Ledbury and the Malvern Hills
We recently explored the towns around Ledbury and the Malvern Hills in historic Herefordshire and Worcestershire counties. Whether you have a week or a weekend, there’s plenty of local culture and recreation to keep all ages busy. The region is an ideal country alternative to Britain’s big cities, because it’s just 90 minutes by train from Birmingham and 3½ hours from London. Eastnor,...
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Best Winter Fun in the Black Forest
For families with toddlers and school-age children –- or snowsports novices of any age -- Germany's Black Forest is a magical place to fall in love with alpine sports and the outdoors. Having toured the mountains of southern Bavaria in summer, we are dreaming of returning in winter, when the region’s towering evergreens have a dusting of snow. We will re-sample the region's cultural icons: cuckoo...
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My Top 20 Bermuda Attractions
The British isle of Bermuda may be known for its traditional ways, yet there are beautiful pink sand beaches, fitness jaunts, eco-adventures, local culinary treats and a notorious geometric shape to explore. Here are 20 popular and historical family-oriented sightseeing opportunities, listed alphabetically, that locals on the island have recommended. Beaches of Bermuda Bermuda...
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Vera Bradley, Queen of Fort Wayne, Indiana Outlet Sales
As an East Coaster, it took me awhile to recognize the Vera Bradley label inside a dizzying array of quilted fabric accessories but, as soon as I did, I understood the appeal of her annual outlet sale. Her Pucci-like bright-colored, floral and paisley-patterned fabric totes, purses, and laptop bags are ubiquitous, and expensive. The Cult of Vera Bradley Given my late introduction...
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The Internet of Things Sails Out to Sea
In a technologically stunning presentation in New York, Royal Caribbean Cruises unveiled its next generation of digital innovations aimed at making the passenger experience “frictionless”—giving back to the passenger time wasted in lines, in waiting for bags to arrive, in ordering food and booking events and experiences. The program is due to roll out across the fleet by early 2018. It’s...
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Where Teens Want to Go in Philadelphia
Everyone knows if the kids are happy on vacation, so are parents and grandparents. That’s why it wasn’t surprising to learn from family travel research curated for our most recent TMS Family Travel conference that kids increasingly are influencing...
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Teen And Family Volunteer Opportunities
From community service such as building homes to volunteering for environmental projects, travelers are looking for ways to give back, and the trend known as voluntourism gives them a unique opportunity to do so. The concept of mixing volunteer activities with seeing the world dates back several centuries to the work of missionaries and took hold in the 1960s with the development of...
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Disney Theme Parks Worldwide Expanding
At the annual fan-con #D23, organized by Disney’s most loyal fans in Tokyo this month, the company’s top executives revealed that characters from Pixar, Marvel and classic Disney franchises would power new developments and expansions at properties worldwide. Here are some of the most exciting announcements for family travelers, who will also have lots of special summer-only events to look forward...
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Cruise With Kids Vacations And Family-Friendly Ships
Kids are everywhere today, whether you are in the Caribbean, Europe, Alaska or far-flung destinations like the Galapagos Islands, and even the Arctic. According to the MMGYGlobal 2017 Portrait of American Travelers, 75 percent of millennial families say they’re interested in taking a cruise within the next two years, and believe that cruises provide the security comfort level to travel internationally...
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Unaccompanied Minors – Our Most Vulnerable Passengers
Vacation and summertime travel should be an excuse to relax, but the logistics on transporting the kids can cause stress. They're 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 airline...
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