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Winter Vacation Deals You Can’t Beat

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Winter Vacation Deals

I’ve just learned about three winter vacation deals that promise all the holiday fun and festivities without the work or the stress. Whether you want to hit the latest theme park attractions, kick back on the beach or hit the slopes over the holidays or next year, here’s good news in the form of three terrific winter family getaways.

Every Generation Loves Orlando

Ready to try the holidays Orlando Style? The best part: You don’t have to wait until Christmas week to celebrate since Orlando’s seven famous theme parks and attractions celebrate for 59 days at 20 festive events — everything from special parades, fireworks and shows to a 30-foot-tall Christmas tree made out of LEGOS.

Slinky Dog Dash at Toy Story Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. (Matt Stroshane, photographer)

Here’s an early holiday gift:  You won’t have to bust the budget to get your gang there, thanks to Visit Orlando’s Black Friday/Cyber Monday deals, live from Nov. 20-29,2018, that you can use all next year.

Orlando Wonder Woman at Madame Tussauds

Tip:  Save an extra 10 percent off already discounted purchases at OrlandoTickets.com. Use promo code “GIFT” between November 20 and 29, 2018 for incredible deals, but don’t delay as some discounted tickets may have limited quantities. 

Big Savings at All-Inclusive Beach Resorts

The all-inclusive Karisma Hotels & Resorts, known for their Gourmet Inclusive Experience, can offer much more than the luxe beach vacation you dream about.

Tip:  They’ve got deals that are 45 percent or more off and, in some cases, kids are free. The key is to choose the right resort for your family. 

Generations Resort Riviera Maya by Karisma, for example, is designed for multi-generational groups with the largest suites in the Caribbean — your home away from home except with butler service and organized activities for the kids. Save half with current deals. 

Azul Beach

Azul Beach Resort Riviera Maya by Karisma, also in Mexico, is especially popular with young families as it’s got everything you need for your baby or toddler as well as canopied beach beds to cuddle up, kids’ activities, water sports, spa and great eats. You’ll find two other Azul Beach Resorts in Mexico and one in Negril, Jamaica.  Save 45 percent (depending on your dates) with kids’ free specials until the end of the year.

You’ll find the same deal at the Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Punta Cana, not only a five-star in the Dominican Republic but the only Nickelodeon resort in the world. Each of the 208 guestrooms is decorated with a Nickelodeon™ twist and kids love the huge Aqua Nick water park where there’s mass sliming. 

Snow Sports in New England

If your family would rather hit the slopes than the beach, head to Maine. How many places can boast ski hills with ocean views? Welcome to Maine’s Camden Snow Bowl, home to one of the world’s best toboggan runs — 400 feet long.

Maine is home to two large ski resort — Sunday River and Sugarloaf — but there are plenty of smaller, less expensive ones like Camden Snow Bowl and miles of grandparent-friendly snowmobile, cross country ski and snowshoe trails across the state, many in open fields, state and local parks. My new Kid’s Guide to Maine is a great stocking stuffer to bring along.

Tip:  Since January is Learn a Snow Sport Month, several Maine resorts offer discounted lift tickets and group lessons – for all age beginners — in skiing and snowboarding.  Save when you book lodging and lift tickets together at places like Sunday River’s cozy ski-in/ski-out lodge.

Gear up at L.L. Bean’s giant store in the town of Freeport, Maine, where you’ll also find lots of outlet stores for more bargains. All ages can indulge in Portland’s eclectic food scene, too.

And, it’s always fun to take a walk in a Maine snowstorm.

Happy Travels!

This winter vacation deals blog post is sponsored by TakingtheKids.com. Eileen Ogintz is a leading national travel expert and syndicated columnist of the weekly column Taking the Kids and the creator of Takingthekids.com. Ogintz is considered a leading national expert on family travel and is often quoted in major publications such as USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, New York Times as well as parenting and women’s magazines on family travel. She has appeared on such television programs as “The Today Show,” “Good Morning America” and “Oprah,” as well as dozens of local radio and television news programs. Ogintz is also often asked to speak to corporate groups about family travel, including Governors Conferences on Tourism. An Open Suitcase is honored to know Eileen and offer our readers this post.