Orbitz Blog

Articles for ‘Family Travel’ Category

Family cruises: reinventing the road trip

Tuesday, February 9th, 2010

Family vacation

(Photo: Disney Cruise Line)

By Kim Windyka

When you think of a family vacation, bringing the kids on a cruise might not be the first idea that comes to mind. However, there are some distinct advantages to setting sail with the whole gang: you’ll only have to unpack once, and you’ll get to visit multiple different ports during your cruise. Plus, your cruise fare includes almost everything you could want: stateroom accommodations, most meals, entertainment, kids clubs, several choices of sports and activities, and even port charges. Not to mention, you’ll avoid hearing the dreaded “Are we there yet?” from anyone …well, once you’re on the ship, anyways. (more…)

Our expert answers your top ski vacation questions

Saturday, February 6th, 2010
ski vacation

Pieter van Noordennen in Banff

We recently hosted a live chat on Orbitz’s Facebook page to help travelers plan their ski vacations. Away.com ski expert Pieter van Noordennen was on hand to field questions, and here are some of the highlights:

Pieter, four of my closest friends (all guys) and I are traveling from Atlanta to Breckenridge in February for our yearly Ski Adventure (ha). Neither of us are expert skiers or snowboarders, but I wonder, which peaks do you recommend for intermediate and below skiers? Thanks. –Yeavis M.

Yeavis, Breckenridge has a really good mix of easy, intermediate, and hard slopes, so you’ll be fine there. (more…)

Family vacation: cruises vs. all-inclusive resorts

Thursday, January 28th, 2010

By Alison Ulrich

Family vacation

(Photo: copyright Disney)

It is about that time of year to start planning a family vacation for spring break. I’ve been trying to decide between a family cruise and an all-inclusive resort. I have done a bit of research and wanted to share what I’ve learned.

Check the cost for children
When pricing out family cruises and all-inclusive resorts, consider the cost for the children. Some all-inclusive resorts and cruise lines allow kids to stay (or sail) free. Others charge a nominal fee or significantly reduced rate, depending on the age of child. In some cases, you may have to pay full price, which has a big impact on your family vacation budget. (more…)

Manatees, alligators make for wild Florida vacation

Wednesday, January 27th, 2010

By Mark McCullough

Family vacation

Manatee (Photo: Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park)

Our family vacation involves a trek to Grandma’s place in Florida each year, and we make a point to search out the “real Florida,” which means bypassing the theme parks. On our most recent Florida vacation, we visited the manatees at Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park on the Gulf coast.

Florida is blessed with many unique natural areas, and the state park system is excellent. During the winter, manatees congregate around the many warm-water springs that dot the northern and central parts of Florida. These mammals rely on the springs to maintain their body temperatures during the cold snaps that chill the Gulf of Mexico. (more…)

California vacation: Orange County on a budget

Friday, January 22nd, 2010

California vacation

(Photo: Newport Beach Conference & Visitors Bureau)

By Alina Motin

Since I work for Orbitz and live in Orange County, I often help family and friends plan their California vacations. I think Orange County has a lot to offer for romantic getaways, family vacations and everything in between — there’s the ocean, Disneyland and of course, warm temperatures year ’round (as I write this in January, it’s in the high 70s!) Best of all, I’ve got some money-saving tips you can take advantage of. (more…)

Top 10 ski vacation destinations for 2010

Thursday, January 21st, 2010

ski vacationsWhether you want to try a black-diamond run or just soak up the apres-ski scene, there’s a ski vacation for everyone, and the season is definitely here. If you need help deciding where to go, read on: Orbitz has identified the top 10 ski vacation destinations for 2010.

For the third year in a row, Lake Tahoe tops the list as the most popular ski vacation spot (based on Orbitz bookings from Oct. 1, to Dec. 31, 2009, for travel in 2010). Not surprisingly, Colorado reigns supreme as the most popular ski vacation state, with five cities on the list. And don’t worry, East Coasters, there’s a top pick in your neck of the woods, too. (more…)

California ski vacation: see what’s new this season

Tuesday, January 12th, 2010

ski vacationBy Lena Katz

If you think California only has one season, you are wrong, wrong, wrong. Nine months of the year the beach cities might get all the attention, but from December through February, it’s all about s-n-o-w. The ski vacation season is short, and ski resorts are in just a few areas — mainly Tahoe/Reno, Mammoth and Big Bear — but people make the most of it. And the resorts do their part with enhancements, additions and awesome new events every season. Here’s what’s noteworthy in 2010 at my favorite California ski resorts.

Lake Tahoe
Sugar Bowl, the unofficial People’s Choice ski resort, kicked off its 70th season with a lot of news, including the opening of the Backcountry Adventure Center and the debut of the Summit Chair quad lift accessing Judah Bowl. (more…)

Big Island offers big fun for Hawaii vacation

Tuesday, January 5th, 2010

Hawaii vacation

(Photo: Hawaii Tourism Authority/Tor Johnson)

By Lena Katz

The Big Island of Hawaii has only approximately one-fifth as many permanent residents as Oahu (the most populated island in Hawaii, and site of the capital city Honolulu), but it’s twice the size of all the other Hawaiian islands combined. Not only is the island comparatively massive, but its terrain is incredibly varied, with an active volcano, a rainforest, thousands of acres of working ranch land,  sea cliffs, and black and white sand beaches. Of the world’s known climate zones, the Big Island has all but two (Arctic and Saharan, and locals say they don’t miss either a bit). Unique adventures and unforgettable experiences await on a Hawaii vacation on this vast, diverse, largely undeveloped island. (more…)

Top 10 iPhone apps to make travel easier

Thursday, December 31st, 2009

travel

(Courtesy: Apple)

By Ari Bendersky

When it comes to travel, nothing kills a trip faster than being in the dark about your plans. Fortunately, a number of apps have sprung up for the iPhone and other mobile devices that prove to help keep a happy traveler from becoming a wary one. While there are hundreds of great travel-related apps, I’ve picked ten that I love.

Google Mobile App (free)
With Google Mobile App, you literally have all the information in the world available at your fingertips. Its voice search makes speaking your search a seamless activity (and the voice recognition is usually spot-on). You can look-up facts, addresses, maps, restaurant recommendations and so much more. It’s a great companion to Wikipanion, Wikipedia’s mobile app. (more…)

Ski vacation: hit the slopes in Utah

Monday, December 28th, 2009

Ski vacationBy Kate Schwartz

Move over Colorado, Summit County isn’t the only amazing spot for a ski vacation. As snow begins to blanket the west, Utah is seeing a good amount of powder and an even better base. Most runs are open at Utah ski resorts, and ski enthusiasts are coming out of the woodwork. Whether you are a local looking to make first tracks before hitting the office, or a visitor taking advantage of some of the best terrain out West, a Utah ski vacation will not disappoint.

There are many stand-out ski resorts in Utah. Here are just a few of the most popular:

Alta: Alta is the one of the last ski-only resorts in the country. Committed to “preserving and protecting the skiing experience,” Alta is a great place for those who don’t want to share the slopes with boarders. (more…)