Lynn O’Rourke Hayes | (TNS) FamilyTravel.com
Wrap a ribbon around your travel plans. Here are five family-friendly ways to give the gift of travel to those close to you.
Give your family the world via an adventure trip crafted by Tauck travel industry pros. Through their Tauck Bridges program, you’ll experience hands-on learning, off-the-beaten-path adventures and insights into local cultures. Whether you opt to explore Costa Rican rain forests, the wilds of Tanzania, the Swiss Alps or the islands of the Galapagos, you’ll create memories more lasting than the latest gadget or hip fashion item. Check out the company’s new e-brochure. It’s designed to offer parents and grandparents a colorful tool that will lure children into the vacation-planning process. After all, anticipation is part of the adventure.
For more: www.tauck.com
Make a plan to visit our nation’s capital with your family and immerse yourselves in the depth and breadth of opportunity provided by the Smithsonian Institution From art and history to the National Zoo and the Air and Space Museum, there is plenty to explore in Washington, D.C. Visit the National Museum of African American History and Culture, where more than 37,000 artifacts have been collected. Check the website for details regarding long-term and same-day availability. Also, before your trip, consider a review of the online resources that inspire, prepare and educate.
For more: www.si.edu
In Nashville, Tennessee, home of the Grand Ole Opry and the best in country music, learn how a simple radio broadcast spawned a global entertainment phenomenon. From industry legends to the latest luminaries, you’ll get a taste of history along with a contemporary dose of the genre in the “home of American music.” Take in the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Ryman Auditorium, the Bluebird Cafe and the Johnny Cash Museum. Ask about backstage passes, behind-the-scenes tours and family packages. Or, indulge your teen with tickets to see his or her favorite pop star on stage in Las Vegas. Avoid some of the bright lights by staying at the Four Seasons, a nongaming oasis.
For more: www.opry.com; www.visitmusiccity.com; www.fourseasons.com/lasvegas/
For those who relish the white stuff, the gift of travel to Colorado ski country will be a high-altitude hit. At more than 21 resorts throughout the state, kids under various ages are offered the opportunity to ski free. For example, Steamboat’s Kids Ski Free and Grandkids Ski Free programs enable children 12 and younger to ski free the same number of days as their parent/grandparent with the purchase of a five-or-more-day adult lift ticket. Other resorts offer lift ticket deals as well as lodging, lesson and gear discounts. The Colorado Ski Country CSCUSA Ski Passport gives skiers and snowboarders in grades 3-6 the opportunity to explore 20 Colorado Ski Country USA member resorts for $67.
For more: coloradoski.com; www.colorado.com
Pack your sunscreen and enjoy quality island time. In Hawaii, explore torch-lit paths, indigenous birds and flora, and a world-famous luau at the Big Island’s Hilton Waikoloa Village. Dig in for toes-in-the-sand dining and hula dancing on Kauai, snorkel on Maui, or surf and swim while relaxing on Oahu. In Costa Rica, wake to a chorus of tropical wildlife in the only lodge located inside the Arenal Volcano National Park. The majestic and perfectly shaped volcanic centerpiece of a rich rainforest setting can be observed from most guest rooms, the dining room and an expansive deck. Horseback riding, biking and hiking trails wind through old lava fields and soft jungle trails where howling monkeys, slithering snakes, butterflies and colorful birds beckon visitors.
For more: www.gohawaii.com; www.arenalobservatorylodge.com; www.visitcostarica.com
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