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.