As I’ve blogged before, there’s much more vacation to be had in San Diego than standing in lines on hot asphalt for kiddie rides or watching fish leap from water — and paying a whole ‘lotta money for the average family of 4 to do so (though if it’s in the budget and up your alley, by all means have a great time).

If you’re looking for a truly budget-friendly family vacation that won’t break the bank, or just some cost-saving alternatives to round out your vacation time, San Diego has a lot to offer. Palm trees, beaches, and warm weather aside, be sure to check out my post Stretch Your Family Vacation Dollars in San Diego.

One other place you won’t want to miss on your family vacation in San Diego is Balboa Park — a place you could easily spend a fun-filled day with young children without spending much money. While there are several museums and events there that you may also like to pay admission for, check out some of our favorite activities for around $2 – or less! Click the video above (or here) to see.

What’s better than that? Staying in San Diego for FREE, of course — in a 1-bedroom suite with your family’s breakfasts included, a full kitchen at your disposal, a great swimming pool, and in a picture-perfect location just minutes from other great activities. Enter to win my current giveaway before midnight 5/11/10!

Safe journey,

Shelly Rivoli, author of the award-winning guide Travels with Baby
The Ultimate Guide for Planning Trips with Babies, Toddlers, and Preschool-Age Children
https://travelswithbaby.com/

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Where else?
Not planning to visit Orlando? Check out the myriad other destinations where you can also book a 1-bedroom suite for this $299 / week rate, including popular spots across the U.S., in eastern and western Canada, the Caribbean and Bahamas.

Clock’s ticking, of course.
But there’s not a lot of time to contemplate where you might spend this low-cost week’s vacation with your family (I’m thinking! I’m thinking!). The “April Fool’s Day Sale” is on for 72 hours only, and ends April 2nd at 4 p.m. CDT.

Get the dirt; get the deal:

• Find out more about the Orlando deal at Travelzoo – click here
• …and about all the destinations available at Wyndham’s Endless Vacation Rentals site – click here

Reminder: Enter to win the RideSafer Travel Vest and you can leave the car seat and booster behind when you travel with kids 3 years and older! Click here for details.

Safe journey,

Shelly Rivoli, author of the award-winning guide Travels with Baby
The Ultimate Guide for Planning Trips with Babies, Toddlers, and Preschool-Age Children
https://travelswithbaby.com/

The post Best Deals Going: Orlando & well beyond, $299 for one week in a 1-BR suite appeared first on Travels With Baby.

As I mention in my review of Franklyn D. Resort & Spa, what is particularly appealing about Franklyn D. Resort & Spa (a.k.a. FDR) in Jamaica is that the “all-inclusive inclusions” include a Vacation Nanny assigned exclusively to your family to assist you each day of your stay (and after hours by request).

Compared with other family resorts that may offer drop-off childcare or private babysitters, at FDR you and your children (including infants and toddlers who are often excluded from kid’ camps) have a chance to become familiar with your personal nanny from the start. So even those children who are slow to warm up to new caregivers and surroundings have a chance to adapt, even while you are all together.

One couple that was visiting the resort from Kentucky with their 5-year-old twin boys, told me that the previous night they’d had their first date in 5 years—at home or away—thanks to their Vacation Nanny (Phyllis).

They explained that, unlike other babysitters they’d passed up over the years, she was able to make them all feel comfortable with the idea.

The intimate resort setting and evening children’s activities she could escort them to (including nightly popcorn and a kids’ movie), didn’t hurt anything either. Suffice to say, they had several more dates before they checked out, and they plan to return to the resort.

Find the best deal, compare prices, and read what other travelers have to say about Franklyn D Resort at Tripadvisor 

I, myself, was surprised by how quickly our Vacation Nannies, Coretta and Jasmine, fit in with our family. Within 24 hours, I found myself handing off the baby for a diaper change and a stroll without a second thought (his first time with anyone outside of the family).

It was quite clear to me that these women, who have assisted family after family with children of every temperament, have far more experience caring for children than I do (not to mention they are also mothers, themselves).

Of course, they are also professionally trained, CPR-certified, and lots and lots of fun, too.

FDR Vacation Nannies at a glance:

• Daily “vacation support” from 9:00 a.m. to 4:40 p.m.
• Available extra hours as requested, $6 per hour
• Second nanny available, $20 per day

What we really came to appreciate about the Vacation Nanny concept is that it is so much more than just having a babysitter at an appointed hour.

She provides “vacation support” as needed the whole day through, whether it’s times when the whole family is together or while the parents enjoy time alone. She’s that extra set of hands, as well as watchful eyes, that allow even a family with very young children feel like they’ve had a vacation.

By the end of our stay, it was clear to me that the FDR Vacation Nannies help families vacation better as families—something I think is particularly important.

Your time together with your child is more relaxed and enjoyable with the set of extra helping hands, and your time apart from your child is also more relaxed and enjoyable because you know your child is comfortable—and happy with—your family’s own Vacation Nanny. 

Think you could use a Vacation Nanny on your next vacation? 
Don’t miss the Travels with Baby Vacation Nanny video where you can meet the nannies and see them in action at Franklyn D. Resort & Spa.

Find the best deal, compare prices, and read what other travelers have to say about Franklyn D Resort at Tripadvisor 

You might also like:

My Review of Franklyn D Resort (FDR) All-Inclusive Vacation

How to Plan Your Best Vacation with Baby

Tips for Booking the Best All-Inclusive Vacation with Babies and Young Children

Flying American Airlines with a Baby or Toddler

Ten Essential Tips for Planning a Great Vacation with Grandparents

Flying Southwest Airlines with a Baby or Toddler

Best Travel Strollers

Safe journey,

Shelly Rivoli, author of the award-winning guide Travels with Baby
The Ultimate Guide for Planning Trips with Babies, Toddlers, and Preschool-Age Children
travelswithbaby.com   facebook   twitter

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As I interviewed new and prospective parents for my book Travels with Baby, it became clear that one of the top trips many parents hoped to make with their child in the first few years would be to a relaxing all-inclusive resort, especially one where they might get a little help with childcare so they can truly relax and enjoy their vacation. Yet as I set out to find the best recommendations for my readers, I found that few all-inclusive family resorts were prepared to provide care for children under 3 years old or in diapers.

Franklyn D. Resort, however, on the north coast of Jamaica, has a team of Vacation Nannies that not only provides care for young infants on up, but one nanny will do so exclusively for your family each day of your stay. When you consider that your Vacation Nanny is included in the cost of your all-inclusive package, and that children under 6 years old always stay free, it’s clear that Franklyn D. Resort presents a significant vacation value for families with babies and young children. It’s also no wonder that the resort received a 2009 Trip Advisor Traveler’s Choice Award, as did its sister property FDR Pebbles, where you’ll also find Vacation Nannies.

Needless to say, I have been mentioning the Franklyn D. Resort and FDR Pebbles to parents on many occasions, and I was delighted to try it out firsthand with my own family on our recent trip to Jamaica. You can read my full review of “FDR” at TravelswithBaby.com, and take a virtual visit to the resort via Travels with Baby TV.

Need a (truly relaxing) family vacation? 
If an all-inclusive family vacation with a personal nanny sounds good to you, do not pass go—you can answer a few trivia questions (answers all easily found at www.FDRholidays.com) to enter to win 3 free nights for a family of four at either Franklyn D. Resort or FDR Pebbles. The drawing will take place December 15th, 2009. They also have some other enticing specials going on now–including “Grandparents Stay Free” with a suite upgrade for your extended family, and “Parent’s Fly Free” in early 2010, which includes President’s Week vacation and spring break.

Safe journey,

Shelly Rivoli, author of the award-winning guide Travels with Baby
The Ultimate Guide for Planning Trips with Babies, Toddlers, and Preschool-Age Children

travelswithbaby.com    Facebook   Twitter 

All photos, video, and content (c) 2009 by Shelly Rivoli. Accommodations courtesy of FDR Holidays.
 

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Here are a few tips for stretching your family’s vacation dollars on a trip to San Diego.

We chose the San Diego Zoo as our “main event” for this visit, first because it seemed the most age-appropriate for our daughters at this time (2.5 and 4.5 years), and also offered many changes of pace and interesting transportation throughout, including an aerial tram and buses (a.k.a. chances to get me off my feet since I’m pregnant). When I found out all children were free for the month of October, that was even better.

Tip 3: Sight-see for free.

Don’t miss your chance to hang out on San Diego’s great free beaches, stroll through its scenic walking districts, and simply soak up that SoCal vibe while you’re in the area. Some of my favorite moments from this trip were absolutely free: watching a mom roll along on a skateboard with her toddler on her hip, watching my family insist on staying in the sand at Mission Beach until well after the sun had set, and of course watching a glorious sun set into the Pacific with my own toes in the sand.

We also surprised ourselves by passing many pleasant hours just meandering through pedestrian-friendly Old Town, where guided tours are free, horse-drawn carriage rides are $3, ice cream is delicious, and anyone who loves great Mexican food is sure to enjoy her lunch.

Tip 4: Get a good hotel, and at a great rate.

A good hotel can also be part of a great San Diego family vacation, but for one with great family amenities and a primo location, you’ll generally have to pay through the nose. Using Hotwire.com, however, we really were able to get a 4 star hotel at the going rate for 2 star hotels in town just as they advertise.

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