Vacation packages for family

Ten exceptional properties, representing a variety of global regions and styles, have been honored as the world’s best hotels. They were feted as the year’s Best of the Best at Virtuoso Travel Week in Las Vegas. Virtuoso surveyed its 11,400-plus travel advisors to identify the winners. Editors of the network’s award-winning VIRTUOSO LIFE magazine identified the nominees on which Virtuoso advisors voted. With more than 1,100 hotels, resorts, villas and private island retreats in over 100 countries, the competition to be one of the world’s best hotels is stiff. This year’s Virtuoso Best of the Best winners are:

Are you ready for a trip to Orlando? I don’t think any family is ever really prepared for a vacation in Orlando, Florida. We all know it means many hours hanging out with Mickey at Disney, Shamu at SeaWorld, movie stars at Universal Studios, and all the animals at nearby Busch Gardens. But, to do it all will only leave you tired and overwhelmed — so take things slow and let us help. We’ll conquer Orlando together. I’m sure you already know what’s at this destination, so let’s tackle accommodations, packing, and preparation. No matter what, the kids will have fun in the sun. Choose what works best for your crew and plan well ahead for best results! Tips Before Leaving If you live in a more four-season friendly environment, you will want to be extra ready for Orlando’s hot, sunny, and sometimes rainy or windy weather. Keeping the kids fed, hydrated, and comfortable will be your best ally to enjoying the getaway. Keep this in mind when packing cozy clothing and creature comforts. Usu...

The Lanikai pillbox hike is easily one of the most famous hikes on Oahu (after Stairway to Heaven, Koko Head, and Diamond Head).If you’re new to hiking, this could be a good way to motivate yourself to do a slightly more challenging hike. If you’re basically a pro hiker, this little trail will have a super rewarding view for the little bit of effort you’ll have to put in. Either way, here are some basics to help you with the Lanikai pillbox hike.

We hate to admit it, but we’ve been slacking on date nights lately. Work and other obligations have gotten the best of us and we needed a bit of “us time”. Enter Apple Farm Inn. The perfect spot for a relaxing and romantic getaway. Being just 3.5 hours away from our home in Los Angeles, it was ideal for a one night trip. We packed our bags and headed on over. Read on for our full review of Apple Farm Inn – San Luis Obispo, California. Checking in We felt relaxed the second we drove into the Apple Farm Inn parking lot. The vibe is just so darn cozy! You get this country rustic feel while still being in the city. We definitely felt we had gone much further than LA! Before even checking in, we were offered a selection of cheese and onion scones, tea, hot apple cider, coffee, and wine. Now that’s a warm welcome! We selected our goodies and continued on with checking in. Right away we noticed how warm, friendly, and helpful the front desk staff was, even th...

Mexico City’s colorful neighborhoods and parks sprawl across 570 square miles – after all, it’s one of the biggest cities in the world – tempting travelers to focus on bits at a time, instead of tackling the entire metropolis in one go. On a recent visit I collected Insta posts of architectural wonders such as the Palacio Postal, sipped mezcal cocktails, and said hola to Frida at the Museo Casa Estudio Diego Rivera Y Frida Kahlo. Between long walks along CDMX’s tree-lined streets, I retreated to my perch in the new skyscraper-based Sofitel Mexico City Reforma. Here’s what I loved about my stay. Culture Combination After a soft open last November, the 275-room hotel recently hosted a bass-thumping debut party in its 40th-floor event space to celebrate officially marrying the city’s Mexican culture with the French brand’s joie de vivre . The first Sofitel in Mexico – and the newest luxury hotel in Mexico City in about a decade – it exhibits a balanced combo of the French and Mexican cu...

More than mansions and glam, the Palm Beach area is a serene beach getaway. Palm Beach, Florida has always been associated with wealth. Even my driver from the airport commented on this stereotype. But my worries about elite snobbery were way off-base. Says Virtuoso travel advisor Deborah Director, who’s based in nearby Boca Raton, “I find there to be a disconnect between the perception and reality of Palm Beach. The people there are gracious and quite welcoming.” This hospitality and kindness is exactly what I found during my stay, along with all the elements of a great beach vacation: gracious hotels, great shopping, relaxing spa treatments, fun tours, and more. Although the town is Palm Beach County’s most recognized destination, known for its famous locals and luxury lifestyle, surrounding towns such as Boca Raton, Delray Beach, and Jupiter are worth exploring, too. Here are five must-do’s for making the most of your visit: Take a tour. Cruising the Intracoastal Waterway with ...

They said: There’s nothing like home. As much as I love escaping routine to explore the world, I still have a place to call home (hello Canada!).   To be honest, most of the time, I came back home backwards. In February, I was planning a 6 week visit to the fold. I was going to face the Canadian winter (and its true coldness), to visit family and friends, and to enjoy a comfort that I cannot find anywhere else. I found much more than comfort; I also found consolation.  I can’t carry this notion in a backpack, can I? After telling my best stories, I took back my little habits and I rediscovered my Canadian lifestyle.  It was great to enjoy a short holiday in my holidays.  I wouldn’t have thought I could have a break at home. After a long-term trip, it feels good to have a break and to be in a stable environment for a while.  Being on the road isn’t always perfect and you can even get tired of it sometimes. As I was about to leave the country ...