The best countries for family vacations: where to go now

The best gift every parent can gift to his child is the ability to travel. But to travel anywhere without much of the thought giving is not really considered being an excellent way to do it. To gift your children all the best, you should, at least, try to consider visiting these countries I am going to mention below. The team behind the Travel Ticker helped me to find these countries, and I … [Read more...]

How to plan a stress-free family holiday while pregnant

Welcoming a new arrival to your growing family is an incredibly joyous occasion albeit with one small exception; planning your family holiday! During this time it can seem daunting to plan a relaxing vacation abroad which will accommodate for all of your pre-natal needs. To help rectify this issue, here are some helpful hints that I've found can reduce the stress that often accompanies planning a … [Read more...]

What terrorism won’t take from me

As many readers know, we plan to travel to Paris next month. I’ll be very honest: current events have us unsettled and saddened on many levels, including, of course, the impact on our trip plans. Here is why we’re still going. Terrorism won’t take my love of travel. A few, cowardly, misguided, damaged people won’t steal the joy I feel researching trips, complete with Google Maps and Rick … [Read more...]

Touring breweries and wineries (and how to take home souvenirs)

Indulging in a libation or two while on vacation has always been popular, but with the number of microbreweries and wineries popping up all across the country, it's now a  legitimate way to experience a new destination. Here's how to drink in the local culture, touring breweries and wineries on vacation, even with the kids in tow. How to find the best local beer and wine: You've arrived at … [Read more...]

Top 5 Tips to Prevent Motion Sickness in Children When Traveling

You’ve just booked the perfect trip. You and your family are about to experience the adventure of a lifetime. But if you have small children, motion sickness might put the breaks on your travels. Whether you’re traveling by boat, car, plane or train, small children are prone to nausea, light-headedness, and fatigue while traveling. Motion sickness is usually brought on by mixed signals in … [Read more...]

Five questions to ask yourself before buying travel insurance

When should you consider buying travel insurance? This is a question I am asked regularly, and frankly, it's one I've been mulling over when booking my own travel adventures as well. I've bought travel insurance for two family trips in recent years: for a vacation to the Caribbean uncomfortably close to hurricane season, and for our upcoming two-week trip to Europe. I don't believe families … [Read more...]

Top hotel chains for family travelers

We get asked for hotel recommendations all the time. And we have plenty to give: after all, we spend over 100 nights per year in hotel rooms, suites, vacation rentals, and condos. While specific hotel picks in family travel destinations are important, it can be equally useful to know which are the top hotel chains for family travelers...no matter where you're going. We have our favorites, … [Read more...]

Earth Day every day: outdoor adventures that teach kids to love nature

In our part of the world, Earth Day usually dawns chilly and soggy. For many years, I dutifully took my kids out to the local celebration (always held outdoors, of course) so we could freeze for a few hours while batting around an oversized globe-patterned beach ball, learn about sustainable housing and bio-diesel, and eat local produce. Don't get me wrong: there's nothing wrong with any of that. … [Read more...]

Five budget travel hacks you thought you’d outgrown

You traveled extensively as a young adult, but now you’ve settled down with a job and kids. Think your budget travel days are behind you? Think again! The following budget travel hacks can still be implemented with kids in tow. All that’s needed is a little flexibility, nostalgia, and sense of adventure! 1. Take the bus or train: Train travel is admittedly less convenient in the US than many … [Read more...]

How to use Airbnb to rent a room (and when to consider it)

We often recommend booking a vacation rental when traveling with kids: doing so allows families to travel more authentically, comfortably, and cheaply. But would you rent a single room in a stranger's home? The vacation rental site airbnb offers rental homes and apartments to traveling families, much like companies such as HomeAway or VacationRoost. However, they also list single rooms, … [Read more...]