Relaxing in 361 Days of Sunshine at Sirata Beach Resort
"You picked a fantastic weekend to come down, though there's really no bad time around here," our driver told us on the way from the Tampa Airport to St. Petersburg's family-friendly Sirata Beach Resort. "We get an average of 361 days of sunshine a year." I looked outside and squinted up at the brilliant sun, certain I must have misunderstood him. "No place has that much sunshine," I thought...
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This Summer Will Save The Universe For Star Wars Fans
Start the countdown to May 31 if you’re headed to California, or August 29 if Florida is a stopover on the way to a galaxy far, far away. In a surprise announcement at The Walt Disney Company shareholders meeting March 7, 2019, Disney Parks, Experiences and Products revealed the Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge opening dates. Rey, Finn, BB-8 & Friends Land at Disney Both...
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10 Tips For Vacationing With A Child Who Has Autism
For the parent of a child or close relative on the autism spectrum, many questions come up each day, even more so when trying to plan a family vacation. That's why we thought one mother's words of wisdom could help those traveling with companions who have autism and other special psychological needs. I interviewed Ilene, the mother of two boys (a 14-year-old and a 12-year-old with autism), who shared...
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50 Cosmic Ways To Celebrate Space
July 20, 2019 marks the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing when Commander Neil Armstrong took his “first step for man, giant leap for mankind.” It was a huge achievement for 1969 – meeting President Kennedy’s deadline to reach the moon and besting the Russians – and an upnote in a country roiled by political assassinations, anti-war protests, the Hippie movement and changing values. The...
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5 Green Hotels that Lure Families
If you're into responsible tourism - and who isn't these days? - check into ecolodges and green hotels in the Caribbean, Central and South America and even in the US, where families can have fun while learning about the environment. While it's easy to maintain environmentally friendly practices at home, eco-conscious citizens usually find this task daunting when they're on a family vacation....
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Parent’s Day Out In Orlando
Do you have business in Orlando and want to bring a child along to have their own day out on the town? I would recommend something special so you can work stress-free. Arrange trusted childcare in advance of your Orlando trip and your kids will be treated to a fun outing or other custom-made activity. You can always check online with services such as Care.com. And here are a couple of local...
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Unaccompanied Minors – Our Most Vulnerable Passengers
Smooth out the vacation planning hassles when kids fly solo as unaccompanied minors with these travel tips. Especially in summer, kids are off, on their own, to see the Wizard, to visit grandma, or to spend quality time with a divorced parent who's moved to a Caribbean isle to find himself... While each year there's at least one highly publicized mishap in the transport of minors (one year an...
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Swept Away on an Authentic Blue Coast Cruise
Imagine being at sea, skimming along a forested rocky coast, sunning on gleaming golden beaches and snorkeling in aquamarine waters; your dream is a chartered Blue Coast cruise holiday. Families dreaming of exploring the ancient sites and hidden coves of the Turquoise Coast can live their fantasy aboard a traditional wooden yacht known as a gulet (pronounced goolet)....
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Paddling to Cozumel: Sacred Journey of the Maya
The spiritual traditions behind the Sacred Mayan Journey (Travesía Sagrada Maya), a canoe trip paddling to Cozumel in Mexico, have put this journey on many bucket lists. A Bit of Maya Background on the Sacred Journey The Sacred Mayan Journey is a pre-Hispanic (1250 to 1519 A.D.) ritual to honor and worship Ixchel, goddess of the moon, tides, fertility, birth and medicine....
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Aulani, A Disney Resort And Spa In Hawaii
"Disney Goes Hawaiian" is how this family sees Aulani, the company’s first and already successful venture running a themed beach vacation resort not related to an amusement park. “This is AWESOME!” I crane my neck over the swells to see my 12-year old son Will ride the rolling blue water. Then my husband Bob pops up on his board and holds that Hawaii Five-0 theme song pose,...
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