – the Hague is a warm city with has excellent museums like Mauritius and the Escher Museum. And while you’re there, take a quick trip to the Kurhaus of Scheveningen to have fantastic seafood on the terrace overlooking the North Sea.

Take a day trip to Delft and walk the canals – see how the Dutch people live. Go on a Thursday to experience the street market. Laren feels like a storybook village and has great restaurants and shopping. Go to Edam and Gouda for, obviously, the cheese. Head to Lisse to see the tulips.

History buffs will love Rotterdam. After WWII, the St. Lawrence church was all that remained of the city’s center. Get out into the country. Take a bike tour. Ride through the tulip fields. See the lambs dotting green fields in the spring.

MW: What is Dutch cuisine like?

NW: Try the poffertjes, small pancakes swimming in butter and dusted with powdered sugar. Next, bitterballen, chopped beef seasoned to perfection, rolled in breadcrumbs, and deep fried. The rijsttafel (rice table), rice surrounded by multiple meats and various vegetables in zesty sauces, is a relic of Dutch colonial rule in Indonesia and a must-have. Finally, enjoy an appletaart with a side of whipped cream.

MW: If going for a week, what are you packing?

NW: A stylish raincoat and trainers for walking and riding bikes. Pack layers for the cool mornings and evenings and warm afternoons.

MW: What are some good activities for couples?

NW: I know this is corny, but my husband and I had so much fun going to the Heineken Experience in Amsterdam. [Editor’s note: This is a tour of the old Heineken Brewery and is a must!] We were museum-ed out. The best part? Free samples at the end!

MW: As a seasoned traveler, what time of day is best for flights? How do you overcome jet lag?

NW: If you can do it, get a direct flight. Dehydration is a leading cause of jetlag, so hydrate before going. I leave DFW as late as possible and sleep on the plane. I avoid alcohol on the flight. On arrival, I shower and go for a long walk, find a place to eat, and have a cocktail. Then take a melatonin and sleep.

MW: Where is THE place to see for history buffs?

NW: Hands down, number one is the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam. It is incredibly moving (bring tissues).

Bonus Tip from Nina: If you have to have a layover, I recommend a long one in London. Take the day to explore the city!