Family Beach Vacations - Tips and Deals

MANZANILLO, Mexico (April 10, 2005) –All-suite Karmina Palace makes a big splash with a brand new heating system designed to take the chilly edge off the eight interconnected lagoon-style pools.

Now vacationers can bask in the liquid warmth of the freeform pools which flow throughout the resort that sits in a quiet bay surrounded by tropical gardens, lush banana and coconut trees that are home to song birds and resident iguanas. Pools feature waterfalls, a shallow wading area for children, secluded nooks with gushing whirlpools, an underwater viewing area, and a snorkeling adventure painted on the bottom of one pool for youngsters eager to learn about sea life in an enclosed environment.

Award-winning Karmina Palace also understands that comfort and style make a vacation, and has plans for a complete makeover for all of its 324 suites scheduled for completion by early summer. The AAA Four Diamond resort will unveil a new color scheme of soothing cream comforters accented by tropical yellow and blue fabric bearing palm tree insignias on the pillows and pull out sofas. New local artwork of handmade paper art will adorn the walls and brightly colored pottery lamps will complete the look of casual resort chic in all suites, which start at 880 square feet in size.

“The renovated suites are yet another of the improvements we are introducing to let our guests know their comfort is of utmost importance to us,” says General Manager Marcos Casillas. “We know that when you go on vacation, little extras such as a nicely appointed room leave a lasting impression.”

Over the last year, Karmina Palace has dedicated itself to providing surprising value-added pluses at no extra cost: high speed wireless internet is now available in the lobby, meeting rooms and the majority of guest suites. A new a la carte Italian Trattoria provides another onsite restaurant option in addition to the Carioca fine dining and disco located on a rocky peak. Children receive an activity booklet upon check in filled with games, coloring pages, stories and fun. As always, kids 8 years and under eat, stay and play free, while youth 9 to 17 are 50 percent off.

April 13, 2005 - Save with Orlando discount card

Vacationers to Orlando, Florida, can save up to US$500 with an Orlando Magicard, the year-round discount card provided by the Orlando/Orange County Convention & Visitors Bureau.

The card is valid for up to six people with the maximum discount based on a family of four with an average stay of six nights.

It is valid at 114 area establishments, such as attractions, accommodations, restaurants, dinner theatres, ground transportation, and shopping malls.

The Orlando Magicard for the first time features additional discounts outside of Orlando, thanks to some of its partners, including Amtrak, Women's Day magazine, National Geographic for Kids, JC Penney Portraits, World's Fair for Kids and Omaha Steaks.

The card can be downloaded from the Orlando Magic Card web site or by calling 1-800-551-0181.

Downloading the Orlando Magicard online provides visitors with other benefits, including daily offer up-dates by participants, allowing visitors to search for last-minute deals.

Cardholders must present their card at participating establishments to receive the offer and request the Magicard discount when making reservations.

The 2005 Magicard offer expires Feb. 28, 2006, unless otherwise specified. Some restrictions may apply.

April 16, 2005 - New Resort in the Dominican Republic

AMResorts is opening its third Sunscape property in the Dominican Republic. Sunscape The Beach Punta Cana offers 616 rooms, 422 of which are premium rooms, 54 private garden swim out rooms, 28 honeymoon suites and eight two bedroom master oceanfront suites.

More than 100 room have en-suite Jacuzzi rooms. Amenities include eight restaurants, seven bars, dance club, casino, spa, with 10 massage rooms and numerous water and sport activities.

Kids have their own exciting activities at the EXPLORERS CLUB, our fully supervised children’s program for 4-12 year olds, that will entertain and capture their attention with a different program each day based on science, nature and exploration. The kids will enjoy arts and crafts, sandcastle competitions, big-screen movies on the beach or our weekly Campout Adventure! For those ages 4 months - 4 years old, Sunscape The Beach offers a baby club.

For more information, check out their website at www.sunscaperesorts.com

April 17, 2005 - Top Family Vacation Destination in the United States

An online poll conducted by Yahoo! Travel and National Geographic Traveler magazine named New Orleans as the top family vacation destination in the United States, and the prestigious distinction is a positive reflection of the city's tourism advertising and marketing campaigns, says Sandra S. Shilstone, President and CEO of the New Orleans Tourism Marketing Corporation, which conducts these efforts.

"When NOTMC launched its first family marketing campaign in the summer of 2001, family travelers were barely a blip on the radar screen," Shilstone says. "Today, as a result of our continued, strategic marketing efforts to attract these visitors, families comprise nearly 15.5 percent of our total visitation, growing 125 percent in the last year alone."

By partnering with world-class attractions such as the Audubon Nature Institute and Six Flags New Orleans, Shilstone says travelers' impressions and attitudes nationally are changing for the better about the Crescent City.

"New Orleans will always be identified for its legendary adult vacation offerings - and justifiably so - but our efforts to expand the market base for family travelers is working," Shilstone says. "People now recognize that New Orleans has a lot of unparalleled offerings for people of all ages, and our family visitation figures and the Yahoo! Travel poll give our efforts credence."

The poll also lists the top five components travelers are looking for in a family vacation, which are cost, safety, sightseeing opportunities, reliably good weather, and opportunities for recreation. The entire poll can be seen by visiting http://travel.yahoo.com/family.

The New Orleans Tourism Marketing Corporation promotes the city as a leisure tourism destination throughout the year and places special emphasis on developing visitation during the traditionally slow travel periods of summer and the weeks between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day. Annually, NOTMC's marketing campaigns include strategic print, broadcast, and Internet advertising and public relations. For more information, please contact NOTMC directly at toll free 1-800-810-3200, or visit online at http://www.NewOrleansOnline.com.

April 18, 2005 - Honolulu's Renaissance Ilikai Waikiki Hotel is Great For Families

Honolulu's Renaissance Ilikai Waikiki Hotel is a great place to stay with your family. They fun activities, easy access to Oahu beaches and rooms that feature kitchens.

Of the hotel's 783 rooms, 260 have kitchens that feature a four-burner stove, microwave, refrigerator, sink, cookware, glasses, dishes, silverware and coffee maker, along with complimentary coffee and tea.

Separate bedroom and sitting areas are found, as well as are sofa sleepers.

Ultrazone is described as an "inter-galactic battle arena for laser tag games. With rock formations, flashing lights, sirens and fog, this 4,000-square-foot outer space landscape is illuminated by black lights." There is also a video arcade, party room and snack bar in the lobby level retreat.

Hotel guests will also find two swimming pools, whirlpool, tennis court and a fitness centre.

The concierge desk can assist planning activities and arrange babysitting services.

Restaurants include Canoes at the Ilikai, which serves buffets, has a children's menu and specializes in Hawaiian cuisine; while Japanese dishes are found at Tanaka of Tokyo West.

Chain restaurants Outback Steakhouse, Chart House and Red Lobster are found in the marina complex next to the hotel.

Ilikai is near Waikiki Beach, which has many watersports opportunities. Also within walking distance is Ala Moana Beach Park, which features jogging paths, and guests can also walk to Ala Moana Center, Hawaii's largest shopping centre.

Find more information on Hawaii family vacations

April 20, 2005 - Club Med Resorts are Great for Teens

It's all about the kids at Club Med. Children of all ages are welcome at Club Med's all inclusive family resorts where an international team of G.O.'s (activity staff) await to provide great service and fun for the whole family.

Programs available include Baby Club Med, Petit Club Med, Mini Club Med and Junior Club Med, all designed for children ranging from ages 4 months to 17 years old. Supervised by their very own G.O's, kids can enjoy a wide range of fun activities including pizza parties and circus school, depending on the location.

Club Med Punt Cana has also recently launched The Ramp, a teen lounge designed specifically for guests 14-17 years of age. An interactive place for teens to socialize. The Ramp features a top-floor deck with skateboarding and rollerblading ramps, open air lounge, telescope, self service soda fountain bar, foosball tables and a jukebox. Talk about teen nirvana!

For more information on Club Med programs, please visit www.clubmed.com

April 23, 2005 - SeaWorld package for Orlando vacationers

The Renaissance Resort at SeaWorld has been named an official SeaWorld hotel, and now has a SeaWorld package for Orlando vacationers.

The package includes accommodations at the hotel, "length of stay" tickets and "ride again" passes on SeaWorld's most popular rides.

Each child receives a Shamu toy and a complimentary glass of apple cider upon arrival.

Included for the price of single-day admission, the length of stay ticket allows guests to visit SeaWorld Orlando for the entire length of their stay. (The offer is only good for pre-purchased packages.) Ride-again passes allow guests to proceed to the front of the line after their first attraction ride and reboard the same attraction a second time.

A SeaWorld value booklet provided upon check-in includes preferred parking upgrades, ride-again passes and coupons for merchandise and dining in the park.

The Renaissance Orlando SeaWorld has an Olympic-size swimming pool with a new courtyard and function lawn.

The resort is located across from SeaWorld Orlando, known for its rides and animal encounters.

Packages start at US$390 per room and are based on a two-night stay. Additional nights may be purchased.

All packages require advance reservations and are subject to availability.

Find more information on the Renaissance Orlando

April 25, 2005 - Importance of Travel Insurance for Family Vacations

Families should make sure to include travel insurance coverage in the trip planning process whether they are travelling overseas or within your own country.

Take the example of Tim Janus who was travelling to the Grand Canyon with his 14 year old son.

Tim ran into a problem when his son, Tyler, got a cold during the trip, and by the time they were coming home, he was very congested. At the airport Tim could see he was anything but well, and when he said he couldn't clear his ears, he became very concerned that he would likely blow an eardrum if he flew.

Instead of taking the flight, he left the airport, checked into a hotel and called his travel insurance company.

The travel insurance company covered those costs along with the cost of a clinic where they wouldn't do third-party billings.

Overall, having travel insurance saved the family $2,000 in unexpected expenses.

Compare prices for Travel Insurance including options for family medical coverage from 14 different companies - no other site has such product depth or comparison features.

April 30, 2005 - Run Away With Huck Finn This Summer - June 17, 18, & 19

One might think that looking like Huck Finn is only reserved for a place like Hannibal, Missouri, but in Victorville, California, they've been picking a boy to be Huck for the past 28 years. It's all part of the annual Huck Finn Jubilee - this year held June 17-19.

"It takes a heap more than a chawed off piece of straw and a few freckles to make a good Huck Finn," states Don Tucker, Jubilee spokesman. "Becoming Mark Twain's most popular storybook character takes a whole lotta heart. and a frog in your pocket doesn't hurt none either".

But the Jubilee is more than a look-a-like contest. It's a three-day escape into a new summer. Each year on Father's Day weekend, families pack the camper with kids, banjos, and fishin' poles and run away for a weekend of fun in the country.

As the Jubilee unfolds, the spirit of the author who penned the classics Tom Sawyer and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is presented on stage Friday, June 17, at 8 p.m. in the form of Mark Twain Live.

Named "2001 Bluegrass Event of the Year" by The International Bluegrass Music Association, the Jubilee continues to showcase top names in country and bluegrass music. More than 30 hours of main stage performances feature artists like Rhonda Vincent, The Nashville Bluegrass Band and Dry Branch Fire Squad. Legendary country artist,
Merle Haggard is also featured in a Father's Day performance at 6 p.m.

There's a cow chip throwing contest, an Injun Joe's Treasure Hunt, and the Route 66 Car Show - where a "People's Choice" award goes to the classiest pre-1970 show car arriving on Saturday and Sunday.

The California State Arm Wrestling Championships are a hoot! They not only test the strength, but more importantly, the technique of guys and gals on Saturday at high noon.

Anyone can try his hand at white washing fences, building river rafts, and climbing a greased pole. Nearly all contests are free to enter, and ribbons are given to winners. Small fries can join the antics of the Russell Bros. Circus and learn how to make rope at the Mountain Man Village.

There's a turn of the century country fair atmosphere to the weekend, where mountain men and merchants tell tall tales and offer goods for sale. There's also plenty of grub on hand from the food and crafts villages, and a visiting chain saw craftsman can be seen carving tree trunks to look like bears carrying fishing poles.

In the cool morning hours, hot air balloons launch at 7 a.m. for a ride over the parks two man-made lakes and large campgrounds. The 800 acre Mojave Narrows Regional Park is located in a region of woods, meadows and lakes along the course of the Mojave River near Victorville, CA. Camping, horseback riding and fishing offer a laid back, close to home vacation break for families needing to get away.

Weekend camp arrivals are welcome and can be arranged by calling (951) 780-8810. Jubilee hours are Friday and Saturday from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Sunday from 7 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Daily admission for adults is $15, (Sunday $20). Youth, ages 6 yrs. thru 11 yrs. are $5 each day, and children under 6 years are free. Parking is also free.

Many motels are located nearby and information is available by calling the Victorville Chamber of Commerce at (760) 245-6506.

For further information call (951) 780-8810 or visit http://www.huckfinn.com