Disney Simplifies Generational Family Travel
Taking the Kids Correspondent Susan Finch navigates the many parts of Disney World with her daughter, utilizing time saving Disney technology
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Disney Gets High Tech with a Personal Touch
Taking the Kids Correspondent Susan Finch discovers the new high-tech services provided at Disney World take some of the stress out of travel and line management
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Walking in the Cotswolds – so much for families to see and do
There are literally thousands of footpaths that crisscross the Cotswolds in Great Britain. We found so much for families to see on do on just a few of them.
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In the Cotswolds, like walking onto the set of Downton Abbey
I feel like I’ve walked onto the Downton Abbey set. Actually, we’re at Ellenborough Park in the Cotswolds in Great Britain that dates back to the early 16th Century.
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English History at Sudeley Castle in Cotswolds
We learn some English history at a bonafide castle that was home to kings, queens and now a 21st Century family headed by an American—Sudeley Castle is in Britain’s famous Cotswolds
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Sherlock Holmes: major exhibit to open at Museum of London
He’s one of the most famous residents of London and a brilliant detective known all over the world — so famous he now has a museum exhibit devoted entirely to him.
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London’s food scene takes it to a new level at Camden Lock
The Global Food Kitchen at Camden Lock Market in London is famous not only for good eats but for its shops and stalls—more than 200. No wonder it attracts 6 million visitors a year and is the hub of the growing street food movement here.
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Curry, beigels and bacon sarnies on a family food tour of London’s East End
London’s East End famously was home to immigrants for centuries—French, Irish, Jewish, and most recently Indian (the famous Brick Lane lined with Indian curry restaurants is here). There are also hipsters and artists — the area is as famous for its street art and pop up shops these days.
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Two London hotels that treat kids like royalty that lives across the street
The Rubens at the Palace and Egerton House hotels in London offer families an upscale experience. The kids are treated like the royalty that live across the street from the Rubens.
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Kids discovering “Horrible Histories” of spies at the Imperial War Museum in London
Real spies know there are a lot better ways to disguise your looks—like putting cheek pads in your mouth to change the shape of your appearance. At the Imperial War Museum in London, kids gave a thumbs up to the Horrible Histories Spies exhibit.
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A Family Day in Denver: Bikes and Botanic Gardens
Taking the Kids Correspondent Allison Tibaldi says Denver is one America’s most bike-friendly cities and its bike-sharing program makes it easy to get around on shiny red bikes.
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Families & Groups | Backyard Vacations | Destinations | Parks & Outdoors | Travel Diaries | Volunteer & Service
A Kid Facing Fears and Pushing Limits at Mount Snow Family Camp
Sheri McDonald writes that her children have all gone to summer camp, but it was really special to be with them together at Mount Snow Family Camp while they gained confidence and took on new challenges
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The Family Table at Mount Snow Family Camp
Sheri McDonald says it easy to grab a plate of food and sit in front of the television or keep working while we eat. On her recent trip to Mount Snow Family Camp she had a reminder of how valuable the family table is.
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Unplug and Reconnect at Mount Snow Family Camp
Sheri McDonals’s son was having trouble imagining a week with no iPod, computer or video games. Once they arrived at Family Camp, they didn’t think about wifi again.
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All you need for date night – Denver’s Larimer Square
Situated in the heart of Denver, Larimer Square is a host to many delicious restaurants, bars and entertainment – we never even left the square during our date night.
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A mountain biking lesson well learned at Smugglers Notch VT
It’s a lot different to bike on a mountain trail with uneven terrain, rocks and tree stumps. All the more reason to take a lesson, like we did at Smuggler’s Notch VT
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Kids and grownups zipping through the treetops in Northern Vermont
We’re at ArborTrek in Jeffersonville, VT right near Smuggler’s Notch Resort about to set out on what USA Today has dubbed a top zip line adventure in the country
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Kids learning farming and history at Shelburne Farms in Vermont
I’m at the Shelburne Farms Children’s Farmyard near Burlington, Vermont where there is also a cow, goats and the fanciest chicken coop I’ve ever seen — home to 60 chickens.
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A family outing for late summer beauty in Northern Vermont
I’m at the Topnotch Resort Spa, one of the largest in the quintessential New England mountain town of Stowe, Vt. where I’m indulging in the Little River Stone Massage, one of the expansive spa’s signature treatments that uses hot stones, cold stones, massage and aromatherapy.
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Families flock to the World War II Museum in New Orleans
Jack Lucas became the youngest Marine ever to receive the United States’ highest military honor. The wallet he had in his pocket that day tells just one of the many stories at the National World War II Museum in New Orleans.
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Kids cooking it up for their parents in New Orleans hotel
I like that Omni is as interested in encouraging kids to expand their palates when they are on vacation as in feeding their parents. As part of its Sensational Kids program
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Hello gator! On a eco swamp tour in the Louisiana bayous
We’re on a Pearl River Swamp Eco Tour in the Honey Island Swamp in Slidell on Louisiana’s Northshore in St. Tammany Parish, about 40 minutes across Lake Pontchartrain from downtown New Orleans.
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On a culinary tour of New Orleans with a former history teacher
We’re in the so-called Mystery Dining Room at Antoine’s in New Orleans, the famous restaurant that has been operated continuously by the same family since 1840, our first stop on a wonderful New Orleans Culinary History Tour through the French Quarter led by former history teacher Naif Shahady.
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An old-fashioned family crab boil in Lake Charles, LA
I’m at a Fais-Do-Do, A Cajun Dance party, at Travel Media Showcase and Marilyn Dawdy, I learn, mid-lesson, is catering the big event for the conference in the Lake Charles Civic Center overlooking Lake Charles.
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Beach Vacations | Destinations | Families & Groups | Food and Dining | Lodging | Parks & Outdoors | Travel Diaries
A Family Friendly Guide to The Florida Keys
Riding down the highway towards the Florida Keys, I caught a glimpse of aqua marine colored medians, and even they began to soothe my stressed soul.
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Farmer John knows how to grow pumpkins in Half Moon Bay
Farmer John Muller, who is a third generation farmer and happens to be the Mayor of Half Moon Bay, knows how to grow a great pumpkin!
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Fish right out of the water, strawberries, goat cheese and more
At Pillar Point Harbor in Half Moon Bay near, where we were staying at the Beach House, locals either have downloaded the free FishLine App or call 650-726-8724 to see what fresh-caught fish commercial fishermen are selling “off the boat.”
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Half Moon Bay, CA — no crowds or rush yet near San Francisco
My daughter is planning her wedding near Half Moon Bay. I can see why she loves this area — between the mountains to the East and the Pacific to the west. The best part—it’s not busy or crowded, though we’re less than hour’s drive from San Francisco.
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Relaxing in the mineral pools at the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn
Water Yoga anyone? What a way to start the day. I’m moving from one mineral pool to the next at the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn.
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Exploring Bodega Bay CA – bike rides, redwoods, great food
People come to Bodega Bay to watch the whales, hike among the huge Coast redwoods — some are 1,000 years old and 250 feet tall like in the Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve in Guerneville — and of course, eat.
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Families up close with African animals – in Sonoma County CA
Who knew there is the chance to see so many rare endangered African animals right in the middle of Sonoma County, just 75 miles north of San Francisco
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Discovering the family and foodie side of Sonoma County CA
Sonoma County CA – Twenty coastal beaches… soaring Coas Redwoods… 11 state parks, 27 historical landmarks… 120 farms open to the public and 12 farmers markets… 400 wineries and more than 500 restaurants committed to bringing you food grown locally.
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A Two-Nation Vacation to Roosevelt’s Campobello and Downeast Maine
Campobello is an island off the Maine coast, located in New Brunswick, Canada. Unless you’re a U.S. history buff, you might not know that our longest serving President, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, spent countless summers vacationing on this Canadian island.
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Summer Family Fun in Colorado: The Telluride Bluegrass Festival
Telluride, Colorado holds a festival almost every weekend throughout the summer. From the film festival, to the mushroom festival, and its renowned fall Blues and Brews festival, I’ve heard it said before…”Telluride pretty much holds a festival for everything.” But the most famous event the town offers is the annual Telluride Bluegrass Festival.
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Learning about oceanography in Woods Hole, MA
WOODS HOLE, MA – Do you recognize the name of this small port on Cape Cod? It has something to do with the Titanic, right?
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At the Farm Institute on Martha’s Vineyard with the kids
Kids learning about food at the Farm Institute on Martha’s Vineyard, MA. These 180 acres at the edge of Edgartown has been farmed since the first Europeans arrived in the 17th Century and before that by the local Wampanoag.
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Exploring historic and family-friendly Martha’s Vineyard, MA
Does a summer night get any better? Not on Martha’s Vineyard at the historic Harbor View Hotel in Edgartown that dates back 123 years. We loved sitting on the rocking chairs on the porch
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PLAY BALL! At the very family-friendly Cape Cod League
Tonight they’ve gathered for another Cape tradition—the Cape Cod Baseball League—10 teams comprised of 350 elite college players from around the country who live with 200 local families for the summer season.
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Families & Groups | Beach Vacations | Destinations | Food and Dining | Lodging | Parks & Outdoors | Travel Diaries
Old old-fashioned summer vacation on Cape Cod, MA
Cape Cod—more than 550 miles of spectacular coastline in Massachusetts with beaches (the Cape Cod National Seashore), historic light houses, clam shacks, bike trails and summer vacations like they used to be.
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Backyard Vacations | Beach Vacations | Destinations | Families & Groups | Food and Dining | Parks & Outdoors | Travel Diaries
In the Maine Beach towns – Ogunquit and lobsters
Taking the Kids Correspondent Andrea Timpano chronicles three days in the beach towns of Maine. Day 2- OGUNQUIT
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Backyard Vacations | Beach Vacations | Destinations | Families & Groups | Lodging | Parks & Outdoors | Travel Diaries
Three days on the Maine beaches: first stop Old Orchard Beach
Taking the Kids Correspondent Andrea Timpano chronicles three days in the beach towns of Maine. First stop Old Orchard Beach.
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Old Saybrook CT: like Cape Cod but without the traffic
A short trip to Old Saybrook CT, which dates to 1635 when it was first settled by a company of English puritans. Yale University was founded here.
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Flying home upgraded – when travel is a pleasure
It’s our lucky day! We’ve gotten upgraded to Club World on British Airways. We’re not sure how it happened but we’re not complaining.
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Speed museum-seeing in Oslo with the OsloPASS
We were in Oslo at the end of an Adventures by Disney trip to Norway, and thanks to the Oslo Pass that provides admission to more than 30 museums and free public transport (including the ferry to the Viking Museum), we were able to hit four museums in about six available hours.
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At the Hotel Union (and spa) in Geiranger, Norway
I like that they love kids—there is a great indoor splash play area with a view of the fjords. Parents can relax while the kids play.
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A rainy hike up to a Norwegian fjord country farm
We’re at Westeras Farm, which has been in the Westeraas family since the 17th Century, with the Adventures by Disney group touring Norway
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Day five in Norway — trout fishing and glacier gazing
Fresh trout for lunch? Of course you have to catch them first. And drive two and a half hours on roads with hairpin turns, the fog so thick at times you can barely see in front of you. Good thing I’m not driving!
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Riding the roads in Norway’s Western Fjord region
A day on road with a new Adventures by Disney tour, passing a lot of the sites that inspired the hit movie Frozen —the fjords, the glaciers, the small villages and of course Norway’s famous Stave Churches
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Destinations | Disney | Families & Groups | Food and Dining | Lodging | Parks & Outdoors | Travel Diaries
Day 2 in Norway – rafting and exploring the Western Fjord region
We are on the second day of an Adventures by Disney new itinerary designed to show guests not only the glorious fjords and small farming villages of Norway but to explain the inspiration behind the hit film Frozen.
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Destinations | Disney | Families & Groups | Food and Dining | Lodging | Parks & Outdoors | Travel Diaries
A weeklong tour of Norway’s “Frozen” country with Adventures by Disney
I couldn’t have asked for better after arriving in Bergen, Norway this morning to join a new Adventures by Disney tour of this beautiful but sparsely populated country.
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Atlantis resort exceeds teen’s expectations
Traveling all over the world with my family throughout my 17 years, I had never been to a resort quite like Atlantis.
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Families learn about wild animal care at Busch Gardens in Tampa FL
We’re at Busch Gardens state of the art Animal Care Center where guests can watch the park’s vets do surgeries (like repairing a Bald Eagle’s broken wing), wellness exams and more as the park’s vet team works to keep 1200 animals healthy.
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Kids learn to do grownup work at Tampa attractions
I love it when museums and zoos encourage kids to learn about their own communities—or the communities they are visiting.
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Dreams come true for 12 year-olds at Cooperstown Dreams Park
This is the Cooperstown Dreams Park, where every week more than 100 Little League teams comprised of 12 year olds convene for a week of baseball.
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Rejuvenating a hotel and town near Cooperstown
A New York City expat tells his story of rejuvenating an historic hotel and plans to do the same for the tiny village of Sharon Springs, 25 miles from Cooperstown
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Families learn 19th Century farming in Cooperstown NY
At the Farmer’s Museum in Cooperstown, NY, Peg Young is making bread, fried bacon and potato balls all over an open fire. There will be rhubarb pie for desert.
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Backyard Vacations | Destinations | Families & Groups | Parks & Outdoors | Travel Diaries | Volunteer & Service
Generations love the game — at the Baseball Hall of Fame
There is a lot to read at every exhibit at the National Baseball Hall of Fame, celebrating its 75th anniversary this month. This iconic place inspires conversation with parents and grandparents
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Beach Vacations | Destinations | Families & Groups | Food and Dining | Parks & Outdoors | Travel Diaries
Kid-friendly Costa Rican resort not typical cookie-cutter
Alison Tibaldi’s recent visit to the JW Marriott Guanacaste Resort & Spa in Costa Rica was the antithesis of the cookie-cutter experience that you get at some chain hotels.
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Beach Vacations | Cruises & All-Inclusive | Destinations | Families & Groups | Food and Dining | Lodging | Travel Diaries
Beaches Turks and Caicos, a Teen’s POV
After a long and stressful year at college, nothing could have been more eagerly anticipated than a weekend soaking up the sun at Beaches Turks and Caicos with my mom.
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Beach Vacations | Cruises & All-Inclusive | Destinations | Families & Groups | Food and Dining | Lodging | Travel Diaries
Beaches Turks and Caicos, a Mom’s POV
Correspondent Alison Tibaldi recently visited Beaches Turks and Caicos with her teenage daughter, Madeleine. They had never experienced a Mother-Daughter vacation, and the timing was right.
