After a $35M renovation, the Carmel Valley Ranch is truly a divine getaway for families. With nearly 500 acres of land, “The Ranch” offers more activities than we were able to pack into our 2-night stay. The new owners of The Ranch have taken great care to create a relaxing and unique experience for the whole family, including youngsters like our 4-year-old son.

Activities

The Carmel Valley Ranch likens itself to a camp because of its many complimentary activities. From guided hikes to the iconic tree swings to pilates to S’mores at night, there’s no shortage of things to enjoy at this resort. Our son’s favorite experience was the unique Bee Experience in the apiary. He was excited to wear a “spacesuit” for the adventure, watching as the bee-keeper opened the hives. In fact, he was so excited that he patiently listened to a 45-minute bee tutorial on how these bees would gather nectar from the lavender plants on the Ranch before we even entered the apiary. I was amazed! My favorite part was getting a taste of the lavender honey from these busy bees. Delicious.

We also loved the River Ranch. It’s a huge, kid-friendly fitness complex that includes a swimming pool, splash area for little ones, bocce ball court, basketball court, tennis courts, and fitness center. The Kids camp and childcare facilities are also located here, which is convenient if you’re trying to fit in a work-out. It’s a great place to find some playmates for your kids too.

And of course, my husband’s favorite… the GOLF COURSE! If you like the golf, you’ll love staying here. Not only do they have a fantastic course, but also they often offer complimentary golf clinics during the summer busy season.

If you’d like to explore the surrounding areas, The Ranch is also conveniently located just 15 minutes from Carmel Beach and the beautiful Point Lobos State Reserve, and 20 minutes from Monterey and the aquarium.

Rooms

The rooms are all HUGE, one-bedroom suites. We stayed in the Garland Suite, which was a better lay-out for us compared to the Ranch Suite where we stayed during our last visit. This time the bathroom was located in a hallway between the living room area and the bedroom (versus being connected to the bedroom) and there was no tiptoeing past any sleeping babies – a nice touch!

The beds, including the sofa bed, were comfortable, and a large leather coffee table is certainly kid-friendly for cruisers or new walkers.

Dining

There are three eating options on-site: The Lodge Restaurant, the River Ranch Café, and the restaurant at the golf club. The food at the Lodge was excellent, with an eight-item children’s menu with favorites from mac-n-cheese to healthier options like grilled chicken with veggies. The portions are large for both adults and kids, so come hungry.

The River Ranch Café is located at the River Ranch and has a variety of salads, sandwiches and burgers. The food was tasty, but be mindful of the 20% service tax that is charged even if you’re just taking the food to-go.

We didn’t get a chance to try the food at the golf course, but the views from the club are stunning.

BOTTOMLINE:

We’ll be back. The Carmel Valley Ranch is a 5-star stay that caters to every member of the family.

STAY TUNED FOR AN UPCOMING CARMEL VALLEY RANCH GIVEAWAY ON TREKAROO!

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Esther Lee is a contributing editor at Trekaroo.

Disclosure: This review is based on a complimentary stay at the Carmel Valley Ranch in order to complete an unbiased review. The hotel did not request that any specific opinions be expressed.

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Most Mondays, we at Trekaroo like to host a giveaway of something fun and travel-related but every once in a while, we like to highlight a fabulous giveaway being hosted by one of our fellow family travel specialists.  We are extremely excited to tell you about the current giveaway on Ciao Bambino because it is HUGE!

Now through October 17th, families have the opportunity to enter to win one of three different Four Season stays at Four Seasons Resort Vail, Four Seasons Resort Nevis, and Four Seasons Hotel Boston! Entering to win is both easy and fun. Simply begin at the Ciao Bambino Facebook page and complete your first entry and then follow the directions to visit a few other Facebook pages (Poshbrood and, Luxury Travel Mom) for more entries. We would love for Trekaroo member to be the big winner!

Here are the details:

Four Seasons Luxury Family Travel Giveaway Prizes

Four Seasons Resort Nevis

Family of Four vacation package includes:

• 4 nights complimentary lodging in a spacious deluxe ocean view room
• Airport/boat transfers for kids
• Family tennis (choice of complimentary family lesson with Pro lesson or complimentary 1-hour court time for family)
• Family golf (choice of kids Junior Golfer lesson with the Pro or one round complimentary for family
• Private Monkey Tour hosted by Concierge
• Sea Turtle Camp at Kids for All Seasons Center and sea turtle adoption gift for kids
• Base Camp for Parents for a Day: Luxury Beach House with butler for the day
• Blackout dates apply.  Prize is not transferrable.  Certificate valid through December 31, 2012
• Approximate value ($6,000)

Four Seasons Resort Vail

• Three-night stay in deluxe accommodations for up to four people in one room
• Specialized children’s amenity upon arrival
• Subject to availability; blackout dates apply. Prize not transferrable
• Certificate valid through December 31, 2012
• Approximate value ($2,475)

Four Seasons Hotel Boston

Two-Night Kid-Kation Package includes:

• Two nights deluxe accommodations for a family of four (two adults and two children)
• Kids receive back pack filled with activity book and postcard as well as a toy from the toy wagon at check in
• Teens receive sling bag containing a “PRUferred Shopper Card”, cookie voucher, Ben&Jerry’s coupon and Godiva Rewards Card
• $30 breakfast credit per day on an existing breakfast charge
• In-room visit from ice cream man and welcome amenity
• Kids can arrange visit to Pastry kitchen for cookie making class with Exec Pastry Chef, Sat 4-4:30PM on a first come, first serve basis
• Subject to availability; black-out dates apply.  Prize is not transferrable
• Certificate valid through December 31, 2012
• Approximate value ($1,300)

Official Rules

You must be a U.S. resident, 18 years of age or older. One entry per person per sponsoring website.  Sweepstakes ends at 11:59 PM EST on October 17, 2011.  Read the official rules here.

Head to the Ciao Bambino Facebook page now and enter to win!

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Sharlene Earnshaw is the Blog Editor for Trekaroo.

Travel with kids to: CA |CO | DC | FL | HI | IL |MA | NC | NY | OR | PA | TN | TX | VA | WA

The kids were talking about conquering the ropes courses as soon as we told them we were heading for the New Hampshire Lakes Region.

“Mom, am I tall enough?”

“Mom how high will we be?”

“Mom, how fast are the zip lines?”

Being significantly AFRAID of heights, I did not want to talk about the ropes courses at all. I let my husband handle the questions. Instead, I focused on finding out what else there might be for a middle aged “fraidy cat” to show her family in the area…all the while keeping a brave front to the kids so I would not pass my phobias on to them.

We headed for Daytona Fun Park early one July morning. I did not let the kids know I was nervous, especially since they were excited to take on all of the activities at the park. As we drove in just past Weirs Beach on Lake Winnipesaukee,  I immediately noticed the purple steel behemoth called the “SkyTrail” and got sweaty thinking about all of us climbing around it. We whiled away a few hours having some fun at the other attractions at Daytona Fun Park. We drove the race cars, played a round of mini-golf, jumped in a basketball bounce house and hit some balls in the batting cages but eventually it was our time to get strapped in to try out the “Skytrail”.

I hid my sweaty palms from the kids and let the attendant harness me in. Although we were high above the traffic passing below; I quickly got refocused trying to keep my balance and encouraged my 6 year old daughter to keep moving. We eventually all got the ‘hang’ of it and actually enjoyed ourselves. After the initial experience we were all looking forward to trying out the 2 other sets of rope courses. We were old pros and my fears were behind us.

Over the next couple days, my family spent a few hours at Gunstock Ski Area trying out their new ropes course which made us feel like we were in the Costa Rican treetops and also at Monkey Trunks which is another ropes course close to the road but unlike Daytona Fun Park, does not use any steel. At Monkey trunks we actually used the zipline and a ‘high’ swing (gasp). None of the kids needed any encouragement to do this swing and I could not believe I actually joined in!  As the young attendant was lowering me down he commented “you did not look like you were having too much fun”. I guess my face gave it away…but the kids wanted to do it again. The ropes courses had instilled confidence and determination in them.

More fun in the New Hampshire Lakes Region

With my fear of heights diminished I was ready to try some different activities.

We took a lovely boat tour of Squam Lake with Experience Squam Lake Excursions.  Our guide Cindy brought us to so many spots around the lake  but the kids had the most fun jumping into the water from’ jumping rock’ and watching the baby eagles learning to leave their nests. My kids, like most kids, LOVE animals so the birds were a real hit. They also fell in love with some huge oxen at the Ox-K farm in Guilford. Kathy, the owner of the farm, told us about the individual personalities of the oxen and let us in on the secret that Dale was the youngest and the keenest on causing trouble with his brothers. My 6 year old daughter immediately picked him as her favorite and stated “He’s just like me!”.  Thankfully she weighs about 1000 pounds less than Dale and doesn’t have horns (visible horns at least)!

We continued our animal discovery at Clark’s Trading Post with the historic Black Bear Show. We were all amazed at the bear tricks but also at the obvious affection the owners have for their bear friends. The real hit here was the Wolfman. The Wolfman might scare some younger kids, but ours were intrigued by his antics during our train ride. There is even a Segway tour where you can travel deep into the ‘Wolfmans’ territory, but you must be at least 15 years old to participate. We had to settle for a regular Segway tour which was every bit as enjoyable for the under 10 set.

Our last involvement with animals was our introduction to the late dog “Dewey” at the Canterbury Shake Village. During our tour of the village my 9 year old daughter asked if in addition to the farm animals at the village if the people had any pets and we were told about Dewey. He is the mascot of the Canterbury Shaker village. He was well loved by the Shaker community and his spirit lives on today as you tour the village learning about the Shaker people and their lifestyles.

Lodging in the Lakes Region

There are a few different choices when it comes to accommodation locations in the Lakes Region. If your family prefers a quiet setting, head for Squam Lake. We stayed at the Cottage Place on Squam in a suite-style room that had the feeling of our own lake cabin. My 9-year-old son especially enjoyed this inn. He loved the fire at night and the lake swimming and kayaking by day.

Read my full review of Cottage Place on Squam Lake.

Another Squam Lake option is a destination camp called Rockywold-Deephaven. This is an old fashioned family-friendly camp with cottages dotting the lakeshore. Every family has their own cottage yet meals and activities are communal. We joined in on the hydro-bikes and watched a game of  “capture the Flag” which my son was dying to get in on.

For accommodations in the thick of bustling Lake Winnipesaukee, the Margate has all you might need. The property is situated right in the midst of everything else surrounding the lake, giving visitors convenient lake access. The kids loved the intricate tunnel system here as well as the beach.

Read my full review of the Margate on Winnipesaukee.

Farther north of the lakes, Indian Head Resort has its own lake and kids programs. Our kids loved the pool here, however the biggest hit was the small lake again with the animals. My 9 year old daughter  fed an entire box of crackers to the pond ducks and chose names for all of them. Daisy was her favorite and she happily spent a ton of time trying to get Daisy to hop into her paddle boat.

Read my review of the Indian Head Resort.

My reviews of the above named attractions were based on a complimentary visit, meal or stay at the respective attraction. I received no additional compensation during my visit and none of the named attractions required that I make any specific statements about their good and/or services.

 Michelle Brennan is a 2011 Trekaroo  Superoo.

This contest is now closed. Congratulations Jen, number 183! We know you will love the resort.

Although many families travel in the summer to their vacation destinations, a winning argument can be made that more fun activities are available for guests during the snowy winter months at the Tenaya Lodge. This lodge, located near the southern entrance to Yosemite, is chock full of family activities that will make any kid or parent happy to spend as much time at the Sierra resort as possible.

When the snow glistens on the pine trees and the sky is brilliantly blue, families at the Tenaya Lodge will likely be found ice skating in the open air rink, riding sleds down the sled run, or sipping hot chocolate next to the grated bonfire on the north side of the lodge.  In the grand conference rooms, special events are hosted by Tenaya where families can participate in gingerbread building contests, dinners with Santa, and making holiday crafts.  An open air sleigh ride pulled by horses would be an amazing treat and snow shoes, cross country skis, and evening flashlight hikes await the adventurous.  Nearby in Yosemite National Park, visitors can ski downhill at BadgerPass or visit the beautiful Yosemite Valley with it’s frozen waterfalls and ice-covered cliffs.  I know my kids would be so happy and content at the lodge with its large indoor pool and arcade that we would probably have to convince them to try all the other fun activities!

During the spring, summer, and fall, when the snow has melted away, the Tenaya Lodge comes alive with it’s many outdoor activities.  Our kids loved climbing the 25-foot rock wall, shooting arrows at the archery range, and swimming in the large outdoor pool.  Bikes of many sizes and fishing gear are available to rent.  Families can strike out on their own for a 1 mile nature walk to Big Creek or a 5 mile hike to a nearby waterfall.  Guided hikes and flashlight hikes are also available.  During the summer months, the outdoor Chuck-Wagon Jamboree and Summerdale BBQ both offer outdoor eating, live music, a campfire, and S’mores.

Even with all the things that the Tenaya Lodge has to offer to families, it’s location to Yosemite National Park is one of the most amazing things about this resort.  Within a one hour drive, families will be taking in one of the most breathtaking views of a mountain valley framed by 4,000 foot high cliffs and towering waterfalls.  There is nothing like it on earth and should be on every family’s “must-see-list”.

The Steal: Win a 2 night vacation package at The Tenaya Lodge in Yosemite, CA valued at $1,100!

• 2 night stay at the Tenaya Lodge
• Breakfast for four for two days
• Two 60 minute Ascent Spa treatments
• One in-house activity for four

My family and I love adventure of any kind, so we knew we would love Austin.  Its city’s moniker, “Keep Austin Weird” sets it apart from many, but the giant parks, rich Texas history, luxury accommodations, and unique eateries, all combine making Austin a one-of-a-kind city.

Zilker Park

I’ve never been to a park quite like Zilker Park!  You can easily spend a day here getting lost in the botanical gardens, spend  hours in the Nature and Science Center unearthing a dinosaur, meeting a bobcat, and observing particles that make up insect wings, or visit one of the playgrounds and have a picnic beneath the large trees with the cityscape as your backdrop.

The Botanical Gardens are breathtaking and the perfect spot for your kids to run along the paths and peer in the ponds to get an up close look at turtles or water snakes.  The gardens are themed, so you’ll find a rose garden, a Japanese garden, Hartman’s Prehistoric Garden (with dinosaurs), an herb garden, and more.  Use the garden’s classification lists and go on a plant hunt- your kids won’t even realize they’re learning, it’s that much fun!

The Nature & Science Center is an adventure in and of itself!  In the main building, you’ll find a large room with a wide lens telescope perfect for viewing small critters and easy enough for young kids to use.  My 3 year old, a budding scientist,  found it fascinating to look at insect wings and bug parts through the telescope.  Both of my kids, ages 7 and 3, also really enjoyed running through the large cave and pretending to be bobcats and mountain lions.

Outside,  a live animal section allows guests to get up close to a bobcat or a coyote and a  Small Wonder’s Exhibit  features snakes, fish, tarantulas, and some of the tiniest critters found in Austin.  The Dino Dig area transforms kids into  archeologists where they can and unearth dinosaur fossils, follow dinosaur tracks, and find actual replicas of fossils found in Texas under the sand.  My son, Austin, found the only toy truck in the whole sandbox and rode that over the fossil replicas pretending he was being chased by a T-Rex!   With all of this excitement, our tummies were starting to grumble, it was time to head for a yummy snack!

Hey Cupcake!

As one of Austin’s unique eateries, Hey Cupcake!, sells cupcakes out of a polished airstream trailer with a huge cupcake on top!  They charge $3 for unique cupcake confections with names like Michael Jackson, Vanilla Dream, and Red Velvet.  I was told in advance that this is a dessert stop we had to make and that Vanilla Dream was to die for!

Texas State Capitol

Texas is a state rich in history, that if you’re in Austin, you have to visit the Texas State Capitol Building!  The building is an almost exact replica of the United States White House, so you will definitely feel a strong sense of pride in being an American citizen!  When we visited, the Senate was in session, so we took our kids in, sat in the upper balcony, and watched for a few minutes.  Austin, our 3 year old, was born with springs instead of feet, so naturally, he couldn’t sit for long and we got kicked out.  Still, it was fun to see a branch of government in action.  Caleb, 7 years, enjoyed looking at the artwork and statues inside the building.  We all enjoyed riding up the elevator and looking down at the rotunda room from the 4^th floor!

The State Capitol has a visitor’s center that’s not attached to the building and has displays and information for guests wanting a more in-depth look at the history of the building.  For the kids, there’s the Bob Bullock State History Museum which houses an interactive display and an IMAX theater with hands on activities and fun videos for kids of all ages.

Barton Creek Resort & Spa

Barton Creek Resort and Spa took my breath away as I entered their marble and hardwood lobby.   The friendly bell hops held the door open for me and I felt my cares melt away as I was transported into a world of opulence.  In the lobby, the floor to ceiling windows took advantage of the breathtaking hill country scenery with its green forests, winding rivers, and Barton Creek’s extensive and well groomed golf courses.

I originally thought that there wasn’t going to be much for families to do at this exclusive resort, but boy was I wrong!  We started our day with the family scavenger hunt which led us through the entire resort checking in at a majority of sites and familiarizing us with the grounds.  We laughed a lot while trying to play Putt-Putt golf on the miniature course that was mostly shaded (our 3 year old won!) and had a water jug and cups-a must for keeping hydrated during Texas summers.  The Putt-Putt course was also the start of the nature trail that wound about a ½ mile through the hill country wilderness.  Along the path there was an old teepee that we explored along with a fort that my kids climbed into and played on.  I liked the bridges going over a few water crossings, and was told that occasionally the deer will come up and stand close to you, allowing for excellent photo ops!  The day packed so much fun, it was nice to sink into the large, comfortable beds –the perfect end to our day!

Read Heather’s full review of the Barton Creek Resort and Spa.

When it was time to leave, our entire family was a little sad.  The staff made our experience unforgettable and the resort in its entirety was unforgettable.  Plus, the idea of going back home to doing dishes, preparing meals and cleaning up after our family of 6, made me want to run back inside and pay for a few more weeks!

Disclosure: The author received a complimentary stay at Barton Creek Resort in order to complete an unbiased review.  The resort did not request that she share any particular point of view and all opinions stated are entirely those of the author.

Heather Reed (aka slofamilylife) is the Texas Destination Guroo for Trekaroo.  Her passion for travel stems from adventures she took growing up with her family.  She and her husband are thrilled to be exploring the globe with their four children and incorporating their love of learning into every adventure!

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Travel with kids to: CA |CO | DC | FL | HI | IL |MA | NC | NY | OR | PA | TN | TX | VA | WA