Surviving Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month
Tackling a new sport like skiing -- whether you're my age or a toddler -- is a challenge that the snow sports industry helps overcome each January with Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month. Perhaps a child, a new companion, or a childhood yearning have driven you to try skiing or snowboarding. Some may be ready to face...
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A Cultural Christmas In Oaxaca, Mexico
Mexico's colonial gem of Oaxaca honors every Catholic holiday, but nothing is as colorful or fun as the Festival de la Noche de Rabanos, a world-class Christmas family vacation. Oaxaca, Mexico is one of the country's better-kept secrets. A center of craft and culture, it is, at first glance, an obvious mentor to New Mexico’s Santa Fe. Although we love visiting Fanta Se (as it’s...
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In Roswell, Aliens Among Us
When a loud noise forced foreman William Mack Brazel to hop in his pickup truck and inspect Foster Ranch, he found such strange debris in a corn field that he assumed it was the wreckage of a UFO and the victims, aliens. That was July 2, 1947. About 75 miles away, the closest New Mexico town -- Roswell -- quickly became known as the “flying saucer crash site.” Roswell has long played on...
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12 Reasons to Love Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows
Those who recall Vice President Richard Nixon opening the VIII Olympic Winter Games here on February 18, 1960, know Lake Tahoe’s Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows resort simply as “Squaw Valley.” And, after 58 years, it just keeps getting better. Here’s why. Beginners love it. Squaw Valley’s learning terrain is...
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Travel Insurance For Families
We love travel insurance and won't leave home without it. Since the very first holiday spent battling storms and re-booking missed flights (at great expense), our family has found it essential. It should be for every smart vacation planner, too, particularly when traveling with kids. Hopefully, none of you will ever need it, but I urge you to consider purchasing family travel insurance...
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Feeling Good-Good in Baden-Baden
Wellness has been a given since Napoleon III made Baden-Baden a trending destination in the mid-1800s, and Europe’s royalty, celebrities and politicians followed. What the tourism office smartly calls the “the good-good life” today is available to visitors of all ages as budget allows. Fresh air and abundant gardens, thermal spas and regal architecture, organic cuisine served in typical...
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Yoga Tourism: The Mind Body Vacation
In this stressful age, the subject of yoga retreats as "vacation" comes up often. Travelers may ask, are they a good option for a parent-child or three generation getaway? The answer is yes, if all participants are interested in connecting over the same activities. Family members should also share an appreciation for the contemplative aspects of yoga, like meditation, numerology (
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Club Meds Of Morocco
Combine an exotic locale, millenia of history, and a comfortable resort atmosphere populated by like-minded families and voila! You have the three Club Meds in Morocco, each an all-inclusive and family-welcoming resort. Let's take a look. Club Med Agadir is one of the region's oldest resorts, an Atlantic Ocean beachfront environment in a purpose-built resort area not far from...
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Surviving Halloween Horror Nights
Having survived a night of gleeful terror at Universal Orlando’s annual Halloween Horror Nights, I can report that #HHN is a blast. Its -- a frightful fest of doom that's worth repeating annually. Both Universal Orlando and Universal Hollywood reach out to a fresh crop of master storytellers, as well as sharing original tales, so there are always new horrors to survive. This...
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Top Ten Geek Sights In Silicon Valley
In San Jose, the self-anointed “Capital of Silicon Valley,” what can the public see of the secretive tech industry? Google is headquartered in Mountain View, Facebook in Menlo Park, Yahoo! in Sunnyvale – all suburbs within a half-hour of San Jose. But my airport driver Luis (who drives for eBay, Adobe and Google) explains that Silicon...
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Give Up a Night at 10 Unique Hotels
Want to skip the mass market hotel room for an Instagrammable sleeping experience your friends and family may envy – and the kids will remember forever? Travelers have a bigger choice of hotels and vacation rentals than ever before, as independent properties experiment with new forms of hospitality in décor, amenities and guest experiences. It’s time. Introduce the family to a whole new...
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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 Empire can experience that lavish lifestyle for themselves. Sleeping at a Castle Relive the life of a Hapsburg empress at the delectable Schönbrunn Grand Suite...
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Amanjena, Peaceful Paradise In Marrakech
A day at the Amanjena Resort in Marrakech is like a tour of the palace depicted in the tale "One Thousand and One Nights." Simply put, it's a more refined narrative of Arabian life than is usually available to the average traveler, even in the elegant and very Moroccan rose-red city of Marrakech. But that is the Aman...
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Permission To Travel and Travel Consent Letters And Why You Need Them
Adults traveling outside the U.S. with children under 18, other than their own, must have a Permission or travel consent letter from both of the minors' guardians. The travel consent letter also covers a child traveling internationally with only one birth parent, one guardian, grandparents or other adults. This written and notarized Permission to Travel Letter from both birth parents,...
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12 American Stories from Philadelphia’s Historic District
Philadelphia is one of America’s most fascinating cities for families because every cobblestone and brick reeks of history. Over a two-day weekend, I was struck by how much we learned about America by just walking in and out of the remarkable museums of the Historic District. The city’s oldest section, much of it dating to the early 1700s, comprises important landmarks...
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A Cabin Country Family Reunion in New Mexico
Most Texas families are familiar with Ruidoso, a picturesque mountain town just two hours’ drive from El Paso that’s cool during summer and snowy in winter. Thanks to moderate prices, a variety of recreation and dining, plus some cultural entertainment, Ruidoso's appeal to empty...
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Catch the Sound of Music in Salzburg
The city that’s best known to Americans as the setting for the 1965 blockbuster, “Sound of Music,” is regarded elsewhere as the capital of classical music. Each summer, while the great orchestras are on vacation, the six-week Salzburg Festival invites the top musicians from around the world to perform at Salzburger...
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The Cayman Islands Food Revolution
New kids' cooking classes and food education programs in the Cayman Islands are just the start of a food revolution aiming to support local agriculture and teach children where their food comes from. To find out more about it, we recently spoke with Chef Maureen Cubbon, an active participant in Cayman’s farm-to-table scene and an ambassador for the Food Revolution Movement started by celebrity...
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Seaweed Attacking Caribbean Beaches
According to recent media accounts, an influx of the disruptive and hated-by-brides seaweed known as sargassum has washed up around the Caribbean for summer 2018. I had lived through it in 2015 on a trip to Mexico's east coast, and felt embedded with the troops fighting the onslaught of seaweed. Said to have returned with force in January of this year, the unusual volume of
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Windjamming In Maine
Try a family cruise vacation on a schooner off the coast of Maine for something different, fun and unplugged; here's our account of a three-night, four-day adventure. As rain clattered down on the bare granite shores of Nameless Island, petite blonde Alexa pushed back the hood of her poncho to admire the rainbow arcing above Northhaven. Shaun and his sister Frankie, sophisticated preteens from Long...
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The Every Teen on a Train Initiative
Do you agree that every teen should have a chance to travel? Just 18 months ago, we wrote about a European Union parliament member who wanted to encourage understanding between EU nations by giving teens free rail passes. And now, it's come to pass! Here's the latest news and info about how European teens can claim a free rail pass.
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Summer of Guns
Summer holidays are bringing relief to American parents as well as students, for a shocking reason: gun violence. As of the May 18, 2018 Santa Fe school massacre, more people have been killed...
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Madrid, Spain Attractions
Madrid exudes such positive energy that it's a worthwhile destination for everyone of every age. We guarantee enough museums and galleries to satisfy every art lover in the family. There are plenty of music and dance performances to inspire your inner entertainer. And, grand palaces and statues to make your Bob the Builder want to become an architect. From bull fighting to flamenco, Madrid will awaken...
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Best of Indianapolis and Indiana for Kids
The heart of the Midwest and a city to emulate, Indianapolis is leading the region's efforts in sustainable development and wellness. It's a place where families find electric ride-share vehicles, organic farm-to-table cuisine and educational institutions advocating social change -- and it's not the only progressive place in this surprising state. Called the "Hoosier State" after what's said to...
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Three Waterparks Worth a Detour in Europe
If you're taking the clan to Europe and feeling anxious about entertaining everyone, we recommend one of these terrific waterparks to guarantee fun. Need three good reasons to include one as part of a European Grand Tour? You will avoid sunstroke from touring public squares in the heat. You will relax the human brain, which can only absorb so much culture in a day. You...
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Charlevoix And Le Manoir Richelieu, Quebec
Canada's scenic region of Charlevoix and the luxury resort, Fairmont le Manoir Richelieu, provide natural beauty, outdoor recreation and pampering for all family travelers including pets. Charlevoix is that rarity, a region of Canada's Quebec province which offers the Laurentian mountains, a dramatic shoreline on the St. Lawrence Seaway and a warm welcome -- combined -- at an isolated,...
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Paris, France: City Reborn
When sightseeing with teens, you'll notice that Paris is more environmentally conscientious and respectful of other cultures than ever before, while remaining as charmingly French as ever. To visit the City of Light after an absence of 12 years is to find it ever more brilliant, illuminated by an hourly lightshow of electronic sparkles that play across the Eiffel Tower. Brilliant and smarter, too:...
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Trending: Diversity and Inclusion in Tourism
The recent ITB Berlin travel trade conference featured several inclusive vacation opportunities for gay and lesbian couples with children, as well as several initiatives to celebrate travelers' increasing diversity. “Thanks to ITB Berlin, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender has developed in recent years from a niche into an internationally recognized product,” said Rika Jean-François, Corporate...
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Amsterdam, The Netherlands Attractions
With new Eurostar highspeed train service direct from London to Amsterdam, Holland's colorful cultural center and Europe's party capital will see more tourism than ever. Families, however, can take a different path through the city's intricate canal network and historic cobblestone lanes to find a huge array of attractions. Only half the size of Maine, tiny Holland began as a fishing village in...
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Exploring the Riches of Eastern Germany
Families are just beginning to discover the former East Germany, land of romantic castles, historic towns, beautiful beaches and German infrastructure… all at Croatia prices. We recently visited the state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, 3 hours from Hamburg or Berlin and just 7 hours from Copenhagen, and found a perfect destination to experience rich European culture with kids in a safe, English speaking...
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Making Travel Sustainable
Travel close to home, stay longer, and don’t go at all are key takeaways from ITB Berlin on how to make travel sustainable. In a year when being able to sustain the rapid growth of global travel has been called into question, ITB Berlin’s first press conference underscored what was on everyone’s mind: sustainability. “Tourism is both at risk from climate change, and one of its causes,”...
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Ledbury and the Malvern Hills
We recently explored the towns around Ledbury and the Malvern Hills in historic Herefordshire and Worcestershire counties. Whether you have a week or a weekend, there’s plenty of local culture and recreation to keep all ages busy. The region is an ideal country alternative to Britain’s big cities, because it’s just 90 minutes by train from Birmingham and 3½ hours from London. Eastnor,...
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Best Winter Fun in the Black Forest
For families with toddlers and school-age children –- or snowsports novices of any age -- Germany's Black Forest is a magical place to fall in love with alpine sports and the outdoors. Having toured the mountains of southern Bavaria in summer, we are dreaming of returning in winter, when the region’s towering evergreens have a dusting of snow. We will re-sample the region's cultural icons: cuckoo...
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Vera Bradley, Queen of Fort Wayne, Indiana Outlet Sales
As an East Coaster, it took me awhile to recognize the Vera Bradley label inside a dizzying array of quilted fabric accessories but, as soon as I did, I understood the appeal of her annual outlet sale. Her Pucci-like bright-colored, floral and paisley-patterned fabric totes, purses, and laptop bags are ubiquitous, and expensive. The Cult of Vera Bradley Given my late introduction...
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Unaccompanied Minors – Our Most Vulnerable Passengers
Vacation and summertime travel should be an excuse to relax, but the logistics on transporting the kids can cause stress. They're off, on their own, to see the Wizard, to visit grandma, or to spend quality time with a divorced parent who's moved to a Caribbean isle to find himself... While each year there's at least one highly publicized mishap in the transport of minors (one year an airline...
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Odense, Denmark, Home of Hans Christian Andersen
Small town charm, celebrity residents, fine dining and good hotels combine to make Odense a wonderful introduction to the people and culture of Denmark. Despite the more contemporary fame of silversmith Georg Jensen or the architect of "Danish Modern" Arne Jacobsen, author Hans Christian Andersen (1805-1875) is arguably the best known of all Danish artists. His timeless stories such as "The...
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Hilton Waikoloa Village and Grand Vacations Resort
When it comes to multigenerational family vacations, size does matter and, at the classic Hilton Waikoloa Village bigger means better. And more choice. Isolated, yet comprising almost every conceivable creature comfort, the 35,000-acre Hilton development is on the northwest coast of Hawaii Island, north of Kona. Like...
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5 Destinations Where Black Lives Matter
With a super-charged topic like race relations coloring the perception of many American cities, I suggest exploring five destinations where black lives not only matter, they fuel fascinating cultural institutions too few travelers know about. Here are some highlights of African American culture in Boston, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Memphis and Washington DC to enrich your next vacation. Boston,...
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San Diego, California Attractions
From Sea World to surfing to a world-class zoo, here are our favorite ideas on where to go when visiting sunny San Diego. By the way, southern California is a participant in the CityPass Program which includes the 3-Day Disneyland Resort Park Hopper ticket (back-and-forth admission to Disneyland and Disney...
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City At Sea Aboard Norwegian Breakaway
Bold, brash, a ship that never sleeps... that's our instant impression of Norwegian Breakaway, as our 2014 media and travel agent group boards the vessel for her maiden voyage. With only a few nights at sea to evaluate her charms, I am taken by her almost slavish devotion to New York City. There's a Statue of Liberty and skyline painted on her hull by artist Peter Max, and a sports bar...
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Guide To Royal Caribbean International Family Cruises
Royal Caribbean cruise vacations are packed with high-energy activities and entertainment for all passengers, regardless of age, making this cruise line a favorite with active families. The line's spacious cabins and large choice in kids programming work for multigenerational cruise vacations. Parents interested in the shows, gambling, spa and sports aboard these megaships can take advantage of...
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An Orlando Village Gives Kids The World
Give Kids The World Village (GKTW) is an 84-acre, nonprofit resort in Florida that provides a special vacation home for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families. GKTW provides 168 fully-furnished villas at its resort, donated attractions tickets, meals and more for a week-long, cost-free fantasy vacation. With the help of many generous individuals, corporations and...
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Vounteer Vacations Where Going Away Means Giving Back
Interest in volunteer vacations has grown as travelers seeking a local experience realize their presence affects a destination -– for better (creating jobs) or worse (degrading the environment). Because it’s hard to get the balance right, the best volunteer programs encourage responsible travel that emphasizes respect, cross-cultural exchange and sustainable development. The Value of Volunteering The...
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Outside The Gates: Adventures In Jamaica
Jamaica has redefined what it means to have an all-inclusive beach vacation by suggesting that guests explore real island culture outside their resort. It's a great idea to share the wealth that tourism brings to this friendly island, and a fun way to connect with the locals. A Jamaican company -- Island Routes -- is making it easier to do just that, by breaking...
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Fairmont San Francisco Does Family Well
At the Fairmont Hotels & Resort's flagship property, the beautiful Fairmont San Francisco, my family was lucky enough to find out what the "Affordable Luxury for Families" concept was all about. The Fairmont, recipient of several historically accurate facelifts since its 1906 opening, boasts its original grandeur without sacrificing any of the modern conveniences one...
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5 Multigenerational Vacation Ideas For Winter Getaways
According to AAA, 103 million Americans traveled over the 2016 holiday season, a 1.5 percent increase over the previous year. Although 9 out of 10 vacationers took road trips, air travel was also up by 2.5 percent, largely due to lower fuel prices. If your family’s summer plans are as busy as most, consider planning a multigenerational getaway during the shoulder season between Thanksgiving and...
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Atlantic Morocco: Beach With Benefits
An Atlantic oceanfront view of north Africa's most intriguing country, Morocco, presents this family with a relaxing and rewarding vacation. We knew a few things from our first trip to Morocco: its ideal location in north Africa, its distinction as one of the most tolerant Muslim societies, the fact that French is universally spoken. We remembered the country's intense markets and devoted artisans,...
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Say Bibbidi Bobbidi, Be a Princess or Pirate
In what may have been a first at sea, Disney Cruise Line devoted 94 square meters of real estate on the Disney Fantasy to a venture that promised transformation. Yes, there are costume nights on Nile Cruises when passengers can become pharaohs of ancient Egypt and dance "The Mummy." Yes, there are wellness...
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Safari West And Save Yourself A Flight To Africa
Those unexpectedly upside down moments in life, like seeing the Golden Arches among the pagodas of Beijing, can be fun and very reassuring, especially when traveling with kids. But when it's the reverse -- finding the exotic in the familiar -- it can be unsettling. So when we first heard there was an African safari camp outside Santa Rosa, California, we were skeptical... and a bit suspicious. A...
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Mines and Meadows ATV – RV Resort, Wampum, Pennsylvania
Not a conventional umbrellas-in-your-drink resort, Mines and Meadows is a rough-cut, rough-riding gem for ATV enthusiasts in the hills north of Pittsburgh... and a real family vacation find. Mines and Meadows, the vision of entrepreneur and motorsports aficionado Robert Svihra, is a self service “resort” for fans of dirt bikes and UTVs. Family members who are already motorheads will...
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Budget Family Suites Hotels At Universal Orlando Resort
A few years back we reviewed the plans for Universal Orlando Resort's first budget hotel and, during our recent stay at the Cabana Bay Beach Resort, it exceeded all expectations. This fun, 50s or mid-century modern style style hotel grants the same one-hour early park admission to the "Wizarding World of Harry Potter" themepark or the new Volcano Bay waterpark as its pricier on-site...
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Hello Kitty is Catnip at Japan’s Family Friendly Hotels
To wow your family with unforgettable memories, Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo and Keio Plaza Hotel Tama rent stunning Hello Kitty Rooms, special guest rooms decorated with the favorite character “Hello Kitty,” ideal for devout fans. As you can see from the photos and video, both types of themed rooms have two queen beds and feature the adorable feline fatale on the...
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10 Tips To Avoid Hassles At U.S. Borders
Whether your cellphone contains confidential business documents or you’re packing homemade cranberry sauce, unless you’re exempted by diplomatic status, everyone crossing U.S. borders is subject to examination and search by officials from Department of Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Air passengers have to cope with additional, unspecified...
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Making Lemonade on an Emergency Airport Layover
I got a pound of lemons: an air traffic delay in Fort Lauderdale, a flight cancellation, being rerouted to Chicago O’Hare, an accident at LaGuardia, emergency airport closures, and a snow alert that forced me to spend 26 hours at an airport hotel. If not for that, I might never have “made lemonade” in Rosemont, Illinois home to Chicago's O'Hare Airport. Seemingly a suburb...
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What Makes Best Western Hotels Special
When I recall the Best Western hotels we’ve stayed in, there’s always a pleasant surprise, an offbeat architectural detail, unexpected kid-friendly perk, or a free breakfast buffet worthy of a five-star resort. My husband calls Best Westerns “idiosyncratic.” He says of the lack of uniformity, “It’s so refreshing.” Having recently attended the annual Best Western Convention...
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Saving Euros on a European Adventure
Since summer is the most expensive time to visit Europe, we're sharing the euro-saving tips we learned from our own recent adventure. And, with the strong exchange rate, drop in tourism due to several factors, and bargains we've uncovered in our summer vacation roundup, you can find some good deals, too....
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Paris, The Lady and The Ring
It is Paris; it is drizzling. We are at Place de la Madeleine in front of a Parthenon-style church built by a Napoleon who couldn’t decide whether to brag about his victories or act humble before God. As I try to squeeze the columns into an Instagram frame, I understand why it took 85 years to finish construction. I lower my phone to see a woman right beside me. She is small, maybe 50....
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Halloween Monster Madness And Kansas City Haunted Houses
Every October brings the expectation of a great Halloween, especially in places like Kansas City where the fun crosses over from Missouri to Kansas and places in between. Kansas City haunted houses and spooky fun, here we come!
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A Club Med Sandpiper Bay Family Vacation
At Club Med Sandpiper Bay, Americans no longer need a passport to enjoy an exotic, all-inclusive family beach vacation packed with children's activities. Club Med's legendary tropical village ambiance -- minus the beads -- has been remade in central Florida at the very sporty Sandpiper Bay. The resort is thriving after a $27-million investment a few years back that...
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11 Great Fall Festivals to Celebrate in Puerto Vallarta
Planning your Mexico visit during a local holiday or annual festival is a special way to enjoy the country's cultural traditions and heritage, often at no cost. Celebrations focusing on religion, gastronomy, history and nature abound in every region and all year round. As Mexico’s self-proclaimed "Festival Capital," the sophisticated beach town of Puerto Vallarta puts on so many events, especially...
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