A Backroads bike tour combined with a Danube cruise
We’re zipping along on bikes along the Danube in Budapest and the request, though a joke, wouldn’t have been a bad idea given the heat.
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Taking the Kids — to see the solar eclipse on August 21
We’re talking about a different kind of milestone, but one equally memorable — the 2017 total solar eclipse, something that happens only rarely in this country. It’s an event they’ll remember all their lives, and should be good for many science projects to come.
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A tasty tour of the historic Jewish quarter in Budapest
Our 30-year-old Taste Hungary guide and the granddaughter of Holocaust survivors, explains that not only has food always been an important part of the culture here
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Comfort, great food, close to everything: Sofitel, Berlin
I admit what I like best is the breakfast buffet. I’ve love the chance to try foods that Berliners might typically have but I wouldn’t at home
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Touring the Sites of Rememberance of the Holocaust in Berlin
“There were many unsung heroes,” said Nadav Jakobovitch, our Tours by Locals guide on our second day in Berlin. He comes from a family of Holocaust survivors by way of Israel
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Walking the Berlin Wall – Reconciliation Matters
We had just walked between what had once been called “the death strip,” the area between West Berlin and East Berlin, between the wall and safety of the West
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To ski country in summer when it is more affordable
Hike one of Colorado’s famous Fourteeners — one of the 50-plus mountains that rise more than 14,000 feet — hike to Vail’s famous Back Bowls through a sea of wildflowers or mountain bike on miles of trails. Welcome to Vail in summer.
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Taking the Kids — to family reunion central
As fun as Colorado is in the summer, there’s something more important going on here at the YMCA of the Rockies. “It’s eating and joking around with all of our cousins.”
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Walking in Jane Austen’s footsteps in southern England
VisitBritain is celebrating the 200th anniversary of Austen’s death (July 18, 1817) with a year’s worth of exhibitions, talks, walks, writing competitions and performances here and elsewhere, like in Bath, where fans come to walk the streets that Austen
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One Big Adrenaline Rush at Adventures on the Gorge in West Virginia
While a lot of people are still trying to figure out what an “adventure resort” is, Adventures on the Gorge is showing their guests of all ages what a vacation destination should look like
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Energy and body restoration at the Four Seasons Resort in Vail
I’m at the Four Seasons Resort in Vail with one of the best spas in the Vail Valley. The idea, of course, is not only to relax but to restore your energy and your body
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What’s new at theme parks this summer?
There is certainly lots to choose from this summer — 170 new rides, slides and experiences at 75 parks and attractions across the United States and in Canada
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Families love the Four Seasons in Vail Co. for “glamping” and more
Get ready to get spoiled—for a few days anyway. That’s why the Johnstons, including Kendall, 11, and Reagan, 13, have decamped from Denver to the Four Seasons Resort in Vail for their fourth weekend—this time the Fourth of July.
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Kids learning nature through fun at the top of Vail Mountain
this is July Fourth weekend, the resort’s busiest of the summer season. It’s family central at Adventure Ridge located at the top of the gondola at 10,350 feet. Wow what a view!
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At the Broadmoor’s Sunday Brunch you might want to start with dessert
It’s hard to resist when Banana Fosters, plum Calvados crepes, bread pudding, apple cobbler, ice cream sundaes, strawberry buttermilk panna cotta, raspberry mojito cupcakes, snickerdoodle crème brulee, even a vegan chocolate pot au crème are there for the taking
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Up in the mountain air at The Broadmoor’s Cloud Camp in Colorado
Cloud Camp is the historic Broadmoor resort’s highest wilderness experience. But my daughter Mel and her boyfriend Hank Lockhead – experienced backpackers—think it’s more of a luxury experience with well-appointed log cabins, beautiful bathrooms, gourmet meals…
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Generations gather to reconnect at quadrennial family reunion
There are lots of milestones at our reunion—25th and 35th anniversaries; 80th, 70th, 60th, 50th and 30th birthdays. One of the grandmothers tried to give the family a quick family history lesson
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In Rocky Mountain Nat Park – hikes are great, but beware crowds
if I’d done my homework, the Rocky Mountain National Park rangers would have told me to hike early, as parking spots at some of the popular trailheads—like Beaver Lake, a four-mile round trip hike that is kid-friendly—are gone by 8:30 am.
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YMCA of the Rockies is Family Reunion Central
Welcome to Family Reunion Central. In fact, the Estes Park Center and its sister resort Snow Mountain Ranch host more than 1,300 reunions a year—more, they believe, than any other venue in the United States.
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Learning a little history on July 4th
if you play your cards right, you’ll all have fun celebrating the nation’s birthday — and learning something about American history at the same time.
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Orlando’s Top 5 Hotspots for Teens
Orlando is bursting with trendy and exciting places to visit, especially if you’re a teenager.
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Greenwich, England, and the pluses of getting off the beaten track — a bit
Pietro La Rosa, with his flowing mane of gray hair, beard and lilting Italian accent, is not like any pub owner I’ve ever met nor is The Prince of Greenwich pub menu typical
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Orlando Is Universal: Volcano Bay Impresses Big Time
f you are an amusement park enthusiast, you know Orlando is full of them. However, Universal Orlando has brought a new water theme park like none other: Volcano Bay.
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Experiencing the All-New Animal Sanctuary & Grand Hyatt Amenities at Baha Mar
After years of multiple false starts and financial headaches, the $4.2 billion, 1,000-acre development simply known as Baha Mar finally opened its doors to the public last April
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Visiting the interactive Graycliff Chocolatier Factory
Children and adults of all ages are as giddy and equally excited to experience the Graycliff Chocolatier factory, located inside the iconic Graycliff Hotel in Nassau, The Bahamas
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Tales From The Spa at the Grand Palladium Bávaro Suites Resort & Spa in Punta Cana
Even if your child is still an actual child, the Grand Palladium Bávaro Suites Resort & Spa offers manicures, pedicures and hair braiding just for the little ones.
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Mother-Daughter Dining Options At the Grand Palladium Bávaro Suites Resort & Spa, Punta Cana
It would be impossible to go hungry at the Grand Palladium Bávaro Suites Resort & Spa in Punta Cana. Besides free room service, the property offers plenty of menu options,
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A Spring Trip to The Grand Canyon and Flagstaff, Arizona
It’s great that the south rim of the Grand Canyon so close to Flagstaff, Arizona. We could envision wanting a hotel room and shower to stay in after backpacking in the desert heat for 5 days
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What’s in the garden for family vacationers at Chewton Glen?
The resort, a five star Relais & Chateaux country house hotel is just over 50 years old but the house dates to the 1700s.
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200 Years Later – Celebrating Jane Austen’s short life in her hometown
This tiny house is where Jane Austen was her most prolific—writing in the morning after breakfast at a tiny table. She lived with her mother, her sister and a family friend during the last eight years of her short life.
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Planning a family summer vacation – let the kids help figure it out
I’m sure the kids have lots of ideas, and they may not all involve theme parks. It’s a good idea to talk to the kids about what you’re thinking for a summer trip
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Greenwich, England – famous for time, history and friends
In Greenwich, England, famous for “mean time.” You can see famous sites any time. Sharing a meal with new friends…not so much. More ravioli please!
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Join the party in London celebrating Harry Potter’s 20th
Ready to join the party? Britain is the host, celebrating Harry Potter’s 20th birthday. The first Harry Potter book was released on June 29,1997
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High Tea, a Musical and Cocktail – so British
We were literally across the road from Buckingham Palace looking right at it while we had our own Royal Afternoon Tea at the newly renovated Rubens at the Palace
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‘Taking the Waters’ in Ancient Bath, England
People have been coming here to “take the waters” since the Romans first built the baths and temple here to worship Sulis Minerva, Goddess of the Thermal Spring.
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London’s Athenaeum Hotel is a favorite for visiting families
London’s Athenaeum Hotel is family run with whimsical touches –miniature toy soldiers or taxicabs mounted as room decoration, photographs of the Beatles and Spice Girls in the hallways, just reopened last summer after a multi million dollar make over
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Learning how the princes and princesses lives
Kensington Palace is one of London’s historic palaces where for more than 300 years Britain’s young royal families lived in the heart of Kensington Gardens
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To Dubai – Theme Parks, Deserts, Beaches and Culture
We’re in the middle of the Arabian Desert at a nearly 140-square-mile Desert Conservation Reserve about an hour southeast of Dubai riding in a four-wheel drive SUV up and down 6,200-foot-high sand dunes.
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Learning about mummies at the American Museum of Natural History
The new exhibition Mummies at the American Museum of Natural History gives us a rare glimpse into lives and cultures of the past, thanks to 21st-century tools and technologies
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Disney Springs – No Entrance Fee; Plenty to see, shop and eat
Deviled Eggs, hush puppies and fried chicken on biscuits. Yum! But I’m not in rural Florida. I’m in the middle of Orlando at Art Smith’s Homecomin’ Florida Kitchen.
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The food is part of the adventure at Disney’s Pandora-The World of Avatar
Welcome to Pandora-The World of Avatar at Walt Disney World’s Animal Kingdom that is set to open May 27. The food is a big part of the experience
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Sneak peek at Disney’s Pandora — the World of Avatar
the challenge is riding on the back of a giant Banshee high over floating mountains, plunging through ancient caves, splashing a scary giant sea creature
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A Weekend Trip to Boston for Baseball and History
Boston has long been a city synonymous with history and sports, and while the Patriots and Tom Brady have had quite a successful decade, if you ask any sports fan in Boston who the number one team is, they will emphatically let you know this is a Red Sox town.
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Westgate River Ranch Resort Offers Upscale Cowboy Living in Central Florida
When we got to Westgate River Ranch Resort & Rodeo and soaked up the sights of longhorn cattle and horses, I immediately forgot we were in Florida.
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A Family Visit to Wales: Land of Legends
Wales is celebrating 2017 as the Year of Legends. This country is known for its verdant natural beauty and rich history. Our recent trip exposed us to both.
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Hit the Beach at LEGOLAND Beach Retreat in Florida
There’s a lighthouse just a stone’s throw from Orlando that’s calling your name. LEGOLAND Florida’s new Beach Retreat is a beacon for weary families looking for a place to unwind
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To San Francisco to commemorate the “summer of love”
Take the kids and grandkids to San Francisco where the city is marking the 50th anniversary of the Summer of Love with a year’s worth of special events, exhibits, concerts and more.
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Disney transformative? Try new Pandora at WDW and Guardians at DisneyLand this summer
Often families head to Disney because they want to escape the real world. With the opening next month of Pandora-The World of Avatar at Animal Kingdom, a visit can be a transformative adventure
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A Portland, Maine Family Vacation at the Inn by the Sea
The Inn by the Sea in Cape Elizabeth, Maine. A private boardwalk leads through a wildlife sanctuary to an idyllic sandy beach, where you’ll see lobster boats and sunsets straight out of an Edward Hopper painting.
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Free attractions in Washington DC this spring
It doesn’t cost anything to visit the Lincoln Memorial at night, to play pilot in a mock cockpit at “America by Air,” a permanent exhibit at the National Air and Space Museum, attend a family event or one for young children at the Museum of African American History and Culture or visit the giant pandas at the National Zoo.
