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.
Kempinski Tel Aviv
Kempinski Hotels will be opening its 80th property globally and its first in Israel this February with the debut of The David Kempinski Tel Aviv. The 250-room luxury hotel is housed in the newest skyscraper erected along the Mediterranean Sea. Centrally located across the street from the seaside promenade, and within walking distance to the city’s famed outdoor food markets and urban center, all rooms will offer sea views! The hotel will also showcase five dining venues, an infinity pool deck, a full-service spa, rooftop yoga, and a gym. Suites will include club lounge access and a club restaurant along with a private rooftop pool. Steps away from the hotel are watersports, from standup paddleboarding and surf lessons to bike and scooter rentals. An Opening Special rate includes an amazing Israeli buffet breakfast, welcome drink, early check-in if available, and free access to the spa.
Swiss Travel Pass Sale
Book a Swiss Travel Pass by December 11 and get 25% off! The pass is valid for up to 11 months after the issuance date and can be canceled for free at least four working days in advance. The popular pass provides unlimited rail travel around Switzerland including panoramic trains, buses, boats, and public urban transport. Choose from 3, 4, 8, or 15 fixed and consecutive days in either first or second class. The passes also include free entrance to more than 500 museums and mountain train trips up to Stanserhorn, Schilthorn, and Rigi. Plus children under age 6 travel for free and ages 6-15 are free when traveling with at least one parent (otherwise they are half off). Now is a great time to plan your summer 2022 Swiss adventure using one of the world’s most prompt and efficient transportation systems!
Argentina to Open
We are excited to hear that Argentina is reopening many of its borders to vaccinated travelers on November 1. Let us help you create and curate a custom itinerary just for you and your family! A PCR test will still be required and taken 72 hours before boarding your flight or you can pay and take an antigen test at the airport when you arrive. There is also a health form to fill in 48 hours before you arrive and travel insurance is recommended. The borders that are opening included most airports and ports in Buenos Aires, Iguazu, Cordoba, Mendoza, and Ushuaia. Argentina started its vaccination plan at the beginning of this year, and now approximately 65% of the population have been vaccinated with the first dose and more than half of the population is fully vaccinated. Recently Argentina started vaccinating their children aged 3 to 11. The country requires face masks in closed or crowded places. Shops, theaters, bars, and restaurants are offering their services with full capacity and sanitary protocols. Museums allow full capacity and some require booking in advance.
Rosewood Expands in Europe
Rosewood Hotels is on the precipice of a major expansion in Europe. The reimagined and fully renovated Rosewood Villa Magna will open next month in Madrid with 154 spacious rooms and suites, spa, gym, several dining options, and a seasonal children’s program. The hotel is centrally located on the grand boulevard Paseo de la Castellana, steps from the prestigious Calle Serrano. In 2022, the Rosewood Vienna will open on Petersplatz, one of the most famous squares in Vienna’s Old Town. The hotel, housed in a historic 18th-century building and former bank headquarters, will showcase 99 rooms and suites, a spa, a variety of dining options including a rooftop bar with exceptional views of the city, and an intimate restaurant in a garden setting. The luxury chain is planning new openings in 2023 in Amsterdam, Munich, Rome, Sardinia, Venice, and a second location in London. A variety of opening specials and family packages are now available.
Wilderness Scotland for Families
Looking for a fun way to explore Scotland? Wilderness Scotland, which specializes in small group active adventures, is currently offering three unique family travel opportunities recommended for ages 9-15. Their 4-day Family Sea Kayaking Holiday allows the entire family to improve their paddling skills while navigating Scotland’s scenic west coast. No previous experience is needed. Your tour also includes shoreline lodging on the Sound of Arisaig, near Fort William. The 6-night Family Adventure-Treasure Highlands option is an action-packed experience on the west coast and the spectacular Cairngorms National Park. Included adventures are sea kayaking, biking, canoeing, and geocaching. Families interested in a self-drive and self-catering experience that is still chocked full of activities can enjoy the 7-night Family Adventure-Outer Hebrides package. A comfortable beach-side cottage on the Ilse of Harris and locally guided hiking, wildlife, and culture are all included and can be catered to your family’s particular interests.
Austrian Ski Fun
Take a subway to the slopes when staying at Hotel Lowe or Hotel Baer in Serfaus, Austria! Located in the Tyrol region outside of Innsbruck, these resorts use the world’s smallest and highest-located underground train that takes you directly to the chair lift. The deluxe and all-season properties are both dedicated to families offering supervised baby care, children, and teen programming. In winter families can be active on and off the slopes. The Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis ski area showcases three ski resorts that take family skiing and snowboarding to a whole new level with a mascot, themed adventure trail, animal farm, play village, and more. One lift ticket allows you to ski all three. The hotels showcase plenty of indoor play areas with a pool and waterpark, sports court, climbing wall, and playground. Spacious accommodations with up to three bedrooms sleep up to eight and rates include your meals, snacks, and drinks. A variety of discounted rates are currently available for weekly stays with specials for families with babies, toddlers, single parents, and more.
Parisian Luxury Debut
Next week, the new Cheval Blanc Paris will open its doors along the Seine near the Louvre. With just 72 rooms and suites with up to 4 bedrooms, the luxury hotel also has a spa, gym, yoga studio, hammam, pool, and four dining options. The family-friendly property will showcase three separate areas for children to explore and play including a kids club, a dedicated space for toddlers with a bee theme, and a sea-themed area for older children. Child-friendly activities can also be arranged in your room. The hotel is newly renovated from the former La Samaritaine department store and select suites offer views of the Louvre, Notre-Dame, and the Eiffel Tower. Other rooms offer balconies or terraces, multiple bedrooms, private projection rooms, and more. The Quintessence Suite—the top digs—has a reception room and dining room, as well as a swimming pool, hammam, sauna, treatment room, and fitness suite.
In Flight Learning
easyJet, a low-cost carrier throughout Europe, launched a new in-flight learning initiative to encourage children to learn a new language at 35,000 feet through a new partnership with children’s book series Mizzi Mozzi. Your children can choose from a collection of interactive stories encouraging them to discover foreign languages, including French, Spanish, Italian, German, Portuguese, Greek and English. Mizzi Mozzi e-books are designed to spark curiosity and help families learn together through unexpected tales. The first two books of the new Mizzi Mozzi digital series are offered for free on easyJet. Just scan the QR code on the seatback before take-off, download the app for free, choose the language and download the books.
