The Family Vacationist

New Morocco Mall Takes Shoppers Under the Sea

2012-01-25T15:56:00.000-05:00

In a new twist on retail as entertainment, visitors to the luxury Morocco Mall in Casablanca will be able to ride an elevator right through the center of an aquarium. What a thrill for kids! The one-million-liter transparent aquarium - containing more than 1,000 metric tons of saltwater -- is the world’s first and largest acrylic structure of its type, designed and manufactured by ICM (based

Turks & Caicos Luxury Resort is 25% through April

2012-01-13T16:19:00.000-05:00

The luxury Seven Stars Resort, located on the island of Providenciales, Turks and Caicos is having a winter sale that till thrill luxury seekers and make victims of the Great Recession weep in envy. But if you can afford this oceanfront resort on the gorgeous Grace Bay Beach -- and crave a family beach vacation with all the sunny perks and glam service -- we suggest you take advantage of their

Decision Making in an Era of Too Many Choices

2012-01-07T19:00:00.000-05:00

We know that planning a family vacation when you have to satisfy several peoples' needs and worry about a budget, convenience, and good value can be stressful... if not totally overwhelming. This guest post from Jean Blackmer, author of MomSense: A Common-Sense Guide to Confident Mothering (and other books), deals with just this issue in daily life. I stood in the produce section of

I'm Dreaming of a Snowmass Family Holiday

2011-12-06T15:39:00.000-05:00

Have you been following the monthly Families Dream Big vacation giveaways on MyFamilyTravels.com? If not, they're pretty cool, and this month the Big Dreamy Destination is Aspen Snowmass, Colorado. If you play along, comment on winter sports, check in on Facebook, sign up for the e-newsletter or visit the partner sites www.TakingTheKids.com or www.TravelingMom.com, you get a chance to win.

Panda Family Flies to Scotland for the Holidays

2011-12-03T11:24:00.000-05:00

Talk about holiday surprises. First it was the Ruby Slippers coming to town for a pre-Christmas showcase at New York's toney Plaza Athenee Hotel. All done up and polished for a High Tea designed to inspire Mother-Daughter Lovefests. And perhaps a shoe shopping spree at Manolo, Jimmy and Christian's... Now it's our favorite cuddly, one we loved on our family vacation to China: the Panda!

Breckenridge Rushes The Slopes with Thanksgiving Cheer

2011-11-24T11:30:00.000-05:00

Beating out some of its neighbors, the Breckenridge Ski Resort has opened 270 total acres of skiing and riding terrain in time for Thanksgiving. Since its the resort's 50th anniversary this season, just maybe they're trying to keep AARP away with some youthful energy! The early opening also celebrates the new DoubleTree by Hilton Breckenridge (970/547-5550) resort slopeside, as well as the

Dorothy's Ruby Slippers Come Home to New York

2011-11-22T20:00:00.000-05:00

Have you ever dreamed of walking in someone else's shoes, perhaps Dorothy's slippers from "The Wizard of Oz?" This post is about a once in a lifetime opportunity for that certain mother or daughter... could that be you? On December 5th in the Tea Room of New York's swanky Hotel Plaza Athénée (yes, a very long way from Kansas, Dorothy), you'll be able to dine on petit fours while ogling the

Give Thanks for the Vacation from Turkey

2011-11-16T16:42:00.000-05:00

Family Getaways over the upcoming holidays mean you can really get away from some of those time-consuming, pesky chores. Imagine a Thanksgiving spent all together around a table where no one has to jump up to clear the soup bowls or refill the stuffing platter. Heaven? If so, some of these get away deals may appeal for this season. Each has an element of pampering as well as a bit of homeyness

Spring Training Over Spring Break: Play Ball in Florida

2011-11-05T15:21:00.000-04:00

Is your family devastated that the World Series has ended and the boys of October will hang up their jerseys till next season? If so, consider a vacation at the Jupiter Beach Resort & Spa, northern Palm Beach County’s only oceanfront AAA Four-Diamond resort.For spring 2012, the Jupiter Beach Resort & Spa is welcoming guests to play ball and enjoy Florida’s only stadium that hosts two Spring

Penguins on My Brain, Penguins on Parade in Australia

2011-11-03T18:46:00.000-04:00

Ok, we know, we know.... "Little Feet 2" will be in theatres before Christmas. But we are not the only ones with penguins on the brain. A friend just told me about a new TV series called "Penguin Island," airing on Nat Geo WILD on November 12 and 13 as part of the network's all-day, all-weekend "Penguin Palooza." This story makes sense, however, when you realize that this National

Top National Parks for Leaf Peeping

2011-10-07T17:05:00.000-04:00

Crisp air, fresh apples, new sweaters, lots of homework: must be fall! In honor of leaves changing colors throughout the country, the National Park Foundation is sharing 2011's "Great National Parks for Fall Foliage" list. Chartered by Congress, the National Park Foundation is the official charity of America's national parks, working with the NPS for their preservation and management. This

Loews Hotels Provide Halloween Costumes for Week of Fun

2011-09-20T19:30:00.000-04:00

We love the family-friendly Loews hotels all year, but how cool is it to spend a week in one of them at Halloween, and get a costume thrown in too? This Halloween season, guests at Loews Hotels can R.I.P. in the comfort of a Spooky Suite and mask themselves in specialty costumes from Party City, the go-to Halloween supply store. Party City’s Costume Concierge will assist in styling adults,

Daiquiri on the House in Classic Naples, Florida

2011-09-17T10:00:00.000-04:00

When we saw this deal for an $80 hotel room in Naples, Florida, the bargain caught our eye immediately. Naples, on Florida's calm and lovely Gulf Coast, is an elegant, upscale, super chic winter resort with beautiful beaches and major golf and tennis facilities. Families love Naples. We never equate Naples with discount hotel rooms. We were not as familiar with Crayton Cove, however, a

AAA Asia Australia Adventures by Luxury Small Ship 25% Off

2011-09-12T19:33:00.000-04:00

AdventureSmith Explorations, a tony adventure outfitter that sails the most elegant of the high seas, is offering an unusual discount -- 25% off the fare per person on family bookings -- and waiving its single supplement for those who travel solo. Australian Beach Their ships, Orion and Orion II, will be sailing in Australian and Asian waters this fall and winter. The special rates apply to

Kids Who Postpone College to Travel More Likely to Find Work

2011-09-04T16:06:00.000-04:00

There's no downside to high school kids taking a year off before college says a 2008 Statistics Canada report published jointly with Canadian Policy Research Networks. In fact, as long as students return to their studies after this so-called Gap Year, the study found that they are 8% more likely to be employed upon college graduation. Studies such as this one have contributed to a growth

Jersey Shore Dries Off for Labor Day Weekend Bargains

2011-09-01T14:38:00.003-04:00

Despite the rain-soaked lanes of suburban New Jersey, and the storm-battered half-naked beaches of the Carolinas, there are many parts of The Jersey Shore that survived Hurricane Irene and are open for business. Aztec Motel, Seaside Heights Boardwalk To prove it, the cute town of Seaside Heights is offering discounts at many of its small hotels and motels for Labor Day weekend. Seaside

Houseboaters Floating High on Lake Mead and Lake Powell

2011-08-27T17:22:00.000-04:00

A great year for rain and snowfall in the Colorado Rockies has resulted in rising lake levels at both Lake Powell and Lake Mead, according to our colleagues at Forever Resorts. These beautiful lakes, dominating the arid, mountainous landscape between Nevada and Arizona, are magnets for family recreation, with dozens of marinas in operation year round, so this is great news.. Reports of more

Hog Island, Maine Celebrates 75 Years as Audobon Environmental Camp

2011-08-23T19:44:00.001-04:00

Since 1936, one of the nation's greatest environmental education success stories has been the Audobon Society Camp on Hog Island Maine. August 20th marks 75 years of connecting citizens and educators who attended the Audobon Camp with the island's remarkable variety of birds. It all began with Millicent Todd Bingham, who inherited Hog Island in 1932. She gladly donated it to John Hopkinson

Live Luxuriously Like the Moroccan Royal Family

2011-08-13T19:00:00.000-04:00

Royal Mansour is a luxurious hotel in Morocco that melds traditional and historical Moroccan life with luxury and comfort. Built on 8 acres within the walls of the old Moroccan city of Marrakech, the Royal Mansour aims to immerse its guests into Moroccan culture. The hotel claims that the “Royal Mansour is more than a palace; it is the embodiment of Moroccan living as an art form,” and through

Childrens Literature by Shaun Tan Captures Top Prize

2011-08-10T16:25:00.000-04:00

"The process of reading is co-creation," notes Shaun Tan, recipient of this year's Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award for Children's Literature. The prize, named in honor of the late Astrid Lindgren, author of the classic "Pippi Longstocking" books, recognizes the very best work for children with the world's largest annual prize: nearly US$750,000. Winner Shaun Tan has illustrated more than 20

Posh London Hotel has Family of 3 August Special

2011-08-08T19:54:00.000-04:00

This August, The Rubens at the Palace in London welcomes families with fun events and promotions. The Rubens at the Palace is part of The Red Carnation Hotel Collection, a family-run collection of award-winning five and four star boutique hotels which have their own individual character. A four-star hotel, it's the kind of place that treats kids and adults with kid gloves, making everyone feel

Unlimited Theme Park Madness at Dollywood

2011-08-05T15:00:00.002-04:00

So your kids want to go to a water park, but this weekend all you really want is a bit of rustic luxury. Guess what? At Dollywood you can do both and save a bit of money, too, by booking the new Summer Fun Pass. For all you country music fans, this is an opportunity you won’t want to miss. The “Queen of Country Music” really knows how to show guests a fun bit of Southern hospitality (No, for all

Free Gas Cards, a State Park & Budget Family Fun in Indiana

2011-08-03T15:41:00.004-04:00

Families often associate the state of Indiana with its kid-friendly attractions in Indianapolis, home of the famous raceway and a great children's museum. But the Brown County Convention and Visitors Bureau, just 50 miles away, thinks differently, and they want you to check out the diverse activities, scenic beauty, and quaint charm of their region. Downtown Nashville shops and galleries

Healthcare Service Makes Vacations with Dialysis Patients Easier

2011-07-30T20:19:00.002-04:00

Have you thought about planning a family vacation with a loved one who's tied to a kidney dialysis machine, then dismissed it as being too hard? Dialysis is a life-sustaining process that cleans waste products from the blood, removes extra fluids, and controls the body’s chemistry when a person’s kidneys fail. Dialysis patients typically require treatment on an ongoing basis unless they

Makes Road Trips Saner on Twitter 4pm July 26: #KidsInTheCar

2011-07-25T18:42:00.004-04:00

Interested in road trip tips, fun destinations, snack ideas, and the latest technology to smooth your journey? Use Twitter to talk with travelers on our upcoming #KidsInTheCar Twitter Party, July 26th at 4pm ET. We're joining experts from Productopia @ConsumerSearch and co-host @MotherProof for a #KidsInTheCar Twitter party. Kyle McCarthy from @familytravel4um (that's us on Twitter!) and