Family Fun Vacations

Copyright Karen Schaler All Rights Reserved

The number one mistake many couple’s make is to pick a place they use to go before the kids or that same kind of destination. Problem is, while these resorts are fantastic for couples, they’re not so great for the little ones and you’re left searching for ways to entertain everyone, leaving you even more exhausted then when you started your vacation and don’t even think about trying to find child friendly food!

That’s why your best bet is to a pick a resort that’s tailor-made for families. This doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice luxury and service. A good example is too look at how some Four Seasons and Ritz Carlton’s have created some unique programs for children staying at their properties. If you have young children or “tweens” look for resorts that offer half day “adventure camps” and even special menus for children. The kids end up loving their time away from their parents because they can interact with other children and have a blast with all the different daily programs offered just for them. Then mom and dad can bliss out and relax and when the family is all together again for dinner, truly enjoy being together. You know what they say about absence makes the heart grow fonder!

Of course I know vacations are a time for families to spend time together but let’s get real, everyone will enjoy it more if they’re doing what they love and instead of driving each other nuts 24/7 a few hours a day apart is a good thing…it’s about quality time.

I even know kids who have cried when they had to meet up with their parents later because they didn’t want to leave, they were having too much fun. So parents don’t feel guilty about sending the gang off for a few hours, they’ll probably thank you for it!

Here are some of the top luxe family vacation destinations I’ve found over the years that have found unique ways to entertain and educate young children so you all come home from vacation talking about what an amazing trip you had.

LITTLE DIX BAY RESORT-BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS This is one of the most amazing properties in the Caribbean…a top spot rated spot in the world and the fact it has such a fantastic Children’s Program is just icing on the cake. The Children’s Center takes kids 3-10 and is open every day except Sunday and offers everything from tropical arts and crafts to beach games, sand sculptures, calypso music, tennis lessons, garden tours, a mid-morning snack and a whole lot more. Ask about the special “Pirates Program” where you search for buried treasure. I wanted to play but alas…too old! The British Virgin Islands alone is fantastic for families that love water sports because the beaches are incredible, clean and pristine, and the surf is extremely gentle. 

ATLANTIS- PARADISE ISLAND, BAHAMAS If you looking for a Disneyland environment on a tropical island and you don’t mind that it’s a little spendy, Atlantis is your place.I wouldn’t call this the place to go to totally relax like Little Dix Resort, but all the different programs here for children are truly impressive! Kids LOVE the eleven pools and crazy waterslides. Atlantis has two programs for the little ones, the Aqua Tots program and the Discovery Channel Camp. The Aqua Tots Program is for children 3 years old and up. The Discovery Channel Camp is for kids from 4 to 12 and ranges from just a quick1 hour program to half day and full day adventures that includes lunch and dinner.

KA’ANAPALI BEACH HOTEL-MAUI Okay, if you don’t want a camp where you drop off the kids but still want activities to keep everyone entertained a great choice, always rated high on the family vacation list is the Kaanapali Beach Hotel where kids rule! For children under 12 there’s a free program that’s SO popular called “Aloha Passport for Kids.” With this your family can play together as you visit areas of the hotel and learn Hawaiian arts and crafts. The destinations include Hawaiian activities like hula lessons, lauhala weaving, or flower lei making. What really cool is you get your passport stamped when you go to the different place, including hotel shops and restaurants and you even get a fun gift to play with while staying at the hotel and to keep as a special souvenir. 

These are just a few of my favorites. Stay tuned for more Family Fun Destinations coming up on this TRAVEL THERAPY blog and for more trips to take with your family check out the TRAVEL THERAPY website at www.mytraveltherapy.com.