For many who live in areas that see a lot of snow in the wintertime, it is a time of year that they try to stay inside as much as possible and avoid the elements. However, what if the elements were not so cold? Just because it is winter in one region does not mean it is winter everywhere else! While your home may be frozen, there are plenty of places that are warm enough for a relaxing outdoor vacation.
One of the best vacations to take to escape the cold north is a cruising tour further south. Imagine ? instead of shivering in your home, you could be seeing the wonders of Egypt in beautiful weather.
You could take advantage of a cruise that takes you all through this history-rich land, seeing Luxor and other cities along the Nile River. Some of the nearly weeklong cruises to this region offer tours to wonders such as the Temple of Luxor.
One of the more fun ways to see a region such as this would be on a smaller cruise vessel. Ships such as the Oberoi Shehrazad offer a quaint and personal experience. This ship only sleeps 80 travelers on vacation. Even though it is smaller than the mega cruise ships it does have some great features including a pool, a sun deck and a library.
Another nice outdoor vacation destination to escape the cold is in the Virgin Islands. With a dozen islands to experience along this cruising tour, you will never be at a loss for new things to see and new beaches to experience. While some cruises to this area are a little more expensive, many of them also offer some extras such as snorkeling or scuba dives at the reefs.
Again, if you want a special experience that is much more personal, you should consider a smaller ship. Those like the 66-passenger SV Flying Cloud can take you closer and into more secluded places than a larger cruise ship, and imagine sitting on the deck of that smaller, private ship while sipping a cocktail and watching the sun set on the water.
Had enough of the tropics? How about trying one of many vacations to the Orient? Available are week or longer trips through Ko Khai Nok, Phi Phi, and other islands of Thailand and Malaysia.
One of the smaller ships that travels this itinerary is the 170 passenger Star Flyer. It's fancier than you would expect with two swimming pools, an Edwardian library, and decks made of teak
When it comes to being warm, it doesn't get much warmer than the equator. If this is your cup of tea, you may want to take a trip to Ecuador. Here you can cruise the Amazon River, experiencing the kind of wildlife you see in a National Geographic magazine and getting up close and personal to the rainforest.
The important thing to remember is there is no reason to spend the winter shivering. Your escape from the ice, snow and cold is as easy as booking a cruise somewhere in warmer waters.
Taking a winter vacation with your kids always seems like a great idea, but it can often leave you feeling like you need another vacation when you get home! With a little planning, you can take a vacation with your kids this winter and return feeling as if you actually got the break you needed. Just follow these three golden rules:
1.Stay At A Resort With a Kid's Program.
Whether you are planning a ski vacation or fun on an island in the Caribbean, make your life simpler by booking rooms at a resort with a day program for kids. Many larger resorts and some hotels have activity programs for children, where they can do arts and crafts, outdoor activities, play music, even take lessons in skiing, surfing, or whatever sport the area has to offer.
Some of the programs are for a few hours a day, others are half-day programs, and some will keep your kids busy all day if you want. Even if you never use the program, it's a good thing to have one on site. Parents need time to relax, and your kids will want a break from you too. While your kids have a ball, you can get a massage, read a book poolside, or whatever strikes your fancy. When your kids rejoin you, there will be much to talk about.
Make sure you inquire about the ages the children's program covers, and call to reserve space in advance. If you have your heart set on a specific hotel that does not have a program for children, find out if they partner with other hotels that do have one, or if there are fun classes that might be appropriate for children.
2. Keep the Schedule Flexible.
If there is one time your family should be free of obligations and rushing about, it's on vacation. Kids ? and therefore parents ? experience over-scheduling in the real world; they don't need it on vacation.
Your family vacation does not have to mean you spend 100% of your time doing activities that involve the whole family. When kids get dragged to "must-see" historical sites, or daylong shopping adventures, tempers are sure to flare.
If you are traveling with more than one adult, split up and let kids do what they want to do. You and your partner, or other adult family members can take turns chaperoning the kids, while the others do "grown-up stuff".
Instead of stuffing the day with sightseeing and other activities, sit down together at breakfast (or dinner the night before) and kick around various options for the day. You might set a time for meals, so that older kids and teenagers can roam about and still have a time to check in with the grown-ups.
3. Learn Something New Together.
Family vacations are a fantastic way to reconnect with your kids and do some serious bonding. One of the best ways to do this is to sign up to learn something new together. Whether it is a ropes course in Hawaii, learning to snowshoe in Vermont, or surfing lessons in Fiji, taking a class or going on a guided adventure is a sure way to foster togetherness.
Choose something everyone can do together, and keep it to a half-day or under time-wise. If you have very small children, you might consider getting a babysitter for them, so the older children can have some real fun with you. Remember to check reviews of various instructors and guides, and get referrals from your hotel or resort.
When you follow the three golden rules of vacations with kids, your family getaway will be one to remember ? this time because you actually had fun!
Both Vince J. Paxton & Pat Brill are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Vince J. Paxton has sinced written about articles on various topics from Bathroom Home Improvement, Interior Design and Home Management. Vince Paxton repeatedly edits online reports on news associated to Gandia and Javea. His are published on his s. Vince J. Paxton's top article generates over 550000 views. to your Favourites.
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