Summer arrives too quickly for most families, which is why early spring is the perfect time to plan a family vacation. With everyone overscheduled and pressed for time, this can be a vacation that gets families and kids outdoors, keeping them active and sharing adventurous pursuits. Here are five great ways for families to travel and enjoy the outdoors altogether.
photo by kk+
1. Finding Nemo in Virgin Gorda, B.V.I. - Share the wonders of the deep as you swim over shallow coral reefs off Villa Aquamare in Virgin Gorda. Lying just 20 feet from shore is an underwater world teeming with parrot fish, groupers and sea turtles. For the more adventurous, families can take out one of Aquamare’s kayaks for a safe and easy paddle to a deserted beach. www.villaaquamare.com
2. Zip and Dip in Saint Lucia - Take a ride up to the mountain peaks and zip through the lush Saint Lucian rainforest on the popular zipline, keeping an eye out for lizards, parrots and monkeys. Then plan on a family dip at your stylish digs at Cap Maison in a private roof terrace pools or Jacuzzi. www.capmaison.com.
3. Stargaze from atop a Rainforest - From your comfortable aerie 1,100 feet above the Caribbean Sea at Ladera, use the resort’s sky maps to connect the dots and find more constellations than you ever knew existed. Then get into your private plunge pool to plan the next day’s beach excursion. www.ladera.com
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".
Snowshoeing in the snowy woods of New Mexico isn’t an adventure possibility that many visitors know exists. But the wilderness near the town of Taos is thick with inviting public trails. One of the most scenic is a 2.5-mile trail thru lush forests of spruce and fir up to Williams Lake, nestled in a glacial basin in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.
Local Wisdom: “At Williams Lake, you are at tree line, with incredible views of Wheeler Peak. Look for the Bighorn Sheep on your way!” says Stuart Wilde of Taos Snowshoe Adventures.
Getting There: From Taos, follow US 64W 4 miles north to Jct. of NM 150. Turn right, and follow NM 150 to Taos Ski Valley. At the upper parking, turn right on Twining Rd., and follow sign for Williams Lake Trail/Bavarian Lodge. The road switches back and climbs above the Village to the trailhead (4wd recommended). Park in the Williams Lake Trail lot and gear up. Elevation at the lake is 11,000 ft. so pack appropriate winter gear, and check local conditions before you go. Never snowshoe or hike alone.
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".
GO FOR GOLD IN BRITISH COLUMBIAThe XXI Winter Olympics are underway, and there’s so much excitement in the air we can practically taste it! As countries begin to rack up medals and energy builds, onlookers are left brimming not only with pride, but also with what we’ve coined the “Olympic Itch” – an overwhelming desire to get out there and try something new, to get in shape, to test their athletic prowess.
If you’re feeling The Itch, travel like an Olympian and let ALA take care of all the details large and small so you can focus on the fun part – the adrenaline rush!
There’s no better time to start planning than now. So go ahead, make like an Olympian as you tackle Canada’s spectacular terrain on a weeklong, action-packed British Columbia adventure vacation.
EXPLORE OLYMPIC TERRITORY WITH ALABoth the ALA British Columbia adult and family multisport itineraries begin and end in the thriving metropolis of Vancouver, one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
By day, hike old-growth hemlock rainforests in Alice Lake Provincial Park. Bike quiet trails through wildflower meadows in Whistler Valley. Ride the gondola to the top of Whistler Mountain before trekking the last 1,000 vertical feet to the summit for jaw-dropping panoramas of alpine lakes, wildflower meadows and glacier-covered peaks. By night, unwind with a scenic sunset drive along the Sea to Sky highway and a well-earned meal at one of Whistler’s tastiest restaurants.
Whether traveling with family, friends or on your own, follow in the footsteps of the world’s most elite athletes and experience for yourself the thrill of navigating Canada’s Olympic territory on an Austin-Lehman British Columbia Wilderness or Mountains, Meadows & Wildlife adventure.
ALBERTA & CANADIAN ROCKIES ADVENTURESJust east of British Columbia lies a province chock full of vast wilderness, soaring peaks, age-old glaciers, alpine lakes and broad, sweeping valleys; while it may not be home to the Winter Games, Alberta is no doubt an adventurer’s paradise.
Bike, hike and paddle your way through Canada’s Rocky Mountains on one of ALA’s three Alberta adventures. Saddle up for a 6-day Rocky Mountain Treasures biking vacation and pedal the eye-popping landscape of Kananaskis valley, Banff and Lake Louise. Strap on your boots for an Ultimate Rocky Mountain hiking adventure through the glacier-clad wilderness of Banff, Paradise Valley, Moraine Lake and Lake Louise.
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".
With the white stuff stacking up outside, the Olympics on TV, excellent conditions reported from the mountains and more snow in the forecast, betcha I’m not the only one dreaming about a Heli-Skiing vaction.
Fortunately, Canadian Mountain Holidays has lots of options available.
Check out these great trips:
Small Group Heli-Skiing: Seeking a way to up the ante on your ski trip? Consider one of these options for a private, custom Heli-Ski vacation. More info
Ski Fusion: The world’s best scientists have said cold fusion is not possible. CMH has proved them wrong with the introduction of Ski Fusion - the scientifically-based combination of 2 stellar winter sports: Ski Touring and Heli-Skiing. More info
Pay As You Play: It’s impossible to control the conditions for any given week, so CMH offers a Pay As You Play program. Pay only for what you choose to ski — as much or as little as you want, and as conditions permit. More info
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".
Exciting New Family Trips for Summer 2010
With spring just around the corner, now is the time to begin making summer travel plans for you and your family. Looking to experience China, but want to make sure that your vacation is family-friendly? WildChina recently unveiled new family programs that will make your trip planning easy. Consider these three options:
1. A Classic China Family Vacation: Beijing, Xi’an, Guangxi and Shanghai ~ A tour of China’s most classic sights and ideal for families with children between 6-16 years old, this 11-day trip makes learning about China fun and interactive: you’ll make hand-pulled noodles, learn the martial art of kungfu, visit local homes and experience a countryside elementary school to see what real life in China is like. At night, you’ll feel right at home in family-friendly accommodations. Departure upon request.
2. A Cultural Family Vacation: Beijing, Henan, Xi’an, Yunnan, and Shanghai ~ This 14-day small-group journey for families brings you to the heart and frontiers of China. Ideal for families with children between 6-16 years old, this trip offers a “mobile classroom,” allowing you to learn about Chinese culture in fun and interactive ways. You’ll make dumplings in a traditional Beijing alleyway home; learn Shaolin kungfu from a student monk; and talk to Naxi and Bai ethnic minority villagers about their lives. This trip includes family-friendly accommodations as well. Departs July 11, 2010 & August 1, 2010.
3. Family Adventures in Tibet: On the Roof of the World ~ This 7-day small-group journey, specially designed for families, offers an adventurous and interactive look at Tibet: you’ll sip yak butter tea with a local Tibetan family; witness monks debate sacred texts in one of Tibetan Buddhism’s most revered monasteries; and even print your own prayer flags. Departs June 27, 2010 & August 8, 2010.
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".
Discover France, a leading specialist in cycling and hiking vacations throughout France, offers self-guided trips to France that feature unique itineraries and NEW Garmin GPS personal navigation systems for all tours in 2010.
The cycling and hiking routes chosen by Discover France Adventures offer the opportunity to explore the culture, architecture, and gastronomy in the region of your choice while the new GPS units will provide additional support throughout the tour so that getting off the route is virtually impossible.
Self-guided travel is a growing trend due to the flexibility it presents and the extraordinary price that accompanies it. With extras like the Garmin Dakota GPS, self-guided cyclists and hikers visiting France get the perfect combination of support and independence. The Garmin Dakota GPS are small and easy to carry, feature an easy to read screen (even in the sun), background maps, and more.
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".