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A Spring Regatta Weekend in Saratoga Springs, NY

Posted by Mary Turner on April 30, 2013 1 Response »

Apr 302013

This recent Spring weekend found us in Saratoga Springs, NY cheering on the Princess as she participated in the Saratoga Invitational Crew races at Fish Creek on Lake Saratoga. Our one night adventure included a quick tour of some of the city’s most famous landmarks, as well as an adults dinner and evening stroll around the thriving downtown. Saratoga Springs is a college town, home to Skidmore College and SUNY Empire State College. It is also a great base camp for exploring other nearby schools including Union College, RPI and Williams College.

Crew racing at Fish Creek in Saratoga Springs NY

Whether you visit for a college tour, rowing, or as part of a family vacation, make time to check out the many historic landmarks. This Victorian era town is dripping with history, as it has long been a destination for travelers seeking relaxing mineral water spas, golf, summer outings at the country’s oldest thoroughbred race track, and a range of performing arts. Since the mid 19th century, Saratoga Springs was known for the healthful effects of its many mineral springs and spas. During the 1930s, then NY Governor Franklin D Roosevelt championed the construction of public mineral baths, a swimming pool and other attractions in what is now known at the Saratoga Springs Spa State Park. Several of these vintage spas continue in operation to this day.

Saratoga Springs Spa State Park historic building

The 2,500 acre park is the centerpiece of the city housing a number of classical spa buildings including the Roosevelt Baths and Spa, as well as the Saratoga Performing Arts Center, the Spa Little Theater, the National Museum of Dance, the Saratoga Automobile Museum, and the Gideon Putnam Resort. We visited early in the season when the park was still getting ready for summer. The original 1930s era pool complex, and the larger 1960s era Peerless Pool Complex were not open although the Spa and resort and golf course were in fine shape. The many picnic tables and walking trails made us wish we had more time to linger.

Testing the Mineral Water at Saratoga Springs Spa State Park

While the Princess stayed at the team hotel, mom and dad settled in downtown at the Hampton Inn and Suites which was clean and well run and offered a tasty hot breakfast with fresh fruit, pastries, make your own waffles and plenty of coffee. Dinner at the Mouzon House across the street offered a decently prepared eclectic farm fresh menu, but, the early season waitstaff definitely needed some more training. The downtown offered a lively mix of clubs and college students. We enjoyed simultaneously watching the Red Sox and Boston Bruins on several of the screens at Dango’s Fitzgerald’s Irish Pub. The Irish coffee was spot on!

Hampton Inn and Suites Lobby Saratoga Springs NY

With just a one night stay and most of our time devoted to the races we only got a quick sense of what Saratoga Springs has to offer. We are pretty sure that between rowing and college visits we’ll definitely be back, but we’ll be sure to leave more time to get to know Saratoga Springs better!

Why Turkey is a Great Place to Visit with Teens

Posted by Mary Turner on February 6, 2013 Comments Off

Feb 062013

Bodrum Castle on the Turkish Coast

We recently put out a call for ideas about spring break and summer family vacations around the world. One of our European travel partners suggested Turkey as a perfect destination. Families have been visiting Turkey for decades to soak up the sunshine, enjoy the vibrant culture and make the most of the gorgeous beaches, but as we all know, that’s not always enough to keep the teenagers entertained. Luckily there is a lot more than just great scenery to offer, particularly on the Turquoise Coast, which is the south coast of Turkey where families of all ages will find plenty to make their holiday to Turkey one to remember!

One of the most popular resorts on the Turquoise Coast is Bodrum, a busy yachting port that has facilitated the town’s growth into a cosmopolitan holiday hotspot. This means there’s plenty to do for the young and fashionable people that arrive in Bodrum, which is great news for your teenagers, particularly older ones that can enjoy the trendy bars and nightclubs, although everyone will enjoy browsing the attractive boutiques that line Bodrum’s busy streets.

However as modern as Bodrum may be, it has a rich history to uncover. Take your teens to Bodrum Castle, an impressive medieval structure offering stunning views of the bay, and also happens to have the Underwater Archaeology Museum within its grounds. Of course, no family-friendly resort is complete without a waterpark too, and in Bodrum it’s the Dedeman Aquapark where teens can delight in the thrills of the high-speed waterslides and wave pools, while mom and dad relax poolside and sip a cool drink.

A little further down the coast is another popular family resort – Dalaman, characterised by its stunning coastline that has plenty to offer visitors with an adventurous streak. The almost luminously blue sea offers plenty of spots in which families with teens and tweens can try their hand at watersports such as jet skiing and kayaking, and of course, the ubiquitous banana boat rides!

Dalaman also has a number of great attractions close by that are always a hit with teens, including the famous Pamukkale, an enormous mineral water spa that’s great fun to explore and relax in. For particularly daring teens, treat them to a rafting experience down the Dalaman River for a day out they won’t soon forget, or if your teenage children prefer to stay dry, a shopping trip to the sophisticated town of Kas will be a day out you can all enjoy together.

When looking for a new exotic family vacation destination, consider Turkey for Spring Break or any time of the year.

Photo courtesy Wikimedia

Families Come in Out of the Cold to Enjoy CoCo Key Water Park Boston North Shore

Posted by Mary Turner on January 27, 2013 Comments Off

Jan 272013

The 65,000 square foot CoCo Key Water Park Boston North Shore is a pretty impressive sight when you first walk through the doors. CoCo Key is the largest indoor water park in Massachusetts and any time it is open the park is a beehive of activity as kids, tweens and teens make the most of the park’s brightly colored slides, sprays, pools and water features.

CoCo Key Water Park Boston North Shore main water slide and spray area

Located in Danvers MA, just 19 miles north of Boston and adjacent to the 364 room Doubletree by Hilton Boston North Shore hotel, CoCo Key Water Park Boston North Shore includes multi-level water slides, spray decks, bucket dumps, water actvities, four-story high enclosed tube slides, a lazy river, and a wading pool for younger kids. The action never stops as the kids scamper from one splashy activity to the next.

The stairs for the big slides tower over the rest of the CoCo Key Water Park Boston North Shore

One of the best parts of visiting CoCo Key during the winter is that no matter what the weather is like outside, its is a near perfect 84 degrees inside. It was well below freezing when we were there but the climate controls were working perfectly. A quick serve restaurant and a bar overlooking the action offer refreshments for kids and adults (the margaritas looked pretty chill). The water features are surrounded by plenty of tables to act as base camp for the day. And if the kids need a break from the water, the arcade is well stocked with video games and prizes for all ages.

All ages get into the scene at the CoCo Key Water Park Boston North Shore

The park caters to families with kids ages 2-12, although families with slightly older teens and tweens can definitely enjoy CoCo Key as part of a family stay at the hotel. On our recent visit to the Doubletree by Hilton Boston North Shore , our 16 year old teen and a friend were found enjoying the lazy river and the big tube slides before heading off for an hour at the arcade and an extended visit to the hotel pool, hot tub and workout area. They said the Water Park was fun for a few hours and would be a great place to spend time hanging out with younger siblings during a family vacation to explore Boston and the surrounding North Shore towns including Salem, Rockport and Gloucester.

The arcade at the CoCo Key Water Park Boston North Shore is popular with kids, teens and tweens

For local residents, day passes, half day passes and season tickets are available. CoCo Key is also a popular destination for birthday parties and group outings. Be warned that it can get crowded on weekends, particularly in the middle part of the day. Hotel guests can avoid the crowds by visiting in the evening hours – the Water Park stays open until 9 pm on Thursday, Friday and Saturday and many school vacation days.

For hotel guests, family discount packages can mean a fun affordable weekend getaway or provide built-in evening entertainment when using the Doubletree as a base camp for visiting Boston and the North Shore. However, if booking a hotel stay, be aware that the Water Park is often closed on non-holiday Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Book by January 31st for a discount on an overnight visit during the mid-February Massachusetts school vacation week. The Ultimate Waterpark Package includes CoCo Key access, arcade game cards, breakfast and overnight accommodations. The hotel has recently renovated a number of rooms to create family suites located near the Water Park.

All and all, a day or a weekend at CoCo Key is a great way to get a break from New England’s cold winter weather while spending some fun time with family and friends.

We want to thank CoCo Key and the Doubletree by Hilton Boston North Shore for hosting our recent complimentary overnight visit to the hotel and water park. The opinions in this review are solely our own.

Three Vermont Ski Resorts that Cater to Families with Teens and Tweens

Posted by Mary Turner on September 27, 2012 Comments Off

Sep 272012

Vermont continues to be one of our favorite family ski destinations year after year. Just a few hours from home we find easy access to big mountains, expansive snowboard terrain parks, and a wide range of great off slope activities, lodging and restaurants that appeal to our teens as well as mom and dad. Families taking a ski vacation with teens and tweens need to be honest about each family member’s skiing abilities and interests. Some teens may want to ski hard all day while others are pretty rusty and might benefit from a private lesson or all day camp. Mom might want a spa and dad might want to ski a half day before taking a turn on a snowmobile tour.

Hockey Princess gets a snow boarding lesson

For teens and tweens with little ski or snowboard experience, a private lesson will get them on the slopes quickly

For a multi-day ski vacation, unless your family plans to ski together every day, the major options for making sure the teens and tweens have a buddy at the mountain are to bring a friend or seek out resorts with teen and tween-specific ski school and mountain camp offerings.

Three of our favorite Vermont ski resorts that have lots to offer teens, tween and their parents, regardless of each individual’s level of skiing or snowboarding ability, are:

Smugglers’ Notch: Join the Notch Squad

With two mountains and Ski Schools options for younger and older teens, Smugglers’ Notch gets our vote for one of Vermont best destinations for families with skiers of all ages and abilities. During our visit, the Notch Squad program for ages 11-15 really filled the bill offering small group snowboard lessons at several levels of expertise. The instructors were friendly and upbeat and were able to quickly connect with our teen. We understand that this winter Smuggs will be revamping some of its programs for older teens so be sure to ask what is available when you call to book a vacation.

The Notch Squad on the move

Smuggs is a destination resort where most visitors stay for a weekend or longer. If you are looking for things to do off the mountain – either with or without the teens – snowmobile rides, ice skating and the Arbor Trek zip line tours are great fun. Smuggs has a wide range of condo lodging options including some that are large enough for extended families or two families traveling together.

Stowe Mountain Resort: Explore Stoked Teen Camp

Stowe, Vermont is a classic alpine town with four seasons of dining and outdoor activities that are fun for mom, dad and the teens and tweens. Multiple mountains mean that skiers of any level can find the perfect trail at the Stowe Mountain Resort. Green trail skiers will enjoy the 2.5 mile Toll Road trail from the top of Mount Mansfield while more advance skiers and boarders will never run out of options. Off the mountain there are many great restaurants, stores and activities such as Dog Sled rides. The Mountain Road is lined with a wide range of hotels, motels, condos and bed and breakfasts.

The full day Stoked Teen Camp for blue/black skiers and riders, aged 13-17 years, is grouped by skill level. It is offered during major vacation periods. For families where 24×7 togetherness gets to be a little much on a ski vacation, the Stoked Teen Camp allows the teens the run of the mountain with built in supervision, lessons and the opportunity to hang with kids their own age. More traditional ski school options are available for tweens and younger teens up to age 14.

Killington: Chill in the SnowZone

With over 140 trails, Killington is synonomous with skiing in Vermont. Trails include “Outer Limits” a double black diamond mogul trail that is the steepest mogul run in all of New England. It also has the longest trail in the east in the 6.2-mile ”Juggernaut” and boasts five snowboard and alpine parks.

For older teens, ages 13-18, the SnowZone program offers ski and snowboard lessons designed especially for teens of all ability levels, with a promise that there will be no more than 5 teens in a group. The half day and full day lesson programs include a lesson-only, lift ticket and rental equipment including a snow sports helmet is additional. A smiliar program for tweens and younger teens is available via the SuperStars program.

Killington is known for being one of the first Vermont mountains to open and one of the last to close. Discounted single day tickets for non-peak times are on sale until October 11th and the mountain expects to be open by Thanksgiving, if not before. Off slope the fun continues with sleigh rides, tubing, snowmobile rides and a great spa.

Our Top Tip

Our top tip for a successful family ski vacation with teens and tweens is to make some up front assessments about priorities and skill level, then look for a resort with a wide range of on and off slope options including teen-specific ski and snowboard schools if you are not bringing a friend of similar ability to keep yout teen company on the slopes.

Looking for more family ski and snowboard ideas? Check out all the great family travel blog ski links on the Mother of All Trips Back to Ski page.

Omni Parker House Teen Concierge Knows Where Boston’s Cool Kids Hangout

Posted by Mary Turner on August 20, 2012 Comments Off

Aug 202012

Boston’s Omni Parker House Hotel

We are always looking for hotels and destinations that go above and beyond to cater to teens and tweens in unique and creative ways. This summer, Omni Hotels and Resorts hit a homerun by launching its Teen Concierge program at a select number of properties. The best part about the program is that the Teen Concierges are teenagers themselves, not adults pretending to know what teens want. They effectively act as peer advisors and are available to offer an insider teen’s perspective on finding activities, restaurants and attractions that won’t have teens wishing they had stayed home. The Teen Concierge can also text or email with the teen or chat via Twitter and Facebook if they need pointers while touring the town or before they arrive.

The historic Omni Parker House in Boston is one of seven properties offering the program this summer. The Omni is located on the Freedom Trail and is very close to Boston’s historic waterfront and subway, fondly known as the “T”. We recently spent some time chatting with Liz, the Teen Concierge at Boston’s Omni Parker House.

Here is what we learned about this creative program:

Question: Tell us about your role as an Omni Teen Concierge and how the responsibilities differ from a traditional Concierge?

Liz: Most of my time is spent in the lobby greeting our guests and assisting them with their needs. As a teenager, I can relate to our teen guests and give them good advice and direction about to what to do and where to go around Boston.

Typically, older teenagers are here visiting colleges. The younger teens are here for a family vacation. A Red Sox game is a common reason for a trip to Boston. Directions and fun places to eat are the most asked questions. Boston has a great deal of pubs, and there are a lot of funky, unique restaurants too.

Question: What are your top recommendations for teen oriented activities around Boston?

Liz: The food trucks are pretty cool. There is a food truck APP that tells you where and when the different food trucks will be across the city. There are so many retail stores all across Boston, especially in downtown Boston, closest to the hotel. A lot of teens don’t necessarily want to go spend a day at a museum or go to a traditional restaurant. They just want to go “hang out” in the city and get their own feel for what Boston is all about.

There are a lot of unique restaurants like “Fire & Ice” and“Fajitas & Ritas” . The ultimate “hidden gem” is “Bodega”, a sneaker and clothing store hidden behind a secret entrance within what appears to be just a convenience store.

Question: What has been the most unusual request you have gotten and how did you deal with it?

Liz: We had a teenager that was looking for a specific rare sneaker. We sent them to “Bodega” in the Back Bay neighborhood and found them!

Question: Overall, what do you think makes Boston a great city for families to visit with their teens?

Liz: Boston is a safe city. There are so many shops, restaurants, and safe public areas to visit. The “T” makes it so easy to get around town and even visit Harvard Square in Cambridge too. The Omni Parker House is in a great location for teens. We are in the center of downtown Boston. You can walk just about anywhere or hop on the “T”. We pride ourselves on our ability to personalize all of our guests’ experiences in Boston.

Even though we’ve lived in the Boston suburbs for years, Liz knew more about cool things for teens to do in Boston than even our teens. If you are visiting Boston with teens, check out the Omni Parker House and ask for Liz. And, if you are visiting other areas, check out the Teen Concierge programs at the following Omni properties: Omni Berkshire Place in New York City, Omni Chicago Hotel, Omni Shoreham Hotel, Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate, Omni Amelia Island Plantation Resort and the Omni Hilton Head Oceanside Resort.

Thanks to our friends at Omni Hotels and Resorts for setting up this interview and providing the photo of the hotel.

Warm Weather All-Inclusives a Great Option for Winter Sun on a Budget Around the World

Posted by Mary Turner on January 4, 2012 Comments Off

Jan 042012

A Guest Post Sponsored by Direct Holidays

It sounds like a great idea doesn’t it? Combine a trip to Europe with some beach fun, all on a budget? Escape the cold weather and take the teens and tweens to an exotic destination? But of course, you want to make sure you don’t have to raid the college fund to do so.

US readers are well aware of Caribbean all-inclusive resorts, but, may not know something that many readers from Europe and Asia already understand; that is that there are some great winter deals to be had at beach destinations in the Canary Islands, the coasts of Portugal and Spain or Cyprus and Greek Islands around the Mediterranean.

The temperature in the Canaries in winter can be as high as 20°C (i.e. about 68°F) , whereas the winter in the North African countries of Egypt and Tunisia can be a much more comfortable time to visit than in the blistering summer heat. If you plan to add in some sightseeing along with the trip to the beach these moderate temperatures may be perfect.

Check out all-inclusive options

To save some money, check out all-inclusive holidays to these holiday destinations and more. Booking all-inclusives can be one of the best ways to limit costs on holiday trips. Once you’re there you don’t need to worry about added costs — just relax at your resort knowing that everything the family wants to eat and drink is already covered.

Don’t wait till the last minute

Booking last minute is often cited as one of the best ways to secure a cheap holiday in the summer months; and in summer it is. But don’t try this when looking for a school vacation destination; you’ll either be left with nothing or something way over budget. The popularity of holidaying during school vacations is high and there’s always a scramble for the best deals. Make the decision early, stick with it and book as soon as you’ve decided. Getting in early you’ll have your pick of the destinations and deals.

Photo courtesy of Direct Holidays

October Family Travel Ideas

Posted by Mary Turner on October 5, 2011 Comments Off

Oct 052011

October is a wonderful time of year for quick family getaways, particularly over the upcoming Columbus Day weekend. Here in New England the evenings are chilly but the days are warm and the leaves are ablaze. As a result, it is no surprise that our email is overflowing with great family travel offers, contests and inspiration for October family travel fun. Here are some of the best ones that have come our way recently:

Four Seasons Luxury Family Vacation Contest

Family travel experts Poshbrood, Luxury Travel Mom, and Ciao Bambino have partnered with Four Seasons to offer three unbelievable luxury family giveaways! Over the next two weeks they will be giving away Ski, Beach, and City vacations — to the Four Seasons Resort Vail, Four Seasons Resort Nevis, and Four Seasons Hotel Boston!

The full details for this contest are available at the Ciao Bambino blog or you can go straight to their Facebook Four Seasons contest page to enter. Each of these luxury family vacations includes 4 nights deluxe accommodations for a family of 4 and some really special family friendly extras like an in-room visit from the ice cream man in Boston or a day’s use of a family beach house complete with a butler in Nevis. This contest is open until October 17th so don’t miss out.

Columbus Day Weekend in Vermont

Vermont's fall foliage was on full display over Columbus Day weekend

Columbus Day Weekend is one of our favorite times to visit Vermont, as the foliage is usually at its peak. This year, we all know that Vermont was hit hard by flooding from Hurricane Irene, but, the leaves are still there, most roads are passable and these hardy New Englanders are bouncing back in time for families to enjoy the 3-day Columbus Day weekend running October 8-10. Sugarbush ski resort in Warren VT is hosting its annual Community Weekend complete with free lift rides, pumpkin carving and live music performances. The area is offering a wide range of bed and breakfast and condo lodging packages, some starting as low as $45 a night.

The Smugglers’ Notch Resort in Vermont is also offering its AutumnFest packages through Columbus Day weekend. These include condo lodging, use of the pool, FunZone, mini golf and an additional night free when three nights are booked. There is lots to do outdoors in the fall at Smugglers’ including hiking, ziplines, Segway tours, canoes and kayaks.

If you are looking for a Vermont Inn or B&B experience over Columbus Day weekend, or during the winter, consider the wonderful Vermont Inn Keepers who provided amazing support for their communities during the worst of the flooding. They took in neighbors whose homes were underwater and served as centers of relief efforts in their towns. Vermont counts on tourism dollars so do your part and have a great weekend!

Fall Family Beach and Poolside Getaways

Sunset at A-bay on the Big Island of Hawaii is a great place for a quick evening swim

The Hilton Waikoloa Village, a 62-acre oceanfront resort on the Big Island of Hawaii, transforms families into a team of explorers with Pacific adventures and the discoveries of a lifetime via their Ocean Explorer Family Escape. Available now through Dec. 31, 2011, starting from $264 per room, per night for a four-night stay for two adults and two children, the Ocean Explorer package welcomes kids with backpacks filled with essential exploring gear such as an underwater camera and ocean fish guide card for use in the snorkeling lagoon, coloring book & Dol-fun activity book, dolphin key chain and keepsake Rubbah Slippah magnets and more. Two adult and two children explorers also receive a daily full breakfast buffet and a one-time Ocean Sports glass bottom boat cruise of Anaeho’omalu Bay. The swimming and snorkeling are great at A-Bay too!

For West Coast families looking for something fun with a Halloween theme, the Hyatt Regency Mission Bay in San Diego is offering poolside monster mash hula hoop contests, pumpkin painting, trick-or-treat bag decorating and more. Back by popular demand are hair-raising waterslides (with eerie fog and enhanced with haunted music, ghostly sounds and spooky lighting) and spider-webbed pool cabanas and creepy cocktails for adults add to the fun. Come nightfall, families can trick-or-treat around the property then enjoy a spirited family movie at the pool. The program is offered over two weekends – Oct. 23-24 and Oct. 29-30. They are offering a special, spine-chilling non-refundable getaway rate of $169 per night for the weekend of Oct. 29-30.

And don’t forget that just across the bay, families can enjoy more frightening fun at SeaWorld’s Halloween Spooktacular. The park gets into the spirit with a silly and spooky Pirates 4-D movie experience, The Search for Captain Lucky’s Treasure walk-through adventure, gobs of ghoulish goodies for trick-or-treaters around the park, a children’s costume parade and an enchanting underwater Halloween Fantasea

Make Some Memories

Just because the teens, tweens and kids are back to school doesn’t mean that family travel fun is done. Check the calendar. With long weekends for Columbus and Veterans Days and maybe school conferences or Thanksgiving breaks there are lots of opportunites for some quick family travel getaways at great prices. And don’t forget to enter the Four Seasons Luxury Family Travel Giveway!

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