Our last post of the year is always a round up of best trips we’ve experienced in the last 12 months. 2013 has been rich with travel for the Pit Stops for Kids crew, with top trips ranging from icebergs in Alaska to snorkeling in the Yucatan. For our family, it was certainly the year of ‘outdoor travel’. Below, find our top five travel experiences of 2013, with links to information on the destinations’ 2014 travel seasons. Enjoy ‘window shopping’ this holiday season, or spoil your family with a holiday gift of travel!
Table of Contents
1. Cruising SE Alaska’s Inside Passage with Alaskan Dream Cruises:
We devoted almost two full weeks on Pit Stops for Kids to Alaskan Dream Cruises, and for good reason. This Alaskan family owned small ship cruise company provided one of the absolute best vacation experiences we’ve ever had. We learned more about SE Alaska and its people during our nine days aboard the Baranof Dream than we ever imagined, and enjoyed good food, good company, and great tour leadership the entire time. Start here to read our full review of Alaskan Dream Cruises. Book for the 2014 season now (space is limited).
2. Rafting the Wild and Scenic Rogue River with O.A.R.S.:
An O.A.R.S. river rafting vacation is the most adventurous trip you’ll ever take…where you don’t have to lift a finger. During our five days on the Rogue River in Oregon, I could navigate rapids when I felt like it, float quietly when I preferred, sit back and take in the setting sun on the water while our guides prepared the evening meal, and sleep out under the stars. It was truly the most relaxing vacation of our year. For my son Calvin, it was the most exciting. Somehow, O.A.R.S. is all things to all people! Read our full review of the O.A.R.S. Rogue River five day trip. Book your own trip at O.A.R.S.
3. Exploring the Yucatan Peninsula along the Riviera Maya:
Families can certainly spend their entire vacation on the Yucatan Peninsula lying on the sand working on a tan. And that’s ok! But if your crew seeks out adventure, Riviera Maya will provide it! During our one week in this section of Mexico, we snorkeled with whale sharks, rappelled down cenotes, swam into caves, watched ancient Mayan ceremonies, rode ATVs through mud, and toured ruins. And yes, we had time by the pool, too. Anxious to plan your own trip? Start with the Riviera Maya site for lodging and activity recommendations you can trust. it Pit Stops for Kids coverage coming in January!
4. Experiencing train travel through the Canadian Rockies with VIA Rail:
Gorgeous scenery? Check. Luxurious, though somewhat cozy, accommodations? Check. Gourmet dining amid a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere? Check and check. And when you arrive at your destination in the Canadian Rockies, the fun is just beginning; VIA Rail deposits you in the heart of national park territory in Jasper. Read our full review on VIA Rail’s Canadian line. Interested in booking your own trip? Start at VIA Rail.
5. Skiing Tahoe with family-friendly Northstar California:
Northstar California is one of the top family-friendly ski resorts in the US, and we love that it’s located adjacent to one of the world’s best outdoor playgrounds: Lake Tahoe. At Northstar, we enjoyed a multigenerational trip with the whole family–their slopes, programs, and lodging cater to multi-aged groups–and spent five days snowboarding and skiing. If you want a varied vacation, spend a few days snowshoeing or snowmobiling by the lake. Read our full review of Northstar. Book 2014 vacations now, while early bird ski deals still exist!
