Travel offers many wonderful opportunities for combining vacation fun with educational value. In addition, many families are taking a multigenerational approach to their vacations. Grandparents, parents, siblings and extended families can greatly enhance the experience by creating memories that children will cherish for a lifetime. Below are several ideas for possible family vacations.
| Family Glacier Adventure |
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An expedition among the wildlife and pristine landscape of Glacier National Park in Montana is a perfect family escape. Inside the park’s one million acres are natural riches that will capture imaginations both young and more seasoned. This tour by Natural Habitat Adventures is limited to 8 people as nature tours are best experienced with smaller sized groups of travelers.
From $2395 per person for a seven day trip. |
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| Adventures By Disney |
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Long a leader in family travel, Disney has recently entered the escorted tour market with its new “Adventures by Disney”. It's a Disney program that offers all-inclusive, professionally guided vacations to various destinations all over the globe. The idea is to offer travelers the opportunity to visit a variety of cities, sites, and attractions completely unrelated to the Disney parks while still enjoying Disney-quality dining, accommodations, and most of all, service. In 2008, they will offer 18 destinations including Cities of Knights & Lights (England & France), Once Upon A Fairytale (German Castles), Spirit of America (Philadelphia & Washington, DC), Southwest Splendors (Arizona & Utah), Discover Down Under (Australia) and Sacred Valleys and Incan Cities (Machu Picchu & Lima Peru).
From $2395 per person for a seven night trip. |
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| Family Friendly Cruising |
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Cruising is a very multi-generational friendly activity. Most of the cruise lines have a variety of activities that would appeal to all ages from toddlers to grandparents. Many cruise lines offer kids clubs where children are entertained with games, arts and crafts, parties, talent shows, storytelling, scavenger hunts, pool parties, pizza-making and more. Meanwhile parents and other adults can visit the spa or take enrichment classes such as cooking, yoga, digital photography and genealogy. At night everyone can meet up for dinner to share about their fun filled day aboard the ship. Another bonus of traveling with an extended family is that the cruise line often offer discounts or extra perks such as onboard credit or free parties for their group travelers.
From $499 per person a seven night cruise. |
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| Tasty Amusement Park |
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In the center of Pennsylvania is Hershey, “Chocolate Town USA”. This town is a magnet for families with it Hersheypark, an amusement park built 100 years ago by Hershey Chocolate Company for its employees. This park was rated one of the top picks in the country by travel site Tripadvisor. In addition to the amusement park and chocolate factory tour there is the ZooAmerica Wildlife Park and a short drive away is Lancaster, PA and its large concentration of Amish family farms, the Steam train in Strasbourg and dozens of other attractions.
From $199 per person for a four night trip. |
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| Beaches Family Resorts |
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For many families, summer wouldn’t be summer without a trip to the beach. Families can enjoy great Caribbean beaches without breaking the bank. Many family oriented resorts offer family discounts or group packages. One resort that is very reasons for families is the all-inclusive Beaches Resorts in Jamaica which has teamed up with Sesame Street featuring life-size walk-around characters of Cookie Monster, Grover, Zoe, Bert, Ernie, and of course Elmo.
From $936 per person for seven night trip. |
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| Natural Magic Family Holiday |
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Steamy rainforest,
mountains and both Caribbean and Pacific coasts make Costa Rica the
perfect place to observe tropical nature. This 15-night adventure
visits rainforests, volcanoes, beaches and national parks. In
addition you will see exotic birds and animals while savoring the
tropical nature of this wonderful country.
From $1995 per person + airfare for 15 night trip. |
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| Classic American Road Trip |
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California Highway 1 Scenic Drive along the Golden States winding two-lane highway with deep forest pines one side and sheer rock cliff walls on the other. Along the way are numerous scenic overlooks and charming towns like San Luis Obispo, Spooners Cove, San Simeon, Big Sur and Monterey. This is a trip that will create a lifetime of memories.
From $399 per person for five night trip. |
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| Mexican Yucatan Villa Rental |
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When families travel together they sometimes can have a richer experience by looking at alternative to expensive hotels like home and villa rentals. The per person rate and kitchen facilities often makes these an attractive alternative to expensive hotels. In addition, many of these residences offer resort amenities such as water features, wi-fi internet, big screen TV’s, breathtaking views close to tourist attractions. A good travel agency can help you find the right accommodations for your family. For example this luxury beachfront Villa with 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, private pool and weekly maid service is only $25 per person per night for a family of six. |
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Family Trips |
Mom & Me American Girl Weekend – Chicago, Illinois |
| American Girl
Place is the place for girls! It's the place where
imaginations soar from boutiques to the Cafe to the Theater
and beyond. Package includes accommodations at Chicago
Marriott Miracle Mile or Sheraton Chicago, cookies and milk
upon arrival, breakfast buffet for 2 adults and two children
12 and under, doll bed that you can take home for your
American Girl (not sold in stores). From: $199-349 per
night
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Rocking Horse Ranch – Single Parent Travel Weekend
(Nov 14-16, 2008) |
| The Rocking Horse
Ranch Resort is a fantastic long weekend getaway for
everyone. Come escape for a bit before the holidays set in.
Located 90 minutes north of New York City, this is a little
bit of the Wild West on the east coast. This Single Parent
Travel weekend includes six nourishing meals, activities and
resort amenities including unlimited horseback riding,
swimming, pony rides, staffed childcare, nursery, hayrides,
bonfires, softball, archery, nightclub, fitness center and
much more. From: $545 for 1 adult plus 1 child (age
4-15), $710 for 1 adult plus 2 children, $875 for 1 adult
plus 3 children
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5 Night/ 6 Day Walt Disney World Holiday Vacation from
$1,268 for a family of four |
| A very special
time is drawing near at the Walt Disney World®
Resort. It’s a time when Disney fantasy combines with
seasonal festivities to help create magical holiday memories
that will last a lifetime. This year don’t miss out on all
of the holiday fun. Package includes: 5 night accommodations
for five nights at a select Disney Value Resort, 5 day WDW
park pass for person, Disney Magical Express transfer from
Orlando International Airport.
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