Family Trip Deals

I posted last week about the Nick Family Suites in the Orlando area that is currently having a great Halloween event.

However, if you book by November 3 and travel by December 25, you can get these great rooms for only $129.00 a night plus a third night free.

According to TravelZoo:

The world’s first Nickelodeon-themed hotel just announced that you can stay in a 1-bedroom suite for $129 per night, or a 2-bedroom “Kidsuite” for only $20 more. This deal is good through December 25, and we love that it includes weekends.

Blackout Dates: November 22-25. Book by November 3.

Click here to book this special online with the Nickelodeon Family Suites. NOTE: Your “3rd Night FREE” discount will not appear in the Estimated Total Price, however it will be reflected on your reservation upon arrival at the hotel.

Or, call the resort directly at 1-866-462-6425 and mention Fall Fun Special.

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Oui, Oui.

My husband used to live in Del Mar, California. Now, every time we visit the San Diego area, he always begins to pine away for his old stomping grounds. One morning, when we were in the San Diego area, we had breakfast across the street from the L’Auberge Del Mar Resort & Spa. It is a beautiful hotel in a great oceanside area that sets the mood for a romantic getaway with your spouse or significant other. However, I also remembered us talking about the rates and how we couldn’t afford to stay there!

Right now, though, they are having a 50% off deal. The nightly rate with the discount is $159. That price is available for select dates from October 29 through December 28. The weather is still beautiful in that area. Del Mar is about 20 miles north of downtown San Diego right next to La Jolla. Make your reservations soon!

To make reservations call L’Auberge Del Mar at (800) 553-1336 and mention Coastal Escape. You must book by November 3. So, what are you waiting for? Get off your butt and take your much deserved break NOW!

Have you ever wanted to get away with the family but didn’t think you could afford hotels? Do you have an interest in seeing Europe but know the exchange rate for the Euro isn’t in your favor? Do you want to take the kids to Disney World or Hawaii but don’t want to be cramped in a hotel room?

There is an alternative that can save you thousands of dollars, especially if you live in or near a big city or tourist area. (in fact, I am getting excited writing this post because researching this has given me the travel bug) Try a home exchange!

In the majority of cases, you, and the family that you choose to exchange with, trade cars during the time period. This adds up to big savings in car rental fees, as well.

Even if you do live in a remote area, according to Home Exchange, don’t despair! See what they have to say on the subject:

Of course, if you have a beach front home in Hawaii or a penthouse with a view in New York, or San Francisco, you’re going to get a lot of exchange inquiries.

But we have found that by their very nature, people who are HomeExchange Members are well traveled and are often interested in seeing new places, and experiencing an area as a local.

A potential home exchange partner may wish to be near a loved one or family member, or perhaps need to come to your area for business reasons. So your “average” home may be just the ticket for someone wanting to exchange with you.

If you are a little off the beaten track, you may have to send out more inquiries, and put a little more effort into marketing your home, neighborhood and area. But if you do so, you might be surprised, although we won’t be.

Think you’ll end up in a shack? Think again:

Here is the gorgeous house in California at the top of the post:

Here is another great home in Italy:

How about West Palm Beach?:

Two of the largest home exchange websites to try out are Home Link and Home Exchange.

Happy Hunting!

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One of the things that my family always did while I was growing up was camping. Now, I don’t know about you, but I never was crazy about it. I like the whole “communing with nature” aspect, but I hate having to walk to the facilities in the middle of the night. Now to mention sleeping on the hard ground in a tent.

Enter Costanoa. Now this is my kind of camping. I read about this place in USA Today several years ago. Although I haven’t had a chance to go yet, it looks like the comforts of the hotel world crossed with the best aspects of outdoor life. There is a spa, a full service restaurant and a general store. (and wireless internet, to boot!) There is a lodge and cabins for those who do not want to “be as adventurous”.

However, the most inexpensive rooms are small tent bungalows with beds inside. No two bungalows are exactly alike as they are placed around the property with different views in mind. You still have to share bathrooms with this option, but the floors in the “comfort station” are heated and the showers are hot.

Here is Costanoa’s Mission Statement:

Costanoa is an eco adventure resort where our guests can simply retreat from the chaos of everyday life and discover the pace of nature. We are committed to providing genuine service, unique accommodations, California coastal cuisine, as well as a variety of spa and adventure activities using sustainable methods to create a quality experience for our guests in a natural environment. Through sustainable wealth, we foster joy and wellness while sharing our unique resort.

There is so much to do in this area with the children! (Or this can be a romantic adventure away from home) Costanoa is situated on great coastline property with trails to hike and areas to explore. It is also close to Santa Cruz, San Francisco and San Jose. If the kids are getting restless take them to the boardwalk in Santa Cruz, the children’s museum in San Jose or Golden Gate Park in San Francisco.

If you are alone with your partner, go to San Francisco for a great romantic dinner. I highly recommend Aqua. We ate here recently and it was divine! Then, after a great dinner, go back to “roughing it”.

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Check out these spooky facts about cities near you!

And while you are there, see what last minute deals Site 59 is offering. Site 59 offers last minute getaways to all types of cities. Here are their current trips for under $250/person, which includes family friendly cities like Orlando, Washington D.C. and Boston. And if you’re a glutton for punishment, there is always Detroit. (oh, I’m kidding…)

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We are going to Legoland tomorrow. My son is delirious with excitement since he spends hours with the blocks. The other day he was decapitating the little lego men and removing their arms and legs, as well, just to see how to put them back together. An engineer in the making, I say. Or perhaps something more sinister? But I digress.

Admission is typically $57/adult and $44/child. However, Carl’s Jr. and Burger King in Southern California locations are offering coupons for buy one adult admission, get a children’s admission free. We are going to try to hit one of those restaurants before going to the park. Coupons are good until 1/31/07.

Other places to look for discounts to this park are through the Orange County and San Diego Entertainment Books which offer $7 off for up to six people.

Or sign up for the free Lego Magazine which occasionally offers coupons for discounted admission. If you can’t afford to go, at least you have some reading material to keep your children busy for awhile.

Thanks to Southwest Airlines for our $80 flights from Sacramento, we can occasionally enjoy taking the kids down south. Make sure you check Southwest’s internet specials from your city. Sometimes, they are really amazing.

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Not exactly a “bargain”, but apropos for the coming holiday, nevertheless. When it comes to your children, aren’t they worth it? (::Stifled laugh::)

It does look pretty cool, especially from a kid’s perspective…and you really can’t get enough of Sponge Bob, can you? (::More laughter::) There is tons to do with the children, the rooms are great (especially if you are like my husband and me and just wish for 5 minutes of privacy!) and it’s Halloween themed!

Nick-Or-Treat Package at the Nickelodeon Family Suites by Holiday Inn:

* Two bedroom kidsuite accommodations
* Two adult tickets to Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios
* Nick After Dark Halloween Style, up to two kids*
* Nick or Treat (Mondays, Wednesdays, & Oct. 31 from 12:30pm – 2pm)
* Scary-oke (Sundays, Tuesdays, & Thursdays at 10:15pm)
* Dive In Halloween Movies (Fridays at 8pm)

Halloween Horror Dates:

* Friday Oct 6, 7, 8
* Wed Oct 11, 12, 13, 14
* Thu Oct 19, 20, 21, 22
* Oct 26, 27, 28, 29
* Tues Oct 31

To top it off. you can scare your 18 month old by having breakfast with a giant Dora the Explorer and Boots characters. Ahhhh, the vacation memories…they’re priceless.

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Do you mind doing a little work for a big discount? Fill out this form for Marriott Timeshares, indicate interest in one of the Hawaii properties in Kauai, Oahu or Maui, and I guarantee they will send you an offer to visit one of their properties for about $699.

This price will include approximately 5 nights in a condo type unit and a rental car. All they ask in return is that you attend a 90 minute timeshare presentation. Small price to ask for a great vacation discount.

One of my absolute favorite places in California is the Monterey/Carmel area. Looking for a trip alone with your spouse/significant other? The Seven Gables Inn and Grand View Inn are absolutely gorgeous bed and breakfasts. I have stayed at the Seven Gables, and everything about it is wonderful! They are worth the splurge if you are looking to get away.

Thinking of taking the kids on a budget? This area has a lot to do. Check out my priceline strategy below to get the best rate in the area as the Hyatt in Monterey comes up often. Take the kids to the aquarium. Enjoy the rugged coastline and kid (and dog) friendly beach in Carmel off Ocean Avenue. Check out the Horseback Riding. Go wine tasting with your spouse while the kids get to run around the spacious vineyards. Let the kids nap while you enjoy the views from 17 Mile Drive.

I love California!

Up for taking the family on a vacation last minute? Check out this deal at ClubMed in Sandpiper, Florida. If you are capable of sneaking off to Florida in the next week, you can get a six night, seven day vacation (all inclusive–accomodations, activities and food) for just about $1500 for a family of four!

One of the things that I always liked about this particular ClubMed is that they offer activities and care for all ages of children. This includes a Baby ClubMed program for 4-23 months old and a Petit ClubMed program for two to three year olds. Often, when we are traveling as a family, the children’s programs start from age 5 and up, leaving little relaxation time for my husband and me. Click here to read more about Sandpiper.

Even if you can’t make it last minute, keep this place in mind. They often have great deals, and who can’t use a vacation where the whole family can relax?