Multi-Gen Fun in Rome

The Sofitel Roma Villa Borghese is offering a new and active package designed specially for multiple generations or families traveling together. Activities such as horseback riding down the ancient Appian Way, a tour of the city’s top gelato spots, a family yoga lesson in the adjacent Borghese Gardens, and a gladiator school experience for the children are all included! An evening picnic and stargazing experience to see and learn about constellations and celestial bodies, many of which were given their names by Roman astronomers, is also a part of this unique travel experience.  The package was created for a minimum of 12 people – six rooms in double occupancy. If 15 rooms are booked, families will receive a private takeover of one of the hotel’s floors!  The Sofitel is a boutique-style, luxury hotel with 78 rooms and suites located close to the Via Veneto.  It was renovated in 2019.

Curiosity Rooms by Marriott

Travel and curiosity are a perfect pair! Marriott Hotels and TED are taking advantage of the concept by launching a first-ever immersive guest room experience called Curiosity Rooms that is ideal for families. The first one became available on July 15 at the San Francisco Marriott Marquis with two others opening at the Bangkok Marriott Marquis Queen’s Park starting on August 15 and the London Marriott Hotel County Hall on September 15. Each hotel will offer this opportunity for only three months from the opening dates.  Your family can enjoy an interactive room that works almost like a puzzle box, with riddles and puzzles to solve throughout the room that are specific to each destination. Each room also comes with a Curiosity Journal, a handy guide that helps you along with the experience.  A certificate of completion and a free dessert at the hotel restaurant are available for those who complete all the tasks.  Learning is fun at Marriott!

London Celebrates

Lauren and Mindy took their first overseas family trip to London during Queen Elizabeth’s Silver Jubilee in 1977…complete with a Royal Review of Reserve & Cadet Forces at Wembley Stadium!  We will never forget our first international experience as we celebrated our mother‘s college graduation.   Now your family can make memories with a visit to the UK in honor of the queen’s Platinum celebration…a historical 70 years on the throne.  A new place to stay in London is the Mayfair Townhouse which opened last May.  Their Family Affair package includes a second room for half off for two children ages 16 and under, daily breakfast, free dining for children 12 and under, a welcome gift for children, cancellation up until the day before arrival, and a complimentary in-room minibar filled with drinks and popular British snacks.  The whimsical hotel across from Green Park has 172 rooms and suites, a gym, and a bar/restaurant.  It’s set across 15 townhouses with a humorous décor described as “Oscar Wilde meets Alice in Wonderland”.

See More of Europe

For 2023, Adventures by Disney’s tour itineraries include its first experiences in Sicily and Northern Ireland.  The two new Land Adventures will feature fun, immersive, and authentic experiences for the entire family.  The seven-night Sicily Land Adventure stops at five of the seven Unesco World Heritage Sites on the island and visits Palermo, Monreale, Agrigento, Piazza Armerina, Caltagirone, Syracuse, Mount Etna, and Taormina. Highlights include a behind-the-scenes visit to Palermo’s Teatro Massimo, the largest opera house in Italy; a visit to the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento; a chartered boat ride to swim and snorkel in the Ionian Sea, exploring Taormina’s Isola Bella; a private show and backstage look at a puppet theater; and exploring Mount Etna via off-road vehicle.  The nine-night British Isles Land Adventure will visit Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and England.  Highlights include visits to a distillery and to one of the oldest family-owned pubs in Dublin; touring Belfast and the Antrim Coast, including a visit to the Giant’s Causeway, in Northern Ireland; a chance to play the bagpipes in Glasgow and private access to the Royal Yacht Britannia in Edinburgh; and afternoon tea, a high-speed boat ride on the Thames and a private viewing of the Crown Jewels in London. 

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!