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Island Time, Tahitian Style

lohayes@gmail.com (Lynn O'Rourke Hayes) — Thu, 28 Dec 2017 00:00:00 -0700

Island Lovers, take note!

Let the trade winds sweep your cares away when you explore the islands of French Polynesia aboard a four-masted sailing yacht. A great getaway to experience with your teens, adult children or extended family, Windstar sailing ships deliver explorers to an island paradise where blue lagoons and pristine coral reefs provide epic snorkeling, scuba diving and Jet Ski options.

Kayak and paddleboard off the back of the ship’s sports deck. Learn about local cultures during hiking, kayaking and museum-centric shore excursions. Later, relax on a small island (motu) where you can sip coconut drinks, listen to the nimble sounds of a ukulele drifting in the distance and cool off in the sapphire-colored sea.

Contact: www.WindstarCruises.com.

Explore: 5 Grand Adventures

lohayes@gmail.com (Lynn O'Rourke Hayes) — Fri, 29 Jun 2012 00:00:00 -0700

Summer is a time for exploration.

Check out these five places to uncover grand, new adventures:

1 Learn about life in Cuba.

With a strong focus on lifelong learning, Road Scholar educational adventures provide multigenerational travel opportunities in 50 states and 150 countries around the world. Now, you can travel to Cuba, where you’ll have the opportunity to meet with local community leaders, artists and local families to discuss the changes under way. Crafted for children 9 and older, and their adult family members, you’ll also visit local landmarks and sample local dance, music and cuisine.

Contact: 1-800-454-5768; www.roadscholar.org

2 Head south to ski.

Consider trading ho-hum summer heat for the thrill of South American high country. From June through October, you can access premier powder in Chile and Argentina. The pros from U.S.-based Powder Quest can help you choose from snow ski tours, instruction-based outings and snowboard adventures in pristine mountain environments. There are also cat-skiing and heli-skiing options to provide a dual altitude and adrenaline fix.

Contact: 1-888-565-7158; www.powderquest.com

3 Dive the Great Blue Hole, Ambergris Caye, Belize.

Scuba enthusiasts are eager to dive this large submarine sinkhole once explored by Jacques Cousteau. Located near the center of Lighthouse Reef, the Great Blue Hole is part of the large Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System, a World Heritage site.

Experienced divers have the opportunity to see remarkable limestone formations as well as several species of shark in the crystal waters. The dive destination is 60 miles from Ambergris Caye; working with an experienced and reputable outfitter is essential. Las Terrazas Resort is a family-friendly condo-style hotel adjacent to the White Sands Dive Shop, where Professional Association of Diving Instructors-certified owner Elbert Greer will ensure your dive experience is top-notch.

Contact: www.lasterrazasresort.com; www.whitesandsdiveshop.com; www.travelbelize.org

4 Visit a castle, County Mayo, Ireland.

Ashford Castle, built in the 13th century on the banks of the Lough Corrib and the River Cong, was once a monastery and later served as the Guinness family home.

Check in with children 2 and younger and you’ll find a teddy bear and a full supply of baby care items waiting. Older children have their own bathrobes to get cozy after a day spent exploring the spacious grounds. Go for a private Hawk Walk, ride horses or learn the history of falconry with on-site experts. Plan to fly-fish for brown trout and salmon with Orvis-endorsed guides.

Contact: ashford.ie; www.discoverireland.com

5 Relax on the Long Beach Peninsula, Wash. A longtime favorite family beach destination, Washington’s Long Beach Peninsula is known for its lodging options, great birding, digging for razor clams, fishing and kite-flying.

It’s also known for beach-driving. You can ride horses on the beach, go whale watching, enjoy area festivals and hike nearby trails.

Contact: 1-800-451-2542; funbeach.com

Six Snorkel Spots

lohayes@gmail.com (Lynn O'Rourke Hayes) — Sat, 16 Apr 2011 00:00:00 -0700

This page is brought to you by Pride of Maui offering fun-filled, action-packed snorkeling/sailing trips to Maui's Molokini.

Snorkeling is a great way to explore the beauty of our underwater world.

Here are six places the family can learn about coral reefs, colorful fish and more:

Snorkel and Sail. Climb aboard the custom built Alii Nu for a morning of sunshine and snorkeling in crystal clear tropical waters. Enjoy a breakfast on board the catamaran before donning fins, mask and snorkel and embarking on your seafaring safari. Younger children can take advantage of boogie boards and water noodles to conserve energy while scoping out coral, sea turtles and colorful tropical fish under the surface. Rinse off and enjoy lunch on deck while sailing back to the dock. For certified scuba divers, tanks are available.

Contact: 1- 800-542-3483; www.aliinuimaui.com/maui-snorkeling.htm

Curtain Bluff Resort, Antigua.” Mom! I saw a barracuda!” That,from an excited ten-year-old boy fresh from one of two daily snorkeling excursions to a nearby reef. When visiting this family-owned and operated, all- inclusive resort in the West Indies, all snorkeling gear, as well as an in- the- water guide is included with your stay. Tired of the underwater scenery? Kids will fall into bed each night exhausted from sampling the extensive water sports that include water skiing, sailing, rafting, deep sea fishing, paddle boating and kayaking. Ask about summer deals.

Contact: www.CurtainBluff.com

Westin St. John Resort & Villas. US Virgin Islands. There are few places on the planet that provide better family-friendly underwater scenery. Eyes will widen with wonder while exploring the Virgin Islands Coral Reef National Monument. Created in 2001, you can enjoy the 12,708 acres of submerged land within a three-mile belt off St. John. You’ll also want to check out Trunk Bay the island’s number one snorkel destination with its famed underwater nature trail. Dry off and relax within the 47-acre, palm-studded resort. Book the Unwind On Island Time package and enjoy free snorkel gear for the entire stay.

Contact: (866) 716-8108: http://deals.westin.com/Westin-St-John-Resort-1098/SO.htm?EM=Rogue_SOPLink_WI_1098_SEC

Wyndham Rio Mar Resort & Spa, Puerto Rico. Hop on board the catamaran and sail to a nearby coral reef where the boat will anchor. The entire family can snorkel among the live reefs where hundreds of colorful fish will come forward to be hand fed. Enjoy a picnic style lunch before returning to the mile-long, palm lined beach. Later explore the adjacent rain forest, learn about the island’s rich culture and history, play golf or tennis or relax by the pool. Check out the summer specials.

Contact: 877-999-3223 http://www.wyndham.com/hotels/SJURM/specialoffers/main.wnt

Sanctuary M.V. Eclipse. Galapagos Islands. Explore these magical islands from the comfort of this sea craft and have the opportunity to snorkel among sea lions, sea turtles and a rainbow of fish that will delight every explorer in your family. Take in deep water coves and Rábida, a small island with red volcanic rocks surrounding a red sand beach. Home to a colony of sea lions and a pelican nesting site, it’s considered among the best snorkeling sites in the islands. The use of snorkeling equipment and wetsuits is complimentary. Snorkeling activities take place before or after island excursions to see the blue-footed boobies and so much more.

Contact: 44 (0)20 7190 7749; http://www.sanctuaryretreats.com/cruises/

Harbor Beach Marriott Resort & Spa. Fort Lauderdale, FL. With several packages offering equipment and instruction for beginning and experienced snorkelers, families will enjoy this recently renovated resort on South Florida’s largest private beach, near one of the best shore diving locations in the U.S. Consider the Beach-Bound Getaway package that includes all kids’ meals for ages 12 and under, 20% savings off all resort outlets and a daily resort credit to that covers daily snorkeling. Don’t miss the new kid’s clubhouse with a Hawaiian Surf Simulator allowing one to four children at a time to “surf” the waves.

Contact: 1-800-222-6543; For reservations, www.marriott.com/fllsb (use promotional code SPU); www.marriottharborbeach.com