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Best Family Vacations

BV’s Top Three Picks for Families in 2008

Are Disney World and Universal been there, done that destinations as your family vacation spots?  Here are our three choices for 2008’s best family vacations offering exciting things to see, things to do, and things to learn while traveling with children.  And each is served with a large dollop of fun: a trip to South Africa including game preserves, exploring Alaska and its glaciers, and a family diving adventure to Grand Cayman.

Girls with wildlife in South Africa

First up - South Africa

This sprawling country at three times the area of California encompasses a vast array of terrain and cultures, and offers a variety of vacation possibilities.   Consider Capetown, the nation’s largest city and oldest, dating back to 1652, where a cable car trip to the top of Table Mountain rewards you with spectacular views.  You can also visit Simon’s Town to see the African Penguin colony (Their unique braying sound has earned them the nickname of Jackass Penguins, sure to be a hit with the kids.); travel to one of the area’s excellent wineries; or take a boat trip to Seal Island, home to fur seals and sea birds.  Beginning in April, it is also possible to observe the great white sharks that come to the island to feed and are known to leap completely free from the water to grab an unlucky seal.  Almost a must stop is Kwazulu/Natal, the tribal home of the Zulus, who while famed for their historic prowess as warriors, today primarily work their agricultural land and raise cattle.  You can see demonstrations of beadwork, spear-making and other traditional skills, and observe village ceremonies. In Karoo, a semi desert area, are large ostrich farms, as well as the famed Cango Caves.  Last, but certainly not least, is Maputaland, the home of one of the world’s top eco destinations, Greater Lucia Wetland Park, as well as some of the country’s best game preserves, which offer chances to see the big five game (lion, African elephant, African buffalo, black rhinoceros, and leopard), and a variety of ways to experience Africa including hiking, driving and sleeping in the bush.

Alaska family vacation cruise boat

Something Closer to Home:

Alaska.  One of America’s last remaining true wilderness areas offers adventure, wildlife, and learning opportunities found nowhere else including vanishing glaciers, dog sledding, and gold rush history, all very appealing for children.  Pre-planning for your Alaska trip is important including adequate clothing and a knowledge of the seasonal availability of certain attractions (for example, if your heart is set on seeing the aurora borealis or Northern Lights, you should plan on a fall, winter or spring visit, because the phenomenon cannot be experienced in summer).  Make sure that your trip includes a visit to Denali National Park.  At six million acres, this unspoiled wilderness area is larger than the state of Massachusetts.  You may be lucky enough to see some of the Dall sheep, moose, caribou, wolves and grizzly bears that call the park home.  There are all sorts of ways to explore the park including hiking and trekking, snow shoeing, tour bus (private cars are not permitted beyond the first few miles), camping, flying, and by dog sled.  Consider a cruise of the inland waters for a chance to see the glaciers up close and personal, pristine bays and coves, whales cavorting, and more.  Some of Alaska’s cities worth a visit: Fairbanks, where you can pan for gold and explore gold rush history, Juneau, home of the Mendenhall Glacier and a good choice for a winter trip because of its mild climate, Anchorage, a major city containing 42% of Alaska’s population that is 50 miles long!  From it, you can see six mountain ranges; Cordova, a small town on Prince William Sound and wilderness adventure jumping-off place.

Family vacation dive trip group

Finally, Family Dive Trip:

At one time, dive trip and family were not words that went together. That is not true any more.  One of the most interesting is Cobalt Coast Resort and Suites on Grand Cayman.  Coordinate your trip so that your children ten and up can experience Sea Camp, a week of fun and diving instruction.  There is also Teen Sea Camp, and Scuba Rangers. For children too young or not diving, there are snorkeling trips and child care available while adults dive.  Fun activities include the Cayman Turtle Farm, where green turtles are raised. 40% of the turtle yearlings are released into the wild.  Sponsor a turtle for only $5.00.  Boatswain’s Beach has other attractions including a fresh water tidal lagoon for swimming, birds and crocodiles.  If you like the idea of a family dive trip, but want to go further afield, consider Fiji, which has several dive resorts that offer children’s programs, such as Outrigger on the Lagoon with its Little Riggers programs (children 3-7) and Beach Riggers (children 8-12)

Ready to go? Contact our travel partner, Casto,  by calling +1-866-958-8687 or by sending them an Email to arrange your family vacation for 2008.




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