Peninsula Family Package

The Peninsula Paris is teaming up with the Walt Disney Co. to offer a Family Time With Disney package which is valid through the end of the year. The package includes:

• Daily American breakfast for up to two adults and two children
• Connecting rooms accommodations in a Disney-themed room
• Disney Store costume in the closet for each child
• Mickey or Minnie soft toy dressed in Parisian-style clothing embroidered with the name of each child
• Disney classics available on a selection of apps and e-books on the hotel’s tablets

The ultra-upscale Peninsula is located near the Arc de Triomphe and the Champs Elysees and showcases 200 spacious rooms and suites (including suites with private rooftop gardens), five restaurants, full service spa, indoor pool, two gyms and suites with private rooftop gardens.  And only an hour from Disneyland Paris!

Adventure to Japan with Disney

Adventures by Disney recently unveiled its 2019 vacation options including a new itinerary to Japan.  The tour company partnered with the Japan National Tourism Organization to create a trip that is both culturally authentic and deeply immersive. Whether exploring a bamboo forest, centuries-old temple or high-tech metropolis, your family will be fully immersed in the ancient customs and storied traditions of Japan.  The 11-day, 10-night itinerary includes Kyoto, Osaka, Takayama, Hakone and Tokyo. Your family will explore several historical shrines and temples, experience the time-honored tradition of samurai swordsmanship and the charm of a maiko dance performance. You will bike through farm villages and along rice paddies, cruise on a river boat and traverse through a bamboo forest on an authentic Japanese rickshaw.  Also engage with local practitioners in the arts of Taiko drumming, origami and calligraphy and discover the secrets to making perfect sushi and learn how to build a delectable bento box.  You will visit Hama Rikyu Gardens, a green oasis in Toyko, and unwind with a customary tea ceremony steeped in history and tradition.  Also enjoy world-class culinary experiences and delicious local treats, such as sake tasting for adults and giant cotton candy for the children. You will also have the option to add a post-trip vacation package at Tokyo Disney Resort.  Bookings are now open for all 2019 tours!

New from Intrepid

Intrepid Travel has debuted a new week-long family trip to Bali, Indonesia filled with adventure for children 10 and up. Starting in Ubud, families will visit Bali Treetops Adventure Park before viewing Lake Bratan. A whitewater-rafting trip is next on the agenda, followed by a 17-mile cycling tour in Candidasa. In Amed, families will trek through rice fields, relax on the beach and take a snorkeling excursion. The trip ends in Seminyak with a hands-on chocolate-making demonstration at Sorga Chocolate Factory.  Dates are available through December and rates start at only $1,242 per person for the land portion. A 10 percent discount is available for those 17 and under.

Shangri La Themed Family Suites

At the luxury Shangri-La Hotel in Singapore, your children can go on safari, explore deep space, swing like Tarzan through the treetops, venture into an underwater world, or sleep in a fairytale castle — all just by booking a select room!  Earlier this year, the hotel revamped its ninth floor, dedicating the entire space to families with five themed suites.  The suites are all about 818 square feet with two bathrooms. Children in the safari suite, for example, sleep next to a tableau of animals from the African plains beneath a tent. Meanwhile, the underwater suite has a submarine-shaped bed, while the treetop suite requires that children climb a ladder to bed down in a treehouse.  There are even pint-sized bathrobes and slippers, a specialty kids’ menu and a dedicated family concierge.  All of the suites can accommodate two adults and two children younger than 12. For larger families, the suites can connect to a Family Deluxe Room to create a three-bedroom suite.  In addition to the themed suites, the hotel offers 19 family suites with more traditional furnishings.  This family-friendly property also has new and extensive indoor and outdoor play areas for children including special sections for making music, cooking and creating art.  There are also two pools, several dining options, gym, tennis, spa and a lush interior garden.

Aussie Adventure

Looking to explore the bushland of Australia?  Just 2 1/2 hours northwest of Sydney is the One & Only Resort Wolgan Valley where nature abounds.  The luxury resort is offering a two-night Family Escape package for stays through April 1, 2019 where two children under age 12 stay and dine for free.  The package also includes:

• Ultra-luxury Heritage Villa with private shimmering pool
• Gourmet breakfast, lunch and dinner daily
• Selected range of local wines and beers with meals and non-alcoholic beverage
• Two on-site nature-based activities per day from scheduled complimentary inclusions
• Junior Rangers program daily offering educational and fun nature-based experiences
• Horse Stables Tour
• Unlimited daily ice-cream and a memento gift

The resort is located on Australia’s Great Dividing Range within the World Heritage-listed Greater Blue Mountains. It occupies just one percent of its own 7,000 acre conservancy.  It can be reached by car or helicopter!

Luxury Collection for Families

The Family Excursion package from Starwood is similar to Fairmont’s program.  Choose from participating hotels and resorts in 30 different countries around the world for a second room for up to half off for children 21 and under.  Nice when traveling with your college aged children!  Plus children up to age 12 get complimentary meals with the purchase of an adult meal and a limited-edition Children’s Backpack by Margherita Maccapani Missoni.  Connecting rooms will be provided if available.  This chain is now part of the Marriott collection of hotels.

Family Moments in London

The Fairmont’s Savoy in London is offering the Fairmont Family Moments package that includes a second room half off for children 18 and under, a family pass to the London Aquarium and free breakfast for everyone in the family.  In addition, children under 5 eat free and children 5-12 eat for half off with an adult meal. The package is currently available through December 30, 2019 and some black-out dates apply.  Connecting rooms are subject to availability.  The historic and luxury hotel opened in 1889 and is ideally located near Convent Garden and the West End theaters.  It has 267 rooms and suites, several restaurants, indoor pool, gym, spa and their famous afternoon tea.  Fairmont offers a similar family package at their hotels and resorts around the world.

Life is Good

Austin Adventures, a leader in active multi-sport adventure vacations for families and adults, is joining with Life is Good, a Boston-based apparel brand dedicated to spreading the power of optimism, to launch Life is Good Vacations.  This new trip series has been designed to align adventure with a journey of self-discovery, allowing your family to connect with others and the outdoors through a refreshed, positive outlook. Life is Good Vacations are available to book now for travel dates starting in June 2018. This season, Life is Good Vacations will include both family and adult-only trips in groups of 12 or less to: Montana (Big Sky, Yellowstone & Paradise Valley) and Utah (Bryce Canyon & Zion), the Canadian Rockies (Banff to Jasper) and Costa Rica (Manuel Antonio to Punta Islita).

Single Parent Travel

Intrepid Travel, a well-priced adventure travel company, has developed six new tours specifically designed for solo parents and their children. These dedicated solo parent itineraries allow children to bond and form friendships with other children in the group, while giving a single parent (or a parent traveling without their spouse) the opportunity to travel with adults in similar family dynamics.  New trips specifically for single parent families include adventure tours in Costa Rica, Thailand, Northern India, Egypt, Vietnam and Morocco. These destinations were intentionally chosen to make it easier for solo parents as they could otherwise feel intimidated to travel to these destinations alone with their children. Trips range from 8-15 days and from only $555-3,185 per person with 10 percent off for children 17 and under.

Bucket of Fun in England

Experience the Southern coast of England with a Bucket of Fun package at the Bailiffscourt Hotel and Spa in West Sussex.  This 30 acre property sits on private parkland and was designed to resemble a Medieval estate.  Families can enjoy a variety of recreational activities such as tennis, indoor and outdoor pool, mini soccer fields, family games, new spa and the beach is nearby.  The package includes children free on their Bed and Breakfast rate in a Climping room, three course dinner for parents, bottle of chilled wine and the Bailiffscourt Bucket List challenge with a variety of games for children that include a certificate on completion.  Three and four bedroom houses are also available for plenty of space for multiple generations.  Nearby explore the Arundel Castle and walk the Roman walls around Chichester City.