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.

Luxury Collection Sardinia

The Italian island of Sardinia, the second largest island in the Mediterranean, showcases a wide variety of family-friendly resorts.  You can save at the three Luxury Collection resorts from Starwood with a second room for half off for children ages 21 and under and free meals for children 12 and under per adult meal.   The upscale resorts are located in Porto Cervo in the heart of the Costa Smeralda.  A Lunch- and Dine-around program can be added which includes meals at any of the three resorts as well as select local restaurants.  The three resorts are Cala di Volpe, Pitrizza or Romazzino which are all boutique style properties range from 65 to 115 rooms.  They offer a variety of recreation including pools, tennis, water sports and more.  Sardinia is known for its rugged coastline, white sand beaches, clear water, mountains and more.  Charming villages, along the coast and inland, each have their own culture, cuisine, and unique way of life.

Disney’s Eco Resort Paris

Disney has partnered with Pierre et Vacance (a European hotel company known for the village style resort) to create an eco-resort not far from Disneyland Paris.  Named Villages Nature Paris, the 300-acre property with feature five immersive worlds, places with names like Extraordinary Gardens, Bellvie Farm, Aqualagon and Forest of Legends.  Extraordinary Gardens is a sprawling area of wooden walkways, plants and grasses.  At the faux-rustic Bellvie Farm, children can learn about agriculture, interact with animals and participate in beekeeping and bread making classes.The Forest of Legends is designed to allow your family to explore the outdoors together, including learning about forest stewardship. There are nature classes, forest shows and the opportunity for children to build and decorate their own hut.  Aqualagon, meanwhile offers indoor-outdoor pools, waterfalls, slides and a spa. It will be a place “where nature and architecture merge together”.  The resort is just the latest of many efforts by Disney to reduce its overall carbon footprint and address the many issues facing the planet, including the topic of sustainable tourism. The company has also created the Disney Conservation Fund to help non-profit groups that work with communities to protect wildlife and ecosystems.

Happy Families in London

The recently renovated Berkeley hotel in the Knightsbridge section of London is showcasing a Happy Families Package through May 19, 2019!  Your package includes:

• Two bedrooms to accommodate all the family
• Traditional English breakfast for a family of up to four
• Take your time with a 2pm late check-out (subject to availability)
• ‘Happy Families’ classic card game
• Up to two children eat complimentary once per day – from our children’s menu
• Surprise children’s treats
• Welcome bottle of champagne to toast your arrival
• Selection of films to enjoy in your room or suite
• Selection of games consoles on request (including Nintendo Wii, if available)
• Complimentary Wi-Fi

This luxury hotel is located close to Hyde Park and Harvey Nichols.  It has 190 rooms and suites along with several dining options (including a unique Afternoon Tea inspired by the fashion world), state-of-the-art gym and spa and rooftop pool with views of the park.

Learn to Ski in Gstaad

Gstaad, Switzerland is an ideal winter ski destination.  The slopes are perfect for beginners and improvers of all ages and is the ideal destination for young first timers.  Your family can take advantage of the Family Learn to Ski package from the 5-star Alpina Gstaad hotel.  The four-night program includes three full days of ski school for up to two children (3 years and older), including lunch. Meanwhile, parents can hone their skills across Gstaad’s 135 miles of slopes with ski passes included for the entire stay. This luxury hotel opened in 2012 with 56 rooms and suites.  It offers several dining options, children’s play area, private movie theater, spa, indoor and outdoor heated pools, art gallery and more.

Tauck Bridges Update

Book by December 29 and get 50 percent off the price of economy class airfare to Europe for children age 12 and under with Tauck Tours.  The promotion is available on 10 different Tauck Bridges itineraries including six land tours plus river cruises on the Danube, Rhine, Rhone and Seine.  Tauck will offer a total of 19 Bridges journeys next year, going to Europe, North America, Latin America and Africa. For their 2018 collection, Tauck has even created a fun and colorful print brochure for children to help in family trip planning.  The trips are divided into three categories of interest: Animal Encounters (itineraries in Africa, Latin America and Alaska where wildlife features prominently), Natural Wonders (trips that focus around outdoor landscapes and adventures), and Landmark Sites (trips that feature a lot of cultural icons, such as in Europe).

Scottish Holiday

Looking to spend winter break in Europe?  Edinburgh, Scotland provides a magical backdrop for a family Christmas or winter getaway. You will find holiday related fairground rides, shows, Christmas markets and a Christmas tree maze in Princes Street Gardens.  Stay at the iconic Balmoral Hotel with their Family Suite package that includes a suite plus complimentary room for your children with the convenience of in-suite check-in.  You also get breakfast daily for the whole family, a 50% discount on meals and beverages for 4-12 year-olds (free for 3 and under), complimentary Wi-Fi and in-house movies, Teddy Bear Turn-Down and a wide variety of child-friendly and age-appropriate amenities and benefits from this Rocco Forte hotel.  Other city highlights include the Edinburgh Castle, Royal Yacht Britannia, great museums and more in this birthplace city of Harry Potter!

New at A&K

For 2018, luxury tour operator Abercrombie & Kent has crafted 13 small-group Luxury Travel Journeys just for families.  Brand new itineraries include Switzerland, Spain, Italy, and London & Paris.  Each journey features exclusive, locally-inspired moments and unexpected amenities designed just for A&K guests.  These include new-for-2018 Family Foodie Experiences, which offers an authentic taste of local cuisine, often with a playful twist. Children will also connect with nature, culture and local children as part of the Family Discoveries with hands-on workshops with artists, learning a bit of the local language, and the chance to Ride Like a Local, by pedicab or on camel back.  By limiting group size to no more than 24 guests, A&K opens up a world of insider-access opportunities.  This includes visits with locals in their own homes and crowd-free sightseeing with private museum openings.  You will also stay at the best hotels, boutique lodges and ships that combine superior service and luxuries with family-friendly amenities such as connecting rooms, complimentary Internet access and swimming pools, where available. Airport transfers and complimentary laundry are also included.