Relaxation is easy to do at Grand Velas Resorts

Upgrade plus Kids/Teens Free at all Grand Velas Resorts in Mexico June 1-Aug. 31, 2010. From Riviera Maya to Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit...from studio to one-bedroom suite with kitchen or suite with private plunge pool...Grand Velas Resorts goes all out this summer for families. Imagine, a couple with two children up to 16 years old only paying from $330 p/night for all four, and everybody eats free, at all-inclusive Velas Vallarta Suite Resort. Single supplements are also waived during this period. A la carte gourmet meals at specialty restaurants, premium brand drinks, 24-hour room service, a fitness center, evening entertainment and a host of other activities are included along with taxes and gratuities. All resorts feature a complimentary Kids Club for children ages 4-12. Activities range from planting trees and flowers and learning about the environment to beading in the style of the local Huichol Indians and baking with the pastry chef. Grand Velas All Suites & Spa Resorts in Riviera Maya and Riviera Nayarit start at $290 p/adult p/night double. At the latter, a round of golf or 25-minute spa treatment is added. Upgrades are based on minimum 3-night stays. www.velasresorts.com

Iberostar Rose Hall Beach Hotel in Jamaica: An ongoing Kids Stay Free promotion – valid for up to two kids ages 4-12 when staying with two paying adults – give families extra all-inclusive savings through Dec. 15, 2010. www.iberostar.com

This is the summe for family vacations at Las Terrazas Resort in Belize! Just look at these specials for pure family fun.
Reserve a one-bedroom townhome and receive a complimentary upgrade to a 2-bedroom. Rates start at $195 p/night  through Aug. 31, 2010. How about 5th Night FREE, pay only for 4 nights? This offer applies to all 1-, 2- and 3-bedroom townhomes in all categories, July 1 through Aug. 31, 2010. Rates start at $195 p/night. Other summer specials: 10% off meal plans at O Restaurant; 10% off any treatment at Serenity Spa & Wellness Center.

Las Terrazas Resort amenities include townhomes w/full-size kitchens, living and dining rooms, 1 to 3 bedrooms, flat panel cable TV, iPod docking station, DVD player, surround sound, high-speed Internet access, washer and dryer. On premises, you'll find a 70-foot infinity lap pool with bar, O Restaurant, concierge, 5-star PADI dive facility, spa, fitness room, use of kayaks and hobie cats, plus bicycle and golf cart rental.  www.lasterrazasresort.com

Occidental Hotels & Resorts offers Kids Free on all new bookings for travel through Dec. 17, 2010. Nightly rates at Occidental’s all-inclusive properties in Aruba, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic and Mexico start at an amazing $53 per person. www.occidentalhotels.com/occidental/Specials_main.asp

The Audubon Trio Getaway includes accommodations at the New Orleans Marriott, breakfast for two adults and two children, and a choice of four tickets to the Audubon Zoo, Aquarium of the Americas or Audubon Insectarium. Starting at $169 per night, the package is valid through August 31, 2010.  www.neworleansmarriott.com (rate code EB5)  

Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld, ideally situated directly across the street from SeaWorld, has a great summer Family Escape package starting at $129 p/night through Sept. 30, 2010. It includes deluxe room w/two queen beds; glass of champagne or cider on arrival; free breakfast, lunch and dinner from kids’ menu for up to 4 children; 1 large pizza and soft drinks per night; complimentary family-friendly in-room movie; 10% discount on spa services. www.renaissanceseaworld.com (rate code P50)

Three Marriott Resorts in Florida have partnered with Nickelodeon to present the Nickelodeon Getaway Family Program. Kids can breakfast with SpongeBob SquarePants and Dora the Explorer, and interact with them at poolside game shows in the afternoon, including a chance to get slimed! The two-night stay also includes a sleepover kit with pillowcase and Nickelodeon-themed gifts.
Doral Golf Resort & Spa, Miami: Weekends only (Fri.-Sun.) May 27–Sept. 5, 2010, from $189 p/night. www.doralresort.com
Harbor Beach Marriott Resort & Spa, Fort Lauderdale: daily May 31-Sept. 5, 2010, from $269 p/night. www.marriottharborbeach.com
Marco Island Marriott Beach Resort: Weekends June 18-Sept. 25, 2010, from $274 p/night. www.marcoislandmarriott.com

Casa Magna Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort and Spa in Mexico has a special for families that won’t break the bank. The Escape Family Package, valid through Dec. 10, 2010, includes breakfast daily for two adults and two children 12 and under; pizza and movie night; milk and cookies nightly at turndown; free Kids Club entry ages 4-12; and children under 12 stay free at this beachfront resort. Rates start at $162 p/room p/night double, with minimum 3-night stay required.  www.puertovallartamarriott.com

Horizonx Family Adventure. Rafting in the rapids of Canada’s Ottawa River, surrounded by amazing scenery and tame wildlife, is a unique experience for both parents and kids. Children 40 lbs. and up join Mom and Dad in the gentle middle channel of the river for the perfect whitewater rafting initiation. It’s adventure and excitement in rapids kids can handle. Package includes a day of rafting, BBQ lunch, wet suits and remembrance photos. $100 adults; $70 children under 12. Also check out Horizonx’s new program this year, Full Moon Rafting, and see what comes out at night besides the moon and stars. www.horizonx.ca

unique fAMILY getaway

Pirate lore and boat races await families visiting the idyllic islands of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
St. Vincent was the site of the original and very popular Pirates of the Caribbean movie with Johnny Deppe. Explore Fort Charlotte, sitting 600 feet above Kingstown Bay and featured in the movie. Climb La Soufriere volcano, hike to Trinity Falls hidden in the rainforest, or visit Vermont Nature Trails for birdwatching.
Bequia...dotted with pastel houses, bougainvillea and shady almond trees...retains its boat-building traditions by holding races every Sunday. Kids will love exploring the model boat shops, visiting Old Hegg Turtle Sanctuary, Spring Studios (pictured) and conjuring up their own pirate adventures in Fort Hamilton.   www.svgtourism.com

Tamarijn Aruba All-Inclusive Family Package allows 2 children up to age 18 to stay, play and eat FREE when sharing a guaranteed oceanfront room with two adults. Ages 5-12 seek the Mon.-Fri. Children’s Camp for face painting, pool and beach games, movies, scavenger hunts, snacks and more.  Guests staying at either beachfront property, AAA 3-Diamond Divi Aruba or adjacent Tamarijn Aruba, may use all facilities at both properties: ten dining options, seven bars, three freshwater pools, watersports, plus the well-equipped Divi Winds Sports Center featuring a 30-foot rock climbing wall on the beach.  www.diviaruba.com or www.tamarijnaruba.com

At Costa Rica’s famous Lost Iguana Resort & Spa, families watch from their balconies at night as Arenal Volcano spews red-hot lava in a spectacular show. “Family Fun Getaway” includes two adjoining rooms, $500 spa credit, meals and babysitting services for the kids (10 hours total), and three rainforest adventures. Choose from a 1.7-mile zipline canopy tour; a private hiking tour on resort trails; guided biking tour on the live volcano; a kayak or power boat cruise on Lake Arenal; or a visit to the Butterfly Gardens. Youngsters try the new smaller scale zip line; wander the resort’s winding hibiscus maze; or splash in the shallow hot pool. The  open-air spa also houses a gym and sauna. www.lostiguanaresort.com