Irish Family Holidays

The Castlemartyr Resort in County Cork, Ireland, sister property to Dromoland Castle, is launching an enhanced version of its Castlemartyr Kids Club just in time for summer. From July 18 to August14, the luxury resort and its sprawling estate will be transformed into a recreational retreat for children. Children have their own check-in area and are welcomed in the room with milk and cookies, pint-sized bathrobes and small slippers. The Kids Club offers daily activities that are hosted by resident Irish Setters Earl and Countess, who will oversee the proceedings (with a bit of help from their human assistants). Programs are organized according to age: 4 to 8 and 9 to 12.  Activities include a mini-Olympics; nature walks; off-site excursions (Fota Wildlife Park and Leahy’s Open Farm); arts and crafts; horse and carriage rides; storytelling; dog walking and cycling; face painting and games; and Kids’ High Tea every afternoon, followed by a movie night. Teens can engage in golf, archery, fly-fishing, biking and clay shooting.  In addition, the resort has a pool, spa, gym with fitness class and several dining options.  The property features rooms, suites as well as two and three bedroom self catering accommodations.  A great break for a few days while your family is explores the Emerald Isle.

Disney Adds More Asia

 Adventures by Disney is introducing a new Southeast Asia tour in 2013.  The 12-day itinerary will include visits to Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi and Hoi An, Vietnam; Luang Prabang, Laos; and Siem Reap and Angkor Wat, Cambodia.  Family activities will include a tuk tuk treasure hunt around the Angkor Wat temple complex, learning the stages of rice production at an organic rice farm in Laos, and a Vietnamese cooking class after shopping for ingredients at a market in Hoi An.  The Southeast Asia itinerary also includes time for fun in the sun along the coast of the South China Sea.  Accommodations will include the Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi.

Kids Rule in Victoria

The Fairmont Empress in Victoria, British Columbia is offering a Kids Rule Family Stay Package through April 27.  Rates start at only $199 CAD per night and you can receive a third night at 50 percent off.  Your rate includes overnight valet parking, children’s welcome toy, fun hotel Scavenger Hunt, one in-room pay per view movie with popcorn and non-alcoholic beverages for four and breakfast for 2 adults and 2 children.  Also included are several discount vouchers to local area family attractions including Miniature World, the Undersea Gardens, Butterfly Gardens and more.  Children 5 years and under eat free at the hotel and children 6 to 12 years receive 50% off food and beverage.  This historic hotel sits on Victoria’s Inner Harbour and offers a spa, indoor pool, gym and several dining options.  This year the City of Victoria is celebrating its 150th birthday with a variety of special events and celebrations.

Galapagos Discount

Enjoy an unheard of $1,000 per person discount on Thomson’s Family Adventure’s Galapagos Multi-Sport Adventure for June and July departures with the best that Ecuador has to offer. Your trip starts in Quito and then continues onto the beautiful Andean Highlands where your family will ride gentle horses through the hills of the highlands and wander villages and markets full of local color and crafts.  Then it’s off to the Galapagos Islands for an up-close discovery of sea lions, blue footed boobies, frigate birds, tortoises, sharks, penguins and more. This tour offers the most special and unique way to see the Galapagos: You’ll sleep on land for four nights—two of them camping—and spend your days hiking, biking, and cruising in small boats out to some of the best snorkeling sites the Galapagos has to offer. From the best guides in the world, to the luxury of your gracious accommodations in a working hacienda, to the sand in your tent on a remote beach with the Southern Sky above, this adventure is one of Thomson Family Adventure’s most precious. Three departure dates are available: June 23; July 7; July 21.

Barcelona Dragon Hunt

Take Off with Tauck to Europe

Once again Tauck Tours is offering a flat price for air to Europe including Tauck Bridges tours for families.  Pay just $1,290 per person round-trip in economy or $3,290 per person round-trip in business class for select US gateways.  Air is even refundable until 60 days before departure.  Full payment is not required at time of booking, but you do get your air schedule in advance.  This offer is only valid for bookings through February 29 for Europe trips from March 1-August 31 from select US gateways.  Some restrictions may apply.

Ireland for Families

Sceptre Tours is offering a vacation package for a family of four to Ireland starting at $899 per person from New York including a private three-bedroom villa, roundtrip economy airfare and rental car. The Adare Villa Estate in Summer package includes a luxurious three-bedroom, three-bathroom villa with kitchen, living room, dining area, sitting room and on-site laundry facilities at the 5-star Adare Manor Hotel & Golf Resort. The package is priced from $919 from Boston, $989 from Chicago, and $969 from Orlando for travel May 1 to 31, or from $999 from New York, $1,019 from Boston, $1,089 from Chicago and $1,069 from Orlando for travel from June 1 to 30 and August 23 to September 30. Prices are slightly higher for travel in July and August. Rates are per person based on four people traveling on departures on select days of the week.  A variety of other elements can be added to the package including an automatic car, breakfast and tours.

Enjoy The Exotics

Turkey, Israel and Antarctica have been added to Abercrombie and Kent’s  list of family travel destinations!  Explore Turkey for 11-days with a variety of unique cultural experiences in Istanbul, Cappadocia and Izmir.  Your family will attend a hands-on decorative arts class at a 16th-century school to learn marble papering and calligraphy; stay in a unique, boutique cave hotel adorned with antiques from the Seljuk, Ottoman, Roman and Hittite era; test your culinary skills during a cooking lesson at a family-run country restaurant and more. Your 10-day Israel trip includes stays in Tel Aviv, the Galilee and Jerusalem with a visit to the Dead Sea and the Negev desert.  Your family will tour the underground tunnels and excavations in Jerusalem with a scholar; explore the desert by jeep with a bonfire dinner under the stars and sail the Sea of Galilee by private, guided boat.  In Antarctica, sail on board Le Boreal which includes balcony accommodation; visit to an active research station to observe preservation efforts and go ashore in Zodiacs for a closer view of the land and wildlife and marvel at the remarkable biodiversity and stunning landscapes of the Southern Ocean.  Save 10% on the Antarctica trip if booked by March 31.

Ski Banff

Through May 27, your family can ski and play for free at The Fairmont Banff Springs.  Your package includes deluxe accommodations and tri-area ski passes for  up to two adults and two children, per room, per night, valid at Sunshine Village, Lake Louise Mountain Resort and Ski Banff at Norquay or a $200 CAD in resort credit in place of each ski day.  Shuttle service between the ski hill and The Fairmont Banff Springs, complimentary ski and snowboard storage, 15 percent off equipment rentals and milk and cookies in the room on arrival are also included.  Plus kids five and under eat free and family pets are welcome. Rates start at only CAD $339 with a minimum three-night stay. This majestic castle in The Rockies is located in the heart of Banff National Park.  Other winter activities abound include dog sledding, canyon ice walks, ice fishing, skating, snowmobiling, snowshoeing and curling!  The resort also features bowling, spa, kids club (age 6-13),  indoor and outdoor pool and more.

Volunteer Vacations

Considering a volunteer vacation for your next family trip?  United Planet’s 1-12 week trips around the world are also suitable for families.  Teen only programs are also available.  Your trip not only includes volunteering, transfers, accommodations and meals, but excursions and cultural activities.  Optional excursions can also be added.  You also receive extensive pre-departure training, a full orientation on arrival with a local United Planet coordinator, language lessons in some destinations and travel insurance.  Here is your chance to live and work in a local community and give back to those in need.  Projects take place in Cambodia, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Ghana, Guatemala, India, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Mexico, Nepal, Peru, Romania, South Africa, Tanzania, Tibet as well as in the USA. For families with younger children, volunteer work in orphanages in Romania, Peru, Chile, and Nepal are ideal.  Families can also teach English; contribute to environmental preservation; and more!  Accommodations can be a homestay, hotel, hostel or guest house depending on the location and number of people traveling.  Family discounts include a second parent and children 12 and over for 10 percent off while children under age 12 pay half.  Travel with friends, extended family, religious groups, school groups, etc. can also be arranged.  Program costs are also tax deductible.  Your family can also apply for scholarships and grants to help offset your travel costs.