– It requires minimal advance planning on the travel organizer’s part. Just book it, show up, and have a fantastic time!
You won’t have this view of glaciers calving from a traditional cruise ship. |
If they were any closer they’d be swimming with them! |
Alaska Wilderness Lodge – This is another trip perfect for outdoor and wildlife enthusiasts, the land version of an expedition cruise. Expert guides and naturalists lead activities such as hiking, fishing, bear watching, and glacier climbing during the day, and then you have downtime or educational presentations at night. The type of activities vary greatly by location and time of year, so research is key to find the best fit. And advance planning is a must, as it’s not uncommon for them to book up a year or more in advance for peak periods.
Wilderness doesn’t mean roughing it- fresh crab! |
Relaxing after a full day of activity |
Caribbean Villa Resort – There are lots of private villas and homes available, but if you book one that’s part of a resort, you get the benefits of both worlds: the services & amenities of a luxury hotel, plus the space and privacy of a home away from home. It’s the perfect compromise if you have some who want to relax beach or poolside, and others who want to be on the go. It’s also a good option for families with very young children.
Private pool (and lawn) with a view |
Fun for little ones |
Escorted Family Tour – This is a great option if your family wants to see as much as possible in a limited amount of time, but doesn’t want the hassle of managing travel logistics. These small group tours visit popular sights in destinations ranging from national parks to European cities to Africa. Families get lots of quality time together, but also get to socialize with other adults and children. (Great for families traveling alone!) Most widely known is Adventures by Disney, but Tauck and A&K also offer family departures. Active families should check out cycling, hiking or multi-sport trips with Backroads
Adventures by Disney in the Southwest |
Guest or Dude Ranch – What’s the difference? A very simple distinction is that guest ranches offer ala carte activities and more flexible check in /out dates, where a dude ranch is all inclusive, generally runs Saturday to Saturday and has scheduled trail rides. But every ranch is unique so again, this is a trip that requires careful research to find the right match. Guests can do as much or as little as they want, so it suits a variety of interests and activity levels. Accommodations range from lodge rooms to large private homes to luxury tents. And don’t worry about it being too rustic, gourmet dining and other resort-style amenities like a pool and spa are often available.
Heading out on the trail |
Learning to rope |
Check out:
Private luxury at Paws Up |
Brush Creek Ranch – An all-inclusive luxury dude ranch on 30,000 acres of Rocky Mountain wilderness in Wyoming. Rates include on site activities and trail rides, and the Lil Wranglers program for ages 4-8. Ages 9 and up can participate in most ranch activities.
Wyoming scenery |
Imagine waking up to this view! |
If your group is large enough, you can buy out an entire property or tour. This is the ultimate celebration trip, completely private and customized, something to remember forever!