Family Fun in the Sun: Squeeze Every Drop

Do you feel it? That extra breeze in the air is a signal. Before you know it, the kids will be back in school, you’ll be pulling on boots and a jacket, and the entire office will be staring down the demands of a deal-heavy autumn. These waning days of summer are your last shot at a real family vacation. Carpe diem with trips that allow you to get active before the fall pressures sneak in. ...
Family Fun in the Sun: Squeeze Every Drop
Carmel Valley Ranch, California

Do you feel it? That extra breeze in the air is a signal. Before you know it, the kids will be back in school, you’ll be pulling on boots and a jacket, and the entire office will be staring down the demands of a deal-heavy autumn. These waning days of summer are your last shot at a real family vacation. Carpe diem with trips that allow you to get active before the fall pressures sneak in.

Extend the summer. Head to a 500-acre resort on California’s central coast and tuck into one of Carmel Valley Ranch’s new indoor/outdoor suites. Expect stunning views (pictured above), whether you’re dining in the treetops overlooking the Carmel valley or spa-ing in the pinot noir vineyards. Kids will like the camp-like summer activities. Archery, bird watching and a revitalized equestrian program are only a few of the offerings. www.carmelvalleyranch.com

> Get your hands dirty. This trip takes you away from the boardroom, while promising an adventure you’ll talk about for months. Get far off the beaten trail on an eco-tour adventure with Aussie Farmstay & Bush Adventures. Your family will be introduced to genuine bush characters while dining on traditional bush “tucker” (aka food). You’ll spend your nights on a historic sheep farm and get your hands (and the rest of you) dirty while learning the intricacies of horsemanship, sheep shearing and more. The four-day adventure is limited to 11 guests per departure and travels out of Sydney, so you’ve got an entire city to explore before heading home. www.aussiebushadventures.com

> Up Adrenaline levels. Active families will find enough thrills on the Adriatic Coast to leave the kids grinning all year-long. Bespoke tour operator Adriatic Luxury Journeys has announced new privately guided tours designed just for families. Adriatic Luxury’s expert guides will take you zip-lining across the Cetina River, sailing through Hvar, hiking through the waterfalls of Plitvice Lakes National Park and biking in Rovinj. All tours include English-speaking local guides and chauffeurs. When the kids return to school, they’ll surprise their teachers with how much they learned about medieval architecture and the Roman Empire while having a blast. www.adriaticluxury.com

Heather Greenwood Davis is a lawyer and an award-winning travel writer. Reach her at www.globetrottingmama.com.