New York City is a Festival
"Visiting New York City is like going to a festival!" That's how my 10-year-old son Nicolas described our recent visit to the Big Apple. We visited last August, two weeks before the World Trade Center disaster. We spent four days in Manhattan touring the sites with our three children. They were ages 7, 9, and 12 at the time. Just recently, when planning our 2002 holiday, I asked my eldest...
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Teen Trips Sampler
Family Travel Forum provides information on exciting, alternative travel adventures for teens.Departing for a group tour sans parents can be an exciting new experience for a teenager. Just because a trip is without parents, however, doesn't mean that it should be without guidelines or safety. Today's teens can pick from specialized sports camps, cultural immersions, community...
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Pride of America
NCL's newest vessel to ply the Hawaiian Islands gets a full inspection from FTF's admiral and falls short on "aloha-ness."Frankly, cruise ships that ply the Hawaiian Islands have a hard time competing with the destination itself. Who has time to explore the ship and take advantage of the on-board programs for kids and adults when some of the best excursions in the industry await on...
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Vail Resorts Leads Snowsports Movement
There's no denying that global warming, whatever its causes, has adversely affected the snowsports industry for several seasons. And like many other businesses, the mountain resorts which drive the industry are doing what they can to fight back. "Green" skiing and snowboarding is only one initiative; industry leader Vail Resorts has purchased...
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British Columbia’s Backcountry Ski Lodges
In the back woods of Canada's far west, you can rough it in style with expert skiers or enjoy the snowy wilderness with little ones. It has been a long day - exhilarating and exhausting. We have skied up and down several mountain peaks in the spectacularly remote Selkirk Range of the British Columbia Rockies. We are literally in the middle of nowhere. Many kilometers - and a helicopter...
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Hockey Fan Rocks In Vancouver, Canada
One family recounts their adventures in Vancouver, Canada visiting all the sites and sounds that pertain to this area's favorite sport: Hockey! One family recounts their adventures in Vancouver, Canada visiting all the sites and sounds that pertain to this area's favorite sport: Hockey! One of the best things about having kids is how thoroughly they can involve you...
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Snowshoes, Dog Sleds And Non-Sporty Winter Pursuits
Families with snowbirds will be pleased to learn that they can safely avoid the tropics in winter and learn to love the "stay-warm" fun of snowshoeing and dog sledding, great family fun for un-sporty mountain vacations.To all non-skiers, we can safely proclaim,"Your time in the snow has finally come!" Not only are the tiniest suburban ski hills equipped with sledding, skating, tubing and other...
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Bear Lake, Utah In August
Travel back through time to Bear Lake, for an annual family ritual of berry-picking and canning next year's raspberry jam. There are no traffic lights in Garden City, Utah. There are no airports, there are no glamorous spas and the closest resemblance to a McDonald's is the local Quick 'N' Tasty, which features the local treat - the "Bear Lake Monster Burger." What is the...
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A Los Angeles Museum with Kids? Anything’s Possible
Here's a museum that your kids will remember, and probably ask to return to. No kidding...A recent visit with a restless 6-year-old convinced us that the very picturesque Getty Center of Los Angeles, California (310/440-7300; closed Monday), with its thoughtfully-designed Family Room and incredible bookstore, is just terrific for kids of...
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Aspen, Colorado: Snapshot of America’s Favorite Mountain
Historic buildings, great peaks, discounted children's lift tickets; something for all ages in this legendary ski haven. Aspen, Colorado is the ideal skiing destination. There's a choice of four mountains within a 10-minute shuttle ride of town, offering something to please every member of the family, no matter what the age or ability. If I had to break a leg skiing somewhere,...
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