Family Heaven in London
Get two rooms for the price of one with Claridge’s Family Heaven package through December 31. 
It includes two rooms, traditional English breakfast, welcome champagne on arrival for parents, delicious smoothies and cookies for children and a selection of game consoles for use during your stay. The luxury hotel is located in the heart of fashionable Mayfair. Each room features a luxury marble bathroom and peaceful views of the courtyard. You have access to free Wi-Fi via infrared keyboard from the TV. Claridge’s famous afternoon teas are served in the grand and elegant foyer, with over 50 varieties of tea and delicious, classic pastries. There is also a spa, gym and several dining options.
Walking with Dinosaurs
Tauck is introducing a new family tour: Walking with Dinosaurs: A Journey Through Time. This one time tour from July 17-21, 2014 takes place in and around Calgary, Canada – once home to one of the Earth’s richest diversity of dinosaurs. Priced from $3,078 per person quad, your family will explore the mysteries of dinosaur life as a family… meet and learn from paleontologists… attend exciting gala evenings… spend 4 nights at the all-suite Sheraton Suites Calgary Eau Claire… and 3 days on themed sightseeing tracks. You will go on a fun fossil safari at Dinosaur Provincial Park; spend a day with experts at Drumheller and The Royal Tyrrell Museum; and learn about dinosaur drawing and “green screen” animated filmmaking on a Day with BBC Earth – all designed to be as inspiring as they are entertaining!
Barcelona to Paris Train
It is now possible to travel from Barcelona to Paris by train in less than six and a half hours. 
A new, direct high-speed rail service has been launched between the two cities, with trains operated by France’s SNCF and Spain’s RENFE. There will be two daily services between Barcelona and Paris, covering the journey in 6 hours and 25 minutes. Other routes offered by the service include Madrid-Marseille (7 hours), Barcelona-Toulouse (3 hours) and Barcelona-Lyon (5 hours). Eventual upgrades to the track will bring travel time down to 5 hours and 30 minutes.
Parisian Luxury
Le Meurice in Paris offers a special family package 
that includes a room with free upgrade, daily breakfast, hotel treasure hunt, carousel rides, use of toy boats to sail in the Tuileries Garden boat pond (located right across from the hotel), plush gift toy, sweets and more. Since 2007, this iconic, luxury hotel has created a passport given to children on their arrival which takes you on a (re)discovery of Paris’ little-known delights. The passport maps out a trail of the city’s most magical sights (note that children are free at most museums and historical sites). The hotel that is part of the Dorchester Collection and offers a spa, gym and several restaurants which are overlooked by reknowned chef Alain Ducasse.
Norway by Disney
Adventures by Disney is offering a new tour of Norway based on the new Disney animated feature film “Frozen.” The tour features activities derived from the adventures of the film’s main character Anna, who sets off to find her sister Elsa and save her kingdom from being stuck in an eternal winter. The program features an eight-day, seven-night itinerary that includes visits to the Norwegian villages of Bergen, Flam, Geiranger and Oslo, with activities designed to accommodate the needs, interests and traveling styles of multiple generations traveling together. Bergen is the model for the film’s fictional kingdom of Arendelle. Your family will meet local storytellers, fishermen and farmers on the trip, travel by speedboat in Norwegian fjords, visit the capital city of Oslo, take a rafting trip on the Voss River, learn about Norwegian folk dance, visit glaciers and waterfalls and participate in trout fishing.
Ireland Family Discovery
Collette Vacations recently launched a new seven night Ireland Family Discovery tour,
an immersive experience designed to delight multiple generations. Your family will enjoy two nights in Dublin, two nights in Killarney and 3 nights in County Clare. The tour includes a guided tour of Dublin onboard the Viking Splash amphibious vehicle, train to County Cork, kissing of the Blarney Stone and an organized scavenger hunt within the gardens of Dromoland Castle. Other highlights are a “Taste of Ireland” dinner, visit to the Gap of Dunloe, King John’s Castle, Cliffs of Moher, visiting a local farm with cooking class, Dromoland Castle falconry demonstration and Medieval banquet. Two of the summer departures are already sold-out; so it’s wise to book now for other available summer dates (June 21, July 14 and August 2) or plan for an April 18, 2015 trip! Rates include 12 meals and start at $2,149/adult and $1,399/child 14 and under depending on your room configurations.
Waldorf Astoria Jerusalem
The new Waldorf Astoria Jerusalem will be opening in May 2014. The hotel is located at the intersection of King David, Agron and Mamila Streets just a short walk from the Jaffa Gate and the Old City. The hotel was originally built in 1929 with an ornately carved façade that was meant to be a showpiece of Arab architecture in Jerusalem. It has been extensively renovated and will house 226 rooms, three restaurants featuring local products, a rooftop bar, spa with indoor pool and a massive ballroom as well as 30 private residences. Waldorf Astoria hotels are part of the Hilton family.
Safaris in South Africa
South African Airways Vacations debuted a series of new family safaris that start at $3,398 per person including transatlantic air. The eight-day Best of South Africa includes three nights in Cape Town and three nights on safari at one of four safari lodges. The stay in Cape Town includes a choice of tours of the area. The safari portion includes twice-daily game drives to observe African wildlife in the bush. Packages can be custom-built with optional activities and excursions including junior tracker and ranger training programs, travel through the Cape Garden Route and a visit to Victoria Falls in Zambia. Save $125 per person when purchased by October 15.
San Miguel Rosewood
The Rosewood San Miguel de Allende is offering a family package that includes accommodation, 25 percent off your second 
room, 10 percent off spa treatments and American breakfast at the 1826 Restaurant. Plus two children under the age of eight eat free from the children menu when dining with parents. Big kids need a night out? The hotel will provide two complimentary hours of babysitting during your stay while you explore San Miguel. The package is valid through 2013. San Miguel del Allende is an enchanting artists’ village nestled in the mountains north of Mexico City with handsome colonial villas, cobblestone lanes and church spires. The Rosewood is cradled within the historical heart of downtown with 67 beautifully appointed accommodations, spa, signature restaurants, a rooftop lounge, pools, outdoor amphitheater, art concierge and luxury residences.
Austin Adds Destinations
For 2014, Austin Adventures is adding new family programs in Montana, Belize, Australia and Botswana to their list of 33 
exciting family adventure tour options. Their family programs provide an extra guide and van, special equipment (such as tag-along bikes) and separate activities for children; so adults can have some “down time.” The trips have plenty of options and flexibility with the perfect blend of cross-generational activity, R&R, comfort and adventure to satisfy adventurers of all ages. They are tailored to appeal to families with children ages 7 and up (5 and up in Costa Rica and 6 and up in Yellowstone). National park concessionaire Xanterra is slated to purchase Austin Adventures shortly which will provide a wider range of variety with their national park programs.
