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CNN Saturday Morning News
Interview With Ondine Cohane
Aired March 30, 2002 - 09:25 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: More parents these days are passing up a getaway for two and looking for a travel experience that involves the whole family. Over the last few years, there's been an increase in the number of people requesting trips appropriate for all ages, including Dad, for example.
Joining us from New York to discuss this is Ondine Cohane. She is the senior editor of "Conde Nast Traveler" magazine. Good to have you with us.
ONDINE COHANE, "CONDE NAST TRAVELER" MAGAZINE: Great to be here.
O'BRIEN: Well, first of all, what are the words to watch? You know, I always think of Chevy Chase and going to Wally World and stuff whenever I think of vacations. That, of course, is not exactly what's happening out there in the real world. Where are families traveling -- let's take -- we assume a lot of people go to Disney. Let's talk about some of the other trips that are out there.
COHANE: Well, actually, more and more people are foregoing, you know, the traditional amusement parks, stuff like that, and going to safaris and going to European...
O'BRIEN: So wait a minute, safaris, that's an expensive trip, though, isn't it?
COHANE: Well, yes, but, I mean, you can find good deals, European getaways, cultural centers. The places that were considered adult-only are beginning to be much more kid-friendly now.
O'BRIEN: Yes, I -- Las Vegas has been trying to bill itself that way for some time. Would you recommend that as a trip?
COHANE: Absolutely. I mean, all of these places now have programs for kids, so while you're going gambling, your kids could be at the pool, there are play centers, video -- you know, I mean, you don't have to be tied to them the whole time, you can go have your own experience, and then they're also having a great time, you know, playing in water slides, hanging out with other kids, that kind of thing.
O'BRIEN: Here, Johnny, go see Siegfried and Roy while Daddy plays the slot machines, right, that kind of thing?
COHANE: Exactly.
O'BRIEN: All right. What else do you recommend for parents who are trying to travel with their kids and yet get a little something out of it for themselves?
COHANE: Basically, just looking into doing the research on programs. You'll find, you know, everything from kiddy concierges now at the Parker Meridien in New York sort of taking the onus off you having to plan everything...
O'BRIEN: Excuse me, kiddy concierge, well, lah-di-dah, huh?
COHANE: Exactly. So...
O'BRIEN: Must the petits enfants, may they -- must they speak French in order to get the proper service?
COHANE: No, I think they probably have French speakers, but English too. So, you know, if you're coming to New York, for instance, you don't have to plan everything yourself, you can tell the kiddy concierge, This is what my kids like to do, they'll organize everything from VIP passes to theme restaurants to renting you a scooter to zoom around Central Park.
So you don't have to do that much beforehand, and you'll still have an amazing trip, because they'll have organized everything for you.
O'BRIEN: All right. And, of course, you start booking the kids a lot, the kids and the parents kind of go their separate ways to some degree. I guess you got to strike a balance there somewhat.
COHANE: Exactly. I mean, you obviously don't want to not spend time with your children, but at the same time, you can both be pursuing your own interests.
O'BRIEN: All right. Any other recommendations?
COHANE: Yes, we always think that bringing, like, a camera with you, not for every member of the family, basically. So even if your kid is taking pictures of the pavement, they're still feeling like they're part of, you know, the experience. Giving them an itinerary of some kind, kids like to have a routine, so even though they're in a new experience, it's, you know, tomorrow knowing that they're going to the aquarium, or on Saturday they're going to the zoo. It's kind of fun for them to know what's coming up.
O'BRIEN: And they'd have...
COHANE: But...
O'BRIEN: ... concrete proof of their trip, I guess. Let's talk about some other destinations as well, besides New York. Where else are we -- would you recommend taking kids?
COHANE: Well, basically, the Loew's (ph) all over the country have two programs specifically catered to kids. One is Grade A Kids, which rewards kids with amenities for getting good grades. Also the Generation G program, which encourages grandkids traveling with their grandparents, special programs like in Miami, they organize picnics or...
O'BRIEN: These look like kind of old kids, by the way, I just want to point that out as we look at that video.
But yes, that sounds great. Any other quick places? We got -- just about out of time.
COHANE: The Phoenician in Arizona is great. They have a program where your kid can be in golf and tennis clinics while you're at the spa, going on art tours, exploring the area. So both of you are going your separate ways, and then in the evenings you're hanging out together, and that's a really, really good destination, really good program.
O'BRIEN: Ondine Cohane is with "Conde Nast Traveler" magazine. Thanks for giving us those insights on things besides Wally World to do. We appreciate your joining us on CNN SATURDAY MORNING.
COHANE: Great to be here, thank you.
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