Keep the e-mail coming! I do my best to answer every one of your questions and comments, including those your kids send.
I hear from grandparents planning to take lucky grandchildren on vacation, families looking for somewhere new and those already planning to be somewhere extraordinary for New Year's 2000.
So what if vacation isn't coming up soon. All the more reason to get your questions answered before it's too late to make any changes.
Here are some of the questions you've sent just in recent weeks: To save money on a Disney World trip, we booked a train from Philadelphia to Orlando. However, we've heard nothing but horror stories. We opted for the train because our kids will feel too confined in the car. Do you have any advice?
I confess I love the train because I don't have to drive, and kids 2-15 travel for half price. (Those under 2 are free. Call 800-872-7245 or visit Amtrak's Web site at www.amtrak.com.)
Even better, the kids fight less because they've got space to spread out art supplies, games and themselves in comfortable seats without being confined by a seat belt. Amtrak spokesman Steven Taubenkibel acknowledges that trains -- especially those going to Florida -- get crowded, but says horror stories are few and far between. If a customer has a problem, send a detailed letter to Amtrak's Office of Customer Relations, 60 Massachusetts Ave. N.E., Washington, D.C. 20002.
We have a 10-year-old and a teen and are looking for a place to nTC go that is on the beach, off the beaten track and with some culture, but not too expensive.
Consider Belize to appreciate the tropical environment and Mayan history of Central America, suggests Joan Weber, whose company called Journey offers adventure trips for families around the world. One of Journey's weeklong Belize trips costs under $500 for kids (plus airfare) and $1,395 for parents. Call 800-255-8735 or visit the Web site at www.journeys-intl.com.
Costa Azul Adventure Resort might also fit the bill, according to Rascals in Paradise co-owner Deborah Baretta, whose company always looks for off-the-beaten-track spots for family travelers. About 40 minutes north of Puerto Vallarta, Costa Azul is an eco-resort where kids can go on nature hikes in the jungle, lounge by the pool and even get Spanish lessons. Costs average about $300 a night for a family of four, including meals and many activities. Call Rascals at 800-U-RASCAL.
Can you tell me where I might find a ski area that offers tubing?
Kids and parents alike give tubing high marks. So much so that riding on an inner tube down a chute or hill is becoming the must-try adventure at many ski areas this season. You'll find tubing at Stratton and Killington in Vermont, Crested Butte, Winter Park and Vail in Colorado, Northstar-at-Tahoe in California. Call the National Ski Areas Association (303-987-1111) for more information.
Our son, Jeffrey, is 8 and autistic. We also have a daughter who is 10. We would love to go somewhere and feel comfortable leaving Jeff with someone so we could lie on a beach for an hour, but have yet to come across a group willing to work with us. It is kind of sad.
The Colorado-based National Sports Center for the Disabled helps hundreds of families like yours every year with family members who are mentally or physically disabled. The nonprofit organization has winter and summer programs, enabling a child like Jeff to learn to ski or snowboard, white-water raft or rock climb. There's an accessible nature trail and campground. You may participate in the activities or you may enroll your child in a program and go off on your own. Winter programs start at $65 for lessons, lifts and equipment; summer activities start at $15.
Call the Sports Center at 970- 726-1540 or visit the Web site at www.sni.net/nscd.
What is the ratio of people who vacation with children vs, those who leave them behind?
Look around any vacation destination, and it's clear that far more parents are taking the kids along these days than leaving them behind. Last summer, more than 100 million trips included parents and kids, according to the Family Travel Association.
Send your questions and comments about family travel to Los Angeles Times Syndicate, Times Mirror Square, Los Angeles, Calif. 90053, or e-mail to eogintol .com. While every letter cannot be answered, some of your stories may be used in future columns.
Pub Date: 2/08/98
