800/678-1147, 416/864-1354 

Have you always dreamed about go hiking and biking and enjoying the best of Europe? Think you'll have to wait until your kids are in sleepaway camp? Butterfield and Robinson, the exclusive Canadian tour operators who have been arranging high-end, active vacations around the world since 1966, now offer both public and private customized tours to make it possible for all families, even those with Tiny Travelers, to enjoy this kind of adventure.

As part of their new With the Kids Tours which are exciting trips for families with school age children (5+, 8+ and 12+), "Homebase" specifically caters to those with infants and toddlers, as well as to Grandma and Grandpa, if they want to come along. B&R's idea -- to lodge young families at a deluxe hotel with a pampering staff, allowing parents to join guided biking, hiking, historic and cultural tours.

While older kids are involved in age-appropriate active and cultural learning activities (after spending family time with you in the mornings), your Tiny Traveler can be cared for from 10am - 6pm at their "home away from home" in the specially equipped daycare room. The CPR-trained, English-speaking staff watch up to three infants each, and evening babysitting is also available for an additional fee. The folks at Butterfield & Robinson understand that the best way to make a vacation completely relaxing is to provide peace of mind about your little ones.

Typical of the luxurious accommodations are those at the CasaBianca Hotel in Tuscany, which overlooks Montepulciano and Monte Amiata and is surrounded by olive groves. Here, families are made most comfortable in apartments consisting of two rooms, plus a sitting area and a kitchenette. The apartment hotel also features a swimming pool and beautiful grounds, and is close to walking and biking trails. In addition to active pursuits, parents can attend olive and wine tastings, or learn to make bruschetta (this is Italy, after all), tour the fascinating city of Siena, or learn to parle Italiano - the choice is yours!

Afternoon activities for kids 3 years old and up include visits to a local farm or water park, horseback riding, rowing, kayaking, tennis, learning to play bocci, and visiting a gelateria. You have the option to share dinner with your kids, with another family, or as a couple, as a supervised children's meal is offered in the evenings. For your youngest ones, B&R will provide your choice of formula and baby food as well as diapers.

The six-day Tuscany family trip includes all airport transfers for your family and excess baggage, all breakfasts, four dinners and three lunches, use of bicycles and helmets including children's bikes, tandems and tow trailers for little ones, routing and maps, cribs, highchairs, carseats (for toddlers and up), B&R tour guides, guest experts and museum entrance fees, tips for baggage handling and hotel service, and children's programs and infant care. There is an additional fee for evening babysitting.

2003 Top 10 Getaways for Tiny Travelers
Top All-Inclusive Resorts:
Beaches Boscobel Golf Resort & Spa, Jamaica

SuperClubs Breezes Costa do Sauipe, Brazil
Top Cruise Line:
Disney Cruise Lines
Top Dude Ranch:
Rocking Horse Ranch, Highland, New York
Top Historic Inns:

Luxury Family Hotels, England
Mission Point Resort, Mackinac Island, Michigan

Round Hill, Montego Bay, Jamaica
Top Snow and Summer Resorts:

Smugglers' Notch, Vermont
The Peaks Resort & Golden Door Spa, Colorado

Top Tour Operator:
Butterfield & Robinson