Taking the Kids: Romance any time you can make it happen
Let’s hear it for romance! You’re never too old — or too busy — to enjoy a romantic interlude, and I don’t mean a mushy card and some chocolate for Valentine’s Day, either.
“Romantic travel doesn’t have to be limited to February. In fact, planning your romantic getaway outside of February gives you the freedom to enjoy better weather and avoid peak Valentine’s prices,” suggests Brand McMahon, travel curator at Origin, a luxury travel company based in Palo Alto, California.
Sure, it would be great to journey by camel in the Sahara Desert for a night under the stars “in a tent that feels fit for a sultan,” McMahon suggests. However, “A romantic trip doesn’t have to be to a far-off and exotic destination. Plan a trip somewhere with meaning to you both — maybe the place you first met or recreate your first trip together.”
Whether you are traveling with kids, or not, you can plan to enjoy a romantic evening or afternoon. Travel with another family and swap evening childcare. Opt for a vacation rental and invite the grandparents or your favorite niece or nephew. (If you have an only child, inviting a friend along can also be a good bet.
Opt for a resort with organized kids’ activities, like Club Med Michès Playa Esmeralda – Miches, Dominican Republic. It’s the first resort in the region of Miches.
Beaches resorts are known for their children’s and teen programs, as well as for specially trained staff to help with children on the autism spectrum. (Remember, you can have a romantic interlude during the day too!)
Cruising families joke that their kids enjoy the kids’ clubs — and their new friends so much — it is tough to tear them away. Cunard even has a complimentary evening nursery for the littlest cruisers. Carnival Cruise Line typically offers complimentary programming and facilities for kids and teens in three age groups starting with Camp Ocean (ages 2 to 11).
While the kids play on Disney Cruise Line ships, adults can head to the adult-only pool, adult-only restaurants and Star Wars Hyperspace Lounge (adults only after dark).
Princess is among the cruise lines offering child care during shore days so parents can have an adult time out while Royal Caribbean offers My Family Time Dining: Kids can eat in 45 minutes and are then met by youth program counselors to be escorted back to the kids’ club for evening activities. Just make sure the cruise line you choose has programming for your aged kids. (Our Taking the Kids Family Cruise Guide can help.)
CroisieEurope has Special Family Club Cruises with CroisieFamily itineraries which operate during the summer months. They will sail in Portugal, Italy, Spain, France, Germany and Croatia, where children 16 and under travel free or half-priced.
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