Tag Archives: family travel

Themeparks, Attractions, Cultural Institutions Roll Out YOLO Luxury Travel Experiences

May 8, 2026 krubin723 Leave a comment

*Discovery Cove’s Ultimate VIP Experience Package offers valet arrival, private cabana, personalized concierge service and up-close animal encounters © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

By Karen Rubin, Travel Features Syndicate, goingplacesfarandnear.com

With many travelers deciding to travel shorter distances, many will explore nearer-by attractions. But rather than seem ordinary or mundane, you can still turn these visits to theme parks and attractions into very special YOLO (You Only Live Once) travel experiences, in essence bringing the same appeal, adventure and sense of discovery that comes from traveling far away, to exotic locales.

We asked Jakob Wahl, president and CEO of IAAPA (International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions), who represents attractions worldwide with a focus on safety, sustainability, and innovation, how to make visits special.

What would a YOLO luxury travel experience look like at a themepark or attraction?

*Skip the lines and get more rides in using themeparks’ VIP upgraded passes, such as offered by Universal Orlando © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

Luxury travel in today’s attractions landscape is increasingly defined by personalization, exclusivity and seamless experiences. It goes far beyond traditional VIP line access to include private, behind-the-scenes tours, dedicated guides, curated itineraries and premium amenities such as private transportation, elevated dining and exclusive access to attractions outside of normal operating hours. Guests are looking for unique, once-in-a-lifetime moments that feel tailored specifically to them, whether that’s an intimate animal encounter, a private cultural experience, or a fully customized, multi-day journey.

Are you seeing people with the means to travel anywhere opting to stay closer to home?

We are seeing a mix of both trends. While there is still strong demand for international, bucket-list travel, many high-value travelers are also placing greater emphasis on convenience and flexibility, which can lead to more regional or closer-to-home experiences. What’s most notable is that regardless of distance, guests are prioritizing quality over quantity—seeking fewer but more meaningful, elevated experiences. This is driving growth in premium offerings across both local and global destinations. They want something unique and highly immersive.

Who is offering these experiences?

While major operators like The Walt Disney Company and Universal Destinations & Experiences have long offered premium experiences, we’re now seeing a much broader range of providers entering this space. This includes regional theme parks, destination resorts, cultural institutions, tour operators, and even conservation-focused experiences. From boutique luxury hotels and immersive attractions to expedition-style travel companies and live entertainment producers, many organizations are creating high-end, highly curated offerings that cater to travelers seeking exclusivity and deeper engagement.

Examples of some of the VIP standouts within the attractions industry?

Cedar Point, Ohio: For travelers seeking to elevate their theme park experience, a growing number of attractions are offering ultra-premium, VIP upgrades that go far beyond front-of-the-line access. At Six Flags Cedar Point, the Sunrise Thrills VIP Tour gives guests exclusive, behind-the-scenes access to some of the park’s most iconic coasters—including a rare trip to the top of Valravn’s lift hill for panoramic views—paired with immediate ride access, dining perks, and premium amenities. Info: Private Tour | Sunrise Thrills VIP Tour | Cedar Point | Ride | Cedar Point

*Discovery Cove’s Ultimate VIP Experience Package offers up-close animal encounters © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

Discovery Cove, Orlando, FL: In Discovery Cove, the Ultimate VIP Experience Package offers a more relaxed but indulgent escape, complete with valet arrival, a private cabana, personalized concierge service, and up-close animal encounters guided by dedicated zoological experts. From curated dining to private photography, these high-end add-ons cater to guests looking for a seamless, all-inclusive luxury experience.
Info: Discovery Cove Orlando Vacation Package Upgrades | Discovery Cove

Graceland, Memphis, TN: At Graceland, the exclusive “Presley for a Day” experience offers an ultra-premium, behind-the-scenes look at Elvis Presley’s iconic estate. Limited to just eight guests per day, the experience includes a personal concierge, private guide, golf cart access, rare behind-the-scenes entry, and a high-end dinner, along with an after-hours mansion tour and white-glove artifact access. Info: Presley for a Day

SeaWorld Ultimate VIP Tours (Various Locations): At SeaWorld parks, Ultimate VIP Tours provide exclusive, guided access to rides and animal encounters, including behind-the-scenes experiences, front-of-line privileges, and personalized itineraries tailored to each group. Info: SeaWorld VIP Tour

Cirque du Soleil VIP Experiences (Global): Cirque du Soleil offers premium VIP packages across many of its shows, including exclusive seating, private lounges, behind-the-scenes access, and elevated dining—enhancing the theatrical experience with added luxury and exclusivity. Info: Cirque du Soleil VIP Experiences

*Have your wishes come true at Walt Disney World’s Animal Kingdom with the Disney Private VIP Tour © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

Disney Private VIP Tour: See and do all of the things on your list with the help of the Disney Private VIP Tour service, which let’s you customize your day to match your tastes. Some of the personalized VIP services include: pickup by private vehicle from your Walt Disney World Resort hotel or other select hotel; pre-arrival planning; flexible start time; visits to multiple Disney parks; behind-the-scenes insight from a knowledgeable Disney Private VIP Tour Guide. This special guided service is billed at an hourly rate on top of the VIP admission to each of the parks visited: prices range from $450 to $950 per hour (minimum of 7 hours, maximum of 10 hours) for up to 10 guests (including infants). Reservations are recommended and can be made up to 60 days in advance. (Call 407-560-4033 to book, https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/events-tours/private-vip-tours/)

“The VIP tour was phenomenal – my clients went through back entrances, used tunnels that employees use. They covered whole park in half day,” remarked Virtuoso travel advisor Stephanie Durst, of Pro Travel, Westbury, who regularly sends clients on African safaris, Bhutan wellness retreats and private yachts.

*Skip the lines and get behind-the-scenes access with Universal Orlando Resort’s VIP Experience © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

Universal’s VIP Experience: Universal Orlando Resort’s VIP Experience tour immerses you in one or more of Universal’s parks—Universal Studios Florida, Universal Islands of Adventure, and the newest, Universal Epic Universe—with a knowledgeable guide, exclusive perks like reserved seating at select shows and valet parking, behind-the-scenes visits and priority (front-of-line) access to attractions. TheVIP Experience fee is on top of theme park admission for the same calendar day(s) and to the same theme park(s) as the VIP Experience ticket. (To book, 866-346-9350, https://www.universalorlando.com/web/en/us/tickets-packages/vip-experience.)

Busch Gardens Tampa, which has one of the best zoos anywhere, offers an Elite VIP Tour, a fully guided, personalized experience with priority access to rides, animal encounters designed around your preferences, and Serengeti Safari tour with up close views of free-roaming animals ($500 pp, https://buschgardens.com/tampa/tours/elite-adventure/)

La Casa de la Playa, Riviera Maya, Mexico: For an adults-only, ultra-luxury escape, La Casa de la Playa offers an all-inclusive boutique experience with personalized service, private transfers, and exclusive access to Xcaret’s portfolio of parks and attractions. Info: Xcaret VIP

Jungala Aqua Experience, Mexico: Jungala Aqua Experience offers a high-end water park experience with luxury cabanas, private concierge service and upscale dining—redefining the traditional water park with a focus on comfort and exclusivity. Info: Jungala Aqua

VidantaWorld BON Luxury Theme Park, Mexico: The upcoming BON Luxury Theme Park is designed to blend immersive storytelling with high-end hospitality, positioning itself as a next-generation luxury theme park experience. Info: Vidantaworld

Hotel das Cataratas, Iguazu National Park, Brazil: Located within Iguazu National Park, Hotel das Cataratas offers an exclusive, ultra-luxury stay with privileged access to Iguazu Falls before and after public hours. Operated by Belmond, the property combines refined accommodations with unmatched proximity to one of the world’s iconic natural wonders. Info: Hotel Das Cataratas

Puy du Fou – Le Grand Tour, France: Puy du Fou offers an immersive luxury rail journey, “Le Grand Tour,” a multi-day experience aboard a vintage-style train traveling across France. Guests enjoy theatrical storytelling, fine dining, and curated excursions inspired by the destination’s history and culture.Info: Le Grand Tour

Tomorrowland VIP Mansions, Belgium: At Tomorrowland, VIP Mansions packages offer luxury accommodations, private transportation, exclusive viewing areas, and premium hospitality—transforming the world-renowned music festival into a high-end, all-inclusive experience. Info: Tomorrowland VIP

Rulantica VIP Cabanas, Germany: At Rulantica, guests can reserve ultra-premium 2-story private cabanas featuring dedicated service, upscale amenities and secluded relaxation spaces—offering a more exclusive way to enjoy one of Europe’s leading indoor water parks.
Info: Rulantica VIP Suite

Nimb Hotel, Copenhagen, Denmark: Located within Tivoli Gardens, Nimb Hotel offers a boutique luxury stay with exclusive park access, fine dining, and personalized service—blending historic charm with modern indulgence. Info: Nimb

Sydney Harbour Bridge Private Climb, Sydney, Australia: For an unforgettable, bucket-list experience, Sydney Harbour Bridge offers a private BridgeClimb experience with exclusive, guided access to one of the world’s most iconic landmarks. Guests enjoy a personalized climb with a dedicated guide, flexible pacing, and unparalleled panoramic views of Sydney Harbour—delivering a truly unique and elevated adventure.
Info: Private BridgeClimb | Exclusive personal tour of the Sydney Harbour Bridge

Platinum Heritage Desert Safari, Dubai, UAE: For travelers seeking elevated, once-in-a-lifetime experiences, Platinum Heritage offers a highly curated, ultra-luxury desert safari. Guests explore the Dubai desert with a private conservation guide, enjoy sunset falconry with canapés, and indulge in a five-course, Michelin-curated dining experience in a serene desert setting ) https://www.belmond.com/hotels/south-america/brazil/iguassu-falls/belmond-hotel-das-cataratas/.

*Cultural institutions like the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City are offering private, expert-led VIP tours © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

Cultural institutions are also offering special experiences. As one example,The Metropolitan Museum of Art VIP Tour (Art Smart), New York, offers private, expert-led VIP tours through Art Smart. Guests enjoy skip-the-line access, personalized itineraries tailored to their interests, and in-depth insights from knowledgeable guides—transforming a traditional museum visit into a curated, high-touch cultural journey.
(VIP Tour at The Met | ART SMART, https://www.artsmart.com/nyc-museum-tours/met-tours/vip-night-at-the-met-museum-with-wine-tour/)

Cruises, Too

The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection (Global): For those seeking the ultimate in luxury travel, The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection offers a highly curated, all-suite yachting experience across the Mediterranean, Caribbean, and Central America. Guests enjoy spacious suites with private terraces, personalized service, elevated dining, and immersive shore excursions with overnight port stays—all within an intimate, small-ship setting. (www.ritzcarltonyachtcollection.com)

*Disney Cruise Line, a floating entertainment and attraction destination, is one of the cruiseline members of IAAPA © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

The Ritz Carlton is one of the cruise members of IAAPA. Others include Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Disney Cruise Line, Norwegian, MSC Cruises and SeaTrade Cruise. It may surprise people that cruiselines consider themselves attractions. Here’s why they qualify, Wahl explained:

A Shared Focus on the Guest Experience: Cruise ships are essentially floating destinations, bringing together entertainment, dining, attractions, and immersive environments in one place. At their core, they’re focused on delivering seamless, memorable experiences, just like IAAPA members.

*Norwegian Breakaway, with a rooftop themepark, is one of the cruiseline members of IAAPA © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

The Growth of Onboard Attractions: Today’s cruise ships are offering more and more theme park–style experiences—from water parks and simulators to live entertainment and even dark rides. Companies like Royal Caribbean International and Carnival Cruise Line are continuing to push the envelope, making them a natural fit within IAAPA’s community of innovators and creators.

New Opportunities for Members: Bringing the cruise industry into the fold opens the door for new partnerships and business opportunities—especially for IAAPA members who design, build, and supply attractions and technology. There’s a growing demand for creative, ship-based entertainment solutions.

Family fun on Royal Caribbean’s Freedom of the Seas *© Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

A Strong Exchange of Ideas: There’s a lot both industries can learn from each other. Cruise operators bring deep expertise in areas like guest flow, personalization, and large-scale hospitality, while IAAPA members lead in safety, storytelling, and attraction design. Together, that creates a powerful opportunity for shared innovation.

A Truly Global Audience: Cruise lines reach a broad, international audience—very much in line with IAAPA’s global membership. That shared reach helps strengthen IAAPA’s role as the voice of the worldwide attractions industry.

A More Connected Experience Ecosystem: As the lines between destinations continue to blur, cruises are often part of a bigger journey that includes theme parks, water parks, and other attractions. Welcoming cruise lines into IAAPA reflects how interconnected and experience-driven the industry has become.

__________________

© 2026 Travel Features Syndicate, a division of Workstyles, Inc. All rights reserved. Visit goingplacesfarandnear.com and travelwritersmagazine.com/TravelFeaturesSyndicate/. Blogging at goingplacesnearandfar.wordpress.com and moralcompasstravel.info. Visit instagram.com/going_places_far_and_near and instagram.com/bigbackpacktraveler/ Send comments or questions to FamTravLtr@aol.com. Bluesky: @newsphotosfeatures.bsky.social X: @TravelFeatures Threads: @news_and_photo_features ‘Like’ us atfacebook.com/NewsPhotoFeatures

America's 250th, Attractions, Family Travel, Summer Vacations, themeparks and attractions, Uncategorized

Themeparks, Attractions Are Go-To Destinations for Families Adapting Vacation Plans to Pressures

May 5, 2026 krubin723 Leave a comment

Safari West, Santa Rosa, California, offers a marvelous alternative to a long-haul trip to Africa. Make it a multi-day vacation by staying over in their authentic glamping tents. *© Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

By Karen Rubin, Travel Features Syndicate, goingplacesfarandnear.com

With rising gas prices and air fares exacerbating families’ affordability issues, families are looking for ways to satisfy the desire to vacation and engage in pleasurable activities together, and themeparks and attractions – because of their proximity and location – may well satisfy those needs and criteria this year.

We asked Jakob Wahl, President and CEO of IAAPA (International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions), to address questions about trends and forces affecting the attractions industry, and tips for travelers to enhance their visits.

How is economic uncertainty impacting the industry?

“The Joker” coaster at Six Flags Great Adventure, Jackson, NJ. *In uncertain times, themeparks can offer provide escapism © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

Economic uncertainty is certainly influencing how people plan, but it hasn’t diminished the desire to travel. Instead, we’re seeing consumers prioritize value and intentionality. Guests may take fewer trips, but they are choosing higher-quality, experience-driven visits.

At the same time, attractions play an important role in providing a sense of escapism. In moments of uncertainty, people are seeking opportunities to disconnect, recharge, and spend meaningful time with family and friends. Attractions offer that emotional release—creating spaces where guests can step away from day-to-day pressures and simply enjoy the moment.

In response, attractions are offering more flexible pricing, bundled packages, and added-value experiences to ensure guests feel they are getting the most for their time and money, while still delivering the memorable, uplifting experiences they’re looking for.

Tips for getting tickets, saving time, and arranging special experiences?

*Universal Orlando. Premium and fast passes may well be worth the extra cost © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

Planning ahead is key. Many attractions now offer timed entry, mobile apps for real-time updates, and bundled ticket options that can save both time and money.

Most major parks—and even many smaller attractions—offer premium or VIP-style experiences. These can include front-of-line access, guided tours, exclusive viewing areas for shows, and even behind-the-scenes experiences.

An important shift in the industry is how much technology enhances the guest experience—from mobile ordering to virtual queues—making visits smoother and more personalized than ever before. A few simple strategies can make a big difference:

Visit during off-peak days or seasons when possible

Purchase tickets in advance online

Use park apps to plan your day and minimize wait times

Consider bundled packages or multi-day tickets for better value

Arrive early or stay late—those first and last hours are often the least crowded

What are new trends among themeparks and attractions?

*Safari West, Santa Rosa, California, is among the attractions becoming multi-day vacation places with authentic glamping tents © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

One of the biggest misconceptions is how much attractions have evolved beyond rides. Today’s parks are full-day—and often multi-day—destinations offering culinary experiences, festivals, live performances, expanded nighttime experiences, and even wellness-focused spaces (like shade and cooling) and environmentally responsible operations.

While new rides and expansions continue to be important, one of the biggest stories right now is how parks are evolving into full-scale, seasonal destinations anchored by major events.

For instance, Kennywood is introducing “Celebrate Kennywood Weekends,” adding new energy and programming to its 2026 season.

Six Flags has introduced a new Hotel Partner Program, enabling visitors to participating Six Flags parks to book their park admission and overnight accommodations at the same time. The new Hotel Partner Program complements the company’s growing collection of owned and operated resort hotels and campgrounds, like the glamping experience at its Savannah Sunset Resort within its Six Flags Great Adventure safari park in Jackson, NJ (SixfFags.com)

What trends are you seeing with this year’s celebration of, America’s 250th?

Walt Disney World, Orlando, Florida. *Themeparks will be creating special programs to celebrate the 250^th anniversary of American Independence © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

We are seeing a clear surge in travel interest tied to meaningful national moments, and the 250th anniversary of the United States is a major catalyst. Attractions across the country are leaning into this milestone with larger-than-ever celebrations and deeply immersive experiences.

Walt Disney World’s EPCOT and Disney California Adventure Park will debut Soarin’ Across America this summer, a new film experience celebrating the 250th anniversary with breathtaking scenes of landscapes and iconic cityscapes—offering an immersive way to experience the country’s beauty and spirit.

Cedar Point is hosting its Star-Spangled Celebration with skydivers, live entertainment and a spectacular July 4 fireworks finale.

Worlds of Fun is running an extended Americana celebration throughout the summer.

Silver Dollar City is honoring active-duty military with free season passes and hosting season-long patriotic programming, including concerts, drone shows, and themed culinary offerings.

Wild Adventures Theme Park is launching its Celebrate America Festival with live entertainment and patriotic experiences starting in early summer.

Overall, travelers are seeking experiences that are both celebratory and meaningful—something that brings people together and creates lasting memories.

Dollywood is a standout example of how regional parks can deliver world-class experiences rooted in authenticity. What makes Dollywood special is its deep connection to place—the Smoky Mountains—and its emphasis on hospitality, craftsmanship, and storytelling. For America’s 250th, Dollywood is embracing a full seasonal transformation with red, white, and blue décor, and its beloved Sweet Summer Nights Drone Show will feature a patriotic tribute. The park is also debuting its largest investment to date—Nightly Expedition—further enhancing the evening experience for guests.

*Discover New York State’s crucial role in the Revolutionary War at Fort Stanwix in Rome © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

We’re also seeing strong participation from museums and cultural institutions. Organizations like the Smithsonian Institution, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, and The Henry Ford are creating exhibitions and programming that invite visitors to reflect on the nation’s history and future.

With Families Seeking Out MicroVacations, Themeparks & Attractions Do Their Part to Promote Responsible, Sustainable Travel

*Go on safari, even stay in a glamping tent at Six Flags Great Adventure and Wild Safari in Jackson, NJ, a less than half-a-tank option for many © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

Themeparks and attractions are doing their part in maximizing the benefits of travel and tourism while mitigating the negative impacts. These days, with the cost and availability of gas, diesel and jet fuel exacerbating families’ affordability issues, families are looking for ways to satisfy the need to vacation and engage in pleasurable activities together, and themeparks and attractions – because of their proximity and location – may well satisfy those needs and criteria this year.

Nearly 75% of travelers are now opting for trips of four days or less, underscoring the rapid rise of “micro-cations” and a broader shift toward shorter, more frequent travel.

Are these frequent short trips better or worse for the planet? And what are themeparks and attractions doing to enhance responsible, sustainable travel?

IAAPA (International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions) Director of Sustainability Ylva Linder offered these responses to our questions:

How do transportation choices, especially flying, shape travel’s carbon footprint?

*Philadelphia is ideal for a sustainable vacation with so many major attractions within walking distance or by public transportation. © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

Transportation is one of the biggest contributors to travel’s carbon footprint, particularly air travel. The distance traveled and frequency of trips often matter more than the length of the stay. One long trip where a traveler stays in a destination for a week or more can sometimes have a lower overall footprint than several shorter trips that require multiple flights.

That said, transportation choices within a destination also play an important role. Choosing destinations where visitors can rely on public transportation, rail, walking, or shared transit instead of renting a car can significantly reduce the overall impact of a trip. Responsible travel isn’t just about where you go — it’s about how you get there and how you move around once you arrive..

Might micro-cations help redistribute tourism or risk increasing emissions?

Micro-cations can be a positive trend if they encourage travelers to explore destinations closer to home, travel during off-peak periods, and discover places that may not traditionally see heavy tourism. This can help spread economic benefits to more communities and reduce overcrowding in major destinations.

However, micro-cations can also increase emissions if they lead to people taking more frequent flights or additional trips that wouldn’t have happened otherwise. From a sustainability standpoint, the goal isn’t just shorter trips — it’s smarter trips. Traveling less often, staying longer, choosing closer destinations, and being thoughtful about transportation choices all make a meaningful difference.

*Ausable Chasm in the New York State’s Adirondack Mountains offers an excellent driveable outdoor adventure attraction where you explore on foot © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

How can destinations and operators design more sustainable short-stay experiences?

Design plays a major role in sustainable tourism. Destinations and attractions can make responsible travel easier by investing in public transportation access, shuttle systems, walkable environments, and infrastructure that reduces the need for individual car use.

On the operations side, many attractions are focused on energy efficiency, water conservation, waste reduction, and sourcing food and materials locally. Capacity management and timed entry systems are also becoming more common, helping reduce overcrowding and improving the guest experience at the same time.

When sustainability is built into how a destination operates, responsible choices become the easiest and most natural option for visitors, enhancing rather than compromising the overall experience.

What does responsible, sustainable travel look like as habits shift globally?

Visiting Betsy Ross at her house in Philadelphia. Philadelphia is ideal for a sustainable vacation with so many major attractions within walking distance or by public transportation. © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

Responsible travel today is less about telling people not to travel and more about helping people travel better. We’re seeing travelers become more intentional — choosing destinations where they can spend more time in one place, support local businesses, and have meaningful experiences rather than just checking locations off a list.

It also means being mindful of when and how we travel, for example avoiding peak times where possible, respecting local communities, minimizing waste, being conscious of energy and water use, and supporting local businesses, as well as choosing businesses and attractions that are investing in sustainable practices. Responsible travel is about making a thoughtful contribution to the destination while keeping a low overall footprint.

How are attractions driving sustainability at scale across global tourism?

Attractions are in a unique position to drive sustainability because they operate at scale and serve millions of visitors each year. Many attractions are investing in renewable energy, water recycling systems, and sustainable food sourcing.

But just as importantly, attractions can help guide visitor behavior by making more responsible choices easier, such as offering refill stations, reducing single-use materials, or providing shared transport options. These are small steps, but at scale they can help reduce impact.

Because attractions combine entertainment, education, and large-scale operations, they can play a meaningful role in moving the entire tourism industry toward more sustainable practices.

What are theme parks/attractions doing to cut down on auto travel (and the expense of on-site parking!)? For example, are they setting up free shuttles from hotel areas (like ski resorts do in Lake Placid NY, and Banff BC)?

Many attractions and destinations have partnered with hotels that offer free shuttles to and from their neighboring attractions and theme parks. Some attractions have dedicated bus routes and pedestrian-friendly infrastructure so visitors can move between hotels, attractions, dining, and entertainment without needing a car.

__________________

Beach Holidays, Caribbean Travel, Family Travel, Villa Vacations

The Secret to the Perfect Family Beach Vacation in Mexico’s Quintana Roo

April 5, 2026 krubin723

*This troupe of Mayan dancers performs a sunset ritual up and down Puerto Morelos beach. We were excited to see them again during this second visit, right in front of our villa*, *Casa Brisa y Mar*, *in Puerto Morelos, Quintana Roo, Mexico © Dave E. Leiberman/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

By Laini Miranda & Dave E. Leiberman, Travel Features Syndicate, goingplacesfarandnear.com

We figured out the secret to the perfect family beach vacation in Quintana Roo, Mexico.

We visited Puerto Morelos about six years ago, well before we were a family of three and found it to be such a beautiful, relaxing, easy and affordable vacation that we decided to return with our two-year-old daughter. We convinced our brother and sister-in-law to join us with their 18-month old.

Puerto Morelos, in the region of Quintana Roo, is ideally located just a 20-minute drive from the airport. Once in the beach zone of P.M., you’ll find the palm trees, clear blue water and soft sandy beaches you picture of the Caribbean.

For our first trip, we rented a car and stayed in an Airbnb on a gorgeous white sand beach about a 10-minute drive from town. This time, with toddlers in tow, we opted for a car-free vacation, staying as close to town as possible. We split our week between four days at the villa in town and three days at an all-inclusive resort. There was one obvious winner.

*The back patio of the Casa Brisa y Mar villa features an 8-person dining table, lounge chairs, beds, hammock, and a pristine lounge pool cleaned regularly by the grounds crew* *© Laini Miranda/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

The villa we found, Casa Brisa y Mar, was so perfect that we’re honestly hesitant to write about it out of fear it will get too popular for us to rent in the future. But it was such a dream, we can’t keep it to ourselves.

Casa Brisa y Mar is a beachfront property just a few minutes’ walk from the center of town. The large building is split into four units: a four-bedroom villa on the ground floor, and a two-bedroom apartment and two one-bedroom apartments on the upper floors. The upstairs apartments all have balconies facing the ocean and the same access to beach chairs, umbrellas, and rental bikes available at the building’s entryway. It is also possible to rent out the full property for an extra large group.

*Your private unobstructed beach at the villa. © Laini Miranda/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

The main beach section of Puerto Morelos occupies a fairly short stretch of sandy shore between the Fives Oceanfront Resort to the north and the pier just beyond the town square to the south. It takes about 20 minutes to walk. If you’re looking at a map, the zones passed either of these edges would definitely be considered “off the beaten path” of P.M. and warrant a car, especially if traveling with kids. Casa Brisa y Mar is ideally located right in the middle of the best beach bars and about a five-minute walk from the town square. The property sits on the part of the beach that boasts the deepest expanse of soft white sand and a close beach walk to the town square, yet far enough from it and the moored boats that the ocean is clear.

*Six years after our first visit, Puerto Morelos retains its peaceful fishing village charms © Laini Miranda/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

We walked the full 20-minute stretch and decided Casa Brisa y Mar was not only in the best location, but also the nicest looking villa on the beach with the most ideal beachfront setup (most of the other beachfront villas are set back further from the public beach, behind shrubbery). Note that if you are looking at any all-inclusive beach resorts supposedly “in” Puerto Morelos, these are on a stretch of ocean that does not have much of a beach and tends to have murky water.

*Casa Brisa y Mar is set on some of the best section of Puerto Moreles beach ideal for a family vacation © Dave E. Leiberman/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

The Villa

The four-bedroom villa at Casa Brisa y Mar occupies the full ground floor, with two-bedroom and one-bedroom units on the upper 2 floors, each with private oceanfront balconies. © Laini Miranda/goingplacesfarandnear.com

Upon entering the big wooden doors on the street, you first pass a small courtyard with beach chairs, umbrellas, a few bikes available to rent, and a tiny office where the manager works during business hours, available to answer any questions. Passed this door is the entrance to the four-bedroom villa. A large open plan kitchen, living and dining area with direct views to the ocean connects the three main bedrooms: two ocean-view king rooms with sliding glass doors to the oceanfront patio and one room with two double beds.

*Casa Brisa y Mar provides comfortable space to accommodate our multi-family getaway. © Laini Miranda/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

The largest bedroom on the left features a king bed, sofa bed and kitchenette area, and large bathroom. The king ensuite bedroom on the opposite side has a similar layout, but without the kitchenette and sitting area. The double bedroom is perfect for up to four friends or kids. This is the only room with windows that face the interior courtyard as opposed to the beach, a plus for our scenario since it also stayed darkest during the day for toddler naps. A large separate bathroom is opposite this room in the shared hallway, so each bedroom essentially has its own bathroom.

*Casa Brisa y Mar* *has plenty of kid-friendly amenities, including pack n play (with its own mosquito net, that we luckily didn’t need), baby bath, and beach toys.* *© Laini Miranda/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

There is a fourth large king oceanfront bedroom that is accessible through its own door in the inner courtyard, as well as its own patio door connecting it to the villa from the outside. This layout worked out perfectly for our friends (without kids) who joined us, as they could have a private space detached from the shared living room and kitchen, but still share access to the full patio/outdoor areas. They, of course, also have a key to the front door of the villa.

*Three of the four bedrooms in the villa look out to the beach © Laini Miranda/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

The kitchen is well-stocked to prepare meals at home, including plasticware to take drinks to the outdoor patio area, and a blender that we appreciated for making our own piña coladas. The living room features a huge comfy couch, large dining table, big bluetooth Bose speaker, yoga mats, and many board games inside the living room furniture.

*The outdoor area is perfectly appointed with enough variety of lounge furniture to appease everyone in your large group. © Laini Miranda/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

The Patio

All three King ensuite bedrooms have sliding glass doors that open to the patio (exclusive to the villa), which has a large outdoor dining table under an awning (perfect for the few days it rained mid-day), a small pool, multiple queen beach beds and chaise lounges. There was also a large covered bin full of beach toys that kept our toddlers happy while at the beach.

*The day bed and hammock were perfect for storytimes.*© Dave E. Leiberman/goingplacesfarandnear.com

There’s an additional area right on the beach with a few more chaise lounges and umbrellas, just set back enough from the public beach to feel like a VIP area, but still within steps of the ocean. The pool in the middle of the patio is the perfect size to cool off on a hot day, and even has a little tiled area surrounding the perimeter where our kids liked to walk. Of course this feature requires adult supervision, but it actually served as an amazing giant water table for our toddlers when they didn’t want to go all the way in. Everything about the outdoor area is perfectly thought-out and we especially appreciated this area during the kids’ naps.

*The Casa Brisa y Mar* *hosts even provide yoga mats. © Laini Miranda/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

The team at the villa was kind enough to provide a pack ‘n play, a high chair, and a baby bath (there are only showers in the bathrooms). We really appreciated the huge outdoor bin of beach toys on the patio, as well as the pool noodles. Plenty of plastic cups and plates can be found in the kitchen and living room credenza. They even left family-friendly bug-spray by the door.

Casa Brisa y Mar’s own section of the sandy beach lets you feel like you’re part of the energy of the public beachfront with your own shade and privacy, and was especially nice for those toddler nap times! *© Laini Miranda/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

*Coconut vendors carry bags of fresh coconuts up and down the beach; they’ll even cut them up for you to eat the flesh once you finish its water. © Laini Miranda/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

Puerto Morelos with Kids

*The very family-friendly Puerto Morelos town square. © Eric Leiberman/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

We love Puerto Morelos because it is so easy to stroll with toddlers and there’s a wonderful playground right in the town square. There’s also an excellent small bookstore across the street from the playground that has an amazing collection of children’s books in both English and Spanish, as well as tons of affordable gifts. Most afternoons and evenings, the town square fills with an artisan market and performances in the center. Our toddlers loved watching the circus acts on the nights we wandered into town after dinner.

*Enjoying the entertainment in Puerto Morelos town square © Eric Leiberman/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

Some of our favorite restaurants

Punta Corcho – Right off the town square in a beautifully designed upstairs open-air restaurant with views overlooking the ocean. Recently awarded a Michelin star, it isn’t cheap, but well worth it for a special dinner. Go without kids if you can so you can more leisurely savor their creative menu and incredible cocktails.

El Dorado – If you don’t want to leave the beach, walk a few feet south of Casa Brisa y Mar for excellent fish, tacos and other Mexican classics at reasonable prices.

Paradise Beach Club – Just north of the villa, you can take advantage of this beachfront bar’s chaise lounges and umbrellas if you want beach service and great food and drinks. They serve surprisingly good cheeseburgers (as well as fresh coconuts and all the classic beach cocktails you could want). They also have a covered bar area with porch swings that keep kids entertained. We enjoyed waiting out a thunderstorm here, while still feeling like we were on the beach. To us, this had the most laid-back vibe of all the beach bars.

Muelle Once – We liked this spot so much we ate here three times in one week. Walk just a few feet beyond the town square on the street or beach and you’ll find this beautiful venue with multiple dining areas: a big indoor restaurant and bar, a large covered patio with views to the ocean, and beach beds on the sand below. We found this small stretch of beach to have some of the clearest water in Puerto Morelos.

Local Coffee + Shop – In the heart of the town, just two blocks from the beach, this vegan friendly spot has some of the freshest healthy food in P.M., some of the best coffee drinks we’ve ever had (which is saying a lot for people from NYC and SF) and amazing veggie-forward brunches. If you’re looking for an antidote to tacos and fried seafood, this is your spot. Don’t miss the Golden Dirty Latte with espresso, turmeric, ginger, pepper, cinnamon, and honey.

*Ordering in from Taqueria El Poblano Puerto Morelos* *The patio was perfect for evening meals and post toddler bedtime hangs. © Eric Leiberman/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

Taqueria El Poblano Puerto Morelos – This excellent restaurant is actually located in the less touristic city zone on the other side of the highway, and only accessible by car. BUT, from the invaluable tip of the guys at the Dive shop next door to the villa, we learned that they do delivery! Perhaps our best meals of the week were the two we ordered the Parillada (assorted grill dinner) for 6 that they delivered right to our door. The second night we added a whole grilled fish to this order, which we highly recommend. We were able to take advantage of the large outdoor dining table on the patio to enjoy the view of the ocean at sunset while feasting on amazing grilled meats (served with guacamole, beans, queso, and a huge stack of fresh tortillas). All 6 adults and 2 toddlers ate until we were stuffed and we still had leftovers, all for the same price as 2 entrees at one of the more touristy spots in the beach zone.

Running and Salsa

*Running in Puerto Morelos! © Eric Leiberman/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

These are two activities we highly recommend during your stay in Puerto Morelos. For the former, we found a lovely run on the quiet road that runs out of town to the north. Aside from a bike tour and occasional car, it’s mostly just you, the road and the trees.

If you’re looking for some fun nightlife just steps from the villa, check out the awesome salsa trio at Los Molcajetes that we stumbled upon on our last night. It’s a party there on the weekends. We found the crowd to be a cool mix of locals, expats, and tourists. Great place to dance and have some mezcal and late-night food. We think we’ll kick off our next Puerto Morelos vacation here.

Excursions

We opted for an extra relaxed trip for this visit, but there’s a lot to do in Puerto Morelos and the surrounding towns if you want to venture out. The hosts at Casa Brisa y Mar will help you arrange any excursion.

*Playing in the cenotes, from our first visit to Puerto Morelos © Laini Miranda/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

Cenotes – La Ruta de Los Cenotes is right in greater Puerto Morelos. Cenotes are natural freshwater sinkholes that the ancient Maya civilization considered sacred. Drive your rental car, call an Uber, or arrange a tour and check out as many cenotes as you have time for. You can easily visit 4 or 5 in a day, or spend the afternoon exploring one larger complex. Swimming, rope-swinging and zip-lining into these crystal-clear jungle pools make for an adventurous and memorable day that feels totally magical for kids and adults alike.

Akumal – About an hour south of Puerto Morelos you’ll find this public beach and small eco-park famous for its sea turtles. Pay the small fee to swim in the protected area with the turtles right off the beach.

*Mayan dancers at Xcaret, an archaeological theme park. © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

Xcaret Park – We haven’t been to Xcaret ourselves, but you’ll see signs for this popular cultural eco-themepark all over Riviera Maya. It’s about 35 minutes drive from Puerto Morelos and can easily be visited as a day trip if your kids are hankering for an eco theme park with rides, swimming, wildlife, and shows.

Travel Tips

In addition to helping make tour arrangements, Casa Brisa y Mar can arrange a car service to pick you up at the airport, which was the best deal we found since Uber drivers are not allowed to make pickups at the airport.

Learn more about Casa Brisa y Mar and book directly at their website: https://www.casabrisaymar.com/.

You can also find them on all the standard booking platforms, including Airbnb, and Booking.com.

For more travel planning information, visit mexicancaribbean.travel.

__________________

© 2026 Travel Features Syndicate, a division of Workstyles, Inc. All rights reserved. Visit goingplacesfarandnear.com and travelwritersmagazine.com/TravelFeaturesSyndicate/. Blogging at goingplacesnearandfar.wordpress.com and moralcompasstravel.info. Visit instagram.com/going_places_far_and_near and instagram.com/bigbackpacktraveler/ Send comments or questions to FamTravLtr@aol.com. Bluesky: @newsphotosfeatures.bsky.social X: @TravelFeatures Threads: @news_and_photo_features ‘Like’ us at facebook.com/NewsPhotoFeatures

Adventure Travel, Family Travel, Multigenerational travel, Uncategorized, Where to Go Next, Wildlife adventures

Where to Go: Multigenerational Families Seek Out Adventure Travel to Experience Together

February 28, 2026 krubin723

*Galapagos is a bucket list family adventure © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

by Karen Rubin, Travel Features Syndicate, goingplacesfarandnear.com

Multigenerational travel has been on the rise, well, for a generation. The Baby Boomers who are today’s grandparents have travel in their DNA – they are the backpackers and jetsetters, bikers and hikers and value travel as an essential experience to personal growth and wellbeing. And now, they have the discretionary resources to share all the thrills and benefits, and most importantly, cherish the bonds and memories that traveling together nurture. Especially as young families today feel strapped by the affordability crisis, they are more than grateful for the worlds that their parents and grandparents open for their family.

A recent study by the Family Travel Association (FTA), Good Housekeeping and NYU SPS reveals that a record 92% of Americans plan to travel with their children or grandchildren in the next year.

Backroads, a trailblazing adventure travel company, also found in its recent study that modern families are prioritizing real-world experiences over screen time and seeking active vacations that spark connection and create lasting memories. Making the most of school breaks throughout the year, parents and grandparents with kids of all ages are booking adventure travel in record numbers. Among its trending programs, Backroads Trips for Families with Kids & Teens, Teens & 20s and 20s & Beyond: Brittany & Normandy, Croatia and Iceland.

Here is a sampling of family travel experiences, far and near, for 2026:

*In the Galapagos, families can see animals close up that only exist here © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

Galapagos Multigen Adventure: A genuine family bucket list experience awaits in the Galapagos Islands. Start with a stay on Santa Cruz and visit the Charles Darwin Research Station, then embark on a multi-island cruise such as aboard the Galapagos Legend (Go Galapagos by Kleintours, 1-888 50 KLEIN, www.GoGalapagos.com). Other operators offering family-oriented itineraries include Audley Travel (audleytravel.com, 866-346-2743; other family itineraries to Classic Italy, Japan and Costa Rica) and Lindblad Expeditions (www.expeditions.com).

Mediterranean Gulet Gathering: Gather the whole family and charter a traditional gulet with Peter Sommer Travels to explore Croatia, Greece or Turkey like Indiana Jones. Visit ancient sites with an archaeologist or historian as an expert guide for a vivid look into the past, then enjoy time to swim, snorkel or kayak in secluded coves, or simply relax onboard the boat. With a full crew, it’s a stress-free journey. https://www.petersommer.com/gulet-charters

Greek Islands Multi Adventure: Experience Greece’s Ionian Islands by boat, bike and on foot on a family-friendly cruise from Islandhopping. Visit olive tree-covered Paxos, the white sand beaches of Lefkas, a colorful port on Cephalonia, peaceful Arillas on the country’s west coast and more. Along the way, swim in the crystal clear Ionian Sea, ride to a waterfall, row to a cave accessible only from the water, tube behind a dinghy and bike through a national park. https://www.inselhuepfen.com/en/cycling-tours/greece/multi-adventure-ionian-islands

*Gondwana Ecotours’ private Tanzania: Great Migration Safari brings Africa’s magic to life for families (photo: Gondwana Ecotours)*

Make the Lion King Come Alive: From wildebeest herds thundering across the Serengeti to elephants grazing beneath acacia trees, Gondwana Ecotours’ private Tanzania: Great Migration Safari brings Africa’s magic to life for families. Spot lions, zebras, giraffes, leopards and hippos on daily game drives, with guaranteed window seats in every pop-top safari vehicle. Visit a remote Maasai boma and meet a friendly family clan, learn about their culture and join their traditional jumping dance. Sleep to the sounds of the savanna in deluxe tented camps and enjoy pop-up bush lunches surrounded by breathtaking views. Africa amazes—especially when you experience it together. https://www.gondwanaecotours.com/adventure-tours/great-migration-serengeti-safari-tour-tanzania/

Gondwana Ecotours’ private Alaska: Northern Lights Adventure is an unforgettable family journey (photo: BoBo Photography)

Chase the Northern Lights Together: From chasing the aurora to walking with reindeer, Gondwana Ecotours’ private Alaska: Northern Lights Adventure is an unforgettable family journey. Days are packed with dog sledding, curling lessons, hot springs and a visit to Santa’s Village, while nights light up with nature’s most dazzling show. Stay cozy under the covers until your nighttime aurora guide sounds the buzzer, signaling it’s time to step outside and watch the northern sky come alive. https://www.gondwanaecotours.com/adventure-tours/northern-lights-tour-fairbanks-alaska/

*Sacha Lodge offers a responsible way for families to explore one of the world’s most biodiverse regions like wildlife spotting by dugout canoe (photo: Sacha Lodge)*

Amazon Rainforest Immersion: Deep in the Ecuadorian Amazon, Sacha Lodge offers a responsible way for families to explore one of the world’s most biodiverse regions. Guests participate in low-impact activities like guided canopy walks, wildlife spotting by dugout canoe, and nature hikes led by local guides, while staying in secure, private, thatched-roof cabins that ensure a luxurious and comfortable experience. https://sachalodge.com.

*Play cowboy or cowgirl among the saguaro cactuses of the Sonoran Desert at the family-owned and operated White Stallion Ranch in Tucson, Arizona (photo: White Stallion Ranch)*

Arizona Dude Ranch Getaway: Play cowboy or cowgirl among the saguaro cactuses of the Sonoran Desert at the family-owned and operated White Stallion Ranch in Tucson, Arizona. Enjoy traditional dude ranch activities like horseback riding, hiking, shooting and archery, adventurous pursuits like fat tire e-biking and rock climbing, and entertainment like cowboy singing, trick roping and a weekly rodeo. While there, settle into a charming guestroom, family suite or the larger Hacienda. https://whitestallion.com/

Grand Canyon’s North Rim: Escape Adventures invites families to discover the cool, high-altitude sanctuary of the Grand Canyon’s North Rim on an unforgettable five-day mountain biking and camping expedition. Revered by hikers and cyclists for its breathtaking vistas and gently rolling, lung-expanding terrain, the North Rim offers a unique and less-crowded perspective of this natural wonder. https://escapeadventures.com/tour/grand-canyon-north-rim-mountain-bike-tour/

*Western River Expeditions, one of the leading whitewater rafting companies, has tailored itineraries for families including the Grand Canyon (photo: Western River Expeditions)*

Family Whitewater Rafting Adventures: Western River Expeditions, one of the leading whitewater rafting companies, has tailored itineraries for families including Green River 5 Day Desolation Canyon Adventure, Utah; Grand Canyon 4 Day Rafting & Ranch Tour, Arizona, and Salmon River 5 Day Lower Salmon River, Idaho (www.westernriver.com/best-family-adventure-vacations, 866.904.1160).

Out family goes whitewater river rafting in Big Sky, Montana © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

Kid-Friendly Whitewater Adventure: Experience family-friendly whitewater rafting adventures on the Yellowstone River with Flying Pig Adventures, conveniently located in Gardiner, Montana, near Yellowstone National Park’s North Entrance. Choose from a variety of trips, including popular half-day excursions tackling Class II and III rapids, extended full-day adventures with riverside lunch, serene scenic floats perfect for wildlife viewing or immersive overnight trips under the stars with comfortable camping and meals. There’s a perfect rafting experience for every skill level. https://www.flyingpigrafting.com/white-water-rafting-yellowstone?

Big Sky Family Time: With spacious suite accommodations, The Wilson Hotel is the perfect home base to explore Big Sky, Montana, and the Yellowstone region. Plan a family ski trip in winter, go hiking, fly fishing or whitewater rafting in summer, or experience the natural wonders and wildlife of Yellowstone National Park at any time of year. Back at The Wilson, plush beds and upscale amenities await, with the restaurants and shops of Big Sky Town Center just steps away. https://thewilsonhotel.com/

*Fireside Resort is a great base for families to explore Grand Teton National Park © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

Family Glamping in Tetons: Fireside Resort offers luxuriously outfitted tiny house rental units designed by Wheelhaus a short distance from Grand Teton National Park, making it an ideal family basecamp for summer adventures. Experience the thrill of whitewater rafting, enjoy beautiful scenery and wildlife while hiking through the Tetons or revel in the wonder of Yellowstone National Park’s geothermal features. https://www.firesidejacksonhole.com/

Princess Cruises’ Discovery Princess Named ‘Coolest Way to See Alaska’

Princess Cruises’ Discovery Princess has been named “Coolest Way To See Alaska” in the prestigious Good Housekeeping 2026 Travel Awards.

The Good Housekeeping Travel Awards spotlight destinations and experiences that deliver extraordinary value, quality, and joy for families traveling together, from parents with young children to grandparents reuniting with the whole clan. Discovery Princess earned top marks for its unique blend of innovation, luxury, and entertainment, offering a one-of-a-kind setting to celebrate milestones and create lasting memories together.

“Princess has long believed that Alaska is a destination best shared across generations, and we are committed to creating inspiring moments, whether that’s marveling at glaciers, spotting wildlife, or gathering for an incredible meal of fresh seafood to share stories and experiences,” said Gus Antorcha, Princess Cruises President.

With its signature North to Alaska immersive programming which brings the spirit, people, flavors and culture of the destination onboard, scenic beauty, wildlife encounters and curated Alaska experiences designed to engage all ages, Princess continues to be a leading cruise line in Alaska and a top choice for families seeking meaningful, multi-generational travel.

Family-oriented programming includes having Park Rangers onboard in Glacier Bay with live narration and Junior/Teen Ranger programs; a Storyteller series with cultural ambassadors, adventurers, authors, photographers and Iditarod champions; Puppies in the Piazza and Campfire Movies Under the Stars; and youth and teen activities like Gold Rush Treasure Hunt and Great Alaskan Fishermen’s Race.

Princess Cruises also takes pride in its “Alaska-Inspired Dining”:Fresh, locally sourced seafood throughout the ship, including salmon, halibut and crab; “Cook My Catch” where guests enjoy fish they reel in on select excursions; and Alaska craft beers, local spirits, themed hot beverages and signature cocktails

In the cruise line’s biggest-ever Alaska season in 2026, Discovery Princess sails the popular “Voyage of the Glacier” route between Vancouver and Anchorage (Whittier), featuring Glacier Bay National Park and is debuting its Star Princess, the cruise line’s newest ship, sailing weekly seven-day Inside Passage cruises roundtrip from Seattle.

Altogether, Princess Cruises’ May through September 2026 Alaska program features eight ships, 180 departures, and 19 destinations.

*Extending your Alaska cruise with a land tour affords an opportunity to see Mt. McKinley © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

Extend the adventure with a Princess Cruisetour, pairing a seven-day Voyage of the Glaciers cruise with 3-10 nights at Princess-owned Wilderness Lodges to explore Alaska’s interior, including Denali National Park, for the chance to witness North America’s tallest peak.

For more information about Alaska voyages, visit www.princess.com/alaska, contact a professional travel advisor, call 1-800-PRINCESS (1-800-774-6237), or visit princess.com.

The Regent Grand’s ‘Grandymoon’ is Fresh Spin on Multigenerational Family Travel

*The Grand Regent, Turks & Caicos, has introduced a “Grandymoon” multigenerational program (photo: The Grand Regent)*

The Regent Grand on Turks & Caicos is debuting its new “Grandymoon” offer, designed for grandparents, parents, and kids to enjoy time together. Families can experience the best of Grace Bay with curated amenities, island adventures and thoughtful touches tailored to every generation, making it easy to travel together in comfort and style.

Amenities Include:

● Spacious multi-bedroom suites or villas with all the comforts of home: modern kitchens, full living and dining areas, TVs, and washer/dryers (in most units)

● $200 Resort Credit to spend on a wide range of family-friendly island activities (full list linked here)

● Private family photo session on Grace Bay Beach to capture the memories

● Concierge-arranged celebratory family dinner, either in-suite with a private chef or toes-in-the-sand on the beach

● Spa treatments for all ages, including manicures, pedicures, massages, facials, and more

● Island excursions such as jetski tours, fishing trips, boat cruises, scuba and snorkeling, paddleboard and kayak safaris, and beach horseback riding

● Family tennis or pickleball tournament on the resort’s courts

● Resort bikes and Eco bikes for exploring the island at your own pace

● Board game rentals for rainy afternoons or game nights

● In-room babysitting services, giving parents and grandparents the chance to enjoy a romantic dinner or relaxing downtime (available with 24 hours’ notice)

To unlock the full Grandymoon experience, just add “Grandymoon” in the reservation notes section when booking at The Regent Grand (theregentgrand.com)

Wyoming: Cowboy Camp and Other Hands-On Winter Adventures for Families

*In Wyoming, families can experience the spirit of the West through short-format, hands-on “Cowboy Camp for a Day” ranch experiences © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

In Wyoming, families can experience the spirit of the West through short-format, hands-on ranch experiences designed for first-timers and casual travelers. These “Cowboy Camp for a Day” activities offer a low-commitment, high-reward way to connect with the landscape, the people, and the way of ranch life, even in winter.

Across the state, local hosts offer approachable programs like:
• Horse grooming and barn visits at TA Ranch in Buffalo, where guests learn the basics of care and tack in a historic setting
• Roping clinics and outdoor Dutch-oven meals at Eatons’ Ranch near Sheridan, one of the country’s oldest family-run ranches
• Bison tours and winter wagon rides at Terry Bison Ranch outside Cheyenne, an easy stop for drive-market travelers

These experiences are ideal for multigenerational groups, road trippers, and families looking for something more immersive than a resort, but easier than a full dude ranch week. Many programs operate year-round or resume by early spring, with flexible half-day and day-visit options.

Hot springs, snow hikes, and the family road trip reset

For families ready for something different this spring, Wyoming is a practical and unique option. Easy to reach by car or short flight, the state offers fly-in and drive routes that connect parks, hot springs, and outdoor fun with room to explore.

Here’s a sample four-day itinerary built around flexible travel, fresh air, and time together:

Day 1: Laramie to Vedauwoo: Begin in Laramie, where families can stop for lunch, walk through the historic downtown or visit the University of Wyoming campus. From there, take a short drive to Vedauwoo Recreation Area, known for its rock formations and easy access. Spring often brings snowdrifts and sunshine in the same afternoon, perfect for a short trail walk or a snowy photo stop.

Day 2: Casper: Drive north to Casper, where the newly opened Nordic Ski Lodge on Casper Mountain serves as a home base for snowshoeing or cross-country skiing. Hogadon Basin also offers spring downhill runs into March. In town, kids can learn about westward expansion at the National Historic Trails Interpretive Center. For those staying overnight, the new Hyatt Place opens in 2026 with family-friendly amenities.

Day 3: Thermopolis: Spend the day in Thermopolis, home to Hot Springs State Park and the Wyoming Dinosaur Center. The public bath house is open year-round with naturally warm mineral water, and the park’s bison herd is often visible from the drive. Recent updates to the museum’s galleries and lab spaces give kids an indoor hands-on option too.

Day 4: Wind River Canyon or Saratoga: Wrap up the trip with a scenic drive. Wind River Canyon cuts through layered cliffs and offers plenty of pull-off spots. For those heading south, Saratoga is a relaxing finish, with its open-air Hobo Hot Springs pools located right along the river.

Optional add-ons:
For families looking to ski, Snow King (Jackson), White Pine (Pinedale), and Meadowlark (near Ten Sleep) often stay open into early spring
Gillette’s CAM-PLEX park and Spirit Hall Ice Arena offer outdoor lights, sledding, and ice skating
Fort Phil Kearny and the Buffalo Bill Center of the West offer history without high-season crowds
Scenic routes like the Big Spring Scenic Backway and Bozeman Trail Wagon Tours (Buffalo) add something extra to the drive.
__________________

Arts & Entertainment, Attractions, Family Travel, Summer Vacations, Tips for Travel, Uncategorized

Smart Tips to Save Money, Beat the Lines at Summer Attractions

May 26, 2025 krubin723

*Universal’s Epic Universe, Orlando, is opening May 22 (photo: Universal Orlando Resort).*

By Karen Rubin, Travel Features Syndicate, goingplacesfarandnear.com

Families are gearing up for trips to attractions from world-famous theme parks to local treasures. With shifts in consumer confidence, economic factors, and the general climate for travel, here are tips for saving and getting the most for your time and money and discovering memorable experiences.

“Summer is the perfect time for families to explore a variety of attractions, from world-class theme parks to hidden gems. Plan ahead, take advantage of special promotions, and consider weekday visits for a more relaxed experience,” advises Jakob Wahl, CEO of the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA). “Whether you’re seeking thrills, interactive museums, or refreshing water parks, there’s something for everyone this season.”

The outlook for attractions in 2025 is strong, headlined by the much-anticipated opening of Universal’s Epic Universe in Orlando and many other investments in attractions and parks around the country. While large-scale themed entertainment and immersive experiences continue to captivate audiences, there is also growing demand for more budget-friendly options. Family entertainment centers, science centers, aquariums, and museums are becoming increasingly popular as affordable alternatives for family summer fun. Additionally, we’re seeing a surge in interest for interactive attractions, seasonal events, and family-friendly entertainment, ensuring there’s something for everyone to enjoy, he says.

*Memberships in regional and local attractions like the VIA Aquarium in Schenectady are seeing a surge in interest © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

Among the trends is a strong interest in smaller, regional attractions. “With shifts in consumer confidence and economic factors, many families are looking for experiences closer to home that offer great value and immersive entertainment. Attractions such as family entertainment centers, aquariums, and science museums are capitalizing on this trend by introducing special pricing, seasonal events, and interactive exhibits that appeal to a broad audience. This growing focus on affordability and accessibility is helping drive attendance and engagement across the industry.”

Here are more of Wahl’s tips and recommendations:

Money-Saving Tips: Planning ahead is the best way to save money. Booking tickets online, taking advantage of bundled packages, and visiting during off-peak seasons can lead to significant savings. Many parks also offer discounted evening tickets or multi-day passes that provide better value. Guests should also explore dining plans and bring their own essentials, like water bottles and rain ponchos, to avoid extra expenses. Loyalty programs and annual passes can be a great investment for those who visit frequently.

[Here’s another tip: many local and regional attractions offer annual membership passes that pay for themselves with just two visits, and in some cases include free or discounted admission to other partner attractions. For example: The annual family membership to the Museum of Science and Technology (MiSci) in Schenectady, NY includes six guest passes plus free or reduced admission to 300 museums and science centers nationwide through the ASTC Passport Program and the Empire State Museums Reciprocal Program. An annual membership to the New York’s Wilderness Conservation Society provides admission (and many other benefits) to the Bronx Zoo, Central Park Zoo, Queens Zoo, Prospect Park Zoo, and New York Aquarium (wcs.org). Also some attractions let you return the next day on the same ticket, offer multi-day tickets or tickets that provide admission to multiple area attractions. Also consider the various multi-day city-passes that bundle attractions.]

The New York Historical is part of The Empire State Museums Reciprocal Program which brings together museums, art galleries, historic sites, and other great institutions from across New York State to share the benefits of membership. When you join one, your benefits extend to all. The New York Historical highlights the intersection of politics, art, and culture that shaped America’s Red Scare in Blacklisted: An American Story, on view June 13-October 19, 2025 (credit: Civil Rights Congress, America’s “Thought Police”: Record of the Un-American Activities Committee, 1947. Courtesy of the Unger Family)

Best Times to Visit: The best way to avoid crowds, enhance your experience and save money is to plan visits during off-peak times. Weekdays, especially Tuesdays through Thursdays, tend to be less busy than weekends. For seasonal attractions, early spring and late fall often offer fewer crowds and more pleasant weather. Arriving early in the day or later in the afternoon is also a way to enjoy popular rides with shorter wait times.

Smart Ticketing & Shorter Lines: Many theme parks now offer online reservations, mobile ticketing, and virtual queue systems, so you can secure your spots ahead of time. Purchase tickets in advance and take advantage of early entry programs when available. Express passes or skip-the-line options can be worth the added expense to maximize your day, particularly during peak seasons. Also, start your visit to the park from the back because most guests start getting on lines for the rides in the front of the park. Also, visit the most popular, busy rides during the peak lunch hour, when lines may be shorter.

*Make massively popular attractions like Le Louve in Paris accessible and affordable by purchasing a pass like the Paris Paris © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

[Another tip: When visiting destinations in the USA and abroad, check out whether there are city passes that provide admissions and entry to a score of attractions, experiences and tours. You can pre-purchase a city-sightseeing pass that provides admissions to the most popular attractions and experiences in cities like Prague (PragueCoolPass.com); Paris (parispass.com); Amsterdam (iamamsterdam.com); Berlin (citypasses.eu); Dresden (getyourguide.com). The added advantage is that the passes help organize the itinerary, provide info on hours, exhibits, save the time of waiting on line and the anxiety of being shut out and even save money over purchasing admissions individually. Go City sells passes in 25 destinations from major metropolises like Amsterdam, Barcelona, Madrid, Singapore, London and New York to oceanfront oases like Sydney and Oahu – 1,500 attractions, tours, and activities worldwide, saving money over purchasing individual tickets, connected on your smart phone (GoCity.com, 800 887 9103). CityPass (https://www.citypass.com/) has pass programs in numerous US cities and Toronto. like the Paris Pass, Prague Cool Pass.]

Maximizing the Experience: At themeparks, planning ahead is key. Prioritize must-visit attractions, download themepark apps for real-time updates, and take advantage of mobile ordering for food to save time. For families, incorporating a mix of thrill rides, entertainment, and downtime ensures everyone stays engaged and energized. Taking breaks in shaded or indoor areas and staying hydrated can also help extend the fun throughout the day.

Staying Safe & Comfortable: Staying hydrated and wearing comfortable clothing and shoes are essential for an enjoyable visit. Bring refillable water bottles, wear sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, and dress in layers for changing weather conditions. Have a light, foldable rain poncho. Many parks now offer shaded rest areas, cooling stations, and even heat-tracking technology to help visitors stay comfortable. Additionally, being mindful of personal health and recognizing when to take breaks can make a significant difference in the overall experience.

Special Events & Milestones: This year is filled with exciting anniversaries and celebrations across the attractions industry. Dollywood is marking its 40th anniversary with special events and limited-time experiences, while Europa-Park in Rust, Germany, celebrates 50 years of innovation and growth as a family-run destination. Many parks are also expanding their seasonal offerings, from immersive Halloween and holiday celebrations to vibrant food festivals that highlight both local and international flavors.

Trends Shaping Visitor Experiences: Families are increasingly drawn to parks and experiences that bring beloved characters and stories to life. A great example is the expansion of Peppa Pig Theme Parks, which cater specifically to younger audiences by offering immersive, character-driven attractions beyond traditional theme park experiences. These parks create an emotional connection with guests, making visits more engaging and memorable for families.

Another key trend is the evolution of on-site accommodations. Parks are expanding beyond a day-trip experience by providing themed lodging that enhances the overall visit. Silver Dollar City’splans for the new Heartland Lodge & Campground is a prime example, giving guests the opportunity to stay immersed in the park’s special atmosphere while enjoying added convenience and exclusive experiences.

[Also, many major camping resorts are located near (even within) themeparks, national and state parks and attractions, and offer glamping, cabins and RV rentals. Visit campspot.com; koa.com; www.spaciousskiescampgrounds.com, glampinghub.com and www.jellystonepark.com.]

Exciting New Attractions

This season brings a wave of groundbreaking attractions, from next-generation roller coasters to immersive themed lands. Among the highlights: Universal Epic Universe in Orlando, new family areas for Kentucky Kingdom and Lagoon Amusement Park, new roller coasters for Lost Island Theme Park, Six Flags over Georgia, Six Flags Great Adventure, Six Flags New England, and Six Flags Great America and unique Tilt Coasters for Cedar Point and the new Cotaland Park. Water parks are also unveiling innovative slides and experiences, such as Columbus Zoo, the new Okana Resort in Oklahoma, the new Bavarian Blast Indoor Waterpark and new Great Wolf Lodges in Foxwood and in Florida, keeping up with the growing demand for year-round aquatic fun.

Here’s what’s happening at some of the most popular themepark attractions:

Universal

Universal Epic Universe, opening May 22, promises to be one of the most immersive and innovative theme parks ever created. With a total of more than 50 experiences that range from groundbreaking attractions to captivating entertainment to themed dining and shopping, guests explore five astounding worlds: Celestial Park, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic, SUPER NINTENDO WORLD, How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk and Dark Universe.

Universal Orlando Resort has launched a variety of products to help guests maximize their visit including theme park upgrades like Universal Express (to bypass lines), VIP Experiences, My Universal Photos, and bookings for Dark Universe’s Darkmoor Monster Makeup Experience.

In addition to a 1-Day Universal Express Pass valid at Epic Universe, guests can also purchase a multi-day Universal Express Pass valid at Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida, and one-day at Epic Universe. (For information and to purchase upgrades, visit www.universalorlando.com/epicuniverse.

Additionally, Universal is enhancing seasonal events and themed experiences across its parks worldwide.

A major addition this year is Universal Horror Unleashed, a year-round horror-themed attraction set to open in Las Vegas in August 2025. This marks Universal’s first permanent horror experience, catering to the growing demand for horror-based attractions and expanding on the success of Halloween Horror Nights.

Universal Studios Hollywood is offering its Buy A Day, Get A 2^nd Day Free ticket online through August 13, 2025 which allows returning for a second day free on select dates, with all visits completed on or before December 17, 2025.

Disney

As part of its evolution, Disney is bringing new attractions and entertainment to its parks, including:

A reimagined Test Track at EPCOT, set to offer a fresh take on the classic attraction.
- A brand-new Little Mermaid musical at Hollywood Studios, bringing the beloved story to life in an engaging new format.
- An all-new parade in Walt Disney World, adding to the lineup of must-see entertainment.
- The Zootopia 4D movie experience, coming to Walt Disney World, immersing guests in the world of the hit animated film.

Walt Disney Company is undertaking a $30 billion, multi-year expansion of its theme parks and cruise line. This includes:

Disney’s expansion of its theme parks includes the largest-ever addition to Magic Kingdom, featuring new areas inspired by the movie “Cars.”
Disney currently has seven ships in development, doubling the capacity of its cruise line business.

“We have more [projects] being designed, developed, and built today than at any other point in the 70 years we’ve been in the theme park business,” CEO Bob Iger stated.

Six Flags

Six Flags has expanded food and beverage offerings, enhanced park theming, and cutting-edge ride experiences. Popular seasonal events like WinterFest and Holiday in the Park will also return,

Georgia Gold Rusher (Six Flags Over Georgia) – A spinning splash coaster that enhances the park’s storytelling and guest experience.
- Seven new roller coasters debuting in 2025, reinforcing Six Flags’ reputation for coaster innovation.
- All-Park Passport Add-On Launching in 2025, this pass allows unlimited access to all 42 amusement and water parks in the Six Flags portfolio, offering unmatched flexibility and value.
- Expanded dining & beverage options across all parks, featuring new signature menu items and upgraded facilities.

2025 Season Passes are now available at the lowest price of the year to lock in a full year of thrills, entertainment, and seasonal celebrations.

Busch Gardens

Renowned for its world-class coasters and immersive animal encounters, Busch Gardens continues to evolve with thrilling new attractions and captivating guest experiences including:

The Big Bad Wolf: The Wolf’s Revenge Busch Gardens Williamsburg (2025)

Busch Gardens’ all-new family-friendly inverted coaster.

Wild Oasis at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay (2025)

An all-new immersive experience coming to the park’s Jungala area, featuring:

Tree Top Drop – A 35-foot drop tower with dynamic multimedia jungle scenes.

The Habitat Hideaway – A playful retreat for guests to explore.

The Canopy Climb – An elevated adventure through lush treetops.

The Rainforest Quest – A thrilling journey through exotic landscapes.

The Enchanted Falls – A serene yet exhilarating water attraction.

Hershey Park

Hershey Park continues to expand its thrill ride lineup and immersive dining experiences while focusing on guest comfort and entertainment.

Coming Summer 2025: Twizzlers Twisted Gravity giant swing. The high-thrill pendulum attraction will be thetallest Screamin’ Swing in the world when it opens – a giant swing ride reaching 137 feet, with speeds of 68 MPH and zero-G moments that defy gravity and provide breathtaking views of the park.

Hersheypark offers aone-price admission with three sweet experiences featuring more than 70 rides and attractions, weather and maintenance permitting, including the most coasters in the Northeast with 15; The Boardwalk At Hersheypark water park (open Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day Weekend) with one million gallons of water among 16 water attractions; and ZooAmerica North American Wildlife Park, an 11-acre walk-through zoo included with admission only by entering through the Hersheypark bridge during posted Park hours.

Save on tickets and Season Passes when purchasing them online. All tickets include the Preview Plan program (an incredible value unique to Hershey), which allows guests to enjoy two free hours of extra fun before closing on a night before their full-day visit if Hersheypark is open the preceding day. Hersheypark also offers ticket add-ons that allow guests to save on parking, dining and drinks and get to the thrills faster with the Fast Track program. Visit Hersheypark.com/tickets-and-passes to view the current offers.

Plenty of Amusement to be Found in New York State

*Iconic, historic Coney Island in Brooklyn was the site for a Bernie Sanders campaign event in 2016 © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

New York State is loaded with amusement parks – some historical and world renowned, like Coney Island in Brooklyn. The editors at ILoveNY.com blog (https://www.iloveny.com/things-to-do/amusements/amusement-parks/) zone in on these: Hudson Valley is home to the largest LEGOLAND theme park in the world, with seven lands to explore, 50 rides, shows, seasonal events, and attractions on 150 acres. Six Flags Darien Lake, outside of Buffalo, is a hot-spot for all forms of entertainment, offering thrills like the Blast Off tower that simulates a NASA launch, a waterfront boardwalk, light shows, and concerts.

Seabreeze Park is the fourth oldest amusement park in America with more than 70 attractions, including a full water park, near the breezy shores of Lake Ontario. By Chautauqua Lake, Midway State Park is a treasure trove of kid-friendly rides, games, and lakeside views. Sylvan Beach Amusement Park on Lake Oneida has all the favorites from bumper-cars to spinning teacups. Brave the pulse-pounding roller coasters and water rides at Six Flags Great Escape and Splashwater Kingdom near Lake George. While you’re in the Adirondacks, visit Santa’s Workshop Amusement Park where the magic of the North Pole lives year-round. Rye Playland in the Hudson Valley and Adventureland on Long Island reflect the charm and enchantment of classic theme parks.

(See more at https://www.iloveny.com/blog/post/the-top-amusement-and-water-parks-in-new-york-state/)

_____________________________

© 2025 Travel Features Syndicate, a division of Workstyles, Inc. All rights reserved. Visit goingplacesfarandnear.com and travelwritersmagazine.com/TravelFeaturesSyndicate/. Blogging at goingplacesnearandfar.wordpress.com and moralcompasstravel.info. Visit instagram.com/going_places_far_and_near and instagram.com/bigbackpacktraveler/ Send comments or questions to FamTravLtr@aol.com. Bluesky: @newsphotosfeatures.bsky.social X: @TravelFeatures Threads: @news_and_photo_features ‘Like’ us at facebook.com/NewsPhotoFeatures

Adventure Travel, Ecotourism, Family Travel, Outdoors Adventures, Responsible Travel, Summer Vacations, Sustainable Travel

Trade a Ho-Hum Summer Vacation for an Epic Adventure

May 7, 2025 krubin723

CroisiEurope, a leading European river cruise company, is introducing family and multi-generational cruises with special programming and pricing. One itinerary starts and ends in Strasbourg © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

By Karen Rubin, Travel Features Syndicate, goingplacesfarandnear.com

Still looking to trade a ho-hum summer vacation for a memorable adventure? Here are some ideas:

“No Passport” Adventures: 2025 Travel Trend

“No-Passport Vacations” are hot this summer, with American travelers eager to explore incredible destinations right here in the United States. Recent reports show a surge in domestic travel, with 60% of people wanting to see more of their own country.

Here are 10 unforgettable “No-Passport” adventures, from backcountry biking to horseback riding and chasing the Northern Lights (but don’t forget your Real I.D.):

Backcountry Biking in Utah: The Aquarius Trail Hut System offers a backcountry mountain biking experience like no other in the region. A system of five huts furnished with beds, a bathroom, a fully stocked kitchen and solar power has been strategically placed along a 190-mile route through some of Utah’s most scenic backcountry and best mountain biking trails. https://aquariustrail.com/

American Road Trip 2.0: Nothing is more rejuvenating than jumping in your car and heading out on an American road trip, and AdventureGenie is the world’s first AI-powered, end-to-end system for planning one. It offers the most immersive, innovative and intelligent adventure travel planning tools available. Whether starting from a curated GenieTrip or creating a fully customized and personalized journey from your own ideas, AdventureGenie has you covered. https://adventuregenie.com/

Alaska Lodge Adventure: Discover the rugged beauty of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park in Alaska on a guided five-day trip with Adventure Life that combines outdoor exploration with lodge-based comfort. Tour Kennicott Town and learn about its mining history, hike to a hidden lake or across a glacier, try ice climbing, fly into the backcountry for a day of wilderness exploration, and paddle a packraft through pristine waters. https://www.adventure-life.com/alaska/tours/18770/wrangell-st-elias-national-park-lodge-based-adventure

No passport needed: Escape Adventures is offering a family-friendly, five-day camping and mountain bike adventure in Grand Canyon National Park that includes riding singletrack to Monument Point, hiking into the canyon on backcountry trails, pedaling across the Kaibab Plateau and conquering the Rainbow Rim trail before descending to Indian Hollow.

North Rim of Grand Canyon: Providing gently rolling terrain of lung-expanding dimensions, the North Rim has been long-held as sacred ground to hikers and cyclists alike. Escape Adventures is offering a family-friendly, five-day camping and mountain bike adventure that includes riding singletrack to Monument Point, hiking into the canyon on backcountry trails, pedaling across the Kaibab Plateau and conquering the Rainbow Rim trail before descending to Indian Hollow. https://escapeadventures.com/tour/grand-canyon-north-rim-mountain-bike-tour/

Yellowstone Fly Fishing: Take an expertly guided float down the Yellowstone River on one of Flying Pig Adventures’ custom rafts while you enjoy the spectacular scenery, abundant wildlife and world-class fly fishing. Just outside Yellowstone National Park, the upper stretches of the river are lightly fished, but hold large numbers of native cutthroat, rainbow and brown trout. Private access to the river allows guides to take guests where the fish are without fighting the crowds. https://www.flyingpigrafting.com/yellowstone-fly-fishing

Wine Country Weekend: North of San Francisco, the winding Russian River meets the dramatic Pacific coastline, shaping if not sheltering a world all its own. Escape Adventures offers an idyllic three-day road biking tour in this romantic landscape, quilted with a colorful patchwork of old growth redwoods, fruitful vineyards, historic towns and beautiful gardens. https://escapeadventures.com/tour/napa-valley-weekend-road-bike-tour/

Cowboy Up in Montana: Settle in at the Circle Bar Ranch in central Montana for horseback riding and other classic dude ranch adventures. On the ranch’s 520 acres and nearby national forest land, ride a trusty steed through open prairies, across the Judith River or up a ridge for a breakfast cookout, go hiking, try fly fishing, sport shooting or archery, or tour a Yogo sapphire mine by UTV. At the end of the day, enjoy traditional ranch recipes and locally inspired dishes, and cozy accommodations in a historic cabin, the lodge or Ranch House. https://www.circlebarranch.com/

Jackson Hole Tiny House: Fireside Jackson Hole redefines the traditional vacation with its collection of sustainably built, LEED-certified luxury cabins. Experience the intimacy of a boutique hotel and ambiance of a private residence, set within the atmosphere of a wooded campground – all moments away from the majesty of Grand Teton National Park. https://www.firesidejacksonhole.com

Alaska Northern Lights: On Gondwana Ecotours’ Alaska Northern Lights Adventure, guests will get a dose of local culture by day and photograph the Aurora Borealis at night. Highlights of the tour include dogsledding through snowy forests, taking curling lessons from locals, enjoying a meal with homesteaders, soaking in a geothermal hot spring, learning how to photograph the Aurora Borealis, snowshoeing on private land, having tea with a family of reindeer herders and more. https://www.gondwanaecotours.com/adventure-tours/northern-lights-tour-fairbanks-alaska/

*Rafting on the Gallatin River, Big Sky, Montana © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

Big Sky Summer: In Big Sky, Montana, The Wilson Hotel serves as a basecamp for summer adventures on the edge of Yellowstone National Park. Hike through shaded forests and wildflower-filled meadows, raft or fly fish the clear waters of the Gallatin River, experience the adrenaline rush of lift-served mountain biking, and explore the natural wonders and wildlife of the park. Afterward, enjoy Montana fare at the upscale yet casual Block 3 Kitchen & Bar on site or burgers, sandwiches and entertainment at Tips Up. https://thewilsonhotel.com/

L.L. Bean’s Maine Guided Adventures

*L.L. Bean’s Maine Coastal Inn Kayaking Trip is an island-hopping kayak adventure in Casco Bay, complete with a memorable stay in an historic seaside inn © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

The famed adventure retailer now offers inclusive multi-day guided outdoor adventures in Maine. Among them:

Maine Island Lighthouse Birding Trip: Discover a birder’s paradise on a small Maine island, where you’ll rack up sightings during peak migration and spend three cozy nights in a renovated light keeper’s house.

Maine Coastal Inn Kayak ing Trip: Experience the classic coastal Maine combo: an island-hopping kayak adventure in Casco Bay, complete with a memorable stay in an historic seaside inn.

Allagash River Canoe Trip: Paddle through history on this iconic Maine canoe trail, a once-in-a-lifetime experience that leads you through the unspoiled nature of the Allagash Wilderness Waterway.

Maine Island Kayak Camping Trip; Spend your days touring picturesque islands, your nights camping under the stars, and every moment enjoying the unmatched beauty of the Maine coast.

Visit https://www.llbeanoutdoors.com/overnight-trips

Backroads Travel: Summer in Europe—There’s Still Time!

Backroads Travel has a special site dedicated to last minute trips taking off in the next two months. When we checked, there were 24 on the list including:

Denmark Islands Bike Tour of charming harbors, medieval villages and fairy tale castles.

Scotland & England Bike Tour, Edinburgh to the Yorkshire Dales

A new multi-adventure to Bavaria, Tyrolean Alps and the Dolomites Tour, featuring ”peak experiences” in Germany, Austria and Italy

A Basque Country Multi-Adventure Tour, Bibao to San Sebastian and Biarritz

Cinque Terre & Tuscany Walking & Hiking Tour, featuring coastal Italy’s seaside charm and Tuscan villages.

Italian & Swiss Alps Walking & Hiking Tour, Monte Rosa to the Matterhorn and Zermatt.

See more at https://www.backroads.com/award-winning-tours/last-minute-trips

CroisiEurope Focuses on Families for Summer River Cruises at Special Rates

*CroisiEurope’s Elbe Princess, docked in Berlin © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

As an independent, family-owned company, CroisiEurope, one of the leading river cruise companies in Europe, has accepted the challenge of planning a holiday that delights every generation. Children crave excitement and adventure, while parents and grandparents seek culture, fine dining, and relaxation. Affordability is also a key issue. The company has designed a series of CroisiFamily and Multi-Generational Cruises to bring families together on unforgettable journeys along the water, with an ideal balance of fun, discovery, and relaxation, and a value proposition.

The CroisiFamily deals include a free or discounted cruise for children up to 16, waived solo supplement, adjacent cabins for family members, adapted menus, the Multi-Generational Offer comes with a 20% discount for 2^nd generation and free cruise for the 3^rd generation up to 16 years old.

Among the family cruise offerings:

Rhine in the heart of the Black Forest (5 nights: Strasbourg, Rudesheim, Koblenz, Mainz, Rastatt, Strasbourg, featuring a day excursion at Europa-Park, the “world’s best theme park: for the 8th consecutive year, or at Rulantica, a Scandinavian-style water park.

Portugal to Spain: the Douro Valley and Salamanca (7 nights: Porto, Regua, Vega de Terron, Salamanca, Barca d’Alva, Ferradosa, Pinhão, Porto)Andalusia: tradition, gastronomy and flamenco (7 nights: Sevilla, Córdoba, Cadiz, El Puerto de Santa Maria, Isla Minima, Granada, Sevilla)

The Adriatic’s Treasures for the whole Family: Croatia & Montenegro (7 nights: Dubrovnik, Mljet, Korcula, Sibenick, Trogir, Split, Hvar, Vis, Kotor, Dubrovnik)

See more: https://www.croisieuroperivercruises.com/destination/family-cruises, 800 768 7232.

*Dresden, Germany. CroisiEurope is offering a discounted rate or no-solo supplement on its six-night Prague, Dresden and the Castles of Bohemia river ruise © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

CroisiEurope has just come out with a list of summer cruises it is offering at 20 to 40% off the fare, or no supplement for solo cruisers. These include:

Coastal Cruises: Croatia & Montenegro, 7-nights; Splendors of the Northern Adriatic Sea, 7 nights;

Southern Europe: Timeless Venice, 5 nights; Andalusia: Tradition, Gastronomy & Flamenco, 7-nights;

France: From Lyon to the tip of Provence, 6 nights; All the must-see sites on the Rhone between Lyon, Provence, and Camargue, 6 nights; Cruise through the Aquitaine Region from Bordeaux to Ryan, 6 nights;

Northern and Central Europe: Best of the Netherlands, 5 nights; Prague, Dresden and the Castles of Bohemia, 6 nights; The Beautiful Blue Danube, 7 nights; Discover the greatest cities along the Danube, 5 nights;

Contact your travel agent or call 800 768 7232, email: info-us@croisieurope.com, www.croisieuroperivercruises.com.

Global Family Travels

Mission-driven experiential travel company, Global Family Travels, is dedicated to providing authentic community-based Learn, Serve and Immerse travel experiences as means to foster cross-cultural understanding, destination stewardship and better global citizens.

“In partnership with community organizations and nonprofits, we apply regenerative tourism principles to develop community-based travel experiences which address environmental and societal challenges in the destinations we work in,” says founder Jennifer Spatz. “Our ultimate vision is to unite humanity and nature, and inspire travelers to take responsibility for the challenges and opportunities facing our increasingly inter-connected planet” – a very innovative idea when the company launched 15 years ago.

“Long before ‘regenerative travel’ was in vocabulary, we put the destination’s needs at the heart of the tourism experience – what locals concerned about.” She designs itineraries around the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals and partners with nonprofits, community based organizations.

“Responsible, respective travel means more authentic engagement and collaboration with local communities,” she said. “We do due diligence to choose carefully which NGOs [non-governmental organizations] to support.”

Family & Custom Travel Experiences: Purpose-driven trips rooted to Learn, Serve & Immerse, tailored for families (in most cases, itineraries accommodate children as young as 8) and private groups, designed to foster cultural understanding and global citizenship. These immersive journeys often include community engagement, hands-on service learning, and meaningful community interactions.

*Global Family Travels’ “farm stay and play” trip in Ecuador (photo: Global Family Travels)*

I am eyeing Global Family Travels’ family-friendly trips to Costa Rica. “Few destinations offer the fascinating abundance of this coastal country, both from a family friendly and an eco-tourism perspective. Costa Rica hosts more than 5 percent of the world’s biodiversity even though its landmass only takes up .03% of the Earth’s surface. The entire country is smaller than Lake Michigan. Meaning, it’s a place where travelers can easily see and experience a great deal during a visit.” The trips are tailored to offer a mix of cultural activities and participation in local service projects aimed at helping local conservation initiatives and improving the lives of people in the communities visited. (https://www.globalfamilytravels.com/post/costa-rica-conservation-learning-family-adventures)

Other popular programs:

Panama: participate in sea turtle conservation, cultural activities, marine ecosystems, and community based solutions

Peru: learning from Quechua elders and farmers, focus on traditional agriculture, environmental stewardship.

Educational Student Travel Programs: Transformative learning journeys for schools, universities, and youth groups that integrate academic themes with real-world experiences—ranging from climate action and biodiversity to cultural heritage and social justice.

Another category, geared more to adults is Wellness & Retreat Travel: Mindful retreats that combine yoga, healing practices, and connection to nature, designed to nurture personal growth and spiritual renewal. Popular destinations include Ladakh, Peru, and the Pacific Northwest.

In addition to scheduled programs, Global Family Travels offer:
Family GAP Year and Extended Travel Planning – planning an extended journey filled with cultural immersion experiences.

Travel Advisor Services: custom trip planning for families, multi-generational travel, individual adventurers, or spiritual seekers.

Destinations run A-Z, from: Africa, Bali, Belize, Bhutan, Bolivia, Chile, China,Costa Rica,Cuba,Ecuador, Galapagos Islands, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Japan, Ladakh, Mexico, Rwanda, Scotland, Thailand,Vietnam, Zimbabwe.

Global Family Travels.com, 425-371-7143, info@globalfamilytravels.com, globalfamilytravels.com

Join an Earthwatch Expedition to Assist Climate Researchers

Earthwatch is another company that offers programs that turn a summer vacation into a meaningful, impactful experience. It is one of the first companies that enables “citizen scientists” to join actual climate and environmental protection and conservation research projects.

“Since its founding in 1971, Earthwatch has been taking action to address global change through a time-tested model of citizen science and community engagement. By pairing volunteers from all sectors of society with researchers around the world, Earthwatch teams have helped to safeguard critical habitats, conserve biodiversity, and promote the sustainable use of natural resources.”

Earthwatch is working in nearly 30 countries and currently supporting more than 40 research projects globally

Named a top Sustainable Travel Tourism Organization, find the various expeditions you can join at https://earthwatch.org/expeditions/browse.

_____________________________

Adventure Travel, Camping/Hiking/Outdoors, National Parks, Nature, Wildlife, Outdoors Adventures, See America, Star Gazing, US Destinations

Camping Adds Special Dimension to National Parks Experience

April 20, 2025 krubin723 1 Comment

*Sunrise in Devil’s Garden, Arches National Park, an experience made possible by camping in the park © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

By Karen Rubin, Travel Features Syndicate, goingplacesfarandnear.com

National Parks Week, this year April 19-27, is a great time to start planning for a camping holiday in national parks, especially since because of understandable popularity, you need to make reservations early. Camping within or near the parks enhances the experience immeasurably, adding an unparalleled dimension.

Pro Tip: You can purchase a 2025 America the Beautiful–the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Annual Pass providing access to over 2,000 federal recreation sites, including national parks, wildlife refuges and forests, for $80 from the USGS store (https://store.usgs.gov/) and from LL Bean (https://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/1000010294). At sites that charge per vehicle, a pass covers the pass holder and accompanying passengers in a single, private, non-commercial vehicle. At sites that charge per person, a pass covers the pass holder and three accompanying adults (16 or over; children 15 and under are free).

Seniors can purchase a lifetime version, the America The Beautiful – The National Parks and Federal Lands Senior Lifetime Pass, for a one-time charge of $80 (plus $10 fee), from https://store.usgs.gov/lifetime-senior-pass. At many sites the Senior Pass provides a discount on Expanded Amenity Fees (such as camping, swimming, boat launching, and guided tours).

Campspot’s 15 Top Trending Parks for Campers

To celebrate National Park Week (April 19–27, 2025)—with free park entry on April 19—Campspot, a leading booking platform for private campgrounds, dug into traveler data to reveal the Top 15 Most-Searched National Parks for 2025, based on check-in dates throughout the year.

With economic uncertainty still shaping how Americans travel in 2025, more adventurers are seeking out experiences that feel meaningful—but still affordable. Camping near national parks continues to rise in popularity as travelers seek fresh air, epic views, and budget-friendly alternatives to traditional vacations.

Whether you’re planning a last-minute getaway or your big summer adventure, here’s where travelers are headed—along with where to camp nearby:

Trending National Parks to Visit in 2025

*Hiking the John Muir Trail in Yosemite National Park © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

1. Yosemite National Park: With its granite giants, towering waterfalls, and legendary trails, Yosemite National Park in California is the definition of iconic. Whether you’re chasing views from Glacier Point or strolling through Yosemite Valley, this park is a stunner in every season. Book early—it’s a favorite for a reason. Where to camp:

Indian Flat RV Park

Golden Pines RV Resort

See More Campgrounds Near Yosemite National Park

*The dazzling – even surreal – natural features of Yellowstone National Park © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

2. Yellowstone National Park: The first national park in the world is still one of the most awe-inspiring. Spanning across Wyoming with portions in Montana and Idaho, Yellowstone and its bubbling geysers, colorful hot springs, and vast wildlife sightings (bison! bears! elk!) make every visit feel like a real-life safari. Add in stunning canyons and wide-open meadows, and you’ve got a wild, wonderful trip waiting. Where to camp:

Yellowstone Hot Springs

Henry’s Fork RV Park

Sugar City RV Park

See More Campgrounds Near Yellowstone National Park

3. Glacier National Park: Alpine lakes, snow-capped peaks, and over 700 miles of trails? Glacier National Park in Montana is high on drama—in the best way. Hop on the Going-to-the-Sun Road for an unforgettable drive, or hike to hidden lakes for pure solitude. Summer is prime time, but shoulder seasons offer quieter beauty with fewer crowds. Where to camp:

Columbia Falls RV Park

Glacier Peaks RV Park

Whitefish RV Park

See More Campgrounds Near Glacier National Park

*Grand Teton National Park, with its craggy peaks and serene lakes © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

4. Grand Teton National Park: Craggy peaks, serene lakes, and a skyline so sharp it cuts through the clouds—Grand Teton National Park is Wyoming’s quieter showstopper. Kayak on Jenny Lake, catch a sunrise over the Snake River, or just enjoy the view with a picnic. Bonus: you’re close enough to Yellowstone to hit both in one trip. Where to camp:

Sugar City RV Park

Idaho Sky RV Resort

Henry’s Fork RV Park

See More Campgrounds Near Grand Teton National Park

5. Sequoia National Park: Come for the massive trees, stay for the peaceful forest vibes. Sequoia National Park in California is home to General Sherman (the largest tree on Earth) and hundreds of other giants that make you feel like you’ve stepped into a fairy tale. It’s also great for stargazing, scenic drives, and uncrowded trails. Where to camp:

Kings River RV Resort

Creekside RV Park

Kern River Sequoia RV Resort

See More Campgrounds Near Sequoia National Park

6. Acadia National Park in Maine brings serious charm where the mountains meet the sea. Hike Cadillac Mountain for one of the first sunrises in the U.S., bike the historic carriage roads, or explore tidepools along the rugged shoreline. Fall colors here are unreal. Where to camp:

Boothbay Craft Brewery

Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park™ Camp-Resort: Androscoggin Lake

See More Campgrounds Near Acadia National Park

*Bike the scenic carriage trails in Acadia National Park © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

7. Great Smoky Mountains National Park: This trending national park’s misty peaks and rolling hills are home to wildflowers, waterfalls, and a crazy amount of biodiversity. With no entrance fee, it’s America’s most-visited park. Where to camp:

Cove Creek RV Resorts

Mountaineer Campground

Pigeon Forge RV Resort

Gateway RV Campground

Creekside RV Park

Camp Riverslanding

See More Campgrounds Near Great Smoky Mountains National Park

8. Rocky Mountain National Park: Reach new heights—literally. With elevations over 12,000 feet, this trending national park in Colorado is a hiker’s heaven. Think alpine tundra, glacier-fed lakes, and elk sightings around every corner. Trail Ridge Road offers stunning panoramic views, especially at sunset. Where to camp:

Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park™ Camp-Resort: Estes Park

Poudre River Resort

Sun Outdoors Rocky Mountains

Base Camp at Golden Canyon

See More Campgrounds Near Rocky Mountain National Park

*Scooping a scenic view in Rocky Mountain National Park © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

9. Hot Springs National Park: Blending history with hot water, this top national park in Arkansas is as quirky as it is relaxing. Stroll the historic Bathhouse Row or hike forested trails before soaking in the therapeutic springs. It’s like stepping into a vintage spa town with a dash of outdoor adventure. Where to camp:

Hot Rod Hill RV Park

Hot Springs Off-Road Park

See More Campgrounds Near Hot Springs National Park

10. Arches National Park: Otherworldly red rock formations and over 2,000 natural arches make this a can’t-miss stop in Utah’s canyon country. Sunrise and sunset bring the landscape to life with shifting colors, and even short hikes lead to jaw-dropping payoffs. Bring water—it’s hot, dry, and totally worth it. You also need to purchase timed-entry reservations during peak season. Where to camp:

Sun Outdoors Arches Gateway

Sun Outdoors North Moab

Sun Outdoors Canyonlands Gateway

Sun Outdoors Moab Downtown

Up the Creek Campground

See More Campgrounds Near Arches National Park

*The famous Double Arch in Arches National Park – see how far up you can climb © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

11. Joshua Tree National Park: Where two deserts collide, weird and wonderful things grow. Sitting between the Mojave Desert and Colorado Desert, Joshua Tree National Park in California sports signature trees, giant boulders, and cosmic night skies, making it a magnet for artists, stargazers, and climbers alike. Sunrise hikes and campfire nights here are something special. Where to camp:

Joshua Tree RV Campground

Desert Drifter RV Resort

The Sands RV & Golf Resort (55+)

Coachella Lakes RV Resort

Indian Wells

See More Campgrounds Near Joshua Tree National Park

12. Zion National Park: Towering red cliffs, dramatic canyons, and trails like Angel’s Landing and The Narrows—Zion brings the wow at this trending national park in Utah. Ride the park shuttle for easy access, then lace up for adventures that range from family-friendly strolls to heart-pounding scrambles. Where to camp:

Kanab RV Corral

Kaibab Paiute RV Park and Campground

Hitch-N-Post RV Park

Cross Hollow RV Resort

Dark Sky RV Campground

See More Campgrounds Near Zion National Park

13. Indiana Dunes National Park: A lakefront surprise in the Midwest, Indiana Dunes offers sandy beaches, sweeping dunes, and lush inland trails. Great for swimming, birdwatching, or just a laid-back beach day near Chicago. Where to camp:

Oak Lake RV Resort

Tippecanoe River Run

See More Campgrounds Near Indiana Dunes National Park

14. Olympic National Park: Rainforests, mountain peaks, and the wild coastline of Washington—Olympic National Park’s diversity is unreal. You can hike a glacier one day and walk the beach the next. Don’t miss Hoh Rain Forest or Hurricane Ridge, and keep an eye out for elk, eagles, and tidepool treasures.

Where to camp:

Pedder Bay RV Resort & Marina

Sooke River Campground

The Campground at Jefferson County Fairgrounds

Cove RV Park

See More Campgrounds Near Olympic National Park

15. Everglades National Park: Welcome to the swamp (the good kind). The Everglades National Park in Florida is home to gators, manatees, and miles of slow-moving rivers and marshland. Explore by kayak or airboat and experience one of the most unique ecosystems in the U.S. Don’t forget the bug spray! Where to camp:

Key Largo Kampground

Sun Outdoors Key Largo

Sun Outdoors Islamorada

See More Campgrounds Near Everglades National Park

KOA’s List of ’14 Must See National Parks’

Kampgrounds of America has published its own list of “14 Must-See National Parks” (no surprise with the overlap with Campsite’s trending parks) with the KOA campgrounds that are nearby, compiled by Matt Kirouac (https://koa.com/blog/must-see-national-parks/). Kirouac’s list includes:

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Townsend / Great Smokies KOA Holiday
Pigeon Forge / Gatlinburg KOA Holiday
Cherokee / Great Smokies KOA Holiday
Gatlinburg East / Smoky Mountain KOA Holiday

Yellowstone National Park

Livingston / Paradise Valley KOA Holiday
Red Lodge KOA Journey
Cody KOA Holiday
Dubois / White River KOA Holiday
Yellowstone Park / Mountainside KOA Journey
Yellowstone Park / West Gate KOA

Badlands National Park (Badlands / White River KOA Holiday)

Badlands, South Dakota © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

Saguaro National Park (Tucson / Lazydays KOA Resort)

Hot Springs National Park (Hot Springs National Park KOA Holiday)

Haleakalā National Park

Carlsbad Caverns National Park (Carlsbad KOA Holiday)

Crater Lake National Park (Lemolo Lark / Crater Lake North KOA Holiday)

Death Valley National Park (Lake Isabella / Kern River KOA)

*Hiking the famous Mesquite sand dunes at sunset in Death Valley National Park © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

Glacier National Park

West Glacier KOA Resort
Whitefish / Kalispell North KOA Holiday
St. Mary / East Glacier KOA Holiday

Zion National Park (St. George / Hurricane KOA Journey)

Rocky Mountain National Park

Estes Park / Rocky Mountain Park KOA Holiday
Grand Lake / Rocky Mountain National Park KOA Journey

Grand Canyon National Park

Grand Canyon / Williams KOA Journey
Williams / Exit 167 / Circle Pines KOA Holiday

Joshua Tree National Park (Palm Springs / Joshua Tree KOA)

“Camping is a high-value travel experience, offering opportunities to disconnect and spend time with friends and family in nature,” says Kampground of America. “The majority of the campgrounds in our system have cabins onsite that are an easy entry point for travelers seeking to benefit from time spent outdoors while enjoying creature comforts. We know that most campers are travelling less than 200 miles to go camping, it is a high-value way to explore the national parks and local communities nearby and certainly lower expense than other forms of travel.

“Campers looking for an RV experience without the commitment of purchasing one can test it out (or even just embark on an epic adventure) through a peer-to-peer rental company like RVshare, RVezy or Outdoorsy among others. I believe that RVshare is offering a service in which campers can opt to have their RV set up on a campground for them to use, without worrying about setting it up themselves.”

Use the Find a KOA locator (https://koa.com/find-a-koa/). The koa.com website also has really helpful articles.

Camping Season Underway in New York State

*A short walk from our campsite in New York Watkins Glen State Park is this amazing scene © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

New York State offers some of the most exciting camping experiences in the country – from the star-studded nights of the Adirondacks and the Catskills to the tranquil sunrise vistas along the shores of the St. Lawrence River. Its state parks like Watkins Glen (where, besides the spectacular scenery of the gorge there is also the tradition of auto racing), and Letchworth State Park (considered the Grand Canyon of the East), you have a variety from parking your RV, or renting a cozy cabin or cottage, to pitching a tent beneath the celestial canopy.

*Camping at New York’s Letchworth State Park affords unlimited opportunities to hike along the ridge of “the Grand Canyon of the East” © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

Discover private campgrounds, many of which can be conveniently booked through CampNewYork.com or explore the public campgrounds managed by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and the Department of Environmental Conservation. (Book NYS Park campsites at https://newyorkstateparks.reserveamerica.com/)

NEW YORK’S WATKINS GLEN STATE PARK IS SPELLBINDING

Yosemite National Park: Best Valley Hikes for First Timers

Yosemite National Park: Surprising Diversity, Dramatic Scenes Hiking Chilnualna Falls Trail, Wawona

ROAD TRIP: DISCOVERING DEATH VALLEY’S TREASURES, RICHER THAN GOLD

ROAD TRIP: HITTING THE HIGHLIGHTS OF DEATH VALLEY NATIONAL PARK

ROAD TRIP: SUNRISE, SUNSET IN DEATH VALLEY NATIONAL PARK, NATURE’S GEOLOGIC ART GALLERY

YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK IN TWO DAYS: DAY 1: ‘RANDOM BOILING EARTH’

YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK IN TWO DAYS: MOTHER NATURE GETS SURREAL

GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK: MOTHER NATURE IN HER PUREST FORM

UTAH ADVENTURE DAY 4-5: DRIVING BURR TRAIL, EXPLORING GLEN CANYON, WILD CAMPING IN ARCH CANYON

_____________________

© 2025 Travel Features Syndicate, a division of Workstyles, Inc. All rights reserved. Visit goingplacesfarandnear.com and travelwritersmagazine.com/TravelFeaturesSyndicate/. Blogging at goingplacesnearandfar.wordpress.com and moralcompasstravel.info. Visit instagram.com/going_places_far_and_near and instagram.com/bigbackpacktraveler/ Send comments or questions to FamTravLtr@aol.com. Bluesky: @newsphotosfeatures.bsky.social X: @TravelFeatures Threads: @news_and_photo_features ‘Like’ us atfacebook.com/NewsPhotoFeatures

Air travel, Airlines, Family Travel

Flying Norse Atlantic Airways for Baby’s First Overseas Adventure!

September 25, 2024 krubin723

*Setting our baby down in the bassinet as we fly on Norse Atlantic Airways from JFK to Athens © Laini Miranda/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

By Laini Miranda and Dave E. Leiberman, Travel Features Syndicate, goingplacesfarandnear.com

We decided 9 months was a perfect age to take our baby on her first overseas trip. Having always wanted to travel in Greece, we were pleasantly surprised at the inexpensive plane tickets on Norse Atlantic Airways, even in August. So after a bit of due diligence and comparison shopping, we booked a 10-day trip on the relatively new, low-cost international airline, and hoped for the best!

*Taking off on our first overseas adventure with our infant from JFK to Greece on Norse Atlantic Airways © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

Norse Atlantic Airways began operation in summer 2022, replacing Norwegian Air with low cost flights between major cities around the world. They regularly offer sales and, in non-peak season, you can find incredibly cheap fares, like NYC to London for $306, or Los Angeles to Paris for $418. They regularly have “Early Bird Fares” between the US and Europe from just $109 one way. The airline is able to maintain these deals by limiting the amenities on the flight, offering upgrades and other extras for additional fees. (The airline has just introduced a policy of allowing a 22 lb. carry on, in addition to the personal under-the-seat item, at no extra charge on all economy light bookings.)

On our nonstop flight from NYC (JFK) to Athens, we paid just over $800/each for a basic economy fare with taxes and fees, plus $90 for an infant ticket (holding her on our lap), and $45 for each carry-on. We did not check bags nor splurge for meals ($30 for first meal after takeoff and another $30 for a meal before landing), premium seat upgrades, or online check-in. The company was generous to offer us bulkhead seats with bassinet (there are 2 seats with bassinet compatibility on each plane). Seat selection typically starts at $45 (of course you will be assigned a seat at no charge once you check-in at the airport if you do not want to pay to pre-select). It’s worth noting that a few days before the flight, Norse sent out several emails about “bidding” for an upgrade to a seat in the premium section, which offers larger and more comfortable seats with more legroom, meals, blankets, etc.

Even though we were used to online check-ins and going straight to our gate, the check-in process at the airport was smooth, despite the long line. For our 2-week trip with the 2 of us and our 9-month old, we took 2 carry-on suitcases, 2 backpacks (diaper bag plus one smaller backpack with a mini guitar), our stroller, car seat, and small cooler bag for breast milk. We had no problem carrying all of this through security and onto the plane; we gate-checked our stroller and car seat.

Norse leaves from Terminal 7, which seemed like the smallest and most run-down of any JFK terminal we’ve seen. There were few food options and long lines at all of them, so we were happy to have packed snacks. Our flight was on time and boarding was easy. The Norse flight attendants were very helpful in assisting with getting our suitcases in the high overhead bins. The plane itself (Boeing 787 Dreamliners) felt new and similar to the JetBlue planes we’ve flown, with colored LED club-like mood lighting, fancy dimming windows, and leather seats.

*Norse Atlantic Airways’ flight attendant set up the bassinet shortly after takeoff © Laini Miranda/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

On our flight to Athens, we sat in 27D and E, bassinet compatible bulkhead seats in the middle line of the economy section of the plane. They offered much more legroom, which was clutch with a lap infant. The only drawback is that with the extra room and central location between the restrooms, people tended to use this as a thruway between the bathrooms on either side of the plane. We should note, though, that the flight attendants made repeated announcements reminding people not to do this.

Shortly after takeoff, a flight attendant set up the bassinet for us, which cleverly affixes to the wall. The bassinet is compact with a leather panel over top that Velcros closed for safety. The bassinets are rated for use up to 25 pounds, but it was a little too snug for our nine month old, who is on the smaller side at just 16 pounds. We did notice on our return flight another couple sitting in that same seat with a younger infant and we saw them successfully transfer their sleeping baby to the bassinet. We may have been able to use it if our little one didn’t love moving around in her sleep so much, as there really wasn’t room for her to even put her arms out. She did, however, enjoy playing in it for a little bit.

On the flight home from Athens our seats (11H with bassinet) were on the right side of the plane, so no one needed to walk into our legroom except the one person sitting in the same row in the window seat. This was an even better spot for us because our baby was able to move around on the floor in our little corner of the plane. We actually didn’t even end up using the bassinet on this leg because it had proven too small for her on the way over, and she was fine between our laps with our extra legroom seats and the space in front of us to move.

*Touring the Acropolis at golden hour lets us avoid the heat and crowds and feed our baby without skipping a beat!© Laini Miranda/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

Traveling with an infant ended up being so much easier than we had expected. During our trip to Greece, we took four flights and two ferries. We got preferential treatment at almost all of these, as families often have a dedicated line that gets served before others.

The airports and crews in Greece were all especially friendly to us seeing we had a baby, helping us get her through check-in and security as fast and easily as possible. There are large family bathrooms next to all regular restrooms.

*Watching a perfect sunset after our visit to the Temple of Apollo in Naxos © Laini Miranda/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

On our Aegean Air flights, the attendants even gave us a couple of little baby toys.

The crew on the ferries guided us to an area to leave our stroller, that we had loaded with some other belongings, in a safe corner. And on one with particularly rocky conditions, they led us to the front of the middle section, apparently “better for babies”. It should be noted that while the outside decks of the ferries offer a lovely view, often they are quite smoky since smoking is not allowed inside (and is still extremely prevalent in Greece). We appreciated the Business Class seats we had reserved for our 3 ½-hour ferry, where we could spread out on comfortable recliners in a more open area and have direct access to the food bar without lines. At the end of this longer ferry, a very kind crew member who did not speak much English directed us to follow him with our belongings as he led us into an elevator that let us out at the very front of the boat, making us the first ones off and onto dry land.

*Baby loved watching sunsets over the water at Agios Prokopios beach in Naxos © Laini Miranda/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

The Greek people in general were extremely kind and welcoming to us, always stopping to talk and play with our baby wherever we went. On top of the generosity of the locals, the gear we brought was also helpful in making this a seamless and easy trip with an infant.

We loved our Aer+ stroller that is lightweight, can fold up instantly with one hand, and can fit compactly in the trunk of any taxi or tiny rental car (or even in the overhead compartment of the plane if you need to bring it on board). Our Nuna Pipa Lite car seat and base are as lightweight as they come, and easily inserted into Ubers and rental cars within seconds. We purchased a car seat bag from Amazon in which we loaded the car seat and base into along with all of our diapers and a few other nick nacks before boarding each plane. In the airports we actually ended up carrying her in our Babybjorn carrier and wheeled the stroller/car seat combo with the base and car seat bag set on top. Families are allowed to board first, but we generally opted to wait until the end of boarding so as to minimize time on the plane. We wheeled everything down the gate and loaded the car seat and base into its backpack and collapsed the stroller to gate-check them right before we boarded, and collected them at the gate upon arrival at our next location.

*Exploring Old Town on the Greek island of Naxos © Dave E. Leiberman/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

All of our lodgings in Greece—hotels and airbnbs alike—provided free porta-cribs and linens, which saved us a huge amount of bulk and weight when traveling. We also brought along an ultra lightweight umbrella which we used everyday and was invaluable for protecting baby’s skin from the sun, and another essential: a travel white noise machine.

We landed back in New York 15 minutes early.

Being frequent travelers, we were nervous that our globetrotting lifestyle would have to significantly change once we had a baby. But what struck us most throughout our 10 days in Greece was how traveling with an infant can really enhance our time abroad. We realized we so much more deeply experienced everything from sunsets to meatballs, as if it were our first time, as it was for her.

Norse Atlantic Announces All Light Economy Fares Include 22lb Carry-On

*Norse Atlantic Airways now allows a 22 lb. carry-on along with personal item at no extra charge with Economy Light fare.*

Norse Atlantic Airways has introduced a new policy where all economy light bookings now also include a 22-pound carry-on bag in addition to the personal under seat item, offering customers even greater value and convenience than before. The included carry-on bag policy only applies to bookings made from September 2, 2024, and directly on the flynorse.com website, no matter whether the ticket was purchased as part of the sale. For bookings made via a third party, different rules may apply.

“We’re pleased to announce that all Economy Light tickets now come with a 22 pound cabin bag included, at no extra cost. At Norse Atlantic Airways, we’re always looking for ways to enhance your travel experience, and this sale is the perfect opportunity to plan your next adventure,” said Bård Nordhagen, Chief Commercial Officer Norse Atlantic Airways.

Norse Atlantic exclusively operates Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft. The cabin offers passengers relaxed and comfortable flying, with each seat including a personal, state-of-the art entertainment experience. Norse Atlantic offers two cabin choices, Economy and Premium (Premium offers an industry-leading 43” seat pitch and 12” recline).

Passengers can choose from a simple range of fares, Light, Classic and Flextra, that reflect the way that they want to travel, and which options are important. Light fares represent Norse’s value option, while Flextra fares include the maximum baggage allowance, two meal services, an enhanced airport and onboard experience and increased ticket flexibility.

For more information and to book, visit the Norse Atlantic Airways website www.flynorse.com

_______________________

© 2024 Travel Features Syndicate, a division of Workstyles, Inc. All rights reserved. Visit goingplacesfarandnear.com and travelwritersmagazine.com/TravelFeaturesSyndicate/. Blogging at goingplacesnearandfar.wordpress.com and moralcompasstravel.info. Visit instagram.com/going_places_far_and_near and instagram.com/bigbackpacktraveler/ Send comments or questions to FamTravLtr@aol.com. Tweet @TravelFeatures. ‘Like’ us at facebook.com/NewsPhotoFeatures

Adventure Travel, Camping/Hiking/Outdoors, Ecotourism, Family Travel, Nature, Wildlife, Outdoors Adventures

Planning a Family Safari in Africa? Go2Africa Expert Shares Her Tips

August 27, 2024 krubin723

An afternoon bush drive. Go2Africa can advise families on the most appropriate lodges and safaris (photo: Go2Africa)

by Karen Rubin, Travel Features Syndicate, goingplacesfarandnear.com

Families are increasingly looking for travel experiences that are enriching, inspiring, foster an appreciation for the natural and human world. Among the pinnacle family experiences is a trip to the Galapagos (which I did with my grown children on the Galapagos Legend, GoGalapagos.com, and will do again as a multi-generational family once my grandkids are old enough), and an African safari, which is a much more formidable to plan, especially when you have no prior experience in Africa or doing a safari.

Because of that, I really appreciated the recommendations from Go2Africa’s Maija De Rijk-Uys – recently recognized by Travel + Leisure as an A-List Specialist for family safaris in Eastern and Southern Africa – who pulled from her own experiences taking her two kids to the bush in preparing these tips for parents traveling with kids and recommendations for the best family-friendly lodges to book.

“Traveling with my family in Africa has been the most rewarding and enriching experience for all of us over the years,” Maija de Rijk-Uys reflected. “Utilizing an operator like Go2Africa that can help simplify your logistics takes the stress out of family travel and allows everyone to connect, enjoy their time together and learn from expert guides about nature and wildlife.”

Tips for Planning Family Safari Vacations

Give your family time to recover from long-haul travel: Families can benefit from splitting their trip between cities, camps, and beaches. Cities such as Cape Town offer many fun things to do as a family and the opportunity to recover from jet lag and adjust to new cultures and environments.

Opt for private vehicles when the budget affords: Some lodges insist on a private vehicle when traveling with young children, but where they don’t, Go2Africa advises opting for one anyway. When using a private vehicle on game drives, families can dictate exactly how long they stay at each sighting and how long they’re out in the bush—which will really come in handy if your little one gets restless.

Design an Age Appropriate Itinerary: A safari offers a variety of activities and experiences. Choosing the right ones based on children’s ages ensures fun and safety for the whole family.

*Asilia Africa’s Ol Pejeta Bush Camp, Kenya (photo: Go2Africa)*

Traveling With Children 5-14 Years: When traveling with children younger than 15, choosing a lodge that offers closed or private vehicles, a junior rangers program, and professional guides who enjoy sharing the wilderness with youngsters is best. Children under 15 will love the excitement of nature walks, learning basic tracking skills, picnics in the bush, and spending time at the beach.

Traveling With Teenagers 15-18: Teens are mature enough to join parents for game drives in classic open safari vehicles and encounter the majestic mountain gorilla on gorilla treks in Uganda. If you have a sensitive teen, Go2Africa recommends discussing the possibility of witnessing dramatic predator-prey interactions you might see in the wild, especially in the Masai Mara and the Serengeti during the Great Wildebeest Migration. Your teen will come to understand that nature is all about balance, where hunters and prey are a necessary and normal part of the cycle of life.

Multi-Generational Families: East Africa offers something for every type of traveler, including hot-air balloon rides of the Masai Mara for older members and age-appropriate safari-themed programs for children. Best of all is sharing the experience together, bonding and building lifetime memories.

Work with an Expert, an African Safari Expert: Navigating the intricacies of planning a safari, from selecting the right destinations to arranging accommodations and transportation, can be overwhelming, especially for those unfamiliar with the region. A knowledgeable African safari expert can offer personalized recommendations tailored to the family’s preferences, while ensuring safety and comfort for all is a top priority. Moreover, they can often leverage their industry connections to secure exclusive deals, upgrades, and insider access, enhancing the overall value of the trip.

Choose the Right Safari Lodge for Your Family: Beyond merely providing accommodation, the right lodge can serve as a hub for adventure, education, and relaxation amidst the wilderness. A well-chosen lodge will offer activities suitable for various age groups, as well as amenities and services tailored to families, such as childcare facilities and kid-friendly meals, can significantly enhance comfort and convenience during the trip. The location and surroundings of the lodge also play a pivotal role, offering opportunities for wildlife encounters and immersive nature experiences.

I would suggest another consideration: ask what wildlife you are likely to see at the lodge, and if you have particular interest, choose accordingly.

Six Family-Friendly Safari Lodges

As a mother of two, Maija’s favorite kid-friendly safari combines classic game viewing in malaria-free destinations with family beach villas on tropical beaches. Here are her favorite child-friendly safari lodges for an African safari with kids:

*Cheetah Plains, South Africa (photo: Go2Africa)*

Cheetah Plains, South Africa: At Cheetah Plains in Sabi Sand, South Africa, game drives and interpretive walks with expert guides and trackers facilitate connection to the wild, fostering a love and appreciation for nature. Activities from scavenger hunts, tracking, baking and crafts keep young minds entertained, while adults can indulge in tastings and pairings, wellness treatments or simply relax. Preferential activities and interests are personalized for your safari by dedicated and knowledgeable field guides. A private electric safari vehicle allows you to travel solely with your group on your own schedule. Family-friendly villas are designed with thoughtful features like inter-leading suites and entertainment lounges equipped with state-of-the-art audio-visual equipment. Cheetah Plains is one of the only safari camps to allow children of all ages on game drives.

*Jibali Private House, Ruaha National Park, Tanzania (photo: Go2Africa)*

Jabali Private House, Ruaha National Park, Tanzania: Designed with families in mind, Jabali Ridge offers eight spacious suites seamlessly integrated among colossal granite boulders, providing an exclusive and remote atmosphere. Tailored safaris with morning and afternoon game drives, walking safaris, and kid-friendly photographic safaris are available upon request. Personalized family-focused adventures, homemade meals—including picnic breakfasts and gourmet dinner. Lounge in hammocks on wooden decks, or take refreshing dips in infinity pools, with stunning vistas of the expansive plains.

*The Elephant Camp, Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe (photo: Go2Africa)*

The Elephant Camp, Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe: Traditional safari ambiance meets eco-conscious luxury in one of the most breathtaking locations on earth: Elephant Camp in Victoria Falls. “Meet the Elephant” gives guests the opportunity to unobtrusively interact with some of the biggest personalities in Africa.

*Chiawa Camp, Zambia (photo: Go2Africa)*

Chiawa Camp, Zambia: Chiawa Camp, on the banks of the Zambezi River in the heart of the Lower Zambezi National Park, is a perfect family retreat for nature lovers. Families can embark on game drives (including enchanting night drives), guided walks, and river cruises. The camp’s family-friendly tents feature indoor and outdoor showers. Chiawa Camp also offers swimming pool, open-air gym, and diverse safari experiences.

*Somalisa Acacia, Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe (photo: Go2Africa)*

Somalisa Acacia, Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe: At Somalisa Acacia, families gather on the dining and relaxation deck overlooking a busy watering hole, and can sight kudu, cheetah, and wild dogs on game drives, and enjoy superior lodging in the intimate and luxurious safari camp. Ngwana Club (meaning “explorer” in Tswana), offers entertainment for kids during downtime: giving kids a chance to see conservation efforts in nearby villages, roam safe nature trails with trained staff, as well as enjoy boating, pizza-making, and jewelry crafting.

*Hot air balloon safari over the Serengeti (photo: Go2Africa)*

The Retreats, Tanzania: The Retreats at Sayari and Namiri are ideal for multigenerational and small groups, providing a private guide and vehicle, host, and dedicated chef who prepares special kids meals. Sayari Retreats, open June to March, and Namiri Plains Retreats opened year-round, share a pool, lounge and spacious deck with a sunken fire pit from which to enjoy expansive views across the Serengeti. Sayari offers walking safaris, hot air balloon safaris and cultural visits; guests are in the premier location to view thousands of wildebeest crash across the Mara River as part of their Great Migration from July to November. Sayari is renowned for its safari experience amidst the untouched plains of the northern Serengeti. Namiri Plains, in the eastern corner of the Serengeti, offers unparalleled privacy as no other camps are within an hour’s drive. Each property offers two en suite double bedrooms (additional beds can be added for children over five). Before Namiri Plains was built, these grasslands were closed for 20 years to allow the cheetah population to be restored. Guests can take part in game drives, walking safaris, and cheetah research and each group will have a private guide and safari vehicle allowing for flexibility and exclusivity in the experience.

For additional suggestions on the best places for a family safari with Go2Africa (go2africa.com) explore here (https://www.go2africa.com/african-travel-blog/multi-generational-luxury-lodges).

Five Family Friendly Safari Destinations to Visit in 2025

Personally vetted and selected, Go2Africa shares Managing Director Maija de Rijk-Uys’ Top 5 Bucket List Places for Family Travel in Africa.

Tanzania’s Rubondo Island: Rubondo Island Camp is a private island paradise. Nestled within a national park it is affectionately known as “Noah’s Ark” due to its astounding natural beauty and diversity. The island’s ecosystem includes giraffes, elephants, rhinos, and hippos, which can be viewed on thrilling game drives in private Land Rovers. While guided chimpanzee trekking is available for older teens and adults, younger children will delight in game drives, catch-and-release fishing, sunset cruises, and guided nature walks. Fishing enthusiasts can try to catch the famed Nile perch from a boat or the beach. The island’s luxury extends to its accommodations, where families can relax in Robinson Crusoe-style comfort.

*Shipwreck Lodge, the only lodge in Skeleton Coast National Park, Namibia (photo: Go2Africa)*

Namibia’s Skeleton Coast: One of Africa’s most unusual lodges, Shipwreck Lodge is the only lodge situated in the soul-stirring Skeleton Coast National Park, and the ideal place to stay to explore one of Africa’s last true wilderness areas. Nature drives in search of brown-hyena spoors provide educational opportunities for the kids to learn about the area’s desert elephants, giraffes, lions, and baboons. With stunning beaches and dunes on your doorstep providing endless opportunities for exploration, visitors enjoy leisurely walks to the ocean, while those seeking excitement should try quad biking on the untouched dunes. A visit to the Mowe Bay seal colony is a family favorite. The journey includes stops at the historic Karimona and Suiderkus shipwrecks. Keeping an eye out for intriguing skeletons and bones scattered along the way. adds an extra layer of adventure and discovery to your family safari.

*Marataba Safari Lodge, South Africa (photo: Go2Africa)*

Marataba Safari Lodge in South Africa: Marataba Safari Lodge is nestled in the stunning Waterberg Mountains. Marataba is malaria-free, providing a safe and serene environment, making it a perfect alternative to other popular safari destinations like Kruger National Park, especially for families with young children or multi-generational groups. The family-tented suite features a spacious main suite and a room with bunk beds that kids enjoy. The Mack & Madi Kids’ Adventure Safari Club is a hit with children aged 5-11, offering activities like exploring the Eco Garden, animal tracking, bush camping and movie nights under the stars. A family favorite is the water safari on Marataba’s Matlabas River aboard the boat Miss Mara, especially magical during an African sunset.

Ol Pejeta, Kenya: Asilia Africa’s Ol Pejeta Bush Camp, located on the banks of Kenya’s Ewaso Nyiro River in the Laikipia region offers breathtaking views of Mount Kenya and a thriving wildlife population. Ol Pejeta Conservancy is home to the last remaining northern white rhinos. Ol Pejeta Bush Camp welcomes children over 5 years old and offers a variety of child-friendly activities. Early morning game drives and bush breakfasts provide a perfect start to the day, while night drives offer a chance to spot elusive creatures like aardvarks, bat-eared foxes, and leopards. The Ol Pejeta Conservancy rangers organize the ‘Running the Wild’ experience every Wednesday morning – where guests get to run alongside the rangers, followed by coffee and conversations about the reserve’s conservation efforts. Families can visit the Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary, the only place in Kenya to see these endangered chimps.

The Wild Coast, South Africa: The allure and captivating essence of the coast found in the rolling hills, the wild sea, the vibrant nature, the lagoons and the people, keep Maijas and her family returning every September for the last eight years. This destination offers swimming, hiking, mountain biking, bodyboarding, and building sandcastles on the beautiful beach. Rock pools host interesting marine life and the lagoon is a perfect place to SUP, kayak and snorkel. GweGwe Beach Lodge is a great option for families with its laidback luxury, locally inspired design, and supervised child-friendly area with games and entertainment. This is one of the few places in the world to watch a whale lobtailing and zebra or buck graze while a pod of dolphins surf a wave. Tasty farm-to-table meals are served with your feet in the sand. The lodge offers spacious and comfortable family suites wellness treatments, picnics, and guided marine or botany walks.

More information: Go2Africa, 1-866-438-8677, go2africa.com.

_______________________

© 2024 Travel Features Syndicate, a division of Workstyles, Inc. All rights reserved. Visit goingplacesfarandnear.com and travelwritersmagazine.com/TravelFeaturesSyndicate/. Blogging at goingplacesnearandfar.wordpress.com and moralcompasstravel.info. Visit instagram.com/going_places_far_and_near and instagram.com/bigbackpacktraveler/ Send comments or questions to FamTravLtr@aol.com. Tweet @TravelFeatures Threads @news_and_photo_features ‘Like’ us at facebook.com/NewsPhotoFeatures

adVANturing, Adventure Travel, Camping/Hiking/Outdoors, Family Travel, Nomadic Life, Outdoors Adventures, Road Trip

Baby’s First Wild Camping adVANture!

July 28, 2024 krubin723

*Wild camping at Mt. Hood, Oregon on our first adVANture with our baby © Eric Leiberman/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

By Sarah Falter and Eric Leiberman, Travel Features Syndicate, goingplacesfarandnear.com

We embarked on our one-way, five-night trip from San Francisco to Seattle in a rented camper van with only vague goals regarding where we’d venture during the day and sleep at night. This is our typical travel mojo but now we had a new accompaniment–our two-month old baby.

*The Moterra campervan drives and parks like an SUV © Eric Leiberman/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

Our van rental was through Moterra Campervans, a company we had used once before to explore California, Nevada, and Utah national parks on a one-week pre-parenthood excursion. We were already familiar with the camper van specs, how comfortable it is to drive, and all of its convenient amenities. The unknown for this trip, of course, was doing it all with an infant. (See: AD-VAN-TURING, NEWEST TRAVEL TREND)

Our friends with kids thought it was an ambitious proposition to go on such an adventurous trip with a newborn, especially as first time parents. But, we were confident in our abilities to navigate whatever may come our way. And, more importantly, we are fortunate to have a very patient and happy baby, who rose to the adVANture challenge, enduring hours-long driving stretches secured in the back seat in his rear-facing car seat (staff will explain how to properly install), and sleeping through the night in his pack ‘n play at the foot of our bed.

A quick note on van tripping with a baby: packing is much easier for road trips vs flights! The Moterra van had plenty of shelving and trunk space for our belongings, and we found we were much more organized using packing cubes to differentiate baby’s day/night clothes (bring 2x what you think you need), accessories, toys. We also packed soap to handwash clothes as needed.

*The Moterra campervan is like a mobile AirBnB © Eric Leiberman/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

The luxury Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Van we rented from Moterra (gomoterra.com) was the Pop-Top Classic, which sleeps up to four and seats five. The van has solar-powered central heat (perfect for nighttime temperature control for baby), and is outfitted with a fully stocked galley including a mini-refrigerator, camping stove, cooking tools, French press coffee maker, dining ware, cleaning supplies; and household must-haves including a portable table and chairs, portable toilet, outdoor shower, bed linens, towels. If you prefer, you can have Moterra pre-stock the galley with groceries (if you don’t want to stop off at a grocery yourself).

You can also take advantage of their concierge service and pre-planned itineraries, which are all-inclusive packages with a day-by-day personalized itinerary, pre-booked campgrounds, organized activities, and a dedicated Trip Expert (especially helpful if your trip includes national parks, many of which now require reservations and are strict about not allowing wild camping). Moterra also allows for one-way rentals (and pets!). It was also comforting to know that Moterra has a 24-hour helpline had we encountered any difficulty.

A note about driving – if you have never driven a camper van and worry about how it handles, we can testify that these 19-foot long vehicles feel like a typical SUV. They also have added safety features such as blind spot detection/alarm, backup camera, and Apple car play (wireless). In addition, the van is equipped with an inverter so you can charge laptops and devices via its solar battery vs the car battery as needed.

We set out on our trip loosely planning to (wild) camp near Mt. Shasta for our first night (this was strategic that day because temperatures in California were high with fires in the far distances, and the elevation of Mt. Shasta promised cooler temps).

*Hiking to the gorgeous Hedge Creek Falls © Eric Leiberman/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

We arrived at Shasta-Trinity National Forest in Northern California, close to the Oregon border, by mid-afternoon day one. We selected Hedge Creek Falls to hike with the baby – a beautiful but short/manageable trail that leads to a small waterfall (a supportive baby carrier is a must– we use the Ergobaby Omni Breeze). We were treated with a mountain ice run-off water fountain at the trailhead, and delightedly filled our water bottles.

As sunset drew closer we decided to head to the town of Mt. Shasta for a meal (Yaks Shack at 401 N. Mt. Shasta Blvd was solid). Then we joined forces with two friends also camping in the area, and ventured up Everitt Memorial Hwy towards the John Everitt Memorial Vista Point for a place to overnight – a wild-camping location we selected using the I-Overlander app (very helpful for navigating free and legal campsites).

*Our wild camping site at John Everitt Memorial Vista Point* *© Eric Leiberman/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

We were forced to drive higher and higher on the winding road, limited by the large space our two vans required. Ultimately, we did find a safe spot with a view of the last rays of sunset, but had we not (in the worst case scenario), we would have pulled into a standard campground nearby for a small $20 fee.

*Wild camping on Mt. Shasta © Eric Leiberman/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

The next morning we used our camping stove to whip up egg burritos and fresh coffee. Then we spent a couple hours exploring Mt. Shasta town–very cute with quaint cafes, juice bars, burger joints and gorgeous views of Mt. Shasta from the main road.

*Walking the Lake Siskiyou Trail, Mt. Shasta © Sarah Falter/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

We took a small nature walk nearby at Lake Siskiyou Trail to stretch our legs before our long-ish (4 hour) drive to Bend, Oregon.

Pro tip on road-tripping with a baby: budget at least 50% extra time for your drives, as the baby needs lots of breaks for feeds, diaper changes, cuddles, etc. You can, however, choose really beautiful spots for these tasks and have lots of little snacks while doing it! It almost feels like hanging out on the front porch or backyard of your own home.

Bend, Oregon is an activity-lovers dream. It is known for the gorgeous Deschutes River which runs right through its downtown. The many parks, swimming areas, river hikes, mountain biking trails, and canoeing/kayaking/tubing/paddleboarding spots equate to endless fun. And to top off your day there are many breweries and downright fabulous restaurants to try downtown. We so loved the youthful, active, and family-friendly energy we found there. The town feels like a delightful mix of Austin, Texas and Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

*Enjoying the scene in Bend, Oregon © Eric Leiberman/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

We explored Rimrock Trailhead (18768 State Hwy 372), a beautiful hiking/biking area with many trails, some of which lead right to the Deschutes River (Eric couldn’t resist a mid-hike swim). We didn’t bring our bikes this trip as our baby is much too young to ride along, but if you do decide to bring bikes on your trip, Moterra has optional racks which can be used for bikes, skis, surfboards.

*Walking the Rimrock Trail to the Deschutes River*, *Bend, OR © Nick Kruge/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

A food highlight in Bend was definitely Wild Rose restaurant (150 NW Oregon Ave.), serving mind blowing Thai food, reasonably priced for the quality and quantity. We also enjoyed Bend Brewing Company (1019 NW Brooks St.) with its many beer offerings plus live music overlooking the river.

*Wild camping in the Moterra campervan outside of Bend, Oregon © Eric Leiberman/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

When it was time to sleep, we parked our van at a free campsite just outside of town near Phil’s Trailhead. Our son loved being outside until bedtime, so we’d bop him around and take in the sunset views before setting up his pack ‘n play and zipping him up in his sleep sack.

After two lovely days in Bend we buckled up and drove north to Hood River, Oregon (an hour east of Portland). We grabbed sandwiches at Golden Goods Sandwich and Bake Shop (111 Oak St.) and headed to the gorgeous Wahclella Falls Trail (approximately 2 mile hike) where Eric (for whom there is no water feature he doesn’t take advantage of) swam at the mouth of the (very cold) waterfall. Sarah’s sister, Hannah, joined for this leg of the trip (the van comfortably fit 3 adults and one baby).

*Eric can’t resist a swim at Wahclella Falls* *© Sarah Falter/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

Night began to fall so we hopped in our van in search of a comfy site. We ultimately found a wild camping spot on Riordan Hill Drive on the Hood River. We whipped out our camping stove and made ourselves pasta with spinach and sausage. Its always extra satisfying to eat a hearty meal in such a remote location. The wind was pretty intense up on Riordan Hill Drive but we all made it safely through the night, and baby slept right through the natural white noise.

*A wild camping spot on Riordan Hill Drive on the Hood River © Eric Leiberman/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

In the morning we hiked around the area a bit and then headed to Hood River town. A cute area with loads of restaurants and shops, and the added bonus of the Hood River Waterfront Park (650 Portway Ave.), a popular place for kitesurfing and windsurfing, which are super fun to watch.

Hood River is popular and we were there on a beautiful Friday, so it was crowded. We realized how much we appreciated another feature of the Moterra camper van – its size. While it is often hard to find parking for a big RV especially in urban places, the Moterra is not much bigger than an SUV and fits in regular parking spots. The nearby convenience of the van wherever we went was also such a great asset when traveling with a baby–we were never out of diapering supplies or outfit changes after blow-outs.

While every child is different, we felt one of the reasons our baby did so well on this trip was because he had constant enriching stimulation and fresh air. He really loved the natural entertainment of it all, and slept better than ever at night because of it (we think).

We rounded out our trip with dinner in Portland (Bluto’s restaurant is worth a visit), and camping close to downtown Seattle at Seward Park.

The camper van experience is wonderful, and if you factor in not having to pay for flights, hotels, or cabs, plus the convenience, amenities, and the unique and memorable experience, it is a value proposition. All in all the Moterra experience works out to about $350/night, but varies with season. You will also pay for gas, insurance, and a cleaning fee.

We returned the van to Moterra’s conveniently located warehouse near Seattle Airport (they have other locations near airports in Salt Lake City, Las Vegas, San Francisco, Jackson Hole, Whitefish, Montana, and have a new hub in Portland, Maine, for adventures in Northern New England and Eastern Canada). We did a one-way trip in order to spend quality (baby) time with family in the Seattle area and flew home via Southwest (thanks to their generous checked-bag policy) the following week (baby’s first airplane flight!).

Moterra campervans are available in three custom Sprinter diesel models: the Pop-Top Classic sleeps 4 and seats 5 and is best for those who want maximum floor space and storage; the Pop-Top Plus sleeps 4 and seats 8, and is best for larger groups; the High Roof sleeps 2 and seats 6, and is best for couples who want the luxury of an indoor shower. The 4-wheel-drive campervans are 19 feet in length, making them both easy to maneuver and off-road capable. All Moterra Campervans feature a full kitchen (stove, sink and fridge), porta-potty toilet, thermostat heater and solar electric system and water supply. The campervan rentals are also pet friendly.

*Parking the Moterra campervan at the Bailey Cove Trailhead © Eric Leiberman/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

Co-Founders Gabe Aufderheide, Trevor James and Kevin Deneen bring skills and experience including 20-plus years designing high-end outdoor adventures and venture capital:

Kevin Deneen, Co-Founder, CEO, spent a decade in venture capital supporting startups innovating to make the energy and industrial ecosystems more sustainable. Most recently, he was part of the founding investment team at SE Ventures.

Trevor Jame, Co-Founder, COO,criss-crossed the globe for a decade, developing and guiding custom vacations for discerning clients. Through his work with one of the world’s top active travel companies, he developed a deep and abiding passion for connecting people with new destinations, cultures and encounters.

Gabe Aufderheide,Co-Founder, CRO, has over 10 years of experience guiding, designing, and customizing specialty travel across the globe.

Moterra CamperVans, 1565 W. Berger Ln., Jackson, Wyoming, 307-200-7220, email info@gomoterra.com, gomoterra.com

_______________________

© 2024 Travel Features Syndicate, a division of Workstyles, Inc. All rights reserved. Visit goingplacesfarandnear.com and travelwritersmagazine.com/TravelFeaturesSyndicate/. Blogging at goingplacesnearandfar.wordpress.com and moralcompasstravel.info. Visit instagram.com/going_places_far_and_near and instagram.com/bigbackpacktraveler/ Send comments or questions to FamTravLtr@aol.com. Tweet @TravelFeatures. ‘Like’ us at facebook.com/NewsPhotoFeatures

Going Places, Far & Near

Tag Archives: family travel

Themeparks, Attractions, Cultural Institutions Roll Out YOLO Luxury Travel Experiences

Like this:

Themeparks, Attractions Are Go-To Destinations for Families Adapting Vacation Plans to Pressures

Like this:

The Secret to the Perfect Family Beach Vacation in Mexico’s Quintana Roo

Like this:

Where to Go: Multigenerational Families Seek Out Adventure Travel to Experience Together

Like this:

Smart Tips to Save Money, Beat the Lines at Summer Attractions

Like this:

Trade a Ho-Hum Summer Vacation for an Epic Adventure

Like this:

Camping Adds Special Dimension to National Parks Experience

Like this:

Flying Norse Atlantic Airways for Baby’s First Overseas Adventure!

Like this:

Planning a Family Safari in Africa? Go2Africa Expert Shares Her Tips

Like this:

Baby’s First Wild Camping adVANture!

Like this:

Because travel is a life-enhancing, relationship building, world-changing experience

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Because travel is a life-enhancing, relationship building, world-changing experience