Remember the Oklahoma City Bombing
The Oklahoma City bombing of April 1995, commemorated at the site, honors the city's lost residents... There is that clock. A mundane white clock with black trim and numerals, outstanding in its ordinariness....
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No Lions, No Tigers, But Snot Rockets! Oh. My…
After one month of life in Russia, the universe has shown me yet again how incapable I am at playing nice with others. Having a personality that my loving parents refer to as 'being larger than life',...
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Kirei
I tell my high school students that when I first came to Japan, I felt like a fish. Why would Emily Sensei feel...
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La Vita Bella
This piece is dedicated to the late Maria (pictured), the heart and soul of Civita di Bagnoregio. A modern footbridge is all that connects the sleepy island in the mist to...
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The Eiffel Tower When She Glitters
There sat steak and custard alongside bottles of soda and cups of coffee. And, of course the customary dish of snails that looked like little hills all grouped together in a lake of garlic. The white...
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It’s Greek to Me
When my parents and I went to the Minneapolis Greek festival in the fall, I didn’t know what to expect. My only experience with Greek culture was the craziness I’d observed in the film My Big...
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Watering the Mambas
People say that Africa gets inside you, grabs ahold of something in you. That for many it’s hard to get away once you’ve lived in this land of red earth and tall grass. I saw so many beautiful and...
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We Share the Same Blood
Echad, shtayim, shalosh, arba…”The foreign sounds of counting came from the deck of a dhow, a traditional Arab sailboat, cruising through a harbor filled with open sky, twinkling city...
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Les Vendanges in St. Georges
I am a little late on recounting this story, but it's worth telling. Our program director, Joelle, told us our morning class was cancelled and would be replaced by an...
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Maryland Beach Resorts Along The Chesapeake Bay
Rich in seafaring heritage, outdoor recreation, water sports, fishing – and, of course, great seafood -- southern Maryland’s western shore offers a wide array of cultural attractions, historical...
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Food Loving Family in Jamaica
Jamaican cuisine is a fragrant mix of flavors. It inventively blends indigenous ingredients with the culinary contributions of the different peoples who have inhabited the island. This...
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Asia’s Fall Festival Calendar
Planning an autumn family vacation in Asia is not only affordable, it's also the best time of year to travel the region as countries such as India, China and Japan come to life with autumn festivals...
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Bus Tours Introduce The World’s Great Cities
Double-decker hop-on, hop-off bus tours can be found all around the world, but have a longer history in Europe than in the US. Imagine a clever guide, a place to rest your feet, great photo opportunities,...
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Have School, Still Travel?
A long-time education insider goes behind the scenes to find out how teachers really feel when you pull kids out of school to travel. Walking down the street one day, I passed a man smoking...
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Top 10 Getaway for Family Togetherness – Marriott Vacation Club International
In 2005, FTF's annual Top 10 survey of award-winners honored Marriott Vacation Club International as a Top Resort Chain for Family Togetherness and it's still a winner.
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Why Families Love New York Bus Tours
Double-decker bus tours are a New York institution. They rank alongside the Statue of Liberty costumes, the incredible chaos of Times Square and...
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Sail Along the Hudson, Bike New York Harbor with Ritz-Carlton Battery Park
For families looking for a great New York City harbor vacation, the Ritz-Carlton in...
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A Weekend Away In Aarhus, Denmark
Denmark's university town of Aarhus is one of Europe's top getaways for the young and the music follower, with attractions for any age.Denmark's university town of Aarhus is one of Europe's...
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Two Nation Road Trip, Maine to New Brunswick
Looking for a fun way to experience the beauty of North America’s Atlantic coast? Try the two nation vacation from Maine in the US to New Brunswick in Canada for scenic...
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Celebrate Bastille Day Around the World
Join Frenchmen and Francophiles around the world in celebrating the mid-summer holiday of Bastille Day, an independence day for millions. Every July 14th, the French celebrate liberté,...
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Win a Picture Perfect San Antonio Family Vacation
We're giving away a fabulous 4N / 5D vacation for a family of four to San Antonio, Texas in conjunction with TravelingMom.com, host of a family travel-themed Twitter party each Monday...
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Presenting Portland Maine
Sometimes the grass is not greener in the other fellow's city. Take Portland, Maine for example. Portland isn't the distant cousin of Boston, Baltimore, or other places that have redone their waterfronts...
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The Road to Cannes: Aix to Cannesdemonium
My account of our family vacation in the south of France continues. After 3 days of bliss and quiet at le Mas des Etoiles in Provence, we were almost in Cannes. The D7 from Gordes...
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Pins on a Map: A Family’s Yearlong Journey Around the World
Pick up this charming memoir by David Boesch and join his family of five on their enlightening one-year, 6-continent, 17-country journey. The kids (ages 7, 10 and 13) helped select...
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Planning Your Trip to Toronto
If you've read my story on the best way to spend seven days in Toronto, I hope you'll take advantage of some more advice from a local mom on...
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Bonjour France – A French Crepe Recipe For Family Chefs
The stress of foreign travel with picky eaters can make your stomach feel like it's tied in knots. So, before departing on your next vacation to France, Quebec or any Francophone destination, I suggest...
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Chow Italia – Healthy Chicken and Pasta in the Italian Style
If you are dreading taking the kids to Italy and being forced to eat spaghetti with butter every day, never fear! Picky eaters can be taught to appreciate even the most exotic of funghi...
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Easy To Cook Enchiladas Say Hola! Mexico
Most children have had some introduction to Mexican food, whether it's a visit to Taco Belle or an order of guacamole and chips at the local cantina. Nonetheless, it's hard for families with...
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Custom Itinerary: Foodie Favorite New York Restaurants with Kids
Q. What happens when real foodies come to New York to chow down but have fussy eaters in tow? Two things usually. # 1. Parents get childcare through their hotel and go out in the...
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Road to Cannes – Exploring Provence
Awakening in le Mas des Etoiles, a farmhouse whose white sheers blow in carrying the lavender scented breeze and chatter of...
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Malaysia Adventures Welcome All Ages
It's safe, prosperous, progressive and a great value: This southeast Asian country welcomes all visitors with a surprising array of attractions.It's safe, prosperous, progressive and a great value:...
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Halifax, Star of Nova Scotia, Canada
Calling at the port of Halifax, the capital of Nova Scotia, can be a both an entertaining and educational experience, as the scenic city has great museums, gardens and historic forts.For a small...
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Spring Break In Valencia
The sunny coastal city of Valencia, Spain offers offbeat cultural attractions that make it ideal for a short break or an exciting place to perfect your Spanish. Most Spain-bound...
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Edinburgh, Scotland’s Royal Past
Take a walk down Edinburgh's Royal Mile and explore the city's medieval past, architectural wonder, sordid tales of gore, cosmopolitan flavor, and kid-friendly attractions. Edinburgh, Scotland evokes...
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For Preschoolers Toys And Play Always In Fashion
The annual Toy Fair goes social with play parties #fptp as an industry leader explores new ways to interact with preschoolers and their parents. At a recent event at New York's Loews Regency...
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Custom Itinerary: Tennessee Family Hotels, 3 Kids, 8 Days
Q. Amanda B. from Texas is planning a trip to Tennessee with three kids under 15, and would like to find the most family-friendly hotels in the state.
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Dearborn Inn Celebrates Henry Ford and American History from $169/N BnB
There's no better way to enjoy the spirit of American invention than a visit to Dearborn, Michigan. We also like the idea of a nice hotel, enjoying leisurely breakfasts, pool time,...
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Virginia’s Family Values
A year-round, top value destination where families can learn history, absorb culture and appreciate the environment, the sand, and and old-fashioned boardwalk. Viriginia is a value vacation...
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Cherokee Celebration of American History in Oklahoma; $20 for kids
This year will mark the 150th Anniversary of the American Civil War. While many historic and cultural events are taking place across the country, some stand out above the rest. If you...
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Untroubling Tunisia: Waiting for Travel and Democracy
The thirty or so countries that make up the Arab world are not known for enlightened or progressive leadership.But it was not always so.In the Middle Ages...
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3-Day Virginia Eco Vacations for Kids Who Hate Snow from $83
Do you love the wintertime, but hate the idea of snowsports? Head to Virginia Beach, where the brisk but mild climate of a rich coastal environment makes it the perfect vacation destination...
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Civil War Turns 150 and Baltimore Celebrates Big Time
Historians will be heading south to Baltimore in April to commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the Civil War. Several of this maritime city's facilities will be looking back at the momentous event,...
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Seen And Not Heard In London’s Parliament
Put your pounds away! FTF's cheapskate "Free Travel Fun" columnist explains how to get into one of London's most intriguing institutions.They must bow to an imaginary altar. They cannot...
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Theater Magic: 9 Steps To Create Theatre Lovers
A real showgirl reviews some Broadway and Off-Broadway shows for theater-goers under 16, with tips on introducing kids to live theater on any vacation.I live and grew up in New York, and some of...
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Star Trekking 12:10: Justin Bieber Pop Star, Film Star, Comic Book Star
In a recent survey by TRUSTe, an internet privacy company, 10% of parents admitted to secretly logging in to their child’s Facebook account. In the same survey 72% of parents said they monitor...
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Custom Itinerary – Month In Peru & Colombia, South America with Kids
Q. Brent J. and his wife from Washington are going to South America with their 5 and 7-year-olds, spending 10 days in the Galapagos with his sister, and looking for ideas for the rest of their stay.Thanks...
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My Costa Rican Summer
I had a great time learning about life in Costa Rica this past summer on my program with Sol Abroad. My Costa Rican family, who hosted...
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FAQs: European Train Travel
This rail rider answers the most frequently asked questions about train travel in Europe for families, and reminds travelers of what else they need to know. No statistics are readily available,...
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