Family Travel Blog @ KidsLoveTravel.com

Inventive “ScoutAbout” Program Launched

Michele Zavatsky — Tue, 15 May 2012 21:26:34 +0000

OK, FRIENDS…I LOVE THESE KINDS OF PROGRAMS. CHECK THIS OUT IF YOU ARE THE RESORT TYPE VACATIONERS…

Inventive “ScoutAbout” Program Launched at Nine Iconic Resorts

in Florida and the Caribbean

New Program from LXR Luxury Resorts & Hotels Promises Interactive Fun and Learning for the Entire Family

FORT LAUDERDALE – May 15, 2012 – Just in time for summer, LXR Luxury Resorts & Hotels is rolling out its new kids program called ScoutAbout at nine iconic, family-friendly hotels and resorts throughout Florida and the Caribbean.

Beginning this month, parents seeking a summer vacation that is fun and memorable can book a stay at any of the participating ScoutAbout properties and enjoy a uniquely-designed, scavenger-like tour, chock-full of fun-filled learning experiences.

Initially launched by South Seas Island Resort, the ScoutAbout program has been so popular with guests that it has been expanded to other family-friendly properties in the LXR collection. Participating properties include:

· South Seas Island Resort, Captiva Island, FL
· Casa Marina, A Waldorf Astoria Resort, Key West, FL
· The Reach, A Waldorf Astoria Resort, Key West, FL
· Hilton Key Largo Resort, Key Largo, FL
· Buena Vista Palace, Orlando, FL
· El Conquistador Resort, A Waldorf Astoria Resort, Las Croabas, Puerto Rico
· Las Casitas Village, A Waldorf Astoria Resort, Las Croabas, Puerto Rico
· Conrad San Juan Condado Plaza, San Juan, Puerto Rico
· Hilton Rose Hall Resort & Spa, Montego Bay, Jamaica

As part of the new program, parents and their children are invited to ‘scout about’ on a self-guided nature and history tour in search of a variety of landmarks and local flora and fauna. Armed with a special ScoutAbout map customized for each property, families set out on a quest to collect a rainbow of colored wristbands at each of as many as 15 different on-property discovery points. Kids cannot help but learn as they explore and investigate.

At the El Conquistador Resort in Las Croabas, Puerto Rico for example, kids search for Tamarind Trees, Coqui Frogs, Parrots, Miniature Horses and Conch Shells, all native to the environment. Meanwhile, at Casa Marina, A Waldorf Astoria Resort in Key West, Florida, the hunt is on for sightings of Tarpon, Loggerhead Turtles and the famed Sand Key Reef as well as historial points of interest such as the USS Vandenberg and Henry Flagler’s Train Wheels.

When each discovery point is found, kids locate a special sign post with information and history on that particular element. Before moving on to the next location on the map, they pick up the corresponding, color-coded wristband for that discovery point until they have collected a full set.

Families are also encouraged to share their findings and ScoutAbout experiences with fellow ‘scouts’ via Facebook. Once they “like” the resort’s Facebook page, they can post their own ScoutAbout photos and share their experiences. In the process, they become eligible for each hotel’s “Top Scout of the Week.”

For more information on each resort’s ScoutAbout program, details on value-filled summer packages and reservations at any of the participating ScoutAbout hotels or other LXR Luxury Resorts & Hotels, call (877) 597-9696 or visit www.LuxuryResorts.com.

THEME PARK SURVIVAL GUIDE

Michele Zavatsky — Tue, 15 May 2012 14:24:06 +0000

300 million people visit approximately 400 theme parks in the U.S. each year. Want to skip the lines, avoid the throngs of people and pay less than everyone else? Of course you do! Budget Travel’s insider tips will ensure you save time and money while upping the fun factor during your next park adventure.

PREP WORK: By doing some advance planning you can build anticipation while managing expectations. A developmental psychologist at Tufts University explains this is the time to let kids know they’ll need to stand in line before they can board a ride or, due to height restrictions, certain rides may be off-limits. By discussing in advance you can avoid an at-the-park meltdown.
WHAT TO BRING & BUY: Rule of thumb: never buy anything in a theme park you can buy outside the theme park. By bringing items like water, snacks, sunscreen, and bandages you’ll save money and have them at the ready as needed. (add to that: wipes, light towels – to sit on during parades, allergy/headache medicine and, if you can fit it in, rain ponchos)
LOST & FOUND: A quick way to ensure your kids find their way back to you in case of separation is to pin your name and cell phone to the inside of their clothes.
WHEN TO VISIT: If you go against the flow, you’re doing it right. Arriving 15 minutes before the gate is open and heading for the most popular rides first can mean the difference between no wait and a wait of 60-90 minutes for marquee attractions. Be smart though – a morning water ride that soaks the family may not be the best choice. (DisneyWorld bound? Try the economic services of www.TourGuideMike.com for a “Master Plan” to navigate the parks)
TECHNOLOGY TO THE RESCUE: Use your smart phone not only to note where you parked, but take a picture of your kids each morning in their park-visit clothes in case you have to ask for help in locating them. Smartphone apps also offer information such as maps to pinpoint bathrooms and some even provide up-to-the minute estimates on ride wait times.

ADVENTURE TRAVEL GONE CRAZY?

Michele Zavatsky — Tue, 08 May 2012 22:00:50 +0000

BLACK TOMATO TREND WATCH: FAMILY TRAVEL GOES UP A GEAR

Forget bucket and spade holidays, family travel just got a whole lot more enticing. Intrepid travel, luxury and children may not naturally go hand in hand but it would seem a growing number of discerning parents are turning to the award-winning bespoke travel company Black Tomato to organise their ‘rite of passage’ family adventure with 1 in 4 of the travel operator’s clients now holidaying with children, compared to 1 in 6 in 2011 making family travel now a significant part of Black Tomato’s business.

Black Tomato co-founder Tom Marchant adds, “We are seeing parents come to us looking to enrich their children’s lives and make the most of their precious time together with rare and memorable travel experiences that stick in the memory bank or are physically challenging, reinvigorate a love for the great outdoors. It’s no longer all about a villa holiday in the Mediterranean, parents – usually adventurers at heart – are using holidays to give their children or young adults life experiences that you just can’t get on a fly and flop holiday.”

Introducing the new generation of family travel….

THE RITE OF PASSAGE ADVENTURE

There comes a time in every person’s life when they take that first trip. The one that’s daring, exhilarating and inspiring. Enter the ‘rite of passage’ adventure, that holiday that makes children return with a whole new perspective on life and parents spend quality time with them before they ‘fly the nest’. Bespoke expedition-led travel company, Epic Tomato has had parents head off on challenging expeditions to Borneo hacking through jungle and wild camping with their teenage sons whilst Black Tomato’s most popular ‘rite of passage’ adventures are in Africa getting right up close to the wildlife.

Most popular: Witnessing a wildlife phenomenon: The Great Migration in the Serengeti, Tanzania and learn about the Masai’s ‘rite of passage’ and stay at family-friendly lodge Lamai Serengeti

NEW: Jungle expedition to Borneo with Epic Tomato

THE EDUCATIONAL FIELD TRIP

Discerning families are looking for more and more adventurous holidays with an educational slant as they seek to educate their children on life experiences. Instead of a villa holiday in the Mediterranean, families are opting for junior PADI qualifications in Thailand, spotting Orang-utans in Borneo, improving language skills or learning about geology in Iceland.

Most popular: Islands and beaches, PADI Diving Certificate in Thailand

NEW: scientific discoveries on a *limited edition* volcanic adventure in Iceland

THE PHYSICAL ONE

As the childhood obesity epidemic grows and children and teenagers spend more time in front of computer games than in the great outdoors, parents are handpicking holidays that reinvigorate a love for the great outdoors and incorporate physical fitness.

Most popular: Learning to surf in Costa Rica

NEW: Aqua hike, paraglide and traverse volcanoes on a little-known island in the Indian Ocean, Reunion Island

For more information, visit www.blacktomato.com

MY TAKE: I absolutely salivate over these trips but, really, do you know any families who go on safari?
MY ADVICE: Enjoy the hidden gems of our great country before you venture off to find adventure in foreign lands. Our trek around Presque Isle (Erie, PA) or Mackinaw Island (MI) on bicycle was eventful and surprising. So was our ziplining tours near quaint forest towns across America or our dogsledding in the mountains of Maryland! Each “uneasy” adventure started apprehensive but ended with a sense of accomplishment and a much better appreciation for how each family team member works best to make the whole day fun!
WANT IDEAS FOR LOCAL PLACES? Simply go to any KIDS LOVE TRAVEL guide and flip to the back ACTIVITY INDEX. Now, go to OUTDOOR EXPLORING or TOURS listings. You will not believe the hidden gems of adventure we have discovered and reviewed for your enjoyment!

NEW: ZIPLINING ABOVE RHINOS & GIRAFFES…IN OHIO…THE WILDS!

Michele Zavatsky — Tue, 01 May 2012 22:29:38 +0000

HOCKING HILLS CANOPY TOURS RESERVATIONS
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WILD ZIPLINE SAFARI RESERVATIONS

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Top Science Museums (do you agree?)

Michele Zavatsky — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 21:57:56 +0000

Top 10 Science and Technology Museums

Does your child love gadgets and technology? Have a budding inventor or scientist on your hands? A visit to a fantastic science and technology museum can inspire great scientific and scholastic achievement in even the non-motivated student. Get your inner Einstein on!

http://blog.trekaroo.com/2012/04/18/top-10-science-and-technology-museums/

I know, I know…I would show a pic from my hometown science museum (COSI)…but it did make the top 10 in the country.

Honestly, though, do you think the new techy redesigned science museums are really better? Frankly, I miss the good old-fashioned push-pull kind where the kids had to make things work vs. watching things work.

What do you think?

Michele, Family Travel Mom

www.kidslovetravel.com

15 More Places Every Kid Should See Before 15

Michele Zavatsky — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 13:30:26 +0000

Wondering where to take the kids this summer? Budget Travel has some great ideas and is pleased to unveil 15 More Places Every Kid Should See Before 15. (2 of them are favs from the KIDS LOVE ILLINOIS book)

Last year, Budget Travel chose 15 places they thought every kid should see before they turned 15. This year, they took it one step further and invited readers to weigh in on their favorite kid-friendly destinations. The editors then used the reader-generated nominations (562 to be exact) to create the 2012 list.

What made a destination worthy of inclusion? It needed to be fun, educational, and especially magical through the eyes of a child. It needed to inspire adults to tap back into that childlike sense of wonder. And it needed to have universal appeal.

in case you were wondering…my fav pick of the 15 is from our KIDS LOVE ILLINOIS book…Lincoln Presidential Museum in Springfield…Disney does Lincoln…overloaded!

KIDS LOVE ILLINOIS UPDATES – Open Books Hidden Gem

Michele Zavatsky — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 12:30:19 +0000

-from a friend in the Chicago area

I’m sure you are aware of all the well-known cultural destinations in the Windy City – the museums, Wrigley Field, Millennium Park, Sears Tower, but there is one little-known gem that I want to put on your radar. In the heart of Chicago’s River North area, Open Books is a cultural experience that has been described as a Wonka Wonderland of Books.

The award-winning bookstore provides a vibrant, fun, creative place for guests of all ages to read and play. Adult visitors can browse through a selection of 50,000 books and relax on the oversized couches, while kids can enjoy flipping through the 10,000 children’s books and playing in the children’s corner. Travelers can even feel good about spending their money (books average between $3 to $5), which we know can get tight during vacations, because book sales support the Open Books literacy program (the store funds 50% of Open Book’s literacy programs which pairs volunteers with Chicago Public School students to help them with reading and writing – thousands of volunteers- 4,000 students). There is so much more to say about the store, but I don’t want to bombard you with information. Feel free to check out the website whenever you have a free moment: http://www.open-books.org/.

reference book for update: KIDS LOVE ILLINOIS, 2nd Edition

KIDS LOVE MARYLAND MARCH MADNESS. WEEK THREE

Michele Zavatsky — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 23:25:17 +0000

HI FAMILY TRAVEL FANS!

I’m super excited about my latest book: KIDS LOVE MARYLAND, 2ND EDITION. Your Family Travel Guide to Exploring “Kid-Friendly” Maryland. 600 Fun Stops & Unique Spots.

So, here’s what the new book is all about:

Your kids will love finding where to discover hidden history, forgotten islands, secret messages and decorative decoys. Search for the best harbor havens, chesapeake crabbing, and brilliant beaches. Learn where you can ride the first rail or conquer majestic mountain trails. Explore the heart of U.S. History in the Capital region (book includes rich chapter on how to do Washington DC with kids…on a budget) and much more…

Well-known attractions plus hundreds of places you’ve probably never thought of! Make short vacation plans or get to know your favorite area better. Each chapter is a day trip zone including points of interest, events and suggested lodging and dining. Choose from nearly 600 listings in one book about Maryland travel with kids ages 2-15.

CONTEST

Wanna get a copy of this new book FREE? Here’s how: GO TO OUR FAN PAGE ON FACEBOOK: http://facebook.com/kidslovetravel anytime in March.

1. LIKE Kids Love Travel on Facebook. Then, comment on a KIDS LOVE MARYLAND Facebook post for that week to be entered to win an ebook copy.

2. Already a FAN? Just comment on a KIDS LOVE MARYLAND Facebook post in March to be entered to win an ebook copy each week.

3. Another entry is added if you sign up for our once-a-week email updates list: sign up on Sidebar Subscribe2 link on the right.

Good Luck,

Michele Z

KIDS LOVE MARYLAND MARCH MADNESS PROMO. WEEK TWO.

Michele Zavatsky — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 16:42:57 +0000

KIDS LOVE THE HEART OF U.S. HISTORY

Topic of Upcoming Family Travel Workshops

FAMILIES LOVE EXPLORING THE HEART OF U.S. HISTORY

How to Plan Easy Field Trips in & around our Nation’s Capital

and sneak in fun lessons along the way.

Through hands-on visuals and lively storytelling, author (and Travel Mom) Michele Zavatsky will take you on an educational journey through the Capital region of our country. Let’s get out and discover easy, inexpensive field trips. Learn tricks to taking effective hands-on history adventures…on a budget.

We’ll compare Children’s Museums and Science Museums for value, cover history from Astronauts to Indians to Explorers, discover natural wonders, learn how to make things and, best of all, know where to taste-test many yummy snacks. Find out how many sites are ones you would never think of. Learn to create family memories and complete easy lessons on fun day trips from the Mom that “vacations for a living!”

(background info: www.KidsLoveTravel.com)

CONVENTIONS I’M SPEAKING AT SOON:

SOUTHEAST HOMESCHOOL CONVENTION – Greenville, SC – March 22-24 – http://www.southeasthomeschoolconvention.com/

MIDWEST HOMESCHOOL CONVENTION – Cincinnati, OH – April 19-21

http://www.cincinnatihomeschoolconvention.com/

CONTEST

Wanna get a copy of this new book FREE? Here’s how: GO TO OUR FAN PAGE ON FACEBOOK: http://facebook.com/kidslovetravel anytime in March.

1. LIKE Kids Love Travel on Facebook. Then, comment on a KIDS LOVE MARYLAND Facebook post for that week to be entered to win an ebook copy.

2. Already a FAN? Just comment on a KIDS LOVE MARYLAND Facebook post in March to be entered to win an ebook copy each week.

3. Another entry is added if you sign up for our once-a-week email updates list: sign up on Sidebar Subscribe2 link on the right.

Good Luck,

Michele Z

GOT MARCH MADNESS? WE DO TOO. NEW KIDS LOVE MARYLAND IS HERE! and we’re giving away copies of this updated family travel guide!

Michele Zavatsky — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 16:31:54 +0000

HI FAMILY TRAVEL FANS!

I’m super excited about my latest book: KIDS LOVE MARYLAND, 2ND EDITION. Your Family Travel Guide to Exploring “Kid-Friendly” Maryland. 600 Fun Stops & Unique Spots.

Reason? So many folks crave easy family travel but need some good advice…

I’ve spent years visiting, reviewing, and seeking the best in family travel.

And, being a super mom (aren’t we all?), organizing my finds into easy-to-use chapters that any friend can use at a glance to plan the best trips for their family.

So, here’s what the new book is all about:

Save Time. New features include HIGHLIGHTS and web resources to quickly help you make the most of a short trip in each chapter. Searching countless hours on the internet? We give you fast travel facts, prices, and our exclusive, expert kid-tested reviews for every listing. We did the work so you don’t have to. Your won’t find this information ORGANIZED together anywhere else!

Save Money. Once you purchase the book you’ll have access to a special page of online updates that keeps your book FRESH for years. Plus, we’ve found many places to visit for little or no charge.

Wanna get a copy of this new book FREE? Here’s how: GO TO OUR FAN PAGE ON FACEBOOK: http://facebook.com/kidslovetravel anytime in March.

1. LIKE Kids Love Travel on Facebook. Then, comment on a KIDS LOVE MARYLAND Facebook post for that week to be entered to win an ebook copy.

2. Already a FAN? Just comment on a KIDS LOVE MARYLAND Facebook post in March to be entered to win an ebook copy each week.

3. Another entry is added if you sign up for our once-a-week email updates list: sign up on Sidebar Subscribe2 link on the right.

Good Luck,

Michele Z