We Have A Winner

by Travel With Kidz on February 10, 2012

TK has been busy travelling the world over the Christmas school holidays. Travel With Kidz invited you to take TK on your holiday and be in the chance to win 5 nights in Phuket at the Evason Phuket and Six Senses Spa. We are pleased to announce we have a winner of the Travel With Kidz “take TK on your holiday” competition, Lizzy from Sydney NSW. Lizzy is pictured holding TK in Times Square New York City where she was on holidays with her family in December 2011. On behalf of Travel With family we thank you Lizzy for making the effort to enter our competition.

Lizzy and her family are off to the beautiful island of Phuket where they will stay at the family friendly Evason Phuket and Six Senses Spa. Located at Rawai Beach on the south eastern side of Phuket Island it is set amongst 64 acres of beautifully landscaped tropical gardens, facing the Andaman Sea. Travelling time from the hotel to exciting Patong Beach is an easy 25 minutes where there is heaps of cheap shopping and family friendly restaurants. Evason service standards ensure great attention to detail and a welcoming and friendly atmosphere for families

The hotel offers “Just Kids” program catering for busy kids on holidays.

Just Kids has been specially set up as a centre for kids, aged five to twelve where they can explore, experiment, express their ideas and talents and creations, and have a jolly good time! For children under the age of 5yrs our facilities are free of charge; however children must be accompanied by a parent or babysitter. They do ask that you do not leave the property whilst the child is in our care.

Twice a day the children will have the opportunity to play on the water slide and will be enticed with challenging games as well as fun play for the not so competitive. There are experienced hosts close by to supervise all games.

Phuket is an exciting family friendly island with white sand beaches, beautiful Thai culture, elephant trekking through lush jungles, Thai food we all love and best of all so much great value shopping suitable for the whole family.

If you would like more information on Evason Phuket and other exciting family friendly holidays click here to view the World of Travel with Kidz 76 page travel guide online http://epublishbyus.com/the_world_of_travel_with_kidz/10019386 and contact your near licensed Travel With Kidz office.

TK would love to hear from you and share your holiday photos from Christmas. The next thing you know the Easter bunny will be delivering chocolate eggs and you will be thinking “why didn’t I book our family holiday sooner”.  Warm regards from the Travel With Kidz family.

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Are You Surviving the School Holidays?

by Travel With Kidz on January 10, 2012

Christmas is now over for another year and the worlds icon buildings including our own Sydney Harbour Bridge have been lit up to celebrate the beginning of another year so now is the time to tell the world about your best/worst/funniest family holiday experience. Having just spent 2 weeks with our 2 year old granddaughter Emily at Nanna and Poppy’s house we now appreciate how hard it is to keep children busy over the long holiday period.

Travelling with children can be fun with research and speaking to an expert. Travel With Kidz has been specialising in family travel for the past 16 years.

Here is our list of top ten things to do with the kids before they grow up:

1)    Climb the steps of Angkor Wat Cambodia and view history engraved on the walls.

2) Sit with indigenous Australians at Ayers Rock and learn the art of dot painting.

3) Learn to ski and make snowmen at Thredbo Village.

4) Play volleyball with Fijians on white sand beaches.

5) Swim with dolphins at Dolphin Quest, Hawaii.

6) Walk down Broadway in New York and ride the lift to the top of the Empire State Building.

7) Visit the Pope’s home in Vatican City Rome. Climb the steps of St. Peters and view Rome from its peak.

8) Experience a magical Christmas under the Northern Lights with an unforgettable visit to Santa’s home town in Rovaniemi, Lapland, Finland.

9) Introduce the kids to Mickey Mouse at Disneyland– it never fails to capture their imaginations.

10) Dance with the Masai in the Masi Mara National Park Kenya and watch lions under a tree on the great plains of the Mara.

 

As today’s children grow up faster and spend less time with their parents than ever before, many families are structuring holidays which offer not only a break from the routine but a learning experience for everyone. 

After 34 years’ experience in the travel business – more than a third of that catering to the holiday needs of families – Wendy Buckley, Managing Director of Travel With Kidz, is well placed to comment on how family holidays are changing. 

“Many time-poor families are no longer content with the traditional two-week annual holiday to the coast,” she said. “They are beginning to think ‘quality not quantity’ and are demanding more active and interesting breaks.” 

“Young children’s brains are more open to learning and far more impressionable than adults,” she said. “Now is the time to spend quality time with your kids before they grow up.”

 What is your favourite experience with your kids? Email wendy@travelwithkidz.com.au to post your blogs and experiences.

Happy 2012 from the Travel With Kidz family

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Where’s TK? Win a Family Holiday in Phuket

by Travel With Kidz on December 9, 2011

Take TK  on your Christmas holidays and be in with a chance to WIN 5 nights in Phuket for your family. TK has travelled the world and wants to come on your holiday. It’s so easy, take a picture with your kids holding TK over these holidays and share click here to enter and read the rules Good luck!

 

Take TK on your Christmas holiday and be in with a chance a family holiday to Phuket

 

It’s so easy! Here’s what you need to do:

  1. CLICK HERE to print the PDF image of Where’s TK?
     
  2. Take it on your holiday over December and January.
     
  3. Have the kids hold the picture of “where’s TK” in front of where you are ‘holidaying’, for example your local beach, the Gold Coast, Fiji, Vietnam or skiing in Whistler.
     
  4. Post on the Travel With Kidz Facebook wall. Go to the Photo Contest on our Facebook Page and upload your entry there.
     
  5. Have your friends and family vote for your photo on the Photo Competition tab.

Need help to enter?  email wendy@travelwithkidz.com.au

THE PRIZE:

  • Peoples’ Choice Winner - The photo with the most votes will WIN 5 nights in Phuket at the Evason Phuket & Bon Island for two adults and two kids.
     
  • Judges’ Choice Winner – Travel With Kidz hamper filled with goodies

Who’s TK?
Travel With Kidz is delighted to introduce TK, the ‘ face  ‘ behind fun and safe family travel.
Since 1995 when he was born, TK   has been travelling, testing and reporting back on the best, safest and most fun ways to ’travel with kidz’.
TK’s experiences give families invaluable first-hand information on what to expect when they travel worldwide. From a simple beachside holiday through to an adventure in Africa, TK has done it all!
TK is also the voice and representative of the entire Travel With Kidz family, which has built relationships globally over many years with family-friendly hotels, tour operators, airlines, suppliers and companies. These relationships continue to grow and your family now has access to our years of experience through TK.

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Lonely Planet Launches Travel Books Designed for Kids

by Travel With Kidz on November 24, 2011

Lonely Planet, the world’s leading travel content provider, is launching its first ever series of books for kids.

Designed to inspire 8-to-11-year-olds who are curious about exploring the world, the Not-for-Parents series launches in October with books devoted to four of the world’s most exciting cities – London, New York, Paris and Rome – alongside the ultimate world guide for kids, Not-for-Parents: The Travel Book.

Kids on holidays in Paris

Not-for-Parents London, New York, Paris and Rome reveal intriguing stories and fascinating facts about the people, places, histories and cultures of these dynamic destinations, illustrated with a quirky blend of photos, drawings, cartoons and graphics.

Here’s a taste of what kids will discover in the Not-for-Parents books:

Not-for-Parents London:

  • Heard about the abseilers who wash a clockface for a living?
  • Would you want to eat jellied eels?
  • How could anyone be lucky to be beheaded?
  • What should you do if someone says ‘Hop into my jam jar’?

Not-for-Parents New York:

  • Which lady moved to New York from Paris in 350 pieces?
  • Did Martians really invade New York in 1938?
  • Which skyscraper was meant to double as an airship dock?
  • Would you like to spend a night inside an elephant?

    Kids love New York

 

Not-for-Parents Paris:

  • Where can you pretend you’re at the beach in the middle of the city?
  • Who smiles at 6 million people a year?
  • Who had her own life-size village built just to play in?
  • Which famous building was built inside out?

Not-for-Parents Rome:

  • If you were a cat why would you want to live in Rome?
  • Would you want to go to the bathroom with dozens of other people?
  • Can you imagine eating a flamingo’s tongue for lunch?
  • Why do they fire a cannon every day in Rome?

 Not-for-Parents: The Travel Book has also been designed especially for kids and follows the success of Lonely Planet’s best-seller The Travel Book. The Not-for-Parents edition includes essential information (capital city, flag, lingo) about every country in the world, along with the epic events, hideous histories, food and wildlife that make each destination unique.

Lonely Planet’s Editorial Director Piers Pickard said, “Not-for-Parents will open up the world to kids. We’ve honed in on the gems of information that young readers are particularly curious about, and created a series which reveals the world’s most fascinating places as viewed through a kid’s eyes.”

Not-for-Parents London, New York, Paris and Rome are AU$19.99 / NZ$20 ea.
Not-for-Parents The Travel Book is AU$29.99 / NZ$30

Travel With Kidz takes the stress out of planning a family holiday, find the experts at www.travelwithkidz.com.au/agent-finder and start planning

 

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Big Kids and Little Kids invited only. Theme Parks of America for Families

by Travel With Kidz on November 15, 2011

 

This one’s for the theme park junkies, big kids and little kids are invited!

The USA is home to several of the world’s most well-known exciting cities including Los Angeles, New York, Las Vegas and San Francisco. Experience mind-blowing landscapes like Grand Canyon, hike through Yosemite National Park and find Yogi Bear, watch a game of National Basketball and ride a roller coaster at one of the thrilling theme parks. Hawaii’s fabulous shopping, beautiful beaches and bays and unique geography make for an unforgettable exciting family experience.  

disneyland

Travel With Kidz has exclusive value add deals to enhance your family holiday to Disneyland Anaheim, Seaworld San Diego and Universal Studios Orlando this Christmas break.

Anaheim – Disneyland Resort

With its two Disney Theme Parks – Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park, three resort hotels – Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel, Disneyland Hotel and Disney Grand Californian Hotel & Spa and an energetic entertainment, dining and shopping district, the Disneyland Resort is a child’s (and big kids) dream come true. The whole family can share a meal with your favourite Disney characters at the Character Dining experience offered throughout the Disneyland Resort.

Exclusive TWK Value Add: Disneyland Anaheim – Min 5 Night Stay 1 Character Breakfast for up to 4 guest or 1 Free Child – 3Day Disneyland Resort Park Hopper ticket

San Diego – Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina
Nestled at the water’s edge on the spectacular San Diego Bay, this charming hotel offers panoramic views of the bay and the downtown city skyline and is perfect for families. Kids will love the world-famous San Diego Zoo with some of the world’s rarest wildlife and SeaWorld San Diego will entertain, amaze and educate, creating memories that last a lifetime.

Exclusive TWK Value Add: Min 5 Night Stay 1 Free Sea World or Legoland ticket

Orlando – The Nickelodeon Suites Resort

Sleep over with your favourite Nickelodeon characters at Nickelodeon Suites Resort, the most colourful, creative and comfortable family suites hotel in Orlando. Choose from 1 bedroom with kitchen suites or 2-Bedroom themed suites including Sponge Bob, Square Pants or Dora the Explorer.

Exclusive TWK Value Add: Book a 5 night air and land package for the family and receive a $50 Universal gift card. Plus reward yourself with DOUBLE Myer One shopping credits on all bookings

 Stop dreaming and start planning, its not too late. Travel With Kidz have up to the minute training on booking Disneyland tickets, accommodation and cruises. Imagine having breakfast with Mickey Mouse! Trust me I did it when I stayed at the grand Disneyland Hotel in Hong Kong and it takes you back to the days of watching Disneyland on a Sunday night 6pm on the TV with my family.  Sharing these moments with your kids before they grow up is worth the effort.  Find your nearest Travel With Kidz family holiday expert now visit www.travelwithkidz.com.au/agent-finder

Warm regards from the Travel With Kidz family

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Motor Home for Families Worldwide

by Travel With Kidz on October 31, 2011

Motorhome rental

A motorhome is literally  “your home on wheels”. This type of holiday gives you total freedom and flexibility, as well as travelling in comfort with the advantage of unpacking once, saving money by self-catering, and delivering a fun and adventurous experience for all the family.  You can get off the beaten track or head to one of the many tourist parks, often located in the most scenic areas, that cater well for families.  Motorhome holidays are a particularly good option in New Zealand, America, Australia and Europe. Contact your nearest family holiday expert

 

Cradle Mountain Tasmania

Cradle Mountain, Tasmania

 

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Newport Travel With Kidz Agent

by Travel With Kidz on October 25, 2011

At Travel with Kidz Newport we pride ourselves in providing superior travel and booking advise to our travellers. We help you compare the apples with apples, we separate the myths from the facts, we make sure your arrangements are booked and secured with reputable suppliers and we are there to assist you, when things do not go according to plan or if you simply need to change your plans before you go or whilst you are away.

Newport Travel With Kidz

Our branch was opened on the 2nd of November 2009 under the owner/management of Uschi Howard with the assistance of Sue Barton. We now have 5 fully accredited Travel with Kidz consultants, who all have and/or have travelled with children extensively. We excel in arranging travel for Families, Family Groups (yes all ages), corporate Travellers, Cruising, package holidays and adventure or retreat packages. We pride ourselves in sourcing the best combination of products for your particular budget, timetable and perimeter.

 

Our speciality is service.

Our qualifications come from nearly 30 years of experience… each. We have accumulated our knowledge not just by sitting behind a desk. We have travelled extensively to all parts of the world, we have listened to our travellers , we have assessed and chosen our suppliers and business associates wisely and have established working relationships that have passed the test of time. Safety, Reliability, Integrity and Experience are the common denominator with all of them.

Our recommendation are our clients (some of whom have booked with us over 20 years !) and our peers who have recognised our exceptional proficiency with the highest industry awards (NTIA 2007 – Winner best corporate Travel Consultant, NTIA 2009 – Winner best corporate travel agent multi location, TWK conference 2010 – Finalist TWK office of the year , TWK conference 2011 – Winner TWK office of the year, 2011 – Winner Local business awards for Outstanding Travel Agency of the Northern Beaches.)

 

When you travel, you usually do so with a purpose. Your mind and energy should be on the things that matter: your business, your family & your friends, the destination, the people and not on how to solve the next riddle at some hotel reception or airline Check in counter. Have fun and relax on your holiday, be ready for that meeting or simply get there on time for that special event.

Let our Travel Experts help you plan and enjoy that perfect Family Holiday. You have earned it. Working with us will ensure that your holiday will be all  you are hoping it to be.

 

Remember: without a good travel agent you are on your own

Uschi and her son Ben road testing Vietnam bike riding for families

Uschi, Sue, Julie, Jenine and Maree are looking forward to hearing from you. Please call us on 02 9999 5533, email us at kidz@ttagroup.com.au or visit us at our beautiful office at 373A Barrenjoey Road, Newport Beach (right next door to Coles)

We also have a corporate video for our branch office, link is here

Uschi Howard

General Manager – Travel With Kidz Newport , a specialist division of The Travel Authority Northern Beaches

 

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Family Friendly Adventure Tours

by Travel With Kidz on October 22, 2011

Travel With Kidz in conjunction with World Expeditions has put together a collection of family friendly adventure tours for families yearning for more than the “typical family holiday”. Your Travel With Kidz consultant will liaise closely with you to work out the most suitable itinerary, a safe and sensible level of ‘adventure’, what to expect and what you’ll need to take with you.  World Expeditions is Australia’s only independent and Australian owned international adventure travel wholesaler who has over 20 years in designing family friendly tailored itineraries.  

 

The first question you need to ask is if you wish to join a family group adventure departure or enjoy the flexibility of creating your own private tour. The second question is where do you want to discover.

 Family Group Adventures
These adventures are designed for adventure seeking families and are manicured with the younger traveller in mind. Here you can travel with other families and let your kids share their experiences with their new found friends. The minimum age is generally 10-12 years. The pace of these itineraries is slower, with more time to relax.  However the emphasis is still very much about undertaking a physical activity, whether it be trekking, cycling or exploring.

For example:

Vietnam by Bike  - Without a doubt a guided cycling tour is a fun and active way to discover the real Vietnam with your teenagers. You don’t have to worry as a support crew and backup vehicle will ensure you arrive safely.

 

Nepal Family Adventure -This low altitude trek in the Annapurna foothills is specifically devised for families. It includes a visit to the Chitwan National Park where you will ride atop elephants in search of rhino and the Bengal tiger.

Peru  Adventure – This tour takes in the many highlights of Peru through a range of activities from cycling to rafting, canoeing to walking. Enjoy the Ballestas Islands, the Amazon Jungle, the wonders of Machu Pichu amongst others. This trip will appeal to the kids as much as the parents!

Exclusive and Private Family Adventures

If you have children under 10 and are still yearning for a family holiday adventure, or you would prefer to tailor make your itinerary a private departure can be confirmed for your family. A private family group departure is based on you forming your own group where you’ve chosen the destination, date of departure and special features so that it is tailor made to achieve the objectives you desire from your holiday.  Please remember to use the below examples as a guide of what ‘could’ be arranged and contact your Travel with Kidz consultant for further destinations and suggestions. 

 

For example:

Best of Turkey – a 15 day journey taking in a variety of sites of ancient ruins, teeming bazaars, Aegean waters, palaces, historic sites, and the Blue Mosque.

 Backroads of Japan – The itinerary includes an ascent of one of the mountains close to Mt Fuji and a sojourn in a rural town in the southern Alps. We also walk along Japan’s oldest forest trail, winding through rice paddies and bamboo groves, past ancient tombs following an early pilgrim route through cherry and cedar forests. The ‘backroads’ theme continues even in the cities as we explore the heart of teeming Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka.

TWK exclusive value add: 1 free Lonely Planet guide book AND phrase book relevant to the country you book with TWK per family. TWK price guide rating 4 star

Start planning your family adventure visit www.travelwithkidz.com.au/agent-finder

 

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Family Ski Holidays America

by Travel With Kidz on October 20, 2011

A ski holiday brings the whole family together while being active during the day and snuggling up with a hot chocolate in front of an open fire at night. Family ski holidays include skiing, snowboarding, playing in the snow and for the non-skiers or tired legs in the family we ensure you have lots to do in the day including snowmobile tours, heli skiing, paragliding, horse-drawn sleigh rides, snowshoeing and ice skating. Your Travel With Kidz accredited consultant will assist you with planning your personal family ski holiday though we have listed a taste of America family ski holidays.

Aspen Snowmass

Viceroy Snowmass

Snowmass Village is only seven miles from downtown Aspen in the heart of Snowmass Base Village. It is the second largest ski area in the US with the longest vertical rise. Viceroy Snowmass luxury resort offers ski-in/ski-out lodging in the heart of the village, restaurants and Generation V kids club. The hotel is ideally situated for families only minutes from Aspen/Snowmass Treehouse children’s center. Nannies are available upon arrival.

TWK exclusive value add: Book a minimum 7 nights at the Viceroy Hotel and Kids 12 years and under receive free breakfast with every paying adult.  TWK price rating 4 star

Aspen

The Gant

Aspen is a winter playground of the finest skiing, snowboarding and snowmobiling catering for the whole family. The Gant is located in the heart of downtown Aspen with privately owned self contained condominiums, heated pools and hot tubs. The Gant is renowned for delivering exceptional service including daily housekeeping, van transport and concierge. Nannies can be arranged.

Exclusive value add: Book a minimum 7 nights at The Gant and receive a kid friendly amenity kit upon arrival. 5 star price rating

Vail

Manor Vail Lodge – Vail

The largest ski resort in the US, Vail boasts three distinct areas of the mountain, each with their own features and fortes, including three terrain parks, seven bowls and 5,289 acres of free ride terrain.  Manor Vail Lodge is just steps to the Golden Peak Base Area and Children’s Ski school.  Our full service condominium property is perfect for families with complimentary hot buffet breakfast and features Studio, 1, 2 and 3 bedroom condos all equipped with kitchens, fireplace, and balcony.    Amenities include two pools, four hot tubs, sauna, steam room, fitness facility, guest laundry, restaurant and lounge.  A nanny can be arranged upon arrival.

TWK exclusive value add: stay 7 nights in a 1 or 2 bedroom condominium and receive a US100 food & beverage credit to be used within the lodge. One voucher per booking.

Steamboat Springs

Steamboat Grand Resort Hotel

With 164 trails, 3,668 vertical feet, and nearly 3,000 ski able acres, Steamboat’s 6 peaks are filled with world-class groomed cruisers, bumps, steeps, open meadows, legendary trees and Mavericks – North America’s longest super pipe. Steamboat’s kids’ programs are recognized as some of the top kids programs in the U.S. The Steamboat Grand Resort Hotel offers a variety of hotel rooms, one, two & three bedroom suites & luxurious penthouses. The hotel is located at the base of the mountain and only a short walk to the lifts and the many surrounding restaurants.

TWK exclusive value add: Kids Eat Free Program The Cabin Restaurant: Kids 5 and under eat free any time.  Kids 6 to 12 eat free from the kids menu between 5:30 & 7:00 pm with each paying adult.

For more information find your nearest Travel With Kidz expert

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Fiji Reef Experience

by TWK on September 7, 2011

Fiji Reef Experience and Snorkelling Adventure

By Wendy Buckley

A highlight of our stay at Jean Michel Cousteau Fiji Island Resort (JMCFIR) was snorkelling on the reef. These small groups trips leave from the island and travel approximately 30 minutes to the fringing reef.  The waters are crystal clear, and the glass bottom boat provides a great view into the depths.

On these trips, each child is accompanied by their Nanny, providing a 1:1 staff to child ratio that ensures safety and enjoyment for the children. With this level of attention, all of the children overcame their shyness and reservations, and soon were snorkelling and exploring the reef.

Johnny is the resort’s marine biologist. His position is unique amongst the Fiji resorts, and provides a great insight for curious young minds into the ecology of the reef. At the end of the trip he brought up a number of examples of coral and sea slugs for the children to hold, smell and get to know.  I think they enjoyed “releasing” these animals back into the wild as much as anything.

While snorkelling and reefs can be found all over Fiji, the care, attention to safety and the depth of knowledge at JMCFIR really makes this Fiji experience stand out as a memory of a lifetime for our family.

Contact your local TWK agent or submit your enquiry to plan your family trip to JMCFIR.

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