Thanksgiving Getaways

Thanksgiving is just around the corner and a wonderful time to bring the family together without the work of hosting at home. Several upscale resorts around the country are creating special Thanksgiving experiences for families including a great meal, activities and more. Here are a few worth considering:

• Mohonk Mountain House, New York from November 25–29, 2026
Just a few hours from New York City, Mohonk Mountain House offers a traditional family Thanksgiving surrounded by the beautiful Hudson Valley. The holiday program is all-inclusive with all meals and many family activities and adventures included. Plus movie nights, live entertainment, indoor pool, tennis, spa and many other resort activities.

• Pinehurst Resort, North Carolina from November 25–29, 2026
Pinehurst offers a Thanksgiving program with activities for all ages, including a family game room, afternoon tea and cookies, live music, fireside s’mores, an Elf on the Shelf scavenger hunt and other holiday activities.  Breakfast and dinner each day is also included. A golf package is also available.

• C Lazy U Ranch, Colorado from November 20-25, 2026
The ranch’s popular Thanksgiving package is sold out, but they are offering a pre-holiday package with a minimum 3-night stay.  Activities include horseback riding, hiking, mountain biking and wagon rides outdoor along with an indoor riding arena, archery, gym, spa and more.

Patagonian Cruise Exploration

Looking for a truly memorable family adventure? Australis is once again offering a special December promotion on its small-ship expedition cruises through Patagonia, making this an exciting time to let us plan a memorable family trip to one of the world’s most spectacular wilderness destinations.

For all December 2026 departures, children up to age 15 sail free when sharing a cabin with an adult, with one complimentary child per paying adult. Adults also receive $750 off per person. Choose from departures from Punta Arenas, Chile or Ushuaia, Argentina for 5 days of exploration.

Australis cruises between Chile and Argentina aboard small expedition ships carrying approximately 200 guests. Families spend their days exploring the rugged landscapes and waterways, with excursions by Zodiac and on foot to glaciers, fjords, remote islands and spectacular wilderness areas. Wildlife viewing and hiking are a major part of the experience, making this an especially appealing adventure for families with older children and teenagers.

The short cruise can be easily combined with additional time in Chile or Argentina for an amazing South American adventure.

Family Moments in Nicaragua

Rancho Santana, a 2,700-acre luxury resort on Nicaragua’s Pacific coast, is offering a Fourth Night on Us Family Moments package. Stay four nights and pay for three, with travel through December 15, 2026. The offer also includes daily breakfast, round-trip airport transfers from Managua or Liberia and your choice of a complimentary family experience: a half-day cabana at the Sand Dollar Pool, a private bonfire or a private monkey-scouting adventure.

Families can also discover Nicaragua’s incredible wildlife and natural surroundings. Activities include guided nature hikes, birdwatching, monkey scouting and e-bike rides. You may spot howler and spider monkeys, tropical birds and other wildlife, while sea turtles can sometimes be seen along the beaches during nesting season.  

The Kids Club for ages 5 to 12 showcases activities such as tortilla making, crafts, nature adventures and horseback riding, while parents can enjoy the spa, yoga and time on their own.

Family sized accommodations abound with 2–3-bedroom suites and condos along with larger private villas and homes that sleep up to 14 people.

With so many activities included, Rancho Santana is a wonderful choice for families who want to combine adventure, relaxation and plenty of family time. Plus Virtuoso benefits apply!

Beijing Family Fun

Mandarin Oriental Qianmen in Beijing is making family stays in China’s capital especially appealing with its Family Daycation Package, valid through December 31, 2026. The luxury property offers an amazing selection of locally inspired family activities, including a 60-minute parent-and-child massage, a hutong treasure hunt with a private butler, and a Junior Chef Masterclass at VICINI where children can choose from pizza, pasta, dumpling or traditional Tang Hu Lu making. Families can also choose a 90-minute hands-on Chinese handicraft workshop, such as traditional medicine sachet making, calligraphy, foil painting or fish-lantern making, or settle in for a children’s movie with homemade popcorn, fruit and chocolate. You also get up to 8 hours of babysitting a day, a $75 spa credit, special children’s welcome amenities, daily breakfast, and complimentary round-trip limousine transfers between the hotel and Beijing airports or anywhere within the city.

A Beijing address unlike any other, Mandarin Oriental Qianmen fuses timeless elegance with the rich heritage of this dynamic district. The 42 minimalist courtyard houses tucked amidst Qianmen’s narrow hutongs open onto private garden patios. And you’re steps from Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City. Virtuoso benefits may apply.

Trip Review: Jen’s Low Country Getaway

The Family Traveler’s Jen and husband Ken explored The Netherlands and Belgium this past July. Their adventure began in Amsterdam, where they stayed at the stylish W Amsterdam which is centrally located to see all the city sights. Although the weather was a little too chilly for them to enjoy the panoramic rooftop pool, they certainly made the most of their time in the city.

Their Amsterdam exploration included visits to the Van Gogh Museum, the Rembrandt House Museum, and the Anne Frank House, which they found especially informative and memorable. They also enjoyed a small-group, half-day excursion to Zaanse Schans booked through Project Expedition, where they saw the Netherlands’ iconic windmills and enjoyed demonstrations of traditional cheese- and wooden-clog-making, along with plenty of delicious food tastings. An Amsterdam canal cruise with an open bar was another fantastic experience and a definite highlight of their stay.

Food was a major part of the Amsterdam experience, too. Jen and Ken enjoyed memorable dinners at Lucius and Bougainville and absolutely loved the pancakes at Pancakes Amsterdam!

From Amsterdam, they went on to Belgium, traveling by private transfer with Daytrip. They stayed at the Ghent Marriott Hotel situated directly along the historic Korenlei quay overlooking the River Lys in the heart the old city center and The Dominican centrally located in Brussels. They loved both properties.

In Ghent, they enjoyed a private walking tour booked through Get Your Guide before heading to Bruges for a private tour with Tours By Locals. Both guides were excellent, but their Bruges guide was an exceptional highlight. His fascinating insights and impressive depth of knowledge brought the city to life. He also recommended lunch at Le Mystique at Hotel Heritage, which turned out to be a particularly memorable meal. They also enjoyed another beautiful canal cruise in Bruges.

In Brussels, Jen and Ken explored independently, taking in the major sights and soaking up the atmosphere of the city. Highlights included a tour of NATO Headquarters and a visit to the Royal Palace of Brussels.

And, of course, the food continued to be a highlight throughout Belgium! They enjoyed memorable meals at Le Homard Rouge and Le Marmiton. Ken especially loved the mussels, while both made sure to indulge in plenty of Belgium’s famous fries along the way.

Throughout their journey in both the Netherlands and Belgium, they also loved sampling the local beers and chocolates and browsing the local shops. One of their most exciting purchases was a piece of artwork by local Ghent artist Johan Lootens which was a wonderful way to bring a little piece of their European adventure home with them.  

The architecture throughout the trip was another highlight for Jen and Ken. They particularly enjoyed seeing the variety of architectural styles across the different cities, from Amsterdam’s distinctive historic canal houses to the beautiful and character-filled buildings of Ghent, Bruges, and Brussels. Each city offered its own unique architectural personality and added another fascinating dimension to their travels.

Breakfast at all of their hotels was delicious and provided the perfect start to each day of exploring. From museums and historic sites to private tours, canals, incredible food, local beer and chocolate, and discovering unique artwork, Jen and Ken’s July adventure through Amsterdam, Ghent, Bruges, and Brussels was filled with memorable experiences from beginning to end.

Travel Tip: New Gateside Access

TSA has just introduced a new program called Gateside by TSA PreCheck at 13 airports. Eligible TSA PreCheck members can apply to go through security and enter the gate area without a plane ticket, which could be useful for parents accompanying children, grandparents helping with family travel, or meeting family members during a layover. You just have to apply 1-3 days in advance, and approval is required. The program is currently limited to participating airports but is expected to expand.  Check out https://www.tsa.gov/precheck/gateside-tsa-precheck for more details and airports.