11 Driving Tips for Easier Road Trips
Family roadtrips, whether over busy holidays like spring break, the height of summer or for end-of-year festivities, can be made easier with preparation and these handy road trip tips. When it comes to travel, if things can go wrong, they usually do. Do we agree that few things spoil a pleasant journey like car trouble, major congestion, unexpected toll roads or needless fines? What about...
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This Summer Will Save The Universe For Star Wars Fans
Start the countdown to May 31 if you’re headed to California, or August 29 if Florida is a stopover on the way to a galaxy far, far away. In a surprise announcement at The Walt Disney Company shareholders meeting March 7, 2019, Disney Parks, Experiences and Products revealed the Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge opening dates. Rey, Finn, BB-8 & Friends Land at Disney Both...
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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 dreaming of exploring the ancient sites and hidden coves of the Turquoise Coast can live their fantasy aboard a traditional wooden yacht known as a gulet (pronounced goolet)....
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Paddling to Cozumel: Sacred Journey of the Maya
The spiritual traditions behind the Sacred Mayan Journey (Travesía Sagrada Maya), a canoe trip paddling to Cozumel in Mexico, have put this journey on many bucket lists. A Bit of Maya Background on the Sacred Journey The Sacred Mayan Journey is a pre-Hispanic (1250 to 1519 A.D.) ritual to honor and worship Ixchel, goddess of the moon, tides, fertility, birth and medicine....
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Adventures By Disney AmaWaterways River Cruises
The Adventures by Disney tour company and AmaWaterways are bringing pixie dust to European river cruises. Family-oriented, luxury river cruises have Disney-trained Adventure Guides, engaging activities for a variety of ages, behind-the-scenes tours and after-hours cultural experiences at Europe's most popular ports. The trips are all-inclusive, too, so there are no surprises when it comes to...
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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 first sight of Villa del Palmar Beach Resort & Spa includes the Giganta Mountains, Sea of Cortez and Danzante Bay in a staggering panorama of natural beauty. What sets this property apart from...
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Vera Bradley, Queen of Fort Wayne, Indiana Outlet Sales
It took me awhile to recognize the Vera Bradley label belongs on a dizzying array of quilted fabric accessories but, as soon as I did, I understood the appeal of the annual Vera Bradley Outlet Sale taking place this year April 10-14, 2019. Her Pucci-like bright-colored, floral and paisley-patterned fabric totes, purses, and laptop bags are ubiquitous, and expensive. The Cult of Vera Bradley Now...
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Cruise With Kids Vacations And Family-Friendly Ships
Cruises are hot, and we are seeing families cruise with kids in the Caribbean, Europe, Alaska and far-flung destinations like the Galapagos Islands. Given that the industry’s trade organization, CLIA, projects a whopping 30 million cruise passengers worldwide in 2019, you can count on kids being seen and heard everywhere. Why take a Cruise Vacation Now? Parents love cruising because...
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Traveling With Children On The Autism Spectrum
Parents with children on the autism spectrum know better than most that family vacations are, by their very nature, a break from routine. But what do you do when routine is what your child requires? This is the dilemma faced by families traveling with children with disorders on the autism spectrum, and is made all the more poignant when families have an older child with whom they...
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Gambling on a Good Time with the Kids
As summer approaches, one of the hottest destinations in America will be Las Vegas, a place where you don't have to gamble on a good time with the kids. Huh? If the idea of a Vegas ‘family vacation’ seems ludicrous, you’ll be surprised with how much the city caters to young vacationers. Games of Chance Galore Why? Start with the thrill rides and arcades at many casinos...
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Las Vegas, Nevada Attractions
We'll roll the dice on this and guarantee fun on your next Nevada vacation -- if you pack our age-appropriate rundown of the best attractions for kids, teens and families in adult-oriented Las Vegas. Great Fun for the Kids (Toddler to Age 8) Circus Circus Adventuredome 2880 Las...
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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 the Canary Islands belong to Spain, they sit in the Atlantic Ocean off the west coast of Morocco – a cultural plus. Geographically, Tenerife is in Africa; politically, it is in Europe...
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Our Favorite Vacation Deals and Booking Sites
We are often asked how to save money planning a vacation, so we are sharing our favorite sites for discount travel booking. We really do use them all. You can click on any of these site ads, search for your needs and pay for your bookings through them, knowing they are trustworthy. Through our affiliate relationship with them, we will get a small commission payment. Our commission doesn't cost...
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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 experiences. It’s hard to believe that it was 2007, when performer Fan Yang brought his unique brand of bubble artistry to New York City for a limited run. Since then, big and small and...
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The Very Best Spring Break Vacation Ideas
Spring break is our favorite time to get away with the family, an ideal time to travel affordably between the pricey winter holidays and crowded summer months. Why is spring break such a wonderful escape? Maybe because you’ve been working so hard all year. Maybe because you get to feel the sun on your shoulders after being cold for months. Or maybe because you get to spend a week making great...
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Barcelona, Spain With Teens In Tow
If you need a spring break destination that teens will thank you for, Barcelona Spain -- with its own language, cuisine and arts -- is a favorite with this crowd and all ages. Whether your family's travel choices are guided by shopping, dining, history, the arts, Woody Allen's "Vicky Cristina Barcelona" or just a general good time, Barcelona fits the bill.
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9 Lessons Learned: Michelle Obama on Becoming a Family Traveler
I recently learned some family travel lessons from Michelle Obama, one of the most traveled women in the world. Anyone who’s had the pleasure of reading Becoming, the new...
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An Ideal Phoenix Family Resort For Multigenerational Travel
The family amenity specs at the Pointe Hilton Squaw Peak are impressive when seen online: 563 all-suite accommodations including a separate living room, two flat-screen TVs, and a queen-sized sofa bed; two-story casitas with even more sleeping room plus 224 Agave Suites at North Pointe with a concierge and dedicated pool; terrific kids club; and a 4-acre River Ranch water park that features a winding...
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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 New Mexico is a melting pot of Navajo, Zuni, Spanish and Anglo cultures -— a very affordable place where the landscape, local traditions and welcoming people guarantee memories your family will not...
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16 Family Experiences You Can Only Share in Israel
Israel, usually marketed as a destination for religious pilgrims, has many unique sites that non-sectarian families can learn from. During my fully-escorted weeklong tour in December, 2018, I discovered 16 experiences that have had lasting impact. I also corrected several misconceptions, including that the climate was warm and dry; it's not necessarily so in winter. Jerusalem Highlights for...
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UK and EU Citizens Guaranteed Visa-Free Travel Post Brexit
The clock is ticking towards Brexit Day, March 29, 2019, the day that the United Kingdom plans to break its ties with the European Union. Throughout Europe and the UK, there is mounting confusion about what Brexit means for citizens. Why? Because several points of the negotiated deal for an orderly departure...
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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. This year, Road Scholar offers grandparents the opportunity to give their...
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Quebec Carnaval Celebrates Family Fun In Snow And Ice
Carnaval is a wintry, family-friendly wonderland that comes alive when the temperatures drop in the heart of the “world’s snow capital” -- Quebec City in Quebec province, eastern Canada. As North America's only fortified city, the crenellated walls and castle-like structures of the Old Town are a stunning backdrop to the fun. Spanning three weekends, Quebec will host its annual carnival or
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Atlanta, Georgia Attractions
Georgia's biggest city -- Atlanta -- welcomes Super Bowl 2019 with many world-class attractions for visiting families seeking culture, history and recreation. Save up to 50% on combined prices for admission to must-see attractions with Atlanta CityPASS
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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 here,” says Luke (Shep) Sheppard, the director of the resort’s unique school. Northstar...
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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 Cruise Ship.” When her preview cruise sailed in December 2018, it gave us a chance to flash forward nearly a decade from a prior cruise vacation aboard Celebrity...
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We Love Memphis For Music, Music Shrines And Elvis
Exploring things to do in Memphis Memphis, Tennessee is a blast for a lot of reasons—Elvis, music, Elvis, Ducks, Elvis, Civil Rights, Elvis. Sitting on the banks of the Mississippi River, its rich musical history goes way beyond Elvis and is celebrated all over town. Nashville may own Country Music, but Memphis IS the Blues, and from the blues came Rock ‘n Roll, and then there was Elvis. And...
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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” shape. It famously caught on fire in 1969 for just 24 minutes because of pollution. Long cleaned and restored, the river now provides a cool place to fish, kayak and relax without the crowds that many...
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Favorite Clearwater Beach Family Resorts
Clearwater Beach, halfway between St. Petersburg and Tampa, has become so popular that you need to plan ahead to choose the best Clearwater Beach resort for your family. Why? Clearwater delivers a great family beach experience because it’s cheaper than Florida’s East Coast beaches; and it’s on the Gulf of Mexico which is calmer, shallower and therefore, safer for swimmers than the Atlantic....
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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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Washington DC Hotels
Washington DC has approximately 132 hotels with 31,673 hotel rooms, (DC Press - 2019) ranging from economical chains to 5-star blowouts frequented by presidents and kings from the world over. The list below represents our favorites for adults traveling with school-age or older children because we know, with so many DC...
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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 around the towns of Crystal River and Homosassa, Florida. Although only 85 miles west of Orlando, it's a vacation experience that's a world away in natural beauty and Southern charm.
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The King of Tupelo, Mississippi
I recently overheard two guys who'd scaled Kilimanjaro, run Class VI rapids on the New River, and rested their heads on the most expensive pillows in Paris agree that, of all their travel journalism adventures, none was as much fun as the Tupelo Elvis Festival in Mississippi. Turns out Tupelo is one of the best places on earth. From my research, Elvis Presley fans who have been...
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National Civil Rights Museum And Martin Luther King Jr.
Even if you've seen the very special Martin Luther King Memorial in Washington DC, your family should not miss an opportunity to visit "his" museum: The National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, Tennessee. Each winter, this fascinating collection runs several special family programs at the National Civil Rights Museum in honor of Dr. King and African American History...
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The Baby B’Air Infant Vest For Lap Children
Just because the airplane doesn't give your little ones their own chair, doesn't mean they can't buckle up in a Baby B'Air designed Flight Travel Harness. If you've read our 8 Must Know Tips for Infant and Toddler Airplane Travel you know we are serious about in-flight safety. That's why we love this product. The...
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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 and spend a day learning how to ski. This return trip, over a decade later, was a reminder of what a great destination Okemo is, and I was also able to appreciate how it’s improved… almost as...
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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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Finding Holiday Magic at the Gaylord Hotel in Washington DC
Situated on the National Harbor, the expansive Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center is a sprawling hotel complex ready to greet visitors with a waterfront experience. It's almost startling how big this hotel feels in an area close to Washington D.C. where real estate is densely...
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San Francisco, California Hotels
With so many lodging options and a plethora of unattended rentals, choosing the right hotel -- with a good staff and a convenient neighborhood -- can make your visit to San Francisco, California less stressful. This great walking city full of hills will tire everyone out, so prioritize your attractions, choose...
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Celebrate First Night On New Years
Archaeologists believe the Babylonians were the first civilization to celebrate the New Year, with an 11-day holiday tied to the vernal (spring) equinox starting with a first-night festivity. Sometime during the Roman era, New Year's was set as January 1st, a custom that was adopted in the Middle Ages by many Western countries. For millions who equate New Year's Eve with a party, however, that date...
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Camping 101: How To Look Like An Experienced Camper To Your Kids
Take some advice from a frequent camper who's learned that overnighting in a local park is just as thrilling, and less cumbersome, than a long hike into the wilderness. I want my kids to have the same enriching experiences I had when I was a youth, but I know why my parents sent me camping under the care of others. Simply put, it's not easy, especially for weekend warriors who haven't polished their...
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Top 10 Geek Sights In Silicon Valley
If you're tired of technology taking over your life, take back control in Silicon Valley, where you can see the 10 top tech sights of interest to any geek and nerd. Google is headquartered in Mountain View, Facebook in Menlo Park, Yahoo! and Twitter are in Sunnyvale – all suburbs within a half-hour of San Jose. But Silicon Valley –- silicon...
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This Year’s Best Ski And Snow Family Vacations
Winter is a great time to get outdoors with the kids, whether it's a family ski and snowboarding vacation at one of North America’s top mountain resorts, snowmobiling or snow shoeing on local trails, fun in the snow on a tubing run or seeing wildlife at a national park. Not only is it healthy to take some vacation days and get the whole family away from their screens; it’s also easy to find...
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Gifts that Give Back – Kids Presents That Help Others
This season, why not skip the long lines, reduce click-fatigue, save money, stay warm, help a good cause and get some adorable gifts that give back? You can live your family values out loud by spending your gift allowance to show the kids how to support many wonderful adopt-an-animal programs, educational initiatives, and life-changing organizations that work around the world. Here are some of the...
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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 holiday season our lobster roll patrol discovered that a favorite, Luke’s Lobster is garnishing its signature...
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Bend, Oregon For High Desert Adventure Vacations
Bend is the focal point in central Oregon for active lifestyles and outdoor adventures, with sun all over, snow fun at Mt. Bachelor and recreation for all ages and athletic abilities. Nestled at the base of the picturesque Cascade Mountains, the resort communities of Bend, Redmond, Sisters and Sunriver, Oregon offer a spectacular year-round setting for outdoor recreation. Each has a lot to offer...
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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, weight, style and functionality makes them ideal for travel, too. Here’s a look at seven items to surprise and delight the travelers in your life. Safety First Means Helmet: 174Hudson...
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Special Needs Destinations And Programs For Travelers
There are many special needs travel options, both to snow and sand vacation resorts, that offer fun for the whole family, including those with physical or mental disabilities or special dietary needs. In order to assist those interested in disability travel, we have compiled a list of destinations and travel resources that focus on leaving home with companions who...
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8 Ways Travel Alerts Should Impact Your Vacation
Frightening travel alerts, amplified by the 24-hour news cycle and lots of genuinely bad news, have become a daily occurrence… and that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Although terror incidents, strikes, swarms of refugees, Zika and extreme politics have affected travelers the past few years, these crises usually don’t deter young parents from traveling the world with their children. But...
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Skiing On A Budget
Mountainside hostels, many private inns and Airbnbs invite families to enjoy snow sports in cheap, comfortable, spotless and private facilities at new style ski hostels. Hostelling has come a long way from your youthful backpacking days; in fact, many refer to young travelers sporting rolling suitcases, iPhones and tablets as "flashpackers" because of their aversion to truly spartan accommodations....
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Tuscan Villa Family Vacation in Chianti Farmhouse
If you are craving a getaway "Under the Tuscan Sun," Villa Il Palagio in the heart of Tuscany could be just the spot you are looking for. Once a small, family-owned, bio-organic wine estate nestled in Panzano, Chianti, it has become a 30-room inn located within 32 kms (about 20 miles) of Florence, Siena and San Gimignano,...
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France Skiing Hostel Style – Six Nights Room, Board from 248 Euros
In a special promotion only a youth hostel could afford, the Serre Chevalier Hostel in the village of Bez, southern French Alps near the Italian border, is welcoming Hostelling International members with a top value full-pension package. The hostel, a recently renovated collection of three...
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A Bethlehem, PA Christmas for a Holiday Wonderland
While some of you may hear the name Bethlehem and picture mangers and farm animals, the revitalized former Steel Capital in eastern Pennsylvania has their own take on the Christmas season. Bethlehem, PA Christmas is a sight to behold and taken on with enormous civic pride, since 1937. Picture a Blast Furnace Light Show and expanded holiday programming running concurrently...
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Las Vegas Christmas: A Big Party in Las Vegas for the Whole Family
Did Santa pack a Las Vegas Christmas vacation for your family this year? This city, known for its lights year round, is a fun family destination because businesses go all out with holiday décor, free outdoor festivities and hotel offers. Keep in mind that Las Vegas can be colder in winter than visitors expect. So lay out your holiday...
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Christmas In New York City – The Best Holiday Attractions
Grab the kids and get into the holiday spirit by experiencing all that Christmas in New York City has to offer during the November to January winter holidays when most family activities are free. Recently, I’ve been bursting at the seams with holiday spirit (I had too much to eat at Thanksgiving), and being in the city that never sleeps, I’ve found an endless list of activities...
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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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Disney Springs Discount Orlando Rates
If 2018 is your time to finally take the family to Walt Disney World, look into booking one of the value Disney Springs Hotels which offer specials for stays almost all year long. Bargain watchers take note: these hotels (in the commercial area formerly known as Downtown Disney) are closest to the parks without being Disney managed, offer free shuttles every 30 minutes so you can leave your...
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Top Holiday Lights Celebrations Across America
We love the holiday season, when bright lights, Christmas decorations, menorahs, colorfully wrapped gifts and imaginative retail displays illuminate cities and towns around the world, regardless of whether there is sun or snow outside. For many, ’tis the season to spend time with family, bake and decorate (see our
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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 the 2018 Travel + Leisure "World’s Best River Cruise Line" and the Globe Travel Awards "Best River Cruise Company" awards, as well as several recognitions from Conde Nast Traveler...
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