Dream vacations for families & multigenerational groups

As the former editor-in-chief of Parents magazine—and as travel planner-in-chief in my own family—I know that the stakes are high when booking a vacation for people of different ages. Children need to be entertained. Parents want someone else to take care of the cooking, cleaning, scheduling and (sometimes) the kids. Sometimes grandparents are invited too.

In an effort to help you get a vacation on your calendar, I pulled together some unforgettable adventures from my own memory books.

We’ve enjoyed Costa Rica many times, and it always seems to satisfy our craving for nature, sun and an exotic locale. I love this starter itinerary for families who want to taste what the country has to offer. Fly into San Juan, then jaunt over to Tortuguero National Park on the Caribbean coast, reachable only by small plane or boat.

Spend two nights at Mawamba Lodge, your home base for a jungle adventure that includes an easy kayak excursion through the rainforest and a guided beach walk to see one of four species of sea turtles that nest in this area. It’s nothing short of exhilarating to stand behind an endangered green turtle and watch her swish sand back onto a dozen softball-sized, freshly laid eggs. It’s the stuff college essays are made of—and something grandparents will enjoy too.

The second stop is Arenal Springs Resort and Spa, which is located in the higher-elevation center of the country. We went bird-watching for the 138 indigenous and migratory species documented in the area. Then it was tubing down a winding river, and we joined a guided hike that ended with everyone rappelling down a waterfall.

On the property, the kids looked for rainforest snails, snakes and bugs on a midnight walk. From the hammock on our room’s terrace, I soaked in breathtaking views of the nearby volcano. Three restaurants catered to all our tastes, from sushi to thin-crust pizza.

For a “pura vida” end to your week, head to Manuel Antonio, a resort coastal village surrounded by lush jungle and pristine white-sand beaches. Be on the lookout for sloths! Book a stay at the Hotel San Bada or La Vela Boutique Hotel and let everyone choose their own adventure.

Plan your trip with Capital One Travel. Eligible cardholders can find thousands of travel options for their next getaway. Use smart tools like price prediction for great prices on flights, hotels and rental cars. The price match guarantee will help you book with confidence to make your trip even more rewarding.

A city hotel with an indoor pool? Where do we sign? The Peninsula Chicago is a five-star hotel known for blending traditional Asian service with Midwestern warmth. And it’s smack-dab in the center of a city that offers shows, shopping, museums and plenty of green space.

Anish Kapoor’s Cloud Gate sculpture, affectionately called The Bean, is three blocks away in Millennium Park. And Navy Pier is a 15-minute walk from the hotel.

Kids can enroll in the hotel’s bespoke Peninsula Academy. Ask about architecture tours, cooking classes, a firehouse excursion and more. Of course, everyone can enjoy the spa, buzzy bars and restaurants on the property.

The city also offers group-friendly dining options. Eligible customers can book tables through Capital One Dining at spots like HaiSous, an urban Vietnamese street food restaurant located in the Lower West Side neighborhood.

The Cultivist is a global arts club offering worldwide museum access, bespoke programs, concierge services and more. And Venture X cardholders can access discounted The Cultivist memberships, which include free entry to The Art Institute of Chicago and Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, MCA for short

Boasting pink beaches, dramatic water caves and pastel-colored mansions, Bermuda is only a short flight from the East Coast and a great choice for families in search of tropical breezes. Try the all-inclusive Grotto Bay Beach Resort and Spa.

Only a five-minute taxi drive from the airport, it has three beaches, day-and-night tennis, a spa and several restaurants. The showstopper is its private entrance to the ancient Crystal Caves, a natural wonder that will amaze everyone you’re traveling with.

We were able to depart for sunset sails and chartered fishing trips. And we even rented our own small boat, which we took to a secluded stingray habitat. Our teenage daughters Sophia and Olivia spent hours out on the inflatable water park located in the shallow waters right off the resort’s beach.

But I was mesmerized by the 500,000-year-old caves that are home to Grotto Bay’s spa. I will never forget walking along the wooden platform to my massage appointment with shimmering azure waters below and dripping stalagmites above.

For a crew of people who want to get out on the slopes—or the trails, when the weather is warmer—Vail Village and the surrounding area offer up more than enough to do. Vail appeals to all ages, from bunny slope skiers to grandparents who want to spend some time shopping in the village or strolling the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens.

For those wanting a nightcap or two, visit the Tasting Room at 10th Mountain Whiskey & Spirits. The house-made cordial is infused with sage, vanilla and peach. It’s a delicious way to end the night.

Vail Village’s size is what makes it perfect for multigenerational groups. It’s small enough that people can split off comfortably and meet throughout the day without having to make a big trek. But there are also some can’t-miss day trips outside Vail that serve up mountain-town vibes of their own:

• Leadville

• Breckenridge

• Glenwood Springs

• Steamboat Springs

• Aspen

Visit Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Hollywood. When it opened, it was the biggest addition to the California park since the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. A major attraction is an augmented reality ride called Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge, where you compete on some of the chaotic racing series’ courses in classic dark-ride style. The course is fixed, but the interactivity plays out on your headset.

Kids of all ages can also play four mini key challenges and pose for photos with Mario, Luigi and Peach. For the ultimate photo op, eat at Toadstool Cafe, where adorable mushroom-capped Toads work the kitchen.

Groups who want to stay within walking distance of the park should book the Sheraton Universal Hotel. The Garland, a smaller boutique hotel in North Hollywood, is another option. It offers special Universal-themed kids’ events by the pool.

Looking for an unforgettable meal? Head to Anajak Thai for outdoor omakase, chef collaborations and potentially the best meal you’ll have in Los Angeles (and beyond). There’s also Osteria La Buca for farm-to-table Italian.

When you book through Capital One Dining, you’ll have access to these and other exclusive reservations you can’t find elsewhere. And when you’re in the mood for dinner and a show, check out Capital One Entertainment for access to the best in entertainment, including sports, music and live shows.

My family of four inexperienced horse riders spent a week at a dude ranch—and we loved every minute of it. Maybe it was the fresh mountain air, or maybe it was the exhilaration of learning something new as a family. That week at Vista Verde Guest Ranch was one of the most memorable vacations of our lives.

Highlights for me included a personal fly-fishing casting lesson with Steve, a one-on-one yoga session on a platform in the woods by the creek, and line dancing on the last night. And yes, the Italian linens on the beds.

Located in the Rocky Mountains and 40 minutes outside Steamboat Springs, Vista Verde is a luxury dude ranch with casual vibes. Every morning after sunrise, my husband Steve would grab his camera to record the daily running horses. I’d hear whistling and sharp “Yaaah! Yaah!” echoing from the valley where the ranch’s 100-or-so horses were free to graze overnight. As the ranch hands funneled the team through the main gate, Steve captured the dramatic plumes of dust kicked up by the galloping.

The ranch has an impressive three levels of kids’ programming. A highlight for my teenagers? The overnight campout, where they rode out into a “secret from the parents” location in the mountains, ate a campfire dinner and listened to the counselors’ ghost stories.

Families can eat breakfast and lunch together in the main lodge. Dinner varies from family style to luxe campfire cookouts only a horse ride away. On a handful of nights, the kids dined and then dashed for games. At day’s end, we would all jump in the hot tub on our cabin porch.

Few states say “summer camp” like Maine. Since 1916, Migis Lodge on Sebago Lake has been the classic lakeside resort of choice for generations of families to gather—dozens of them, annually. With a classic main lodge and 35 cottages of varying sizes and configurations nestled amid 125 acres of pine forest, branches of your family tree can be as together as they like.

Migis’s 3,500 feet of calm shoreline and a small beach are the ideal setting for sandcastle making, canoeing, kayaking and sailing. Motorized boating and water skiing are also free.

Sunset cocktail hour and dinner at Migis’s main lodge atop the gentle hill feel like an event. Jackets and collared shirts are required for the men, but kids can eat with counselors then scram for movies and ice cream. In our experience, everyone comes together for bingo night, the Friday lobster bake and an end-of-week kids’ talent show.

Capital One Travel is here to help with your next family getaway. Choose from thousands of flights, hotels and rental car options.

Capital One also offers travel rewards credit cards with exclusive benefits and elevated rewards that can help make your travel experience more enjoyable. View important rates and disclosures.

• Explore travel rewards cards with unlimited miles you can actually use. 

• Earn a one-time 75,000-mile bonus and receive an additional 10,000 bonus miles every year, starting on your first anniversary, with the Venture X card.

• Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day, and earn a one-time 75,000-mile bonus with the Venture card. 

• Earn unlimited 1.25X miles on every purchase, every day with no annual fee with the VentureOne card.