By now, most of you know that I do not usually recommend trips based solely on a specific place, but, in this case, Safari West can be a good base camp for your Safari themed vacation.  Safari West, a "Sonoma Serengeti", is located in Santa Rosa, California. 

  This place would be an awesome ThemeTrip on its own is because the activities and opportunities they offer allow you to stay at this one location and feel like you are on your own safari camping trip. With animal viewing, sleeping in luxury "Safari" tents, (they even have electric blankets to keep you nice and warm at night) and enjoying safari ranch style BBQs,  it is a one-stop adventure. The tents are built on high wood platforms to give you the feel of staying in an actual camp and they have the look and feel of what you might experience if you were to agree to a lot of different immunization shots and very long plane flight. There are birds in open-air aviaries, hoofed-animals, carnivores, and even reptiles to view. They have a good selection of primates and rodents as well.

  This is a good ThemeTrip for a ladies weekend adding with wine and chocolate, for a teen-friendly camp experience, or  for an educational kids' camp, you can do a photographic workshop or even include a wine-country adventure by adding a wine tour straight from camp. Basically you can take an "African Safari" in wine country. Did I mention you can also get a massage while you are there? Yep, a real rugged and outback vacation that I could enjoy!

  When I was a young girl, there use to be this place called Santa's Village right outside of Santa Cruz, California that we use to go. I loved showing up there, anytime of year, and seeing the "reindeer" and Santa's Workshop.  That place has long since closed down, but there are plenty of other places that add to the wonder of Christmas.

  The Polar Express is a train that runs every winter. Normally, this train serves as the Grand Canyon Railway; however, just in time for Christmas, it is converted into a journey straight out of the classic children’s book by Chris Van Allsburg, "The Polar Express". Embarking takes place in Williams, Arizona, and all of the trains guests tour to the “the North Pole" where Santa Claus and his reindeer are waiting with a keepsake gift for every good boy and girl. Enjoy a cup of hot chocolate and cookies as they share the story en-route. I have seen whole families dressed up in their pajamas ready to board the train. Just the creativity of the families and their matching pajamas is enough to put you in the Christmas mood.

  In Hershy, Pennsylvania, they have a few fun theme ideas to make up a Christmas wonderland. Hersheypark Christmas Candyland has over 2 million lights, Holiday-themed rides, entertainment, hot chocolate, and, of course, some fun shopping. They also are hosting a "Christmas In Chocolate Town" which is a dinner musical. 

  Wheelgate Family Theme Park: Nottingham, UK.  The Christmas Experience
23rd November – 5th January 2014.
 The Wheelgate Family Theme Park, right near Sherwood Forest, is transformed into a 40-acre Christmas Extravaganza. With a new "Magical Fairytale Grotto", you can visit the elves in an animal farm and help feed Santa's Reindeer. 

  Surfing has been a sport for centuries, possibly first introduced by Polynesian culture. Today, surfing can be done in any body of water that has waves, including larger lakes.

Consider a family vacation or adult- only adventure learning to surf (or improving your skills ) A friend of mine did a few days in Costa Rica's adult camp for his bachelor party.

  Surf schools are located all over, from California to Australia, and even in Montauk, New York.  Some top-ranked schools we found are in Kauai, Hawaii, and Costa Rica. If you choose a week-long school, many have accommodations by the beach and include food and drink. You don't have to surf all day, every day. You can kick back and enjoy the beach and take optional excursions.


Check out:
Witch Rock surf camp - Costa Rica
Del Mar surf camp - California
Kauai surf school - Hawaii

Make sure you check school reviews before choosing and confirm the school is not only for youths.

If you would prefer to learn to surf indoors, there's a park called Sky Venture in New Hampshire that you might want to try.  It looks like a great time. 

  Have you ever wondered what it might be like to have grown up in the old west, living your life in the saddle, waiting for chow to be served? If you have, a Dude Ranch vacation might be the perfect ThemeTrip for you.   There are quite a few working Dude Ranches in the US that cater to families and offer the experience of working with horses and enjoying the peaceful serenity of the great outdoors.
  Many Dude Ranches offer the kind of all-inclusive vacation that would fit well into everyone's idea of a perfect vacation. With choices of horseback riding, swimming holes, fishing, skeet shooting, and archery to name just a few, your vacation will allow everyone to find exactly what they are looking for. I went on their website to check out a few, to be honest, their list is so extensive listing them would be a chore. I entered ones with a spa and babysitting for mom,  fishing for dad, and western dancing for the grandparents and it came up with 18 choices. So, I turned to the Dude Ranchers' Association (DRA) to fill us in a bit more on what Dude Ranches offered and some recommendations. This is what she wrote...

"The term “family vacation” has taken on a whole new meaning thanks to the growing trend of multigenerational travel.  According to the US Travel Association, 30 percent of all adult leisure travelers vacation is with children or grandchildren. The need for a multigenerational, all-inclusive vacation destination has become essential for families looking to spend quality time reconnecting with one another.

The Dude Ranch Association (DRA) represents more than 100 DRA-accredited dude and guest ranches in some of the most breathtaking areas in the U.S., ranging from luxury resort-style ranches to working ranches, all of which uphold the highest quality of services within the industry. Priced competitively with respect to other similar all-inclusive family vacation options, most events, meals and activities are included in the cost of your ranch visit. No matter which ranch you choose, a dude ranch vacation guarantees plenty of time to bond and spend time as a family, creating memories that will last a lifetime".

  Below please find a list of some of the DRA’s accredited ranches that are particularly well suited to multigenerational families.

Focus Ranch– Slater, Colorado
Parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles love bringing kids to Focus Ranch as it offers an uncomplicated fun vacation with the added benefit of a little education. The horseback riding generates the most enthusiasm but the ranch also has numerous counselors that help organize and entertain the kids when off the horse. This may include anything from art work, fishing, building dams in the ditch, horseshoe competitions, nature walks, mountain climbing, swimming activities, and much more. Focus Ranch prides itself in knowing that the adults will not hear the phrase: “there is nothing to do”.

Lost Valley Ranch- Sedalia, Colorado
Nestled among the timeless beauty of Pike National Forest and the Rocky Mountains, Lost Valley offers an authentic Colorado dude ranch experience with activities suited to a range of interests and skill levels. Saddle up with their professional guides for an afternoon of horseback riding, soak up the sun by the heated Olympic-scaled swimming pool or learn the ways of the cowboy by helping the wranglers with their daily chores. Lost Valley also has a great child and teen program, two all-weather tennis courts onsite, guided hiking adventures and family-friendly evening entertainment. 

 Elk Mountain Ranch- Buena Vista, Colorado
Remotely located in the heart of the Rockies, Elk Mountain Dude and Guest Ranch is secluded within the San Isabel National Forest near Buena Vista, Colorado. The Elk Mountain Dude Ranch experience is a one-week adventure encompassing the best of Colorado at very reasonable, all-inclusive vacation prices. Days at this dude ranch are filled with horseback riding, white water rafting, hiking, riflery, fishing, mountain biking and other activities set against a backdrop of unending vistas. It’s the ultimate in traditional western vacations – perfect for families.

Diamond D Ranch– Stanley, Idaho
The Diamond D Ranch is Idaho's premier all-inclusive guest ranch nestled in the Frank Church Wilderness and surrounded by the Salmon River Mountains. The ranch offer several activities for all ages including horseback riding, fly-fishing, hiking, gold panning, swimming, and many evening festivities. After an exciting day at the ranch, many guests enjoy cracking a window at night and listening to the sounds of the bubbling stream and the wind in the trees from the comfort of their cabin.

Rainbow Trout Ranch – Antonito, Colorado
Rainbow Trout Ranch is the perfect Colorado dude ranch for families. Offering exceptional horseback riding, superb fly fishing, awesome children’s programs, a fun teen ranch program, trapshooting,swimming, day trips to Taos, white water rafting and the chance to ride America’s highest and longest narrow-gauge steam train. Rainbow Trout Ranch dude ranch brings timeless simpler pleasures to life all in a spectacular setting.

 If you live in Arizona like we do, the idea of a true winter-wonderland vacation may have crept its way into you mind on occasion. There are several fun tours and vacations that are made just for those who wish to be basking in the snow come December.
 
   Kea Adventure hosts a Winter Wonderland  in Sweden family adventure tour in Sweden that has not only Husky dog-sledding and night-time snowshoeing, but also has an Ice Hotel to visit and meet the Sami people and their reindeer. Don't forget the Northern lights!  This tour has all meals and activities included.

  Another great trip for the snow is in Austria. When we toured this beautiful
country, we were introduced to many unique flavors of Schnapps I never knew existed and one of the things they mentioned is that it is a perfect
drink  for keeping skiers warm. So many of the hotels have actual ski
out the door ability and upon returning a nice shot of schnapps can be available to keep you comfy. 

  If you are looking for a unique winter vacation, consider the Viking Holiday River Cruise. Now, this is my idea of a true winter wonderland and something on my bucket list. From shopping at the holiday markets to decorating and cooking classes on board, it covers my winter to-do list. They also have this gorgeous video on their website that, every time I watch it, makes me want to take the trip even more!