VACATION, ALL YOU EVER WANTED
FROM THE SWING SET TO THE JET SET, IT'S TIME TO PLAN YOUR GREAT ESCAPE
Nowadays vacation spots all around the world have become much more family-friendly. Translation: you're not just
resigned to Disney, and Disney alone, for the next 10 years of your life.
So often we fantasize about a fabulous vacation, but let excuse after excuse get in the way. The secret to taking a
vacation is to actually plan one—in advance—when the prices are lower and you have enough to time make the other
necessary arrangements (saving up money or clearing time off from work).
Vacationing with kiddies in tow (no, that's not an oxymoron) can be a fantastic experience for the whole family.
Exposing your kids to other cultures and ways of life, sharing in extended leisure time (that means no cell phone or
email) and opening up your children's eyes to the world is truly money well-spent.
We asked the folks at Classic Vacations (www.classicvacations.com) for the scoop on our favorite places to relax, rejuvenate and rejoice.
Here's the deal:
The Destination: Maui, Hawaii
The Place to Stay: Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa
So large and so complete, the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort offers something for everyone: a 16-inch computerized telescope and giant binoculars for studying the stars; a 750,000-gallon pool with a 150-foot tube-shaped water slide; a sand-entry children's activity pool; a garden-grotto spa adjacent to two little waterfalls; 15 smart shops, including one devoted to traditional Hawaiian quilts, in a skylighted and wood-lined pedestrian mall; an extensive collection of Asian art and artifacts spread throughout the buildings and the manicured grounds; the resort's own 55-foot catamaran for snorkeling and sailing excursions; a luau and Polynesian music-and-dance show; a full-service health-and-beauty spa; the famed Kaanapali Beach and the warm, blue Pacific Ocean.
What’s Special for Kids: An exceptionally varied program is provided for children ages 5–12. Called Camp Hyatt, the program alternates beach activities, a Sugar Cane Train ride to Old Lahaina Town, a visit to Maui Ocean Center (aquarium, aquatic park), Hawaiian cultural activities, Hawaiian arts and crafts, athletics, and astronomy. Half-day, full-day, and night programs are available.
The Place to Stay: Hilton Waikoloa Village
Mahogany canal boats and Swiss-made trams transport guests throughout the 62-acre resort filled with lush tropical gardens and abundant wildlife. Guests can experience a variety of educational programs with live dolphins in the resort's Dolphin Quest Lagoon for an additional charge. A second ocean-fed lagoon is available for snorkeling and kayaking. Three freshwater outdoor pools include water slides and a children's pool. Nine restaurants and bars provide a range of dining options, including casual California fare and fine regional Hawaiian cuisine.
What’s special for kids: Camp Menehune offers day camps or night camps for keiki (Hawaiian for little people). Each day includes crafts, games and water activities geared toward the theme of the day. Children will also enjoy the Discovery Center, where they can touch and see creatures in the touch pool; the Hawaiian Dramatic Play Area, where they can dress up in aloha attire; and the Art Area, where they can get creative using the fully-stocked art bar.
The Destination: Montego Bay, Jamaica
The Place to Stay: Round Hill Hotel and Villas
The Round Hill Hotel and Villas in Montego Bay is consistently rated as one of the top resorts for traveling families. Families can choose from the 18th century Pineapple House hotel overlooking the Caribbean Sea or one of the 27 private villas dotted over the hillside, most with private pools. The resort provides complimentary snorkeling gear, kayaks, pedal boats, windsurfers, and Hobie Cat sailboats as well as glass-bottom-boat tours. Round Hill also boasts five all-weather tennis courts (two are illuminated for evening play).
What’s special for kids: Complimentary use of the Pineapple Kids’ Club, which promotes fun and education with a host of options offering an active and imaginative holiday for children. Activities include nature walks, a creative assortment of arts and crafts, water sports and gymnastics, talent shows, reggae lessons and movie and story hour. In July and August, tennis pros provide a complimentary tennis clinic for kids up to age 12.
The Destination: Grand Cayman
The Place to Stay: The Ritz Carlton
The Ritz Carlton is a 144-acre haven of luxury. A Greg Norman-designed golf course, the first La Prairie Spa in the Caribbean, a tennis center designed by Nick Bollettieri and five restaurants, including two by Eric Ripert of Le Bernardin, set new standards of luxury in the Caribbean and beyond.
What’s special for kids: A program called Ambassadors of the Environment led by Jean-Michel Cousteau introduces young people to the natural wonders and rich cultural traditions of the Cayman Islands. The islands' ecological resources become a natural classroom and living laboratory in which kids, teenagers and even their parents will learn while having so much fun that they'll never imagine that it's educational. Each day, the Ambassadors program will be dedicated to a different aspect of Grand Cayman. Active study and eco-excursions will take children on journeys of discovery centered on four areas: Coral Reefs, Mangroves, Wetlands, Woodlands & Wildlife and Caymanian Life & Traditions.
The Destination: Cancun, Mexico
The Place to Stay: Dreams Cancun Resort & Spa
Designed for families, the Dreams Cancun all-inclusive resort also offers ample space for couples to sunbathe in tranquility as well as enjoy the resort's oceanside path for romantic seaside strolls. Along the path is a ruin of a Mayan shrine, 500-800 years old. The resort is located on Punta Cancun, surrounded on three sides by the brilliant turquoise Caribbean. One beach faces the open sea. Another is situated along usually calm water, where snorkeling opportunities await and kayaks and Hobie Cat sailboats are also available. A placid saltwater lagoon and two pools provide swimming options.
What’s special for kids: The fully-supervised Explorer’s Club for children ages three-twelve entertains youngsters with a different daily program based on science, nature, and exploration. There are sandcastle competitions, arts and crafts, movies on the beach and even a unique ocean trampoline. There are even weekly campout adventures where children will sleep in tents at the club or on the beach.
Classic Vacations can customize your next vacation with any of these properties as well as many others. For more information on any of these, visit ClassicVacations.com, call 1-866-632-8314 or see your travel agent.
About Classic Vacations®
Classic Vacations provides perfectly tailored vacations for discerning travelers. Classic offers a full line of vacation components – hotels, car rentals, flight options, activities and private transfers – to create customized luxury vacations in Hawaii, the Caribbean, Mexico, Costa Rica, Europe and Tahiti. Classic Vacations LLC is based in San Jose, Calif., and is the luxury travel division of Expedia, Inc. (NASDAQ:EXPE).CST: 2079429-50
