As we head into holiday season.... it's all about families

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A family holiday can be the best bonding exercise you can all have, If you don't plan well, though, it can go disastrously wrong. Here are some great ideas to build memories that will last forever.

Hotels that love kids

Don't you love a hotel that loves your kids? Here are three that go out of their way to make everybody's stay a lot of fun.

Hawks Cay Florida Keys Resort is surrounded by the clear aquamarine waters of the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. This idyllic island resort in the Florida Keys is the perfect family holiday destination for watersports enthusiasts. Children age five to 12 can enjoy a full schedule of supervised activities from nature hikes to scavengers hunts and fish feedings, or have a splash at one of the resort's five themed swimming pools. Teens can pick up a new water sport like kiteboarding, kayaking and snorkeling, or just hang out at Coral Cay Club, a lounge and game room where they can meet new friends over a game of Wii or XBox. 

The Dhara Dhevi Chiang Mai is where families can head up to northern Thailand's tropical countryside, rich with culture and tradition, to participate in The Dhara Dhevi Chiang Mai's Lanna Kids Club, which provides lessons on local arts and crafts such as paper making and umbrella painting, classes such as Thai boxing or yoga for kids, and tutorials on Thai music and dance. Travelers who prefer the great outdoors can go riding on the back of a water buffalo or learn how rice is planted and processed from start to end in the resort's organic rice fields. 

Then there's Hotel Don Carlos Leisure Resort & Spa. The Club Mare Kid's Club there will satisfy even the most energetic and inquisitive little ones on holiday, offering an array of activities like environment education and recycling workshops, painting and music lessons, handicrafts, and juggling and balloon-twisting classes, alongside sports like tennis, basketball and beach volleyball. This beautiful beachside resort also offers Mums and Dads access to the Orange Beach Club, an exclusive area with avant-garde outdoor furnishings and attentive personalized service, poolside and beachside. 

More information about any of these .....

 

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If you want help knowing what a kid wants - ask a kid. But not just any child. 

Perhaps Australia's youngest entrepreneur was Isabella (Bella) Tipping who, in 2015, as an intelligent, articulate 12-year-old from Dubbo in country NSW, founded Kidzcationz a website that allows kids, their parents and carers, to rate hotels, restaurants, theme parks and attractions, based on how well they support the needs of younger members of the family.

This kids’ version of TripAdvisor is not designed to replace the adult travel websites, but rather to run alongside them so families looking for a holiday destination can get a broad view of how well that venue can support the whole family. Kidzcationz.com will also allow direct online bookings via Expedia, so, once the venue which suits everyone in the family is found, they can immediately book and pay.

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Johor Bahru - a child's paradise

 

The southernmost city in Malaysia, Johur Bahru's star is on the ascendency. Like Glasgow in Scotland, after years of being criticized as ramshackle and chaotic, in recent years the city has undergone a major facelift. Streets have been repaved, parklands replanted and suddenly it’s on everyone’s list of must visit destinations.

JB is connected to Singapore by road and rail across a 1,038m-long causeway, across which Singaporeans flood for shopping and excitement on weekends and holidays. As well as great shopping, you will also find bustling food hawkers, interesting old architecture and wide, clean sidewalks.

But perhaps the biggest collection of fans of the new revitalized Johur are also its youngest! Home to some of Malaysia’s newest and best children’s theme parks, Johur is fast shaping up as the country’s own answer to Anaheim. And while these are targeted primarily at younger audiences, the great range of attractions and activities on offer mean they are just as likely to appeal to the child in all of us

              

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LEGOLAND Malaysia Resort

For those looking for a family treat with a difference, its hard to go past Johur’s LEGOLAND® Malaysia Resort. The first of its kind in Asia and the largest in the world, the resort boasts a LEGOLAND Park, Water Park and Hotel all in one LEGO® themed location. 

 

The resort has been specifically designed for families with children aged 2-12, but it really does seem to appeal to adults and kids in equal measure. There are over 70 rides, slides, shows and attractions, focusing on adventure, education and fun, so it makes a great option for Aussie families looking for an action-packed day trip or a short break destination as part of a longer Malaysian itinerary.  Read more.....

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Family-focused itineraries in Peru

This is for families who like adventure. Vaya Adventures, the expert in designing premier bespoke vacations in South America, announces a Peru itinerary inclusive of experiences and activities specially arranged for families while taking in the highlights of the country.  As no two families are alike, the itinerary can be tailored to match a family’s activity level and interests, both before and during the trip. 

Vaya Adventures can arrange a family boat trip out to the nearby Palomino Islands for viewing penguins, sea lions, dolphins and marine birds.

 

Bike tours along the coast in Lima are an alternative to traditional city tours. Surfing lessons are another possibility, as the adjacent coast is a renowned surfing area.  Evenings bring the Magic Water Circuit, a massive series of fountains with a light show that’s a hit with travelers and locals alike.

A short flight to Cusco introduces families to the fascinating lore and history of the Inca Empire and to special activities that bring the local culture to life and reveal how Peruvian families live, work and attend school. Four nights in the Sacred Valley provide time for a leisurely introduction to the region’s ancient and modern culture with guided hikes, mountain biking excursions (with options for varying abilities), one night of first class camping, a zipline adventure and a Via Ferrata rock climbing experience. Paddle boarding and kayaking are added options.

Accompanied by a private, home-grown English-speaking guide, visits will also be made to local families’ homes, the Cochahuasi Animal Sanctuary (with local species such as llamas, condors, pumas, and monkeys), and the Sacred Valley Honeybee Project (where kids can put on the bee protection suits and see honey being made). A lunch visit to a primary school will allow a family to interact with kids of diverse backgrounds; from indigenous roots to the children of expatriates living in the area. 

Find out more...

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Chalet for the family 

It’s the age-old question; what do you do with the kids in the school holidays or, in fact, even on a weekend away?  It’s one not always satisfied, even in activity-crazy New Zealand.

It can depend on the age of your children.  If they’re into their teens they may be keen to bungy jump in Queenstown or white-water raft in Whakatane.  But what if they’re not in that age group?  How many hotels, motels or camp grounds are child-friendly and not on a main road? For that matter, are parents also adequately catered for? 

The solution is a chalet and not one high on a mountain that’s freezing cold in winter and stiflingly hot in summer, and with not much else to do but tramp around steep  scree or dusty tracks. 

Just a three-hour drive from Auckland is the historic and wonderfully picturesque little town of Russell in the stunningly beautiful Bay of Islands.  It’s accessible by road and car ferry or passenger ferry from Paihia, so that’s a unique selling point for starters.  But there’s more.

Six kilometres from the Russell township is scenic Paroa Bay overlooking, yes, Paroa Bay in the Bay of Islands.  High on the hill above a vineyard are three self-contained architecturally-designed chalets purpose-built for families.  

A large kitchen dining and lounge area (with unsurpassed views) separates the bedroom and bathroom spaces which means the kids can sleep at one end of the chalet while parents enjoy the other. Perfect.

It means, too, the kids can run around the grassed areas almost unsupervised because it’s safe.  It’s not a township after all, it’s a verdant valley quiet enough to hear tui singing by day and kiwi by night.  Where else in New Zealand can you hear the shy nocturnal ground-dwelling kiwi in full voice flight? And with the chalets there’s a spa pool on site so you could probably hear those kiwi as you soak with a glass of wine in hand.  That’s another unique selling point.

If you don’t want to cook, there’s an Italian restaurant with wine-tasting offerings in the vineyard within walking distance. But there’s still more.

A short drive into Russell is the complete historical experience.  The museum details the bawdy whaling days of what was then Kororareka and remnants of boats and whaling pots are still on the foreshore. Christ Church a block back from the waterfront is the oldest working church in New Zealand and still with the musket holes in a side wall inflicted during the Battle of Kororareka in 1845.  The kids will thrill to that real-life dramatic depiction of war.

A stroll around the graveyard is a palpable heritage trail with history lessons not always taught in schools. A little booklet available from the church details names and dates of the burial of early settlers, Maori chiefs, rascals and reprobates, surgeons and sailors and other early citizenry both law-abiding and not. 

Maki Hill (where the flagstaff was famously chopped down by Maori warrior, Hone Heke, a staggering four times and which lead to the Battle of Kororareka) is a five-minute drive from here and, as with so much of the region, comes complete with staggering views of the bays and beaches yet again.

Russell is also home to the famous Duke of Marlborough Hotel and there are other eateries scattered around the town that welcome children as much as adults.  An excellent grocery store can supply all the victuals if you choose to cook and Pacific oysters and smoked fish are available fresh just down the road.

Then there are the dolphin experience cruises in the bay, or fishing charters, or yacht charters or just plain old swimming from the foreshore beach, sitting on the grass verge and watching the kids jump off a pontoon near the wharf.  Or you can all kayak or paddle board close to the beach.

Paroa Bay Chalets were built by NZer, Claire Pearson, who spent several years overseas in various cities before deciding to come back home and settle for the quiet life.  As a mother, she knew the value of providing family accommodation and as a former urbanite she certainly knew the benefits of tranquil rural surroundings. 

What the chalets offer is seclusion and serenity away from the Russell tourist bustle and yet close enough to have every amenity and activity available within a ten-minute drive, all mod cons and technology, and the factor known as ‘ah!’.  

by Sandy Myhre 

For more details....

Let's ALL go on a safari

Are you considering taking your family on safari? One company familiar with a range of safaris available in Africa suggests that some safari programs are better than others for families with young children and/or teens.

Julia Nesbitt, director of sales and marketing for Seattle-based African Safari Company, says that overland travel distances, the pace of a program and style of accommodations are among important considerations. Following are her safari planning tips for families:

1.    The weather generally 'works' for safaris scheduled over summer holidays. In December and January, plan to go to South Africa or Eastern Africa to avoid rains. The African sun can be intense - pack lots of sunscreen!

2.    Allow 24 hours for travel time to Africa and 24 hours to return. Be sure to allow a few days upon returning home so that children are able to get over jet lag before going back to school.

3.    Select age-appropriate programs and be aware of their duration. For all but the most patient teenagers, long game drives are best avoided, Nesbitt advises. The age limit for gorilla trekking is 15 years. Some water and walking activities may have age limits of 12 to 16 years old. Many safari lodges have dedicated programs for children, taking them for shorter game drives and nature walks closer to camp.

4.    Consider the travel pace. "Ask how long the road transfers and drive times are. If transfers are longer than a couple of hours, ask about interesting places to stop along the way or consider flying to your next destination instead," she suggests, adding that sometimes it's preferable to visit just a few places that are easily accessible from one another but that allow enough time in each for immersion. Families will be rewarded by getting to know the region, staff, guides and even some of the resident wildlife. "Children love to learn about other kids. We recommend including cultural elements in your family safari for a great blend wildlife, wilderness and learning about the local culture and customs."

5.    Factor ages into accommodation requirements. Many camps and lodges offer one or two family units with adjoining bedrooms. Children up to age 11 can share with two adults. However age 12 and up may constitute a third 'adult' in the parents' room which some lodges preclude. "But, you won't want your 12-year-old alone in their own room, so ask for camps with flexible child policies wherever possible," she advises.

6.    Weigh geography and health concerns. "Malaria-free? Choose one of the excellent game reserves in South Africa. Want to avoid mandatory vaccinations? Visit the Zimbabwe side of Victoria Falls instead of the Zambian side." Nesbitt also highly recommends travel insurance for the whole family; some plans include ages up to 12 in their parent's coverage at no cost, she notes.

Read how....

 

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Note: All editorial on this site is included only because of its interest and value to readers. None of the places or products mentioned above has paid to be included.