Family Travel Guide

10 Family-Friendly Destinations for a Holiday [Sponsored Post]

BootsnAll — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 14:08:56 +0000

This post is brought to you by Flight Centre. For more information on sponsored posts read here.

Holiday packages are an ideal way to plan a getaway, as all the details are taken care of for you. When organising special holiday packages for the family, consider some of the top family-friendly destinations there are on offer.

1. Florida

Florida is an obvious choice for families on holiday, with Disney World, Universal Studios, Sea World and great beaches. It’s fun for the whole family, ensuring you get to spend plenty of memorable time together.

2. Spain

Visit the Spanish islands for a holiday break, or getaway to bustling cities like Barcelona and Madrid. With such diversity, a Spanish holiday ensures there’s always plenty to do for visitors of all ages.

3. California

California is a great theme park alternative to Florida, with Disney and Universal parks scattered around Anaheim. In between rides, relax with the family on one of this great state’s beautiful beaches.

4. New York City

There’s a reason so many people flock to New York City; it’s filled to capacity with things to do. Adults and kids alike can get lost in all of the sights here, with everything from Broadway to the Statue of Liberty.

5. Genoa

Genoa is a gem of a city in Italy, offering all the culinary delights of Italy with the beach feeling of the Riviera. Families can spend plenty of time together here, swimming about in the water then breaking for a bit of gelato in the afternoon.

6. Chicago

The windy city of Chicago is like a mini New York, giving it plenty of charm without all the hubbub. Kids in Chicago enjoy the Great American Doll headquarters, as well as the Sears Tower. For adults, catch a comedy act or try one of the fine dining establishments.

7. French Riviera

The French Riviera is a sunny paradise for any family on the go. The beautiful beaches will set adults at ease, and the sparkling waters are great for children to splash about in. In the evenings, enjoy family meals outdoors, right on the beaches.

8. London

The bustling city of London is a one stop shop for anyone looking for a holiday with family, as there’s plenty for both the adults and kids to look forward to. For the grownups, look into great nightlife and stunning museums. For the little ones, there are amazing West End shows and entertainment venues to occupy plenty of time.

9. Hawaii

It’s easy to see why so many people look to Hawaii for a holiday in the sun. The beaches themselves are enough to encourage anyone to go. The islands of Hawaii offer amazing sunsets, great dining options and plenty of local culture and history to experience.

10. Edinburgh

Edinburgh is a fantastic spot to take relatives with a thirst for history. The city boasts a treasure trove of historical palaces and fortresses, all of which can be explored for days. Plus, the city itself has plenty to lend itself toward visitors, from great dining to amazing shopping.

photo by flickrized

Join the 2012 Mom Blogger Camp in in Velas Vallarta, Mexico

Katie Hammel — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 14:00:45 +0000

This is a guest post from Jen Miner, blogger at The Vacation Gals, and organizer of the 2012 Mom Blogger Camp in in Velas Vallarta.

Mention the phrase “mommy blogger” to a crowd, and you’ll get a few different reactions. What some people view as a viable way to accrue a little extra income while staying home with young children, others see as a rudderless industry in need of guidance. The truth is, there are as many types of parent bloggers as there are parents, and judging with broad strokes do no one any favors. There are all sorts of parent blogs and whether you’re a professional parent blogger with a distinct niche or a mom just toying with the idea of starting up a casual blog, there are always ways to improve your blog. Even family travel bloggers like myself straddle the line between two niches (parent and travel blogs, obviously).

Blogging conferences abound. Just like there are travel blogging conferences, there are parent blogging conferences — way more of the latter, in fact. I’d like to talk about a one-time-only parent blogger mini-conference that should cover a lot of ground for blogging newbies and old-timers, in an incredibly fun, relaxing environment. The Mom Blogger Camp in in Velas Vallarta has some of the top experts on hand to give professional blogging tips and advice — plus hey — it’s in a Puerto Vallarta all-inclusive resort in the middle of winter! January 5-8, 2012, to be exact.What an awesome way to warm up: Mixing professional growth with a sunny vacation south of the border.

Now, I’m the conference organizer for this one-off Mom Blogger Camp, but the folks over at Velas Vallarta know what they’re doing; they hosted a Food Blogger Camp last winter, too. The expert speakers coming to help parent bloggers grow professionally will also be enjoying themselves, hanging out by the pool, perhaps indulging in a spa visit, and all those other activities denoting a tropical vacation. Mom Blogger Camp attendees will have the opportunity to casually hang out with the speakers (within limits, of course, let’s respect each others’ personal space here!) in the afternoons, with most sessions being in the morning.

I’m looking forward to hearing The Bloggess‘s topic, Famous on the Internet. Not that I’ll ever be famous on the internet, but she’s hilarious and amazing. Also greatly anticipated are Deb Ng, Aparna Vashshit-Rota, Adria Richards, Peter Carey, Anne Hartsell, Mary Jo Manzanares, and Amy Whitley. Umm.. and that’s it. Not looking forward to any other speakers at this mini-conference, because that’s the lot of them! It’s a small, low-key, yet meaty retreat with lots of time to enjoy Puerto Vallarta.

The schedule is here; you can see that there’s some time built in each day for Mom Blogger Camp attendees to talk up any travel sponsors. This is an important part of the schedule — after all, while this is a very, very affordable conference, the cost of air fare will have to be considered as well. Fortunately, from what I’ve seen, many family-friendly companies are happy to help mom bloggers get to conferences in the form of straightforward sponsorships.

The Mom Blogger Camp is open to anyone (dads too, of course!) and will be January 5-8, 2012 with the actual conference days are the 6th and 7th. I’ll be there, and I hope you will consider it, too.

Camping with the kids

Cristina — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 11:47:39 +0000

Many couples who consider having kids are concerned that their traveling days are over as soon as their bundle of joy arrives in this world. Yes, your hosteling and parting all nights vacations will be over – unless you ask the grandparents to baby sit while you escape over a weekend – but traveling can be absolutely amazing with kids.

Among the benefits of traveling with kids is getting more value for money. Remember those family tickets for various attractions? Turned out that in Budapest, it was cheaper to get one than buy individual adult tickets even though we weren’t traveling with kids.

Also, camping is a great experience which kids should be accustomed to. But make sure to search among the best campgrounds for families . Make sure the campground has basic facilities and it’s also close to pools or other attractions. Being close to hiking trails is definitely a plus.

While you should take it easy when you hike with kids, there are many hikes that anyone can do , regardless in which continent you travel. Just plan for more stops along the way, bring lots of water and healthy snacks. Make sure the kids (and you!) wear sunscreen and clothes suitable for the weather and terrain.

It can be challenging to plan the first vacation in nature with the kids, but you’ll get used to it in no time. Plus, kids adapt easily and you shouldn’t be surprised if they actually enjoy it and want to do it again.

Photo credit

Making Museums Fun For Kids

Katie Hammel — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 20:27:47 +0000

For a lot of kids, a trip to the museum is as appealing as a trip to the dentist. Wandering aimlessly from weird-looking art to even weirder-looking art as you are constantly “shushed” by adults is no fun. But museum visits don’t have to be somber and boring; in fact many museums cater to kids with special exhibits and programs that make learning more fun.

When planning museum trips for kids, first think about what your kids like. If you have a child who actually is really interested in art or history, by all means, enjoy a visit to one of the best modern art museums or museum that showcases the local history. But if you’re child isn’t quite captivated by artistic expression or the French Revolution, don’t expect them to enjoy a few hours spent in the museum.

Instead take them to a museum that better fits their interests. As a child who loved horses, I’m sure I would have been enraptured with Lisbon’s Coach Museum, a collection of ornate carriages and coaches. Kids who love dinosaurs would flip for Chicago’s Field Museum, where a full T-Rex skeleton is on display.

And don’t forget some of the lesser-known and slightly odder museums around the world. There are several unusual food museums
that would fascinate children, as well as museums centered on space exploration (always a favorite with kids) and natural science. Any museum that offers hands-on exhibits and interactive experiences can be good for kids.

Many more adult-oriented museums also have special exhibits for kids that help make the information more accessible and entertaining. No matter which museum you choose, there are ways to make the experience a bit more interesting for kids of any ages.

First off, try to schedule your visit when there are less people there. Come early in the morning or later, before the museum closes, and limit the amount of time based on your kid’s attention span and interests. Some kids might be happy to scamper around a museum all day while others would get bored after an hour. If you want to see several sections of a large museum, consider breaking your visit up into two days. If the kids bet bored or hungry before the parents want to go home, consider having one parent take them to the food court while the other gets their art fix, and then switching off.

Visiting a museum with your kids doesn’t have to be a whiny “are we done yet?”-filled experience. If you pick museums that offer something for kids and plan your visit with your child’s personality in mind, a visit to a museum can be a rewarding and entertaining educational experience for the whole family.

Photo by Txgeek

Tips and Tricks for Family Travel

Katie Hammel — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 17:53:47 +0000

Traveling with kids – especially for the first time or on an extended trip – can be a nerve-wracking experience. Will the youngest have a total meltdown in unfamiliar surroundings? Will jetlag throw everyone off their sleep schedule? Or will what should have been a relaxing vacation turn into a week-long whine fest? While you never really know how your family will react until you try, there are things you can do to prepare your kids for travel.

Depending on the age of your children, you can help prepare them for the disruption to their routine and the unfamiliar sites and sounds they’re about to encounter. If you can, start small, with outings and overnights to nearby cities before embarking on a long trip to Europe. Choose resorts that offer family-friendly travel services , like kids clubs, nannies, or babysitting services. This way not only do the kids feel like they’re being catered to (and can play with kids their own ages in kids clubs) but mom and dad can have some time to do the things they want to do as well.

Once you’re ready to tackle a bigger adventure, you don’t have to spend thousands to see the world with kids. In fact, traveling with kids on a budget can force you to be more creative and put you closer to an authentic experience, ensuring that your kids get more from the trip than if you stayed in a luxury hotel. Hosteling with kids is surprisingly easy (and affordable) thanks to hostels that offer private rooms with 2, 3, 4 or more beds.

Before setting out on your trip with kids, it’s always wise to look into travel insurance, which can help with everything from weather-related cancellations to emergency evacuations should someone get sick or injured. Family insurance for a trip doesn’t cost much, and it can help protect both your investment and the people you love.

Photo by Hawaii

You Can Travel Long-Term with Kids

Katie Hammel — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 14:29:49 +0000

So often, round-the-world and long-term travelers are told that it’s a good thing they are “doing it before kids” – the implication, of course, being that such an adventure would be impossible with a child in tow. But that couldn’t be farther from the truth, and more and more families are realizing the job of taking a long-term trip together.

There are definitely some challenges to taking an RTW trip with kids. How will the kids cope without a home base and all their familiar friends? What about all the gear that kids need: diapers, clothes…not to mention their favorite toys? And how far behind will they fall in school if they take several months or a year off?

But for every challenge there is a solution, and for every reason why it’s too hard or too dangerous, there are even more reasons to travel around the world with kids. Children are far more resilient than we often think and they need far fewer possessions than advertisers want us to believe. Many families travel around the world with one backpack per person – and do it easily and happily.

While some kids may balk at the idea of a year with no permanent home, others would jump at the chance to walk on the Great Wall of Chine, ride a Camel in Morocco or see lions on safari in South Africa. Preparing children for long term travel is all about managing expectations and focusing on the amazing adventures they’ll have, rather than what they will miss at home. Every family is different, but if you’re considering an RTW trip with your kids, you’ll never know if it can work for you until you try. Taking your family on the road can be one of the greatest adventures of your lives, challenging you to learn and grow, and bringing your closer together along the way.

Photo by naezmi

Is Amsterdam a good choice for a family vacation?

Cristina — Tue, 31 May 2011 13:38:23 +0000

Earlier this year I was talking to my beau about visiting Amsterdam. Or should be wait until we have kids? Then, the first things to come in our mind were the Red Light District, the museums, the cafes and the architecture. How could a city known for its guilty pleasures be a good destination for a family vacation?

Well, it’s possible and Amsterdam is one city you won’t regret you’ve visited with the kids. The things to do in Amsterdam with kids include visiting the Science Center NEMO, discovering the world of music at the Sound Garden (workshops are in Dutch), enjoying the nature in Amsterdam Bos, visit the Anne Frank house, see the replica of The Amsterdam (which is the ship that sailed from the Netherlands to the Far East with cargo for the VOC settlements) or learn about the tropical parts of the world at Tropenmuseum Junior.

Convinced yet? Then maybe one of the free things to do in Amsterdam will make you start looking for hotels and cheap tickets to Amsterdam . Spend some time in the flower market or walk through the Jordaan neighborhood. Vondelpark is also a good destination to enjoy some nature and just relax after a day of sightseeing.

Amsterdam is definitely not a place for small children, but once they are old enough to read and write, don’t hesitate to bring them here. Visiting a foreign country is the best way to learn history and geography without even trying too much. When they have fun, children don’t even realize they learn. But it sure pays off in the long run.

Photo credit

Family Vacation in Bilbao

Cristina — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 10:30:05 +0000

Bilbao doesn’t exactly strike anyone as a family friendly travel destination. Situated on the banks of the river Nervión and with a mild climate, the city is an excellent choice for families with children old enough to explore museums. The rainy climate makes it difficult cu plan a day at the beach, but it’s heaven for those who like lush, green nature and want to plan hikes on the near-by hills.

Bilbao is served by an airport and, as you know, finding cheap flights to Spain is not hard . Large airlines such as Lufthansa, Spanair, Air France, Air Berlin and Iberia serve the city; but you can also grab low-cost airfare from airlines such as Vueling, easyJet or Air Europa.

After you’ve booked the flight, make sure to look for cheap Bilbao hotels before you leave. Depending on what facilities you look for, rooms range between €19 and €30 per night in cheap hotels. But when you travel with the kids you might also look into renting a vacation apartment for the duration of your stay.

As for the things to do in Bilbao , the kids will definitely have a lot to learn when visiting the museums and exploring the Old Town. The Guggenheim Museum is an art work itself and houses permanent and visiting exhibits of works by Spanish and international artists. Then you can explore Mercado de la Ribera, one of the biggest covered markets in Europe, and try some of the local food. If you happen to visit Bilbao during the summer, you can attend an open air concert at the Kiosko del Arenal.

Photo credit

Finding Family-Friendly Las Vegas

Jessica — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 19:54:13 +0000

With a nickname like Sin City, it’s easy to overlook Las Vegas as a potential destination for a family vacation. Everyone who’s been to Vegas before has seen the scantily-clad women on billboards and taxi placards all over the city, not to mention the guys on every street corner handing out flyers with even more scantily-clad women.

Las Vegas has tried over the years to market itself as more family-friendly, which hasn’t been nearly as successful as the whole “what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas” campaign – which is yet another indication of the challenge of making this a good spot for a family trip.

It’s a challenge, perhaps, but it can be done – and with so many great deals on offer for Vegas pretty much year-round, it can be an easy way to take a family trip without spending a fortune. Here are a few reasons why taking a family vacation to Las Vegas is a budget-friendly and fun option:

Airfare is Cheaper

As anyone who travels with their kids knows, buying airline tickets for a family can be enough to make the budget-conscious cry. Whereas international airfare for four or more people is prohibitively expensive, however, buying tickets to Las Vegas is often a bargain. There are often special vacation packages available to Vegas as well that combine accommodation with flights, and can include activities as well.

Off-Strip Hotels are a Good Deal

The bright lights of the Las Vegas Strip are appealing to young and old alike (I recall my eyes bugging out of my head the first time I saw them at the age of 12), but the hotels that line the Strip are often too costly to consider for a family. You may find a great deal on one room, which is fine if you’re just traveling with your spouse, but getting a room big enough for the kids as well (or getting a second room) is another story. Looking at hotels off the Vegas Strip is a good way to find better deals, and that’s where many of the family friendly hotels in Vegas are, too.

Kid-Friendly Activities

As mentioned above, there are plenty of things to do in Vegas that are decidedly not family-friendly – but there are also excellent options that parents and kids will both enjoy. The area around the city offers a veritable plethora of outdoorsy activities, including hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing, and off-roading. In the winter months, there’s skiing in the nearby mountains. There are day trips you can take to places like the Hoover Dam. Within the city itself, there are lots of great shows that kids will love as much as their parents, and although Circus Circus isn’t exactly the place most people want to stay in the city it does offer a whole kid-friendly section full of carnival-style games. There are lots of options in Vegas for teenagers, younger kids, and their parents to keep everyone entertained.

Further Reading:

photo by D. Sharon Pruitt

It’s been a great run, but it’s time to go

Sheila — Fri, 31 Dec 2010 21:10:15 +0000

I started this blog on February 10, 2006 at the recommendation of journalist friend and tech expert Dwight Silverman; I was retiring from the Navy and planning to be a writer, and he said, “If you’re going to be a writer, you need to have a blog.”

Hmmm, well alrighty, then!

It was worse than the blind leading the blind – I was clueless and had no one leading me, either. At least I had enough sense to know, even back in the mellower online world of 2006, that it would be better to write about a niche travel topic rather than try to break in as a general travel writer. I chose family travel simply because I’d done it all over the world thanks to Navy assignments and could speak to the issues, not because I’m wildly maternal (as my kids will attest.)

My first post was the standard welcome to this new blog greeting, then the second was a fairly pointless one about American Express traveler’s checks. I finally said something useful when I wrote about Mini-Europe in Brussels, Belgium, and from there it was off and running. I blogged to fill my spare time and to build an online presence in between print writing assignments, but instead found myself on the cusp of a publishing revolution.

I had no idea that blogging would become the impetus for covering motorsports like NHRA drag racing, meeting bloggers and startups in China, doing a lot of social media workshops and speaking plus launching an online course in social media marketing for tourism (all of which is about to lead to a book on tech-based entrepreneurship for people over 40.)

While I’ve thoroughly enjoyed writing for and representing my host the BootsnAll Travel Network, my daughter Nancy started college this fall; even though my son is still at home, it seems like a good time to turn this blog over to another parent who wants to tackle the joys of Walt Disney World, or safe flying with kids or top tips for kids in Tokyo.

As far as I know, Boots hasn’t selected a replacement for me yet, so if you’re interested (yes, it is a paid position) then I suggest you check the BootsnAll Travel Writer Platform page.

There is, of course, unfinished business. I wasn’t able to complete the 50 States Series (got stuck on Mississippi for some reason) so I may try to pick that back up and continue it in some form elsewhere. There is a video or two that I never got around to editing, and a notebook with post ideas that I haven’t tackled yet.

Not to worry – I still write for the Perceptive Travel blog, do guest posts for other blogs and also plan to make Fridays a travel post day on my personal blog, Sheila’s Guide to the Good Stuff.

Thank you so much to all of the faithful readers who have been here since the beginning, and those who may have found Family Travel more recently. I’ll never forget meeting some of my readers for the first time in person, at the BlogHer conference in 2007. It is the most wondrous feeling to have someone walk up and say, “Hi, I read your blog….”

I’m so grateful that you’ve all been along for the ride. Let’s stay in touch, shall we?