Film Inspiration in Colombia

Luxury tour operator Ker & Downey has launched a new and updated portfolio of Colombia sample itineraries inspired by the hit Disney animated film Encanto as children around the world have fallen in love with the country’s colors and warm culture. Tours are available in the Coffee Triangle and Barichara, two regions that emphasize the country’s cuisine, music, architecture, and landscape through a wealth of private Encanto-worthy experiences, including arepas cooking classes, visits to a local orchid plantation, and dance classes. You can even experience the hacienda that inspired the Madrigal family’s magical casita. The Classic Colombia tour mixes the Coffee Triangle with the Caribbean coastal flair of Cartagena. Go hot air ballooning and enjoy a picnic and coffee tasting in the Coffee Triangle, then set out on a private city tour of Cartagena and a private cruise through Cartagena Bay. Meanwhile, the Colombia Quick Getaway travels from Medellín to Barichara featuring exclusive-use accommodations and personalized discoveries through cloud forests, coffee plantations, ancient colonial settlements, and local artisanal shops. Finally, Colombia Luxury Caribbean Escape invites your family to soak in the colors of Cartagena and the waters of Barú from private villa and luxury resort accommodations. Learn how to make typical Caribbean dishes in a private cooking class, experience a special rum tasting with a local rum expert, and set out on a full-day speedboat excursion to the Islas del Rosario archipelago.

Condor Expansion

Condor Airlines is Germany’s leading low-cost airline which has been serving the North American market since the 1970s with seasonal summer service.  The airline recently announced new, non-stop Frankfurt routes from New York/JFK, Boston, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. This is in addition to Condor’s return to Portland, Phoenix, Minneapolis, and Baltimore.  Earlier this year the airline reinstated non-stop Frankfurt flights from Seattle, Las Vegas, Anchorage, and Fairbanks. From its Frankfurt hub, the airline offers connecting service to more than 100 destinations throughout Europe via Condor and a network of airline and rail partners. Condor also partners with JetBlue for its U.S. network of feeder flights.  Flights feature three classes of service (economy, premium, and business). The business-class and premium economy fares are up to 50 percent less than other airlines! Business-class features lie-flat seats, a touch-screen entertainment system, USB ports, and gourmet, five-course meals with complimentary wine, beer, and cocktails.  Business-class passengers also have access to priority check-in and lounge access. Premium class features seats with added legroom, leg rests and adjustable headrests, an extended entertainment program, USB ports, premium meals, and complimentary beverages.  

Roman Luxury

Families looking to stay in luxury in Rome can save half off their second connecting or adjoining room at the iconic Hotel de Russie.  The Rocco Forte Family Experience offer also includes breakfast daily for all and complimentary meals for children under age 3. This luxury and family-owned hotel chain include special and age-appropriate welcome gifts for children and teens of all ages as well as adorable pint-sized bathrobes and slippers, all your baby needs, plush toys and more.  In-house activities for children and teens include cooking lessons, scavenger hunts, children and teen spa treatments and more.  The 122-room hotel is an oasis in the Eternal City with its gorgeous and extensive gardens and also has several dining options, spa and more.  The hotel is centrally located near the Spanish Steps and the Piazza del Popolo.    

Israel Teen Travel Vouchers

Is your Jewish teen looking for a summer Israel experience? RootOne, an ambitious initiative of The Jewish Education Project, aims to help bring tens of thousands of Jewish teens from the US to Israel on immersive summer teen trips. The organization is now offering 7,000 RootOne Vouchers worth $3,000 each for your teen to participate in a wide variety of amazing summer programs.  To apply for a voucher, your US residing teen must be a current 9th, 10th, 11th, or 12th grader who does not currently attend an Orthodox Jewish Day School. Eligible programs include the Alexander Muss High School in Israel, various programs from Jewish Youth organizations, a number of Jewish summer camp trips, regional JCC and Federation options, and even sports-related programs through Maccabiah and Israel Lacrosse. The Family Traveler has so many fond memories of teen programs in Israel…participating in several different and life-enhancing ones in high school, college, and post-college.

Portuguese Family Fun

Our favorite upscale and family-friendly Vita Vila Parc Hotel in Portugal’s Algarve is celebrating their 30th year and offering an extensive Family Fun package from April 15 through October 31.  A relaxing place to unwind and experience Portuguese culture, cuisine, and natural beauty. Just stay at least four nights and receive:

• A bottle of wine, fresh seasonal fruit, and a bottle of mineral water in the room on arrival.
• A one-day pass to Zoomarine or to Slide & Splash Water Park for a maximum of 2 adults and 2 children up to age 12.
• Half-board (breakfast and lunch or dinner) for the entire family during your stay, based on a maximum of 2 adults + 2 children up to age 12.
• Make your own pizza: cooking lesson for the children, once during stay (4-12 years old).
• Special VIP amenity for the children in the room on arrival.
• Daily breakfast in the restaurant.
• Free use of the Annabella’s Kids Park facilities during the stay including weekly activities for children ages 4-11 (baby and toddler care and a supervised teen program are also available).

Family Time at The Lanesborough

London is calling! Get 25 percent off your second room at The Lanesborough when booking two rooms or a two-bedroom suite for two adults and two children up to the age of 16 with at least a two-night stay. The super family-friendly hotel in Knightsbridge sits on the doorstep of Hyde Park and showcases only 93 rooms and suites for added attention. Your Family Time rate also includes daily English breakfast served in their main restaurant or in your room, a VIP welcome gift and surprise for children as well as a late check-out. You will also be assigned a dedicated butler to take care of the whole family! As a nice added touch, fresh fruit and water are also replenished daily in your rooms. The hotel’s Little VIP Club offers special check-in for children and a variety of unique experiences at the hotel including in-room treasures hunts, custom room decor, mocktail lessons, and a special children’s afternoon tea. You will also have access to the hotel’s private gym and spa with special family hours at the indoor pool. As of this month, pre-departure and arrival Covid-19 tests, as well as quarantine, are no longer required for travel to England for fully vaccinated travelers!

Thai Jungle Bubbles

Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort in Chiang Rai in Northern Thailand has opened a two-night bedroom Jungle Bubble Lodge. It is literally a transparent bubble that allows Anantara guests only to have a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Spend the night observing majestic elephants in their natural habitat during your stay along with amazing stargazing. Located on the banks of the Ruak River, the lodge accommodates up to four guests in two bedrooms, nontransparent ensuite bathrooms, a separate living area, and a raised deck with a plunge pool. Optional elephant experiences are also available, including joining the elephants on their morning walk to the banks of the river.

Turkiye Getaway

Turkey is now Turkiye!  Here is a tantalizing Turkish offer from the Kempinski Hotel Barbaros Bay near the resort town of Bodrum. Your Family Getaway package includes:

• 15% off rooms
• Daily breakfast
• 100 € water sport credit 
• Spa access
• Complimentary babysitter service for 2 hours once during your stay
• Free access to daily activities and workshops at Kids Club

This luxury family resort is set on the cliffs with lovely Aegean sea views. It features 173 rooms, suites, and residences along with a private beach club, kids club, spa, restaurants, infinity pool, indoor pool, watersports, and more.

Teens Go andBeyond

As part of its 30th-anniversary celebration, andBeyond recently launched five new itineraries designed specifically for teenagers and parents, offering a chance to connect while making a difference. These outstanding and conservation-focused trips from the luxury lodging operator are available in South Africa, Botswana, Mozambique, Tanzania, and Chile.  Tours have been specially curated for teens ages 14-18 and their parents. These 4- and 5-night vacations include an amazing variety of unique experiences such as going behind the scenes at the Ranger Training School in South Africa, elephant-proofing baobab trees in Botswana, dinner with the conservation team from Oceans Without Borders to learn about efforts to protect the water in Mozambique, learning the art of animal tracking and wildlife and bird identification in Tanzania and a community visit to learn about Chile’s local Mapuche and their weaving traditions. Teens, who also will get 50% off the adult rate, can earn certificates and prizes at the end of the trip based on what they have learned. 

W Algarve

Scheduled to open this spring, the W Algarve will add new and vibrant energy to the southern Portuguese coast. The upscale resort’s 134 guest rooms and suites and 83 spacious residences will mix modern design with locally influenced touches. The residences will be available with spacious one to four bedrooms with private pools; ideal for family groups. Resort facilities will include a state-of-the-art fitness center, spa, rooftop terrace, several dining options, and a multi-layered poolscape. To refuel and replenish, there will be an authentic Portuguese Algarve-inspired dining restaurant, plus a classic and modern Italian restaurant. Perched atop the area’s iconic cliffs, the resort is minutes away from Albufeira and walking distance from three incredible beaches.  For easy travel access, the Faro airport is 45 minutes away.