INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (July 26, 2010) - Topics of better health and wellness top thousands of family wish lists, and while on vacation, family members can easily consume more than 4,000 calories a day, translating into an average five-pound weight gain for a one-week trip. For parents who want to get the entire family together with fun, active experiences when traveling away from home, vacation rental companies across the country often provide complimentary programs, services and amenities that keep families moving, according to experts from the Discover Vacation Homes awareness initiative.

Following is a list of ways both parents and kids can stay active on trips together when staying in vacation home, condo, villa and cabin rentals, from recreation centers that go beyond traditional activities to volunteering to protect local sea turtles, along with cycling, kayaking and more. For more information on vacation rental travel, or to connect directly with professional vacation rental companies across North America, visit http://www.DiscoverVacationHomes.com:

Vacation Recreation: Beyond the Gym
Visitors to Oregon who stay with Discover Sunriver Vacation Rentals are provided free access to a newly built family recreation center, the 30,000 square-foot “Mavericks at Sunriver.” Here, both parents and kids spend time water surfing on the resident FlowRider, using the site’s indoor and outdoor climbing walls and signing up for free belay lessons and certifications. Travelers can also participate in complimentary fitness classes, including yoga, strength/cardio, spinning and more. Sunriver itself also features 35 miles of paved bike trails, 28 tennis courts, two additional outdoor pools, as well as canoeing, white water rafting, spelunking, hiking, fishing and three golf courses. For more information, visit http://www.discoversunriver.com.

In Kitty Hawk, N.C., Seaside Vacations provides a taste of local culture through access to its exclusive “Club Seaside” for all guests. Families can sign up for a free paddleboard clinic with Kitty Hawk Kites, take surf lessons with Outer Banks Boarding Company, yoga classes with Outer Banks Yoga, wine tasting with Native Vine and a portrait party (free family portrait) with Brooke Mayo Photographers. There’s also a complimentary golf clinic with Kilmarlic Golf Club, and a professional tennis clinic, circuit training and guest access provided at Kilmarlic Health & Racquet Club. For more information, visit http://www.OuterBanksVacations.com/ClubSeaside.htm.

Get Up-Close and Personal with Nature
In South Carolina’s coastal low country, between Myrtle Beach and Charleston, DeBordieu Rentals allows guests to help with the area’s sea turtle protection project, which the company itself sponsors. Not only do travelers get to explore the beauty of the South Carolina coastline, but also families can help to protect sea turtle hatchlings making their journey to sea by participating in the inventory of sea turtle nests and the release of baby sea turtles. Out of the 60 miles of coast covered by local South Carolina United Turtle Enthusiast (SCUTE) volunteers, up to 50 percent of nests are located on the six miles of beach patrolled by the DeBordieu Colony volunteers. Guests can also track Pointe, a local sea turtle, by satellite and trace her movements online following their trip. Additionally, guests enjoy cycling, jogging, exploring Hobcaw Barony and Brookgreen Gardens, as well as kayaking the North Inlet, one of the most pristine saltwater estuaries in the world. For more information, visit http://www.debordieurentals.com.

Take it to the Streets: Cycling for the Entire Family
Not only is cycling a popular way for families to spend time together exploring the great outdoors, but it’s is also supportive of a sustainable travel community. Many vacation rental communities are bicycle-friendly, including the following options and ideas from local experts:

• Guests of Mt. Hood Vacation Rentals tour the scenic Oregon Territory on bicycles, and can also take challenging trails on Mt. Hood (http://www.mthoodrentals.com).
• Families staying with Emerald Isle Realty can ride safely in Emerald Isle, N.C., recognized as a “Bicycle Friendly Community” by the League of American Bicyclists. (http://www.emeraldislerealty.com).
• In Outer Banks, N.C., the local visitors bureau in conjunction with local towns and counties has improved the infrastructure of cycling paths, having also produced a biking brochure on the Outer Banks. There are bicycle rallies at certain times of the year that highlight the area’s bike paths and natural beauty. Many vacation rental homes offered by Outer Banks Realty Services include complimentary bicycles to explore local trails (http://www.outerbanksblue.com).
• Families visiting Luray, Va., can ride out directly from their vacation rental with Allstar Lodging’s unique partnership with the local bike shop, Hawksbill Bicycles, who will deliver bikes directly to guests’ cabin if requested. Guests can also pick their bicycles up at the shop in town to ride out along a two-mile, paved greenway along the Hawksbill creek. Bike tours are also offered, including Civil War Battlefield bike tours (http://www.allstarlodging.com).
• Guests can “go green” in South Haven, Mich., where nearly everything can be reached by bicycle, including most of Shores Vacation Rentals’ properties. The Kal-Haven trail is abundant with wildlife, also providing picnic tables for families to stop along the way. Riders this fall will also have access to a newly constructed bike-friendly trailhead downtown, which includes bike racks, restrooms and more (http://www.shoresvacationrentals.com).

Sticking to a Healthy Meal Plan on Trips
With an in-home kitchen, vacation rental guests are no longer reliant on fast food or other high fat dining options, but can be in-control of their personal menu 24-hours a day. This allows families to cook meals, shop for and store healthy snacks and accurately monitor the group’s caloric intake.

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Amanda Drake
Ypartnership
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