family travel Archives - Page 9 of 9

Travelling with Toddlers: A Guide

Posted on August 31, 2015June 3, 2025 by Amanda Blakley

As a seasoned traveller, my wanderlust runs deep. Whether for backpacking or business travel, I have circled the globe numerous times. Now, as a mother of two, I am passionate about cultivating a love of travel in my children and placing importance on collecting experiences over things.

My husband and I have travelled extensively with our two sons, Atticus and Archer, and some of our most treasured memories have been made while on the road as a family. It hasn’t always been smooth sailing though, and along the way we’ve learned from experience what works and what doesn’t when travelling with toddlers. I hope that by sharing some of our family’s rules for the road, we can inspire your next getaway and arm you with the tools you need to make it a success.

Flying with toddlers

Toddler travelling on airplane watching iPad

Flying with a toddler is easier when you have toys, electronics, snacks and entertainment on hand to distract from the monotony of the journey. Photography courtesy Thinkstock

Our rule of thumb for a day of travel is the “no rules” rule. The ultimate goal is to arrive at your destination alive and sane. With that in mind, our philosophy of “anything goes” works well. Normal rules about screen time, junk food and schedules go out the window when we travel. Whatever it takes—until we arrive at our final destination. Then it’s back to business.

Check into discounted fares for children under 2 on most airlines, and indicate special needs you may have for your young passenger, such as a specific meal or a front-row seat with space for your child’s bags. On many airlines, you can check a stroller at the gate, so moving around inside the airport before your flight is a breeze.

Build a toddler travel survival kit

Amanda Blakley always keeps art supplies in her toddler travel survival kit: Kids Coloring at Kids For All Seasons at Four Seasons Bahrain Bay

To make travelling with a young child easier, build a travel survival kit that includes art supplies, new toys and snacks—all designed to keep your kid content and entertained whether you’re on the plane, at a restaurant or in line at the children’s museum.

Every parent knows that there is no way to travel light when travelling with the young. These are some of the items we never leave home without when travelling with our tots.

A lint roller comes in handy for picking up crumbs left in your airline seat or at restaurants, and also takes care of glitter, Cheerios and any other droppings a toddler leaves in his or her wake. I fill a toddler-size backpack with special snacks (packets of dried seeds, dried fruit, cereal), a water bottle (flimsy airline cups are forever being knocked over), toys they haven’t seen in a while, simple crafts or colouring projects and a few new toys. When they get to the brink of a breakdown or just need a new distraction, we pull something else out of the bag.

For 21^st-century parents, an iPad is a traveller’s lifesaver. Our son is allowed to use the iPad and watch movies on it when we travel. And since we restrict the use of screens in our household under normal circumstances, he savours every second of this time. On a recent flight to Los Angeles, Atticus watched Frozen for the first time (twice). He did not make a peep for the entire flight—except when he spilled my husband’s hot coffee in his lap when we got up to use the restroom. Note to self: Bring screw-top bottles for the adults as well.

Keep your itinerary light and loose

You don’t have to be a hotel hermit just because you have toddlers with you on vacation. Instead, get out and enjoy family-friendly sites like the Boston Children’s Museum, parks, gardens and zoos. Photography courtesy Robert Benson courtesy Boston Children’s Museum

The fewer expectations you have for yourself and your travel companions, the more flexible you can be. Toddlers require routine as a general rule, so we try to keep things like naps, mealtime and bedtime similar to the way they’d be on an ordinary day at home. When we’re on the road, we usually plan only one activity per day; this might be an excursion, an activity or a museum visit. When fatigue sets in, breakdowns are inevitable—and this we like to avoid at all costs!

We recently spent a weekend in Boston. Pre-kids, we would have made reservations at multiple restaurants for each day, had lists of boutiques to check out and exhibits to visit. But because children (in general) are ticking time bombs, we consider their needs while planning our days (pat on back for proactive parenting). The first day we did a bit of walking and exploring after a large breakfast and then went back to the hotel for a nap. That afternoon we took the boys to the Boston Children’s Museum, which was a hit.

A stone’s throw from the museum is Sportello, a family-friendly Italian eatery whose approach to fresh fare will please even the pickiest eater. For dinner, we grabbed some bar seats along the large and winding counter (“Sportello” is Italian for counter service), and all four indulged in Chef Barbara Lynch’s menu of classics (I recommend the bolognese), which are crafted from only the most local and seasonal ingredients.

After that eventful day, we still had them bathed and in bed by 8:00 pm! It’s all about being realistic, which is sometimes a tough pill to swallow while on holiday.

Choose your destinations wisely

Kids for All Seasons at Four Seasons Dubai

Available at most Four Seasons hotels and resorts, the Kids for All Seasons programme offers entertainment, cultural activities and day camps for kids, allowing parents time for romantic and adventurous excursions.

Determine what type of holiday you want to have—beach, city, mountain, adventure or relaxation—and then find a property that offers fitting amenities and landscapes. We like to book a Four Seasons property that offers either a Kids for All Seasons programme or babysitting services—that way everyone in the family can enjoy the holiday. Resort holidays, with their self-contained environments and partitioned children’s areas, make for perfect vacations with toddlers. At most resorts you’ll find large, open, grassy areas where toddlers can practice crawling, walking or tumbling, and the pools feature a shallow area perfect for introducing your kids to water, like the kids’ pool at Four Seasons Resort Hualalai.

On a recent visit to Mexico, the Concierge at Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita, México, arranged a babysitter (for a fee) so that my husband and I could slip out for a quick workout, followed by dinner and drinks in an up-and-coming neighbourhood. These little escapes—no matter how brief—can make the difference after a long day spent entertaining the kids at the beach or poolside.

Finding toddler-friendly foods while travelling

For days when there is no negotiating with your little one to try something new, many restaurants at Four Seasons hotels and resorts offer children’s menus stocked with kid favourites like macaroni and cheese, as well as simplified local dishes like vegetables and steamed rice in Hong Kong or a cheese quesadilla in Punta Mita. Photography courtesy Brandon Barre

Eating on the road can pose interesting challenges. To coax our kids to try new things, the finger-food trick generally succeeds. From dumplings to duck, cutting it into small pieces and adding familiar dipping sauces (ketchup is a sure bet) can work wonders.

We also have a likeness tactic that can convince our kids to try something that may not appeal at first glance. A quesadilla in Punta Mita becomes a “Mexican pizza,” a ramen bowl in Tokyo becomes “Japanese spaghetti.” And in our estimation, it’s always worthwhile to choose restaurants that cater to the little ones as well as adults. In Hong Kong, for instance, The Lounge at Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong offers a full children’s menu for those days when only chicken fingers will do.

Because dinner out with kids can sometimes be challenging, we love to have a nice family meal at lunchtime when our boys are in better spirits. Afterwards, we can easily wander back to the room for naptime, and if we’re lucky, my husband and I may even get an hour to ourselves for reading on the patio.

Discovering necessities while on holiday

Children’s Amenities at Four Seasons Hangzhou

Four Seasons destinations strive to offer superior services for parents and their little entourage. Snacks, diapers, baby-proofing and cribs are available to make your stay more comfortable.

Pack a little less by ensuring you have toddler necessities at your destination upon arrival. Many cities have a rental and delivery service for things like high chairs, strollers, toys and even diapers. Baby’s Away services 27 U.S. states, Baby Vallarta is best for the Puerto Vallarta and Punta Mita area of Mexico, and Renting for Rascals is our go-to for the U.K.

Or call ahead to your Four Seasons hotel or resort to inquire what kid-friendly amenities they might offer. We were surprised to discover that our room at Four Seasons Resort Palm Beach had been childproofed (padded furniture corners and all) prior to our check-in. It was equipped not only with a crib, but also with extra diapers and wipes, bath toys, a miniature robe and even a Diaper Genie. All of these little details meant we could get to the task at hand (relaxation) sooner!

Night-time with toddlers on vacation

Four Seasons Guest - Young Girl, Bedtime

Bedtime is a breeze when children are comfortable and calm. Keep your toddler’s normal bedtime routine, coupled with the children’s amenities at the hotel, and you’ll wake up to one happy toddler in the morning.

Like most new parents, we obsessed over the bedtime routine with our firstborn. We were militant about the timing of a nightly bath, books and bed. As a result of this—or, perhaps, luck—we could put our toddlers to bed anywhere. Now we always bring our favourite books from home, and a special car or truck often makes its way into the bed as well. Consistency is key.

Of course it never hurts to tucker them out in the sand at places like Four Seasons Resort Nevis or on the slopes at Four Seasons Resort and Residences Whistler during the day so they can barely muster an excuse when the time comes to head off to dreamland.

Your Journey Begins Here

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Tips for Travelling With Teens

Posted on August 18, 2015June 3, 2025 by Talon Windwalker

My teenaged son Stevie and I have been slowly travelling the world since 2011. We left the U.S. and adopted a nomadic lifestyle because I wanted to infuse more life into our everyday living. After working in health care for a few decades, I began to notice a common theme from people near the end of their lives—regret. I decided I didn’t want to live a life full of regrets, and it was important to me to instil this spirit in my child.

As any parent with kids over the age of 10 knows, there is a difference between travelling with a younger child and doing so with a teen. When they’re 9 years old, everything is magical and exciting. At 13, things that used to really interest my son, for example, elicit little more than a shoulder shrug.

Fortunately, over the last four-plus years spent travelling from Asia to South America and beyond, our relationship has become quite strong. We tend to function as a team, and my son rarely hears the typical (and sometimes ineffective) reasoning of “I’m the parent, that’s why,” when it comes to our travel decisions.

Here, I’ve gathered some of my best tips and tricks for pulling off an excellent vacation with teenagers and making the most of your time together. A family holiday helps ensure you’ll get quality time and make good memories, but it will take some extra effort. From itinerary planning to packing to using travel to train your teens for their independent future, here are some of the things I’ve learned as a globetrotting parent.

Involve your teen in trip planning

Eiffel Tower, Paris, France (L); Pantheon Interior, Rome (R)

Involving your teen in trip planning is key. My son and I recently collaborated on mapping out a trip to Europe, during which we went to Paris for my birthday and then visited a place on his list: the Pantheon in Rome. Photography courtesy Eustaquio Santimano and Gary Ullah

Even though your son or daughter will likely respond with a casual “whatever,” it’s important to include them in the trip planning process. Just like adults, teens want to be heard. And the more they’re involved in the early stages, the more likely they will be engaged and the less likely they are to complain during the trip.

This is also a great opportunity for kids to learn about compromise. My son and I discuss locations, things to do, costs, methods of transportation and so on. In fact, he usually picks our next destination himself. If either one of us has a particular interest, then we pay attention to that as well during the planning phase. For instance, this year we celebrated my birthday in Paris, and when we were in Rome, we made a point of visiting the Pantheon because it had been featured in one of my son’s favourite video games.

Use packing to teach accountability

Let teens be in charge of packing their own bags; it teaches accountability and the importance of planning ahead.

So many parents pack for their teen in a panic: What if they forget their toothbrush, their underwear, their iPad? But part of growing up is learning accountability. Will the world really end if they have to buy a new toothbrush or, heaven forbid, endure a morning with bad breath? (I see the self-proclaimed control freaks wincing at this notion.)

On the other hand, my son has a tendency to forget important items, which often ends up causing both of us some frustration. Packing is a great time to teach your teen the value of planning and generating lists. Sit down with your kid and have him or her come up with a packing list. That way, things don’t get left behind and travel days are much less stressful.

When they want to pack too much, just remind them they are in control of their bag, which means they will be carrying it through the airport, lugging it to the car, and pulling it into the hotel. If you are flying, make sure they understand that bags need to be under a specific weight. If they need to make adjustments, it’s better to let them make those decisions. It’s all part of the growing up.

Plan for downtime

Downtime is crucial for teens, even on holiday. They may want to hang out in the room all day, which means you can make the most of hotel amenities, such as the contemporary Australian cuisine at Mode Kitchen & Bar at Four Seasons Hotel Sydney.

Downtime is crucial for teens, even on holiday. They may want to hang out in the room all day, which means you can make the most of hotel amenities, such as contemporary Australian cuisine at Mode Kitchen & Bar at Four Seasons Hotel Sydney.When travelling with teens to a new place, there is an incredibly strong temptation to rush about and not miss anything. However, a jam-packed day of sight-seeing just doesn’t work for teens.

Most teenagers sporadically get into hermit moods when they need their space. You may want to spend time together, but your child will be happier with some time alone during the journey—or at least time when they aren’t constantly on the move.

When my son and I have had an all-day excursion or a few days with a lot of movement, I make sure to follow that up with a lazy day. Sometimes this means he stays in the hotel to relax while I go out exploring on my own, and other times I hang in the room with him, or we spend some time at the pool. On some lazy days, I’ll even order delivery or room service. At Four Seasons Hotel Sydney, for example, I certainly didn’t mind spending a day relaxing by the pool and sampling the fresh flavours at Mode Kitchen & Bar.

Deal with screen time

Fact: Teens are glued to their phones. Give a lesson in compromise by working with your teen to decide when and where screen time is appropriate while on vacation.

It can get frustrating always looking at your teenager’s face over some sort of electronic device. On holiday, some parents encourage their kids to leave their electronics at home. But I’ve found this is another opportunity to teach compromise.

Work out periods of time when screen time is acceptable. On the airplane, the train and long bus rides, why not let them disappear into their devices? It will make getting their attention much easier later on. For gamers, work with them to come up with times like these that are a win-win for everyone.

After all, it is their holiday as much as yours, and you’re never going to convince them to ditch the digital world entirely.

Photograph like a teen

Talon Windwalker scuba diving on vacation with his teenage son

I involve my son (pictured here diving with me) in all facets of travel. As a result, we tend to function as a team and have explored much of the world together. Photography courtesy Talon Windwalker

Your child may take 20 selfies in five minutes, but that doesn’t mean they will pose graciously for you when you want a family picture. Usually the first few times will be met with cooperation, but after that, expect “the look.”

If you have a surly teen, try to restrict the number of photos you take with them. Make sure they are really worthwhile shots, in worthwhile locations. Alternatively, you can invite them to join you in a selfie. This works better than other methods because they understand the value of selfies in social media, and generally are happy to lend their cool factor to your profile. It is even easier to capture a photo with your teen if you have them take the photo with their own device, allowing them to edit and post it on their own social channels.

Avoid repetition

On occasion, let your teen hang out at the hotel while you go out exploring. The rooms at Four Seasons Hotel Firenze, for example, are incredibly comfortable and can be a cultural experience all their own.

Teens don’t always share our penchant for history and culture. After spending a lot of time in South America with Stevie, I began to hear “More ruins?” in an exasperated tone. In Thailand, it was “Another temple?” After a few months in Europe—“I’m tired of churches and castles.”

Again, this is where compromise comes into play. If we spend a day doing mostly things I’m interested in, the next is all about him. While visiting Ecuador, we spent one day visiting cathedrals, churches, cemeteries and local markets—not exactly riveting attractions to a teen. The next day was his, and he opted for a lazy day, which meant we didn’t see the outside of our hotel room. At Four Seasons Hotel Firenze, he stayed at the historic hotel while I went out to see the sights. Other times, he will tag along and hang out outside the “boring” church/castle/temple while I go exploring.

Compromise with food

Paris Cuisine for Adult & Teen: Verjus Bar à Vins’ Buttermilk Fried Chicken Sandwich topped with fresh cabbage salad (L); Frenchie to Go Hot Dog (R)

Don’t stress if your teen is not as eager to try new foods as you are. Even hamburgers and hot dogs can turn into memorable meals when ordered in other countries. Photography courtesy Verjus Bar à Vins (L); Photography Virginie Garnier (R)

For many adults, one of the joys of travelling is experiencing new food. Any time I’m heading to France, I dream of the fabulous wine, baguettes, cheese and crêpes. When looking at a menu with items such as tongue tacos, however, my son will sigh and tell people, “My dad will eat almost anything.”

Most of the time he can find something to satisfy his finicky appetite, but sometimes he just wants something that is familiar. While watching your teen eat macaroni and cheese in Thailand may make your inner foodie weep, give the kid a break and withhold that “but-you-can-get-that-at-home” plea on occasion.

It kills me when we’re in Paris, looking over a menu offering such tasty items as grilled stingray wing, and he picks a hamburger—but at least we can both enjoy the meal. Luckily, most places usually manage to add a local interpretation of even the simplest things, such as adding gourmet cheese or fresh bread to a hot dog.

Expect post-trip abandonment

Teenagers may run off to spend time with their friends once you return home, but they’ll always cherish the times you spent travelling together. Photography courtesy Thinkstock

Don’t take it personally when you return home and your teen quickly puts distance between you—it doesn’t mean they didn’t enjoy the journey. At this age, their world revolves around their peers. It’s all part of stretching their wings as they prepare to leave the nest.

I’ve had plenty of lovely talks with college-age adults who reminisce about how they complained almost non-stop during family vacations, but add that those times remain some of their favourite family memories.

Someday your kids will thank you. It may not be until they’re 23, but it will happen.

YOUR JOURNEY BEGINS HERE

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9 Family Vacations Recommended by Moms

Posted on May 1, 2015February 13, 2017 by FourSeasonsMagazine.com

If the idea of taking your kids on vacation sounds daunting, consider that you have only a handful of holidays before your little ones become adults and start planning their own grand getaways. Make the most of family vacations by visiting destinations that will rejuvenate your love of travel, provide your family time to relax together and help you unplug from routine as you introduce your tiny travellers to the wider world.

We asked six savvy mothers to nominate destinations for the best family vacations based on real-world experiences with their kids. Here, these sojourning matriarchs offer insider tips and top picks for family-friendly holidays from Orlando to Hong Kong and kid-approved resorts from Hualalai to Sharm El Sheikh.

A hassle-free escape in Hualalai
Nominated by Amie O’Shaughnessy of Ciao Bambino

Enjoy a bird’s-eye view of Hawaii during a helicopter tour of the Big Island. Children will love watching an active volcano spill lava into the ocean, or weaving through jungle-filled valleys.

Photography courtesy Thinkstock

For a carefree vacation, I love Four Seasons Resort Hualalai at Historic Kaupulehu, where kids and parents alike can have the holiday of their dreams. Because the Resort is only 15 minutes from the airport, as soon as you arrive, you’re there—it’s logistic nirvana—and the programming at the Resort is so extensive you don’t have to ever leave the grounds. If you do venture out, try the full-island Hualalai helicopter tour—our son loved watching bubbling lava flow into the ocean. Hupuna State Park is nearby, with long sandy beaches and water that’s ideal for body-boarding.

At the end of the day, we found ourselves happily lingering on the grounds of the Resort. Our son enjoyed watching turtles nest along the beach, and playing near the shops as the sun set. He learned to snorkel without leaving the property and spent Kid’s Night Out watching movies on the lawn while my husband and I enjoyed date night. We learned hula and lei-making as a family at the Kaupulehu Cultural Center—the perfect way to expose our child to a new culture and spend quality time together.

Four Seasons Resort Hualalai

Activities galore in Hong Kong
Nominated by Katie Dillon of La Jolla Mom

A family vacation in thriving Hong Kong combines thrilling visits to theme parks for the kids with cultural learning experiences, plus time to relax at Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong and take in the iconic skyline from the outdoor pool.

Photography courtesy Katie Dillon

Hong Kong is a surprisingly easy family travel destination. Public transportation is efficient, the airport is easy to navigate, and everything a family needs can be purchased within steps of Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong. While much of Hong Kong is a bustling city, there are plenty of opportunities to hike, enjoy the beach or spend time on the sea, so you can choose a pleasant mix of urban and outdoor activities for an active family. Two of the most popular family destinations are Hong Kong Disneyland and Ocean Park, where kids can be kids and parents can score major cool points. If you prefer to skip the packed parks, head up to Big Buddha on a glass-bottom cable car, or take a ride on the new waterfront observation wheel at twilight to watch the city sparkle.

While many parents worry about the food options in Hong Kong, this shouldn’t dissuade those with even the pickiest of eaters. Kids love the petite dim sum, and if all else fails, pizza and burgers are available all over the city. We used many of the Hotel’s family amenities, including the outdoor pool deck, where complimentary popsicles and treats are passed around periodically. If the siren call of the watering holes at Lan Kwai Fong beckons, book a nanny through the Concierge. Otherwise, stay back in your Harbour View Room and watch the Symphony of Lights laser show over the water. Word to those still strollering: The city’s uneven pavement and unavoidable stairs make pushing your tiny tots a tiny hassle.

Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong

A resort hideaway in Sharm El Sheikh
Nominated by: Heather Greenwood Davis of Globetrotting Mama

Egypt’s most underrated attraction might be the stunning white-sand beaches of Sharm El Sheikh, which disappear into the turquoise waters of the Red Sea.

Photography courtesy the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County

You don’t often hear the words “Egypt” and “children” spoken together in the travel sphere. Four Seasons Resort Sharm El Sheikh is an exception. From the moment we arrived at the Resort, we all felt at home. We spent most of our time at the property, which is large but well contained. Rooms feel like mini-cottages (with plunge pools in some!), and it only took a few hours for all of us to get to know the lay of the land.

Whether at the pool or on the beach, we enjoyed great views and attentive service, and the restaurants excelled at offering something for every palate. Mealtimes included options our children were familiar with as well as the chance to try new things, like the delicious Merguez sausage and hummus.

And the Resort’s Kids for All Seasons Club is small, but it makes up for its size with fun cultural activities, like learning to write your own name in hieroglyphics. The kids had to be pried away each day, and the talent show at the end of our stay had us all laughing. An unexpected perk of being at a Resort where there are many international travellers was that we made lasting friendships with other families.

Four Seasons Resort Sharm El Sheikh

Food and fun in Austin
Nominated by: Heather Greenwood Davis of Globetrotting Mama

Barbeque taco from Valentina’s Tex Mex BBQ food truck in Austin, Texas

Make a trip to South Congress to try Austin’s amazing food trucks, so everyone in the family can try something they want—from freshly made doughnuts to Tex-Mex tacos.

Photography courtesy Valentina’s Tex Mex BBQ

Nominated by: Lori Lange of Recipe Girl

Austin is a terrific destination for active families. By far, the highlight of our trip was kayaking on Lady Bird Lake behind Four Seasons Hotel Austin. We loved cruising along together, and it was really cool to go under the bridge and hear the bats squeaking. If your children are a bit older, the Segway tour of Texas’ state capital is a great way to enjoy the city while keeping your child occupied and interested. (Be sure to check age restrictions.) And because the Hotel has so many amenities and fun things for the kids to do—they took part in the treasure hunt, played in the pool and watched bats at dusk—we were able to relax and soak in the sun.

Austin can be explored by your taste buds as well. One of the best ways to do this with kids is to try the food trucks of nearby South Congress. Children have fun running between options and trying unfamiliar cuisine, and you might even get them to fall in love with something new. The city also offers delicious tacos: Try the breakfast tacos at El Primo, or chow down at lunchtime on a Valentina’s Tex Mex BBQ taco (both are food trucks), followed by one of Austin’s famous doughnuts. A personal favourite is Gourdough’s Donuts, where you can make a whole meal with variations on the tasty treats.

Four Seasons Hotel Austin

Interactive exploration in Lisbon

Renting a car is a great way to get out of Lisbon’s crowds and explore the Algarve, one of Portugal’s stunning natural wonders and a fun place for the kids to run along the sandy beaches or swim in the gentle surf.

Photography courtesy Chris Ford

Upon arrival, we did a motorcycle and sidecar tour of Lisbon, which offered a fun, interactive way to see the city and to get a sense of the history and soul of the place. Next, we explored on foot. Keep in mind the amount of walking you’ll do in the city: There are plenty of hills to climb and cobblestone walks to hike down, but if you stay at Four Seasons Hotel Lisbon a massage at the luxurious Spa will quickly loosen tired muscles after a long day on your feet.

The Hotel offers a great breakfast buffet, the perfect, hassle-free way to start each morning before exploring the city anew. Mix it up with trolley or taxi rides when the kids get tired, or rent a car. We explored coastal Algarve by car, taking in the deep turquoise waters with twisted rocks jutting out peacefully towards Africa, as well as exploring the nearby towns at Europe’s end. Car rentals offer the opportunity to get out of Lisbon and into the history and culture of Portugal’s more rural areas. And if all else fails, our kids loved to play in the warm sand or run laughing through the gentle surf on one of Portugal’s beautiful beaches.

Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon

A museum haven in Washington, DC
Nominated by: Liz Borod of Travelogged

A full day of exploration in Washington, DC—from introducing your child to the wonders of the world at a Smithsonian museum to taking in historical monuments—is best ended by relaxing in the comfort of your room at Four Seasons Hotel Washington, DC.

Washington, DC, is like an educational version of Disney World because there are so many great attractions and things to see and do with kids. Visiting the Smithsonian Museums is a must: Our 3-year-old enjoyed the National Museum of Natural History and the National Air and Space Museum, and it was fun for us as parents to revisit those old favourites, too.

But the real highlight was the impressive Newseum, which looks at recent history through the lens of the media. Of course, after all of that museum-hopping, a trip or two around on the carousel at the National Mall is a perfect reward for good behaviour. After a busy day of sight-seeing, we were happy to go back and relax in our room at the beautiful Four Seasons Hotel Washington, DC, which is located in my favourite neighbourhood—Georgetown. Full of well-preserved Federalist architecture, Georgetown also has the best shopping and dining in the city. We managed to find time to stroll around the cobblestone streets, but my son had more fun back in the Hotel, enjoying the kid-friendly amenities.

Four Seasons Hotel Washington, DC

A cultural introduction in Florence
Nominated by Amie O’Shaughnessy of Ciao Bambino

Home to the largest private garden in Florence, Four Seasons Hotel Firenze offers an oasis in an otherwise crowded city: Admire architecture in the morning, and then spend the afternoon watching your children play outdoors back at the Hotel.

Florence is a busy metropolis, and the crowds and noise can be overwhelming. Luckily, Four Seasons Hotel Firenze has the largest private garden in the city—one of our favourite secluded hideaways, especially in summer. The oasis offers a pool; the vast garden itself, where the kids run; and a slice of calm and quiet without compromising proximity to Florence’s top sites.

From the Hotel, everything is walkable. My son loved climbing to the top of the Duomo and counting the 463 steps of the dark, ancient stairwell. The summit offers stunning panoramic views of Florence that are worth the climb, and gave our family one of our all-time favourite travel memories.

Although Florence is a city of Renaissance art and architecture, visiting with children offers the opportunity to see more of the parks, eat more delicious gelato and chow down on pizzas while experiencing the city’s attractions in an active, fun way. My son loved playing in the Santa Croce Piazza while we enjoyed superb people-watching in the shadow of the magnificent façade.

Four Seasons Hotel Firenze

Endless excitement in Orlando
Nominated by: Colleen Padilla of Classy Mommy

Orlando is not exactly a stranger to family fun. Earn a stream of smiles from your little ones at a theme park, or soak up the sun at the Resort pool, designed to be fun for both the young and the young at heart.

Orlando is a place worth visiting over and over again so that you can experience the many attractions while still allowing time to relax poolside at Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World® Resort. Easy transfers from the airport to the Resort make travelling to this destination logistical bliss with children.

My best advice for experiencing Orlando and Walt Disney World® Resort is not to try to do it all in one visit. You’ll exhaust yourself and the kids will be cranky. Instead, prioritise a few activities each day so that you feel accomplished rather than overwhelmed. And because the Resort has a private luxury bus to take your group to and from the Disney Theme Parks, you can schedule half-day visits to ensure there’s time left over to enjoy the Resort pool.

If you’re tired of lines, take your tots to the Resort’s Good Morning Breakfast with Goofy & His Pals, where you can get pictures with all the characters they love as well as score a nutritious meal. Once you’ve experienced everything there is to see and do at Walt Disney World®—Magic Kingdom® Park, Epcot®, Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park and Disney’s Hollywood Studios®, to name only a few of the must-see attractions—retreat back to Four Seasons and enjoy Explorer Island, a 5-acre (2-hectare) family playground. Complete with fountain-equipped splash zone, lakefront family pool, meandering lazy river for tubing, gaming arena, and courts for beach volleyball and basketball, Explorer Island has something for everyone.

Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World® Resort

Something for everyone in Los Angeles
Nominated by: Katie Dillon of La Jolla Mom

Encourage your child’s love of learning with a visit to the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles, where the Dinosaur Hall’s massive fossils will impress children of all ages.

Photography courtesy the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County

LA has ample attractions to make for a lively family vacation: With Disneyland only an hour away, the La Brea Tar Pits not far afield, and some of the world’s prettiest beaches and Santa Monica Pier nearby, there is no shortage of ways to entertain children of all ages. For an all-out family vacation, hit the Los Angeles Zoo, Universal Studios and the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles, where your kids can learn as well as play. For more of a local perspective, try the American Girl Place at The Grove for lunch in the café before doing a bit of shopping on Rodeo and Robertson. The LACMA children’s gallery offers interactive art and a fun way to get creative with your children.

LA has the widest range of cultural activities in Southern California, and I’m always a fan of widening my daughter’s scope of interest and knowledge by exposing her to new things. Food in LA is easy for the young, who never seem to tire of the city’s creative kid’s menus. Or dine in at Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills: The menu at Culina presents a vast number of choices, but if your child can’t find anything appealing, the Hotel can make something to suit his or her palate.

Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills

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Our Travel Intentions for 2025

Posted on December 11, 2014December 11, 2024 by Jennifer Sanchez

This year, meet the anticipation of a new beginning with moments of appreciation. The meditative sound of crystal singing bowls at The Heart of The Earth Spa in Hoi An, putting your mind at ease. The way each dish of the seven-course tasting menu at Michelin-starred Auro takes you on a sensory journey through the current season in Napa Valley. The smile on the face of your favourite person as you learn to flamenco dance together in Madrid. When you travel with intention, every moment becomes quietly, sublimely extraordinary. At Four Seasons, wellness, connection and meaningful moments are what we’re looking forward to in 2025. Come set your own travel intentions with us.

Travel to The Heart of The Earth Spa at Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai, Hoi An, Vietnam to attune with the natural world.

Massage therapist massages person laying face down on a table set next to large doors that open out onto a tropical lagoon

Whether you book a healing massage, a personalized wellness session or a private yoga class, your time at The Heart of The Earth Spa will a lasting impression.

Two people practice yoga on a raised outdoor platform with sail shades overhead and surrounded by a tropical landscape

Explore different styles of yoga through a variety of complimentary classes or bespoke yoga sessions.

Wellness: A focus on yourself

Travelling with intention starts from within. That means slowing down and staying present. That could be achieved through daily mindfulness exercises or a meditation practice that keeps you centred while you’re on vacation – or perhaps through travelling to a place where you know your well-being will be nurtured in a caring, intentional way.

With its overwater treatment pavilions set atop a lotus-filled lagoon, The Heart of The Earth Spa at Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai, Hoi An, Vietnam is a serene wellness retreat inspired by the teachings of Thích Nhất Hạnh – the Vietnamese Thiền Buddhist monk known as the father of the mindfulness movement, who believed that we are not separate from the Earth, but rather one with it. Here, you can attune yourself to the rhythms of nature through yoga, meditation rituals, healing massages and body treatments, sessions with visiting practitioners, and personalized wellness journeys. For a profound experience that will move body and soul, book the Spa’s signature Nam Hai Earth Song ritual, which includes a sound bath using eight synchronized, quartz-crystal alchemy bowls tuned to 432 Hz, the healing frequency of the Earth itself. Once you’ve realigned with yourself and the world around you, set out to explore the sacred sites, natural beauty and vibrant culture of Hoi An with one of the Resort’s immersive experiences.

Practise mindfulness in Hoi An

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Two people walk along a narrow wooden dock that leads from the beach to an over-water pavilion

AyurMa, the wellness retreat at Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru, is built on the four pillars of Ayurveda, yoga therapy, wellness and planetary well-being.

Four people sit in the round on a beach, two holding instruments and the other two singing

At AyurMa, a strong reverence for nature can be felt throughout each experience.

Four round islands punctuate a bright blue ocean

The Resort is located within a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, creating plenty of opportunities for exploration.

For many, connecting with the natural world is the easiest path to reconnecting with the self. At Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru, the wonder of nature quite literally surrounds you. Set on a secluded island within a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in the Indian Ocean, the Resort offers more than just a beautiful destination – it’s a place where innovation, conservation and wellness meet. Pay a visit to AyurMa, the Resort’s pioneering wellness haven centred on the four pillars of Ayurveda, yoga therapy, wellness and planetary well-being. “From Ayurvedic herbs to our daily rituals, we celebrate the Earth’s ability to heal us and our capability to heal her in return,” says Dr. Arun K. Tomson, Director of AyurMa. This reverence for nature can also be felt throughout the Resort, whether you’re exploring the lagoon after dark, helping the resident marine biologists at the Marine Discover Centre, or swimming with dolphins and manta rays in the crystal-clear waters of the Baa Atoll.

Feel connected in the Maldives

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Two marble statues stand in a plaza surrounded by a light-blue building

Four Seasons Hotel Madrid is located in central Madrid and within easy walking distance of shops, restaurants and art galleries.

Two people walk along a street with a historic red building in the background

Embark on a historical walking tour and get to know the history of this beloved city, from it’s ninth-century walls to the ornate buildings of Habsburg Madrid.

Two people smile as they share a dessert at a table at a rooftop restaurant

A meal at the Hotel’s Dani Brasserie is complemented by some of the best rooftop views in the city.

Connection: A focus on new cultures and authentic experiences

Immersing yourself in the culture of a destination does two things: It provides the joy of novelty and experiences that may be new to us, and it reminds us that there is a variety of infinitely beautiful ways to spend our days. More and more, the desire for authentic, experiential travel is at the top of the list of our vacation must-haves.

In Madrid, you’ll find history, art, food and festivals fueling the city’s cosmopolitan flair. Located in the historic Centro Canalejas building just a 10-minute walk from Plaza Mayor, Four Seasons Hotel Madrid puts you in the heart of Spain’s charismatic capital. Explore the shops at neighbouring Galería Canalejas and other nearby boutiques to see where fashionable Madrileños find their fits, join an expert guide on a historical walking tour, or dive deep into the culture of flamenco as you get to know the history of Spanish classical guitars and take in a flamenco show at a traditional tablao. Socializing with friends and family is also a huge part of day-to-day life in Madrid, so finish your day with dinner at the Hotel’s Dani Brasserie, a lively, welcoming restaurant featuring Michelin-distinguished Chef Dani García’s Andalusian dishes in a stylish rooftop setting.

Savour a taste of Spain in Madrid

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The striking design of the National Museum of Qatar is just one of the things you’ll see on the guided Heart of Doha City Tour available only through Four Seasons Hotel Doha.

Person rising camel in the desert next to a row of black monoliths looks back over her shoulder and smiles

Set out on an adventure through the desert on the exhilarating Desert & Sea Safari half- or full-day experience.

Living room with a light-beige, L-shaped sofa and round wooden coffee table in the centre, next to glass sliding doors that open up to a balcony overlooking the water

If you’re travelling with family and friends, Four Seasons Resort and Residences at The Pearl-Qatar offers spacious, fully equipped apartments along the water’s edge.

Seeing a city transform in real time is a fascinating experience. Doha, the burgeoning capital of Qatar, is rapidly coming into its modern iteration while still sitting confidently with its historic past. So where do you start? When you stay at Four Seasons Hotel Doha, you can embark on a full- or half-day Heart of Doha City Tour to see the famous Doha Corniche, the Souq Waqif, the Museum of Islamic Art and the National Museum of Qatar, all under the knowledgeable care of an expert guide. Prefer to fully immerse yourself in the art and culture of the region? The Hotel’s Cultural Wonders Museum Tour is for you. And for a truly unforgettable experience, the full-day Desert & Sea Safari will take you on an adventure through the dunes to where the desert meets the sea. If you’re travelling with a larger group, the spacious apartments at Four Seasons Resort and Residences at The Pearl-Qatar offer full kitchens and optional extra rooms on the stunning human-made island, along with additional experiences you’ll only find through Four Seasons.

Explore the city, desert and sea in Doha

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Two wine glasses and a charcuterie plate sit on the centre of a small round bistro table set in the middle of a vineyard

From wine tastings to private dinners, the seasonal experiences at Four Seasons Resort and Residences Napa Valley and the on-site Elusa Winery will keep you grounded in the moment.

A person wearing a white spa robe sits sipping a cup of tea while looking out the window next to a row of daybeds set along a stone wall

The Resort’s Spa Talisa offers a relaxing place to enjoy a little time for yourself in a beautiful vineyard setting.

Interior restaurant dining room filled with square wooden tables for four, a pitched wooden ceiling, and a wall of windows and glass doors leading out to a covered terrace

Set against the stunning backdrop of the sprawling Palisades Mountains, Auro offers a picture-perfect setting for Wine Country fine dining.

Meaningful moments: Focus on time together

Our fast-paced lives often leave us wanting to spend more quality time with the ones we love. By travelling with intention, that feeling of genuine connection tends to naturally take centre stage. Stronger connections are also formed when you experience new things together, which is why Four Seasons puts so much care into making sure the moments you have both on and off property are meaningful and memorable, no matter where you decide to travel.

When you first arrive at Elusa Winery, the on-site vineyard at Four Seasons Resort and Residences Napa Valley, you get the sense that everything is moving at exactly the right pace. The grapes, after all, will not be rushed. Whether you’re on a romantic getaway, travelling with friends or on a multigenerational trip, this feeling of being fully in the present, in lockstep with the seasons, can be felt throughout your stay. From wine dinners and cocktail classes to vineyard picnics and relaxing spa treatments, it’s easy to find intentional ways to spend time together in Napa Valley. For an unforgettable evening, try the seven-course tasting menu at Auro, Calistoga’s only Michelin-starred restaurant, and experience hyper-seasonal bounty with Chef Rogelio Garcia’s signature touch.

Taste the season in Napa Valley

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Outdoor hotel pool surrounded by cabanas and lounge chairs

Unwind together at the legendary Four Seasons Hotel at The Surf Club, Surfside, Florida, a serene seaside haven located just outside Miami.

A parent runs around a palm-fringed yard with three young children

The family-friendly hotel has plenty of activities for kids of all ages.

Two people ride down a palm-tree lined street in a black Moke

Get behind the wheel of one of the Hotel’s complimentary electric Mokes to cruise the streets in vintage style.

Sometimes, a little rest and relaxation are all you need to reconnect. At Four Seasons Hotel at The Surf Club, Surfside, Florida, spend your days lounging in one of the legendary poolside cabanas, the very same ones Winston Churchill used to spend time in to paint and unwind. With two pools and a quiet stretch of beach just a few steps away, this family-friendly hotel could be exactly what you need. Go for a ride together in one of the complimentary electric Mokes to take in the scenery or ride your bicycle in search of the perfect picnic spot, courtesy of an insider tip from the Concierge. Get the best of both worlds with a yacht and city tour of nearby Miami or see the coastline from the sky on a private helicopter tour before returning to the Hotel for a sunset beach picnic curated by the talented culinary team. Each moment, no matter how small, is an opportunity to create joyful memories. And Four Seasons will help make sure you don’t miss a single one.

Unwind together in Surfside

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Two umbrellas on beach with turquoise water

Unique Day Trips Around the World

Posted on December 5, 2014April 10, 2017 by Kristin Newman

No one enjoys a day inside a beautiful hotel more than I do, but you can’t come home from your trip with nothing but stories about the signature cocktails at the bar. To mix things up a bit, here are four of the most unusual day trips I’ve taken from some of my favourite Four Seasons destinations. And don’t worry—when you return in the evening after your day of adventure, that cocktail will still taste great.

Buenos Aires, Argentina

Just north of Buenos Aires is Tigre, a picturesque delta town situated among rivers and canals that is famous for its weekend floating produce market.

Photography courtesy Nico Kaiser

It’s easy to forget that Buenos Aires is a river city, but an hour-long train ride north of Buenos Aires brings you to the delta town of Tigre, renowned for its weekend floating produce market. Stroll around, shopping for flowers and fruit offered by growers who motor down the river from their farms deeper in the region, or take a boat tour around the swampy, beautiful inlets to see yacht clubs, swanky porteño weekend vacation homes and simple houses filled with fishing kids who will wave as you motor past.

Four Seasons Hotel Buenos Aires

If you want to venture further, a two-hour boat ride from Tigre reaches the island of Martín García. Once a military outpost, and then a penal colony where Juan Perón spent a few days after his arrest, the island is now a National Historical Monument and Flora and Fauna Reserve, where crumbling pieces of history mix with beautiful delta forest and creatures.

Chiang Mai, Thailand

At Elephant Nature Park, an hour away from Chiang Mai, watch, feed and play with these gentle giants for an unforgettable experience.

Photography courtesy Christian Haugen

Chiang Mai is a bustling city that could very well have drawn you for many reasons, but there’s no way you planned a trip here without wanting to see elephants. An incredible rescue preserve called the Elephant Nature Park is located about an hour north of town in the green mountains of Northern Thailand.

Here, elephants rescued from horrific conditions are left to wander—unridden and unbothered—in a gorgeous natural valley. You get to feed them, kiss them, and, when they decide to wander down to the perfect river flowing through the whole place, follow them in and bathe them. Be careful: If you’re like me, you will fall in love and give this wonderful place all of your money.

Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai

Scottsdale, Arizona

On a family visit to Scottsdale, be sure to take time to drive north to Slide Rock, where kids and adults alike will love slipping over the wet red sandstone.

Photography courtesy Ted

Two hours north of Scottsdale is Slide Rock—a natural water slide that looks as if it were manufactured by a theme-park designer. Neatly carved by clear water through the red, soft sandstone is a person-wide, angled slide covered in just enough algae to be fantastically slippery and yet still not gross. The sandstone banks on either side are flat and smooth, ideal for sunbathing. Crawl out of the chilly water and lie under the blue sky on the sun-warmed sandstone, and remember days spent as a kid warming up on the hot summer concrete by the pool.

Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North

Los Angeles, California

Day trip to Joshua Tree National Park, California

It’s only a two-hour drive from Beverly Hills to Joshua Tree National Park, which covers three of California’s ecoregions and boasts more than 800,000 acres (323,749 hectares) for exploring.

Photography courtesy Spencer Goad

You’ve done the Venice boardwalk and Rodeo Drive. Today you’re going to experience a quirkier side of California. Two hours east of Beverly Hills is Joshua Tree, a desert national park famous for its signature cactus tree that looked to early Mormon settlers like Joshua holding his arms up to the Lord in prayer.

First, go to the nearby Integratron for your sound bath. Built in the 1950s by Hughes Aircraft Inspector George van Tassel after alleged alien communication, this wooden dome was supposed to refresh the human body and spirit. But the acoustic qualities of the building have led to its use as a recording studio for bands such as the Arctic Monkeys, and as an excellent spot for a truly rejuvenating retreat. You’ll lie on mats for what the Integratron website calls “kindergarten nap time for grown-ups,” while a woman rubs an array of quartz bowls, creating sounds that she claims are massaging and cleaning your filthy chakras. At the very least, the beautiful and calming sounds of the ringing bowls will make every organ in your body vibrate. One warning: The acoustics are perfect, so your snores will really travel.

Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills

After your chakras are clean, head west a few miles down a designated California Scenic Drive to Pioneertown, a relic originally built as a live-in Old West set for movies that have been filmed here since the 1940s. Today, take a stroll down an old-timey desert street, lined with fake storefronts and found-art installations of weathered school desks and ancient typewriters set in gardens of broken coloured glass and ’50s children’s toys.

Along with other cowpeople, bikers and artists, mosey into Pappy and Harriet’s Pioneertown Palace—a former cantina set and outlaw biker burrito bar turned barbecue haven and indie-music den—for a beer, a sandwich and maybe a show. Robert Plant and Vampire Weekend play here, as well as local family bands. Toto, you’re not in Beverly Hills any more.

Amman, Jordan

The entrance to Petra rests at the end of the Siq, a narrow gorge surrounded by stone cliffs. Reaching 80 metres (263 feet) high, these striking walls kept the city hidden for more than five centuries.