10 Tips for Traveling With Teens from Thomson Family Adventures

Just because your child has become a teenager – or is acting like one – doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice meaningful family vacations. To help you keep the peace and the fun flowing, listed below are a few wise tips for traveling with teens from family travel specialists, Thomson Family Adventures.

1) Choosing a destination that offers activities to challenge and excite – like a zip line, white water rafting, or kayaking – will keep your big kids active, engaged and satisfied. If they’ve done an activity before, try in a new environment for new excitement. Look for a variety of activities that give everyone a chance to try many things; don’t give them the chance to feel bored with the same old thing.

2) This is your family vacation, but diversions are very useful. Traveling in a small group of like minded and similar aged families gives you the chance to meet new people and make new friends. For many families, having company to share the fun with helps prevent the family bond from fraying under the stress of  too much togetherness.

Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".

Star-Treatment Mother's Day Package & More from Hilton Caribbean/Latin America

Treat mom to the star treatment for Mother’s Day, when mothers can play the part of jet-setting celebrities with the “Red Carpet” package from select Hilton and Doubletree by Hilton hotels and resorts in the Caribbean and Latin America.

Now through Dec. 31, 2011, a selection of hotels and resorts near turquoise beaches and in bustling cities throughout the Caribbean and Latin America deliver the star treatment with the Red Carpet package featuring: 

• Three-night suite accommodations
• Luxury airport pickup
• Indulging daily spa treatments 
• Rejuvenating facial
• On-property, celebrity-style, photo shoot 
• Gourmet dinner for two

Each hotel (listed below) also has its own star appeal, welcoming Mothers to enjoy everything from a poolside concierge at Hilton Los Cabos Beach & Golf Resort to helicopter transfers at Hilton São Paulo Morumbi.

And for Moms who’re looking for the best in wellness and relaxation, there are new spa treatments available to guests of two Hilton resorts in Latin America.

Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".

Go Visit Ireland Announces Special Travel Deal For Solo Travelers

Another St. Patrick’s Day has come and gone, but Go Visit Ireland continues the celebrations with special travel deals on guided walking tours to Ireland. This travel deal offers travelers the chance to experience Go Visit Ireland’s “Hidden Kerry” Ireland tours without paying a single supplement. 

 

This Ireland tour takes travelers on an up close and personal exploration of Southwest Ireland in County Kerry to experience some of the best coastal scenery and National Park walks in Ireland. Travelers will walk four legs of the famous Kerry Way walking trail, journeying on old coach and “butter roads”, which take them from the Atlantic Ocean on the shore of Dingle Bay, through the wild valleys of Mid Kerry and along to Killarney National Park. 

 

Some highlights of this Ireland tour include exploration of Glenbeigh, a picturesque and vibrant village by the Atlantic ocean, a trip to award-winning Rossbeigh Beach, an authentic exploration of the town of Killarney, known for its famous national park and traditional music, absorbing the sights and sounds of Killarney National Park, and a boat trip on the Lakes of Killarney. Other highlights include an optional visit to 19th century Muckross House and Gardens, a spectacular coastal walk that overlooks Dingle Bay, an optional boat trip to the ancient Skellig Islands, traditional Irish music, dance, and food, and much more.

 

No single supplements for tours on May, June, and September departures. Departure dates are available April-October. Prices start at: $925. For more information, visit http://www.govisitireland.com/hiddenkerry.html . Go Visit Ireland specializes in unforgettable walking, cycling, and cultural tours throughout Ireland. With more than 17 years of experience in creating “off the beaten path” Ireland tours, they are true experts in creating authentic Ireland travel experiences.

 

Visit www.govisitireland.com for more information,

Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".

NEW 2011 YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK LODGING & LEARNING PACKAGES

For curious travelers who want to explore Yellowstone National Park by day and stay in comfortable hotels at night, Xanterra Parks & Resorts and the non-profit Yellowstone Association Institute announce their summer 2011 lineup of multi-day “Lodging & Learning” packages.

 

With the exception of the “Roosevelt Rendezvous” and “Yellowstone for Families” programs, all Lodging & Learning packages are designed for a maximum of 12 people and for participants who are a minimum of 12 years old. Members of the Yellowstone Association receive $10 off the price of each program. Rates do not include tax or utility fee. Reservations for all programs can be made by calling (1) 307-344-7311 or toll-free 866-GEYSERLAND (866-439-7375). Online information is available at www.YellowstoneNationalParkLodges.com and www.yellowstoneassociation.org.

 

New this year is the Summer Wildlife Expedition, a four-day package offered beginning June 23, July 7 and 21 and August 4 and 18. This package is focused on wildlife viewing and features two nights of lodging at Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel, three nights at Lake Yellowstone Hotel, breakfast and box lunch daily, dinner on the last night, in-park bus transportation, expert instruction by an Institute wildlife biologist and optional evening programs. Activities include hikes of up to five miles per day with occasional elevation gains up to 500 feet in undulating terrain. Some off-trail hiking is possible. Rates are $1,299 per person for double occupancy and $1,745 per person for single occupancy.

 

“Yellowstone for Families” – named “Best Summer Family Camp in America” by “Good Morning America” and Family Fun — is designed for families with children between eight and 12. The package includes four nights at Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel or Grant Village; age-appropriate field activities such as animal tracking, wildlife-watching, painting and hiking; breakfast and box lunches each day, in-park transportation, instruction and optional evening programs. Programs are offered Monday to Friday and Friday to Tuesday from June 6 to Aug. 19. Rates for programs at Mammoth are $2,148 for a family of two adults and two children. Rates for programs in Grant Village are $2,548 for a family of two adults and two children.

Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".

A New Way to Learn Spanish in Peru with Llama Expeditions

Tired of conjugating verbs in the classroom? Now there’s a new way for adventurous travelers to improve their language skills. Llama Expeditions, a company dedicated to adventure/philanthropic/educational tours of Peru, has teamed up with Enjoy Spanish, the 5-star-rated Spanish school in San Francisco, to offer an exciting Spanish immersion adventure tour in Peru on August 28, 2011.

Enjoy Spanish founder Carlos Bazan, a Peruvian native, along with bilingual professional guides, will lead adventurer-learners on a cultural and linguistic experience. “Carlos is amazing at facilitating conversations. Speaking is often the most intimidating part of learning a second language. But, Carlos creates a safe environment that gets people talking,” says Diane Valenti, founder of Llama Expeditions. 

The tour varies from many other trips in that participants not only learn about the local culture, but will also be providing assistance to local communities with the donation of food and support to remote businesses.

“Bringing food and supporting these underdeveloped communities helps to support and grow businesses in Peru,” says Valenti. “Besides education and the adventure to visit these remote locales, the local business people are extremely grateful for what our groups bring and do for these struggling economies.”

The 9-day, $3500 tour is limited to 10 participants to ensure adequate speaking opportunities for everyone and will include stops at popular destinations such as Lima, Cusco, the Sacred Valley, and Machu Picchu. 


To learn more, visit:
http://www.llamaexpeditions.com/exploration/enjoy-spanish/overview.

 

Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".

Enter to Win: 2011 National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest

WIN FREE TRAVEL AND HAVE YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY PUBLISHED IN NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC TRAVELER MAGAZINE. 

Have you ever dreamed of having your photography showcased by National Geographic? Or, heading off for a FREE dream vacation? Now you can! Enter the National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest, which just launched today and runs through July 11, 2011.


The grand prize is a 14-day expedition for two to the British and Irish isles aboard the National Geographic Explorer (www.NationalGeographicExpeditions.com). The runner-up will win a nine-night hotel stay at Trident Hotels in India (www.TridentHotels.com), and the third prize winner will gain entry to an intensive 2 ½ day photo workshop at Santa Fe Workshops (www.santafeworkshops.com).

Entries may be submitted today through July 11, 2011 for a $15 - $25 fee in any of the following categories: travel portraits, outdoor scenes, sense of place and spontaneous moments. Winning images will be showcased in the November/December 2011 issue of National Geographic Traveler magazine. 

For the past 23 years, National Geographic Traveler has hosted this competition and attracted entries from around the world. In 2010, nearly 4,000 photographers submitted over 11,000 images of wildlife, destinations and people that evoked a sense of discovery and exploration. 

You can find more information on the National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest by visiting http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/traveler-magazine/photo-contest/.

 

Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".