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Last Updated: Jul 2nd, 2008 - 21:15:22 |
(ARA) - Strip off the winter jacket, throw down the snow shovel and head south for the winter.
Amid the most popular island destinations, travelers will find some are more suitable for adults, while others provide for a great family experience.
Emily Kaufman, the Orbitz Travel Mom, has handpicked this winter’s best warm weather vacations that are perfect for families of all ages.
Bermuda
Just a quick hop from the East Coast, Bermuda is bursting with family friendly activities.
For families that adore animals, there is excitement on land and at sea. Dolphin Quest at the Bermuda Maritime Museum offers year round encounters with playful bottlenose dolphins for vacationers of all ages.
For land lovers, Bermuda is home to over 360 unique species of birds and visitors to the Bermuda Aquarium Museum and Zoo can view more than 200 fish, mammals and reptiles. If your family is full of explorers, a visit to the Crystal & Fantasy Caves of Bermuda or the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute will have your entire group viewing crystal stalactites and stalagmites or exhibits that unlock the secrets of the sea.
The Cayman Islands
For the adventurous family, Grand Cayman Island is loaded with water sports and other exhilarating activities. For fun in the ocean, a visit to Seven Mile Beach will immerse everyone in activities such as banana boating, catamaran sailing, ocean kayaking, windsurfing and snorkeling. Boatswain’s Beach, also on Grand Cayman Island, is a 23-acre adventure marine park which hosts an enormous turtle farm where visitors can view and even hold these fun four finned animals.
For older children looking for additional excitement, a visit to Black Pearl Skate and Surf Park is the perfect location for high thrills fun. This skate and surf park includes a 62,000 square foot skate park and a Waveloch Surf Machine which will have kids hanging ten in no time.
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico is an island rich in history and natural beauty and there are numerous ways for families to experience both. A unique look at Puerto Rico’s history can be found at El Morro. This bluff was used by Spanish and American explorers as a campsite and today there are over 2,000 inscriptions, featuring signatures and messages, as well as Ancestral Puebloan ruins.
For a taste of Puerto Rico’s natural beauty, visit Rio Camuy Cave Park, home of the third-largest underground river in the world and The El Yunque Rainforest. Well groomed trails lead families 200 feet down through huge beautiful underground caverns at Rio Camuy Cave Park. At El Yunque Rainforest, the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. National Forest System, families have over 28,000 acres of lush forest to explore.
Curacao
With an average temperature in the mid 80s and 38 different beaches to explore, Curacao is an ideal place for family relaxation and fun. Curacao has several family beaches, most of which are located along the southwestern coast, where the waters are clear and calm.
For families seeking a unique animal experience, a visit to the Curacao Ostrich Farm can be great fun. One of the biggest outside of Africa, the farm has over 600 birds and allows individuals to feed and hold baby ostriches. If interacting with animals is not your family’s cup of tea, visit the city of Willemstad for great shopping, dinning and a look at some unique Dutch architecture. As a former Dutch commercial center, this is a great location to view Amsterdam style buildings as you stroll throughout this vibrant city of more than 125,000 people.
Castaway Cay, Bahamas
The ultimate family-friendly island, Castaway Cay is Disney’s private island for moms, dads and kids who take part in a Disney Cruise. For kids and teens, it's Never Land; for adults, it's Shangri-La.
Step off the ship and you know, instantly, you've arrived at a magical place. Be as active as you want -- with hiking, kayaking, snorkeling and an aquatic playground -- or simply find your place under the sun in Serenity Bay, the islands adult-only beach area.
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