Resort Spotlight: Casa Dorada Los Cabos Families continually ask, "Where can we go on a Cabo family vacation where our kids can swim at the beach?" Up until now, those family beach vacation options have been severely limited. The opening of the Casa Dorada Los Cabos, Resort & Spa has changed all that, bringing family-friendly luxury vacation accommodations to the heart of Medano Beach in downtown Cabo San Lucas.
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Suite Stays in Chicago Chicago is one cool town for kids and it's perfect for a family weekend getaway. Home to deep dish pizza and Wrigley Field, the Windy City offers tons of fun—most of it within a short walk or el ride.
If you’re thinking of going to Chicago with the family, pick a hotel that’s central to all the action. The Embassy Suites Hotel Chicago-Downtown/Lakefront has suite-style accommodations in the heart of downtown Chicago, just steps from Michigan Avenue and the city’s “Magnificent Mile.”
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Mom And Teen Son Do Daytona Does Aaron remember when he was 8 and we walked the beach in Daytona, his dad and I wondered as we walked that night to dinner on the Boardwalk? Aaron had been so amazed at the time: “The sand squeaks when you walk on it!”
Of course we couldn’t ask him then and there if he remembered that because he is, after all, now a teenager, meaning walking on the beach with us would be akin to being seen in public wearing Speedo swimming briefs.....(click here for more)
Costa Rica With Kids … the Easy Way Costa Rica is teeming with wildlife, but families may miss much of it without a naturalist guide. Animals do not appear on cue like characters at Disney World, and children’s attention spans and patience can quickly vanish when wildlife is not spotted promptly. Highly experienced guides know where to look for nature in this jungle paradise, and can point it out even when it is camouflaged by water or lush foliage. Some of the highlights of our trip were close-up views of flamboyant toucans, languid sloths, animated howler and spider monkeys, brilliant blue morpho butterflies, a red-eyed tree frog, dazzlingly iridescent hummingbirds, and giant nesting sea turtles.
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Myrtle Beach: The Grand Strand of South Carolina With sixty miles of sandy beaches, accommodations to fit any budget, exciting entertainment, and what appears to be an endless list of family attractions, all presented with the right touch of Southern hospitality, the Myrtle Beach area is a perfect choice for a fun-filled family vacation. Stretching from Little River in the north to Pawley’s Island in the south, the Grand Strand, the popular name for the Myrtle Beach area, comprises 12 cities along the South Carolina coast, each with its own distinct atmosphere.
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Spectacular Alaska Family VacationsFamily 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… (read more)
Enjoying The Shores In Daytona If you’re planning on driving the kids to Disney World from somewhere in the North, you should make a stop in Daytona Beach Shores before you get to your final destination. Not necessarily for the fun of driving your car right out onto the beach, which is nothing to sneeze at, and not even necessarily to treat them to the Daytona 500, which, granted, draws 250,000 people to town in February and is also fun. On the contrary, you should stop so the kids can stay at a place that, even though it looks like an upscale adults-only hotel, is one of the most welcoming to children that we’ve encountered on our travels. In fact, you could easily stay here enjoying the beautiful beach and never get to Orlando at all.
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Cancun's Family Eco-Adventures Cancun has always been a favorite vacation destination for many families, with its beautiful beaches, attractions and family friendly resorts. The arrival of Hurricane Wilma in October, 2005, put a damper on many families’ travel plans and forced them to take their vacations elsewhere. Almost one year later, reports are that Cancun is back and just as appealing as ever… (read more)
The Winnetu Resort: Fun For Families on Martha’s Vineyard Although we didn’t bring any of our five children nor our one grandchild with us when we visited The Winnetu Resort here on South Beach (also called Katama Beach), almost as soon as we arrived, we wished we had. The first hint that this is not only an elegant hideaway for adult couples but a heavenly place for children as well was the 1941 Ford fire truck that goes back and forth the three miles from the resort into town, almost always filled with laughing children. The second were the small Adirondack chairs placed on the huge front lawn of the Winnetu that overlooks the beach and the Atlantic Ocean. They’re about the perfect size for a 3-year-old.
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Planning an Adventure-Packed Montana Family Vacation The best family vacations create life-long memories and allow parents and kids to have fun together. Over the years, parents have found that taking a family adventure vacation is one of the best ways to make new family memories and enjoy the outdoors together. In fact, family vacations have become one of the fastest growing segments of the adventure travel industry.
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Beyond Fenway: A Family’s First Foray to Boston Despite numerous business trips to Boston, the city never ranked high on our list of family vacation destinations. Boy, were we wrong. It turns out Boston is a lovely, lively place to take the kids on family travel adventures. Boston is a very walkable city that revels in its role in American history while readily revealing its 21st Century sensibilities.
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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.
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Kiawah Island: A Sanctuary for the Golfing Family There’s a reason you rarely see parents of young children playing golf together. An 18-hole round of golf takes enough time that, even if Mom and Dad have the money for babysitters, or even if they have a grandmother handy, the guilt at leaving the kids for five hours or so, and having more fun than they are, is still there.
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Sanibel/Captiva Family Vacation Guide The shell-strewn beaches of Sanibel and Captiva Islands attract thousands of families each year. Every day, from dawn to dusk (and during the night if that's when low tide arrives), you'll see hundreds of people walking the beaches in the "Sanibel Stoop", heads and shoulders bent ... eyes totally focused...
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Boston Family Vacation Guide Boston is a super family destination for any season. There is so much to do here for those with every imaginable interest. In fact, this abundance of activities and sights can often be overwhelming....
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Miami Family Vacation Guide
Greater Miami and the beaches has something for everyone under the sun. This area of Florida offers visitors the cutting edge of urban chic -- combined with the beauty and splendor of a tropical paradise. The average yearly temperature is a mild 76 degrees...
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Tahiti by Freighter: A Family Travel Adventure
Finding the perfect destination for a family vacation can be tough, especially for parents who are looking for something new and different in their next travel experience. If adventure travel and remote South Seas islands appeal to your family of explorers, a freighter cruise to the remote Marquesas and Tuomotu islands may be just the ticket your family is seeking ...
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Edgewater Beach Resort and Panama City’s Gulf Coast Transformation
Panama City Beach on Florida’s northwest Gulf coast is transforming itself slowly from its honky-tonk past to attract a more expansive group of people to its famous sugar-white sand and emerald green water. It’s not done reinventing itself, and hopefully it never will lose some of its real, homegrown American feel. But newer properties such as the Edgewater Beach Resort in St. Andrews Bay are part of its transition efforts to attract families on a budget who are not willing to accept low-rent digs.
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Norwegian Cruise Line Makes Hawaii Easy for Families My husband is a resort vacation addict. As a true workaholic, he enjoys the freedom and relaxation that resorts offer. He likes to eat whenever he wants, lounge on the beach at his leisure, and savor his independence. As a result, regimented cruises have never been his vacation option of choice....
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Great Family Vacations: Caribbean Adventures on St. Vincent and the Grenadines For centuries sailors have headed toward St. Vincent and its sister islands, the Grenadines, a 45-mile archipelago lying between Grenada and St. Lucia. Legend has it that the buccaneers of long ago buried their booty in the lush hills and rock strewn caves; savvy yachtsmen still seek treasured sanctuary in these islands' sequestered coves.....
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The Hyatt Regency Coconut Point: A Beauty in Bonita Springs Finding a resort that satisfies the wide-ranging interests of our family is becoming increasingly challenging. With a ten year-old active boy, a twelve year-old artsy girl, a Parrothead dad and a mom who appreciates a good thread count, imagine the difficulties. Vacation travel planning for our family can become a nightmare. Luckily for us, the Hyatt Regency Coconut Grove in Bonita Springs, Florida, gets close to satisfying our entire family, particularly due to the Camp Hyatt kids’ program......
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Club Med Punta Cana: An All-Inclusive for the Active Family Club Med is famous for its family-friendly ambience, international flavor, and amazing array of all-inclusive family oriented activities. And Club Med Punta Cana, located on the eastern tip of the Dominican Republic, is one of the company’s best resorts for active families. With direct flights to Punta Cana now available from many major gateway cities, it’s easier than ever to travel there. And once you and your family land, the resort is just ten minutes from the airport.......
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New York City: A Magical Destination for Winter Family Travel Even before the first snowflakes fall, New York City transforms into a winter wonderland perfect for creating family memories. Skaters execute figure-eights under a magnificent tree, the Rockettes kick up their heels, Sugar Plum Fairies travel effortlessly across the stage at Lincoln Center, enchanting store windows draw children and family members, and traditional holiday lights, music, and decorations spread their annual joy. All this begins as Santa travels to town on the last float of the legendary family favorite -- the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade........
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Take the Kids on a Family Vacation to Alaska This Summer 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 cruise ships, via a combination of cruise and rail tours, aboard luxury yachts, 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
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Club Med Punta Cana Debuts The Ultimate Teen Lounge, The Ramp If your family includes teens, you know that summer family travel planning can be tough. The best family vacations offer something to please every family member, and teens can be hard to satisfy. If you are seeking a family vacation that is sure to please teens, consider family travel to Club Med Punta Cana this summer, where they have just launched one of the coolest teen lounges ever. (click here for more)
Nickelodeon Nirvana: A New Family Travel Option in Orlando Get ready to travel, SpongeBob fans. Holiday Inn has opened the first Nickelodeon–branded family resort by transforming its popular Holiday Inn Family Suites Resort in Lake Buena Vista into the 777-suite Nickelodeon Family Suites, commonly referred to as the “NickHotel.” The result is pure family travel nirvana.(click here for more)
Stowe Will Give Families The Ultimate Ski Vacation Whether you are planning a family ski trip for the 2007 season, or want to get an early start on planning a fabulous family ski vacation for the 2007-2008 season, you should consider a trip to Stowe, Vermont. Recent snowstorms have given Vermont ski areas new life for this season, and conditions at Stowe are so good that the resort plans to remain open until April 22, 2007. As a result, there’s plenty of good skiing left this season.(click here for more)
Sugarbush Additions Improve the Family Ski Experience If you are planning a family ski trip this winter, Sugarbush Resort in Warren, Vermont is offering new reasons to make it the family travel destination of choice. The recent unveiling of Lincoln Peak Village, Clay Brook Residences, and the Gate House Base Lodge make this mountain resort an excellent setting for a memorable family ski vacation.(click here for more)
Planning an Adventure-Packed Montana Family Vacation
The best family vacations create life-long memories and allow parents and kids to have fun together. Over the years, parents have found that taking a family adventure vacation is one of the best ways to make new family memories and enjoy the outdoors together. In fact, family vacations have become one of the fastest growing segments of the adventure travel industry. (read more)
Mazatlan: Mexico’s Pacific Pearl Shines Brightly Again
The shine may have worn off for a couple of decades since the heyday in the mid- 1980's, but today, Mazatlan, known as "The Pearl of the Pacific" of Mexican beaches, is recovering much of its luster. Aside from being a popular stop for several West coast cruise lines, it's also known as an affordable deep sea fishing destination popular with Mexican vacationers. (read more)
Atlantis: A Family Paradise in the Bahamas
Billed as a “destination resort” for families, the grand-scale Atlantis (located on Paradise Island in the Bahamas) is part family beach haven, part waterpark, and part aquatic habitat. This majestic, towering hotel complex appears to rise right out of the ocean. If your family loves swimming, water slides, and getting up close and personal with marine life, this is a great place to choose for a family vacation. (read more)
Top 10 Suggestions for Family Activities and Attractions on Oahu
If your family is planning to travel to Hawaii, take a look at these tips on what to see and do suggested by Sandi Maruyama, concierge at the family friendly JW Marriott Ihilani Resort and Spa. Sandi understands what her family guests are looking for on their Hawaii vacation, and she has assisted families with a wide variety of travel needs over the last four years. In fact, she was named "2004 Concierge of the Year." Here are Sandi's tips on family activities and attractions in Oahu: (read more)
Resort Spotlight: Barceló Punta Cana
The Barceló Punta Cana Resort in the Dominican Republic just got an extensive $14 million dollar facelift, and the results are impressive. Formerly the Breezes Punta Cana Resort, this all-inclusive property caters to families with a gorgeous beach, several large swimming pools, a children's club with its own "mini disco," and an energetic entertainment staff. (read more)
Into The Wild: An Alaska Family Road Trip Itinerary
Putting together a driving itinerary for a family vacation in Alaska is no easy feat. Driving distances, varying interests and priorities, budgetary considerations, tour times, and other factors all come into play when customizing and planning an Alaska family vacation. (read more)
Mount Sunapee: New Hampshire’s Hidden Gem
The ski season started off with a bang this year, as Mother Nature draped the Northeast with a blanket of snow on several occasions. Skiing families should make plans for the rest of the season, as the outlook appears even better. Most ski areas have had plenty of cold nights and have added their own snow to Mother Nature’s, creating a deep base that should carry them well into the spring . . . (read more)
Five Northeast Ski Resorts Deliver an Avalanche of Family Fun
America’s mountainous northeast region is jam-packed with family-friendly ski resorts just waiting for your visit this winter. A number of northeast ski resorts have been busy making improvements and upgrades to their facilities, both on the slopes and off. Here’s a rundown on five of the northeast’s top ski resorts and some of their newest improvements to make for a fun family ski vacation. . . (read more)
Club Med Cancun Yucatan is a GO for Families
Club Med is focusing exclusively on upscale and family-oriented vacations and its newly revitalized property in Cancun is the flagship for this philosophical shift. A revamped and classy Club Med Cancun Yucatan has emerged after $24 million dollars in renovations and it's a winner for families. While the flat screen televisions and chic European guest room decor are new, the quintessential hallmarks of a Club Med vacation have not been altered. The friendly G.O. staff, innovative cuisine, and wealth of all-inclusive activities are still as exceptional as ever. (read more)
Resort Spotlight: The Mountain Top Inn & Resort
If you’re thinking about a winter family vacation that will get your family outdoors to enjoy exciting winter activities amid beautiful New England scenery, then consider taking your family to the veritable winter wonderland of Chittenden, Vermont. Never heard of Chittenden? That’s because it’s not the home of one of the Northeast’s major Alpine ski areas. (read 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. (read more)
Four-Seasons of Family Fun at Smugglers’ Notch, Vermont
Smugglers’ Notch Resort is nestled at the base of three interconnected mountains in the heart of northern Vermont’s ski country. Yet the Green Mountain hideaway is much more than a family winter playground. Families travel here all year long to experience the homey family-friendly condominium lodging, the festive village atmosphere, the stellar children’s and teens’ programs, a wide variety of family activities, and the opportunities to get up close and personal with the natural surroundings. It’s rare for a family resort to be able to captivate kids of all ages, but Smugglers’ does this with ease. (read more)
See Alaska Your Way
By its very nature, Alaska conjures up images of adventure and rugged independence. After all, this is America's last frontier -- the "great land" as the native Aleuts called it. So, in planning our family's escape into the wild, we knew we didn't want to see Alaska with hordes of other visitors. We wanted a unique vacation experience that gave us the freedom to design our own trip and see Alaska in a more unique, personalized way (read more)
