New from A&K

Abercrombie & Kent’s Luxury Family Journeys are designed for your family to explore the world’s top destinations on all seven continents. New tours for 2019 include the addition of Egypt and a shorter version of a Galapagos Islands experience.  Family Egypt & the Nile is a 10-day trip visiting the pyramids from the inside out, treasure hunts in the bazaar, a 4-night Nile river cruise, camel rides, felucca sailing and more.  Hands-on activities include bread making, henna painting and pottery making.  Family Galapagos is an 8-day day trip with a 4-night island sailing where your family will observe giant tortoises, iguanas and blue-footed boobies up close in their natural habitats. Activities include kayaking, snorkeling and hiking, glass bottom boat rides, as well as twice-daily shore excursions with a certified naturalist guide.  Children can enjoy wildlife photography and Spanish, scavenger hunts, art classes, playing soccer with local children in Quito, gondola ride and visiting the Equator. Every A&K Luxury Family Journey is limited to no more than 24 guests and led by a resident tour director.  Also new for 2019 is a chance to enjoy Breakfast in Bed, with two opportunities per trip for a leisurely start to the day with continental breakfast served in the hotel room. No need for early starts every day!  Your family will also appreciate a complimentary laundry service at the midpoint of each journey. Private arrival and departure transfers are also included, as well as most gratuities.

Rosewood Explorers

Rosewood Hotels & Resorts introduced Rosewood Explorers, a new children’s club concept to showcase the many wonders of the natural world, teach the importance of contributing to the global environment, inspire appreciation for different cultures, and spark a lifelong passion for all that the planet has to offer.  Rosewood also recognizes the importance of disengaging children from technology by offering experiences that are hands-on and involve outdoor activities.  The destination-centric program isn’t just for children.  Parents can participate, capture family memories and learn something new as well.  The club was launched at the Phuket resort with its beautiful tropical forest and beachfront setting with activities such as Thai weaving, potpourri making and creating clay models of the local wildlife.  In contrast, the Rosewood in Bermuda focuses on eco-nature walks, learning traditional Bermudian games and pastimes, creating authentic Gombey masks and painting an interactive map of Bermuda.  We look forward to more Rosewood hotels and resorts adding this immersive experience for families to enjoy.

Provence for Families

Looking for a unique and upscale family getaway or family reunion in the French countryside?  The Domaine de Manville is an ideal place for the entire family and offers a Family Stay package:

• One night in family suite (2 adults and 2 children under 12 years) or villa (6 people maximum)
• Access to the Kid’s Club (workshops, pastry classes, introduction to golf, etc.)
• Free access to the private movie theater and fitness trail
• Transfers from the Avignon TGV station or the Marseille airport

The intimate, 5-star property is located between Arles and Avignon near the picturesque town of St. Remy and within walking distance of the medieval hilltop village of Les Baux.  The former sheep farm on 250 acres opened in 2015 with 30 rooms and nine villas.  You can enjoy golf, spa with indoor pool, outdoor pool, children’s program, family outings and fine dining where children are welcome!  There are also 12 wine estates and olive oil mills nearby.  The villas are 2,300 square feet with two floors, full kitchen, three bedrooms (one has four) and share a private pool.  The main hotel also has a good selection of rooms for families including the Family Duplex and Family Loft suites.  The package is available January 1-June 30 and September 1-December 30, based on availability.

Peru Rail Journey

One of Peru’s luxury rail service to Machu Picchu, Inca Rail, has launched a new children’s program onboard its First-Class Machu Picchu Train. The offerings will enhance your family travel experience as your ride the rails through the Sacred Valley.  The Cusco-to-Machu Picchu journey takes almost four hours. Children up to age 10 can enjoy entertainment kits, board games, crafts with a Peruvian theme and a new gourmet kid’s menu.  The First-Class Train also includes access to the spacious and elegant observatory lounge and outdoor balcony, a full service bar, live Peruvian music and an Andean themed three-course tasting menu paired with regional wines.

Unique Asia for Families

Luxury Asia specialist Remote Lands promises immersive, educational experiences with two new family-travel itineraries:

• The Family Fun from Singapore to Langkawitour spans the Lion City and Malaysia over 12 days. Your family will start your journey in Singapore, where you’ll ride on the Singapore Flyer observation wheel; visit Gardens by the Bay, home to nearly 1,000 plant species from around the world; and hang out on the resort island of Sentosa.  Then head to Kuala Lumpur on day three, where hands-on activities will include making a pewter dish at Royal Selangor’s School of Hard Knocks. After two days in Malaysia’s capital, the tour hits the Cameron Highlands to explore its hiking paths, tea fields and more before three days in Penang and wrapping up on the island of Langkawi.

• On the nine-day Taiwan Top to Bottom with Kids, your family will begin your trip in Taipei, where you’ll try your hand at making pineapple cakes and bubble tea, two Taiwanese specialties.  Over three days in the country’s capital, you’ll also visit the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall and the Shilin Night Market before departing for Taichung, Sun Moon Lake and Kaohsiung.

Vietnamese Luxury

Vietnam’s scenery, food, biodiversity, culture and complicated history make it an exciting destination for families.  While exploring the country on one of our custom designed itineraries, your family can relax midway in a spacious villa at the family-friendly Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai in Hoi An.  This UNESCO Heritage site city is located on the central coast and is Vietman’s most atmospheric and delightful town.  The beachfront resort’s Dragonfly Family Package includes round-trip airport transfers, Family Fun Cooking Academy, Heart of the Earth Family Ritual, two hours of private babysitting and an arrival treat for children with at least a 3-night stay. The property also has several pools, tennis, bikes, spa, gym with fitness classes, kids club and a shuttle into town.

Swedish Wilderness

Suffering from Nature Deficit Disorder?  It means that human beings, especially children, are spending less time outdoors resulting in a wide range of problems. Escapade Sweden wants to contribute to a cure through adventure travel.  Experience their spectacular part of the world with its ancient land, giant rivers, forests and mountains coupled with a rich and vibrant culture. The tour company’s Wild Child program will take your children (with parents in tow if you want) into nature and teach them a variety of skills for enjoying and surviving in the wilderness.  Activities include making fire, learning about the local natural environment and animals, bush crafts, open fire cooking, learning about indigenous cultural and more. Upon completing an adventure, children receive a certificate and patch.  Seasonal recreation such as dog sledding, cross country skiing, ice climbing, kayaking, fishing and more can also be enjoyed.   Trips last 3-6 nights throughout the year with very comfortable lodging and a bountiful of local foods.  This unique adventure can easily be combined with other destinations throughout Scandinavia for an amazing family getaway!

Family by JW

JW Marriott, Marriott International’s luxury brand, has launched a new Family by JW program, a global initiative that underscores the importance of quality family time. Through partnerships and non-profit collaborations, and with exclusive on-property experiences, the experiential program will cater to children ages 5-12 with a variety of enriching family experiences.  Examples include customized stretching activities with The Joffrey Ballet, hands-on cooking experiences with hotel chefs and learning about architecture with educational activities suggested by the Guggenheim Museum.  The new family program has been tailored to Marriott’s core philosophy and will include three kid-friendly themes—creativity, activeness, and culture.  There are 83 JW Marriott Hotels and Resorts around the world.

Family Moments at Rosewood London

One of our favorite London hotels, the Rosewood London, offers a Family Moments package where you can enjoy 50 percent off your second room.  You also get a full English breakfast, personalized children’s amenities and activities, game console, spa access and a guaranteed 2:00pm late check-out.  The promotion is available on most rooms including their Executive and Grand Premier Family Rooms.  Connecting rooms can be confirmed at the time of booking.  The 262 room luxury hotel is centrally located close to Covent Garden and the British Museum.

Dublin Family Package

Looking to visit the dynamic city of Dublin?  The Fitzwilliam Hotel Dublin is offering a Fitz Family package with a deluxe room for two adults and two children, breakfast, parking, hop-on/hop off bus and dinner in a private family booth at the hotel’s Inn On The Green as well as drinks and canapes for the parents OR a beauty treatment at the Spirit Salon and Spa at the hotel.  This upscale, boutique hotel overlooks St. Stephen’s Green; ideally situated for experiencing all the history, culture, music, dining and more that the city has to offer.