Boston Luxury at Raffles

Step into a world of timeless elegance at the Raffles Boston to create an unforgettable family memory with their Raffles Family Celebration offer. Opening in September 2023, the legendary and Singapore based hotel chain has it’s first home in Boston’s Back Bay, high above Copley Square. There are147 spacious rooms and residences. Their 17th-floor “Sky Lobby” showcases amazing views and features several of their dining venues. You’ll also find a Guerlain spa complete with a 20-meter-long lap pool, a fully stocked library, and five distinct dining venues, including Amar by Michelin-starred chef George Mendes, and Long Bar and Terrace.  Your Celebration package includes:

• A luxurious night’s stay in your choice of room or suite
• 50% off on the second room when you book two rooms
• Signature Raffles Boston Butler Service

Some black out dates may apply. Virtuoso benefits may also be included with an upgrade if available, breakfast credits of $50/person for two, a $100 hotel credit and early check-in and late check out if available.

Celebrate at Sea 

Join National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions to celebrate your most significant family milestones—whether it’s a big birthday, anniversary, graduation or another special event—with a life-changing adventure. When you book with a group of 8 or more, your family will receive 5% off, a $150 shipboard credit, and a complimentary custom photograph taken by one of their Certified Photo Instructor to capture your family’s special moment. You’ll also enjoy a beautifully decorated cake and a special welcome gift in your cabin.

Lindblad sails to a wide variety of destinations around the globe, often focusing on remote, wild, and ecologically significant areas.  They can help you explore The Galapagos, Iceland, the Artic, Antarctica, Alaska, Baja California, the Pacific Northwest, the Amazon, Costa Rica and Panama, and more!  The partnership with National Geographic adds a rich educational and experiential component to their expeditions. Each voyage typically features National Geographic photographers, naturalists, and experts who offer in-depth insights into wildlife, geology, and local cultures.

Ultimate Island Luxury

Escape to the unparalleled luxury of The Brando, a private island paradise on Tetiaroa in French Polynesia and enjoy an array of added amenities when staying in their spacious and family friendly multi-bedroom Pool Villas…with up to four bedrooms:

• VIP Airport Fast-Track Service – Breeze through Papeete’s Faa’a International airport with complimentary VIP fast-track service, ensuring a smooth and expedited arrival & departure experience.
• Private Round-Trip Ground Transfers in Tahiti – Travel in style with complimentary private ground transfers on arrival in Tahiti, including personalized meet & greet service, based on the max occupancy of your villa.
• Round-Trip Flights from Papeete – Enjoy complimentary round-trip flights on Air Tetiaroa from Papeete. Flights are offered twice daily and based on the maximum occupancy of your villa, ensuring a seamless journey from the moment you arrive in French Polynesia.
• Unpacking & Pressing Service – Upon arrival, let the attentive resort team take the lead with your unpacking and complimentary pressing, so you can slip straight into relaxation mode.
• Welcome Beverages & Chef-Selected Canapés – Begin your stay with a warm welcome, as the resort team greets you with a selection of locally-inspired beverages and artisanal canapés.
• Evening Canapés Delivered to Your Villa – Each evening, unwind as Chef’s curated canapés are delivered straight to your villa, a delightful taste of Polynesian-inspired flavors in the comfort of your villa so you can capture every sunset.

A minimum 5-night stay is needed for these added benefits and is also combinable with their Stay Longer – 5th Night Free offer plus added Virtuoso benefits!

A British Countryside Getaway

Relax in the English countryside with a bit of French flair and cuisine for an ideal getaway!  The Family Time package at Belmond’s Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons near Oxford treats the whole family to a taste of luxury in their stunning Oxfordshire grounds.

Your stay includes:

• Daily English breakfast
• Complimentary beds for children under 12 (up to two per room)
• Children’s ‘Little B’ gift on arrival
• Children’s ‘Seed Explorer’ garden activity
• One seven-course seasonal dinner for two adults
• Two dinners from the children’s menu selection

Just book a Junior Suite, Garden Junior Suite, Studio Suite, One Bedroom Suite, Deluxe Studio Suite or and Garden One Bedroom Suite.  This 32-room property showcases a two-star Michelin restaurant from celebrated chef and inn creator Raymond Blanc along with his cooking school which offers family classes and gardening school.  Virtuoso benefits add $100 food and beverage credit (an extra $100 for staying 3+ nights) and early check in and out.

Trip Review: Cruising the Adriatic

The Family Traveler’s Mindy and her husband Rich recently sailed on the Windstar’s tall sailing and 342-passenger Windsurf from Venice to Athens in late August.  The 8-night itinerary was also a themed culinary cruise through Windstar’s partnership with the James Beard Foundation. 

Their trip started in Venice a day before the cruise sailed with a stay at La Commedia, one of The Family Traveler’s favorite 4-star hotels.  It also gave them a chance to buy a few essential items since their luggage had not yet arrived! Thankfully, their travel insurance came through to help cover the cost of some needed replacements.  Venice, with its canals and historic charm, was a beautiful start to their journey. It was fun to wander around and soak in the city’s atmosphere before heading to the ship.

One of the standout features of their cruise was the exceptional customer service, particularly from the guest relations team. It took four days for their luggage to catch up with them, but the staff went above and beyond to assist. They dutifully tracked down the bags, gave them a gift shop credit to buy some essential items, and offered free same-day laundry service while they waited for their luggage to be delivered.

The food on board was another highlight thanks in part to being a specialty sailing. Dining options included a traditional restaurant and two specialty restaurants, one of which was an outdoor venue with stunning sunset views—perfect for a relaxed evening meal. The culinary themed cruise featured a Michelin-star chef onboard and included food demonstrations, wine pairings, and even a chance to shop at local markets with the chef to pick out fresh products that would later appear on the menu. Every night, the restaurants showcased menus created by different Michelin-star chefs, offering a true culinary adventure.

While the service and food were fantastic, they found the evening entertainment a bit lackluster and the cabins in need of a refresh.  A renovation just began this month with common areas and suites with other cabins to be renovated down the road.  They did enjoy the staff talent show on the final night, which was a surprise.

Excursion highlights included a private tour of Olympia while in Katakolon, Greece. This was a truly special experience, exploring the birthplace of the ancient Olympic Games. The guide they hired at the entry was knowledgeable, and the site itself was awe-inspiring. While in Corfu, Greece they enjoyed a food tour and honey farm visit sampling local delicacies and learning about traditional Greek food. They explored Monemvasia, Greece on their own and found this tiny, picturesque village built into a cliff a hidden gem. The views were breathtaking, and the experience of exploring the narrow, winding streets felt like stepping back in time.  Montenegro was their favorite stop. They loved the mix of history, culture, and stunning landscapes. Other ports included Zadar, Hvar and Dubrovnik in Croatia.

After the cruise, they spent a night in Athens and visited the iconic Acropolis and the Acropolis Museum—without a doubt, one of the best museums in the world. The history and artifacts were fascinating, and the views of Athens from the top of the Acropolis were stunning.

The final leg of the trip took them to Dublin for four nights, where they stayed with their son who had just moved there. Dublin was recently named the friendliest city in the world, and they could see why. The locals were warm and welcoming, and the city itself is filled with history and charm. They visited iconic sights like the Guinness Storehouse, Trinity College and Dublin Castle and also enjoyed exploring the city’s pubs and sampling some fantastic food in the smaller, ethnic restaurants that abound.

A day trip outside the city to explore Powerscourt Gardens and Wicklow Mountains National Park was a trip highlight. Powerscourt, with its stunning gardens and views, is a must-see. They also took in the wild beauty of the Wicklow Mountains, which feature dramatic landscapes and the tranquil Glendalough, a monastic settlement surrounded by lakes and ancient ruins.

Overall the trip was relaxing, tasty and full of new places to explore. No trip would be complete without a bit of adventure—whether it’s lost luggage or navigating the streets of a new city. Travel isn’t just about the destination, but also the unexpected moments that make the journey memorable.

Travel Tip: Books to Inspire

Thanks to Wherever Travel for this great article.

Engaging stories can bring a country or a city to life for children while introducing them to different cultures. Whether you want children to learn about a place where your family plans to travel, or just want your children to know more about the world, you can be sure reading about different places will help them become better travelers. For prospective travelers, choose books not just set in a destination, but that also have a real sense of place. Classics like Johanna Spyri’s Heidi and Ludwig Bemelmans’s Madeline stories reveal landscapes, landmarks and local customs as they tell engaging stories. The following books engage young readers with stories that speak of their setting, its people and often its history:

Japan: I Really Want to See You, Grandma by Gomi Tarō
France: Paris by Phone by Pamela Druckerman
Italy: Big Anthony: His Story by Tomie dePaola (or Strega Nona series by dePaola)
Canada: Carson Crosses Canada by Linda Bailey
England and Scotland: The Highland Falcon Thief by M. G. Leonard and Sam Sedgman
Scotland: The Children of Castle Rock by Natasha Farrant
London: The Queen’s Hat by Steve Antony
Kenya: Warrior Boy by Virginia Clay
China: Red Butterfly by Deborah Noyes
Berlin, Germany: Emil and the Detectives by Erich Kästner
Scandinavia (historical): Riddle of the Runes by Janina Ramirez
South Africa: Journey to Jo’Burg by Beverley Naidoo
Jamaica: When Life Gives You Mangoes by Kereen Getten
India: The Time Traveller and the Tiger by Tania Unsworth
Rome (historical): Roman Mysteries series by Caroline Lawrence