The Award-Winning Family Travel Site Featured on The Today Show, CNN, America Online,
Parents Magazine & in USA Today
July 9, 2008
Best U.S. Family Beach Vacations
For many families, summer wouldn't be summer without a great family beach vacation. Travel industry statistics indicate that the majority of summer vacations will be to beach destinations, with many of them being close to home. With this in mind, our staff has traveled to destinations from Massachusetts to Hawaii, talked with family travel experts, readers and parent groups, surveyed kids and teens, researched a wide variety of beach towns, combed through scores of travel guides, and even reviewed the findings of "Dr. Beach" himself in order to develop our list of this year's favorite family U.S. beach destinations.… (read more)
Spectacular Alaska Family Vacations
Family travel to Alaska is hot this year. The state's wild beauty, abundant wildlife, and vast opportunities for hiking and exploration are luring droves of family vacationers. Alaska family travel adventures can take place on large or small ships, via a combination of cruise and rail tours, by car, or with a family friendly tour operator offering special family oriented departures. Choosing the best option to see this magnificent state will depend on your family's specific needs and interests. . . . (read more)
Resort Spotlight: Club Med Ixtapa Pacific
Forty years ago, Club Med revolutionized the family vacation by introducing the children’s Mini Club Med to their already popular all-inclusive vacation concept. This innovative move raised the bar for family vacation options to a whole new level - and family travel landscape has never been the same. Parents enjoyed the ease of vacationing with their children in idyllic locations, bonding and enjoying each other’s company apart from the hassles of the everyday world… (read more)
Top Budget Caribbean Family Resorts
Families can easily enjoy some of the Caribbean's best beaches without breaking the bank. In fact, a number of family friendly resorts throughout the Caribbean regularly offer affordable vacation values and family oriented amenities. The Family Travel Network staff has researched the market and surveyed travel agents, family travel experts, readers, and others to come up with our list of the best budget Caribbean resorts for families as well as a few ideas for finding cheap Caribbean family vacation deals… (read more)
Disneyland for Teens: Where To Discover The Magic
Walt dreamed up Disneyland for his two little girls, but “The Happiest Place on Earth” has plenty to offer big kids as well. When we recently visited with my 17-year-old daughter and 20-year-old son, they were both charmed and thrilled by this classic park . . . (read more)
10 Money-Saving Secrets For Orlando Family Vacations
If you're planning a family vacation in Orlando, there are a number of ways to stretch your family travel dollars. Here are 10 great budget-saving family travel tips help you find deals, save money, and get the most out of your Orlando family vacation . . . (read more)
Be Enchanted On A Short Family Cruise
Are you looking for a family vacation getaway that fits your tight budget and time-crunched schedule? A short cruise on a family-friendly ship may be just the answer. Our family of four took a short cruise recently on Royal Caribbean’s Enchantment of the Seas and came away hooked on the short cruising experience. (read more)
Summer Family Camps
Family travelers take note: summer camp vacations aren't just for kids anymore. Family camps provide an action-packed, economical summer family vacation with lots of opportunities for bonding, education and adventure.. . . (read more)
Give And Take: How To Give Back When Taking Your Next Vacation
Family vacations always involve a lot of taking. We take plane trips and tons of pictures. We take excursions and take in all the sights. Taking a family vacation to an interesting destination is exciting, but it's often more rewarding when we give back as well. As my mother always said, "It's better to give than receive." Many families would like to help others when they travel, but don't have the time or money to take a separate expensive volunteer vacation. Giving to others while on vacation is easy, you just have to know where to look. We have made volunteerism a part of many of our vacations in the Caribbean, Mexico and Central America, and it has often been the highlight of our trip. (read more)
A Family Reunion At Sea
The Love Boat is in a family way. Not that the Crown Princess, part of the fleet of ships that starred in the popular television series, doesn’t still have lovers lounging on her moonlit decks, hormonally-manic singles consuming umbrella drinks in the hot tubs or private romantic balcony champagne/lobster dinners for two. But the cruise line, realizing the increasingly popular trend toward families traveling together . . . (read more)
Great Mother/Daughter Getaways
Taking the kids on one-on-one family vacations is one of today's fastest growing family travel trends. Many parents are booking these family vacations to celebrate special occasions, enjoy shared interests, and create opportunities for individual parent-child bonding. At other times, however, these types of family trips are simply due to family scheduling conflicts. Based on recent conversations with family travel agents and tour operators, mother/daughter getaways have become some of the most requested one-on-one family vacations. . . . (read more)
Six Great Family Road Trips
High airfares and long security lines are making road trips a popular choice for family vacations this year. Family travel by car is also an excellent opportunity to spend time together, bonding and creating great vacation memories. The key is involve the kids in vacation planning and allow every member of the family to have something to look forward to each day.
Here are six of our favorite family road trip itineraries, as well as suggested resources and tips for planning your own personalized family adventure. (read more)
Ask KidTravel
In this column, Nancy Schretter, Managing Editor of the Family Travel Network, answers real family vacation questions from some of our readers.
Q. We are planning a summer family beach vacation in August and would like to go somewhere where there aren't going to be any hurricanes. We're looking for a place with a nice beach where we could snorkel and do lots of watersports. Could you give us some recommendations? (read more)
Bring The Kids To The Caymans
On some maps, the tiny island of Cayman Brac looks like a speck of dust. On others, the 13-mile by one-mile mixture of coral and limestone in the middle of the Caribbean Sea doesn’t even rate so much as a mere pinprick. But families who know it exists -- such as the David Wylie’s of Princeton, New Jersey -- have deliberately chosen to bring their four children, aged 10 to 14, here because they know what pleasures “the Brac” has in store for them… (read more)
Daufuskie Island Resort & Breathe Spa
Our family frequently needs a genuine getaway, a place to revive drained spirits and to reacquaint ourselves with each other.
A few miles off South Carolina's Hilton Head island lies "the first cay" – or "Daufuskie" in local Gullah speak* – and its private resort. Accessible only by water, Daufuskie Island Resort and Breathe Spa is a true getaway ... (read more)
The Savvy GrandTraveler: 12 Tips For Traveling With Grandchildren
Many seniors are seeking increased involvement and spiritual bonding with their grandchildren. It's no surprise, then, that multigenerational travel is one of the fastest growing segments of the leisure travel market. According to the Travel Industry Association of America, 30 percent of U.S. leisure travelers who are grandparents have ...(read more)
Indoor Family Fun at Great Wolf Lodge
Resorts with indoor waterparks are one of the most popular weekend travel destinations for families. These hotels with large indoor waterparks are proven family pleasers, and are packed with features such as waterslides, water basketball courts, water forts, huge tipping water buckets, and more....
(read more)
10 Spectacular Places for Families to See Sea Turtles
Family travel is booming, and family-oriented nature travel is one of the hottest travel segments of all. Travel destinations and resorts are catering to these trends by offering innovative, environmentally sensitive programs, unique opportunities for family members to observe nature, and wide variety of family packages. In this "10 Spectacular Places" article, you'll find the Family Travel Network's picks for the best places to take your family to see sea turtles in the wild (read more)
Family Eco-Travel Adventures
Nature-oriented family travel can provide the perfect combination of excitement, shared learning, and the thrill of observing wildlife at close range. Peak family experiences can include swimming with dolphins or sea turtles, snorkeling through a colorful underwater wonderland, being eye to eye with a whale, or travel to the Galapagos Islands. For families who love the outdoors, a wide variety of eco-travel options available. An entire family vacation can be planned around nature-oriented activities, or a simple day trip can be included as part of a family weekend getaway.
(read more)
Cultural Getaways for Families
Family friendly cultural getaways are an increasingly popular vacation option. These destinations and resorts offer families the opportunity to relax, renew, and bond in a culturally significant setting. A number of resorts offer this unique family travel opportunity, with of the best being the Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort and Spa. (read more)
Family Volunteer Vacations
planning to travel and looking for something different for your next family getaway or teen's spring break? Family travel experiences can be used as a time to experience different cultures and help others in need. Consider a family volunteer vacation for an upcoming family trip. Researchers at the Family Travel Network have found some great sponsoring organizations that would greatly appreciate your help. (read more)
Take the Family on a Fascinating Factory Tour
Family travel does not have to be expensive -- and factory tours fit the bill perfectly. Your family will enjoy these educational glimpses into the inner workings of companies and how products are made. In addition, since there are hundreds of tours available throughout the United States, one is sure to easily fit into your upcoming family travel or weekend getaway plans. For this article, the staff of the Family Travel Network has selected some of the best factory tours available, paying particular attention to those that would be of most interest to the family market. (read more)
Celebrating Special Family Occasions with Memorable Travel Experiences
As any parent of teenagers knows, teens are a tough audience to impress. So when my daughter Amy called her recent Sweet 16 celebration at Woodloch Pines in the Poconos the “best birthday ever,” I was feeling pretty proud of myself for picking such a perfect place for a party… (read more)
FDR Resorts Offer Single Parent Special
FDR Resorts, owners and operators of Jamaica's Franklyn D. Resort & Spa and the FDR Pebbles Resort, are once again offering their annual Single Parent Vacation Special in 2008. This offer waives the single supplement charge for vacations between April 11 and December 18, 2008 …(click here for more)
Save Money On Your Vacation With Go Card USA
Go Card passes can help save you money on dozens of attractions in your vacation or travel destination. Passes are available for Boston, San Francisco, Seattle, Chicago, San Diego, Orlando, Miami, Oahu, Maui, Los Angeles and the Blue Ridge.
In addition, a Powder Passport provides multi-mountain access to 16 ski destinations in the Northeast with no blackout dates. Powder Passports are available for 1, 2, 3, 5 or 7 days.......(click here for more)
Family Travel With Babies and Toddlers
With a little bit of preparation and an open mind, you can travel with your young family AND survive to do it again. Believe it or not, family travel is often easier with an infant than an older child. Infants are very portable, they can sleep nearly anywhere, and if you’re breastfeeding, you don’t need to find the nearest supermarket as soon as you land. Toddlers, with their new awareness of the world, make family travel seem like fun. They’re fascinated by everything: snack trays, miniaturized food served at mealtimes, earphones for the movies, movie screens, things they see out the window --- basically everything to do with family travel........(click here for more)
Pigeon Forge: The Place for Family Fun
Families seeking a family vacation packed with thrills, music, excitement and fun should consider a trip to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Because of its wide variety of attractions and close proximity to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, this family travel destination attracts more than 11 million people a year. Pigeon Forge is a popular choice for large family reunions and well as a year-round family vacation getaway.....(click here for more)
Family Vacation Guide: Boston, MA
Boston is a great family destination for a vacation during any time of the year. There is so much to do here for every member of the family. In fact, the abundance of activities and sights can often be overwhelming. Do take the time to plan your trip and resist the urge to cram too many sights and experiences into your getaway. You'll have so much from which to choose.....(click here for more) More Current Family Travel Features
Great Family Lake Vacations
Ahhh ... family vacations on the water. For many families, travel to a beautiful lake is the ultimate family getaway. Waterskis and tow lines, the roar of a powerboat or Jet Ski, fishing poles, boat docks, the sound of children's laughter ... all of those images conjure up a vision of a great lake family vacation…(read more)
15 Money-Saving Travel Tips for Summer Family Vacations
Parents in the midst of planning this year's summer family vacation are looking for ways to stretch their travel budget. In this article, the Family Travel Network staff reveals some of their best money-saving travel tips for family vacations and trips. If you're busy planning your family's next getaway, these fifteen tips and insider secrets will save money on your family's next vacation. …(read more)
Top 10 Family-Friendly U.S. Bargain Hotels
Money constraints are the hardest part of taking family vacations, according to a recent family travel survey conducted by TripAdvisor. In a survey of over 2,400 people worldwide, more than half of the respondents said that the most difficult aspect of family vacations is staying on a budget. …(read more)
Maui: Island of Adventure
When choosing a Hawaiian island for your next family vacation, say aloha to Maui. Our family vacationed there this past summer, and Maui delivered everything two work-weary parents and two active teens could want in an island getaway. My husband and I logged hours of lounge-chair time on the beautiful beaches and reveled in the peacefulness of the place. At the same time, our restless teens still found plenty to do there. Magical Maui was able to meet our divergent needs by offering the perfect balance of relaxation and action…(read more)
Top Resort Spas for Kids and Teens
Savvy family friendly resorts have spotted one of today's fastest growing trends: demand for spa services by teens and their younger siblings. In the past, "family friendly spas" used to mean resorts that offered kids programs to entertain the kids while Mom and Dad went to the spa. Now that is no longer the case. Teens and younger children want to be pampered with spa treatments as well…(read more)
5 Great International Family Eco-Lodges
If you're looking for a family vacation surrounded by nature and wildlife, consider choosing a family friendly eco-lodge as your family's next travel destination. These lodges offer family oriented accommodations and meals, as well as a wide variety of activities, tours and adventure opportunities. Here are five of our favorites:…(read more)
Ranch Vacations: A Family Reconnects in Paradise
“On your left you’ll see Cloud Peak.” Maddy giggled in her saddle when Kirk gestured in the fog. After finally winding our way to the top of the mesa above Paradise Guest Ranch in Buffalo, Wyoming we could see… maybe 50 yards…(read more)
Fishing, Family and Fun at Florida's Cheeca Lodge
Cheeca Lodge has long been a mecca for fishing lovers. The resort's location in Islamorada, the sports fishing capital of the world, offers guests a wide variety of angling opportunities. In recent years, however, this Florida Keys resort has been luring more than fishing enthusiasts to its 27-acre property. Families have discovered all of the wonders that Cheeca Lodge has to offer, and have been beating a path to its door. In addition, nearby attractions add to Cheeca's appeal as a family travel destination…(read more)
Leave The Kids With the Dolphins On Your Next Family Travel Adventure
Parents who are divers are often faced with a dilemma when selecting their family travel destinations. They want to dive, but they hate leaving family members behind. Now, divers can travel to a resort that has developed a unique approach to family vacations. At Anthony's Key Resort, dolphins are part of a unique kids program that makes nature and learning a unique part of the family travel experience..........(read more)
Adopt a Dragon in Grand Cayman
If your family is planning to travel to Grand Cayman, make your vacation even more exciting by adopting a dragon. Well, maybe not the fire-breathing kind, but an animal that closely resembles one.......(read more)
Puerto Vallarta Offers Adventure and Luxury for Families
It is easy to fall in love with a place as warm and inviting as Puerto Vallarta, and families all across North America are finding that out. A beautiful place to stay, if you want to be close to the ocean and every amenity that an all-inclusive resort can offer,.......(read more)
Choosing Age-Appropriate National Park Family Vacations
For every family, there is a perfect national park vacation. Choosing the right family vacation experience, however, requires a bit of planning and research as well as factoring in family dynamics such as age and fitness level...........(read more)
12 Ways to Get the Most Out of Your Family Travel Budget
Parents in the midst of family vacation planning are always looking for ways to stretch their travel budget. In this article, the Family Travel Network staff reveals some of today's latest and best money-saving travel tips for family trips. If you're busy planning your family's next getaway, these twelve tips and insider secrets will save tons of travel dollars on your family's next vacation..........(read more)
Super Family Resorts
At the Family Travel Network, we're constantly receiving requests for all-season resorts with a wide variety of activities and amenities. These are the types of places that are perfect for multi-generational trips, family vacations, and long-weekend getaways at any time of the year. .....(click here for more)
Vacationing With Teens Can Be A Breeze
Planning a warm weather family vacation certainly seemed a lot easier when my children were in elementary school. Our family was relatively easy to satisfy -- all we needed was a family friendly resort with great beach, a large pool (preferably with a water slide), a room that could accommodate four, and restaurants with children's menus. A captivating children's program was a big plus, of course, but we could make up for its absence with lots of family time.......(read more)
Planning International Family Travel? Check Documentation Requirements.
If your family is planning international travel in the next six months, make sure you are aware of the documentation requirements for international travel. It is important to make sure that every member of the family has the necessary travel documents in order well before your trip. This particularly applies to any family planning to travel with children under 14 and parents planning to travel solo with their children...... (read more)
Family Travel's Best-Kept Secret
If you're dreading that upcoming family trip by car or plane, here's a great way to banish the "are we there yet?" travel blues. To eliminate frayed nerves on your journey, pack a travel knapsack for your kids. Travel knapsacks make family travel so much easier, and soon will become a much beloved part of your family's vacation memories. (read more)
A Family Vacation Guide to Memphis
Family-friendly resorts and amusement parks often immediately come to mind when families begin to plan their next family vacation, but cities are excellent family travel destinations, too. Family travel to major cities can be highly rewarding – not just for the entertainment value, but also for the cultural and educational benefits as well. A city that offers families all of these options for family vacation enjoyment is Memphis, Tennessee. (read more)
Costa Rica With Kids … the Easy Way
“Fifteen red poison dart frogs!” yelled seven-year old Cammy Resnick excitedly as she hopped up and down on the jungle path. “Now it’s sixteen… No, seventeen!” her nine-year old sister Katie hollered back. (read more)
