Freedom. That’s what Spring Break is all about. Yet the way that word is defined depends largely on your stage in life. For instance, if the Well Rounded Woman was still a swinging single, it might include shedding inhibitions (along with a few articles of clothing), perhaps even making a cameo appearance on Girls Gone Wild. As a “mature” mom, however, she prefers to remain dressed and dispense instead with the detritus of daily life: a round-the-clock routine that encompasses everything from making mortgage payments to making lunch. That’s not easily accomplished on a family holiday. After all, when you bring the kids, you bring certain responsibilities with you. Nevertheless, there are a few fabulous resorts where she can be free.
A Barbadian Beauty
The Well Rounded Woman knew she’d love Barbados’ Almond Beach Village the minute she realized it didn’t issue those tacky ID bracelets so common in resorts today. They seem better suited to convicts than vacationers. (It doesn’t help that the plastic strips clash with her platinum bangles either!) But the resort, which occupies a one-time sugar plantation on the island’s swanky west coast, makes her feel liberated in other respects as well. Since it’s an all-inclusive (a rarity in this idyllic locale), our voracious vixen can eat at elegant à la carte restaurants and drink at palmy, balmy beach bars without once pulling out her wallet. Ditto for any activities she and her offspring might want to indulge in.
The complimentary list starts with aqua-cycling, then runs on endlessly through the alphabet. Perhaps the biggest draw, though, is that the thirty-two-acre resort also boasts a highly-acclaimed kids club. This means the Well Rounded Woman can be free of her brood, too, if the mood strikes. Unlike standard programs, this one has flexible hours and caters to all ages, from infants to teens. Plus it offers a genuine taste of local culture by letting them sample steel drumming, Calypso dancing, even Bajan cooking. And, with the kiddies happily ensconced, Mom can lounge on the beach or hop a shuttle to an adults-only sister resort without cost … or guilt. In March, nightly rates for two adults start at $450 (first child aged 2–11 free; second child $65).
