FamilyTravel

The best of the best in Costa Rica- the sunny Pacific beaches to the heart of the jungle, this adventure in Costa Rica captures it all. From the Pacific Coast to Caño Island, Savegre and Rio Pacuare a love of adventure travel puts adventurers in new settings that embrace the body and soul with vastly distinct experiences.

Feed an inner wanderlust with this active itinerary that begins on the sunny Pacific with biking, outrigger canoeing, snorkeling, whale watching and soaring through the rainforest canopy on zip lines and climaxes with a journey down the wild Pacuare River, which has been recognized as one of the Top Ten rafting adventures in the world. Read more

America is a nation of foodies—cooking, eating, planning the next meal are all popular pastimes. And many Americans are making vacation decisions based on a destination’s food and wine offerings. Some travelers map out a daily itinerary based on a city’s cuisine others sign up for regional cooking classes to learn techniques and use ingredients indigenous to the region.

Dubbed “culinary travelers” and making up nearly 20 percent of leisure vacationers, these adventurers actively seek out food and wine activities wherever they go—and make a point of enjoying local cuisine and restaurants, according to the Travel Industry Association of America (TIA). Culinary travelers also have a strong interest in indulging in other aspects of the travel experience, including shopping, entertainment, art, spa services and festivals. Read more

No family vacation is quite as unique as a houseboat vacation on Lake Powell in the spectacular area of Glen Canyon National Recreational Area. Lake Powell starts in Northern Arizona and extends into southern Utah and is part of the Colorado River. It is blessed with: red rock canyons, emerald-blue water, secluded coves and pristine sandy beaches. While Lake Powell offers unlimited adventures, a vacation houseboat offers you all the comforts of home. Houseboats are available in a variety of models and amenities. Read more

Lake Powell Resorts and Marinas make a house boating vacation effortless for you, by offering express houseboat check-in/out services, porter luggage handling services, easy-to-learn piloting instruction and much more.

Resorts and hotels throughout South Florida and the Caribbean are offering special ways for families to show mom just how much they care.

Give mom the keys to relaxation at Cheeca Lodge - This Mother's Day, treat mom to a weekend stay at Cheeca Lodge in the beautiful Florida Keys . Top it all off with a special Mother's Day brunch, island-style, on Sunday, May 13 from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Cheeca's award-winning culinary team, led by Executive Chef Barry Walling, will prepare an exquisite hot and cold buffet, complete with local delicacies. Celebrating this special day, each mother will receive a single long-stem rose.

The Mother's Day Brunch is $42.00 for adults and $19.50 for children 6-12 years old. Tax and gratuity are extra. (Children aged five and under dining with their parents are free.) Reservations should be made well in advance as this special Mother's Day Brunch is sure to be sold-out. For more information and reservations, please contact the concierge at (305) 517-4411. Deluxe resort view rooms start at $369 a night and a deluxe one-bedroom suite starts at $579. Tax and a daily resort fee of $39 are extra. For room reservations, call 800-327-2888 or visit www.cheeca.com. Read more

Cheeca Lodge in the Florida Keys is bringing back the days of fishing off a pier, exploring on nature hikes and forging long-lasting friendships at the new Camp Cheeca. With a brand new building, surrounded by lush landscaping, and a spacious Tiki hut, campers will be begging their parents to stay just a little bit longer.

The belief behind the program is that a sound camp experience begins with strong values and a caring commitment to the environment and those around us. The importance of good manners, sharing with others and cooperation is constantly being reinforced. Campers are empowered to make decisions about their daily activities and provided with options whenever possible. The Camp Cheeca counselors believe that campers will take ownership of their successes if they are given some choices to make along the way. Read more

Spring is in the air and the sun-drenched days of summer are right around the corner, which means now is the perfect time to plan ahead for an unforgettable vacation at the Southeast's premier family fun destination – Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort.

New hot deals for Summer (May 25 through Aug. 4, 2007) include the Bayside Inn from $169 per night; the new Luau beachside tower hotel rooms from $229 per night; as well as one-bedroom units from $259; and two-bedrooms from $349.

Convenient travel packages are also available with the added bonus of a 20 percent savings off Sandestin's rack rates. Choose from the Sandestin Family Fun Package, Village Rise & Shine Package, Family Golf Package and Stay & Play Golf Package. Read more

Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort jumps into the spring/summer season with special rates and eight packages designed for families, couples and golfers.

New hot deals for Spring (March 2-March 15, 2007; April 22-May 24, 2007) include the Bayside Inn from $149 per night; the new Luau beachside tower hotel room from $189 per night; as well as one-bedrooms from $209; and two-bedrooms from $299.

Over Spring Break (March 16-April 21, 2007) enjoy the newly renovated Bayside Inn from $169 per night; or the new Luau tower: hotel from $219; one-bedroom from $249 per night; or two-bedroom from $359 per night. Read more

Now every young girl’s dream of taking a vacation with their “best friend” is just a phone call away: The Millennium Biltmore is introducing its inaugural “American Girl” package.

The package features overnight accommodations for up to four persons (two adults and two children), American Girl amenities (bath/body product and story book), American Girl doll bed for in-room use, complimentary transportation to the American Girl store at the Grove Los Angeles Shopping Center and complimentary breakfast for up to two children in the hotel’s Smeraldi’s restaurant. The package is based on availability, valid through the end of 2007 with rates beginning at $249. For reservations please visit www.millenniumhotels.com or call 800-245-8673. Read more

Whether you're seeking lively and creative culture, breathtaking landscapes, exciting outdoor activities, or relaxing getaways, Asheville can offer an experience any way you like it. Spring blankets the hills with wildflowers and butterflies, summer brings long lazy days, and when the leaves change in autumn the hills and valley turns honey brown, bright yellow and fiery red. Visitors enjoy watching the changing seasons. Others hit the natural waterslides, swimming holes, and mountain bike trails along the Blue Ridge Mountain Range – the world’s largest amusement park. Some of the best whitewater rafting in the country is located in Asheville. History buffs adore the city’s eclectic architecture and literary legacy. Travelers of all ages rave about Asheville’s fine dining, unique shopping venues and art galleries. And just when you think you’ve seen it all, it changes…just like the seasons! Area restaurants run the gamut from Mediterranean to vegetarian, four-star cuisine to down-home cooking. The city’s vibrant restaurant scene goes well beyond its Southern cooking and roots. Expect the extraordinary in Asheville, whether it’s organic, hormone-free beef, mountain trout caviar or sweet potato salad.

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Walt Disney Parks and Resorts just announced exciting new attractions and entertainment that will be unveiled in the coming year, along with the continued rollout around the world of its groundbreaking Where Dreams Come True initiative. Read more

In the U.S., Dreams has come to life under the banner of The Year of a Million Dreams – a celebration of Disney guests and the way their dreams come true at Disney’s parks and resorts. Since The Year of a Million Dreams began in October, cast members have made more than 200,000 dreams come true for guests at the Disneyland and Walt Disney World resorts.