Road Trip USA: The Blue Ridge Parkway From Virginia To Tennessee
The beauty of the Blue Ridge Parkway will inspire your backseat passengers to sing "Country Roads, Take Me Home" as you cruise between the Shenandoah and the Smoky Mountain National Parks on this classic family roadtrip. Connecting the Shenandoah National Park in Virginia to the Great Smoky Mountains along the North Carolina/Tennessee border, the
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Europe by Eurail: A Student’s Tips
Join FTF's student correspondent as she rails across Europe with a Eurail Pass, a backpack full of guidebooks, and not-quite-enough funds. It seems that traveling across Europe by rail has become somewhat of a rite of passage for the world's young adults. And, in fact, it should be! There is simply no better way to see the continent. My friend Jessica and...
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10 Best Family Destinations For Learning Vacations
I usually hate 10 Best Lists because when it comes to vacations, the “best” for each family is a subjective choice based on circumstance and timing. When my family is exhausted from work and school, a “flop and drop” beach vacation sounds ideal. In mid-winter, an active ski break is irresistible. But when it comes to those long, lazy weeks of summer, parents like to make sure there’s an...
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Falling for Flowers at Italy’s Infiorata Festivals
If you are traveling to Italy in May or June, you should schedule a visit to one of the famous infiorata or flower festivals. The infiorata are religious festivals held in various towns in Italy, using flower petals to create large and fantastic floral decorations on the street. We recently had the good fortune to attend the infiorata in the charming medieval town of Spello,...
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Ripleys Is Everywhere, Believe It Or Not
What's more kid-friendly fun than a tour around the Ripley's world of odd and fascinating, quasi-museum attractions that teach as well as entertain? In honor of the annual Sword Swallower's Day held each February 27th, we're taking a closer look at an attraction where sword swallowers would not be out of place performing by the front door. And yes, they will perform free of charge...
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Dinosaurs Are Awesome, Even If They Are Birds
Dinosaurs are awesome. We flock to museum halls to see Tyrannosaurus, and run to movie theaters to get a glimpse of our favorite scaly saurians dish it out. I have been a dinosaur fanatic for 18 years now, with no loss of amazement in all things prehistoric. But even I, the prospective paleontologist, have trouble accepting our primeval predecessors as the feathered animals they were. Growing...
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Themed Itineraries Add Spice To Cruises
When my family boarded Royal Caribbean’s Freedom of the Seas for a Caribbean cruise with dozens of passengers wearing black leather and chains, we didn’t yet realize that 1,850 shipmates were sailing on the themed High Seas Rally cruise for motorcycle enthusiasts. Fortunately, today’s megaships are big enough to accommodate...
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Taking the Waters in Bath, England
For centuries, the healing and calming properties of warm mineral springs have defined wellness, a tradition that flourishes in the ancient city of Bath. Named a World Heritage Site in 1987, the south west England city has recently been revived as a center for “taking the waters” in facilities blending ancient and modern, a practice I know you'll enjoy for a mother-daughter getaway. The...
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Meeting Banksy and Brunel in Bristol
The city of Bristol is located in the South West region of England, two hours from London. An historic city with maritime roots, it has been reshaped into a cool mecca of contemporary culture with arts, music, theater, and film performances. Bristol’s history as a trading port dates to the 11th century and, by the 14th century, trade with Spain, Portugal and Iceland were established....
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Star Trekking: Lady Gaga Shrieks Viva Las Vegas
One of the world's most flamboyant and individual performers joined the A-list at Madame Tussauds in Las Vegas! Her "little monsters" can pose with the wax look-alike and don their favorite Lady Gaga inspired masks and costumes. Post a few selfies of you and Gaga and see how many of your friends think it's the real celebrity. An incredibly lifelike Lady Gaga debuted...
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