Five Quirky B&Bs for Unusual Summer Stays

Stay in a luxury treehouse in Oregon this summer.Instead of the usual summer vacation, why not try something different this year? Bed and breakfasts are the definition of unique. Of the estimated 17,000 inns in the U.S., no two inns are exactly the same. From Victorian, Queen Anne and Italianate architecture to rustic and urban styles, B&Bs come in all shapes and sizes. 

Not only will you enjoy wallet-friendly amenities like free Wi-Fi, guest pantries stocked with complimentary snacks and breakfast included in your rate, but also a one-of-a-kind travel experience. 

Prepare yourself for a summer of surprises with these five BnBFinder inns:  

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10 'Kidtastic' Family Adventures for Summer 2012

It’s a common family dilemma: The kids want to stay home with their friends. Parents are ready (a.k.a. desperate) to head further afield.

Tempt them with Bedouin camp sleepovers, jungle ziplines, elephant rides and tiger safaris, however, and watch how quickly they stop complaining and start packing. 

Summer vacation never looked so good as the new ‘kidtastic’ family travel collection from Kensington Tours. Here are 10 of their hand-crafted family adventures sure to please kids and parents. 

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GO NOW: 10 Ways To Discover Ecuador

We’ve been living and working in Cuenca, Ecuador for the past three months and although it’s one of the smallest countries in South America, we haven’t even scratched the surface of all there is to see and do here.  

Before my husband and I arrived, I did what I usually do before a trip; surfed my favorite adventure travel search engine TravelDragon.com to find trip offerings in the region.

The Galapagos Islands and the unusual creatures that live there had been topping our wanderlist for a lifetime and we couldn’t do better than the 8-day adventure cruise we enjoyed aboard the motor yacht Letty (see adventure number six in the list below).

As amazing as the Galapagos Islands are, however, Ecuador has much more to offer. This small country has a cultural, geographical and biological diversity that’s among the world’s richest. You can hike amidst snow-clad summits and massive volcanic peaks; go birding in misty cloud forests; soak in bubbling hot springs; snorkel with sea turtles; and experience the thrill of world-class rafting. 

As our time in Ecuador comes to an end and we pack our bags for Peru, I thought I’d share ten hand-picked adventures we’re filing away for ‘Next Time’. Yes, we WILL be back. Ecuador is highly addictive.

1. Ecuador: The Highlands

8 Days , Provider: Country Walkers

In Ecuador’s Highlands you’ll walk the Hacienda Trail, a scenic path running between the luxurious accommodations in which you’ll stay. With snow-clad summits and massive volcanic peaks as a backdrop, your days will be filled with unexpected moments. Stroll through picturesque Andean villages, meet welcoming residents, and linger at their frequent festivals. Savor the picnic of a lifetime on the 12,000-foot rim of Cubilche Volcano, or investigate the 1,200-year-old Caranqui Mounds and stop at a condor restoration project.Go from hummingbird-stitched

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Stuck? There's Little A Good Adventure Can't Cure

Heli-hiking in the Canadian Rockies. A camel safari across the Moroccan Sahara. Treking the Inca Trail. Surf and yoga camp in Maui. If there’s one thing that gets my heart pumping and soul soaring, it’s an adventure. 

Trying something new can reenergize your life and provide the perfect antidote to the daily grind.

Learn six reasons why an active vacation can be truly transformative. 

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6 Summer Vacation Ideas for Adventure Travelers

When it comes to adventurous vacation ideas, one of my most trusted insiders is Nancy Harrison, founding partner of Adventure Media. Offering a blend of expertise, connections, and good value, Nancy and her team specialize in introducing travelers to some of the best adventure travel experiences the world has to offer.

When I read through this hand-selected list of summer travel ideas that Nancy sent along recently, I was ready to pack my bags. I hope it inspires you to do the same. 

1. Explore the Sights, Sounds, and Tastes of China On An Authentic Cultural Family Vacation

Experience the sights, sounds, and tastes of China with your family this summer on this new Smithsonian Family Adventure by family travel experts, Thomson Family Adventures. From cosmopolitan cities to rural villages, this exclusive family adventure takes travelers to see authentic China, a land that’s in transition between ancient and modern. As with all of Thomson’s tours, children have the opportunity to meet a pen pal while on the trip … Thomson Family Adventures

2. Celebrate Summer With Your Family On A Rafting Trip Down The Wild & Scenic Rogue River

There’s nothing quite like spending long summer days in the great outdoors while breathing in the fresh air of summer and spending time with loved ones. Venture outside to Southern Oregon’s historic Rogue River for some rough and tumble fun on a whitewater rafting vacation that includes riverside camping… Rogue Wilderness Adventures

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WANTED: Kids' Opinions on Family Adventure Vacations

Are you ready for a family vacation that won’t leave them rolling their eyes at your lame choices? Fear not. It ispossible, if you let the kids do the planning. At least that’s the idea behind Austin Lehman Adventures’ (ALA) new “What Kids Want on a Family Adventure Vacation” call-in focus group webinar headed up by Kasey Austin (daughter of founding director, Dan Austin), the company’s new CEO (Chief Entertainment Officer).

Austin aims to get your kids (ages 7 to 17) on board with adventure planning by giving them their say in every step of the planning and learning what’s important to them on an active family vacation during the Sunday, April 15, 2012 webinar (4 p.m. EST ).  

“This is an ongoing research project and dialogue between ALA and its guests, fans and family to constantly improve and enhance the ALA trip experience,” said Austin. “Our summer guests will benefit from the ideas that come out of this focus group discussion.” Kids’ opinions from the webinar will be integrated into ALA family trip programming and orchestrated with guides during ALA’s annual spring training in Billings, MT.

Austin urges kids to sign up early online. The first 25 participants will receive a “certified cool” ALA gift and goody bag. Even better, their family will receive a $250 trip voucher good for any 2012 ALA trip. 

To register for the online focus group kids are instructed to go to:https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/571338808.  After signing up and confirming they have their parent’s permission to participate, kids will receive a confirmation email containing information about being part of the Webinar.

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ALASKA ADVENTURE: Mush with an Iditarod champion

On March 13, 25-year-old Dallas Seavey passed under the burled arch in Nome, becoming the youngest musher ever to win the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. The recent champ is the third generation of Seaveys to compete in the Iditarod, a family that has been running sled dogs for nearly 50 years.

When they’re not competing in races, the Seavey family shares its love of dog mushing with travelers through its company, Ididaride Sled Dog Tours.

The Summer Dog Sled Ride tour takes travelers on a 1.5-hour ride to the base of Box Canyon Creek in Seward and includes a tour of the kennel, providing a behind-the-scenes look at the Seavey family’s training structure.

The full-day Real Alaska Tour combines a dog sled ride with a Seward city tour and walk to Exit Glacier, located in Kenai Fjords National Park. Lunch and transportation are included.

Lastly, the summer Glacier Dog Sledding trip departs from Girdwood by helicopter, traveling to a glacier where guests learn to drive a sled or just sit back and enjoy the ride.

All summer tours are available mid-May though mid-September.

Visit www.ididaride.com for more information.

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GREEN TRAVEL: Two Costa Rica landscapes. One awesome vacation.

The problem with choosing a vacation? Too many choices. He wants the mountains. She wants the beach. 

Why choose? Cayuga Sustainable Hospitality, a company that manages Earth-friendly lodges, hotels and small inns in Central America, serves up a new surf and turf Costa Rica vacation combo that makes it easy to explore the famed Santa Teresa beaches and lesser-known Turrialba mountains – all in one visit.

SURF: Feel the hot sand between your toes at Latitude 10 in Santa Teresa

Located just steps away from the pristine, white-sand Santa Teresa beach, Latitude 10 Exclusive Beach Resort is a romantic and private eco-getaway that contains just five guest casitas. As a hub for adventure and complete mind and body wellness getaway, spend your days kayaking and snorkeling the clear blue waters, surfing on some of Costa Rica’s finest breaks, rebalancing with a private yoga class or indulging in a deep-tissue massage.

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