Dec. 18, 2008. Media only: Family vacation experts acknowledge recession-proof cheap vacations that always deliver the best consistent value.
(Dec. 18, 2008, New York, NY) Family Travel Forum (FTF), the leading publisher of family vacation and travel websites, congratulates the winners of its 11th annual “Top 10 Getaways” awards. For 2008, FTF editors searched beyond the “Sale” signs to find hospitality and travel companies that are always committed to value, offering families a budget vacation, with or without an economic crisis.
FTF’s Top 10 (Cheap) Getaways for Family Travelers range from a nationwide child-friendly campground chain to a tropical island paradise and majestic ski slopes. No matter how different, the Top 10 (Cheap) Getaway award winners raise the bar for family vacations by delivering friendly service, shared experiences and innovative amenities without breaking a parent’s piggybank.
FTF honors these 2008 winners for providing family travelers with consistent value.
Top 10 (Cheap) All-Inclusive Getaway
Divi Caribbean Resorts – Tamarijn Aruba. A beachfront all-inclusive where kids under 18 stay free all year long.
Top 10 (Cheap) Ski Getaways
Lake Tahoe, Nevada and California. World-class terrain, snow and weather with prices that locals can afford.
Western White Mountains, New Hampshire. The pristine environment, cozy cottages and lift ticket prices of a bygone era.
Top 10 (Cheap) Cruise Getaway
Carnival Freedom, Florida. An affordable first-timer’s Caribbean cruise has been tailor-made for families by the funships crew.
Top 10 (Cheap) Reunion Getaways
Crystal Coast, North Carolina. It’s 50% cheaper than the Outer Banks and boasts huge oceanfront homes for your clan.
Asilomar Conference Grounds, California. A landmarked Arts & Crafts style retreat serves three meals during multigenerational bonding.
Top 10 (Cheap) Hotel Chain Getaways
Premier Inn, Europe. This group blankets the U.K. with family rooms for just US$75 per night and a cheap breakfast option.
Candlewood Suites, US. They smartly offer kitchens, free laundry and sofabeds, just like home, at an average $72 per night.
Top 10 (Cheap) Campground Getaways
Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp-Resorts, US & Canada. “Bear-Bones” cabins for six begin at $80 and lots of activities make going green fun.
Eurocamp, Europe. With choices from $6 per night kids’ tents to furnished cottages and waterparks, these glamorous parks are a steal.
“For 10 years, many families using FTF’s custom trip-planning service have told us the budget for their perfect vacation is ‘whatever it takes,'” says publisher John Manton. “This is the year it should take less, and with FTF’s Top 10 Cheap Getaways winners, it will.” To read more about this year’s winners, visit FTF’s Top 10 (Cheap) Getaways for Family Travelers.
About Family Travel Forum
Family Travel Forum (FTF) publishes professional family vacation coverage as well as personal reviews and travel accounts from a global network of frequent travelers. The company’s family of award-winning vacation websites contain vast libraries of destination research, including first-hand reviews of tropical and ski resorts, reunion destinations, attractions, multi-generational travel, holiday weekends, family festivals and cruises. Additionally, FTF offers trip-planning consultation and discounts from preferred vendors, licenses content to major brands, and consults with the industry to develop product and campaigns designed for the frequent family traveler.
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P.E. Island was amazing! If you ever have the chance to go there take it! It was so beautiful and all of the places in the books were fun to visit.
your picture of the horses on the beach remind me of Sweden. Thanks for bringing back the memories
You wrote a really good article on such an interesting & sad topic!
I’ve always wanted to go to P.E. Island! I loved those books. Luuuucky
nicely written 🙂
This is a wonderful story, you will be a great doctor.
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and you will get all informations you need.
welcome and see you in morocco.
MARHABA–WELCOME
Hello, Ralph. An email voice from the past. Would like to catch up some time. I left Amtrak in '95 and have been living in the Boston area since '97. Have wonderful wife and 3 daughters (the oldest a senior at Barnard). Hope you and Fran are well. Send me a note some time.
Peter
Its really informative. Thank you Goldenberg.In Australia I like Sydney more because of its added attractions. Thank you .
Its really informative. Thank you Arrien .In Australia I like Sydney more because of its added attractions.
thanks for the information. I can use this for my child, since i do not like ANY thing that moves!!!
http://www.orlando4holidays.com
Parents and guardians with questions about transporting minors between countries other than the U.S. should ask the Visa Division of each country's Embassy for exact regulations. Canada, for example, can be very strict about granting children visas and may require a health exam.
The paperwork for vacations and short stay visits can be found at this link:
http://www.familytravelforum.com/how/advice/10545-Required-Documents-For-Travel-With-Minors.html?p=4
Would appreciate a copy of the sample formpermission letter for minor traveling with other than parent situation.
Yoga today is very important in people’s life. Yoga is gaining more and more importance as there is a lot of stress at workplaces. Yoga is the best and easy way to reduce the stress. And I have some good yoga tips at http://www.jiyohealthy.com/category/stress/
Playground Safety Common-sense rules. We are getting parents and professionals to pool together to create a kid-friendly understanding of how to have fun safely on any playground.
Uncle Shuck's Corn Maze is so much fun, and clean for an outdoor facility. Pumpkins arriving in one week!
hi looking for a quote for a pick up from newark airport on the 22/10/09 for four people to east 88st
i had a report to do on martinique, and before my teacher told me what i had to write about, i had know clue about martinique. now i want to go there. this site helped me do my project,and hopfully i will get an A
Looking for what ever we need for my Fiance to bring his daughter from Jamaica to Canada. He is a single parent and has primary custody, but I'm sure travelling internationally, that he will need a letter from her birth mother.
Thanks
Pattii
The mother of my daughter left her with out my consent to D.r and left her there with her mother returning to the United State abondoning my child for 5 years and just to go visit her every year a 1 year old little girl ..Wjat u think is dat
love the pix, you really capture what’s so beautiful about all these places. thanks for bringing those thoughts to my screen.
I had the best family reunion ever with primo events beach homes in virginia Beach. They gave me a beautifyl resort house and provided family games which made it fun for everybody.
Dennis Carini
New Jersey
Eva, the document is available on page 4 of this story. Thanks!
Please send me Permission to Travel Form
THanks for this resource!
Hello,
I would like to introduce a famous restaurant in Budapest, Liszt Ferenc square 9. Café Miró Grande restaurant is located in the heart of Budapest.
I think Café Miró Grande's chef prepared the best Hungarian dishes in Budapest, for example Goulas soup, 'Lecsó', etc.
Don't miss it, when you visit the beautiful city of Budapest.
Another attraction of note is taking a canopy tour. When we filmed the pilot episode for our TV series "Paradise Hunter" we filmed with The Original Canopy Tour. They were excellent and provided some great knowledge of the bio-diversity in the cloud forest.
I would like to obtain a sample form or letter to authorize my mother in-law (my daughters grand mother) to travel to orlando florida where they will be meeting up with the other parent & then in a few days travel on a domestic flight to miami
please email me. Need a sample Permission to Travel letter for International Travel with one parent.
read the instructions first
We've book a number of trips to Phuket for beginners and more advanced divers. The've all had a great time. Although is a bit further than the Caribbean. If you stay longer it's worth the flight time.
I need sinple form traveling with my step daughter, her mother is deceased. Her Father will not be traveling with us to the Bahamas
Hi to parents and grandparents traveling with minors, in need of this Permission Letter.
You can get a free sample of this blank form by filling out the email request at the end of this story. We ask everyone to sign up this way so that we can send you email updates as these regulations change, which is often!
Please read the story through to the end so that you understand the issue in full. Thanks for your interest in family travel!
FTF Editors
please send me the Permission to Travel letter for International Travel with one parent form.
This resort is totally top notch. It's great there. And Amelia Island is one beautiful relaxing place. Love Fernandina Beach and also visiting Fort Clinch. All the best.
My granddaughter a minor,is travelling out of the country with me for two weeks, and I need a permission form for her parents to sign, in case of emergency, so that I can make medical decisions for her. Thank you.
This is really interesting take on the concept. I never thought of it that way.
Thanks for the comment, Paola! Fun story and glad you took the time to write.
Here's to roses and wine!
Can you please send me a standard document for a minor travelling with one parent.
Thanks
Javier,
You can request a sample Permission to Travel letter by using the form at the end of this story. For information on a temporary resident visa, please check with the Canadian High Commission at this webpage: http://www.visabureau.com/canada/canadian-high-commission.aspx
good luck!
Hello there i am looking for a letter sample of the one paren tarvel with child,the one Canadian Embassy requiring to extend temporary resident visa. Thanks for your kindly help.
What a great story, you were so lucky to be home at that time of year and your pictures are beautiful… Wish I could see it too.
This is soooooo right for all of us, not only Americans.
Anyway,about the roses, he is right especially about the odd number….
I liked hearing about Verona, I never knew there really was a balcony there and that any of that R&J story was true!
The legend of H? Long has it that, “Once upon a time, soon after the Vi?t people established their country, invaders came. The Jade Emperor sent Mother Dragon and her Child Dragons down to earth to help the Vi?t people fight against their enemy. Right at the time invaders’ boats were rushing to the shore, the dragons landed down on earth. The dragons immediately sent out from their mouths a lot of pearls, which then turned into thousands of stone islands emerging in the sea like great walls challenging the invaders’ boats. The fast boats couldn’t manage to stop and crashed into the islands and into each other and broke into pieces.
Diane:
Please go to the last page of this story and fill out a request form. Then the documents will be e-mailed to you.
Jillian
Need a sample Permission to Travel letter for International Travel with one parent.