mft author at My Family Travels
Jurassic Ride at Universal Studios Hollywood
Article
Be A Star At Universal Studios Hollywood

Billing itself as the Entertainment Capital of L.A., Universal Studios Hollywood in Burbank is a movie and TV-based...

Read More    5 min read

Dubrovnik Croatia
Article
Enjoy Your Dubrovnik Holidays Thoroughly with A Local Guide

If you are thinking about going to an absolutely stunning destination with your family, or with your friends, then you must check out Dubrovnik. This beautiful old town is located in the southern part...

Read More    3 min read

Ice Castle slide at Coronet Peak, New Zealand
Article
Beat the Heat on the Slopes of New Zealand

This summer, while some families are lying on beach blankets, others are making snow angels at Southern Hemisphere resorts that are celebrating "winter" with crisp ski deals. For example, the Queen's...

Read More    3 min read

Grover's Alpine Express is a blast!
Article
Family Fun At Busch Gardens Williamsburg

What started out in 1969 as a 3,000-acre tract of land for a brewery on the James River in Virginia is now home to what some consider the most beautiful theme park in America,

Read More    3 min read

Barnstormer ride at Dollywood
Article
Dollywood And Pigeon Forge, Tennessee

Home to Dolly Parton's Dollywood theme park, Pigeon Forge,...

Read More    6 min read

eFravel logo
Article
Why Pay for Car Shipping or Car Rental When There’s eFravel?

eFravel (www.efravel.com) is a shared economy marketplace that...

Read More    2 min read

organized suitcase
Article
Packing Light: The Ultimate Checklist for Traveling with Your Family

Many people believe that it isn’t possible to pack light with kids without sacrificing your sanity, however, they are wrong. Now I’m not talking about "I'm a backpacker and I wear the same clothes...

Read More    3 min read

Polar bear in the wild
Article
Polar Bear Capital Of The World

If you want to see polar bears without the frigid temperatures, Churchill, Manitoba Canada is the place families can experience the tundra without the arctic chill. Here, July...

Read More    3 min read

toboggan ride at cool runnings
Article
Cape Town…a dream destination for children!

1. Table Mountain Children love the cableway! It takes 15 minutes to go to the top (1086m) and you and them will...

Read More    2 min read

Article
Travel Search Engine Smackdown Reveals Cheapest Airfares

FTF tests out travel metasearch engines to find which site returns the most results and cheapest flights. And the winner is Momondo.com.

Read More    2 min read

Crown Reef Beach Resort & Waterpark, Myrtle Beach, Photo: Courtesy of the Resort
Article
Family-Friendly Myrtle Beach Resorts for Every Budget

It’s tough to find a destination with more family-friendly hotels and resorts all in one location than Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Designed to entertain all ages both indoors and out,...

Read More    4 min read

Grand Canyon Railway
Article
Traveling With Grandparents And Kids

If you're planning a multigenerational vacations, follow my tips on pleasing everyone -- of all ages -- participating in your family vacation, with tips on keeping them safe and healthy, too. Look...

Read More    2 min read

Busch Gardens Virginia coaster
Article
The 10 Best Themeparks For Family Vacations

At almost any time of year, family planners can count on a theme park to shift the annual vacation into high gear. Whether you’re planning a long vacation or just a day trip,...

Read More    4 min read

A perfect Cancun sunset.
Article
Top Ten Cancun Resorts For Families

Cancun, Mexico means white sand beaches, tropical vistas, luxury resorts, and some of Mexico’s most historic sights, making it one of the hottest spots for a family vacation by the sea....

Read More    3 min read

Twister slide on Carnival Sunrise's Waterworks Pool Deck
Article
Trending: Taking the Kids on a Cruise

Is a family cruise on your vacation wish list? It turns out that the vast majority of people recently surveyed about vacations who have never been on a cruise — 94 percent — said they’d like to try...

Read More    3 min read

Cincinnati Observatory
Article
Drive Me To The Moon In Ohio

If anyone in the family has caught the space bug, make Ohio your road trip destination and explore America’s space heritage in style. Did you know that Ohio, homeland of the Wright Brothers and...

Read More    7 min read

Selfie station for moon walkers at the Armstrong Air & Space Museum.
Article
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...

Read More    10 min read

Article
Florence And Tuscany With Teens In Tow

This family took their teens to Italy, first to Florence then Siena and around Tuscany, for spring break and learned that museums can be as delicious as the gelato. Italy. Just mention that you are...

Read More    9 min read

FTF Teen Travel Writing Scholarship logo by FamilyTravelForum.com
Article
Teen Bloggers Compete for Family Travel Forum Travel Writing Scholarships

Media Alert: 2019 FTF Scholarship will earn Talented Teen Bloggers up to $1,000. Students Explore the...

Read More    2 min read

Article
Skytop Lodge, Skytop, Pennsylvania

Visit the Skytop Lodge, a surprisingly fun and very classy resort in Pennsylvania's Pocono Mountains whose restraint and dignity make time and tradition stand still.

Read More    3 min read

High school students in class
Article
Sponsor Allianz Global Assistance Helps Student Travelers Every Day

We want to thank Allianz Global Assistance for their sponsorship of the annual FTF Teen Travel Writing Scholarship for 2019. Did you know they assist student travels every day, in many other ways? Operating...

Read More    2 min read

Mantis, Cedar Point
Article
Summer Fun At Cedar Point Amusement Park, Ohio

Cedar Point, the world’s roller coaster capital in Sandusky, Ohio, promises big fun for thrill-seeking families and little fun for the youngest park fans. This 364-acre peninsula of fun jutting into...

Read More    4 min read

Article
Connecticut Family Attractions For A Weekend Away

A surprising number of Connecticut family attractions provide the entire Northeast with weekends away. Discover New England charm, waterside restaurants, parks,...

Read More    7 min read

The thatch-roofed bar at the Sacha Lodge, Ecuador
Article
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...

Read More    5 min read

Preparatory hike in Moshi region of Tanzania.
Article
Peak Moments from Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro

“I’m going to climb Mount Kilimanjaro and plant trees with Jane Goodall!” “A bucket list trip?” people would ask. For the record I hate the word bucket list about as much as I despise...

Read More    12 min read

The gulet All About You anchored off the coast of Turkey
Article
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...

Read More    4 min read

Man reading a book with a red cover.
Article
The Four Non-Travel Travel Books I Can’t Do Without

Even as a travel writer, or especially as a travel writer, some of my deepest understandings of place, my most intense sense of "being" somewhere come neither from actually being...

Read More    2 min read

Rock formation in Danzante Bay, Baja California
Article
Your Family’s Villa Getaway in Baja California

A resort with an all-inclusive option and rooms sleeping up to 12, Villa del Palmar Beach Resort & Spa at the Islands of Loreto is an ideal family-friendly destination in Baja California. The...

Read More    4 min read

Woman hiking on the slopes of Mount Teide on Tenerife
Article
These 9 Activities are Better than the Best Beach in Tenerife

The Canary island of Tenerife appeals year-round as one of Europe's best beach destinations, with geographic contrasts that spawn activities and landscapes you don’t find in a typical island vacation. While...

Read More    5 min read

Melody Yang is one of the next generation of bubblicious stars with Gazillion.
Article
Gazillion Bubble Show is Back in Town!

It's survived and flourished through those painful tween years, and now a great kids show -- Gazillion Bubble Show -- is celebrating its 13th birthday as one of New York's best value live theatre...

Read More    2 min read

Navajo artisans display their jewerly in Gallup, New Mexico.
Article
Gallup True to Itself

From 200 feet up, the scrubby arid plains of the Navajo Nation surrounding Gallup look soft and inviting, welcoming visitors to pause along Route 66 for a closer inspection. This northwest corner of...

Read More    5 min read

Tom's Cove on Chincoteague Bay, Virginia
Article
Great Grandparent Adventures with Road Scholar

Grandparents know the most valuable presents, the ones that never break and don’t need batteries, are lessons learned and memories made together.

Read More    3 min read

Lake Tahoe from Northstar's Comstock Express lift.
Article
Northstar California Shows You How to Raise a Snowboarder

Anyone who has a passion for snowboarding and wants to excel should line up at the Burton Academy at Northstar California. At Northstar, snowboarding is more than a sport. “It’s a lifestyle we teach...

Read More    4 min read

On Celebrity Edge, a three-story atrium surrounded by dining and nightlife
Article
Celebrity Sighting! A Dazzling New Cruise Ship

Since choosing a cruise for family gatherings makes logistical issues easy and fun, Family Travel Forum was eager to experience the new Celebrity Edge, touted as the “World’s Most High-Design...

Read More    4 min read

Cuyahoga Valley National Park campgrounds.
Article
Hike And Ride The Rails At Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Located in Brecksville, between the cities of Cleveland and Akron, little known Cuyahoga Valley National Park surrounds the 100-mile-long Cuyahoga River, named by American Indians for its “crooked”...

Read More    3 min read

Article
Hiking Arizona – The Red Rock Valley Of Sedona

"Dad, that man there, is that a real Indian?" I pointed my 11-year-old finger down at the lone figure wrapped in a blanket and perched atop a small gray peak below. My parents and I...

Read More    6 min read

Closeup of manatee and snorkeler.
Article
Swimming With Manatees, Gentle Giants of the Sea

Swim and explore the undersea world of the manatee in Crystal River, home to the largest concentration of Florida manatees in the world. These lovable mammals are native to the bays and fresh-water estuaries...

Read More    4 min read

Article
Okemo Mountain Resort Has What You Need

Okemo has everything you and your family need for a winter getaway. Ten years ago, it was the first ski resort I ever visited, tagging along with a friends’ family to take in the sights of Central Vermont...

Read More    4 min read

Article
Tennessee’s Great Smoky Mountains National Park

From NASCAR to Dollywood to Sevierville, the region bordering Great Smoky Mountains National Park offers an unusually interesting array of manmade and natural attractions. Impact-Site-Verification:...

Read More    4 min read

Luke's Lobster Roll with Petrossian Caviar
Article
What’s Red and Black and White All Over? A Caviar Lobster Roll!

‘Tis the season for holiday revelry and last-minute shopping, and how great would it be if you could bundle these two activities into an easy breezy family afternoon outing? It would be awesome, right? This...

Read More    2 min read

Hudson174 Stack bike helmet folds down at the ribs reducing its height by 40%
Article
6 Well Designed Holiday Presents to Delight Travelers

As more of us adopt an active lifestyle, brands that once catered only to backpackers and extreme athletes are rolling out high-performance products for everyday use. That they’re designed with portability,...

Read More    5 min read

Young girl sits on top of a horse and waves like a bronco rider.
Article
Organized Family Adventures: 6 Great Vacations

If time is more important than money when planning your next family vacation, turn to one of these top purveyors of guided, organized trips for the adventure of a lifetime.

Read More    8 min read

Prague Castle is one of the port excursions on a Uniworld river cruise. Photo c. Uniworld
Article
Family-Friendly River Cruises

With 17 ships in its fleet, Uniworld is considered a first-class river cruising company. The company has been recognized by both...

Read More    2 min read

James Bond Aston Martin
Article
James Bond Tricks and Tech in London

Over the last half century, James Bond has become a household name, synonymous with everything that is suave, smart, and sexy. With over 20 hit movies, a massive fan base, and some of the most beautiful...

Read More    2 min read

The Silent Night Chapel in the village of Oberndorf © Tourismusverband Oberndorf
Article
Experience a Silent Night 200 Years Old

Families are welcome to witness the 200th anniversary of “Silent Night” as Salzburg and neighboring Austrian communities celebrate the song heard round the world. Since its first performanceon December...

Read More    4 min read

Article
Historic Cocoa Beach Pier Offers Closest Sand and Surf to Orlando’s Theme Parks

One of our favorite family travel bloggers, Dave Parfitt from Adventures by Daddy,...

Read More    3 min read

Ca'd'Zan, the Ringling Estate in Sarasota, Florida. photo c. Ringling.org
Article
7 Florida Hot Spots to Visit That Don’t Include Disney or Universal

With 271,000 miles of road, more than 30,000 lakes, 11,000 miles of waterways and over 1,300 miles of coastline beaches that touch the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico, it's easy to explore Florida...

Read More    3 min read

The
Article
Staying Grounded at Florida’s Space Coast

Central Florida's Brevard County attracts families with its eco-friendly attractions, space history and water sports. For most of us there are two coasts; the east coast and the west coast. I, for...

Read More    4 min read

Windsor Castle with the British flag welcoming visitors.
Article
Join the Royals at Windsor Castle

One of the noblest of treats on a London holiday lies on the outskirts of London -- the town of Windsor and its famous Windsor Castle, which makes every visitor feel regal. The Royal castle,...

Read More    4 min read

Article
Utah’s Sky High Deer Valley Resort

In the universe of upscale ski resorts, Utah's Deer Valley Resort rests comfortably in the upper cosmos. It was founded in 1981 by the...

Read More    3 min read

Article
$100 Flights Give Lift to New York – Mexico City Tourism Partnership

Great news! American families now have more access with very affordable flights to one of the world’s great cities – Mexico City -- a destination packed with

Read More    3 min read

hiking on Franz Josef Glacier
Article
8 Days Wellington to Queenstown: New Zealand Our Way

My fiancé and I set off to explore the South Island of New Zealand on an eight-day road trip that coincided with the wedding of dear friends. Using online travel blogs and friends’ recommendations,...

Read More    14 min read

hiking in woods
Article
New England Camping For Novices

Are you ready to join an experienced camper and learn how to make New England wilderness camping more fun with young kids? Hope so! As a native of Boston, Massachusetts, I have often sought out more...

Read More    4 min read

Celebrity Equinox evening illumination
Article
Plan a Multi-Generational Cruise Vacation With Celebrity

Cruise vacations are noted for luxury, convenience, varied activities and distinctive ports of call.  Could a cruise be the answer to your 21st century multi-generational group’s dilemma of “what...

Read More    7 min read

Article
Coping With Gluten Free, Food Allergies And Special Diets At Theme Parks

Today, theme park restaurants are offering gluten-free, vegetarian, and food allergy sensitive menu choices for those with special diets, as well as anyone watching their weight. In 2016, the Centers for...

Read More    7 min read

FTF Teen Travel Writing Scholarship logo by FamilyTravelForum.com
Article
Family Travel Forum Announces Winners of 2018 Teen Travel Writing Scholarship

(New York, NY – September 18, 2018) Family Travel Forum (FTF) and its travel industry partners congratulate the winners of the 2018 FTF Teen Travel Writing Scholarship. Completing its 12th year, this...

Read More    4 min read

Disney's Blizzard Beach Water Park
Article
Blizzard Beach, Orlando’s Cheap Theme Park

Blizzard Beach, a Disney water park, is one my favorite places to take my sons Wyatt, age 10, and Joseph, age 12, as well as my husband. Done up only as Disney can do, a day at Blizzard Beach is all about...

Read More    2 min read

Article
Helpful Tips For Holidays And Safe Travel With Pets

I love my four-footed friends and want to ensure safe holiday travel with pets and help you make your adventures more pet-friendly.

Read More    5 min read

Prince Gardens at Schloss Schonbrunn
Article
Living the Imperial Life in Vienna

There are few European cities associated with imperial style like Vienna, where hundreds of palaces, gilded monuments and museums attest to a grand past. Today, visitors to the capital of the Austro-Hungarian...

Read More    3 min read

unusual volcanic formations
Article
Try the Azores for a Value Fall or Winter Getaway

The Azores islands off the coast of Portugal are a little known and good value family destination, just 4 hours by plane from Boston, Massachusetts. There are nine islands in the group, known as the Eastern...

Read More    2 min read