Skip the theme park and build memories at a locale where the sights are profoundly authentic.
What with homework,
tae kwon do lessons, and sleepovers, grabbing time with your kids is no
longer as simple as nuking some Easy Mac and yelling, “Who’s up for
Yahtzee?” There is, however, a better way to interact as a family again:
vacation. Free from the responsibilities of everyday life—chores,
school, extracurriculars—you and your kids can laser-focus on spending
quality, unforgettable time together. So break out of the routine and
embark on one of these trips, where the sights and sounds are real, and
the good times will be deep and heartfelt—not a theme-park-created simulation. And for more kid-friendly globetrotting, try vacationing to any of the Best New Star Wars Locations You Can Actually Visit.
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Ages 1 to 4: Smugglers Notch, Vermont
No one does it younger than family-first Smugglers’ Notch.
Smugglers’ is simply the best at teaching little ones to ski. The
instructors, who are trained caregivers, start them on skis at 2-1/2 and
on snowboards at 4. The full-day program for 3- to 5-year-olds is
designed for skiers of all abilities, and the innovative teaching
techniques help them build confidence on the slopes. The resort also has
a 5,400-square-foot day-care center for infants, and the indoor rec
centers and arcades throughout the property keep kids warm and occupied
in between runs or after the lifts close. And for more great ski
escapades, check out the 9 Best Luxury Ski Resorts In America.
Ages 5 to 7: Jean-Michel Cousteau Fiji Islands Resort, Fiji
Three important words to know about the Jean-Michel Cousteau resort:
nannies on call. All day. This means you don’t need to unload the kids
on your in-laws in order to enjoy a romantic vacation in paradise. At
this high-end beachside resort spread over 17 acres of a former coconut
plantation, children can enroll in the Bula Club. Between the nature
walks, games, swimming, and island crafts at the camp, there’s so much
to do, your progeny won’t even notice how much time Mommy and Daddy are
spending in the room.
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Ages 8 to 10: Out ‘n’ About Treehouse Treesort, Takilma, Oregon
Your kids will never look at that backyard tree house you built in quite the same way after staying at Treesort.
At this nature center and hotel, the tree houses—which serve as
rooms—and platforms are connected by stairs, ladders, and seven swinging
bridges. Your family can spend hours riding the zip line and swings on
the ropes course at this 36-acre property located near the Rogue River
National Forest, in Oregon. If you crave more activity, go mountain
biking or horseback riding on the maze of trails that snake around the
resort.
Ages 11 to 13: Egypt’s Pyramids
Whether the heir is a budding archaeologist or just really digs The Mummy, Abercrombie & Kent’s Egyptian Family Adventure
will seem like stepping into a storybook for a week. The journey starts
in Cairo with a visit to the Museum of Antiquities to check out the
mummy room. Then the adventure really gets under way with visits to the
Great Pyramids and the Sphinx. Next up? The Valley of the Kings and 3
days of motoring up the Nile aboard a yacht before disembarking at the
Aswan Dam.
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Ages 14 and above: Tuscany—by Bike
While the kids are learning about Jove and Neptune, you and your wife can master Brunellos and Chiantis. On a bike tour of Tuscany led by Backroads
guides, you explore Etruscan tombs, Roman amphitheaters, and other
ruins. Vans transport your gear from inn to inn as you cycle past farms
and medieval hill towns on the Etruscan roads. The 10- to 15-mile daily
rides will burn off the pasta dinners, but aren’t so hard that you can’t
enjoy some quality time before collapsing into bed in the grand
old-country hotels. And for a set of wheels to ride on the trip, check
out the 17 Best New Luxury Bicycles You Can Buy.
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