Five active ideas for your next family vacation
Savor the glory of spring travel with your family. Here are five ideas to consider:
1 PARADISUS RESORTS BY MELIA
Choose from nine luxury, all-inclusive resorts in Mexico and the Dominican Republic if a sun-drenched, beach holiday is on your wish list. Upon arrival, the family concierge will manage your private check-in and welcome your clan with sweet treats and cool drinks. Your family-friendly accommodations will include kid-size robes and slippers, and a mini bar stocked with juices and snacks. Head to the beach to enjoy water sports or relax at the spa where manicures, pedicures and other treatments are tailored for the junior set. Enrichment experiences include sushi-making lessons, tango dancing, horseback riding and outings to learn more about local culture.
Contact: www1.melia.com.
2 SET SAIL WITH ROYAL CARIBBEAN
You’ll find plenty of family adventure onboard the megaship Allure of the Seas, one of 25 in the fleet. Snap a selfie with your favorite Dreamworks characters or test your skills on the rock-climbing wall. Go ashore and enjoy water sports and cultural outings on scenic Caribbean islands. Push your limits on the longest zip line over water, test your skills on the Flow Rider surf simulator, and take in high-diving, and acrobatic performances at the outdoor AquaTheatre. There is entertainment for every age group, an array of dining options to suit every taste as well as the option to relax by the pool with your favorite book.
Contact: royalcaribbean. com.
3 WILD DUNES RESORT, CHARLESTON, S.C.
Stay on a lush barrier island and pair nature outings and resort relaxation with the best of Charleston during your spring family trip. Sign up for a guided kayak tour through the Low Country salt marshes where the wildlife is plentiful. Stop at a hammock-strewn island where you all can relax or take a swim. Play golf, tennis or go biking at the resort before heading into town to learn about the iconic ironwork that adorns the Southern city’s historic homes, gates, churches and gardens. Consider a guided, sunset boat excursion to observe bottlenose dolphins in their natural habitat.
Contact: wilddunes.com; destinationhotels.com.
4 SNOW MOUNTAIN RANCH, GRANBY, COLO.
Active families will find it a challenge to explore all the possibilities at this highaltitude ranch, a part of YMCA of the Rockies. Expect ice-skating, snow bikes, dog sledding and snowshoeing. Build a snow fort or race down the hill in a tube. Head inside for indoor archery, pingpong and a climbing wall. Bundle up and relax during a sleigh ride before spending the night in cozy cabins, hotel-style lodge rooms or a yurt. Contact:
snowmountainranch.org.
5 CITYPASS
If your spring holiday plans include an urban adventure, consider opting for a CityPASS. You’ll save up to 50 percent on top attractions in 12 North American destinations. From museums in Atlanta to sightseeing cruises in the Big Apple to the award-winning zoo or Busch Gardens in Tampa, Fla., the CityPASS can simplify your planning by offering discounted, prepaid admission to favorite family spots. Contact: citypass.com.