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This year, the trend in family vacations is all about pushing the envelope, with exciting experiences of the once-in-a-lifetime variety that each member of your family will remember forever, from cruising the Greek islands to traveling half-way around the world for an African safari.
The important thing is to think outside the box for some ideas that fit your family's ages, interests, budget, and sense of adventure. Here we present our Top 8+1 ideas for "Go Big or Stay Home" family vacations; for even more suggestions—tailor made for your family—simply reach out to your Hideaways Travel Specialist (toll-free: 800-843-4433).
1. A Kenyan Safari:
 This is a safe and affordable trip into the wild, best suited for families with children older than 10 years. The experience: The sky is turning show-off shades of red and gold, putting the lush up-country landscape in stark relief. Your children stand mutely beside you, and you steal a glance at their faces. Like you, they are mesmerized, not just by the scene before them, but by the entire, life-changing experience—the grandeur of the grasslands, the escarpments of the Maasai Mara, snow-capped Kilimanjaro as a backdrop, and all those magnificent animals. Truly, nothing says "wow" like an African safari. Hideaways recommends: Our customized Kenya Explorer safari. Rates for an 11-day excursion start from $3,895 per person. |
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2. Family Glamping at The Resort at Paws Up:
 Far from roughing it, this is a rather indulgent way for families to experience Montana's great outdoors. The experience: You used to think of a tent as an inferior alternative to a house, but now you're wishing your home was a little more like your luxe tent, with its thickly woven rugs, plush bedding, serene riverside setting, and even your own camping butler. The kids have never been happier. Neither have you. Hideaways recommends: The 5-night "Family Glamping" package ("glamping" is Paws Up's term for "glamorous camping") in a 2-bedroom tent-suite; rates start at $8,767 (2 adults/2 children) and include daily gourmet meals and all kinds of family adventures. |
Don't Let Your Family
Down—Plan With Us!
A family vacation can be the most stressful trip to plan. After all, you've got a lot of people to please—and all with differing expectations! Don't go it alone. Enlist an expert Hideaways Travel Specialist to help. Each agent is knowledgeable, experienced, and easy to work with, and will provide invaluable guidance in planning your best family vacation . . . ever.
800-843-4433 ~
ts@hideaways.com
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3. A Private Yacht Exploring the Greek Isles:
 This perhaps unexpected option is just perfect for independent-minded families that want to literally chart their own pampered path, all under the warm and welcoming Greek sun. The experience: You're perched on the top deck, bathing in the golden light and sipping a glass of local wine. As your kids splash around in the Mediterranean, you relax and take in the views: the deep-blue sky, rainbow-colored fishing boats, bright white churches topped with crimson domes, and the Greek isles themselves, each one just begging you to visit and explore. In a word: Aahhh. Hideaways recommends: Calling Hideaways Travel Services (800-843-4433) for yacht charter suggestions (a luxury 8-cabin yacht rents for upwards of $100,000/week).
4. A Hawaiian Villa Rental:
 This option is all about choice for families—each Hawaiian island offers a unique set of attributes, from bustling cities to untouched rainforest, as well as a varied selection of vacation rentals, from condos in the heart of an activity-filled resort to beach houses far from the crowds. And remember, the Obama family rents a Hawaiian villa every Christmas holiday! The experience: You wake up in your own little piece of paradise, perhaps just steps from an unspoiled beach, to find the kids are already awake and dressed for the day. Now this is a first. They literally can't wait for the day's adventures—starting with a hike to a nearby waterfall and ending with a nighttime swim in your own private pool. Hideaways recommends: Calling Hideaways Travel Services (800-843-4433) for villa resort and private villa rental suggestions (a nice beachfront home averages $1,500-2,500+ per night).
5. A Visit to Blancaneaux Lodge & Turtle Inn:
 At these two Belizean properties, families will take pleasure in a travel surf and turf—at the coast, there are unspoiled beaches and warm, clear waters along the beautiful barrier reef that are just perfect for snorkeling, diving, and fishing. In the interior, there are rain forests, highlands, and Mayan ruins. The experience: You understand why Francis Ford Coppola, the owner of both properties, initially imagined these as private retreats for his own family—you feel at home in your villa, and you adore the ease of being here along with all the unforgettable adventures at the ready. Hideaways recommends: Renting one of the resorts' larger villas; member-only rates start at $473 per night for a Sea View Villa at Turtle Inn.
6. A Grand European Tour:
 This is a classic adventure for families with older kids, especially those graduating from either high school or college this year who've loved learning about Europe—its big cities and tiny towns, castles and windmills, and diverse languages and landscapes—and are ready to enjoy them in person. The experience: Your children are excited, really excited, about every part of this trip (remember, you did promise to keep those museum visits short). You smile when they attempt to say "thank you" in the local language; you laugh when they delight in driving on the "wrong" side of the road; and you beam with pride as they embrace local customs with ease. Hideaways recommends: Crafting a customized European Tour with Hideaways Travel Services (800-843-4433).
7. A Trip to the Galapagos Islands:
 Families looking for a relaxing, educational, and cultural vacation will find all their expectations met—and then some—at the Galapagos Islands. The experience: You'd heard the wildlife here is less-than-concerned by humans, but you and your kids were not at all prepared to come so close to such fascinating animals. As a Hideaways member once said of his family's experience, "We were able to see a recently born sea lion, which was suckling with the umbilical cord still attached. But [a] favorite highlight was following a four- or five-hundred pound tortoise. I didn't realize how fast they can move!" Hideaways recommends: Our exclusive Explore Galapagos cruise/tour aboard the National Geographic Endeavor. Rates for the 10-day tour start from US$5,230 per person, double.
8. See North America By Train:
 Families with older children—specifically those who can handle nine hours a day on a train—will find this type of travel a thrilling and easy way to take in some of North America's most sublime scenery. The experience: You expected to get goose bumps from the views (especially those you enjoyed from the glass-domed cars) and you certainly weren't disappointed, but you were delightfully caught off guard by how much you and the family enjoy the on-board dining (talk about dinner with a view!) and how much fun it is getting to know your fellow, like-minded travelers. Hideaways recommends: Rocky Mountaineer or VIA Rail.
+1 Bonus: Egypt:
 This country has been very much in the news lately, and its best attributes (which are many) make it an ideal destination for a multi-generational experience for families with an interest in exotic travel, culture, and world politics. The experience: Eleven-year-old Aaron, son of Hideaways Member Services Manager June Ahmed, gives us the kid's perspective this time. "Egypt is very fun and educational. The pyramids and sphinx are amazing to look at, especially the sphinx. You can go inside a pyramid and see where kings and queens were buried. That's something to share when your teacher asks, 'What did you do over summer break?'"
Hideaways recommends: Stay tuned! Hideaways President and VP, Mike and Gail, and several family members are heading off to Egypt soon; follow their trip adventures on Twitter and Facebook. Hideaways' members also can look forward to a full report in a future issue of Hideaways Life newsletter! In the meantime, if you just can't wait to see those pyramids for yourself, contact Hideaways Travel Services (800-843-4433).
Trust Your Big Plans to the Travel Experts at Hideaways
"Those looking to take a once-in-a-lifetime trip shouldn't make any plans until they check with Hideaways International. That's what we did three years ago when family and relatives decided everyone should get together for a tour of the Tuscan countryside. I knew about Hideaways, so I contacted them to put together a memorable, and affordable, trip. It was the best decision we could have made.
They handled all the arrangements, including airfare, rental cars, and villa. They also suggested day trips and provided us with a checklist of other things we needed to consider—we didn't have to worry or fret about anything, and we knew they would find the perfect place to complement our tastes and expectations. In the end, we all came away with a lifetime of wonderful experiences. You can be sure Hideaways will be first on the planning list for our next family adventure."—Tom Cocchiaro and Family, Portsmouth, NH
Enlist an Expert: Make every member of your clan happy when you plan a family vacation with Hideaways Travel Services (800-843-4433). Try us, and you'll never "go it alone" again!
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