Kipling & Clark, a company specializing in customized private luxury trips to Greater China, Japan, Southeast Asia and India-Bhutan, has launched a new division, Family Luxury Expeditions, for those traveling with children. According to founder and president Randy Lynch, “My wife and I have been traveling throughout Asia with our 7-year old daughter since she was a toddler, and every city we’ve been to in Asia has been warmly welcoming of our family. Many of the Buddhist-based and Confucian-centered Asian cultures fully embrace the family ideal and consider children national treasures; this love for children is fully displayed while interacting with visiting families.”

Lynch notes that the division was borne out of high client demand for “high-end, high-touch, personalized journeys that the entire family can enjoy together.” Trips include stays at child-friendly 5-star resorts whose activities for children include things like yoga, art classes, and visits to local schools, and tours can include visits to temples, stops at local schools, and luxury rafting trips. As would be expected, trips offer the requisite downtime to relax, nap and recharge, but all trips can be customized based on a family’s interests and needs.

Kipling & Clark, 800.354.3404

Hope you had a good summer. This week brings us crashing back to the reality of work and school – which is all the more reason to plan your next vacation. Coming up, some sites of interest for you family travelers:

• In another country and have no idea what (or if) to tip? This handy chart from USA Today gives you the gratuity lowdown for 77 countries.
• Showing an understanding of other cultures can go a long way to improving your reception overseas. Check out this site, which offers advice on interacting with the citizens of Japan.
• Want to see if your next destination is as pretty as the guidebooks say? Go to Travelistic, a site featuring travel videos made by John Q. Traveler. Anyone can submit videos, meaning you’ll see some raw but authentic footage of destinations around the world. The Travel Channel it’s not – but that’s exactly the point.
• Check out this recent NY Times article on how to tell if your luxury hotel’s room rate is the bargain they say it is.
• We wrote about glamping some time ago, and the trend towards camping in high style continues unabated. Forbes offers 10 Ritzy Rustic Resorts where you can get your glamp on.

If you’re still up in the air about taking an Easter family vacation, here are some ideas (all packages are valid from April 5th to 9th unless otherwise indicated):

The Lapa Palace,Lisbon

Terrace view from garden view room, Lapa Palace

The Lapa Palace has a 3-night Easter package, that includes daily buffet breakfast and one dinner or lunch. Their concierge can guide you to various Easter festivities in the surrounding area, including a two-week long religious festival in Obidos that’s worth a visit. Depending on the age of your children, you can take advantage of babysitting, their VIP Kids program, or special teen programs.
Special Touches: Lapa Palace has its own cooking school. If you’re more into eating than cooking, several in-room dining menus include a Children’s Menu and one delightfully called “Snacks in Pyjamas”.

Gran Hotel La Florida, Barcelona

Chocolate dessert from Gran Hotel La Florida

Easter at La Florida includes 2 nights accommodation, buffet breakfast at L’Orangerie Restaurant, access to the hotel’s Zen Zone Spa and a 1.5 hour massage per person. The hotel can provide babysitting and will also arrange children’s activities upon request.
Special Touches: On Sundays the hotel hosts Indulgent Chocolate Afternoons, a special chocolate dessert and wine tasting that is absolutely decadent.

Hotel Baltschug Kempinski, Moscow

Hotel at night

Visit the Kremlin over Easter and receive a complimentary Easter gift, buffet breakfast, and early checkin/late checkout. The hotel also offers an Easter brunch, which is free for children under 9.
Special Touches: We’d actually recommend their year-round Family & Kids Programme, which goes all out to welcome the little ones. With that package the kids get (among other things) a teddy bear, bathrobes & slippers in their size, night turndown with milk & cookies and a destination information kit to tell them all about Moscow. Book that and reserve a spot at Easter brunch for a better vacation for the kids.

Mardavall Hotel & Spa, Mallorca

Junior Suite Terrace View

Celebrate Semana Santa, as its known in Spain, in high style at Mardavall. Their 7-night package for Holy Week (the week preceding Easter) features breakfast buffet, limousine transfers, Easter brunch with live music, fresh fruit in your room daily and free spa access. Kids will get to scamper around hunting Easter eggs, and if you attend Easter Mass at La Seu Cathedral in Palma, you might get a glimpse of Spain’s royal family.
Special Touches: Mardavall has amassed a huge collection of contemporary art by Mallorcan or Balearic artists, and each of the hotel’s room boasts two original paintings from the collection.

Villa d’Este, Lake Como

Villa d’Este

Villa d’Este hosts Easter in traditional Italian style. Book their 3-night Easter package(available from April 5th-10th) and stay in an Executive room with a garden or park view. In addition you’ll enjoy full buffet breakfast, one 3-course dinner at one of the hotel’s fine restaurants, a traditional Easter lunch and cocktail on the lake terrace and a special Easter gift.
Special Touches: Arrange for a private motor-boat tour on breathtaking Lake Como and take in the quaint towns and splendid villas that dot its shores.

Hotel Le Bristol, Paris

Room at Hotel Le Bristol

Although this hotel isn’t offering a special package for Easter, they do have a delightful family package available throughout the year whose rates include connecting rooms, breakfast for four and a special surprise for the children. On Easter Day, the family can attend the Pascal Brunch, which is sure to be a hit with the kids. On the itinerary: an Easter egg hunt with real white rabbits in attendance and a mini-pastry class, as well as other activities that parents can watch while enjoying the feast.
Special Touches: In a nod to eco-friendliness, the hotel offers two Smart Cars for guests to zip around Paris & shop. The cars’ minute dimensions are a perfect excuse to have your packages delivered back to the hotel.

If you’re not in the mood for the last-minute dash to Europe, check back on Friday for family vacation ideas in the US.