Destination: College!

Give your children a glimpse of the college experience by staying in a college dormitory. The University of British Columbia in Vancouver offers dormitory accommodations for families. The rooms are clean, functional, and bring back many memories of college life for parents. Don't worry about those wild Saturday night parties you experienced many years ago. Guest family accommodations are set apart from regular student dorms. Rooms vary from single rooms to suites accommodating six-to-eight people. Children get an appreciation of college life by eating in the student cafeteria, swimming in UBC's pool, checking out the huge library, and exploring the surrounding beaches. The atmosphere is relaxed, so children don't need to be told to "Be quiet!"

Conferences and Accommodation at UBC
5961 Student Union Blvd.
Vancouver, BC V6T 2C9 Canada
604-822-1000
www.ubcconferences.com

Destination: Tree House

Remember building lopsided, wobbly tree houses when you were a kid? Here's a safer alternative. Spend the night at the Cedar Creek Tree house in Ashford, Washington, on the edge of the Gifford Pinchot Forest. This tree house is not your typical four-by-four foot box, perched three feet in the air. In fact, the London Independent newspaper voted Cedar Creek Tree house "One of the Top Five Tree houses in the World." Enjoy heights? Then you'll love sleeping 50 feet above the ground. The tree house has room for five people and includes water, 12-volt electric lights, and best of all . . . a toilet! Don't worry about having to climb rickety steps to reach your retreat in the sky. The owner of the tree house, Bill Compher, built a massive, non-rickety, stairwell secured with 12-inch bolts and sturdy metal supports. There's also a glassed-in observation deck for enjoying the 360-degree view. The only drawback from staying in this unique accommodation is listening to your children beg you to build a tree house in your backyard!

Cedar Creek Tree House
Box 204
Ashford, WA 98304
360-569-2991
www.cedarcreektreehouse.com