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    Archive for the ‘Portugal’ Category

    Portugal? Spain? Which?

    Sunday, January 20th, 2008

    Cudillero, Asturias, Spain

    How you answer that question is up to you, but the tourist boards of both countries have decided to give you some help by banding together to form a new website, Portugal? Spain? Both, an online resource for exploring the vast riches of the Iberian Peninsula. The site combines information in areas such as Wine & Cuisine, Sports & Golf, and Castles, Palaces & Hotels, making it easy to plan an itinerary based on interests or locations. More in-depth information is provided on each country’s individual website, but this joint resource is a smart place to start if visiting both countries is something you’d like to do.

    The best reason to visit the site? A cool game called “Exploria.” Once you register, you can answer questions based on your virtual trip through Spain and Portugal. Answer all 10 questions, correctly and you’ll be entered to win one of several prizes with Iberian flavor, including a Grand Prize of 10 days/8 nights in Portugal and Spain, with roundtrip airfare and hotel accommodations in Porto, Lisbon, Madrid and Barcelona for 2. (Remember our advice: win the trip and you can always purchase extra airfare for children.) Hurry – the contest ends on January 31.

    Easter in Europe

    Wednesday, March 28th, 2007

    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.