Most of us think of “kid-friendly” as being anything welcoming of tots or pre-schoolers – after all, they’re the ones most likely to cause an embarrassing scene.  But teens go on family vacations too, and although they’re just shy of adulthood, they’re not mini-mes – they have their own interests, some shared with parents, some not.

Loews Hotels has some excellent teen-focused Edu-Cations being featured at several of their properties around the country.  These cool packages allow teens to explore a new world or delve deep into a current interest.  At Loews Santa Monica, for instance, your hipster can move one step closer to living like Lohan, with a 2-night stay in a premium suite, limo service for the duration of the stay, an acting lesson, meeting with an agent, and a makeover.  (Can we sign up?  We swear we’re 16, really…)

If your teen is less into the meat market of LA and more into the stock market, the Loews Regency in NY offers an inside view of the financial markets, with a tour of the NASDAQ, a power breakfast featuring a financial speaker, and a photo of your budding broker on the NASDAQ tower.

Other packages include surfing in San Diego, a tour of the National Press in Washington D.C, and a music and lyric session in Nashville, all with inside scoop and/or access to people really connected in their respective fields.  With vacations like these, you might actually get some (begrudging) respect from your know-it-all kid.

The Cultural Explorer, a tour operator specializing in culturally authentic and philanthropic trips throughout South Africa, has created a unique Mothers & Daughters – African Adventure tour that focuses on women’s experiences and triumphs. This special itinerary, with stays promised at boutique properties and luxury coastal hotels similar to those pictured above, includes visits with South African women like a traditional healer and entrepreneurs who are working to make a difference in their communities, and offers travelers the opportunity to work with several organizations themselves. (more…)

If your kids are into surfing, any trips to southern Cali between now and March 31, 2008 should include a stop at the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach. Until then the aquarium, which is home to over 500 species native to the Pacific Ocean, is featuring the Catch a Wave exhibition. Showcasing the surf culture is not the only aim of the exhibit; it also focuses on tsunamis, how sea life survives in crashing surf and other aspects of ocean waves.

Where to stay in Long Beach? The Westin Long Beach is one option worth considering. While it’s more of a business hotel than a vacation resort, the proximity to the aquarium – half a mile – make it a perfect spot especially for short stays. Their Aquarium of the Pacific Weekend Package includes:

• accommodations
• 2 adult & 2 child passes to the Aquarium of the Pacific
• American breakfast for 2 adults (kids eat free)

This 2-night package is valid on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only. For more information or to book, call 866.716.8132 and ask for rate code AQUA1-10.