Family Travel Network

03/10/2022

Plan a family cruise to Alaska this year! Holland America Line's Ultimate Upgrade Event through March 31 offers $75 kids’ cruise rates on select 2022 Alaska itineraries, FREE stateroom upgrades and much more. Get details here: https://bit.ly/3t03lDV

12/20/2021

The non-profit Family Travel Association now has three great prizes as part of their vacation raffle. The first prize winner will select the vacation of their choice from three great trips. The second winner will choose from the remaining two trips and the third winner will receive the other trip. Each prize is valued at over $3000.

The three prize winning trips are:

An amazing Dude Ranch Vacation for two people for four nights (the winner can choose from 5 different properties - see prize description).
A 7-day G Adventures Costa Rica: land Monteverde and La Fortuna tour for two people.
An All-inclusive Club Med trip for a family of 4 for a 3-night land only vacation at one of the following resorts in Club Med North America: Club Med Cancun / Mexico Club Med Punta Cana / Dominican Republic

A portion of the funds raised will go to the favorite non-profits of the organization that donated the trips. The balance will help fund, revamping the FTA website, up-dating the organization's CRM and general FTA back end operations.

Check out the vacation raffle details here: https://www.rafflecreator.com/pages/51490/family-travel-association-holiday-vacation-raffle.

11/30/2021

Check out this great vacation raffle from the non-profit Family Travel Association - just in time for the holidays! These two fantastic trips are perfect for your next family vacation. Get the details here: https://www.facebook.com/familytravelassociation?fbclid=IwAR1XVDV6vqO0Hsg6lXXg3MOtSL25gM4oUJCu6l5P-cAbVaeTPibDdxiecSk

12/28/2020

Planning a future cruise with family and friends? Check out this great "buy one - gift one" free stateroom deal from Holland America Line https://www.hollandamerica.com/en_US/deals/buy-one-gift-one.html

12/17/2020

Want to put a little holiday sparkle in your day? Several of America's largest Christmas markets have gone virtual this year, so you and your family can enjoy the European Christmas markets experience from the comfort and safety of your own home. If you’re looking for ways to get in the holiday spirit, check out these three virtual U.S. Christmas markets:

Christkindlmarket Virtual Christmas Market Chicago - Chicago, IL
This large open-air Christmas market was launched in 1996 and has become a popular Chicago tradition. This year, the Chicago Christkindlmarket has gone completely virtual with its “Home for the Holidays” website featuring an online shopping marketplace, fun activities for kids and families, and interactive activities. Online visitors can shop for gift boxes, mugs, bath and body items, handmade ornaments, clothing and accessories, toys and games, home décor, beverages and other items from 47 Christkindlmarket vendors. Children can join the Kinder Club and have fun downloading coloring pages and going on scavenger hunts. Special events take place through December 20 as well. For more information, visit https://www.christkindlmarket.com.

St. Paul Virtual Christmas Market – St. Paul, MN
St. Paul’s European Christmas Market will not be taking place in person during the 2020 holiday season, but will be offered virtually instead. Visit the Market’s website to browse products from local crafters, artisans and vendors selling handmade gifts. A special beverage gift box is available as well. European holiday entertainment is offered via video through December 24. For more information on this year’s virtual market and to access shopping and events, visit https://stpaulchristmasmarket.org.

Texas Virtual Christkindl Market – Arlington, TX
This German-inspired holiday market is designed to be similar to the Christkindlesmarkt in Rothenberg ob der Tauber, Germany. While the market will not have a physical location this year, Christmas Market lovers can still find unique holiday gifts from vendors, find recipes for German holiday treats, enjoy live performances, and listen to holiday music on the Christkindl Market website. There’s a special KinderClub with activities for kids on the site, too. For more information on this year’s virtual market and to access shopping and performances, visit https://www.txchristkindlmarket.com.

Enjoy the unique shopping experience at The Christkindlmarket.

12/04/2020

This is a great year for families to get in the holiday spirit while enjoying a drive-through festive light show. These festive experiences feature millions of holiday lights, colorful displays, beautifully decorated Christmas trees, classic characters and special add-on activities.

Here are twelve of the best holiday light shows located throughout the United States:

1. Austin Trail of Lights, Texas
The 56th annual Austin Trail of Lights in Zilker Park is designed to be a drive-through only event this year. The trail features more than 2 million holiday lights, 90 beautifully decorated holiday trees and 70 other holiday displays of various kinds. A variety of different ticket types are available and all can be purchased online. For more information about the Austin Trail of Lights event, visit https://austintrailoflights.org.

2. Bull Run Festival of Lights, Virginia
Guests can enjoy driving along this 2.5 mile route illuminated by festive holiday light displays. Tickets are sold per vehicle and can be purchased online in advance. Discounts are available for festival visits on Monday through Thursday. For more information about the Bull Run Festival of Lights in Manassas, visit https://www.novaparks.com/events/bull-run-festival-of-lights.
3. Bright Nights at Forest Park, Massachusetts

Bright Nights has welcomed more than 6 million visitors since its inception in 1995. This holiday event has been named as one of the “Top 100 Attractions in North America” by the American Bus Association and “One of the Top Ten Holiday Happenings in America” by People.com. Holiday light displays cover a wide variety of themes. For more information on Springfield's Bright Nights event in Forest Park, visit https://www.brightnights.org.

4. Celebration in the Oaks, Louisiana
New Orleans' Celebration in the Oaks has been named as one of America's top holiday light shows. This year’s driving tour features 2.25 miles of light displays and over 1 million twinkling lights. Tickets must be purchased in advance and are date specific for a set timeslot. Select add-on activities like train rides, marshmallow roasting and hot chocolate are available as well. For more information on New Orleans' Celebration in the Oaks, visit http://neworleanscitypark.com/celebration-in-the-oaks.

5. Glittering Lights at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Nevada
This popular drive-through Christmas light show is a Nevada holiday tradition for many. The spectacular displays decorating 2.5 miles of the Las Vegas Motor Speedway feature millions of twinkling lights and decorations. A portion of the ticket sales from this event benefit Speedway Children’s Charities. For more information, visit http://www.glitteringlightslasvegas.com.

6. Glow Holiday Festival, Minnesota
Navigate through this beautiful holiday lights display at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds in Falcon Heights, Minnesota. This mile-long drive-through experience with multiple stops takes about 40 minutes and features over a million twinkling holiday lights, decorated and illuminated holiday trees, a festive gingerbread house, a variety of art displays and much more. Guests are required to stay in their car throughout the experience. Tickets must be purchased in advance. For more information about the Glow Holiday Festival, visit https://www.glowholiday.com.

7. Hershey Sweet Lights, Pennsylvania
Located just a short drive from Hersheypark, Hershey Sweet Lights is a popular holiday drive-through attraction. It featuring two miles of trails decorated with close to 600 illuminated displays made up of about 2 million LED lights. The attraction has been nominated for a 2020 USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice travel award as one of the best holiday lights displays in America. For more information, visit https://www.hersheypark.com/explore-the.../christmas.php....

8. Holiday Festival of Lights, South Carolina
This year's Holiday Festival of Lights in Charleston's James Island County Park is a drive-through event, only. The holiday display, named as one of the best in the Southeast, features millions of twinkling lights adorning more than 700 displays set along the three-mile route. Guests have the opportunity to purchase scrumptious holiday treats from the event's drive-up concessions area as well. For more information about Charleston's Holiday Festival of Lights, visit https://ccprc.com/1975/Holiday-Festival-of-Lights.

9. Lights On The Lake, New York
Located in Onondaga Lake Park, Lights On The Lake is a 2-mile long drive-through light show featuring massive holiday displays including the Land of Oz, a twinkling fantasy forest, colorful arches and a magical finale. Tickets are available online and must be purchased in advance. For more information about Syracuse's Lights on the Lake holiday event, visit https://www.lightsonthelake.com.

10. Oglebay Winter Festival of Lights, West Virginia
Oglebay Resort’s Winter Festival of Lights began in 1985 and has grown into one of America’s largest holiday light displays, attracting over 1 million visitors yearly. The 6-mile drive-through attraction features 300 acres of twinkling lights and more than 90 lighted displays. A life-sized nativity display, guided trolley tours, Snowflake Express Train rides and other attractions are also available. For more information about the Oglebay Winter Festival of Lights at Oglebay Resort, visit https://oglebay.com/lights.

11. Portland International Raceway’s Winter Wonderland, Oregon
Portland International Raceway’s Winter Wonderland is known as the “Largest Holiday Light Show West of the Mississippi.” Guests can view over 250 colorful lighted displays and animated scenes while driving along the raceway. Over 2 million visitors have enjoyed this attraction since its inception. Tickets must be purchased online. For more information on Portland International Raceway’s Winter Wonderland holiday lights event, visit http://winterwonderlandportland.com.

12. Winter Fest OC’s Night of Lights OC, California
Guests can enjoy an interactive 1-mile drive through a winter wonderland of lights at this holiday event featuring over one million lights animated to music, plus snow flurries, Santa and more. Seasonal foods and beverages are also available as well. For more information on Costa Mesa’s Night of Lights OC, visit https://winterfestoc.com.

09/26/2020

Make sure to check out today’s premiere of “Magic of Disney’s Animal Kingdom” from National Geographic streaming now on Disney+. The program offers an exclusive look at the more than 5000 animals who live at Walt Disney World Resort and how they’re cared for in their special home. This adorable female Masai giraffe was born at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park on Tuesday. So cute! Learn more on the Disney Parks Blog: bit.ly/36a2QfM

To say we’re excited at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park is putting it lightly – we are over the moon ecstatic about the premiere of “Magic of Disney’s Animal Kingdom” from National Geographic, streaming today on Disney+. I know you

08/17/2020

Take the family on a weeklong virtual voyage to Norway this week with Holland America Line. This virtual voyage sails roundtrip from Amsterdam, the Netherlands, and will "call" at some of Norway's most beautiful ports. Highlights of this virtual cruise will include shore excursion activities, live events, stunning videos of waterfalls and scenic fjords, and even a reading of a Norwegian children's story. Visit Holland America's page this week and join in the fun! https://www.facebook.com/HALCruises

Experts in the art of leisurely travel with experiences too good to hurry through. Savour the Journey with Holland America.

04/01/2020

Want to get away? Escape with your family to some of the world’s most unspoiled places on a Virtual Expedition with Lindblad Expeditions. This small ship adventure travel company’s Virtual Expedition will include educational activities for kids led by Lindblad’s certified field educators, live musical performances, naturalist lectures, cooking demonstrations, photography tips and more. A Daily Program will be posted to Lindblad’s Virtual Expedition each day with new discoveries and live activities. Check out this page and plan to go! https://www.expeditions.com/destinations/virtual/

03/31/2020

Check out these Virtual Adventures for Kids from Austin Adventures. There were well over 1,000 registrations for the company's first Yellowstone National Park Virtual Adventures. These are designed primarily for kids ages 6-12, but anyone can join in the fun. Austin Adventures' next Virtual Adventure focuses on Alaska. Sign up now!

In an effort to help alleviate stress with Covid-19, Austin Adventures will be hosting a series of virtual adventures for kids. Click here to learn more!

11/30/2019

Looking for great options for a memorable family vacation? Luxury river cruise company Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection is offering travelers their best savings of the year for 2020 river cruises. Uniworld's river cruises are a wonderful choice for multigenerational vacations as well. Guests will save up to 30% off on select sailings across most itineraries and room categories through January 3rd. Uniworld's family-friendly Generations Collection cruises are included in this deal. These cruises offer exclusive programs and excursions for young travelers. For more information, visit www.uniworld.com.

11/30/2019

Global Family Travels is offering Black Friday Deals thru December on bucket-list family vacations by that address some of the big issues of our day, such as climate change, endangered wildlife, gender equality, and more. These family-focused vacations take place in destinations that span the beautiful island of Bali, grasslands of Africa, Andean peaks of Peru, ancient cities of Northern India, to the rain-forests of Costa Rica and beyond. For more information, check out this great blog post on the Global Family Travel website: https://www.globalfamilytravels.com/post/family-vacations-that-tackle-global-issues-and-turn-kids-into-world-citizens.