Dublin is one of the most popular travel destinations for seniors and families alike. Although Dublin is a relatively affordable European city, there are always ways to save a buck and stretch your Euros by visiting these family travel deals throughout Dublin.

Museums

• The National Museum of Ireland
• Hugh Lane Municipal Gallery of Modern Art

Where to Get Away….

• St. Stephen’s Green
• Garden of Remembrance

Historical Structures

• Trinity College
• Leinster House

Worries of where to travel, what to pack, how much it will cost, when to plan the trip… the list goes on and on. Make your life easier! Take a deep breath and read our family travel advice. Utilize these simple do’s and dont’s.

Do:

• Search for a family oriented vacation spot – look for a place not only the kids will have fun, but so will you and your partner.

• Seek out family travel deals or all inclusive packages – find a cost effective plan that will create less stress about money spending.

• Spend quality time as a family – balancing your career, your relationship with your partner, and time with your children can be tough, so take advantage of the week together!

• Plan plenty of activities while on vacation – going to the beach everyday can get boring, so plan little day trips to other places around where you’re vacationing!

• Take lots of pictures – one of the most important parts of an unforgettable vacation is creating photo album; your memory can only remember so much.

Do Not:

• Pack a multiple bags/heavy bags – there is nothing more difficult than carrying too much baggage, plus it can get rather pricy when checking bags for air travel.

• Take the first price offered – although travel agents may seem sincerer in having the “best” offer, many times you can find something better elsewhere.

• Stick to the guide book – see what other attractions are nearby, ask locals about the best places to sight see and eat!

Where to stay: Outrigger chain of hotels, specifically Outrigger Reef, found on Waikiki Beach; Aston Waikki Beach (rent a kitchenette room and save on eating out!)

Where to eat: Alan Wong’s; Orchids (known for its romantic atmosphere); Cheeseburger in Paradise; Helena’s Hawaiian Food; Kua Aina Sandwhich

What to do: rent a sailboat from a local fisherman and watch the sunset from the water; climb up Diamond Head, visit Pearl Harbor; window shop on Kalakaua Avenue

New York City

Where to stay: Times Square chains usually offer decently priced family travel deals – hotels include Novotel, Casablanca and Hotel 41;

Where to eat: Babbo; Mesa Grill, Patsy Grimaldi’s

What to do: Window shop around Times Square, experience one of the cheaper Broadway shows like “The Addams Family” or “Memphis”; walk across the Brooklyn Bridge; take a look at Ground Zero

Chicago

Where to stay: Boutique hotels like the James, the Dana and the Talbott for personalized service; rent an apartment by the week for extended stays directly from an owner

Where to eat: North Pond, which looks over Lincoln Park; Chinatown’s Lao Sze Chuan; Mr. Beef; Hot Doug’s Sausage Superstore and Encased Meat Emporium

What to do: Explore Milennium Park; visit the Chicago Art Institute; take a cruise with the Chicago Architecture Foundation’s narrated river cruise gliding past downtown Chicago; rent a bike to take in the sights of the city at your leisure, take the El to Chicago’s suburbs of Old Town, Wrigleyville and Wicker Park

This time consuming task can be substituted through online agents who have lots of discount and cheap packages just for families looking for family travel deals. You can grab them within a couple of hours because they are available in every season and every time.

These days, when everyone is in a hurry and parents can worry due to several reasons,  cheap family travel deals are the ways that open the gates of fun and enjoyment to everyone. They also give you more chances to be closer to your family. When considering where you are going on your family vacation, think about a destination that everyone in the family will love!

The fast availability of cheap family travel deals through the discount packages will be purchased for the domestic as well as the international places. Therefore, you don’t need to worry because you can go for your dream place with ease. All necessary things will be provided you through cheap family holidays and thus, waste no time and have access for these tour right now!

The good thing about these cheap family travel deals is that they are able to meet the various needs of different people. If you belong to a tight budget category, you can manage with everything without disturbing your regular budget whereas if you are willing to enjoy a luxurious holiday tour, there is also no need to worry because you can also avail such a package that will be a little bit expensive than the normal packages.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Willims

The WWHP theme park is part of Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida. The Grand Opening was in late June, and ever since then the family travel deals and vacations have been pouring in. The theme park is technically “a theme park within a theme park”. “Islands of Adventure
is one of the two already highly visited Universal theme parks. The park is separated into “islands”, with WWHP being its 6^th. The 20-acre Harry Potter island is composed of the following:

• Hogwarts Castle – includes the forbidden forest
• Hogsmeade village

The “Wizarding World of Harry Potter Vacation Packages” available include

• Stay at one of the Universal Studio’s three fine resorts
• Front of the line access to select attractions
• 3-day Theme park tickets – one park per day
• Breakfast at The Three Broomsticks
• Early park admission to WWHP
• Access to live entertainment at Universal CityWalk

This package is for a 4-night family vacation and is a great family travel deal. Everyone in the family can enjoy this vacation. Combine the magic (no pun intended) of the Harry Potter books and movies plus the adventure of roller coasters and the beauty of Florida.

This plan is one of the best family travel deals you will find for this theme park. They start at just $285 per adult and $130 per child. A family of four can get all the perks of this family travel deal for only $829.

For more information on this amazing family travel deal, click here.

The cities with notable Cinco de Mayo festivals are mostly in the west, where Mexican populations are higher. these festivals are great for family vacations, even good for babies! Some cities around the country that are not only great family travel deals (meaning they are relatively inexpensive and have activities for the entire family) but have renowned Cinco de Mayo festivals are:

• Minneapolis, Minnesota – The St. Paul’s West Side’s District de Sol is taken over for this festival, having a salsa-tasting contest, parade, sports zone, wellness village, crafts and history area. This is a premiere family travel deal for everyone in the family
• San Marco, Texas – Not only does this family travel deal include the typical food and music celebrations, but it also has a Miss Cinco de Mayo and Little Miss Cinco de Mayo pageants, a parade, a statewide menudo cook-off and a salsa/hot sauce contest
• Denver, Colorado – enjoy Mexican music, dancing and food in this 2-day long festival
• Chicago, Illinois – Douglas Park is the place to be for festivals, music, food, games, kids area and cultural displays
• Omaha, Nebraska – a crowning of a Cinco de Mayo queen makes this a family travel deal worth trekking out to Nebraska
• Phoenix, Arizona – multiple celebrations throughout the city
• Portland, Oregon – The Tom McCall Waterfront Park is littered with carnival attractions as well as Mexican food
• Reno, Nevada – 100,000 visitors came this family travel deal fun and enlightening with Mexican and Latin music, food and cultural artists
• San Antonio, Texas – The historic market square has concerts, food, music and other commemorations
• San Francisco, California – The Mission neighborhood is taken over by health screenings, all-day cultural attractions, Lucha Libre wrestlers and a Mission Dolores tour
• San Diego, California – Different areas of San Diego are participating in Cinco de Mayo celebrations; most notably the Bazaar del Mundo and Gaslamp

Don’t forget, Mother’s Day is right around the corner, and traveling to a Cinco de Mayo festival would be a great Mother’s Day gift!

1. Sugar Beach, Kihei, Maui (The Aston Maui Lu)

Starting on the western side of the U.S., this quiet relaxing beach is down the shore from the busier beaches of Maui. This allows for a quick escape from the serene if you’re into a more upbeat vacation, but also allows for quiet days to play in the sand without being crowds. The Aston Maui Lu resort is under renovations now, but has plenty of family activities involving tennis and walking trails and is a steal coming in at $125 a night. Don’t forget to ask for the Summer Rates special!

2. St. Pete Beach, Florida (The Alden Beach Resort & Suites)

Whereas a lot of family travel deals only occur during the winter, the Alden Beach Resort & Suites have summer-long rates starting at just $119 a night. The resort is right on the beach and has a free barbeque deck along with basketball, tennis and volleyball courts.

3. Huntington Beach, California (Shorebreak Hotel)

This getaway is not only kid friendly, but dog friendly as well. Surf City, USA is also home to Dog Beach. This area is very low key, as any good surf culture is. The Shorebreak Hotel is new, very modern, oceanfront and a steal at $139 per night (depending on the time of year you go).

4. South Padre Island, Texas (Casa de Siesta)

When one thinks of beach trips, Texas doesn’t usually come to mind, but the state is surrounded on most sides by water! Once the hordes of spring breakers leave, this place is perfect for families. It has water sports, horseback riding and even the Schlitterbahn Beach Water Park all nearby. The Casa de Siesta only has 12 rooms, so book them early! The rooms start at just $99 and have the beach only a half block away

5. Seven-Mile Beach, Negril, Jamaica (Kuyuba)

Seven-Mile Beach is the longest stretch of beach in Jamaica. A lighthouse guides you down the shore to many hotel options. Kuyuba offers rustic cottages for only $70 a night in the winter. A room with a kitchenette is only $7 more.

6. Puerto Viejo, Coast Rica (Beijaflor Resort)

Boasting one of the best family travel deals on this list, the Beijaflor Resort gives you a deluxe room with an open-sky shower and hammock for only $90 a night. Between the rainforests and beaches of this beautiful tourist filled country along with the horseback riding and surf lessons offered by the hotel, the family is sure to never have a dull moment.

7. Junkanoo Beach, Nassau, Bahamas (Nassau Bahamas Hotel)

This family travel deal might be more appropriate for an adult outing, but families and kids are definitely welcome. The casino and $131 “Bed/Breakfast & Dinner Package” for 2 seems to cater more to the adult vacationers, but the duty free shopping and pool/beach combo gives the whole family a reason to visit.

8. Isla Verde Beach, San Juan, Puerto Rico (Courtyard by Marriott Isla Verde Beach Resort)

This resort area is the perfect getaway for adults and kids alike. The Courtyard offers a “weekend getaway” package for $189 that includes a Deluxe Ocean View Room, casino coupon, complimentary breakfast buffet, and welcome rum drinks for 2 adults. The area is close to the city so kids can enjoy the museums and street entertainment. The area is perfect for a place to get away and relax to.

9. Eagle Beach, Oranjestad, Aruba (Manchebo Beach Resort and Spa)

This resort is one of the best family travel deals in the country! Newly renovated with 32” LCD flat screens, fridges, AC, a library, fresh water pool and the enticements of 81 degree beach weather comes at the small price of $169 a night!

10.  North Playa del Carmen Beach, Playa del Carmen, Mexico (the Blue Parrot)

Although a passport is needed for this excursion, this family travel deal is sure to excite. The second largest coral reef is right offshore from this $110 a night resort. The kids can enjoy snorkeling and scuba diving or play in the sand. At night, the resort puts on a Fire Show which includes flame-throwing acrobatics performers.

Source: AOL Travel

More than 200 resorts are offering free or discounted ski, snowboard, cross-country skiing and snowshoe lessons for beginners. If everyone is a beginner, smaller mountain ranges and resorts can be better for the whole family…cheaper too.

Smaller resorts around the country that are not as overwhelming for beginner families include:

• Hunter Mountain in New York
• Crystal Mountain in Michigan
• Brian Head Resort in Utah
• Bolton Valley in Vermont
• Mount Rose on the North Shore of Lake Tahoe

There are also countless ski and snowboarding deals for certain age groups. A lot of resorts put together a “passport” program for children of different ages (usually the deal is for children anywhere from 4^th-6^th grade). These programs allow children to ski/snowboard for free after filing in some paperwork and paying a small fee at the beginning of your trip.

Not only are resorts pulling out all the stops for families with increased programming, but some are also offering free lift tickets and free flights.

Having the winter Olympics this year is a huge selling point for winter sports and is one of the main reasons there are so many great deals going on. For more information on being able to ski at some of the same places the Olympic athletes have been, look up information at Whistler Blackcomb.

Here is a list of some other great ski resorts that are easy on the wallet as well as the slopes. Don’t worry, for the professional skiing family, these slopes also have black diamond trails beckoning you from a distance as you drive up to the resort.

• CRESTED BUTTE MOUNTAIN RESORT
• KEYSTONE RESORT
• NORTHSTAR AT TAHOE
• OKEMO
• PARK CITY

Source: TakingtheKids.com

• CheapCarribean.com offers a constantly rotating selection of package visits that take you from Costa Rica’s beaches to its volcanoes and rainforests.

• BookIt.com is also a good source; one recent deal offered 50% off at a brand new, beach side all inclusive resort.

There are also a number of good tour companies out there specializing in Costa Rican travel. To find more websites for family travel, check out our blog on why website reviews are the way to go for finding out about a certain destination.

• Costa Rican Trails offers many opportunities to get beyond hotel stays and into the landscape, with deals on bird watching tours and raft trips.

• GoNomad.com also offers some adventurous trips, and has the blessing of the classic Costa Rican guide book, the venerable New Key to Costa Rica.

Spend some time online and you’re sure to find some good deals for an adventurous, safe family trip.

For the gift card offer, you can book through March 27, 2010 and travel between January and early June. For other vacation deals check out the blogs on our web site.

It’s worth keeping an eye on Disney’s special offers page – end of year promotions included 30-45% savings on accommodations at their resorts, and, as the new year unfolds, there are bound to be more opportunities to make 2010 a good year to treat the kids to Disney World.

Source:  Disneyworld.com