FAMILY GETAWAY: Enjoy Up To $100 Daily Resort Credit With The Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa Love Your Family Package

Families who plan their next family escape with The Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa through December 31, 2011 will enjoy:

• Guaranteed connecting rooms or suite where available
• Up to a $100 daily resort credit
• Rates from $289 per night

Book online, or call 866-716-8147 and reference rate code FAM50 or FAM100.

Now kids 12 and under can enjoy food and drink on an all-inclusive basis during your stay. learn more

click here to learn about the family activities at the westin hilton head island resort & spa

click here for more special offers.

Source: Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.

Kids Ride Free on Amtrak

Amtrak is celebrating its 40th anniversary by letting its youngest fans onboard for free! So if you book a trip now through May 6, 2011 and travel May 1 through June 9, 2011, your family can join in the celebration, and your kids will ride free. 

For forty days, you can let your kids experience for free how Amtrak has changed the way people travel for the last forty years. And before they go, visit the Amtrak Kids Depot, our new website dedicated to our younger riders.

Visit www.amtrak.com for more details and to book your trip.

Source: Amtrak

Kids Stay Free at Maine Huts & Trails

Don’t let summer pass you by. There’s still time for a family adventure …

image courtesy of Maine Huts & Trails

Kids Stay Free this summer at Maine Huts & Trails. Your kids will thank you and so will your wallet.

Valid Sun – Fri. Limit one child per paying adult. Book by Aug 6 for stays by Nov 7, 2010.

ABOUT MAINE HUTS & TRAILS

Maine Huts & Trails is Maine’s newest, year-round outdoor adventure destination. Located in the beautiful and wild, western mountains region of Maine, their system of backcountry eco-lodges connected by people-powered trails consists of two huts and more than 25 miles of trails for hiking, cross-country skiing and much more. 

Source: Maine Huts & Trails

Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa Fall Package Offers

The best-of-both-worlds is now even better at St. Lucia’s all-inclusive Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa. To further cater to guests the resort has launched the “Harmony” and “Splash” wings and introduced several upgrades including redecorated rooms, a new adult pool bar, theme nights, fun snacks and the Caribbean’s first paintball facility.

To introduce the upgrades and launch Harmony and Splash, Coconut Bay is offering value-added packages with special prices for travelers seeking fall, winter and holiday savings.

Between December 1-20, 2008, guests can choose from three packages: 

Fall Romance Getaway for $115 including a Champagne Arrival Reception, complimentary Bubbles-in-Bed (turndown service), 1/2 hour couples’ massage, introduction to kite surfing or windsurfing class. Rates are per person, per day based on double occupancy in a deluxe ocean view room.

Kids Stay Free with Fall Family Frenzy from $99 and receive a round of paintball for the entire family, introduction to kitesurfing or windsurfing class (everyone over age 12), a CocoPack for each child under 12 (backpack, water bottle, hat and t-shirt) and a thirty-minute couple’s massage for mom and dad. Rates are per person, per day based on double occupancy in a deluxe garden view room, kids under 18 stay free (max. 2 kids per room).

Inaugural Premium Package for $149. Complimentary Continental breakfast room service, bottle of preferred drink in room, couples’ private beach picnic, Couples’ oceanfront dinner and preferred dinner reservations. Rates are per person, per day based on double occupancy in a premium ocean view room.

Over the holidays guests have the option of celebrating Christmas or starting the New Year: 
Christmas for $199. Rates are per person, per day based on double occupancy in a deluxe garden view room. Valid December 21-31, 2008.

Bring in the New Year for $157. Rates are per person, per day based on double occupancy in a deluxe garden view room. Valid January 1-21, 2009.

For reservations or more information call 866-978-6226 toll free from the US or 758-456-9999 or email: reservations@cbayresort.com. Space is limited and must be booked by 10/15/08.

Source: Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa

FALL FOLIAGE IN MASSACHUSETTS: Best Driving Routes. Fairs and Festivals. State-Wide Lodging Deals

Autumn in Massachusetts is a time like no other—warm sunny afternoons and starlit cool, crisp evenings.  The landscape is dotted with fairs and festivals celebrating the brilliant array of colors that embraces the state.  Each year thousands of tourists travel to Massachusetts from destinations throughout the world to witness the natural phenomenon of Massachusetts’ colorful fall foliage.
 
In order to cater to the needs of the state’s fall visitors, the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism (MOTT) has gathered the most up-to-date information on the best driving routes, most exciting events and best lodging deals throughout the Bay State.  Whether travelers are seeking quaint B&B’s with picturesque views or modern facilities located on a scenic highway, Massachusetts has something to offer everyone!
 

DRIVING ROUTES IN MASSACHUSETTS

 
MOTT has partnered with the Department of Conservation and Recreation to provide reports from state foresters that are posted two times each week on massvacation.com and are also available by calling the Fall Foliage Hot Line: 800-227-MASS.  The web site includes a list of scenic drives as well as a fall foliage timetable map that will help visitors plan their trip.  
 
 

MASSACHUSETTS FALL FAIRS AND FESTIVALS

 
The autumn season is perfect for attending fairs and festivals, browsing through farm stands, hiking, taking peaceful canoe rides and peddling along bicycle trails.  Following is a sampling of upcoming events, but be sure and log onto massvacation.com for hundreds of listings:
 

• Topsfield Fair: Spend the day at one of the oldest fairs in the country featuring agricultural exhibits and fall flower shows; horse, oxen, and tractor pulls; arts and crafts; the world famous Giant Pumpkin contest; entertainment; and midway. Topsfield Fairgrounds.  October 3 - 13, 2008. 978-887-5000. www.topsfieldfair.org
• 5th Annual Cranberry Harvest Festival: A Plymouth county tradition, the festival features demonstrations of cranberry harvesting, cooking with cranberries, children’s entertainment, live music, a craft fair, and rides.
• October 11 & 12. 508-759-1041 x.13. www.cranberries.org/festival/festival.html
• 25th  Annual Applefest: Visit central Massachusetts’ highest peak and enjoy the sounds of live entertainment, 70 craft exhibits, and autumn crafts for kids.  Wachusett Mountain Ski Area, Princeton.  October 18-19, 25-26.  978-464-2300. www.wachusett.com
• Bluegrass and Brews Festival at Nashoba Valley Winery:  Bring your blankets and lawn chairs for a  fun filled fall day of bluegrass music featuring “Southern Rail.”. Great views, great foliage, great food, great brews and great wine. Nashoba Valley Winery, Bolton. October 26.  978-779-5521.  www.nashobawinery.com
• 44th Head of the Charles Regatta: If you haven’t experienced one of the world’s largest rowing events, you don’t know what you’re missing.  Spend the day along the banks of the Charles River as you view championship events and races for youths, veterans and lightweights.  Charles River, Cambridge/Boston.  October 18-19.  617-868-6200.  www.hocr.org
• Davis’ Farmland Mega Maze: New England’s first and only world-class corn maze. Created for adults but enjoyed by all ages, this 3D twister will turn you inside out, stir your senses and blow your mind! Weekends through October.  978-422-8888.  www.davisfarmland.com
• The Big E: There is no better place to enjoy the sights, sounds and aromas of the fall season than at the Eastern States Exposition, New England’s autumn tradition and the largest fairgrounds in the Northeast!  Enjoy The Super Circus, Avenue of States, a Mardi Gras parade, Storrowtown Village, live entertainment and agricultural exhibitions all while sampling food from around the world. September 12-28. 413-737-2443. www.thebige.com

Splurge on the Fun, Save on an Extra Night when Staying at Island Outpost

Dive into Island Outpost’s value-packed summer deals and get ready to discover the charms of Jamaica.

Read below for details…

Island Outpost, record mogul Chris Blackwell’s impressive boutique hotel collection in Jamaica offers a variety of summer deals for every traveler.
 

Jake’s, Treasure Beach, South Coast, Jamaica

Moroccan domes and arches bloom. Decks skim the waves. Shells, beads and colored glass glitter brightly from walls. Eclectic and exotic. Sensual and secluded. It’s that simple when it comes to Jake’s. With 30 rooms and villas, the resort recently added the Driftwood Spa, offering total comfort and relaxation in this off-the-beaten-path destination. The resort’s restaurant is a rallying point for islanders and guests alike. Local excursions include trips to YS Falls, mountain biking, herbal steam baths, river tours and manatee watching. A trip wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the ‘Pelican Bar’, dubbed the coolest bar in the Caribbean by those in the know. www.islandoutpost.com/jakes

Offer: Pay for four nights, but stay for five nights. In addition, receive a 30-minute massage per person and a complimentary bottle of wine upon arrival.
Travel Dates: April 20, 2008 through December 14, 2008.
 

The Caves, Negril, Jamaica

The Caves is the perfect spot for couples thriving a relaxing, unspoiled getaway. Volcanic cliff honeycombed with grottoes: one strewn with flowers and candlelit for intimate dining, another harboring a bubbling hot tub, others just portals into the crystal-clear sea below, populated by dolphins, parrot fish and sea turtles. Serenity holds sway here, where the coral reefs, cliff crags and lush Jamaican vegetation merge. Each of the ten cottages is unique, harmoniously blending local wood, stone and thatch. The furnishings reflect the same simple aesthetic: high ceilings soar above custom-made wood and bamboo, brightened by bold island colors. www.islandoutpost.com/the_caves

Offer:  Pay for four nights, but stay for five nights. In addition, receive a 30-minute massage per person and a complimentary bottle of wine upon arrival 
Travel Dates: 04/21/2008-12/22/2008
 

Strawberry Hill, Blue Mountains, Jamaica

Set on a former coffee estate, Strawberry Hill offers twelve airy cottages with sweeping views of Jamaica’s Blue Mountains and the Caribbean Sea, all bathed in lush mountain mists. Visitors reconnect with their inner self through Strawberry Hill Living, a simple lifestyle embracing all facets of mind, body and spirit, bringing an optimum balance of de-stressed self-awareness. A 60-foot negative-edge swimming pool, nature trails, bird-watching expeditions and mountain bikes help guests connect with the intense natural beauty of this fertile region, famous the world over for its strong, smooth coffee blends. This luminous 25-acre mountaintop, mystical retreat is ideal for the traveler seeking tranquility in a sophisticated setting. www.islandoutpost.com/strawberry_hill

Offer: Pay for four nights, but stay for five nights. In addition, receive a 30-minute massage per person and a complimentary bottle of wine upon arrival
Restriction: Special offer available for bookings between Monday and Thursday.
 

NEW! Island Outpost unveils the new Geejam, Port Antonio

Originally founded by music producer Jon Baker as a recording hideaway that played host to No Doubt, Common, India.Arie, Björk and Gorillaz, among others, Baker has now joined forces with fellow music industry veteran Steve Beaver to metamorphosize Geejam into an insider escape. The result? A stylish equilibrium between ultra modern technology and the intrinsic grace of Jamaica’s organic island vibe and sensibility. Located on six acres of the lush San San Estate, the property extends from the foothills of the John Crow and Blue Mountain chains to the Caribbean beachfront.  A mix of self-contained deluxe cabins, suites and villas, Geejam’s sleek design is fused with a rootsy tropical attitude. Unsurpassed digital amenities and contemporary feel redefine the traditional Caribbean accommodation. Here, Apple iTV comes standard, as does the lush jungle atmosphere. Within immediate proximity is Frenchman’s Cove — voted by Condé Nast Traveler as one of the world’s top five beaches. A 10-minute drive west will find travelers in the historic town of Port Antonio, which was the birthplace of tourism in Jamaica at the turn of the century. www.geejamhotel.com

Offer: Pay for four nights, but stay for five nights.
Travel Dates: Year-round

About Island Outpost:
Created by Chris Blackwell, founder of Island Records and Palm Pictures, Island Outpost properties are known for their interesting character and stunning surroundings and strive to offer their clients a feeling reminiscent of staying at a friend’s home. The group includes Goldeneye, Strawberry Hill, Jake’s, and The Caves in Jamaica, Compass Point and Pink Sands in The Bahamas and an exclusive selection of villas.
 
For more information or to make a reservation, call 1-800-OUTPOST or visit www.islandoutpost.com,
+ 44(0) 1895 450 731 in the UK. 

Source: Andria Mitsakos Public Relations 

Caribbean All-Inclusive Vacations from $60 Per Person/Per Day; Kids Stay Free + Single Parent Promotions

Today’s families have it tough when it comes to planning vacations.  Several generations of one family can be scattered across towns, cities and even countries, and with their varied, hectic schedules, getting them all together can be a logistical and pricey nightmare.  This summer, family-run SuperClubs Resorts comes to the rescue with affordable reunion options in three tropical Caribbean locales that take away the “pricey” part of the equation.

May 1 kicks off the “Kids Stay, Play & Eat Free” promotion, where children ages 2-13 years can stay absolutely free – a daily saving of $100 for a family of four!    Single parents are covered too, with a waiver of the usual single supplement.
“Budget, destination and timing are the three biggest priorities for families today, and finding options that will please working parents, grandparents with time and money to spare, college-age kids, and tiny tots can be challenging,” said Zein Nakash, SuperClubs’ vice president of marketing, who is also a mother of two, a twin sister, full-time working executive, and daughter of John Issa, who introduced the first all-inclusive resorts for the American traveler more than 30 years ago. Nakash added: “All-inclusives are always a solid value for families, especially when they are true all-inclusives that fix costs before you even get on the plane, and offer a wide array of activities for all age groups and interests without charging extra for them.  This summer especially, we’ve got the best vacation values for families.”
 
Family Adventures at Starfish Trelawny, Jamaica:  This mecca for adventurous families offer teens a private island hideaway just a short swim away, windsurfing and flying trapeze lessons.  At the Kid’s Club, supervised, age-specific programs keep toddlers entertained, while adult pampering is available at the Blue Mahoe Spa.  Nightly rates start at $74 per adult; $50 per child (age 2-13).  No single supplement.  
 
Aqua Marine Antics at Breezes Curaçao: Kids Stay Free + Single Parent Promotions
Greeting families with refurbished accommodations and upgraded amenities to the tune of US$1.3 million, the Dutch Caribbean’s first Super-Inclusive resort is a bona fide playground for kids and parents alike.  At the renovated 12,000-square-foot Kid’s Club, young guests can juggle a myriad of riveting adventures from circus workshops to bouncy boxing.  Just two miles from Willemstad, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this beachfront property is also a gateway to local attractions.  Rates start at $129 per adult, per night.
 
New Flights to Breezes Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic: Kids Stay Free + Single Parent Promotions
With JetBlue Airways’ new daily nonstop service between New York and Puerto Plata, the recently renovated Breezes Puerto Plata offers a family vacation that is “away from it all” and yet, just a convenient four-hour flight from the Northeast.  While kids lose track of time at the Mini-club, parents and grandparents can lose their stress knots at the revamped Lighthouse Spa, the largest in the Dominican Republic.  Rates start at $60 per adult, per night.
 
SuperClubs’ family promotions run from May 1 through December 22, 2008.  A two-night minimum booking is required; all rates are land only.  For more information and reservations, or to learn about great rates at additional SuperClubs properties, visit www.superclubs.com, call 1-800-GO-SUPER (800-467-8737), or call your local travel agent.
 

About SuperClubs

Every SuperClubs holiday is Super-Inclusive - accommodations; all meals, SuperSnacks and premium brand cocktails; unlimited use of all sports facilities, including equipment rental and instruction; entertainment; weddings; recreational activities; and hotel taxes - with absolutely no tipping allowed.  SuperClubs operates and independently markets affiliate Starfish and Rooms resorts, and Jamaica’s Negril Beach villa.  For more information or reservations, contact SuperClubs at (800) GO-SUPER (or 1-800-467-8737) or visit www.superclubs.com.

Source: Spring O’Brien 

Biras Creek Resort Offers Summer Packages and Deals

Biras Creek Resort, the Caribbean’s premier luxury resort, is offering a variety of great summer packages and promotions. Located on a lush 140-acre nature reserve on Virgin Gorda in the British Virgin Islands, Biras Creek is the ideal location for summer travelers seeking romance, adventure, family vacation or plain old summer fun.
           

Biras Creek is offering two great promotions for guests booking August travel by April 30. The Family Summer Escape special allows travelers who book two ocean or garden suites for at least five nights to receive a 20% discount.  Additionally, vacationers that book a garden or ocean suite for six nights will receive their seventh night free.

Due to popular demand, Biras Creek Resort is reinstating their Summer Escape Package. Relax and pamper yourself for 15 days/14 nights in a Deluxe Suite.  Package includes all meals, and roundtrip boat transfers from Beef Island Airport (EIS) to the resort.  The package also includes two 30-minute massages per week, one Sunset Sail for two per week, one round trip taxi to the Baths and a bottle of Champagne on arrival.

 
Families will love the Family Fun Package, a special package tailored for families with two or more children between the ages of eight and sixteen, which includes a second or adjacent suite at a significant discount.  The package includes two suites and all meals for two adults and two children for seven nights.  In addition, the package includes a bottle of Champagne for the parents, free snorkeling lessons for the entire family, and one half-day snorkeling trip to the Baths for the entire family.   Extra children and extra nights rates available on request.
 
Recently named one of the World’s Best 2008 Hotels by Travel + Leisure, Biras Creek, a member of Relais & Chateaux, is a private hideaway on a 140-acre nature reserve on Virgin Gorda. Accessible by sea or air only, Biras Creek comprises 33 spacious suites.  The resort also includes the Biras Spa, offering indulgences in the latest in health and beauty treatments. Rates range from $675 to $1,950 per night based on season.  All rates are based on double occupancy and include breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner daily and airport transfers with private launch.  For reservations or more information,  call 877.883.0756 or visit biras.com.
 
The Victor International Corporation is an award-winning real estate, resort development and management company which has a tradition for creating ‘unique living environments in ecological harmony with the land’.  Victor International’s accomplishments include the prestigious Bay Harbor Resort & Marina, Hotel and Conference Center, located in Bay Harbor, Michigan and Turtle Lake, located in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan as well as Oil Nut Bay, located on Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands.
 
For more information on Biras Creek Resort and Victor International Corporation, visit biras.com; victorintl.com; oilnutbaybvi.com, bayharbor.com; and turtlelake.com.
 

London and Paris Accommodation for the Budget Conscious

Despite the weak dollar it is still possible to stay in London and Paris for under $70 US per-person, per-night. How? By staying in a vacation rental rather than a hotel.

 

Check out these affordable alternatives from Coach House Rentals…

LONDON PROPERTIES

River Court
- spacious and practical flat, ideal for sight-seeing or the city - sleeps 3. From £105 (US$210) per night. Ref: RCT.
St. George’s Square
- bright and airy apartment in convenient Pimlico location - sleeps 5. From £155 (US$310) per night. Ref: SGS.
Peterborough Road
- comfortable 5 bedroom house in convenient location - sleeps 7/9. From £225 (US$450) per night. Ref: PET.

PARIS PROPERTIES

rue Frochot
- great value studio in a colourful area of Paris - sleeps 2/3. From €125 (US$195) per night. Ref: PFRT.
rue Francoeur
- comfortable modern apartment in genuinely “Parisian” Montmartre - sleeps 5. From €185 (US$285) per night. Ref: PFRC.
boulevard Malesherbes
- charming family residence in the upscale 8th arrondissement - sleeps 5/6. From €255 (US$395) per night. Ref: PMHB.
Cour St Pierre
- large family house in private gated street, a rare find - sleeps 7. From €250 (US$385) per night. Ref: PCSP.

And remember you can save even more if you cook and eat in some nights, something you can’t do in a hotel. And you’ll have the fun of shopping for food in the local markets and delicatessens.

For details of these and other properties, a comprehensive description of their services and suggestions on how best you can spend your time in these great cities go to: http://www.rentals.chslondon.com and http://www.rentals.chsparis.com.

Source: Coach House Rentals 

Zephyr Adventures Drops Prices for Family Tours

Montana-based adventure travel company Zephyr Adventures has dramatically reduced the prices for kids on its Family Adventures, with the price of its Yellowstone multisport family adventure down 38% from last year for kids.

Zephyr Adventures owner Allan Wright says the price drop is not in response to the country’s recent economic worries. “We have been planning this price decrease since the fall,” says Wright. “This is more a long-term plan to make guided family tours more affordable than it is a short-term response to the economy.”

In the world of travel, families have a number of options with a range of prices.  Road trips in the family minivan can be relatively inexpensive, especially if camping is on the agenda.  On the high end, organized guided tours with hotels, meals, activities, and guides can run thousands of dollars for a vacation – per family member.

“We just came to the realization that our family tour offerings were unaffordable for most families,” explains Wright. “And yet the concept of an organized family tour is so fantastic, it didn’t make sense to restrict this to just higher-income families.”

So Zephyr Adventures dropped its prices for kids and, in some cases, for adults.  The five-day Yellowstone Multisport Adventure, priced last year at $1600 per person, is now priced at only $1400 for adults and $1000 for kids staying in the same room.

Zephyr manages to do this by being local and remaining small.  The company is based near its Family Adventure destinations, right outside Yellowstone in Red Lodge, Montana. Zephyr also drastically reduced office expenses by going “virtual,” with all employees working from a home office.

All Zephyr’s family trips include such activities as river rafting, horseback riding, hiking, canoeing, and watching for wildlife.  “Our tours still come loaded with historic National Park lodging, expert guides, great meals, and fun activities,” says Wright.  “Only now, our Yellowstone tours are priced $600 to $1700 less per child than the tours of our competitors.”

Kids are always attended by professional guides and tend to bond with other youth participants within the first hour. Parents are free to participate with their kids or spend time with other adults, going for an extra hike or relaxing with a glass of wine.

For more information about Zephyr Family Adventures visit  http://www.zephyradventures.com/types-family.htm

Atlantis Resort Paradise Getaway Package 4 Days/3 Nights from $399*

Experience Atlantis starting at $399 for 4 days and 3 nights with the Paradise Getaway Package and receive a $200 rebate with qualifying air-inclusive packages.

A world filled with the energy of the ocean, the beauty of the tropics, the spirit of a lost civilization and experiences unlike any other.  Marvel at 50,000 sea animals in the world’s largest open-air marine habitat. Adventure in Aquaventure’s adrenaline-inducing river and slides. Swim with dolphins. Enjoy the pools, beaches, spa, casino, nightclubs, shopping and fine dining. And whether you prefer casual Caribbean or chic and sophisticated, there are accommodations to suit your tastes.

Offer ends March 31st! Click here to learn more.

Source: Caribbean Travel & Life