Peace Found in Galveston
In December 2007, my fiance and I travelled to Galveston, Texas. It was a fourteen hour Greyhound bus trip each way, but it was well worth it. In the bus stations, there were amazing...
Read More 3 min read
By the Starlight
I came into the dining car to eat my half cold, half microwaved turkey and swiss hoagie. I had...
Read More 6 min read
From Textbook to Travel Experience
It's amazing how real history is when you get to see where it happened. Yeah, reading about it is exciting, or maybe boring depending on how much you care, but once you lay your eyes on a place ...
Read More 3 min read
Beirut
A few weeks back, I travelled to Beirut, Lebanon. I feel it’s important to capture what I experienced in the few days I spent in the country. As my buddy and I walked ourselves out of the airport,...
Read More 4 min read
Zimbabwe
It is a ghost town. The shops are closed, the windows shuttered and the interiors gutted.But it is not an abandoned ghost town. People do still live here. Their livelihoods, however, do not.This...
Read More 4 min read
I’ve Been So American
I tossed my shoes out onto the roof to dry, and flopped onto my new bed. My eyes were tired, but every time I tried to close them, they begged to be wide open, taking...
Read More 5 min read
What is Too Much Poverty?
Last summer I saw something that completely shocked me. I witnessed a man attempting to unclog a flooded street in Dhaka, Bangladesh. That doesn’t sound too shocking, but given the circumstances,...
Read More 3 min read
A Golden Morning at Goldbug Hotsprings
We arrived after dark with our packs loaded and ready to hike. There were four of us and we were all severely overloaded for an easy one and a half mile hike and two night stay. I was carrying...
Read More 4 min read
Authentic Chai With You
I have found nothing quite like the richness of the gravy-air in the land of spices. You could blindfold me and put me on an India-bound airplane without telling me where on earth I was going, and once...
Read More 6 min read
It’s Alright to Be American Again
As I wove my way through the densely packed, smoke filled bar I paused for a moment amongst the madness to catch a glimpse of the television...
Read More 3 min read
Plane Trip with an Infant to Florida
My mom has always worked in the travel industry. My first plane trip, at five years old, was to Las Vegas. Needless to say, I have many stories...
Read More 4 min read
Iterations of Equality
Parvati stood out from all the other women in her village. She could read and write. She was confident and charismatic. She looked men in the eyes when she spoke to them. She spoke to them. And when...
Read More 5 min read
London Bridge
Cold. Cold. Cold. My boots clatter against the icy cobblestones to this repeating mantra. I try to wiggle my toes to see if the sleet has seeped in beneath three layers of socks—but they are too numb...
Read More 4 min read
Star Trekking: 04:2010: Antonio Banderas Takes Riviera Maya by Stallion
"All I need now is for Antonio Banderas to show up on a shiny black stallion." How many times have I said that to myself, while studying my toenail polish from a chaise lounge on a pristine beach...
Read More 2 min read
Conflict Travelers couch surfing Belfast
My friends and I are conflict travelers: if the destination has at one point been a conflict hot spot, we are much more likely to spend a disproportional amount of time visiting, lingering around, casually...
Read More 6 min read
Trip to Nice, France.
We stood at the corner of a gravel lot in Le Parc de la Colline du Chateau. The four of us passed a soccer ball back and forth, the sun on our faces, just off an 8 hour flight from a gray and rainy...
Read More 5 min read
Atlantis Resort’s AKA Tropical Family Paradise
When you have a mega-resort that thrills all ages and you add a new kids club, tween and teen entertainment, and a Lego playroom, you get paradise.
Read More 5 min read
Mom, 3 Kids, 5 Days – Los Angeles To Vancouver Family Road Trip
Follow my advice on how to avoid a bumpy ride -- or should we say mom's worst nightmare ever? -- on a roadtrip from Los Angeles through Oregon, Washington state and Vancouver.
Read More 12 min read
Anthropology of Fiji for the Backpacker
<!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:Cambria; panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto;...
Read More 5 min read
Atlantis Goes GaGa For Babies
Located on Paradise Island in the Bahamas, Atlantis is a true family getaway with special programs and perks for even the tiniest travelers.A few minutes of peace, a spontaneous adventure -- The...
Read More 5 min read
A Weekend Break In Breckenridge, Colorado
Colorado's Breck is a top-notch place for winter fun, with great skiing and riding -- but it shines year-round with places to visit, play, and eat around town. Breckenridge is among the most attractive...
Read More 4 min read
Following Lewis And Clark Through Washington
Washington State looked different to us than its wilderness did to Lewis and Clark so many years ago, so we became our own Corps of Discovery. When Lewis and Clark blazed a trail...
Read More 5 min read
Exploring The Other Side Of The Great Wall Of China
Avoid the tourist hordes by climbing the Great Wall with this family and their private Chinese guide, for an insider's look at one of the 7 New Wonders of the World.When we first heard about...
Read More 7 min read
US Family Tours And Attractions
A gallery view of some of our favorite daytrips, sightseeing excursions and city tours for families visiting the US.
Read More 7 min read
A Day in Princeton, New Jersey
My teen-aged daughter Maddy and I recently spent an activity filled day in Princeton, New Jersey. Equidistance from New York and Philadelphia, it is well connected...
Read More 3 min read
Hamburg, Germany Welcomes The World
Europe's largest port hosted millions of emigrants at the turn of the century and weclomes millions more to visit today.Hamburg, Germany's largest port and one of Europe's key trans-shipment...
Read More 6 min read
Star Trekker: Robin Thicke Performing At Atlantic City Resort
Smooth singer and songwriter Robin Thicke is set to perform Saturday, March 13 at the Tropicana Casino & Resort’s Showroom in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Tickets for the event are available from...
Read More 2 min read
Becoming An Astronaut On Cape Canaveral
A wannabe astronaut delights in the many varied outer space-themed attractions, museums and classes in central Florida that are designed for all ages."One small step for a man, one giant leap..."...
Read More 5 min read
Punzabo Winner Megan Baatz Conquers Grand Canyon With Friends (January 2010)
Congratulations to the January 2010 Punzabo winner, Megan Baatz, author of “A Landscape Transformed”! Megan...
Read More 2 min read
Washington’s New Art And Soul Fuels City
A new mood in the nation's capital promotes slow food, organic produce, folk arts, and American heritage -- all to the betterment of the U.S. government.A new mood in the nation's capital promotes...
Read More 9 min read
My First All-Inclusive – Mexico’s Aventura Cove Palace
A wary mom's first experience with an All-Inclusive family beach vacation in Tulum, Mexico turns out to be a success, and won't be her last. I admit that we are an unlikely family...
Read More 9 min read
Writers Comment On A Winner: “The Pennsylvania Hills”
For 2009, the winners of the Family Travel Forum Teen Travel Writing Scholarship were selected by professional writers and editors from the Society of American Travel Writers. They chose Kassandra...
Read More 3 min read
Unusual Blog “Beautiful Nepal” Generates Controversy Among Writers
Christine Anderson’s essay “Beautiful Nepal” was the Second Place Winner of FTF's 2009 Teen Travel Writing Scholarship, the...
Read More 3 min read
Cheaper Travel ID Options For Kids At Certain Borders
As many families already know, since January 23, 2007, the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) has required all U.S.As many families already know, since January 23, 2007, the...
Read More 4 min read
Breezes Runaway Bay, Jamaica Resort And Golf Club
Newly renovated, this Jamaica resort provides families -- with teens and older -- an all-inclusive vacation that meets all of life's simple requirements for sun, food, drink and fun.Nestled...
Read More 5 min read
Star Trekking: Justin Bieber Swims with Dolphins at the Atlantis
Justin Bieber, the 15-year old Canadian pop star famous for his hits like “One Less Lonely Girl” and “One Time,” loves the Atlantis...
Read More 2 min read
Stowe Mountain Resort For Four Season Family Fun
All year round, the picture-perfect village of Stowe and the mountain resort that crowns it welcome families with outdoor adventures and activities to suit every interest. While strolling...
Read More 5 min read
Boca Raton Resort And Club
This mother and daughter enjoyed a relaxing beach, plus great programs for children and adults, at the Boca Raton Resort in Florida. While Florida certainly has plenty of resorts to choose...
Read More 5 min read
Aruba Attractions
Like most Caribbean family beach getaways, Aruba offers visitors opportunities to rest in the sun on a tranquil beach, as beautiful, gentle blue waves lap at the sand. Conversely,...
Read More 7 min read
Cayman Islands Calling Stingrays
This "hot" three-island British Crown Colony markets to families interested in sun n'surf, a pristine environment and accessible marine wildlife with tours to meet its native stingrays. Having...
Read More 3 min read
Hawk Cay Resort Review – The Perfect Family Vacation
This Florida Key resort with its many family activities is surprisingly civilized in an archipelago known for its casual vibe and funky charms.
Read More 6 min read
Custom Itinerary – Summer Out West With Teens
Q - Chris B. of Burlington, North Carolina writes: I would like to take my 15-year-old son out West to the Rocky Mountains this summer to ride houses, hike and raft. Any ideas?
Read More 1 min read
Top Cheap Cruise Getaway: Carnival Freedom
Carnival Cruise Lines' Freedom is a winner of FTF's Top 10 (Cheap) Getaways For Family Travelers 2008 award. Hitting the open seas may sound a little too luxurious for the budget-minded family. ...
Read More 3 min read
Top 10 Getaway for Luxury Travelers – One And Only Palmilla, San Jose del Cabo, Mexico
In 2006, FTF's annual Top 10 survey of award-winners honored the One&Only Palmilla, San Jose del Cabo, Mexico as a Top Luxury Golf Resort.In 2006, FTF's annual Top 10 survey of award-winners...
Read More 2 min read
Rocky Mountain High: Breckenridge With Teens Or Babies
When you're doing snowsports with teens, you need more than just a great mountain, you need a great scene. Breck delivers all-around fun plus super infant and toddler programs.What if you asked...
Read More 7 min read
Custom Itinerary – Sailing Adventure with Teen
Q - Ann S. of Las Cruces, New Mexico writes: I want to take my 11-year-old son on an adventure/not-so adventure trip this summer. He loves sailing. Do you know of any kid-friendly trips that include...
Read More 1 min read
Introducing: The 2009 FTF Teen Travel Writing Scholarship Judges
As the Family Travel Forum Teen Travel Writing Scholarship entered its third year, the experienced FTF judges were ready for anything...
Read More 4 min read
Good News: What’s Hot for Today’s Teen Traveler Is Helping Others
Media Only, December 3, 2008. Voluntourism is on the rise for today's teen traveler, according to an analysis of results from the 2008 FTF Teen Travel Writing Scholarship competition. (New York, NY) ...
Read More 2 min read
My adventures in Angkor Wat
We woke up and drove out to the Angkor complex. First we went to Angkor Thom which was one of the biggest Khmer cities. We went to Bayon temple which was really cool. It had 54 towers with 4 huge faces...
Read More 5 min read
