What Should You Do?

How does skiing fresh powder of Vail’s Blue Sky Basin, or relaxing in the white sand of Hawaii’s beaches and hitting a hole in one at one of Myrtle Beach’s many golf courses sound to you? Ski, beach and golf vacations are great choices for families.

Skiing Vacations

Many resorts offer a plethora of activities for you and your family. While you are skiing fresh powder, your children can be supervised by a certified ski instructor while enrolled in ski school. After that lesson, you can meet up with them and they will be happy to show you what they learned. When the day ends, be sure to explore the town. Ski towns are notorious for some of the best shopping and fine dining. If you want to take a day off from skiing to catch your breath, try ice skating, toboggan runs or just sit by a fire with a good book. When it comes time to plan a ski vacation, try to plan at least 5 to 6 months ahead of time. This is when you can find the best deals and you shouldn’t have to worry about the hotel you want to stay in, completely booked. I have found that a little research goes a long way. After you choose your hotel, see if they have any packages or specials available. Most of the time hotels and resorts will offer a bit of a discount on lift tickets and other activities. If a special or package is not available, make sure to buy your lift tickets in bulk to save some money. Try to buy a 3 or 4 day pass versus buying individual tickets each day. Often times, these lift tickets will be good for more than 1 resort in the area.

Ski Vacation Destinations.

The Rocky Mountains of Colorado offer many good resorts to choose from. Some favorites include Telluride, Vail and Breckenridge. Telluride Ski Resort was built in the 1970’s and along with it came cultural events, festivals, music and more. People come to this town year after year for the wonderful skiing and other fun activities.

If skiing is what you are all about, Vail is the place to go! It has just been named number 1 for the 14th time in 19 years in Ski Magazines “Top 50 Resort Guide”. Vail offers world class skiing, fabulous nightlife and many fine dining options.

Breckenridge is a 147 year old Victorian town. People flocked to this town in the 1800’s in search of riches in the form of gold. Now this town is a haven for skiers of all types. This town offers many activities for families and travelers.

Beach Vacations

Beach resorts can be perfect for your next family vacation getaway. Some of the best resorts are in Mexico, the Caribbean, and Hawaii.

Mexico

Los Cabos is one of Mexico’s most popular vacation destinations. It is located at the southern tip of the Baja California Peninsula. Los Cabos features luxury hotels, championship golf courses and some of the best sport fishing in the world. Other activities include snorkeling, scuba diving, surfing, kayaking and much more.

The Caribbean

The Cayman Islands offer many things for many people. 99% of the travelers visit Grand Cayman Island. It is easy to see why people go here. Of the islands this island offers the most when it comes to resorts and hotels. The fabulous snorkeling and scuba diving is not to be missed. When diving, you will think you are in a pet shop aquarium. The fish are abundant and the stingrays are gentle and fun to watch. If time permits, rent a Jeep and cruise around the Island.

Hawaii

Hawaii offers many choices for the traveling family. Each island is unique and offers something for everyone. Kauai is less touristy but still offers much to do. The surfing and snorkeling are not to be missed. Be sure to take a day and drive up to Waimea Canyon. This canyon offers many photo opportunities, and spots to get out and hike near beautiful waterfalls. Maui offers white sand beaches perfect for sunbathing and relaxing. Maui also offers great sightseeing and wonderful shopping. Of the islands, Hawaii, also known as “The Big Island” is the largest. Here you can visit the only active volcanoes of the Hawaiian Islands. You will also find wonderful resorts, pristine beaches, great nightlife, fine dining and shopping.

Golf Vacations

Right about now, you may be thinking “How can a golf vacation be good for my whole family?” Well, many golf resorts offer more than just golf. While you are out hitting the lynx, your family can be enjoying a beach, pool, or shopping. When you are done on the course you can meet up and head to one of the many fine dining establishments near your resort. Many golf vacations can be combined with a beach getaway. Mexico, Hawaii and the United States offer some of the best golf near some of the best beaches. These resorts offer many different specials and packages that can be tailored to fit your specific wishes.

Whatever your next vacation entails for you, you will not be disappointed with any one of the recommendations above. Be sure to see all you can see. The bottom line is to enjoy yourself and relax!

PUERTO VALLARTA

Velas Vallarta features ideal family-style accommodations. This beach-front resort, located in Marina Vallarta, offers a year-round complimentary children’s program including a Kids Club for children 4 to 12 years old. The beautifully landscaped grounds, which include flowered walkways and rustic bridges, make this location a true family paradise. For more information, contact 1-800-VELAS –PV.

For those that enjoy larger family-friendly resorts, La Jolla de Mismaloya in Puerto Vallarta features 303 luxurious suites with private terraces and an exceptional program for kids ages 5 to 11. The program features handicrafts, painting, singing, beach soccer, bingo, piñatas, treasure hunts, a kid’s parade, bobbing for apples and more.

What to Do

Vallarta Adventure Tours offers an opportunity for families to swim with dolphins at the Nuevo Vallarta Dolphin Center, watch Humpback whales at the Marietas Islands, take a brief flight up to the 16th century mining village of San Sebastian, explore the Sierra Madre foothills or simply relax on the pristine beach of Caletas.

CABO SAN LUCAS, SAN JOSE DEL CABO AND LA PAZ

Fiesta Americana Grand offers a program known as Fiesta Kids. Specially designed for children, the activities include arts and crafts, table games and access to an air-conditioned area with television programs playing for kids. The resort also features a game room and arcade and provides babysitting services and cribs upon request.

Families looking for a little diversity can enjoy Hotel Cabo San Lucas where a variety of unique children’s activities and programs are available. Families can participate in a marine biology tour of the tide pool, sign up for a day of whale watching, play doubles on the tennis courts, sail, parasail, or even discover hidden trails on horseback.

What to Do

Several local excursions are great for families interested in experiencing the rich eco-tourism offerings of the area.

The Baja Adventure Company offers whale watching trips, diving adventures and kayaking expeditions on Mexico’s Baja California Peninsula.

Santiago Zoo: This small but well maintained zoo is located in Miraflores (about 30 minutes north of San Jose del Cabo). Residents of Parque Zoologico include petcarts, bears, coyotes, foxes, monkeys, parrots, and ducks, some which are Cape Region natives. The park is open daily 6 a.m. – 6 p.m. in summer and admission is free.

ACAPULCO

Fiesta Americana Condesa Acapulco caters to families with on-site children’s activities and a Fiesta Kids Club program in the summer. Located right on the beach in the center of downtown Acapulco, families can easily stroll around town visiting many of the dozens of restaurants, stores and arts and craft shops.

At the Radisson Resort Acapulco you’ll find a spectacular view of the Acapulco Bay from the private beach, two swimming pools, and a children’s wading pool. A tramway takes you from the lobby down to the guestrooms and pool.

What to Do

Parque Papagayo – This Pacific port playground is a kid’s delight and adults will love it too. It features a 52-acre playing field filled with an aviary, roller skating rink, mini racetrack, bumper boats, and replica of a space ship. Located at Costera Miguel Aleman, the park is open daily from 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. Call 011-52-7-485-9623 for more information.

Swim with the dolphins, watch seal shows and glide down water slides at Cici Water Park. It’s located along the Costera Miguel Aleman, and open daily from 10-6. Call 011-52-7-484-8210 for more information.

CANCUN

Hyatt Regency Cancun offers something different and fun for kids: Camp Hyatt. This recreational program is designed exclusively for Hyatt guests 3 – 12 years old and includes a pin, t-shirt, hat, beverages and a special meal created by the Camp Hyatt chef. Activities are offered Tuesday – Sunday, with two sessions daily: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. – 6 p.m. Prices range from $10 per child per session, or $15 for a full day. Other fun activities for kids include a game room, arcade and a private children’s pool.

Aquamarina Beach Hotel offers all-inclusive family accommodations with services such as a Children’s Club, where kids can play miniature golf right at the hotel. Up to two children aged 11 or younger stay free at the hotel with at least two accompanying adults.

What to Do

Yucatan Ecotourism & Adventure Tours: Children can experience an adventure through bird watching, Mayan ruin exploration, jungle trekking, kayaking, scuba diving & snorkeling, swimming with dolphins and wildlife observing.

Xcaret ecological theme park is sure to amaze the entire family. Just a short drive away from the hotel zone, families can participate in a myriad of activities including swimming with dolphins, snorkeling, visiting turtle hatcheries, floating down rivers and watching displays of ancient Mayan dances.

About the Mexico Tourism Board

The Mexico Tourism Board (MTB) brings together the resources of federal and state governments, municipalities and private companies to promote Mexico’s tourism attractions and destinations internationally. Created in 1999, the MTB is Mexico’s tourism promotion agency, and its participants include members of both the private and public sectors. The MTB has offices throughout North America, Europe, Asia and Latin America.

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Erick Laseca

Mexico Tourism Board

312-228-0517 ext 14

erick.laseca@bm.com

http://www.visitmexicopress.com