Destinations

Travel and ideas for specific destinations such as cities, countries, parks, or areas of interest

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Three days at Beaches Ocho Rios in sunny Jamaica
ByEileen Ogintz June 11, 2013July 12, 2021

When we arrived at Beaches Ochos Rios, the welcome staff immediately swept Jude up to get ready for the carnival parade with the Sesame Street characters. She was given a glittery crown and had her face painted right off the van. She instantly forgot about the long day of travel and was immersed in the fun and activities.

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Families & Groups | Destinations | Taking the Kids Blogs

Five vacation ideas guarantees to please for Father’s Day
ByEileen Ogintz June 9, 2013June 29, 2023

Forget the new slippers. Dad certainly won’t want another tie. And he can choose his own books. This Father’s Day, get Dad something he’s guaranteed to love–a special experience on your next vacation. Here are five we think are guaranteed to please:

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Beach Vacations | Destinations | Families & Groups | Lodging | Weekly Column

Families flock to the Caribbean for great deals in summer
ByEileen Ogintz June 6, 2013July 7, 2021

In summer, you’ll find cheaper air fares to the Caribbean than in winter, too, which will enable you to experience more far-flung locales. Look for deals in the Bahamas, for example, that include free airfare from Nassau to the outer islands. But be forewarned that especially if you plan to travel in August or September, a tropical storm might rain on your parade.

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Backyard Vacations | Destinations | Families & Groups | Parks & Outdoors | Travel Diaries

Whitewater Rafting and other Adventures in Wild (and Wet!) West Virginia
ByEileen Ogintz May 31, 2013July 17, 2021

The sun is warming us with brief guest appearances through the clouds, and the cool river water running though the deep canyon is not too high but not too low. The conditions are perfect for a day of whitewater rafting on West Virginia’s New River Gorge National River with River Expeditions outfitters.

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Beach Vacations | Destinations | Families & Groups | Parks & Outdoors | Travel Diaries | Volunteer & Service

In the Abacos: mixing culture with tourism in a People-to-People program
ByEileen Ogintz May 23, 2013July 10, 2021

That’s also the idea behind the Bahamas People to People Program. Visitors are paired with locals of similar interests who might take them to church, running in Nassau, on a boat ride or a kayak in Grand Bahama Island or to dinner at their home. There is no charge.

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Backyard Vacations | Destinations | Families & Groups | Food and Dining | Lodging | Parks & Outdoors | Volunteer & Service | Weekly Column

Learning all about the Star Spangled Banner in Baltimore and Washington
ByEileen Ogintz May 23, 2013July 9, 2021

lLarning about the flag starts in Baltimore with a visit to Fort McHenry (walk among the canons and peer into barracks that look as they might have during the Battle of Baltimore). Then on to the Smithsonian in Washington D.C. to see the actual flag in all its glory.

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Beach Vacations | Destinations | Families & Groups | Parks & Outdoors | Travel Diaries

Abacos Islands in the Bahamas: Laid back and simple family vacation territory
ByEileen Ogintz May 22, 2013July 10, 2021

Welcome to the Abacos Islands in the Bahamas —a chain of some 120 tiny islands, home to just 14,000 people and a mecca for boaters, fisherman, snorkelers and divers. Today we’re at Munjack Cay about 40 miles by boat from the town of Marsh Harbor with Lincoln and Marcus Jones who have brought us and some other guests here to cook the fish we’ve just caught.

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Learning all about Junkanoo, the festivals kids love most in the Bahamas
ByEileen Ogintz May 21, 2013July 10, 2021

What began with programs for school kids in the Bahamas in 2000, now attracts cruise ship passengers and other visitors for workshops in Junkanoo costume making. And what amazing costumes they are, put together with thousands and thousands of strips of brightly colored crepe paper adorned with feathers and gold and silver buttons.

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Beach Vacations | Destinations | Families & Groups | Travel Diaries

In the Bahamas — what’s Nassau without Pink Flamingoes?
ByEileen Ogintz May 20, 2013July 10, 2021

There’s certainly plenty of that here in Nassau, the Bahamas capitol just 179 miles east of the Florida Coast. It is just 21 miles long and seven miles wide and a bridge links Paradise Island to New Providence Island—Nassau’s other name.

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Beach Vacations | Destinations | Families & Groups | Parks & Outdoors | Taking the Kids Blogs

Families can enjoy sailing and racing on island of Anguilla
ByEileen Ogintz May 19, 2013July 17, 2021

Sail racing is the island of Anguilla’s national sport dating back to the early days of the 20th century when Anguillan men on their way back from working in sugar cane fields in the Dominican Republic would race their schooners home. In fact, the unique design of the racing boats here evolved from fishing boats that would fish as much as 40 miles off shoe

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