TRAVEL DESTINATIONS FOR FAMILY REUNIONS

BY DEB KWIATT I PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARCELLO RODARTE

The annual Walk for Wellness House 3k walk/5k run, held on Sunday, May 1, 2022, brought cancer survivors, families, friends, and volunteers together and in-person for the first time in two years at the main location in Hinsdale and other locations all around Chicagoland. The Walk represented a homecoming for Wellness House participants who are returning for inperson programs; for the community that hasn’t celebrated together in two years; and for staff and Board welcoming everyone back! The unity of a caring community passionate about the Wellness House mission made this year’s Walk a smashing success – raising more than $619,000! The Walk was made possible by Presenting Sponsor, The Inland Real Estate Group of Companies, and the more than 30 corporate sponsors and supporters that so generously partnered with them this year.

Proceeds from the Walk are used to provide Wellness House programs for people living with cancer, at no cost to them and accessible from anywhere. There were more than 1800 people in attendance at the Walk in Hinsdale, and more than 200 walkers that participated at locations of their own choosing at Mile Square Health Center in Chicago’s Medical District and other locations all around Chicagoland. Special thanks to Gina Pongetti Angeletti and Molly Haunty who co-chaired this year’s Walk with passion and enthusiasm, and to THE CROWN ROYALS TEAM that broke their own record with more than 100 team members and $122,000! This team initially met within a Wellness House support group and grew larger and more impactful each year. The achievement of each one of the 130 teams and 2000 Walk participants

provided a meaningful and critical impact on the mission of Wellness House, a nonprofit that envisions a community where all people affected by cancer thrive.

Over 32 years ago, a group of people came together because they saw, firsthand, the impact of cancer on their family and friends. Out of concern and determination, Wellness House was born to lighten cancer's burden through programs that prepare and empower people to fully live life with cancer and beyond. Wellness House uses a psychosocial approach based on research, addressing the whole person – socially, emotionally, physically, spiritually, and psychologically. Since opening their doors in 1980, 44,000 people have been impacted by Wellness House. Offered at no cost, and as a complement to medical treatment, our programs educate and support participants so they will improve their physical and emotional wellbeing. For more information, visit wellnesshouse.org. ■

BY VALERIE HARDY I PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE CORRESPONDING FEATURED RESORT

Families across the nation are clamoring for quality time together after being apart for far too long, and more and more people are extolling experiences as the best gifts money can buy, ones that keep on giving through the memories made. However, when planning multigenerational travel or a destination family reunion, there is no one-size-fits-all option. To help you decide on the perfect fit for your family, here are our top 10 types of trips that are sure to be full of fun for the entire fam.

For families centrally located around Chicagoland, a drivable destination may be desirable. Check out these picks recommended by reader Kim Venzon.

The resort’s pavilion is ideal for hosting family reunions, and the cottages on the property offer an alternative to multiple hotel rooms for larger families. With an indoor waterpark, 18-hole championship golf course, jet skiing, biking, kayaking, fishing and more, your family will fall in love with this locale.

A unique geodesic home on a multi-acre wooded property, this is an ideal getaway for families looking to relax, recharge, and have an all-around good time together. This unique rental home has three levels and sleeps up to 24 people.

Located across from five miles of uninterrupted Lake Michigan beachfront, nature’s beauty abounds at Beachwalk. Families can rent colorful custom-built homes of varying sizes from Beachwalk Vacation Rentals and travel by foot, bike, or golf cart to all resort amenities, including an interior lake, playground, pool, activity center with Bocci and shuffleboard, and tennis, basketball, and beach volleyball courts. Photo courtesy of Beachwalk Vacation Rentals

Love to ski or snowboard (or simply après-ski)? Grab your gear and visit one of these recommended mountain retreats.

Direct flights into Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport, only 45 minutes from Big Sky, make this one of the easiest ski towns to access. The resort has numerous hotel and vacation rental accommodation options and an extensive list of winter activities: skiing, ziplining, dogsledding, snow mobiling, snowshoe tours, sleigh rides and more. Bundle up and come visit.

Located near the Heavenly Mountain Resort, this resort provides luxurious lodge packages and villa suite options for when you come to ski the Sierra Nevada Mountains. From morning yoga to hot cocoa socials and evening s’mores, all resort activities are complimentary for guests. With its Edgewood on Ice ice-skating experience in South Lake Tahoe, this alpine retreat is right there for you to reconnect with loved ones.

Nature & To reconnect with nature and each other, families have many options. From dude ranches to camping and glamping, Nurture The Resort & Ranch at Paws Up* Greenough, MT This 37,000-acre working ranch offers an authentic dude ranch experience with trail rides, cattle drives and chuck wagon dinners. Ten miles of the Blackfoot River flow through the property, and fly-fishing, white-water rafting and many other activities will keep your family busy from sunup to sundown. You will all be ready to hit the hay in one of the resort’s private luxury homes or safari-style tents by day’s end. ? the great outdoors await you. Make reservations well in advance of your travel dates, however, because many venues in this category tend to fill up fast.

If a national park or landmark is on your family’s itinerary, check to see if one of Under Canvas’s 10 locations is along the way, and book your stay. You will be one with nature without forgoing any creature comforts when you camp out in one of their upscale, private tents.

Photo courtesy of @BaileyMade

From recreation to restaurants, everything you need is in one place at an all-inclusive resort. And since everything is paid for in advance, the hassle of haggling over how to split bills is eliminated. Plus, from kids clubs to performances to piña coladas by the pool, there is something for everyone.

The white sand beaches, stunning Caribbean coastline, and lush Mayan Jungle are the perfect backdrop for family fun in the sun. The resort features three distinctive ambiances – the Ambassador and Zen Grand being the most family-friendly – five signature restaurants and a Baby Concierge, Kids’ Club, and Teens’ Club.

Situated along the clear waters of Juanillo Beach, this resort offers the ultimate escape and access to an abundance of excursions, including deep-sea fishing. With 12 restaurants and bars on site, even the pickiest eaters will surely find something to please their palates. A Destination that will Certainly Make a Splash Unpredictable climates a concern? Wash away the weather worries at an indoor waterpark like one of these. Great Wolf Lodge* Minneapolis/Bloomington, MN Near the famed Mall of America, this resort features waterslides galore and so much more. There are three different types of suites in which to stay, and between the waterpark, rockclimbing wall, ropes course, arcade, miniature bowling alley and ? mining company adventure, the kids (and kids at heart) will undoubtedly sleep well after a full day.

This luxury resort is home to the nation’s first upscale indoor/ outdoor resort water attraction: SoundWaves. Its themed attraction names are true to Nashville’s music roots, and with relaxing water features as well as energized rides and immersive tunes, this resort includes plenty of places for full family fun but also offers adult-only indoor and outdoor spaces.