FamilyTravel

Lake Powell Resorts & Marinas just announced a new tiered version of its popular Early Bird Special for 2008 that allows guests to save more than 40 percent off of peak season rates. The new tiered special gives guests three different booking deadlines: Dec. 3, 2007, Jan. 7, 2008 and March 26, 2008, providing guests the opportunity to save more the earlier they book. This year, Lake Powell Resorts & Marinas’ Early Bird Special is valid on all Voyager, Adventurer and Discovery class houseboats, including the Discovery XL, a new addition to this year’s special. The Discover XL features upgraded amenities from the standard version, such as deluxe patio furniture on the upper deck, a ten-cubic-foot electric freezer, a remote fuel tank pump to fuel water toys and powerboats and an electric inverter system to operate utilities without using the generator. Read more

The spectacular views and gorgeous sunsets over the broadest and most exclusive corner of the world-famous Grace Bay Beach in Turks & Caicos are now yours for an unbelievable bargain. Guests booking accommodations at the brand new Tuscany on Grace Bay will find themselves in the lap of luxury with first-class accommodations in spacious 2,000 square foot, three-bedroom suites now through November 30 for just $675 per night. Regular off-season rates for the three bedroom suites would be $975 per night. Some restrictions apply and this introductory offer is subject to availability.

Savvy travelers visit the Turks and Caicos for the serenity and unspoiled beauty of the islands with their pristine, white sand beaches and sparkling blue waters. Travelers can take advantage of the Caribbean's low season while the weather is still ideal and The Tuscany’s three bedroom suites are available for a fraction of high season prices. No other resort property on the island offers such elegant oceanfront suites with ample room for groups traveling all together. Large families, extended families, friends and families can all enjoy a vacation-of-a-lifetime at The Tuscany. Girls’ or guys’ getaways, fishing or golf outings, bridal parties seeking an idyllic destination wedding location - just about any close knit group who enjoy each other’s company will find the comfort and luxury of The Tuscany’s well appointed three-bedroom/three bathroom suites to their liking. Read more

If you’d like to see all of the beautiful holiday decorations at the Walt Disney World Theme Parks, or take in one of the special holiday events like the popular Candlelight Processional at Epcot, you should consider taking advantage of the great “Holiday Package” being offered by the new Regal Sun Resort. Formerly known as The Grosvenor, the resort features an ideal location as the closest resort to Downtown Disney and its Pleasure Island nighttime entertainment complex, and just completed an impressive $25 million property-wide renovation.

In addition to accommodations in a newly designed guest room, the “Holiday Package” includes a breakfast buffet for up to four people at the resort’s new restaurant LakeView, and complimentary scheduled transportation to all of the Disney theme parks and water parks. For those who will be there on the morning of a Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday, the complimentary breakfast even applies to the resort’s Disney Character Breakfast, where guests are able to dine with Goofy and Pluto. The “Holiday Package” starts at just $75 per room, per night, and is available November 12-December 30, 2007. A limited number of rooms are available at that rate, and the package is based on space availability. Read more

Lake Powell Resorts & Marinas offers fall travelers the perfect place to combine warm and sunny outdoor recreation and indoor relaxation and lodging, with rates that are up to 40 percent lower than in peak-seasons. With houseboats ranging from 46- to 75-feet and multiple upgrades, including swim slides, individual staterooms, watercraft storage ramps and central heating and air conditioning, Lake Powell offers something for everyone.

To make the savings even greater for families looking for a fall escape, Lake Powell Resorts & Marinas is now offering a “Fall into Savings” special that offers an extra day to relax and up to $350 in gas credit. Available September 4, through October 31, 2007, on houseboats ranging from 46- to 54-feet, the special gives guests an extra day on their houseboat (i.e., get five days for the price of four, or six for the price of five), and up to $350 in gas credit to help save on the high cost of fuel. Read more

As the countdown ticks closer to the end of summer, many people are rushing to plan last-minute vacations. With back-to-school quickly approaching, parents are hoping to get away one last time—on the cheap! Fortunately, Shenandoah National Park Lodging has added some inexpensive last-minute travel deals for the month of August.

Located just 90 miles from Washington D.C., Shenandoah National Park provides visitors with breathtaking natural beauty and wildlife. It is not unlikely for visitors to encounter everything from black bears and migrating birds to white cotton-tailed deer or chipmunks during a visit. And now visitors can take advantage of the brand-new August Hiking Package and Summer Family Package. Read more

Vacation weather forecast? Although there used to be a time when rain or cold could ruin a vacation, a new getaway concept is making a big splash with families no matter what the climate. Amenity-packed indoor waterpark resorts are combining innovative water fun, thrilling amusement park attractions and tropical indoor environments to deliver the ultimate year-round family getaway.

Major advancements in waterpark technology and their ability to provide four-season vacation experiences are translating into a booming indoor waterpark industry. According to industry experts, only 24 waterpark resorts existed in the U.S. in 2000. Today there are more than 140, with more than 30 additional parks soon to open. Read more

The Bahama House and Best Western Aku Tiki Inn has a new Build, Bike & Beach summer package. Designed to help families build vacation memories – literally – the three-day, two-night "Build, Bike & Beach" package includes an hour-long sand sculpting class, during which families work together to create a one-of-a-kind sand masterpiece. Available now through August 1, 2007 , the package allows a unique family experience at a great value.

The Build, Bike & Beach package starts at just $395*, and includes:

• Two Nights Deluxe Accommodations in an oceanview room or efficiency
  
• Discounted Hour-Long Sand Sculpting Class (Up to 5 Individuals)
  
• Small Sand Souvenir Created by the Artist
• Children's Shovel and Pail
  
• Family Photo in Front of Sculpture
  
• Hour-long Bike Rental for 4
  
• Daily Amenities: Cocktail Reception, Fresh Baked Cookies, and Newspaper
  

Read more

All summer long the JW Marriott Hotel Buckhead Atlanta poised in the heart of Buckhead and connected to the Lenox Square Mall presents a luxurious assortment of premier packages for everyone from only $169. Voted the 2006 Best Luxury Hotel in Atlanta by CitySearch readers, the chic vacation venue is the perfect escape for families, couples, or friends of any age. Visit the Georgia Aquarium, new World of Coca Cola and indulge in any of the following diverse packages: Read more

Orlando…the hottest family vacation destination just got hotter with the exciting launch of the Orlando World Center Marriott Resort first-ever Walt Disney World package. This action-packed summer family adventure begins with the “Best of Both Worlds” featuring luxurious one-night accommodations at the Four-Diamond, 2,000-room Orlando World Center Marriott Resort and one-day, one-park tickets to the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park, or Disney-MGM Studios starting at only $253 per-night.

Located only 1.5 miles from Walt Disney World; the property has something for every age group starting out with 1,000,000 gallons of splashing fun in its six pools, which include two children’s pools and an indoor pool and six whirlpool spas. The main lagoon pool features waterfalls and a 106-foot water slide. Read more

Warner Bros. and Universal Orlando Resort are partnering to create the world's first fully immersive Harry Potter themed environment based on the bestselling books by J.K. Rowling and blockbuster feature films from Warner Bros. Envisioned as a "theme park within a theme park" and titled "The Wizarding World of Harry Potter," the new environment will become part of the experience within Universal's Islands of Adventure theme park at the Universal Orlando Resort.

Inspired by J.K. Rowling's compelling stories and characters -- and faithful to the visual landscapes of the films -- "The Wizarding World of Harry Potter" will provide a one-of-a-kind opportunity to experience the magical world of Harry and his friends. The fully immersive, themed land will enable guests to visit some of the most iconic locations found in the books and the films including the village of Hogsmeade, the mysterious Forbidden Forest, and even Hogwarts castle itself. Read more