| I have been in the travel business for 15yrs, and I | | | | Club Med. The activities are perfect for each age |
| am often asked the best times to travel to the | | | | group ranging from water sports, learning how to be |
| Caribbean. My personal opinion is between the end of | | | | a DJ and mix, hip hop dancing, hang out rooms, teen |
| Thanksgiving thru December 19. The weather is | | | | only activities at night. There is even a theatre class |
| great, the prices (especially this year) are low and | | | | where children can perform at the end of the week. |
| the resorts are not crowded. | | | | These kids have a blast and the beauty is you do |
| If you are parents of kids under 6, this could be | | | | not have to worry about them as they are always |
| perfect. However, for those of us who can not take | | | | somewhere on the property and there is always |
| our children out of school, we will have to deal with | | | | staff around to keep an eye on them. |
| the extra expense of holiday travel, the long lines | | | | Club Meds Best for Families that are part of this |
| and crowded pools. Or do we? | | | | great deal: |
| As all of the deals pass my desk, I look for value and | | | | Sandpiper: Located in Florida, a bit North of Palm |
| pick the best ones to share with my readers. I have | | | | Beach, easy to get to, but once you are there; you |
| NEVER seen prices this low for holidays and winter | | | | are in complete vacation mode. This Club Med has all |
| travel. Holiday travel usually is 3-4 times the regular | | | | the kids clubs from babies to teens. Sandpiper is a |
| rates, this year, it is the same or lower. If you still | | | | great, inexpensive short, family get away. Though |
| have your travel budget put aside - use it now, take | | | | you are still in the states, you will completely feel like |
| advantage of these deals - because I have never | | | | you are away from it all as you feel that Club Med |
| seen rates like these before. | | | | vibe as soon as you walk in. There are special family |
| In thinking of family vacations, the first one that | | | | rooms, a kids room and an adults room; golf for the |
| comes to mind is Club Med. Last time I was there, | | | | adults, five swimming pools and more. |
| we still had to pay for drinks, now it is truly all | | | | Punta Cana, Dominican Republic: All the rooms are |
| inclusive - drinks, sports, you name it, it is included in | | | | large suite like rooms - with different sizes depending |
| the vacation cost. There are many resorts through | | | | on the family size. Renovated Resort with a long |
| out the Caribbean that I can recommend for families, | | | | private beach bordered by palm trees. Circus school |
| but we will focus on Club Med right now, as their | | | | for the little ones, flying trapeze or fitness for adults. |
| prices are phenomenal for the experience and | | | | From babies of 4 months (at Baby Club Med® - |
| memories the entire family will come home with. | | | | extra charge) to teens, a club devoted to every age. |
| If you do not feel like reading all of my descriptions - | | | | Relax in the sun by the pool or through massages |
| go straight to the deal, the best prices are from now | | | | and treatments at the Club Med Spa (extra charge |
| to December 19, however, if you keep clicking, you | | | | for spa). |
| will also find never before seen prices during the | | | | Cancun, Mexico: This used to be a run down Club |
| holidays and winter! | | | | Med for singles - but not anymore! As the newest |
| The basic deal is: 7 all-inclusive nights for the price of | | | | upscale discovery resort, Cancun Yucatan offers |
| 3, which usually is $793per person ($114 a day). | | | | something decidedly different. Enjoy a free excursion |
| Book by December 15 for travel between 9/15/08 - | | | | and discovery the wonders of the Yucatan Peninsula |
| 4/25/09. | | | | with your family. |
| Kids Clubs: | | | | They offer luxurious Jade Suites, with an exclusive |
| Baby Zone 4mos -23mos: There is no day care for | | | | bar, concierge, room service and other upgraded |
| babies under two; however, when you make your | | | | amenities. Let your ‘teens and tweens hang out |
| reservation, you will tell them how old your children | | | | at their very own clubhouse while you take a cooking |
| are so you are given the proper room and amenities. | | | | class. Enjoy an evening Mini Club MedTM |
| They will set you up in the "baby zone" including crib, | | | | performance, where your 4 year old presents a |
| changing table and all the comforts of home with a | | | | folklore dance on stage. Discover new cosmopolitan |
| small baby. Adapted to the nutritional needs of | | | | flavors at any of the three innovative restaurants at |
| children, the meals are created by a team of | | | | your own speed—Cancun Yucatan provides |
| specialist chefs from the Baby Restaurant. This Baby | | | | gourmet dining to satisfy your cravings at any hour. |
| Restaurant is located in the Baby Club Med At the | | | | Ixtapa, Mexico - On the West side of Mexico, easier |
| Baby Restaurant, the G.O® takes on the entire | | | | to get to if you are in the South West or West |
| responsibility of lunch but parents can share this time | | | | Coast, this is the newest of the Club Med family. |
| with their child(ren) if they wish. Children ages 2-4 | | | | Facing the Pacific Ocean, an elegant hacienda it is |
| can utilize the "Petit Club Med", this is a parents; | | | | coined as "The happiness of having a taste of |
| dream day care center. There is an additional charge | | | | everything". The architecture hacienda style offers a |
| for this day care. | | | | new type of elegance. |
| Kids 4-10yrs old "Mini Club Med": this is where if gets | | | | In summary, if you want a Island type, but different |
| really fun and different! This club and all others are | | | | kind of family get away, where you know the kids |
| included in the basic price. The children are divided up | | | | will have fun and you will relax and try new sports, |
| into their age groups and given a plethora of | | | | take advantage of this sale before all the rates go |
| activities to choose from whether it is learning how | | | | up again. |
| to sail, flying trapeze, and crafts are playing in the | | | | Whether it is a 3 day weekend from $250pp or |
| Kids only pool. The staff is dedicated and will teach | | | | weeks' vacation, from $350pp, take advantage of |
| the children new skills for sports, circus, crafts, etc.. | | | | these incredible prices - if you add up everything |
| Tweens & Teens: In my former life as a travel | | | | included - you will see the savings! |
| agent - these are the ones who had the most fun at | | | | |