Not everyone knows of these awards but most people know their recipients.  In addition to a player joining the Baseball Hall of Fame, a sportswriter and broadcaster are also acknowledged for the dedication and contributions to the game.

The J.G. Taylor Spink Award is presented at the annual Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. Spink was the first winner of the award and the person credited for developing Baseball’s Sporting News into a literary icon.  The 2007 winner of the Spink Award is Rick Hummel, a beat writer who has covered the St. Louis Cardinals for more than 20 years.  See Rick accept this award on our Baseball’s Sacred Grounds tour in July this summer.

Increasing broadcasters have become the face of the sport to many fans.  We’ve had some people join our tours just because their favorite broadcaster was being recognized.  There are 10 finalists for the Ford C. Frick Award were chosen by a combination of the fans and the Hall’s research committee.  The winner will be announced on February 22nd.

Beside the winter meetings the other big news in Baseball right now are this years Hall of Fame nominations.  Every July, Cooperstown NY is transformed from a sleepy, small town as Baseball fans from around the world gather to recognize those individuals that contributed most to the game.  We know this because one of tours, Baseball’s Sacred Grounds, joins the festivities every year.

It is an exclusive club which is why the nominations can be controversial.  In 2007 several players will be eligible to be inducted into the Hall of Fame for the first time.  Among them is Mark McGwire, whose candidacy was hurt by his uncomfortable testimony in a Congressional Hearing about steroids.

Whether or not McGwire took steroids is not the question.  He broke no laws or Baseball policy as a player.  Time will tell if the fans that followed his every swing will feel hurt enough to deny him this accolade.

Joining McGwire on the ballot this are Cal Ripken Jr. and Tony Gwynn both stars in their own right as well as 30 players who surely were someone’s favorite player at one point.

A year ago we first advised our clients and family travelers of future changes to US passport requirements.  Last week several newswires published updates this story.  As of January 2006, travelers returning to the US from the Carribbean, Mexico or Canada VIA airports or seaports must have a valid passport.  The same requirement for land based entry will be added two years later (January 2008).

Travelers should note that approximately 25% of US citizens hold passports and with an upcoming deadline passport applications are on the rise.  The State Department has not advised of any processing delays (yet) but those families intent on traveling over the Winter Holidays this year should be planning to submit their passport applications soon.

 If you have any questions - check out our website or call Generations Touring Company at 1-888-415-9100.

Unbeknownst to us, we learned that today is World Sea Turtle Day.  Turtles, especially sea turtles have a special place for us at Generations Touring Company.  Our family oriented tour Costa Rica: Pura Vida takes families of all shapes and sizes to Tortuguero where we see Atlantic Sea Turtles come in to build nests and lay eggs. 

It is an amazing story, the turtles that return to shore build their nest within 5 meters of where they were hatched.  Oh did we forget to say they were out to sea for 20 years…? Now that’s a good memory!

Last year a group GTC kids found a turtle trapped in some fishing line across the canal.  They notified our guides and we formed a rescue team (with the assistance of a local naturalist).  It was a great experience for the kids and adults to practice some stewardship of the environment.

Learn more about our Costa Rican adventure with the Great Atlantic Sea Turtle at: http://www.generationstouringcompany.com/html/familytravel/CostaRica.html

 The Family Traveler

Much has been written about a new trend in family travel. I beg to differ. Family travel is now evolving into something tour companies and travel agents can participate in. My family traveled a lot - but mostly by car. What a difference 30 years makes….. Today’s travelers have a “been there, done that” sophistication that requires more of the family travel experience.

Generations Touring Company’s (www.generationstouringcompany.com) programs are built understanding that the requirement for some kind family connection across generations is a timeless need. What we try to do is offer fun and unique ways to spend time together and learn a little more about the world.

The Family Traveler

This July, 17 Negro Leaguers will be recognized during the Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Cooperstown, NY.  Among those Negro Leaguers, many of whom played with/against their white peers of the day, is Effa Manley.  Aside from her unique role in a “man’s game” she will now be the only woman to be officially recognized by the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

 Family travelers will get a chance to see the 2006 induction ceremony on Generations Touring’s family tour Baseball’s Sacred Grounds.  For more information about this once in a lifetime opportunity please consult our website http://www.generationstouringcompany.com/html/familytravel/Baseball.html or call 1-888-415-9100.

 The Family Traveler

Recently there has been some information in the news regarding changes to passport requirements. Generations Touring Company® would like to help you sort through this information and help understand what it means to you as well as share some other useful tips regarding traveling with children.

Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative
In April 2005, the Federal Government has issued new requirements for entry into the United States from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, Bermuda and Panama. On a phased in basis, all US citizens and foreign nationals from these countries will be required to have a passport for each traveler. This week President Bush asked for another review of the proposed rules in order to minimize any impact on commerce between Mexico, Canada and the United States.

Why the change?

As a result of Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Protection Act of 2004, the secretaries of Homeland Defense and State were directed to take certain actions to make US borders more secure. Historically, travelers from the above countries were only required to show minimum documentation in order to cross the US border. Compared with the more obvious increases in airport security the present day border requirements were considered to be too vulnerable.

What is changing?

Over a period of three years everyone traveling into the United States will be required to have a valid passport. The phasing is noted below:

• As of December 31, 2005 all persons traveling (air/sea) from the Caribbean, Bermuda, Central and South America will need a valid passport.
• AS of December 31, 2006 all persons traveling (air/sea) from Mexico and Canada will need a valid passport.
• As of December 31, 2007 all persons traveling (via air/sea or overland) to the United States will need a valid passport.

What does this mean for families?

If the new regulations remain unchanged, all individuals will be required to carry passports by 2007. Passports are good for ten years for adults and five years for children under 16. Currently passports cost $97 for an adult passport and $82 for a child’s passport with photo processing and mailing costs extra. For the stereotypical family of four, this equates to $358 plus expenses.

What should families do when considering or planning an international trip?

The first thing is to plan ahead. Determine where, when and how you will be traveling. Families will need to balance the convenience of having passports ready against the fact that children’s passports are only good for five years and the expense of renewal. For those families that can plan it would be wise to wait until six months prior to traveling to order a passport for a child.

Authorization for Travel with Minors

Another consideration for families as the busy travel season starts is children traveling alone or without one or both parents. Increasingly immigration authorities and some airlines are questioning people traveling with minors. Their goal is to minimize the incidence of child abductions. When combined with international travel, abductions become much more complicated to resolve as different countries have varying laws.

As strange as it seems there are no specific documentation requirements. Airlines and immigration authorities are not required to ask for proof of authorization to travel with a minor and their application of any internal policies is inconsistent. Yet, an unnecessary delay could result in a missed connection, additional stress and inconvenience or worse, a missed cruise departure for example.

A percentage of Generations Touring Company®’s customers have been asked to prove they were authorized to travel with a minor grandchild or without a spouse on our international tours. In each case our traveler’s were able to produce a document we provide that has notarized signatures of the absent parents providing authority to travel with their child. “We tell our travelers that having the notarized document is good insurance and increases the chances of an enjoyable family experience”, cites Tom Easthope, GTC President.

Traveler’s interested in obtaining GTC’s document can find it on their website at the following address:

www.generationstouringcompany.com/html/media.html
For more information or to request a brochure, call 888-415-9100 or 206-325-2830, visit www.generationstouringcompany.com or write to PO Box 20187, Seattle, Washington 98102-1187.

Generations Touring Company® promotes intergenerational bonding through exciting small-group travel experiences designed to enrich and entertain. Co-founders Tom and Margaret Easthope have over 25 years combined experience in leisure travel, creating GTC out of a desire to help families connect with each other through the experience of travel.

This is a recap of Generations Touring Company’s Pura Vida tour. See http://www.generationstouringcompany.com/html/familytravel/CostaRica.html for a listing of current departure dates.

Day One
The first time I visited Costa Rica I was surprised to see how hilly the area was. Despite being a country with some of the world’s most famous volcanoes, I assumed that a country that boasted incredible bio-diversity and widely recognized as an eco-tourism leader would be a tropical, flat land. I was about to find out just how diverse it was.

As we processed ourselves through customs I was reminded about how unstructured different countries are about traveling with minors. Generations Touring Company’s policy is to have parents not traveling with a minor child fill out a notarized letter giving the traveling adult specific permission to take their child out of the country.

Exiting from the customs area in a foreign country can be an overwhelming experience. Typically, one is greeted by a crowd of taxi drivers, transfer companies and other would be entrepreneurs that all want to whisk you off. It was comforting to see our names and the Generations Touring Company logo held by a nice young man who impressed us with his warmth and willingness to help us with our bags.

We checked into our hotel for the next couple days, the Bougainvillea. Located on the outskirts of San Jose, the Bougainvillea is close enough to downtown San Jose (a $7US taxi each way) but also it was situated on a larger piece of land with amazing gardens. It didn’t take long for the kids to find the pool and make all their age appropriate introductions. The GTC Sage, Ben, a Spanish teacher from Portland, OR was already busy getting to know each one the kids.

At our welcome dinner, our country guide, Karla, introduced herself to the group and outlined some of the adventures planned for the next couple days. With great ease, she made her way around the table and spoke with each adult asking open ended questions and getting a feel for her group. The kids meanwhile had banded at the other end of the table with Ben. It wasn’t long before Karla and Ben were working together like they had been at it for years.

Our group consisted of three grandmothers, a step grand-father, two parents, five kids and a travel writer from New York City. Some had traveled as a family before, others had not and this was the first international trip for several kids. Nevertheless I continue to be amazed at kids’ ability to make friends so quickly.

Day Two
Our first full day is designed to keep us in the San Jose area. This is done to allow for the chance that a plane might be delayed or a bag lost. We left the hotel early for an experiential visit to a Costa Rican market. Saturday morning at the market is a Costa Rican tradition. As we walked up and down the rows of produce I was amazed at the many colors and presentation. pix

Ben took the kids aside and gave each 200 colones (about 50 cents), paired them up and sent the kids out to buy some fruit or vegetable they had not eaten or heard of before. Within 15 minutes they all assembled back, with Karla there to describe what they had purchased (and also to check for allergies, etc.). Several items could not be consumed without preparation so Karla recommended we bring them back with us to the hotel and see if the kitchen could incorporate into a dinner….neat idea. The kids really seemed to appreciate the interactive learning experience.

Next we were off to learn about bio-diversity at IMBioparque. This non-profit organization has taken on the task of classifying and categorizing the different species of flora and fauna in Costa Rica. In the center we see a short video that succinctly explains why Costa Rica’s environment is so diverse. Afterward, we are toured around the grounds to see how the field scientists study the samples brought back to the center. We also see examples of plants and animals native to the region.
One grandmother was looking for a specific plant and left the group to search for her specific interest. This was not a problem as Ben was around to keep an eye on her grandson and our group was small enough that she would not be left behind.

Day Three
The next day we headed out to Tortuguero by way of the Braullio Carrillo National Park. Karla explained about the changing leaf formations as we gained elevation in the park. Once on the east side of the pass, we could see an expanse of flat land extending out as far as the eye could see. Soon we were on a covered flat boat navigating through Caño Blanco to Tortuguero. Our boatman expertly guided us through the canal winding through turns which the kids found exciting. Karla pointed out different animals and exotic plants along the way.

Our hotel in Tortuguero, the Tortuga Lodge, is a classic property with large well ventilated, rooms, a main dining area with a large covered porch and the all important pool. The adults spread out, some choose to take a well deserved nap, others took a guide book and enjoyed an afternoon refreshment on the porch. We could tell from the “Marco Polo” calls at the pool that the kids had quickly made themselves at home.

Dinner that night was served family style and everyone loved it. Karla explained to us that one of the highlights of a summer visit to Tortuguero was the chance to see the nesting activity of the Atlantic Sea Turtle. These great creatures out at sea for twenty years come back to make a nest within 15 feet of where they were hatched.

Access to the nesting beach is controlled by park rangers. Visitors have to put their names in a lottery system in the hopes of being assigned one of two blocks to be on the beach. Our group was to go tonight at 8pm. Two grandmothers opted out due not sure of their ability to navigate the beach at night. Their grandchildren on the other hand, were eager to stay with the group.

Karla instructed us wear dark clothes, not bring any jewelry, flashlights or cameras. At 8pm we met our “Turtle Guide” for the evening and headed out to the beach. Walking in single file our guide would identify pieces of driftwood or rocks with a small pen light. Suddenly the guide would stop and as we all looked up we saw an enormous turtle measuring 5 feet long and three feet high scurrying back to disappear in the surf of the ocean. Everyone stood in awe. This was not an animal in captivity or in a zoo, this was real and everyone seemed to understand how special it was. We were to see five or six more turtles this evening – each encounter as exciting as the first.

Day Four
The next day we spent out in the canals of Tortuguero National Park looking for howler monkeys, iguanas (called tree chickens by the locals), caimans and a host of trees and flowers. Later that night Ben had the kids bring their field guides down to dinner. He had each child sit with a grandparent or parent and had them open to the family section in the GTC field guide. The families all spent the next hour talking about people in their family tree and interesting stories about their ancestors. It was clear to me that the adults absolutely loved the direct connection with the kids.

Day Five
The next morning we headed out via small plane to Fortuna and Arenal volcano. Stopping in the small town of Fortuna, where people lingered in the small shops or went to an Internet cafe to send an email back to their family. Soon we were headed out to Arenal. The drive was pleasant through the countryside of lush green foliage and small villages. Our coach pulled into The Mirador Kioro, the restaurant closest to the Arenal Volcano. After a hearty lunch, we were treated to a lecture from a local volcanologist who explained about the different types of volcanoes. We were fascinated to hear Arenal rumbling (sounds like thunder) and to see “white hot” rocks cascading down the side of the volcano.

After lunch we went on a leisurely walk through a park of hanging bridges. On the walk Karla talked about the tree canopy and we were treated to the sights and sounds of toucans, howler and spider monkeys among others. It had been a full day at that point and everyone was happy to get some rest at our hotel, the Montana de Fuego. The kids immediately found the pool and adults relaxed.

Later that evening we went to a family operated hot springs, Ecotermales, for a nice soak by thermally heated water that flowed through a cascade of four pools. Everyone enjoyed the clean, warm water that flowed naturally from a spring located on the property. While we were soaking the Hidalgo Family was busy cooking and had a delicious buffet ready for us as we emerged from the pools. The ride home that night was magical as we watched red rocks break up and roll down the side of Arenal.

Day Six
The next morning we headed out by boat across Lake Arenal. Ramon, our driver, took our bags and headed off to meet us in our eventual destination, Monteverde. Meanwhile we boarded our covered boat to take a shortcut across Arenal Lake and then up the backroads via 4×4’s to Monteverde. The short trip across the lake literally started with a bang as Arenal gave us a loud “goodbye”.

On the other side of the lake, we stopped at a small store with some unique larger than life figurines…soon our caravan of Jeeps (otherwise known as SUV’s) arrived and we were off to Monteverde using the less traveled backroads. The ride was bumpy and we drove through a couple short showers, followed by sun filled skies – all set in some of the most beautiful vistas.

Soon we entered the hill town of St. Elena. St. Elena is the primary commercial area of Monteverde which was settled by American Quakers in the 1950’s. The Quakers are opposed to violence and were drawn to Costa Rica when the country abolished its military. Although Monteverde has become a popular destination within Costa Rica, the community there has resisted the traditional pressures to develop the area into a commercial tourist destination. The result is a destination with integrity, purpose and natural wonders.

We settled in at the Monteverde Lodge and enjoyed a great meal served family style. Joining us for dinner was a local biologist who shared some the findings of his research on the impact of global warming on various frog populations in the nearby cloud forests. The kids were interested for awhile and eventually went to hang out by the pool with Ben but the adults really enjoyed the intimacy of the visit and the opportunity to ask in depth questions. Soon it was later than we realized and everyone went to get some rest.

Day Seven
The next morning we went to visit a local school in St. Elena. The school building was a simple three room, single story structure but one could sense there was plenty of youthful energy abounding all over. Our group was given a tour of the classrooms and the kids got to see how school life was similar and different in Costa Rica. We presented our gift to the school, ink cartridges, which Karla had called ahead to make sure was needed.

Soon we found ourselves being led into a small field behind the school. A couple of the boys chased away some lingering cows and the stage was set for a quick game of soccer. As the kids took their sides, the Costa Rican children stopped formed a line and began singing their national anthem. To the surprise of the American parents, their children reciprocated. Many of us did not know the kids even knew the words of the Star Spangled banner. After a brisk game everyone enjoyed a picnic lunch and the kids took turns making presentations, doing dances or playing music for each other. Sadly it was time for us to move on and for the Costa Rican children to get back to their studies but we all left feeling more connected to the school, teachers and kids.

Next we went on a short hike through the Cloud Forest Park. We were told that this is a great area to see one of Costa Rica’s more famous birds, the Quetzal. However, their primary food source was out of season and we weren’t able to see any this afternoon. On the way back from the hike we stopped off at the Cheese Factory, still run by the Quaker community. Everyone took advantage of the opportunity to have a small ice-cream. My wife claims it was the best ice cream she has ever had.

Day Eight
The next morning the group split up. The kids all expressed a keen interest in a canopy tour which had not been on the itinerary. After receiving permission from each child’s parent Ben and I took the children on a thrilling experience gliding in a harness across deep canyons and through the tree canopies of the cloud forest. The parents and grandparents spent the morning packing and with Karla at a local butterfly farm.

Soon Ramon was ready for us to board our coach and head back to San Jose. On the way back we passed through several small villages as we descended from Monteverde. Karla explained to us that Costa Ricans considered an area a village if there was a church, bar, and a tienda (small store). Everyone paid closer attention as we wound our way back to San Jose – looking for the missing church or tienda as we drove through the different communities.

At last we made it to the main highway to San Jose. Everyone was happy to see paved roads again but the traffic was awful. The main highway to San Jose was a two lane road that only moved as fast as the slowest truck. The group started show a little fatigue from the trip with people chatting quietly, taking naps or just looking inquisitively out the window.

As we approached San Jose, Karla asked everyone if she could make a quick stop before we returned for our farewell dinner. The coach pulled into a small residential area – soon Karla had hopped out beckoning everyone to follow. Before you know we were being introduced to her husband and two girls. She toured our kids around and showed them how her home was setup. What a hospitable and friendly way to end our trip.

That evening we enjoyed a festive meal and were entertained by a short awards program sponsored by Ben and the children. Everyone received awards for courage, athletic ability, insightful ideas or humor. The group also recognized Ben, Karla and Ramon for making it all happen. The was lots of happiness all around.

Day Nine
The next morning we boarded our transfer to the airport. It would be a long day of flying but listening to the kids talking about their memories and laughing about their fun times made me think we were taking a little bit of Costa Rica home with us.

Note: This tour describes the events of tour in August 2004. It is meant to be shared to give readers a sense of what happens on a Generations Touring Company® family tour. Each GTC experience is a little different from another depending on the group’s interests, weather, etc.

Costa Rican children singing their national anthem before playing soccer with GTC travelers
©Generations Touring Company®

In the last several years travel industry survey firms have increasingly noted the growing popularity of families traveling together. The Travel Industry Association (TIA) reported family travel represents 74% of all travel in the United States. This phenomenon has been noted by one respected research firm as “Togethering” (YPB&R August poll) and supported by the fact that “80% of the active leisure travelers took at least one vacation in the last five years with extended families….”.

While there is much written about this trend there is little discussion about the underlying influences behind the family travel phenomena. Undoubtedly the tragic loss of life so close to home on 9/11 increased Americans’ sensitivity about our loved ones. While the “hug your child” response is a strong emotional motivation to travel together, there are other more permanent factors contributing to this larger trend. We see a combination of the following:

1. Families are Important - 9/11 certainly gave most families a reason to look inward and reassess these important relationships. What people see are families facing new challenges brought about by geographic separation, life’s increasing complexity, evolving social values, and the increasingly programmed life of their children. Families literally need to “get away in order to get together”.

Lost in the hustle and bustle of our modern life is the time for nurturing, simple discussions about family stories, and making connections between generations. Increasingly family elders live in a different city or state. While many children are growing up in a complex world that has always included computers, television and fast food, they are often are ignorant about the “lessons learned” or accumulated wisdom their family experience has to offer.

2. Increasing Global Interdependence – Daily we are presented with multiple instances where world events and cultures around the world are now impacting our lives here in the US. Advances in technology and communication are making our world smaller and more complex by the day. The world is becoming a global marketplace where companies are trading and drawing from resources around the globe.

Politically, the United States spends billions of dollars in foreign aid yet we as Americans are the object of much ire and ill will.It is important for our next generation to learn about other cultures and perspectives in the world. Our children must become more sophisticated to understand how cultural attitudes, opinions and biases will shape their future. Travel and cultural exchange are very obvious responses to the pressures brought about by the globalization in our lives.

3. Unspoken Needs of Family Elders – A timeless influence is the need for family elders to be involved with and understood by their youngest generations. Family elders are entering that phase of their lives where they become more concerned with their children’s future. Lastly, they fear the possibility of losing the opportunity to share family traditions, legends and the chance to contribute to upbringing of their descendants.

Visiting a child or grandchild is often less satisfying as finding quality time in a host family’s schedule becomes a chore and not the relaxed, enjoyable interaction everyone desires. Sociologists claim that the availability of free or leisure time is only going to become more precious as our society continues to evolve. If true, the stresses on family institutions will continue to be a challenge. The best antidote is a well thought out family travel experience that adds value and gives families the precious time they need to reconnect.

Consumer Tips in Choosing Intergenerational Travel

Noting the resurgence of families wanting to find new ways to connect with each other, we created Generations Touring Company to deliver a special travel experience to that market niche. Every family has a “golden age” where the elders have the resources, time and need to connect. Children are old enough to appreciate the experience and able travel without excess support. Traveling together provides the unique opportunity to separate from the hectic daily routine and form a more meaningful bond. Sharing adventures together often result in “Remember when…” moments that last a lifetime.In choosing a family travel experience, people are increasingly looking for companies that add extra value to their experience. Extra value can be defined as providing insight, assistance, activities that are either difficult or too time consuming to organize. When evaluating different travel options, here are several factors to consider:

1. Choice – Does the opportunity provide enough choice for you to find the experience that best matches your interests and abilities? You should be able to choose of level of activity, geographic destination and type of traveling companions. For family tours this could mean grouping opportunities by age ranges of children which allow kids to more easily form bonds with each other.

2. Fun – Many kids work very hard during the school year. A successful family travel experience should some genuine fun activities. Have your child look at brochures and web sites to see if they are excited by the itinerary. Do they believe they are going on a trip for kids or an adult tour that has other kids on it?

3. Experiences That Teach – Learning new things is important and a major value for adult travelers. Is there a program or plan integrated into the itinerary? How is it communicated?

4. Responsible Tourism – Does the tour practice a responsible tourism philosophy? Are the natural and cultural environments you visit treated with respect?

5. Family Orientation – Will your family travel experience allow you time to bond as family? Is there a plan to provide bonding opportunities for families or different generations or is it left up to you to squeeze them in?

6. Value – What is included in the package or tour? Are there hidden costs such as escort and driver gratuities or “optional” admissions? Are discounts available?

7. Financial Security – How is your money handled? Are your prepayments put in a trust or escrow account? Does the company belong to a tour protection insurance plan? If so, what percentage of your payments are covered?

Today many companies are jumping on the family travel bandwagon. Unfortunately this creates additional confusion for those trying to determine the best match for their family. As the travel industry continues to evolve, niche companies like Generations Touring Company will emerge to address and specialize in family travel. You would be well served to investigate this new breed of specialists