Untroubling Tunisia: Waiting for Travel and Democracy
The thirty or so countries that make up the Arab world are not known for enlightened or progressive leadership.But it was not always so.In the Middle Ages...
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Big Laughs for Travel Writers’ Night Out
In the travel industry, many companies host events for travel writers to promote a destination, present a new product or announce an exciting accomplishment. As a journalist, these events...
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Mad Guests and UFOs: Why Hampton Hotels Are Number 1
Did you hear the story of the Hampton Hotels guest who took advantage of the chain’s 100%, no-questions asked refund policy?
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New Jersey’s City By The Sea
Ocean City, New Jersey offers a great getaway with gentle pleasures for families of all ages.Ocean City, New Jersey is working hard to live up to its claim as "America's Greatest...
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Spain Attractions For Kids
Get off the well-trod tourist path and experience the Barcelona, Madrid and Valencia that local Spanish families see; with discounts for kids and grandparents.Spain is bursting at the seams with...
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Guileless days
Currently listening to: "Bankousu Yume Uta" by Diggy-Mo Currently in: My hometown,...
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Seen And Not Heard In London’s Parliament
Put your pounds away! FTF's cheapskate "Free Travel Fun" columnist explains how to get into one of London's most intriguing institutions.They must bow to an imaginary altar. They cannot...
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Nantucket Video PostCard-Poets, Whales and Celebrities
(Please watch the 1-minute, sound-rich Nantucket Travel Video PostCard at the end of this post)Nantucket Island is one of those places where the images linger...
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Rustic Ranches: A Family Escape To The Western US
We are huge advocates of eco-tourism and environmental awareness. With this in mind, we have scouted out some Western US resorts that do just this.Providing environmental insight, the following...
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Theater Magic: 9 Steps To Create Theatre Lovers
A real showgirl reviews some Broadway and Off-Broadway shows for theater-goers under 16, with tips on introducing kids to live theater on any vacation.I live and grew up in New York, and some of...
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Scenic Highway 120 thru Groveland to Yosemite
Almost any trip from the San Francisco Bay Area to Yosemite National Park will take you along scenic Highway 120 through the gold rush era town of Groveland and on into the park itself. Almost every...
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Carnival Cruises’ Fun Ship Family Programs
Taking a cruise with your family is a great way for everyone to spend time together and also to enjoy individual interests, or so I discovered on my family's recent multigenerational Carnival cruise.For...
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Star Trekking 12:10: Justin Bieber Pop Star, Film Star, Comic Book Star
In a recent survey by TRUSTe, an internet privacy company, 10% of parents admitted to secretly logging in to their child’s Facebook account. In the same survey 72% of parents said they monitor...
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Out Guessing The Hotel Guests
It's one of the great ironies of social networking that companies, in this case hotels, hire top marketing research firms and pay them big bucks to determine customer needs and levels of satisfaction.Instead,...
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FAQs: European Train Travel
This rail rider answers the most frequently asked questions about train travel in Europe for families, and reminds travelers of what else they need to know. No statistics are readily available,...
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Star Trekker: 12:10: Oprah Goes Down Under with Elvis
Oprah Winfrey, the popular talk-show host, billionaire and philanthropist, may not have children to travel with, but she still surrounds herself with family. She lives with her long-time boyfriend,...
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Slamming The Single Traveler
Why should a single traveler have to pay the same price that a couple pays for a hotel room?There’s two of them and only one of you, so as a single traveler you’re being penalized...
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Who Judged You: The 2010 Teen Travel Writing Scholarship
The Family Travel Forum Teen Travel Writing Scholarship has recently announced its 2010 winners, but the process for selecting these award-winning travel blogs started back in May. The Family...
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Unique Family Journeys In The African Wild
One family of travelers explores the culture and wildlife of Kenya while on safari in Africa. It was the sheer number of animals that took our breath away in Kenya. There was something new...
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Celebrate Cultural Festivals with World Party
For those who want to celebrate and party in a different state, country or continent, Rough Guides World Party has compiled the best destinations just for you. Ever wonder how other countries...
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Skiing The Dolomites In Italy
Interested in the snowy side of the Italian Dolomiti? Follow this road map to the friendliest family lodging ever, and a local mountain whose slopes welcome all abilities and ages. My husband...
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Saskatchewan Celebrates The Royal Canadian Mounties
Saskatchewan’s capital city of Regina has lots of cultural offerings, and the RCMP Heritage Center honoring the Mounties is one of the best for families.For over 100 years,...
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Surviving The Trip: 10 Tough Love Tips For Calming Cranky Kids
Preparation and clear boundaries make a road trip with your babies, toddlers and school-age kids easier to handle and much more fun for everyone. If you dread the idea of piling your kids...
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Why We Are Sexier On The Road
We knew travel was a terrific aphrodisiac, we just couldn’t prove it. Then came a report that the majority of couples have more sex in a week’s vacation than they do in two months...
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Battle of the Brands: Leveraging Location Based Marketing
Last week I was invited by the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI) ) to attend a webinar called Leveraging Location Based Marketing.Last week I was invited...
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Changi Airport’s New 40-Foot Slide Free for Duty Free Shoppers
Forget rocking chairs and Cinnabon. Singapore’s Changi International Airport knows how travelers really want to spend their layover -– shooting down a jumbo twister slide of course!The...
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Guidebook Explores 500 World Destinations Before They’re Gone
These 500 sites around the world face extinction from environmental and man-made pressures. Author Holly Hughes wants you to see them before they disappear forever.As a world traveler, writer and...
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Discover San Francisco & Wine Country Through Restaurants
With over 100 years of experience, the France-based Michelin Red Guide gives readers confidence in the dining and hotel choices they honor.If you are planning a trip to San Francisco or if you...
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Iconic Roadtrips With A Sense Of Humor
Lonely Planet publishes a detailed guide to the best US road trips for those who like to travel with a plan.Aside from the first few pages that are filled with color photographs, "USA’s Best...
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Frommer’s Day by Day Guides – London In 1 Day Or More
For travelers who want to see the most sights in the shortest amount of time, Frommer's London Day by Day was written for you.The new Frommer’s Day by Day series of pocket-size guidebooks...
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Navigate St. Louis with a Helpful Moon City Handbook
Written with the insight of local experience, passion and deep knowledge, the Moon Handbook city guides are a perfect companion for your next trip. With more than 30 years of experience, Moon...
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Tennessee’s Music City: Nashville Rocks Year-round
Newly revived Nashville has emerged from the May 2010 floods bigger and better, with the lights on at all the attractions that lure all ages to play, eat, and relax among Southern comforts. In...
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Venice, Italy With Teens In Tow
This family of four hit the high spots of Italy with their teens, and especially relished every moment of Venice where they used the waterways to explore and shop. Italy. Just mention that you are going...
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Dana Point’s Spirit Lures All The Generations
With magnificent ocean views that belong to everyone, delight in the sight of sprouting whales and frolicking dolphins in the breathtaking splendor of California's Dana Point. Beautiful Dana Point...
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EATALY Transports New Yorkers to Italia
If you like Italian food, you will find plenty to like in the 50,000-square-foot food mall and eatery EATALY. Opened recently by uber chefs Mario Batali and Joe Bastianich, the food...
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Cayman Islands Revival
The Cayman islands are flourishing with more upscale lodgings, new recreation, myriad attractions and that same superb marine environment.The Cayman islands, comprised of three islands, are a British...
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Tourists: Go to Jail
Here's something to do with naughty kids or jaded tourists who think they've seen it all -- put them behind bars in Pennsylvania, Ohio, California and Louisiana.
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Coastal Connecticut’s Mystic Country
Come explore Mystic Country: an area of southeastern Connecticut and Rhode Island that has maritime museums and early American history the whole family will enjoy.A reproduction of Amistad,...
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TripAdvisor Adds Cool New Feature: Reviews At A Glance
TripAdvisor Adds Cool New Feature: “Reviews At A Glanceâ€Twitter FollowIt’s not easy to findGo to TripAdvisor. Look for the hotel whose reviews you want to read.TripAdvisor...
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Irvine California’s Family-Friendly City of Diverse Delights
Make yourselves comfortable at the family-friendly Hyatt Regency Irvine (17900 Jamboree Road , 949/975-1234) centrally located in California’s...
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Motion Sickness And Its Causes
Motion sickness, though rarely dangerous, can be a big drag for a family on the go. Read the Doc's tips on prevention, medical and/or homeopathic remedies. Motion sickness, though rarely dangerous,...
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Washington DC Getaway With Teens
Fresh ideas for teens and their folks who are visiting (or re-visiting) the capital of the United States. We recently explored our own backyard with13-year-old daughter Maddy and 12-year-old...
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Top Ten Travel Social Network Sites for 2010
It’s pretty common these days for someone to come up with a “top ten†best web sites list or air fare search engine list or applications,...
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The Whiteface Lodge, Lake Placid, New York
In both summer and winter, the Adirondack Mountains and its posh Whiteface Lodge (800/903-4045) offer an abundance of outdoor fun and adventure...
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Disappointments in Door County
My family and I went on a trip to Door County, Wisconsin in July of 2010, and stayed at a bed and breakfast called The Little Harbor...
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My experience of studying in China, homestay in Shanghai
I came to Shanghai about three weeks ago to study the Chinese language in a local university. First thing I did when I arrived was to look for a place to live. As it was my first time coming...
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Picture Perfect Family Getaway in Marina del Rey
The whole family will catch the wave of excitement in Marina del Rey. Close to LAX, Venice Beach, Santa Monica and Hollywood, it’s the perfect year round base for families who...
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Find Travel Inspiration With Lonely Planet’s 1000 Ultimate Experiences
Whether you need serious travel ideas or you are just looking to adventure vicariously through great photography and clever writing, be sure to peruse this inspiring guide. Most eccentric...
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Cape Town South Africa – A Playground for Children of all ages
p> What makes a great family holiday destination? You want lots of activities and adventures that the entire family can enjoy together. And, as important, enough fun activities to keep children occupied...
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