Virtuoso Traveler 2018 April Ask the Advisors: Family Summer Trips

Ask the Advisors: Family Summer Trips

San Diego’s Balboa Park. 
San Diego’s Balboa Park. 
Photo by f11photo/Getty Images 
Come summer, everyone finally has time for a family vacay – and an opinion on how to spend it. Here, Virtuoso travel advisors share a few favorite places with plenty of culture, history, and high adventure to please them all.

San Diego

“San Diego has a long list of family-friendly attractions, including the San Diego Zoo, Balboa Park, and Legoland – plus, of course, beautiful weather and excellent beaches. Located in the lively Gaslamp Quarter, The Pendry hotel is within walking distance of many great restaurants and cafés, as well as the pedestrian-friendly Little Italy neighborhood. Outside the city, the Fairmont Grand Del Mar is perfect for golfers (it’s home to an 18-hole championship course), beachgoers, and even those who love to horseback ride – the onsite Equestrian Center offers lessons or all ages. At the seaside Hotel del Coronado, families can take surfing lessons and watch movies under the stars on Del Beach.” – Josh King, Leawood, Kansas

The Changing of the Guards in London.
The Changing of the Guards in London.
Photo by Zambezishark/Getty Images 

London

“My choice is London, for so many reasons – not the least of which is that there’s no language barrier. The Changing of the Guard is an iconic experience; your travel advisor can work with one of Virtuoso’s on-site tour connections, NoteWorthy, to provide exclusive access to the parade ground to watch the ceremony, followed by a guided tour of the Guards Museum to try on its replica uniforms and hats. Another must: a director-led look at the Churchill War Rooms below Westminster, where you can step inside the actual Cabinet room and sit in Churchill’s chair! Corinthia Hotel London is ideally located for sightseeing and guarantees adjoining rooms for families.” – Martha King, Chattanooga, Tennessee

Horeseback riding near the Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina.
Horeseback riding near the Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina.

Oahu

“Oahu is an outstanding choice for families because it has options for all ages and interests. There’s so much history in Honolulu, where you can visit Pearl Harbor, the USS Arizona Memorial, and the only royal palace in the United States. The activities around the island are nearly endless, from snorkeling and stand-up paddleboarding to helicopter tours and horseback rides at Kualoa Ranch (where Jurassic Park was filmed); between January and March there are humpback whale-watching tours. The Hawaiian culture is also very friendly and inviting. In Kapolei, the Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina sits adjacent to ancient sacred grounds and offers hula and ukulele lessons.” – Karen Henderson, Denver, Colorado

This article originally appeared in the April 2018 issue of Virtuoso Traveler. 

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