Infographic: Travel Advice from your kids
10 original ideas from kids to help parents everywhere increase the fun while planning, packing, participating in activities and making memories for their family vacations.
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What price will you pay for your child’s safety?
This week there was news of more incidents in which air turbulence injured passengers — and one case sent a baby flying through the cabin (very luckily uninjured). The FAA and the airlines need to act — and parents need to ask themselves again: Is your small child’s safety worth not paying for the extra seat?
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Top 12 Family Travel Directions For The Year Ahead
From food to technology to educational experiences and more, here’s what Eileen Ogintz and Kyle McCarthy from Family Travel Consulting see as the 12 major factors influencing family vacation planners in 2014.
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Our annual guide to surviving visits to relatives over the holidays
The American Automobile Association (AAA) is projecting more than 94.5 million Americans will travel during the holidays. Here’s my annual TAKING THE KIDS GUIDE TO SURVIVING THE RELATIVES:
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The Luminous History of the National Christmas Tree Lighting Event
The National Parks Foundation has a guest post chock full of history of the National Christmas Tree lighting events.
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10 Deals to brighten your Cyber Monday
You’ll find plenty of bargains on Cyber Monday. Check what your favorite hotel chain, cruise line or resorts are offering. Here are 10 deals that are just a sampling of what’s out there
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Yes, those museum trips with your kids pay off
The next time the kids groan when you suggest taking them to a museum or a historic monument, tell them you’re investing in their future—literally.
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How the government shutdown affects family travel
National Parks, monuments and other government-operated tourists attractions are cutting back or shutting down because of the politics in Washington. Passports may be delayed. Hundreds of thousands of workers are being furloughed and business that depend on parks and tourism will be hurt. What does the government shutdown mean for family travel?
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Passport is a must to teach kids the world
“The passport is the new diploma,” Keith Bellows, editor of National Geographic Traveler and the father of three, told the nearly 50 influential family travel writers and bloggers who had gathered this past weekend from around the country and Canada at the TMS Family Travel Conference in Niagara Falls, NY.
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Memories of a family sailing/diving trip to the British Virgin Islands
Today we are all diving as a family. The Wreck of the Rhone is just off Salt Island in two big pieces 60 to 80 feet down, but there are many smaller pieces.
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Remembering a special visit meeting locals in Jamaica
We’re about as far away from a manicured resort as we can get. Jamaica has an interesting Meet the People program that enables visitors like us to experience local culture by spending time with locals who volunteer to share a meal or tour you around a market. You can meet up with locals who share your profession or hobbies. But I’m not sure this is exactly what the Jamaica Tourism establishment has in mind.
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Backyard Vacations | Destinations | Families & Groups | Parks & Outdoors | Taking the Kids Blogs | Volunteer & Service
More free attractions for family travelers in Washington DC than any other place
Certainly you could spend all of your time in Washington, DC without paying to enter a museum—there are plenty of free ones to choose from. In fact, Washington DC likely has more free attractions than any city in the country.
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Memories of a special birthday and hotel stay in Rome
With one night to stay in Rome, I didn’t want a hotel that was just a place to sleep. I didn’t want a hotel that was just convenient to the train station. I wanted a hotel that would be part of the experience. That’s why I chose the Grand Hotel de la Minerve that was a few steps from the Pantheon and a short walk to the Forum and Coliseum.
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Travel Writers conference showcases the best of the Midwest in autumn
Being in Rockford for a travel writers conference—Travel Media Showcase– and talking to a lot of people from Midwest cities and States—Peoria and St. Paul, the Quad Cities in Western Illinois and Eastern Iowa, Fort Wayne and Kansas City—made me realize once again how much the Midwest has to offer families.
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Great memories of an epic hike in Colorado
I’d always wanted to do the famous hike between Crested Butte in Southwest Colorado and Aspen –12.2 miles along the West Maroon trail, crossing the Maroon Pass which is 12,500 feet high. And in the year since— as we get ready to meet up with family for a week at a Portico Club rental house in Snowmass, up the road from Aspen–I’ve thought a lot about that hike.
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Backyard Vacations | Destinations | Disney | Families & Groups | Parks & Outdoors | Taking the Kids Blogs
How to save time and avoid stress at the theme parks
I had another ace up my sleeve. We’d arranged a VIP tour guide for part of the day. Our guide could lead the way, taking us through the park in a way that we would maximize our time, answering the most arcane questions, knowing where the bathrooms were and having ponchos on hand for the water rides.
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An unexpected find in Indianapolis – a foodie’s paradise
But what I didn’t expect to find on my visit to Indianapolis was a place of second and third acts in life—successful second and third acts. Local farmers markets (there’s one just outside the door certain days of the week) and city markets like this give you a chance to meet locals wherever you are vacationing.
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Tragedy on a Texas roller-coaster a reminder to practice theme park safety
It’s important to remember that as awful as the roller-coaster accident at Six Flags Over Texas was, fatalities or even injuries are not common on theme park rides. According to the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions, the chance of being seriously injured on a ride at a fixed-site park in the United States is one in 24 million; only 61 of the 1,415 ride-related injuries –less than 5 per cent required overnight hospital treatment.
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Remembering a special small cruise in Alaska’s Inside Passage
I understand why the Native Tlingits called glaciers “white thunder.” We see harbor seals lounging on chunks of blue ice in the water. The glacier looks like blue cotton candy with chocolate sprinkles.
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Good news: hotel industry is waking up to healthier kids menus
In the past year, a growing number of hotel chains have revamped their kids’ menus to make them healthier with less fat and sugar as well as prepared with locally sourced foods. It’s terrific to see a travel industry contest that actually focuses on something families care about—healthier and better children’s menus–rather than giving them another toy or backpack they don’t need or want.
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All of us want the same thing from family travel – a vacation and memories
Wherever you go this summer, all of us want the same thing: The chance to relax and make happy memories, Vacation memories, families say, not only last a lifetime but are among the most important they have, helping them to get through the tough times. Just thinking about the vacation ahead can put the fun back in everyday life, Disney Consumer Insight Team’s Amy Foster told the attendees at the First TMS Family Travel Summit in Orlando. “Fun is not frivolous,” she said. “Fun is precious.”
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Kicks on Route 66 – in a Ford hybrid that gets 100 miles per gallon
During the Great Depression, and the Dustbowl, over 250,000 people packed everything they could and set out from Arkansas and Oklahoma along Route 66, heading–they hoped—for a better life in California. Recently I got to drive part of the route in a Ford hybrid vehicle.
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Five vacation ideas guarantees to please for Father’s Day
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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Summer is here! Let’s stay safe in the sun, water and on wheels
Let’s have some fun on vacation or at home this summer—safely of course. Here are some summer safety tips for parents and kids — at the beach, on a boat, on wheels, or around bugs.
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Taking the Kids Exclusive: Tips from the First Lady for families on staying active on vacation
First Lady Michelle Obama suggests letting the kids lead is one way to get everyone more active on vacation this summer. The first lady told Taking the Kids exclusively, “The key to getting kids moving is to find something they enjoy, and join in!” For the First Family, that includes biking.
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Families can enjoy sailing and racing on island of Anguilla
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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A lot of good news for family travelers from the first TMS “summit”
We all know that kids seem to grow up in a blink of an eye (It seems as if my youngest who is graduating from college this month was just starting preschool!) That’s why families shouldn’t feel guilty about taking time—or money– for vacation. We’ve only got a certain amount of time when our kids are mesmerized by princesses or dinosaurs, when they think playing with mom and dad is the best time ever.
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Videos from the First TMS Family Travel Summit weekend
Check out these fabulous video shorts our partner Kyle McCarthy of the Family Travel Forum put together while at the first ever TMS Family Travel Summit in Orlando May 3-5, 2013:
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The First Family Travel Summit: family travel is big and getting bigger
This first-ever summit brought together national travel media with top marketers to brainstorm how we could work together to improve and de-stress the family travel experience. “It’s nice to see both sides of the table share the same concerns,” observed Laura Parquette, from Vail Resorts.
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Backyard Vacations | Destinations | Disney | Families & Groups | Parks & Outdoors | Taking the Kids Blogs
Can you EAR me? It’s a special year at Disney Parks
2013 is the Year of the Ear at Disney Parks with new limited release Disney Ear Hats available every month as part of Disney Parks’ Limited Time Magic—special experiences designed to surprise and excite guests when they visit—including saving up to 30 per cent with the Monstrous Summer promotion available at Walt Disney World Resorts through mid June.
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Cruise lines keep innovating for family travel market
Royal Caribbean wants you to know they’ve not only got your back but they’ll guarantee you an experience like none other on board a ship. That’s especially the case if you wait 18 months for the new Quantum of the Seas that will sail out of the New York area.
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On Anguilla, a couple aim to make a Caribbean destination affordable
The Ricketts want their little hotel and villa business to show people that Anguilla is not only for those who can afford five-star luxury. The hotel also serves as the island’s unofficial cultural center. In fact, the restaurant is crowded the night we visit with locals and visitors alike for the weekly dance performance that tells the story of Anguilla.
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Ann on Broadway — a great perspective on a multi-tasking mom
I was thinking of how she had to juggle the needs of her kids with her work—as we all do. One minute she’s cajoling a son—she had four kids—to come to a family get-together; the next she is deciding whether to grant a death row inmate a reprieve, under pressure from the Vatican and Mother Theresa.
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10 Tips for making family spring travel more fun
Some of you are just heading out on spring break. Some of you are there and are wondering why you left home. That’s because traveling with kids is never easy. It’s aggravating, stressful, expensive and wonderful. Keep reminding yourself that all the travel research shows that family vacations are responsible for the happiest memories we have—memories that last a lifetime.
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A ski area in Vermont owned by skiers who grew up on there
It’s easy to see why families are attracted to Bolton Valley—the low-key atmosphere reminiscent of when parents learned to ski in Vermont and the fact that lift tickets are about 20-30 per cent less than at neighboring Stowe.
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Survey shows kids are invested heavily in family vacation time
The majority of adults polled for a new U.S. Travel Association Family Vacation Survey said they were motivated to take family vacations by the desire to create positive memories for their children—fond memories like they have from the vacations they took as children as young as five. The majority noted that some of their favorite photos and videos are from family vacations.
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TSA, really?? Knives, bats, golf clubs on airplanes???
You can’t bring a bottle of water onto an airplane. You might get stopped at security with a container of breast milk. But you can bring a baseball bat? And small knives? Come on TSA, which announced last week that these items will be allowed as carry-on beginning April 25. How about a little common sense?
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Some museums are more than worth the admission
Certainly you could spend all of your time in Washington, DC without paying to enter a museum—there are plenty of free ones to choose from. But two on our list are private and to the high school boys I’d taken to see the sites for the weekend they were worth the cost of admission.
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How about a bike ride in the dark in the Sonoran Desert?
It is pitch black and I am riding a bike through the Sonoran desert. Of course my bike has a light and I’m on a paved trail—a golf cart trail, actually at the expansive (some 1300 acres at the Boulders Resort in Scottsdale known for the distinctive giant boulders that look like snowmen made out of granite and have been here for millions of years.
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Carnival needs to step up and restore the trust of traveling families
Carnival really needs to work hard in the days ahead to restore trust. That should start with a public explanation of how this happened and how it intends to prevent a recurrence. But instead, Carnival has so far offered only to refund passengers the cost of their cruise, is busing them home and initially offered them $500 each. That seems to fall short.
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It’s Okay Not to Take the Kids on every trip
When you are after an adult’s getaway, you don’t want a lot of kids around to either spoil your tranquility or make you feel guilty. If you wanted to be with kids, you would have brought your own.
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Beach Vacations | Cruises & All-Inclusive | Destinations | Families & Groups | Taking the Kids Blogs
Thinking back on all the great family times at the beach
I wish I were at the beach.I’m guessing so do a lot of people right about now when it is freezing across the country. At least I can think about the fun times on the beach in recent months:
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Travel Weekly reports on the Family Travel Conference
Eileen quoted in Travel Weekly article on the most recent Family Travel Conference, of which TakingTheKids was an organizer.
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Mixing and matching different tastes on the ski mountain
Even in the most terrific locales, nothing goes as planned. Someone gets sick (we’ve had lots of ear infections). Someone ends up in the ER (me, here three years ago after a bad fall). Someone has a meltdown. And someone just doesn’t want to spend that much time with mom and dad.
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Welcome to the club ladies – wish there were more of these in ski country
There are also plenty of women’s clinics around the country designed for women to hone their skills, whether they are skiers or snowboarders. I wish every resort had a Ladies’ Club like the one offered at Park City Mountain Resort. All it takes is 2 hours and $60.
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Historical events converge this week; families can participate
There is no better time than the week we celebrate Martin Luther King Day and the 150th Anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation to embrace teachable moments with kids about slavery—no more so than at the Lincoln Memorial and Martin Luther King Memorial in Washington DC.
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Conference Attendees Identify Family Travel Trends for 2013
By Eileen Ogintz and Kyle McCarthy Family Travel is no longer a travel niche; findings from the two Family Travel Conferences held in 2012 prove…
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Repeat after me: “There is no such thing as a perfect vacation”
I wish the travel industry would stop trying to convince us that if we only stay at this hotel, chose that cruise line or use a particular credit card, the kids won’t bicker, rooms will be ready when we arrive without any delays, of course, and all will be wonderful every moment.
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Explore the World Heritage of Ethiopia with the Children
Africa and in particular Ethiopia may not cross many minds as being a number one choice for a family holiday. What you should know is that with 8 world heritage sites, some stunning scenery, and many opportunities to inspire and educate the children, Ethiopia may well be a fantastic destination for a family holiday.
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For chocolate lovers, Chicago in October is the place
Did you ever think it was possible to eat too much chocolate? If you are a chocolate lover, The Chicago Fine Chocolate Festival might just be the challenge for you.
