Seven New Editions
This year Marriott is expanding their portfolio of upscale Edition Hotels with seven new and unique properties opening all over the world. Exciting new hotels that are designed to reflect the local culture will open in Rome, Madrid, Dubai, Reykjavik, Tampa, Mexico’s Riviera Maya, and the second property in Tokyo. We are excited to see an upscale hotel coming to downtown Reykjavik in Iceland where there are only a handful of luxury options. The 253-room hotel will open this summer with a rooftop lounge and restaurant and is located adjacent to the prominent Harpa Concert Hall. The Rome property near the Via Veneto will open in the fall and be an intimate experience with only 95 rooms. It will showcase a restaurant, rooftop terrace with pool, gym, and small spa. Also opening in fall are the Madrid property near Puerto del Sol with 200 rooms, the Tokyo hotel in Ginza with 78 rooms, in downtown Tampa with 172 rooms, and in downtown Dubai with 210 rooms. Next winter will see the opening of the Riviera Maya, Mexico property in the new Kanai resort development with an uber-modern design and 180 rooms.
Accor Additions
Accor, following in the footsteps of Marriott, has announced the launch of their Apartment & Villas website. The site is entirely dedicated to the rental of private residences and extended-stay hotel properties. You will find more than 50,000 apartments, villas, studios, bungalows, and private homes available. The options are drawn from their 15 extended-stay serviced hotel brands (including Adagio, Mantra, and Hyde Living), as well as the company’s portfolio of branded private residences, which are privately owned and frequently included in managed rental programs (like Raffles Residences, Banyan Tree Residences, Delano Residences, Fairmont Residences, SLS Residences, etc.) and one-of-a-kind private rentals (onefinestay), in over 350 destinations.
Cooking Around the World
Looking for a unique, engaging, and tasty way to spend time on a zoom call this holiday season with your family or friends? Eatwith can help. They can arrange a cooking expert who will create a family-friendly meal that you can all prepare together while also learning about your chef’s local history and culture. Choose from cooks from 130 different countries! Online cooking classes and workshops are relaxed, hands-on, and tailored to your family’s unique needs. Eatwith is the world’s largest community for authentic culinary experiences which includes lessons from former MasterChefs. For greater flexibility, cancellations are allowed 48 hours prior.
GAdventures’ Bubble
Private and small group touring is very popular right now in the time of COVID. GAdventures is offering a collection of 80 tours that not only allow your family group to travel on a completely private “bubble” tour, but also includes added savings! Book a group of eight people, and one spot is half price. With 12 people, one spot is free. Your private tour can also be combined with any current promotions. Choose the date that works best for you and your family and we can personalize your tour with a variety of unique activities to experience and learn more about the local culture. Also, enjoy the added health and safety measures of the Travel with Confidence policy which features new health and safety procedures. These policies have the World Travel and Tourism Council’s Safe Travels stamp and the guidelines were developed in collaboration with the Cleveland Clinic. Tours are available throughout the world including Central and South America, Europe, Asia, and Africa.
Four Seasons Private Retreats
Looking for a luxury villa travel experience with resort-style amenities? Four Seasons Resorts offers 750 private residences and villas in many of the world’s most spectacular destinations. Your family can experience the best of indoor-outdoor living, with fully equipped modern kitchens and private pools in a variety of beach, mountain, and urban settings. Many of the properties include private butler services and are now offering discounts of up to 30 percent off, $1,000 in resort credits, or special rates with a stay of a week or longer. Choose from locations around the world throughout North America, Central America, South America, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Africa including many popular destinations for our families such as Anguilla, Nevis, San Diego, Miami Beach, Jackson Hole, Vail, London, and Puerto Vallarta.
Moroccan Royalty
Families can experience the royal treatment with the Royal Mansour Marrakech’s Family Getaway package that is valid from January 4 to March 15, 2021. Stay a minimum of 3-nights in a glorious 2-bedroom Privilege Riad with VIP welcome, full daily breakfast, airport arrival, and departure fast track services, private transfers, one dinner, an hour massage for two adults, access to the children’s program (ages 4-10) plus welcome gifts and surprises for your children. The two-bedroom and two bath accommodation has over 4,600 sq. ft. with a rooftop terrace and pool. This luxury hotel showcases just 53 residences…all in the traditional riad style with interior courtyards and surrounded by lush gardens. Plus enjoy several dining options, pools, and spa along with an extensive children’s program. The palace was commissioned by the king of Morocco and crafted by an army of skilled artisans. It is nicely located in the city center and on the edge of the historic Medina. Morocco is currently open to US tourists with hotel reservations.
FoodieKiDs
Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts recently launched an innovative new culinary concept this month called FoodieKiDS. The hotel chain’s all-new children’s menu was created after extensive global research in which more than 5,500 parents of children under 12 years old, from six different countries, were interviewed about their children’s eating habits. As expected, findings showed that parents were frustrated by the lack of healthy and varied food options on hotel menus. Many parents reported that their children eat more junk food on vacation and don’t like to try new foods if the dishes don’t look particularly appetizing. Jumeirah also brought children into the developmental processes; so they could be sure that this new menu only includes dishes that have been specifically endorsed by their younger target market. The result is a pairing of nutritious and wholemeal ingredients with a fun touch of imagination and creativity. Thanks for caring!
Context Conversations
Context Travel, one of our partners for expertly guided day tours around the world, is now offering live, virtual seminars led by their highly educated guides. Context Conversations are a great education tool for your family, but also provide their guides the opportunity to earn an income during this crazy time. Choose from a range of topics covering art, history, and cultures from all around the world. September focuses on all things French while October delves into Italy. Other countries are well represented including Japan, the United States, Mexico, Russia, Portugal, Spain, Greece, and the United Kingdom. Each 90-minute seminar taught by architects, art historians, ecologists, chefs, and more will be live and interactive, each allowing some 15-30 minutes afterward for conversation and questions. The current roster of seminars is available through October 19.
Intrepid Retreats
In response to demand for family travel in the time of COVID, Intrepid Travel has created new retreat-style tours. The new Family Retreats in Morocco, Turkey, and two options in England offer a stay in one location in handpicked accommodations with plenty of nearby experiences. This new tour style celebrates “slow travel” and allows your family to engage with the surrounding communities away from the crowds and in a more controlled setting for 3 to 5 days. Each itinerary has been designed to benefit local communities affected by the pandemic, while also providing enriching activities for children and parents who have spent the majority of 2020 indoors due to the pandemic. For example, in Turkey, your family will visit a sea turtle rescue center, supported in part by donations from Intrepid travelers, to learn about conservation efforts and rehabilitation. In Morocco, you will break bread with a local Imazighen family in their village, getting an insight into daily life in the High Atlas region. In England, you will visit a small, family-run bakery that makes Cornish pasties the traditional way. Intrepid also has plans to launch several family-focused tours within the U.S. and Canada later this year for those who can’t or won’t feel comfortable going abroad yet. In preparation for travel to resume, Intrepid recently introduced a new Flexible Bookings policy to make travelers feel at ease when booking their holidays, which permits changes to travel plans 21 days before a scheduled departure, allowing for new travel dates or an entirely different trip with no change fees.
Virtual Travel
Pack More Into Life, a family travel blog, has created a variety of virtual learning experiences called Global Citizens Club for Kids. Travel around the world with your family to learn about different countries, cultures, foods, music, and famous landmarks with interactive crafts and activities included. Japan, Switzerland, Brazil, China, France, England, and Greece are all currently available. Check out
https://www.packmoreintolife.com/category/blog-page/virtual-travel-for-kids/ and experience the world one virtual trip at a time!
