WINTER/SPRING 2017 DREAMSCAPES
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T
here's an old saying: the family that
plays together, stays together. In
addition to building memories,
family gatherings offer great opportunities
to catch up on family news, share family
traditions and stories and just enjoy some
relaxation time together. Family reunions
are seeing an uptick in popularity as part of
the multi-generational travel trend. With
March Break around the corner, this could
be the perfect time to start planning one.
FAMILIES THAT CAMP TOGETHER
The big birthday blowout for the U.S. National
Park Service may be behind us, but there's still
plenty to see and do at national parks, state
parks and private campgrounds. First-time
visitors are often surprised at the green pine
forests and seclusion of the campsites at Fort
Wilderness Campground, tucked away on
the shores of Bay Lake at Florida's Walt Disney
World. The South Carolina coastline is
another favourite destination for March
Break and Huntington Beach State Park is
perfectly situated near Myrtle Beach, just a
short drive for day trips to Charleston. disney
world.disney.go.com; discoversouthcarolina.com
TAKING CARE OF DETAILS
Ski resorts are perfect for active families who
enjoy wintertime activities. Colorado's
Snowmass Village near Aspen has the whole
spectrum for building memories, including
some of North America's best snowboard
and ski terrain. Sometimes families are made
up of kids who have all grown up. An adults-
only reunion can find bliss at Hacienda Del
Sol Guest Ranch Resort in Tucson, Arizona,
where togetherness could include luxury spa
treatments, desert hikes and horseback rides,
stargazing, gallery hopping, shopping and
golf. Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort in the
Florida Panhandle shines in the spring and
fall shoulder seasons. This mammoth resort
complex featuring condos, villas, townhomes
and hotel rooms (most with kitchen facilities)
means more time for the beach, golf, biking,
tennis and boating. Mohonk Mountain
House, in New York's Hudson Valley,
employs an events planner who works with
family groups to custom-design reunions.
Guests can mix and match from a wide range
of sports, games or activities ranging from
yoga to hayrides. Packages can be arranged
to include three meals daily, afternoon
tea and cookies and most resort activities.
GoSnowmass.com; haciendadelsol.com;
sandestin.com; mohonk.com
THEMED PARKS
FOR YOUNG AND OLD
Theme parks have aced the formula for cre-
ating fun times for generations travelling
together. Parks like SeaWorld (Florida),
Disneyland (California) and Universal
Studios (Florida) combine rides and attrac-
tions with cross-generational appeal,
accommodation in suites, connected rooms
and villas, and extras such as on-site golf
courses and shopping concourses. Not a
theme park in the traditional sense, Colonial
Williamsburg brings history alive through the
restoration and interpretation of the city
that was Virginia's capital from 1699 to 1780.
seaworldparks.com; disneyland.disney.go.com;
universalorlando.com; history.org.
BY JOSEPHINE MATYAS
Discover more information on travel
to the USA at visittheusa.ca.
DS
TOP: Snowboarders on the lift at Snowmass Village
near Aspen, Colorado. Denise Chambers/Miles
CENTRE: SeaWorld Orlando attractions thrill all ages.
Artist concept only. SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment
ABOVE: Paddleboarding in South Carolina.
Courtesy DiscoverSouthCarolina.com
Family Reunion
DESTINATIONS
