July Vacation Ideas

Mackinac Island, located at the intersection of Lake Michigan and Lake Huron, is a popular summer tourist destination. The entire 3.8-square-mile island is a National Historic Landmark. Mission Point Resort on Mackinac Island offers families a diverse selection of activities, accommodations and restaurants where kids under 12 eat free with a paying adult. The Kids Club, open to children 4 - 12 years old, is the place to learn to play croquet, go swimming in the pool, build a kite, hike and play miniature golf. Resort activities include golf, spa treatments, ghost tours, tennis, bocce ball and biking. Family travelers have access to spacious two-bedroom suites, some with private hot tubs.

There are several great dining options at the resort. Round Island Bar & Grill offers all day family dining, Chianti serves Italian food and Bistro at The Greens serves a Tapas style menu with a view of the Straits of Mackinac. If you are in a hurry to get going in the morning, grab some take-out at Lakeside Marketplace, including pizza, sandwiches and ice cream. The resort is open from May through October.

If you are planning a trip to the Adirondacks in New York, The Sagamore, a luxury resort on Lake George, offers golf, spa services and a program for kids. Children under 4 may attend with a hired babysitter. The Teepee, the children's program, offers a variety of supervised activities, including an authentic 18-foot teepee, outdoor playground, beach, clown shows, nature walks, Olympic games, sand sculptures and tennis. The Teepee Club is available seven days a week from July 1 through Labor Day and during Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's and President's Week. You can choose from a half-day program, a full-day program or the evening program for an additional fee.

Tyler Place Family Resort is an all-inclusive summer getaway located on a scenic lake in Vermont. About four hours from Boston, the resort is a playground for kids and adults. Children participate in age-specific programs and activities, including swimming, fishing, rock climbing, tennis and kayaking. Parents can take yoga classes, archery, go biking, practice golf on the driving range, or relax in a hammock. Families are accommodated in 70 cottages and suites featuring family-friendly design with separate parents' and kids' bedrooms, screened porches and plenty of privacy.

In the evening, there is a cocktail party where you get to meet other guests. Families often return during the same week each year so that children form lasting friendships. You will get to enjoy fresh farm-to-table cuisine, vegetarian options and amazing chocolate desserts. Throughout it all, you won't have to worry about charges for activities and dining because everything is included.

The Royal Scotsman and Hebridean Island Cruises team up to offer the ultimate Scottish adventure. Visit the Highlands on the historic train, touring historic sites such as Ballindalloch Castle, Rothiemurchus and Glamis. Then enjoy a five- or seven-night cruise of the remote Scottish Isles. Different itineraries will be offered throughout the year, including stops in Tobermory (Mull), Stornoway (Lewis), and the Isles of Harris, Barra and Skye. The train winds through the wild and romantic Scottish countryside, featuring deep-green forests of pine, remote castles, small villages and meadows dotted with sheep. Guests disembark to visit handpicked attractions and receive personal tours by a local laird. Hebridean Princess accommodates 50 guests and has a feel of a private yacht. A staff of 38 provides luxury service that has been so well received that 65% of all guests are repeat bookings (+49 (0) 221 33 80 300).

Hotel Captain Cook in Anchorage, Alaska, has three restaurants, a fitness club and meeting facilities. Explore the stunning beauty of Alaska from this comfortable base in Downtown Anchorage on your adventure. There are 547 rooms, including 96 suites overlooking the Cook Inlet, Chugach Mountains, the city and Mt. McKinley. Treat yourself to an in-room massage offered by the hotel's massage therapists. Choices include Swedish, deep tissue and sports massage that has been shown to reduce stress, lower blood pressure and improve circulation. The Captain's Deck on 16th and 17th levels of Tower II offers its guests extra perks, including full breakfast, nightly hors d'oeuvres, and a well-stocked juice and soft drink bar in the lounge. (907-276-6000, 800-843-1950).

Hotellerie De Mascognaz in Valle d'Aosta is a unique mountain getaway in Valle d'Aosta, surrounded by mountain peaks and meadows. Plan a unique adventure to Italy. The chalet has a relaxation center with a whirlpool, sauna and Turkish bath. Massages and Shiatsu treatments can be booked in advance. Activities in the area include skiing in the winter, and hiking, rock climbing and mountain biking in the summer. The inn has seven double rooms furnished in a cozy rustic style with handmade beds and warm fabrics. Guests looking for more space can reserve the Monte Rosa Suite, a transformed antique barn with a fireplace and stone and wood decor. Restaurant Lo Peyo serves regional dishes in rustic surroundings (+39-0125-308734).