Specials and News
Around the World with The Family Traveler
US/Canada Travel Ideas
Utah Summer Adventure
Looking for an easy summer mountain getaway? Auberge’s Lodge at Blue Sky near Park City is offering an all-inclusive adventure available from May through October. Your rate will include your meals, non-alcoholic beverages, a daily privately guided half-day activity from a curated selection, and your airport transfers from the Salt Lake City Airport, just 30 minutes away! Your family also has free use of mountain bikes or e-bikes, yoga and meditation classes, spa, gym, archery, cooking classes, art classes and more. Your days could include a horseback ride to the 1800’s tavern or hiking with a wildlife biologist to observe elk and birds in their natural habitat, then returning to the resort to enjoy a delicious meal! The 3,500-acre ranch also showcases special teen and children’s programs and features a variety of suite setups with up to two bedrooms for a comfortable family stay. Large suites have up to 2,000 square feet of space with a dining area, a relaxing living room, and outdoor terraces with mountain and valley views.
Cruises
Exploring Polynesia
Once again Paul Gauguin Cruises will be offering their “Moana Explorers” program for children ages six to 15 on 11 different summer and holiday sailings in 2025! The unique and complimentary program is offered in collaboration with Te mana o te moana, a South Pacific marine education and conservation foundation and is designed to engage your children with hands-on, interactive activities both onboard and ashore. From learning about the care and protection of sea turtles, to playing beach ‘Survivor’ games to hiking volcanic mountains and snorkeling in pristine lagoons, the program goes far beyond the formulaic structure of traditional children’s programs. Depending on the itinerary, your children might explore underwater life, conduct water experiments, create natural jewelry, go on a treasure hunt, learn about Tahitian culture, discover island legends and geology, design a Polynesian tattoo and more. Choose from cruises in June, July, August and December from seven to 14 nights sailing through Tahiti, the Cook Islands, Marquesas and other special Polynesian destinations. A watersports marina off the back of the boat, pool, spa, gym, destination presentations and evening cultural programs round out the wide variety of activities on board for the entire family.
Tropical Fun
Club Med Cancun Enchancements
Club Med Cancún Yucatan, located at the tip of the Hotel Zone, is undergoing improvements and renovations to its wellness and family space. Upgrades to the family section and the addition of a Wellness Island will create more areas within the resort for your family to recharge and connect. The Sports & Wellness Island will combine an active sports area with a relaxation space with a new yoga palapa plus facilities for archery, bocce ball, mini golf, multi-sport courts, and the Circus School by Club Med. The tennis courts have been converted to pickleball courts as well. The resort is also relocating the children’s program closer to the family section and will feature an updated Baby Club Med for ages four to 23 months. Here babies can discover color, sounds and the natural environment through activities including music workshops, nature walks, painting activities and daily family activities such as cooking classes, pool parties and snack time! Refreshed play facilities will also include a themed Splash Park, Water Park, Mini Pool & Playground, Fun Zone and Mini Cinema. Of course, this resort doesn’t just cater to children – adults can relax at one of the all-inclusive resort’s three white sand beaches, snorkel in the world’s second-largest coral reef, or sip some drinks at the new wine cellar. A perfect family getaway!
International Exploration
Tauck Bridges Adds Japan
Japan is a travel hotspot! In 2025, Tauck Bridges is making it easier than ever to explore this unique island country with a new 10-day itinerary, “Journey Through Japan…A Family Adventure. The trip is chock full of cultural experiences and the some of the country’s top highlights. It begins with a three-night exploration of Japan’s capital of Tokyo. Your family will visit the ancient Asakusa Kannon Temple and enjoy a rickshaw ride before learning the ways of the ninja. Also visit the famous Ginza shopping district, Tsukiji Outer Market, Meiji Shrine, teamLab Planets interactive museum and also enjoy a sushi-making lunch. Then you will travel by high-speed bullet train to Hakone for a one-day stay, where your family will take a pirate boat cruise across Lake Ashi and a trip to the city’s Open-Air Museum. Hop on the bullet train again to Hiroshima for a two-night stay. Highlights include the city’s Peace Memorial Museum and Park, the Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima Island, and a hands-on traditional okonomiyaki demonstration and dinner. The trip ends with a three-night stay in Kyoto.. Visit Kiyomizu-dera Buddhist temple, Nijo Castle, Kinkaku-ji Golden Pavilion, Nishiki Market and the city’s geisha district. Your family will have the chance to participate in several traditional Japanese cultural traditions, such as a formal tea ceremony, drumming and taking a calligraphy lesson.
News
Trip Review: Puerto Rico Getaway
The Slepian family (parents and three young adults from ages 19-22) spent five nights in Puerto Rico at Las Casitas Village in Fajardo this past January. This luxury property is located at the highest point of a 300-foot hill, so the family could enjoy beautiful sweeping Caribbean views and sunsets from their private balcony. They stayed in a three-bedroom, three-bathroom villa, which provided the perfect amount of space for their family of five. Having a full kitchen with a picky eater in the family was ideal. The family enjoy relaxing at the resort pools and the unique private island that showcases a lovely beach and watersports. A highlight for all of them was renting jet skis, but found that the resort gym’s cardio equipment was in need of some repair. They were particularly happy that they rented a car because it allowed them to explore more of this beautiful island. They took full advantage of what Puerto Rico has to offer! They spent one evening kayaking in a bioluminescent bay – a once in a lifetime experience that they raved about. Another day, they drove to El Yunque rainforest and hiked around. When they wanted a break from nature, they drove to Old San Juan, visiting the famous forts and exploring the Old Town. When they didn’t feel like cooking or eating at the resort restaurants, they ventured out to Luquillo Beach, home of the famous food stalls, and enjoyed an amazing dinner at La Parillo. Their favorite meal of the trip was brunch at Las Vistas Café, a lovely little place close to the hotel in Fajardo. This trip was the perfect combination of island activities and relaxing at a luxury resort, and truly had something special for every member of the family!
Trip Trip: A Book on Austism Travel
Just in time for National Autism Acceptance Month, Rowman & Littlefield will release the paperback edition of the multi-award-winning parenting and travel guide, “Traveling Different: Vacation Strategies for Parents of the Anxious, the Inflexible, and the Neurodiverse” by Dawn M. Barclay. Traveling with children is always challenging, but for parents of children with autism spectrum disorder and/or mood and attention disorders, it can be especially intimidating. In “Traveling Different,” Barclay presents travel strategies and anecdotes from Certified Autism Travel Professionals, parents of special needs children, associations and advocates, and mental health professionals, broken down by mode of transportation and type of venue. The heart of the book outlines suggested itineraries for spectrum families as well as venues that cater to the unique special interests that are characteristic of individuals with invisible disabilities. The book culminates with a guide of travel advisors who specialize in special needs travel and lists of organizations that advocate for special needs families, “Traveling Different” is the essential resource to make the cultural, educational, and bonding benefits of vacations available to all.
