New Family Tours

Two of our favorite tour operators have new destinations on offer for families:

Backroads has recently unveiled its new Nova Scotia Family Multisport Adventure Tour for exploring the province’s local coastlines and villages. The action-packed days include whale watching in the Bay of Fundy, kayaking along the islands of Blue Rocks and eating fresh digby scallops. Your family will also have the chance to visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Lunenberg, as well as Annapolis Royal, Canada’s birthplace. Departures are available between June and August 2017. Children (4-17) receive 10-20 percent off depending on the room configuration.

Abercrombie & Kent recently announced its new Connections Boutique Group Journeys for 2017, which includes an 11-day family-friendly itinerary in Iceland. Your family will arrive in Iceland’s capital of Reykjavik, where you can go fishing with local pros and eat your catch for dinner. Your children can enjoy learning about Viking seafarers around a campfire and ride horses along a black-sand beach.  Other highlights include driving along the Langjokull ice cap, touring lunar-like Landmannalaugar by Super Jeep and mountain bike and swimming in the Hofsos thermal pool.  Children under 12 sharing with an adult save $400.

Private Louvre Access

Tauck has partnered with the Louvre for a once-in-a-lifetime after hours visit to this amazing museum.  During their Tauck Bridges’ Castles & Kings tour with departures on the July 2, 9 and 23 ONLY, your family can enjoy the legendary museum, complete with a scavenger hunt for the children, at your own leisure.  All of Tauck’s after-hours visits are built into its all-inclusive prices.  The eight-day Castles & Kings tour begins in London, with a city tour on a private, double decker bus. Your family will spend five days in London visiting the Tower of London, Thames by speedboat, the London Eye, Windsor Castle, a show on the West End, the British Museum and a London spy walk, perfect for the children. On the fifth day, your family will board the high-speed Eurostar train to Paris. The tours sixth day will be spent touring Chateau de Versailles and other sites of Paris; before departing, the tour stops at Notre Dame and, of course, Musee du Louvre as well.

Thomson’s Smart Traveler

Thomson Family Vacations, like The Family Traveler, recommends that you book early and has created a new program as an incentive.  Their new Smart Traveler Advantages are included when you book at least nine months in advance:

• Free flight insurance for each member of your booking. This insurance covers up to 100% of the cost of your flights.
• Free cancellation insurance that allows you to cancel for any reason up to 120 days prior to your departure and receive a full 100% refund of your otherwise non-refundable trip deposit.
• Get a free GoPro Hero Session camera to capture all of the action and memories during your adventure.

These features are an excellent value and great trip protection!  The GoPro is one of the newest models.  It’s lighter and also waterproof. You’ll get some of the best and most memorable action shots from any vacation you’ve ever taken.  When booking in advance we generally find the best airfares (especially when traveling with multiple family members).  Plus you get the dates and trip you really want. Also, anticipation is great.  There are proven health benefits to looking forward to taking a trip.  The earlier you book your family vacation the more you can look forward to it!  Thomson offers amazing adventure trips of various styles on six continents.

Designer Milan

The luxury Armani Hotel in the heart of the fashion district of Milan welcomes you with their Stay With Your
Family package.  The package includes an Armani Deluxe Room with American breakfast, 25% discount on your second room also with American breakfast, children’s welcome gift, special in-room amenities, cocktail in the panoramic Armani/Bamboo Bar for the family and a free room upgrade and late check-out based on availability.  One free rollaway is available for children under age 12.  Steeped in Armani style, every detail at this hotel is designed to offer you a discreet, personalized service to make you feel totally at home.  TThe Armani style and philosophy defines every detail of the 95 guestrooms and suites. Each element has been personally designed by Giorgio Armani and chosen for sculptural, aesthetic and sensual qualities.  The hotel showcases a spa, gym and restaurant.

Experience Japan

We are really excited to see a hotel showcasing so many wonderful cultural experiences for families.  At the Ritz Carlton Kyoto, Japan, your family can participate in:

Samurai Experience: Learn basic kenbu moves with a real samurai sword and dressed in traditional costume. At the end of this activity, a stage performance by a kenbu master will make it a complete experience to remember.  

Treasure Hunt: Seven Buddha statues are hiding somewhere in the hotel – and it’s up to your family to find them, using the secret treasure map.  Gifts to the winners!

Kimono Experience: Immerse yourself in history as you stroll through the old streets of Kyoto dressed in a traditional kimono. As part of the experience the hotel staff will be happy to help you to choose your favorite colors, patterns, and designs of kimono.

Hand Made Soap Workshop: Try your hand at soap-making at Shabon-ya, Kyoto’s famous purveyors of natural, organic soap.

Japanese Sweets: Exquisitely crafted wagashi sweets have been enjoyed in Japanese since ancient times. In this workshop, Japanese sweets artisans will teach you the art of creating your own traditional Japanese confectionery, which you can enjoy with a cup of matcha tea.

Origami and Play: In this creative workshop your family can learn how to create traditional designs such as paper cranes, or try fun alternatives like jumping frogs or Ninja throwing stars.

Sushi Masterclass: Don a chef’s apron and learn how to make perfect sushi maki rolls under the expert guidance of Mizuki sushi chef. Your class ends with a tasting session, giving your family the chance to sample your creations.

Scottish Golf Getaway

The Fairmont St. Andrews in Scotland is offering your family a second room for half off.  Their Family Offer also includes full Scottish breakfast, full access to the spa while children age 7 and under eat free before 7:00pm.  The 520 acre five-star golf resort with 209 rooms and suites showcases cliff top view of St. Andrews and the North Sea.  It offers two excellent golf courses (The Kittocks and The Torrance), restaurants, 209 rooms and suites, kids game room, spa and indoor pool.  There’s also a 106 seat in-house movie theater that shows family-friendly films.  Let us help you plan an extended itinerary throughout Scotland or include other parts of the UK.

British Toy Experience

The Langham London is set in one of the city’s grandest buildings at the top of Regent Street on the West End and with Hamleys, the world famous toy store, just a few minutes’ walk away. To take advantage of their location, the hotel is offering a Family Package that includes guaranteed adjoining rooms at half off (for age 15 and under) or a Family Room, English breakfast for four, a VIP tour of Hamleys, a Hamleys themed Afternoon Tea, Kidzania tickets with a stay of 3 nights or more and internet access. Their newly refurbished and spacious Family Rooms offer charming views of All Souls Church, thoughtful amenities and two Queen beds and sofa bed.  The property celebrated its 150th anniversary last year and offers 380 rooms, suites and apartments, spa and gym with indoor pool and several dining options.

Save with A&K

Your family can save up to $500 on select Abercrombie & Kent (A&K) family trips with their Connections Summer in Europe Sale. Eligible itineraries include amazing and upscale trips to Italy, Spain, Central Europe, Amsterdam, Paris and London as well as Scotland and Ireland. All of A&K’s Connections Europe Family Journeys are led by a resident tour director, allowing parents to spend worry-free time with their children. Solo extended family members can also save an additional $500 off the single supplement.

Fellini in Training

Does your family have a budding movie director?  The Belmond Hotel Caruso in the Amalfi town of Ravello offers the ultimate keepsake for your children.  They can capture their holiday adventures on film by directing their own short movie. Led by a talented local film-maker, cameraman and sound engineer, your children will select the location and soundtrack, plan the scene and act it out for the camera before their film is edited in HD for the family to take home! The luxury property has a nice variety of amenities and recreation just for children including tennis lessons, pizza making, travel journal scrapbooking, kids and teen spa treatments and more.  Families can also enjoy sailing lessons together, drawing lessons with a local artist, daily boat tours and a visit to a local farm.  The former 11th century palace offers 50 rooms and suites, pool, gym and restaurant.  For families their Very Important Kids package includes a free room for children (under age 12); breakfast daily and one dinner for parents; four hours of babysitting; welcome wine, fruit and flowers; use of PlayStation, DVDs and toys; pizza making class for children and complimentary non-alcoholic minibar drinks for the children.  Just stay at least 3 consecutive nights.

Peruvian Cultural Experiences

On the banks of the Vilcanota River in Aguas Calientes, Peru, the Sumaq Machu Picchu Hotel has added two new programs to enhance your family visit.  Time for Andean Tales has native Peruvians explore Andean legends relating stories that have been passed down from generation to generation and honoring the tradition of storytelling.  Mini Chef Lessons can be arranged for children between seven and 12. In the class, your children and grandchildren will learn to cook with healthy, indigenous grains, including kiwicha, maca, purple corn and quinoa. Another cooking class, Pachamanca, will allow them to learn about the culinary traditions of the Incas. As an added touch, the dishes are cooked in an outdoor stone oven and covered with leaves.  The luxury property is an ideal base for exploring Machu Picchu.  Let The Family Traveler create a custom Peru tour for your family with all its amazing highlights, culture and history!