Villa Life On St. Barths
Veteran family travel writers put their favorite island, St. Bartholomew's, to the test. And the wonderful Caribbean retreat does more than pass; it excels!In our...
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Cruising Thailand’s Similan Islands
Join a Canadian family of adventurous sailors as they embark on a clipper ship to transit the calm waters between Thailand and Singapore. Thailand is one of our family's favorite vacation destinations,...
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Cocoa Cottages Eco-Lodge, Dominica
Cocoa Cottages captures the best of the Caribbean for eco-trekkers: an intimate family atmosphere and plenty of opportunity for adventure! Among all the Caribbean islands, Dominica is known for...
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Caribbean 101: Ports Of Call Define Islands
Here's what to expect as you step onto the most popular islands of the Caribbean, whether you arrive by sea or air.The fabled Caribbean "ports of call" -- where cruise ships make their stops...
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Costa Rica’s Pacific Coast
Costa Rica's Pacific Coast has become its Gold Coast, a region now accessible by direct international air through the newly expanded airport at Liberia. With the beauty of beloved Quepos (home to many...
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Isla Cozumel
The Mexican island of Cozumel is an exciting place for all ages to learn to snorkel and dive. Find out the best places to stay and play. Sitting just a few miles off of Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula...
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Unknown Vieques
FTF gives you the inside details to the Spanish Virgin Island of Vieques, a little known Caribbean treasure neighboring Puerto Rico. For many years, Vieques was considered the inexpensive and...
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Canalboating Along Florida’s Okeechobee Waterway
A canalboat journey is an ideal multi-generational vacation for the family who likes to earn their keep by navigating and fishing for supper. Only the sound of fish jumping nearby broke the silence...
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Outrigger Hotels And Resorts Say Aloha to Families
Find out what makes Outrigger a rapidly growing and truly Hawaiian family-friendly chain of hotels and resorts.Outrigger Hotels and Resorts is Hawaii's largest...
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Holiday Inn Sunspree Montego Bay
This older resort, spruced up to compete with its glittering neighbors, still offers top values for your vacation dollars.Though the Holiday Inn brand may not jibe with your image of a tropical...
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California North Coast Reunion In Carmel And Monterey
With kids and grandparents, the quiet pleasures of a reunion in Carmel and Monterey -- hiking, shopping, dining -- create a perfect multigenerational vacation.
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What’s New Under the Sea
FTF investigates underwater gadgets and new programs designed to introduce children and elders to the undersea world in a fun and safe way. You probably marveled at one of those little torpedo-like...
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Across The Caribbean Aboard Westerdam: A Floating, Family-Friendly Hotel
Have children who want to learn about the world on the ultimate field trip? Holland America cruises can fulfill and exceed that educational requirement. It's winter in the Northern Hemisphere....
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A Local’s Take On Oaxaca, Mexico With Children
Use the suggestions from a long-time resident to visit historic sites and various artisan villages with the kids in culturally rich Oaxaca, in the southwestern part of Mexico.With ruins, churches,...
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Greek Island Sampler: Cruise Aboard The Cristal
There's no better way to tour the Greek isles and show kids and parents a truly educational, enriching and fun good time than by ship.Children may not be thrilled at the thought of viewing...
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Mexican Riviera Aboard the Golden Princess
Families interested in a taste of Mexican culture, beach time, and not having to worry about packing and unpacking, should try this cruise.(Editor's Note: For the 2008, 2009 and 2010 seasons,...
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Bahamas: Scuba-Loving Parents Pursue Excellent Childcare
Family Travel Forum's insiders guide to the best scuba destinations for divers with young children, with recommendations for superior childcare in Andros, Bahamas and Turks & Caicos. For...
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Grand Wailea Resort, Maui, Hawaii
Grand Wailea in Maui has more than you and your family could want for golf, tennis, swimming pools, kid's camp, spa and almost anything else under the Hawaiian sun. One of the liveliest...
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Finding The Perfect Family Cruise
Dreaming of a cruise but not sure where to begin? Here are 7 strategies for picking a winner for everyone in your family.Look at this strange sight: the entire family is sitting down for dinner...
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Alaska’s Yukon Territory From Ship To Shore
FTF's contributing editor joins Holland America Lines and learns how to explore Alaska's Yukon Territory by land and sea -- comfortably.One morning in '63 a new boy, Martin, from Dawson...
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Pebbles Beach Resort, Jamaica
We actually traveled to Pebbles on the 4th of October. Yup, we finally made it to Jamaica! I wanted to thank the FTF staff very much for all the trouble you took to make this trip happen....
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Maui, Hawaii
This mom chose to spend her vacation with the kid, as they enjoyed surfing, snorkeling, scenic drives, and other family fun in Maui. We went to Maui in search of endangered green sea turtles...
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Playa Las Tortugas
Independent, active families will treasure their time at this eco-friendly villa compound and turtle conservation area.We clicked off our flashlights and were enveloped in darkness, the only light...
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Single Parent Guide to Hawai’i: Maui, Kauai And The Big Island
Single parents are often challenged by finding a vacation that will keep kids active and engaged, and happy to be spending time with an adult who wants and needs their companionship. If that single parent...
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Phuket, Thailand Is James Bond Territory
Experience sea canoeing, sailing, and other adventures at this exotic southeast Asian destination. The cave tunnel gets smaller and smaller as we lie flat in the yellow inflatable kayak. "No...
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Cayman Islands Restaurants
The best places to dine together for a family visiting this pricey Caribbean hot spot. From our recent visit, we found very little that distinguished itself as Cayman cuisine and,...
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Obama Family Vacation: Oahu, Hawaii Estate is a Superstar
President Barack Obama and his family showed 2008 the door at Paradise Point Estates at Kailua Bay, a luxury beachfront estate complex in O'ahu. Mr. President Barack Obama and his family...
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San Vicente, Forever In My Heart
San Juan, Puerto Rico, Los Angeles, California, Guatemala City, Guatemala, I've been to all those amazing places all that share a special memory in my mind. But they were all vacations taken for pure...
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Hawaii By Sea
Cruising the Hawaiian Islands on NCL's American-flagged ocean liner means never packing and unpacking the kids as you tour around a state made to be seen by sea.Is exploring Hawai'i by sea...
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My First Missionary Trip To The Dominican Republic
I never expected that a beautiful country such as the Dominican Republic could have such poor living conditions and lack basic infrastructures. I was completely culture shocked when I realized that...
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A Summer In Mexico
Of all the trips I have ever been on, the one that I hold most significant would be my journey to Mexico in the summer of 2006. That summer was a summer...
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Jamaica; not a beautiful place at all.
"Whoo-hoo!" I finally get to go out of the country on my own, meaning no family members tagging along. I was thrilled. It was finally time for a change in me, the people, and the world. I arrived...
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Tragedy Can Happen When You Travel
"That could never happen to me!" Probably everybody, of any age, has uttered this saying at one time or another. But a heartbreaking news story released by Travel Weekly is a harrowing reminder...
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Teens and Hotels: What Do They Really Want?
There are many things that a hotel should have to appeal to a teenager. Here are a few amenities that make my time in any hotel more enjoyable. My Top Five Requirements: 1. A TV with full...
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My SCUBA Class
SCUBA stands for Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus (and a great time as well!) My first (and hopefully not last) experience occurred during my 1999 vacation to the Turks and Caicos Islands...
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Dreaming of Exotic Islands: Puerto Rico
One of my dreams has always been to travel to an exotic island. I thought Puerto Rico would be an ideal place. A commonwealth country of the U.S., I pictured...
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Boscobel Beach Resort, Ocho Rios, Jamaica
When my family and I ventured off to Jamaica to take a 10-day holiday in 1998 we chose the Boscobel Beach Resort so that there would be plenty for my sister and I to do and my parents could have the...
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Coconut Bay Resort And Spa, St. Lucia
A beautiful island, a great resort, a high quality all-inclusive experience for all ages in a verdant eco-paradise.St. Lucia’s majestic Piton mountains and lush vegetation make...
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Pride of America
NCL's newest vessel to ply the Hawaiian Islands gets a full inspection from FTF's admiral and falls short on "aloha-ness."Frankly, cruise ships that ply the Hawaiian Islands have a hard...
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Jamaica’s Sunset Beach Resort And Spa
I highly recommend Sunset Beach Resort & Spa in Montego Bay, Jamaica. This resort has something to offer everyone...
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Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Six college students leave the beach and explore DR's capital, whose history and beauty all ages can enjoy.The Dominican Republic is a popular destination for vacationers from around the globe....
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Sweden To Finland: A Ferry Fit For A Cruise
Tired of long flights and train rides? FTF recommends a comfortable ferry tour through Scandinavia. In February 2000, my family toured Scandinavia under the aegis of Norvista...
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Cotton House Mustique – Luxury Hotel in Paradise
For those who like pampering and privacy, Family Travel Forum examines The Cotton House, located on a tiny but very chic island near Grenada in the British West Indies.
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From Aswan To Luxor: Egypt Along The Nile
A cruise on the Nile River makes for an exciting - and surprisingly affordable - family trip to Egypt. Here's an account of how history can come alive when you fix in some fun...
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Hype vs. Reality at All-Inclusive Resorts
Find out the difference between the hype your family is sold, and the reality of a vacation experience at an all-inclusive tropical resort.I am often asked about all-inclusive...
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Cruising Australia’s South Pacific
A deluxe family cruise with P&O Lines from Sydney, Australia highlights the pirates' lore and pleasures of the South Pacific.Modern travel can make my head spin. Jump on a plane, whiz into...
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Galapagos Islands Cruise With Lindblad
Play Darwin with your family on an educational, unforgettable trip around the ecologically amazing Galapagos islands with Lindblad Expeditions. We just finished...
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Maximize The Magic Onboard MSC’s Lirica
Thinking of taking a cruise? Check out what makes the MSC Lirica a great choice for an upscale onboard experience for the whole family.Pack lots of fun gear, toss in some chic party clothes, stir...
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Kona Village Resort, Hawaii
Note : Due to the debris and water damage resulting from the tsunami that struck Hawaii's Big Island after the March 11 earthquake that shook Japan, the Kona Village Resort has closed. We...
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