Road Trip Bingo

Family travel this summer has been all about road trips. We have had many clients load up their cars and hit the road for a summer vacation. One of the longest (and sometimes boring) drives can be across the LARGE state of Texas. Being a Houston based travel advisor, most of my clients, like me, have a long drive before they cross a state line. My family hit the road for a drive across Texas and as an experienced family vacation travel planner I knew we would need an activity to get through the long highway drive that was ahead of us. We created these cute Texas Bingo cards and the whole family loved them! We have two options for your family to enjoy on your next road trip or vacation. Click the link to download.

Texas Bingo 1

Texas Bingo 2

KJT Travel Journal: Glamping

Glamping in Texas Hill Country

In May, while we were following strict social distancing guidelines, we were feeling stir crazy. We packed up our 4 year old and 2 year old daughters and headed for the hills — Texas Hill Country to be specific. We were going for an overnight of glamping.

For my four year old this was a fantasy realized — “Camping? In the woods? Will there be s’mores?” And for her parents, we were looking forward to a change of scenery and experiencing something new and different. The travel advisor in me was excited to take the up-and-coming glamping trend for a test run with my family and check out one of the companies with glamping tents all over the country, Collective Retreats. 

GETTING THERE

3 hours driving from Houston

4 hours driving from Dallas

1 hour driving from Austin airport

ROOMS

My daughter’s loved the golf cart ride to our tent on arrival and the tent itself was pretty impressive. Our tent was one of fifteen at Collective Retreats Hill Country and was spacious (x sq ft) with a king bed and en-suite bath, boho design and private deck. Since we were only going for one night and our kids are young, we opted to just all sleep together in the king bed— sleepover style. This property has several electronic fans arranged in the tent and a window unit which cooled down the tent nicely for sleeping. If you are traveling with older kids, they have one family tent which includes an additional sleeping tent next to the “master.” 

MEALS

Breakfast is included in your rate (highly recommend the breakfast tacos!) and other meals need to be ordered in advance so the on-site cooking staff have everything they need. You can order full meals or the specific ingredients to prepare the food yourself with on-site grills. During normal times, they offer farm-to-table communal meals and seasonal cocktails. And, of course, after dinner they have s’mores kits available for roasting at their Texas-sized fire pit overlooking the valley. 

ACTIVITIES

Typically horseback rides, streams, fishing,e tc.. available. 

Since there were still local policies in effect that prohibited most public activities, we opted to hike on property, pick flowers, play cards, listen to music, read and enjoy the outdoors. All of these activities would have been made a bit more enjoyable if there was an on-property water activity: stream, pool, etc. We happened to be there during an unseasonably warm Spring weekend. Jacob’s Well nearby 

PACKING RECOMMENDATIONS

• A portable speaker

• Plenty of snacks (we brought a cooler and they have a yeti + ice in room)

• Bug Spray 

• Indoor activities: playing cards, bookings, coloring books

ADDITIONAL TX OPTIONS

Just 10 minutes from downtown Austin, there is an adorable outpost with 8 cottages, an onsite pool and dining options.

Another option between Houston and Austin includes 3 African safari tents (650 sq ft) which sleep up to 5 guests and golf carts for each tent which can take guests to the San Marcos River - a 5 minute golf cart ride away. This fall they will debut new 2 bedroom tents with kitchens and ample indoor and outdoor living space for the whole family.

If you would rather stay in an individual cabin or ranch home, there are several options all across west TX ranging from 2 - 6 bedroom with sprawling acres, ranch-style activities, pools and more.

Overall I think your experience will have a lot to do with the weather and these weekend trips are ideal for fall and spring. As always, your KJ Travel team is here to help you find the best fit for your family and ensure you are getting the best rates, value and booking terms. We’d love to talk!

KJT Picks: Family Golf Vacations

“Teach ‘em young”

Monterey Peninsula Golf Course, 2019

Combining a vacation with one of your favorite hobbies is a win-win. Golf is one of those hobbies perfect for travel with resorts specifically catering to golf pros and enthusiasts.

We plan plenty of father-son golf trips, corporate golf retreats, golf-focused bachelor weekends, etc. but is it possible for dad to get a golf vacation and family vacation in one? We think so. Personally, it is how we prioritize a lot of our family vacation planning since most of our family members are big fans of the sport.

Below are some of our favorite U.S. resorts for great golf and family fun. Want to add any of your favorites or plan a family, golf-centric vacation? A lot of our clients have had their international bucket-list golf trips cancelled in 2020 but the socially-distanced sport is a great bet for travelers wanting to explore stateside. Drop us a line at Bonjour@katejohnsontravel.com; we’re here to help!

Kiawah Island

Kiawah, South Carolina

Ocean Course, Hole 13

Photo Credit: The Sanctuary Hotel

This beautiful island outside of Charleston, South Carolina is home to six 18 hole golf courses. 

Accommodations: Guests can stay at the oceanfront Sanctuary Hotel, resort villas, private homes, or the ocean course cottages. 

KJ Travel Amenity at Sanctuary Hotel: Daily breakfast for two and $100 resort credit.

Pebble Beach

Pebble Beach, California

Photo Credit: Houston Johnson

Of course the no. 1 public course in America had to make the list. Four 18 hole courses with three of them along the Pacific Ocean. 

Accommodations: The Lodge at Pebble Beach, Spanish Bay, and Casa Palmero offer advantages to getting tee times, but nearby Carmel Valley also has great hotel options including the family-friendly Carmel Valley Ranch and more romantic Bernardus Lodge & Spa.

KJ Travel Amenity at select resorts include $100 resort credit, upgrade at time of booking and complimentary breakfasts.

Pelican Hill

Newport, California

North Course, Hole 17

Photo Credit: The Resort at Pelican Hill

Two 18 hole courses exclusively for members and hotel guests

Accommodations: Multi-bedroom villas and bungalows are available at Pelican Hill Resort situated along HWY 1 close to several state parks and beaches.

KJ Travel Amenity: Daily breakfast and $100 credit to be used on Golf or Spa.

PGA West

Palm Springs, California

Mountain Course, Hole 6

Photo Credit: La Quinta Resort & Club

With five 18 hole semi-private championship courses you can play a different course every day.  

Accommodations: La Quinta Resort & Club offers spacious guest rooms as well as multi-bedroom villas  and kids activities.

KJ Travel Amenity: Daily breakfast for two and $100 resort credit.

Torrey Pines

San Diego, California

Photo Credit: The Lodge at Torrey Pines

Two 18 hole courses in beautiful La Jolla that overlook the Pacific Ocean.

Accommodations: The Lodge at Torrey Pines with spacious guest rooms and suites, many with terraces that overlook the courses and easy access to nearby hiking trails. A bonus for family trips when golf isn’t happening is the nearby San Diego Zoo and Legoland. 

KJ Travel Amenity: Complimentary daily breakfast and $100 resort spa credit.

Sea Island Golf Resort

Sea Island, Georgia

The Plantation Course

Photo Credit: The Lodge at Sea Island

Three 18 hole courses and a 17,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art Golf Performance Center.

Accommodations: The Clositer and the Lodge at Sea Island have spacious rooms and multi-bedroom suites. Private homes and cottages are also available. The private island offers five miles of beach, a tennis center, Yacht Club and children’s programming.

KJ Travel Amenity: Complimentary daily breakfast and $100 resort credit.

Kapalua Bay

Maui, Hawaii

The Bay Course

Photo Credit: The Ritz-Carlton Kapalua

On the island of Maui, Kapalua Bay has two 18 hole courses, one of which, the Plantation Course, is recognized as the best course in Hawaii. 

Accommodations: You can’t go wrong with either beachfront resort, Ritz Carlton Kapalua or Montage Kapaula both with expansive hotel properties, ocean view guest rooms, multi-bedroom suites and residential-style accommodations.

KJ Travel Amenity: Complimentary daily breakfast and $100 resort credit, upgrades upon availability.