with and without the kids

July 19th, 2010

Before school starts, take the kiddies on one last hurrah this summer with a fun family trip. Or, wait ‘til they’re back in school and sneak off for a grown-ups only, post-summer getaway.

Parrot Cay

 

 

Jakes

Treasure Beach, Jamaica

Location: Jakes is nestled in the quaint fishing village of Treasure Beach and offers a collection of vividly decorated villas, suites as well as spacious cottages ideal for families.

Activities: The hotel offers an array of educational and fun activities, ranging from cooking classes and tile mosaic workshops to farm tours. Join a tile mosaic class led by the artist who is largely responsible for most of the unique mosaic design found throughout the property. Embark on a unique agricultural adventure to a local organic farm, with the opportunity to see-touch-smell-taste a variety of tropical fruits and vegetables. Enjoy a meal in the field and purchase food from the farm which can be used in a cooking lesson at Jakes. Discover the secrets behind the island’s jerk season and spices, or learn how to prepare exotic fruits such as ackee and traditional dishes like ‘Run Down’ during the interactive culinary session.

Details: $650 for two adults and two children, available now through December 15.

Tweetables: #Jamaica #FamilyTravel

 

Grand Hyatt Tokyo

Tokyo, Japan

Location: A dinosaur-themed vacation in the city that gave us Godzilla!

Activities: The Summer with Dinosaurs package at the Grand Hyatt Tokyo includes tickets to the Dinosaur Museum’s special exhibit “Dawn of the Dinosaurs” in the Mori Arts Center, which features computer graphic animation, interactive dinosaur origami, and special dinosaur modeling classes with a resident paleontologist.

Details: As part of the package, children will receive a dinosaur amenity from the hotel, and parents can enjoy either lunch at Grand Hyatt’s Oak Door restaurant or breakfast via room service. Rates start at 38000JPY, approx $426 USD.

Tweetables: #Tokyo #FamilyTravel

 

Crystal Cruises

Location: Take a cruise in one of Crystal Cruises’ two luxurious vessels, the Symphony or the Serenity, to destinations across the globe.

Activities: Instead of just working on a golden tan this summer, kids and teens aboard Crystal Cruises can learn to make sushi from a Nobu-trained chef, craft a perfect golf swing with a PGA pro, or learn the native tongue of the next port of call with a Berlitz instructor. Noting a surge of multigenerational family travel, Crystal is passing on its tradition of Six-Star enrichment for adults to its younger guests. (Adult classes include computer skills, wine classes, and lectures.) Along with educational activities, kids are entertained with DJ-hosted dance parties, video games, and ice cream bars.  

Details: Families can take advantage of the Crystal Family Memories program that provides numerous perks including a complimentary berth, a Private Adventure credit and family portraits.  A Black Sea/Russia sailing, from August 14-25, starts at just $4545 per person.

Tweetables: @CrystalCruises #Cruise #FamilyTravel

 

Parrot Cay

Turks & Caicos
Location: While perhaps best known as the choice getaway for a number of celebs, Parrot Cay is the perfect spot for a family getaway (and it’s an easy long weekend trip). The private island combines nature (1,000 unspoiled acres, including a mile-long powdered beach) with understated and minimalist style – perfect for quality time with the fam.

Activities: For the kids, the resort offers activities such as shell painting and making necklaces from fossilized shark teeth. These activities are particularly popular since they allow the kids to make friends with other kids on the island. While the kids are busy, Mom and Dad can get some private time (also what Parrot Cay is known for) in the spa. Families can reconvene later for a beachside barbecue prepared by the staff. There are also family group activities like excursions to islets for snorkeling, kayaking in the mangroves, various water sports, fishing trips, and castaway picnics (note, the resort has excellent food, including a super healthy and surprisingly delicious COMO Shambhala menu, as well as a children’s menu).

Details: While all of the accommodations on the island are family-friendly, the villas are a particularly great fit for families. The resort has built a number of two and three-bed villas on the beach, or you can opt for a one-bedroom beach house or villa – kids under 12 stay for free and you fit a rollaway or even two in there if needed. Until December 20, try the Extend that Summer Feeling offer and get four nights for the price of three or five nights for the price of seven. The starting rate in the summer is $696 for a garden room, available through September 7.

Tweetables: @COMOhotels #TurksandCaicos #FamilyTravel

 

Once they’re back in school…

Pavillon de la Reine

 

The Wauwinet

Nantucket, MA

Location: While Nantucket is known to be uber family-friendly, leave the kids behind for once and spend a few nights at The Wauwinet.  The inn is the perfect destination for honeymoons, anniversaries, and quick weekends getaways (Jet Blue flies direct to Nantucket from New York). Each guestroom is individually decorated  and most have views of either the ocean, bay, or gardens. 

Activities: The Wauwinet staff is always available to help with anything you might need – chocolate-covered strawberries in your room at turn-down?  Not a problem.  Private tennis lessons on the two secluded courts?  Sure thing!  Sunset cruise on the Inn’s Wauwinet Lady?  Hop on board.

Details: No screaming babies here!  Children under 12 are not permitted to stay.  The Wauwinet is also home to the award-winning TOPPER’S restaurant and the waterfront Spa by the Sea. Take advantage of the Hot Dates, Cool Rates program offering discounted rooms in the fall. With the program, rates start at $225.

Tweetables: @WauinetInn #Nantucket #GrownUpGetaway

 

Pavillon de la Reine

Paris, France

Location: Paris in the fall is the perfect place to cure those end-of-summer blues and relish in the romance of the city. The weather is mild and the summer tourists have dissipated. Pavillon de la Reine is a hidden gem in the historic Places des Vosges. Staying within its ivy-covered walls and impossibly chic rooms makes one feel like un vrai Parisien.

Activities: Walk out the door and into the Marais, a neighborhood brimming with cafés and boutiques, or stroll a few blocks and cross the Pont Marie to the charming Isle Saint-Louis to sample the famous Berthillon ice cream.

Details: After a summer of taking kids to the pool and being on constant sun-screen duty, an adult trip to the city of lights might be just what the doctor ordered. Rooms start at €380.

Tweetables: #Paris #GrownUpGetaway

 

La Réserve Ramatuelle

Ramatuelle, France

Location: Just outside the hustle and bustle of St. Tropez is the hilltop retreat of La Réserve Ramatuelle. Set above the Mediterranean Sea, the resort is a serene asylum for pampering, and where better than France for a little romance after a summer of constant events and busy beach days?

Activities: Spend the day at the spa getting body wraps, massages, or Crème de la Mer facials. The pool overlooks the rocky coastline dappled with palm trees and the restaurant serves up tasty Mediterranean fare. If you get tired of pampering spa treatments, yoga classes, and romantic walks through the countryside, one can always sample the nightlife in neighboring St. Tropez.

Details: Treat yourself to some serious R and R at this paradisiacal resort. If you really want to splurge, try the six-day/seven-night program that targets weight loss and sculpting to revitalize the body through treatments and activities like yoga – plus their own healthy spa cuisine.   Think of is as a painless was to slim down and shed those pounds from indulging in ice cream all summer. Starting September 20, low season rates start at 400€.

Tweetables: #StTropez #GrownUpGetaway

 

Shakti Village Experiences

Kumaon, India

Location: For those looking for a more exotic entrée to India, or for those who have already “seen” India and are craving a more authentic adventure, Shakti Village Experiences is just the ticket, offering private, guided walking tours throughout villages in Kumaon, Sikkim, and Ladakh in the Indian Himalayas.

Activities: By day you’ll gently walk through the mountains, taking in snow-capped peaks, fluttering prayer flags, rice paddies, and terraced landscapes.  At night, relax in traditional village houses, slightly spruced for total comfort, but not compromising on the authenticity. For the ultimate romantic escape, enjoy the Kumaon village experience in Uttarakhand followed by a 3 or more night stay at Shakti 360˚ Leti, Shakti’s four-cabin en-suite hotel at 8,000 feet with stunning panoramic views of the mountains.

Details: The cabins are built into all four sides of the mountain, with the central hotel area on the top, allowing for total privacy.  Cell coverage isn’t available, so leave your Blackberries and iPhones at home and completely turn-off, chill out, and spend a few days surrounded by the powerful beauty of the Himalayas. Rates for a three-night Shakti Kumaon experience start at $1,245 per person and include accommodations, meals, car transfers between Kathgodam station /Pantnagar airport and guides.  Shakti 360 Leti’s three-night, four-day package begins at $1,825 per person, double occupancy, and includes accommodations, food and beverage, guides, and transfers to and from Shakti’s Kumaon village walks. Season: October 1 – April 30/May 15 (Shakti 360˚ Leti).

Tweetables: #India #GrownUpGetaway

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