If your last family vacation was cancelled or put on hold due to the coronavirus outbreak, you and the kids are probably counting the days until you can travel again. These projects and recipes from five standout resort getaways will satisfy their wanderlust at home until you can book your flights.
Have a Star Wars Night
This resort normally hosts a Galactic Getaway for Star Wars fans of all ages. Round up the kids in the kitchen to decorate their own pretzel lightsabers. All you need is pretzel rods, melted blue, green or red chocolate (or food dye to color white chocolate) and parchment paper. Dip the pretzels most of the way in the chocolate, decorate with sprinkles, coconut, chocolate chips and any other toppings you have on deck and let them harden in the fridge.
Inspired by: Ocean Edge, Cape Cod, Massachusetts
Craft Mini Piñatas
Nothing says an unforgettable fiesta like a piñata. Suit up to get crafty with the kids and create your own, using scissors, glue, tape, paperboard, tissue paper and candy. Cut two symmetrical pieces of paperboard in your desired shape. Tape the halves together and glue on tiny strips of vibrant tissue paper to decorate. Finally, make a trap door for their fave sweets so they don’t have to ruin the piñata to get to them.
Inspired by: Marriott Cancun Collection, Cancún, Mexico
Make Virgin Piña Coladas
A major part of this 20th-century “it” resort’s legacy is that it was the birthplace of the piña colada, invented by hotel bartender Ramon “Monchito” Marrero in 1954 and named PR’s national drink in 1978. Hold the rum for the kids (or spike your own, we won’t tell) and follow the original recipe for the ultimate mocktail.
Ingredients
- 1 oz. coconut cream
- 1 oz. heavy cream
- 6 oz. pineapple juice
- ½ cup crushed ice
Directions
- Add coconut cream, heavy cream and pineapple juice to a blender.
- PARENTS: If you want the real thing, add 2 oz. of rum.
- Add ice and mix for 15 seconds.
- Serve with a pineapple and cherry garnish.
Inspired by: Caribe Hilton, San Juan, Puerto Rico
Whip Up Homemade Gnocchi
This authentic recipe by Barga-born Chef Alessandro Manfredini is a cinch to make—and the kids can help! Make pasta from scratch by following this easy, delicious recipe.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds of potatoes
- 1 egg
- 10 oz. flour
- Salt to taste
Directions
- In a large pot with just enough water to cover them, boil potatoes skin-on for about 20 minutes or until fork tender.
- Once cooked and cool enough to handle, peel the potatoes and mash them. Mix in the egg and salt, followed by the flour. Mix until it’s a dough-like consistency.
- Shape small portions of the dough into long “snakes.” On a floured surface, cut snakes into cube pieces. Use a fork to gently imprint lines that’ll help them hold more sauce.
- Gently shake away any excess flour and place gnocchi in a large pot of salted, boiling water. Cook gnocchi until they float to the top, about two to four minutes. Gently remove them with a slotted spoon and drain very well. Toss them in a saucepan with your favorite sauce and cook for about 2 minutes.
Inspired by: Renaissance Tuscany Il Ciocco Resort & Spa, Barga, Italy
Have a Spa Day with DIY Chocolate Facials
We’re all in need of some serious R&R right about now. This island resort has 1,000 cacao trees on-site, produces its own line of chocolate and offers tours of the cacao farm. Chill with the kids after whipping up this exfoliating and moisturizing mask.
Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp. cocoa powder, plus some additional on reserve
- 2 Tbsp. aloe vera gel
- Sugar
- Coconut oil
- Rich dark chocolate
- Honey
Directions
- Mix the tablespoons of cocoa and aloe to create a cleanser.
- Scrub dead skin away with sugar, coconut oil and additional cocoa.
- Mix melted chocolate and honey to make a face mask. Apply and leave for 15 minutes.
- Rinse with warm water.
Inspired by: Anse Chastanet, Soufriere, St. Lucia
Are you hosting at-home getaways? Let us know in the comments.