Getting ready to plan your holiday travels? Early planners can reap the benefits of early bird specials, deals, and savings, making family vacations more affordable. Here's how to save on accommodations for your next family vacation: Think long-term: Instead of chasing last-minute deals, parents planning ahead have time to earn loyalty rewards. Start here, with a comparison of hotel loyalty … [Read more...]
Riding Amtrak: how and when to enjoy an affordable rail trip with kids
January 8, 2018 By
I love rail travel: I find a train journey to be restful, peaceful, and productive for a work-from-the-road type like myself. My kids enjoy it as well: they appreciate the mobility afforded (compared to air travel), the extra leg room, and the fun dining and panoramic cars. However, train travel today is not always the economical choice it was just a few decades ago. Price a multi-day rail journey … [Read more...]
Timeshare Rentals De-Mystified: What you need to know about Marriott Vacation Club
December 25, 2017 By
I remember my first encounter with vacation timeshare rentals like it was yesterday: I was thirteen, and bored stiff sitting in a stuffy hotel ballroom on a beautiful Hawaiian beach day. I was waiting for my parents to exit a time share sales pitch so we could embark on the promised snorkeling excursion at its conclusion. We never bought that time share, but certainly enjoyed snorkeling at … [Read more...]
Travel Tip: Is a travel insurance annual plan right for your family?
December 18, 2017 By
Two years ago, just before a trip of a lifetime to Paris and Brussels, we learned of the very unfortunate attack on a Paris nightclub, which of course triggered an extended search across country lines...the exact country lines we planned to cross ourselves on our Christmas holiday. We didn't cancel our European trip, but we did have to reroute one leg, due to airport closures. As I canceled train … [Read more...]
Tips for planning a family reunion
November 13, 2017 By
Planning a family reunion can take as much effort and attention to detail as planning a small wedding. Bringing far-flung family members together in a way that’s both convenient and fun for everyone is possible, however, if you know when to start, where to look for lodging, and what to plan to ensure success. Use the following family reunion planning hacks to become the hero of your next family … [Read more...]
Disneyland California Adventure MaxPass and how to use it
October 25, 2017 By
Have you heard of the new Disneyland and California Adventure MaxPass yet? Here’s what you need to know about Maxpass, in order to maximize your time in the parks. First, the facts of Disneyland California Adventure MaxPass: Disney’s optional MaxPass designed to do two basic things: 1. take FASTPASS paperless in the parks, and 2. streamline your PhotoPass experience. Here’s how: With MaxPass, … [Read more...]
10 tips for using ferries for Northwest travel with kids
October 6, 2017 By
If you travel extensively throughout the coastal northwest, your route will eventually necessitate using Washington State (WSDOT) ferries or BC Ferries. Both are well-run ferry transportation options, but can seem intimidating to the occasional Northwest traveler. My family and I learned the ropes (at least, most of them) the fun way on a 10 day trip throughout coastal BC and Washington islands. … [Read more...]
15 ways to fill the dog days of summer: late summer getaways and tips
August 30, 2017 By
By this part of summer, some families have already begun the school year, and the rest of us are in the last leg of vacation. If you're like us, the planned summer trips are behind you, yet empty days still stretch ahead. How to fill these dog days of summer? We have 15 ideas for late summer getaways, day trips, and pit stops. 1. Check ReserveAmerica for last-minute cancellations at a local … [Read more...]
How to get kids to sleep while traveling (no matter what age)
August 25, 2017 By
I'll be honest: we've had some insanely sleep deprived family vacations. We followed every parenting book in the...well, book, but when our kids were babies, toddlers, and preschoolers, they struggled to sleep anywhere, no matter what we did. This torture, of course, followed us on any trip we took. Now that our kids are older, we all sleep better, but there are still nights on the road when we … [Read more...]
Renting an RV: Tips for RV summer travel
July 5, 2017 By
As a parent, I understand it can be appealing to rent an RV for a family road trip. Your schedule is your own (and so is your bathroom!), and you're not confined to airports, flight delays, or even hotel reservations. On a whim, you can detour to visit something new, or delay a day to remain somewhere special. Before you take the plunge and rent an RV for a family road trip, however, read the … [Read more...]
