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New Destinations for Adventurous Families

One of the most common requests I get is to suggest a vacation destination that has lots of outdoor activity and adventure.  Getting outside, being active, and seeing lots of wildlife seems to make everyone happy.  I know that formula works for my family!
 

So here are some vacation destinations you might not think of right of right away, which are great for the active family.   There is something for every age on this list, and several which are perfect for a multi-generational group.
PUERTO RICO – This gorgeous Caribbean island offers a wealth of activities, from cultural sites to impressive national parks.  Some of my favorites:  kayaking in a bioluminescent bay, hiking in El Yunque rainforest, and snorkeling in Culebra’s Luis Peña Channel Natural Reserve.   You can also visit Rio Camuy Cave Park or check out Rincon, one of the Caribbean’s top surfing destinations.  The bonus: no passport needed!
 

Culebra kayak and snorkel excursion
Hiking in El Yunque

SWITZERLAND – While known as a great destination for hiking and spectacular alpine scenery, there are quite a few other activities for adventure seekers.  The Bernese Oberland offers bungee jumping off a canyon wall into glacial gorge, or even out of a gondola suspended over a lake.  And there’s whitewater rafting and canyoning for all ability levels, some routes including high rappels, water slides, and zip lines.


Canyon water slides
Matterhorn hiking
EXPEDITION CRUISE – Don’t skip this paragraph because you saw the word “cruise.”  I’m not talking about a 2000-3000 passenger vessel that offers midnight buffets and Vegas-style shows.  These are small ships, often with fewer than 100 passengers, that focus on the destination and the activities, not onboard entertainment.  Their small size allows you to get up close and personal with wildlife and scenery in destinations like the Galapagos Islands, Alaska, Antarctica, South America, and Asia.   And they have a fleet of kayaks and zodiacs for even closer exploration (plus snorkeling gear where suitable).
Galapagos with Lindblad Expeditions
ARCTIC CANADA –   Been there, done that?  Now this is a list of activities that you will be hard pressed to find anywhere else: kayaking with narwhals, hiking in Inuit territory, hot air ballooning between icebergs, polar bear safaris.  You’ll have cocktail party bragging rights for many years to come!
 

Polar Bear Viewing with
Natural Habitat Adventures 

Note that even places that are not normally considered “active” destinations have fun adventures, you just have to know where to look.  For example, companies like Butterfield & Robinson and Backroads offer cycling, hiking, and multisport tours in many European countries.  If you don’t want to cycle or hike for a whole week, I can arrange just a day or tour of outdoor activity, such as cycling in The Hague or rock climbing and a high ropes course in the Dolomites.

Backroads in France
San Juan Islands
For some inspiration on where to go for you next outdoor adventure, check out the 2014 Virtuoso VAST catalog. That should spark your imagination!
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Top 10 Things You Didn’t Know You Could Do in Vancouver

This post is courtesy of Tourism Vancouver.

Vancouver is home to dozens of well-known visitor attractions, activities and landmarks. For visitors and locals that want to steer away from “typical” Vancouver experiences there are plenty of cool things to do that we bet you didn’t know about:

1. Feed, touch and get splashy with a beluga or dolphin during a behind-the-scenes animal encounter at the Vancouver Aquarium.


2. Pitch ‘n putt into the twilight hours surrounded by giant cedars in Stanley Park.

3. Learn about Vancouver’s darker side with the Vancouver Police Museum’s “Sins of the City” walking tour. 4. Ride a tandem bike around the 8.8 kilometre Stanley Park seawall.

5. Sing your heart out at a real Japanese-style karaoke bar.

6. Embark on a self-guided culinary walking tour of Vancouver’s street food scene: sample pulled pork sandwiches, fried oyster po’ boys, steamed pork buns, chanterelle mushroom poutine and duck salad.

7. Zipline between mountains at top speeds of 80 kilometres per hour atop Grouse Mountain.

8. Learn how to master sword arts such as the rapier, side sword, sword and shield, and long sword at Academie Duello.

9. Sample three different types of locally handcrafted sake at Osake on Granville Island.

10. Staying at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver? Take one of their K9 Ambassador dogs for a walk (their names are Beau and Mavis).


Vancouver is a great destination for families in and of itself, but you can also visit before or after an Alaska cruise, or as part of a more extended British Columbia itinerary.


For more information, contact Suzette Mack, Family Travel Specialist at suzette@family-treks.com.

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The Best Luxury Resort Deals for Families

Here are some great promotions for families offered by luxury resorts and hotels around the world. Some are available only for a limited time, but others can be booked year round (blackout dates may apply).

Mauna Lani Bay Hotel, Big Island of Hawaii
Second room 50% off through Dec. 23, 2011. A special note regarding this resort: Even their regular rates are a good value because they offer so many complimentary cultural activities, beach activities. And no charge for parking or internet access either!


Grace Bay Club, Turks & Caicos
Virtuoso promotion through Dec 16: 4th night free, bottle of champagne $100 dining credit, upgrade subject to availability, and daily breakfast for up to 2 guests. A family-friendly resort with Kids Town, an extensive children’s center complete with tree house, and a full roster of excursions, educational programming and kid friendly amenities.

The Goring, London
“Look Under the Pillow” rate of £525.00 per night for a family with up to 2 children 17 and under. Includes two rooms, full breakfast, cookie making with the pastry chef, non-alcoholic cocktail mixing in the bar, Nintendo Wii in the room, homemade cookies & milk at bedtime, bread bag for feeding the ducks, and a kids’ only competition. And of course, a special gift under your pillow! Available select dates Feb through Oct.

Shangri-La Hotel, Vancouver
Parents can book a luxurious Executive King Balcony room for themselves, and receive the connecting Superior Twin room with 2 double beds for the kids at 50% off. Includes Virtuoso amenities of daily deluxe Breakfast for 2, $100 spa credit, welcome amenity and upgrade based on availability. This new hotel offers an outdoor infinity pool, state-of-the-art fitness centre, and complimentary internet.

Ritz Carlton Hotels, New York City
Exclusive for my clients! Stay at Central Park or Battery Park and receive a 3rd night free, full breakfast daily, and a $100 hotel credit. Central Park guests receive guaranteed upgrades in select room categories, and all Battery Park guests will be upgraded to Club Level.


Ritz Carlton Key Biscayne, Miami
Receive complimentary Club access when booking a suite from Jan 28- Feb 6 and from Feb 25th – March 16. A family friendly hotel on 12 acres of oceanfront property just 5 miles from downtown Miami, offering water sports, 11 tennis courts, a spa, and oceanfront Ritz Kids’ program.

The Fairmont Kea Lani, Maui
Virtuoso Exclusive Experience* is available April 21 – June 19, 2011
Welcome amenity, buffet breakfast for two daily, and free self parking. A family favorite in the upscale Wailea area that has been recently renovated. This all-suite resort features a lagoon pool with a waterslide, a wading pool, and an adult’s only pool. Oceanfront villas with private pools are also available.

Fairmont Southampton or Fairmont Hamilton Princess, Bermuda
Both resorts offering free second room and Explorers Kids Camp is free through April 30. Plus kids eat free from the restaurant children’s menus.

Four Seasons Costa Rica
Fifth night free in rooms, and sixth & seventh night free in villas, through Dec 16. features ladybug & butterfly releases and fish feeding daily. Lots of on-site activities including bocce ball, volleyball, tennis, cycling, and more. A note to families regarding all Four Seasons resorts: The children’s program is always complimentary, and exclusive Preferred Partner amenities for my clients include daily full American breakfast for two, upgrade based on availability, free internet in suites and one amenity of the hotel’s choice (for Costa Rica, it’s a $100 spa credit).

Grand Velas All Suites and Spa Resort, Riviera Maya
Virtuoso Exclusive Experience available through Pleasant Holidays May 1 – July 5 Includes upgrade upon arrival (if available), welcome bottle of tequila, 20% discount on spa services, roundtrip private airport transfers. A new all-inclusive resort which has been receiving rave reviews from travelers and agents for its spacious family suites, some with private plunge pools.

Ritz Carlton Grande Lakes, Orlando
Exclusive Harry Potter package including back stage tour of the Hogwarts Castle and early entrance to the theme park. The resort sits on 500 acres of a nature preserve and features ladybug & butterfly releases and fish feeding daily. Lots of on-site activities including bocce ball, volleyball, tennis, cycling, and more.

Hotel Esprit Saint Germain, Paris
Paris for Families offer including connecting Deluxe Rooms, daily breakfast; wine and French cheeses and breads upon arrival; complimentary mini bar in your room; and much more. Virtuoso rates from 700 EU per night for four people for travel March 1 – May 31, 2011.

For help in planning the family vacation of your dreams, contact Suzette Mack, Family Travel Advisor at suzette@family-treks.com.

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Where The Wild Things Are

Ok, maybe you think traveling with your kids is all the wildlife you need. But honestly, there is almost no better way to ensure kids have fun on vacation than to take them where they can see cool animals up close.

Here are some of our most memorable animal encounters:

Riviera Maya – The jungle extending from Puerto Morelos to Tulum is home to not only dozens of great family-friendly resorts, but also to many lizards. At the Fairmont Mayakoba, we couldn’t take two steps without seeing a gecko or iguana, and there was even a resident alligator in the canal! And Akumal Bay will always have a special place in our hearts, after hours spent snorkeling with manta rays, turtles, and even the occasional barracuda.

Alaska – While grizzlies have the most fearsome reputation, we had more encounters with black bears, including a very persistent guy who kept following us around on a backpacking trip in the arctic. Watching bear cubs tumble down a hillside in play (from a safe distance via spotting scope) was adorable. But one of my favorite experiences was kayaking in a small arm of Glacier Bay alongside seals that delighted in surfing with the incoming tide. San Juan Islands – One of the highlights on our Backroads family cycling trip was a wildlife-watching cruise. There are resident orcas in the waters off San Juan Island, which can also be observed from land at Lime Kiln Point State Park, along with the occasional minke and gray whale. It’s also a great destination for bird-watching.

Yellowstone – A visit to our nation’s first national park is like going on a safari – wide open spaces and lots of big game. The kids squealed in delight as a bison practically stuck his (her?) head through our car window. And a bear foraging alongside the road was a real traffic stopper. We also saw moose, bald eagle, antelope, and heard there were also some wolves in the area, though we didn’t get a chance to see them.

Canada – Near the top of my list of amazing animal experiences was during a trip to the Canadian Rockies one year around Labor Day. Fall is the elk breeding season when these beautiful creatures literally can be found walking the streets of town. But the real treat was when a bull decided to make the lawn of our cabin along the Athabasca river home to his harem. Every evening we had a herd right outside our door, and we listened to the haunting melody of the elk bugling, one of the most unique sounds I have ever heard in my life.

There are many other great family vacations that offer amazing opportunities to view, and sometimes even interact, with wildlife. Costa Rica, the Galapagos Islands, Africa, just to name a few. These are the kind of vacations that not only create memories to last a lifetime, but can also change your life.

For more information about planning your next family vacation, contact Suzette Mack at suzette@family-treks.com.

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Give Mom a Break with a Holiday Getaway

Several years ago I found I was losing the holiday spirit after all the decorating, shopping, wrapping, mailing, baking, etc. I was pretty burnt out on Christmas by the time the big day arrived. One year I declared that I needed a break to get back in the Christmas spirit, and insisted we take a mini-vacation before the holiday. My criteria were simple: I didn’t want to cook, and it had to be a place with lots of holiday activities for the family. Since the old adage is true, “when Mom’s happy, everybody’s happy” it wasn’t difficult to convince my family to go along.

We went to Sunriver Resort near Bend, OR, whose annual Traditions celebration included horse-drawn sleigh rides, cookie decorating, caroling, and breakfast with Santa. My children were even tucked in one night by an elf that brought treats and read them a bedtime story! Spending this quality time with my family renewed my holiday spirit. I went home refreshed and happy, and ready to create wonderful holiday memories in my home.


I think more than ever this year people need to get away not just from the chores at home, but from the relentless stories of economic woe in the newspapers and on television. And travelers can take advantage of excellent promotions during this time. Many resorts are waiving the traditional 7 or 10 night minimum stay requirements typical for the holidays, and offering lower rates or more amenities than ever before. And when booking with a Virtuoso travel consultant, families get exclusive perks and VIP treatment at many of the world’s top resorts.

For example, Four Seasons Jackson Hole is offering the fourth night free for arrivals December 18 through April 9. And as I am affiliated with a Four Seasons preferred agency, my clients also receive daily continental breakfast for two, a welcome amenity, and a complimentary upgrade (based on availability). The resort also has luxurious 2-5 bedroom residences in addition to hotel rooms and suites, which are conveniently situated for visiting Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks.

The Ritz Carlton Bachelor Gulch at Beaver Creek, Colorado, caters to families with services such as a ski nanny, youth spa, and daily fire pit lighting with hot chocolate, apple cider and freshly baked cookies. A special treat for kids is borrowing the resort’s resident Labrador Retriever for a snowshoe hike. Exclusive Virtuoso amenities for my clients include daily continental breakfast for two, a $50 spa credit, and complimentary upgrade based on availability. (For 2009, the spa credit is being replaced with an $85 food credit.)


The Fairmont Chateau Whistler is also offering a fourth night free, as well as a Mountain Adventure Package which includes daily breakfast and $100 CAD credit per day toward mountain activities. When booking with a Virtuoso travel consultant, guests also receive a complimentary signature martini with souvenir shaker. Special holiday events such as caroling, sleigh rides and dog-sledding are planned through December, and guests can also enjoy afternoon tea service and evening fondue dining. For a festive city getaway, the Hotel Plaza Athenee in Manhattan offers fashionable, family-friendly accommodations a short walk from Central Park and Madison Avenue shops. Their Pillows and Penguins package includes two connecting rooms, daily continental breakfast, a children’s gift bag, 4 tickets to Central Park Zoo, VIP Passes to a Jekyll and Hyde themed restaurant, and milk and cookies at bedtime.

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