My Family Travels | Latest Articles
Florida is ideal for budget summer getaways because there is water everywhere. Photo c. Denys Kostyuchenko for unsplash.
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Weekend Wanderlust: Florida Mini Adventures That Don’t Require A Passport

Many Florida residents are choosing to explore their own backyard. It makes sense. Planning a vacation that involves long flights and complicated bookings is not always possible....

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The Portofino Bay at Universal Orlando features
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Loews Portofino Bay Hotel At Univeral Orlando, Florida

The Portofino Bay combines a fantasy Italian world with useful perks from the Universal Orlando themepark for a delightful stay. Like other Loews hotels (

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Mom reads book at beach while 2 toddlers play in sand nearby.
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Fuerteventura Family Holidays: Best Areas & Things to Do

Fuerteventura family holidays are big on beach time, with soft sand, shallow waters, and sunshine most of the year. And when you’re ready to explore? There are loads of things...

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Woman teaches baby how to swim in indoor pool.
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How To Teach Babies And Toddlers To Swim

As parents, we want to know how to teach our babies to swim because the desire to see, feel or hear water is universal. People from all walks of life seek its soothing yet refreshing...

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woman at laptop computer
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14 Travel Hacks You May Not Know For Planning A Bucket List Adventure

Make Bucket List dreams come true, and affordably, by using a few of my favorite travel hacks. Current research and a lifetime of travel experience taught me some new tricks to...

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Liberty Bell, Philadelphia
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Best Hotels in Philadelphia for Families: Your Perfect Stay

When you're set to visit Philadelphia, one of America's most historic cities, you need a guide to the best family hotels in each district.

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Aerial view from the summit of Titov Island overlooking the many cruise ships at Halong Bay, Vietnam.
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A Luxury Halong Bay Cruise In Vietnam

We all like a bargain, but sometimes saving money on a cheap excursion can backfire, and end in tragedy as this

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The Sandpearl resort boasts a lagoon pool right along the beautiful white sand beach of Clearwater, Florida.
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Favorite Clearwater Beach Family Resorts

Clearwater Beach, Florida is so popular that you need to book ahead to guarantee the best Clearwater Beach family resort for your needs. Many factors make our pick of the top resorts...

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Empty gold sand beach with a row of sunchairs under umbrellas along the Caribbean coast of Mexico.
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All Inclusive Resort Tips For Families: What’s Really Included And Why It Matters

All inclusive resorts are a popular choice for families because they promise to take the hassle out of vacation planning. What do all inclusive resorts offer? They offer convenience...

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Step into gaming at
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Surviving Halloween Horror Nights at Universal

Having survived a night of gleeful terror at Universal Orlando Resort’s Halloween Horror Nights, I can report that #HHN is a blast. Before you die, take just...

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Busy dad is rading and his girls playing in the aisle of an airplane.
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Shoes Off? Shoes On! The Latest Air Travel Tips To Ease Family Vacation Hassles

The Dept. of Homeland Security just announced the end of their shoes-off mandate, proclaiming the new policy will increase hospitality for travelers. Really? Given the...

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Dusk falls over beach at Cape Hatteras National Seashore
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Explore Cheapest National Parks – Save Big on Adventures!

Save money by exploring America outdoors on a cheap national parks vacation with our eight budget-saving trip planning tips.

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Woman holds up papers being notarized. Photo c. Andrea Piacuadio via pexels
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Consent to Travel Letter Forms

Thank you for requesting these Consent to Travel forms. They are the documents required for travel with minors, shared as a service of the Family Travel Forum community.

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Family at airport security
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Required Documents And Travel Consent Letters For Travel With Minors

Whether you’re married and leaving a spouse behind to work; grandparents taking grandchildren on vacation; same sex couples with adopted children -- even a military family trying...

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Stylish Thai resorts are tucked into the lush tropical jungles of Phuket.
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Top 7 Phuket Resorts with Kids Clubs That Are Worth Every Baht

Traveling with kids can be at once a delight and a logistical challenge, but Phuket, Thailand makes it effortless. When you're

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Boy and girl spalsh in the water off of the Nantucket beach. Photo by Garrett Patz for unsplash.
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51 Summer Trip Ideas – Plan Your Perfect Family Vacation

It’s time for our annual roundup of the 51 best family summer trip ideas! Wave goodbye to work and school stress, and forget about travel hiccups or economic woes. Right now,...

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Players confront costumed guards in 'Squid Games The Experience', an immersive game in New York.
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Summer Blockbuster Stays: Family Entertainment Hotels Where Pop Culture and Fun Collide

Why pay for theme parks when there are hotels with entertainment for families? This summer of budget-watching is the ideal time to discover unique family resorts and hotels with...

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Book cover for
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Plan Your Next Trip With Our E-Book America’s Most Popular Family Vacations

Are you among the majority of Americans who say they didn't take a vacation at all in the past year? The US Travel Association reported 9 out of 10 Americans say their happiest...

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Aerial view of beach at Seaside Heights, Jersey Shore with Casino Pier in background
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Top 5 Family-Friendly Jersey Shore Towns for an Unforgettable Vacation

So you know you are reading about the Jersey Shore. But if you’re expecting a write-up on Snooki and the rest of the MTV gang, or a Bruce Springsteen expose,...

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Aerial view of long security lines at Jeppesen Terminal at Denver International Airport.
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Global Entry And TSA PreCheck Reduce Airport Hassles

Over the past month, I've been renewing my Global Entry and TSA PreCheck status. With increased immigration scrutiny at all borders, they're more...

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The restored 18th century homes of Elfreth's Alley Philadelphia
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Short Breaks And Weekend Getaways From Philadelphia

Philadelphia families know the big state of Pennsylvania offers many possible weekend getaways. But have you considered the big city life, sand beaches and roller coasters nearby...

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The Victorian style front porch and bright red door of the Virginia Hotel in Cape May, NJ. Photo c. Virginia Hotel
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Cape May, New Jersey Attractions Lure Families

Picturesque, Victorian style homes, quiet lanes, and family attractions go hand in hand in Cape May, New Jersey. The beautiful seaside getaway I visited with my...

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Teen Travel Trends Report cover from 2015.
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Teen Travel Trends: A Look At Where And Why Teens Travel

Thank you for your interest in "Family Travel Forum Reports: Teen and Student Travel Trends." We have collected a lot of anonymized data on where teens travel and why they go....

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I Love NY selfie spot at LaGuardia Airport Terminal B
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Why LaGuardia Terminal B Is The Future of Airports

LaGuardia Terminal B has showcased the future of airports since the $8 billion renovation which began in 2016. Today, public spaces feed the body and soul. Travelers experience...

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Grandfather and grandson play with ducks in Pittsford, NY town park.
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At 200, An Erie Canal Cruise Is A Bucket List Adventure

Discover the magic of a New York canal cruise on the iconic Erie Canal. Slow travel back to 1817, when construction began on...

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Lightner Museum occupies the former Hotel Alcazar in St. Augustine.
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From Fort Mose To The Civil Rights Movement: Tracing Black History In St. Augustine

Look past the Spanish fort, ornate Moorish buildings and main plaza to discover Black history in St. Augustine, Florida. More than 450 years ago, the first Africans in North America...

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Groupd doing a tour on Segways at the Palm Beach marina in Florida.
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Road Trip USA: Florida Beach Road Trip Along US1 From Jacksonville To Key West

Welcome to Routes 1 and A1A, the twin coastal roads along the Atlantic coast between Jacksonville and Key West that form the greatest Florida beach road trip.

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RVs in campground with kids on bikes.
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Resources For Family Camping Vacations

An enthusiastic camper, let me share some resources for family camping vacations to help in planning your next big U.S. camping trip. My tips should help whether you prefer a tent,...

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Rearview mirror with a road receding into the distance.
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Favorite Resources For Planning Family Road Trips

Planning family road trips is a major undertaking, but long distance driving makes for one of the best value and most rewarding vacations you can do.

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Parent supervising a young girl on the beach as she walks towards the water at dusk.
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Spring Break Water Safety Tips for Kids and Families

Families are heading to beaches, pools and lakes this holiday, so it’s a good time to remind everyone of essential water safety tips for families. According to 

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The busy beach scene and multistory hotels of Aruba's Palm Beach.
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Traveling to Aruba Checklist – The Best Vacation Ever!

Ensure a safe and enjoyable Aruba family vacation or remote work break with our Traveling to Aruba Checklist. This southern Caribbean island prioritizes safety and...

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Snoopy and family
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California Haunted Houses and Halloween Happiness

Discover ghosts, goblins and Halloween costumes along with ghoulishly fun frights at California haunted houses, theme parks and other Halloween venues. Since the fright industry...

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Boy wearing a surfer's rasher to guard against the sun at the beach.
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Fashionable Sun Protection Clothing

Protect yourself and your kids with sun protection clothes, hats, sunglasses, and other products that are effectively UV resistant and stylish. Increased awareness of the power...

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White Temple in Chiang Rai. c. josch for pixabay.
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Northern Thailand’s New Sights and Tastes

The best vacation I have ever had was when I went to Thailand when I was 11 years old.  My mom had to write an article about Northern Thailand so I got to go with her.

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Group of skiers on the slopes at Portillo in Chile.
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Chill South American Ski Resorts in Chile And Argentina

Find snow sports in "summer" at top South American ski resorts in the Southern Hemisphere. Long known to international elite athletes, the names Portillo, Valle...

Read More    7 min read

woman at laptop computer
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Best Sites for Vacation Packages – Top Travel Deals

We are often asked how to save money with vacation deals, so we are sharing our favorite sites for discount travel booking. As a network of frequent traveling parents, we do a...

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Parents and children in a step or blended family smile at camera.
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5 Kid-Friendly Locations for a Perfect Europe Family Vacation

Wondering where the locals go for an affordable yet memorable Europe family vacation? To save time and money, we know it's worth planning a trip to a place that's popular with...

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Canoes offshore leave for Cozumel.
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Paddling to Cozumel: Sacred Mayan Journey

The spiritual traditions behind the Sacred Mayan Journey (Travesía Sagrada Maya), a canoe trip to Cozumel, have put this Mexico adventure on many bucket...

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baby lying down on white fuzzy blanket
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How To Get Your Own US Passport & Start Your Adventure

Your U.S. passport is a travel essential because a U.S. citizen's birth certificate does not suffice to cross borders. That law applies to citizens of any age...

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Family group enjoying the outdoor firepit and s'mores at the RumFish Beach Resort in St. Pete Beach, Florida. Photo c. Tradewinds Resorts
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Family Reunion Planning: 6 Steps to Stress-Free Success

Are you in charge of doing the family reunion planning this year? If so, here's my in-depth guide to get you started. With...

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Family getting ready for a sleigh ride to dinner at Park City Mountain Resort.
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Park City Peaks: A Multigenerational Ski Adventure

Multigenerational ski adventures, when grandkids can ski with grandparents in snowy destinations, are my ideal family vacation, spring or winter. When someone wants to hit the...

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Skill catching zone at Atlanta's College Football Hall of Fame
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Atlanta Georgia Attractions: 12 Top Places to Visit

Atlanta, Georgia attractions will thrill families seeking culture, history, and recreation. As Georgia’s biggest city, there are so many sights you could spend weeks here.

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Parrots at Xcaret ecological park, Mexico
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Cancun Family Vacation: 3 Tips When Planning Your Trip

Cancun family vacation 2019, what a wild...

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Young girl dresssedf in pink on a bumpber car. Photo c. Magic Mountain Fun Center.
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Columbus Ohio Attractions

The state's capital and largest city, Columbus, Ohio has affordable, entertaining attractions that make family travelers very happy. My family should know, after so many visits...

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Girl sitting on float on the sand squirts sunblock from a bottle. Photo c. campus for pixels.
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Best Spring Break Vacation Ideas

There's still snow and plenty of sun, so get out and choose your best spring break idea from one of our many affordable family vacation deals for 2025.

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Make wellness vacations in the great outdoors easy with a comfortable glamping option at the Grand Canyon. Photo c. Backland Luxury Camping
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Relax, Recharge, Reconnect: Fun Wellness Vacations For A Healthy Spring Break

Spring Break 2025 is shaping up to be a time for more than just escaping the classroom. It's an opportunity to prioritize family wellness vacations and create healthy habits that...

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Sunrise, before the crowds hit the beach, is a wonderful time to explore. Photo c. pexels
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U.S. Virgin Islands – Choosing the Perfect Island for Your Vacation

No passport? No problem with our family's reviews of the U.S. Virgin Islands to help you decide which of America's Caribbean isles is right for your family beach vacation.

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Aerial view of the Coral World Ocean Park Underwater Observatory on St. Thomas. Photo c. Coral World
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St. Thomas, Family Adventures In The U.S. Virgin Islands

Kayak, snorkel, "snuba" and more with the family on the beautiful beaches of St.Thomas. It's one of the most popular of the U.S. Virgin Islands because there's so much going for...

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Kayak and canoe launch by the side of a river with kayaker in the background.
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Explore Vermont Camping On Lake Champlain

Sleep under the stars with close friends and family at a Lake Champlain camp when exploring Vermont. I've been there so I know the Lake Champlain Islands guarantee the summer's...

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Hikers walking past olive trees and grapevines approach a Spanish village along the Camino. Photo by B. Meyendriesch for pexels
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A Family Adventure On The Camino de Santiago: How To Make It Fun And Safe For Kids

The Camino de Santiago is much more than just a tourist journey or a pilgrimage route; it is a life-changing experience that can bring families together in a unique and unforgettable...

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