Family Vacation Ideas and Help for Family Vacations

    When it’s snack time, my kids usually get an apple or some string cheese. When we’re on a family vacation, it’s usually grab it and go. In the age of fast food, high-tech entertainment and instant gratification, the last thing many parents consider when traveling with kids is sitting down in a most refined manner, a cloth napkin draped across their lap, sipping from a fine bone china teacup.

    But it isn’t far from reach. Your children don’t have to be royalty to enjoy the magic of “Afternoon Tea” at Fairmont Hotels & Resorts. They can just pretend!

    Believe it or not, kids appreciate civility. They are able to recognize that this experience is so different from what they are used to that they will most likely surprise you with their good behavior. Fairmont’s Afternoon Tea service is a wonderful way for families to reconnect and implement etiquette: basic old-fashioned manners all but forgotten in our reality TV world. Yet this lesson is easy to swallow. That’s because it’s made up of sweet treats no youngster can refuse. The truth is that trying something new together is just plain fun.

    And for most youngsters what could be more fun than dressing up? The Fairmont Hotel Vancouver offers tea with a twist. The hotel’s Children’s Bubblegum Tea gives kids a chance to play in a world of fantasy, most importantly without a wireless controller. Sitting inside a real castle, rather than one graphically designed for a screen, young sovereigns don elegant ladies-who-lunch hats and strands of pearls a socialite would envy.

    The stylish finger sandwiches are sure to please - but don’t panic! No caviar pate here. Kids will feel comfortable with peanut butter and jelly, fresh strawberries and cream, a giant chocolate chip cookie and a seasonal fruit tart. Who knew learning manners could be so entertaining? Now throw in a gorgeous island, Bermuda shorts and tropical breezes - and you’ve got a blend kids will really flip for. The Heritage Court at Bermuda’s Fairmont Hamilton Princess offers civility with a decidedly British influence. It’s the perfect place for little ones to dress like a duke or duchess during Children’s Afternoon Tea. After exploring the hotel’s chest of tea attire and assorted bling, your brood snacks off fine bone china. The event ends with everyone’s favorite dessert: ice cream!

    The Fairmont has not overlooked rambunctious boys, who will feel like kings after partaking in The Fairmont Empress’ Prince and Princess Afternoon Tea. Special treatment includes hot chocolate topped with whipped cream, ham and cheese croissants, jam sandwiches, traditional scones with strawberry preserves and Devonshire cream, chocolate chip cookies and fruit Jell-O. As a reward for stately behavior (or simply attending), make-believe royals will receive a personalized certificate as a keepsake. I once told my boys that only princes, princesses and kings and queens could attend such a fancy event. Later that day, while lounging at the pool, my son looked up at me and said, “Mommy. No one here is wearing a crown. Are you sure?”

    They are only 6 and 9, but are getting a little too old to trick into behaving. Which led me to wonder, “What about teen travel?” Have them join you for traditional Afternoon Tea offered at Fairmont locations around the world including New York’s legendary Plaza Hotel and The Fairmont Royal York in Toronto. They’ll be amazed at life beyond burgers. Once they try the wide array of gourmet delicacies, they’re sure to get into the spirit. What better way to spend family time together while also sneaking in an exciting lesson on good manners?

    Afternoon Tea is a time-honored, “Don’t Miss” tradition at Fairmont Hotels & Resorts.

    A leader in the global hospitality industry, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts is an extraordinary collection of luxury hotels which includes iconic landmarks like The Fairmont Banff Springs, Fairmont Monte Carlo and New York's The Plaza. Fairmont hotels are one-of-a-kind properties where sophisticated travelers can discover culturally rich experiences that are authentic to the destination.

    Situated in some of the most exclusive and pristine areas in the world, Fairmont is committed to responsible tourism and is an industry leader in sustainable hotel management with its award-winning Green Partnership program. Fairmont's portfolio includes 55 distinctive hotels, with plans to develop over 20 new properties in the coming years in destinations as diverse as Beijing, Abu Dhabi and South Africa.

    Fairmont is owned by Fairmont Raffles Hotels International, a leading global hotel company with over 85 hotels worldwide under the Raffles, Fairmont and Swissôtel brands. The company also owns Fairmont and Raffles branded Residences, Estates and luxury private residence club properties.

    For more information or reservations, please call 1-800-441-1414 or visit www.fairmont.com.