The good eats on Holland America’s Oosterdam
If you’ve been aboard a cruise ship lately, you have probably noticed that fitness centers are getting larger while midnight buffets are disappearing
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Rain happens: Making the most of it on a cruise ship
Shore excursions typically go rain or shine — and it’s raining. Pouring actually. We had thought we would go explore before our Sunset Sail but it didn’t look like there would be much of a sunset
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#BestTamalesEver? Try the sweet corn in Matazalan on a local food tour
We are in Mazatlan, Mexico, the second port on our New Years’ cruise aboard the Holland America Oosterdam and we have forsaken a cruise tour today to see the city with a local, through its food.
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Kids experience aboard Holland America Oosterdam
A new style Kids Club designed more for families to do activities together— everything from Fooseball to video games, old-fashioned board games to giant puzzle mazes
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On a cruise to Mexico – learning culinary arts, history and culture
This demonstration is part of a larger port-to-table initiative just started and being piloted on the Holland America Ooosterdam
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Need to be somewhere important? Go a day early
The ship was to leave port at 5 p.m. PST. We were supposed to arrive in San Diego on our morning flight at 10 a.m. PST. But we ended up getting re-routed to Sacramento
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On the newest, glitziest ship afloat
Welcome aboard Norwegian Cruise Line’s new Encore — nearly 1,100 feet long and large enough to accommodate nearly 4,000 passengers and 1,735 crew.
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Multigenerational cruising with Holland America Line
Holland America Line is especially popular with multigenerational families seeking an upscale experience on mid-sized ships known for the food and immersive activities
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Explore Mural Art in Aruba
It’s tempting to spend your entire holiday splashing in the warm turquoise water but there’s much to do in Aruba beyond the beach
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On a cruise, when you never thought you would
National Grandparents Day is Sept. 8, and you’re never too old for a new experience, especially one that will bring your far-flung family together
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A family vacation in Turkey
People are first amazed by Turkey’s warm hospitable atmosphere, pristine beaches, nice weather, affordability, and the family-friendly resorts are difficult to beat
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Tips from kids finishing their first cruise
On this “day at sea,” the kids put off playing a game in Club Mariner to impart some wisdom for kids whose parents and grandparents may be planning a cruise
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Rescued bear cubs and recuperating raptors in Sitka
Even if you are lucky enough to see a bear or a Bald Eagle in the wild in Alaska, you won’t get nearly as close as you can in Sitka
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Take grandma zip lining? Shore excursions in Alaska
there are lots of options from the popular Lumberjack Show in Ketchikan to gold panning in Juneau, the White Pass scenic railroad in Skagway, a rainforest bicycle tour, rock climbing,
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“Who drives the boat when the captain is asleep?”
Stedman Grigsby was less than impressed with size of the steering wheel on the Bridge of the Regent Seven Seas Mariner.
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All the good eats aboard the Regent Seven Seas Mariner
No wonder the fitness center is so busy at 7 am—when people are on vacation.That’s because aboard the Regent Seven Seas Marinerthe food is not only plentiful but delicious
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The never in a billion years cruise in Alaska
Karon Greenfield never had any interest in cruising. “Never in a billion years,” said Mrs. Greenfield, who is from near Cleveland, Ohio
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Kids Take Alaska Aboard Regent Seven Seas Mariner
When it comes to dinner, Alex (short for Alexandra) Makaev, 9, says that when she is aboard the Regent Seven Seas Mariner she prefers Dover sole or Black Angus filet mignon.
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The Perfect Family Getaway: Why the Caribbean is Great for Every Member
I personally prefer a destination which hosts all fun-filled activities from sandy beach relaxation to strikingly beautiful scenery and landmarks
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Never tried cruising? Now’s the time!
It turns out that the vast majority of people recently surveyed about vacations who have never been on a cruise — 94 percent — said they’d like to try cruising.
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Taking the Kids — to Portugal
Portugal, it seems, is drawing more Americans and American families. It’s safe. It’s affordable and there is great food and wine, of course. And plenty of sunshine.
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Salamanca Spain from CroisiEurope cruise
By Eileen Ogintz SALAMANCA, Spain — We are biking across an ancient Roman bridge – so old that it dates to the first century after…
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Porto: Booming city in Portugal popular for river cruises
This region has become so popular with Americans that TAP Air Portugal now has several non-stop flights a week from the USA and many daily flights from Lisbon which take under an hour
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Two new Palladium Hotel Group resorts open in Mexico
The Palladium Hotel Group celebrated the opening of its two new resorts, TRS Coral Hotel and Grand Palladium Costa Mujeres Resort & Spa, located in Costa Mujeres, Mexico
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Indulging your inner-foodie at an all-inclusive resort
All-inclusive resorts are also upping the ante when it comes to food. But unlike most cruise ships, these specialty dining experiences don’t come with an extra tab.
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Calling all foodies – all-inclusives are no longer about buffet lines
All-inclusives once were the purview of bland buffets where, like on cruise ships, the emphasis was on quality rather than quality. That has all changed
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When it rains in paradise, there are alternatives to explore
On this rainy day, the club is humming with activity — some kids playing air hockey; others doing a paper Mache craft. In the afternoon, they will feed iguanas
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Spacious, family-friendly, foodie paradise – Grand Residences Riviera Cancun
At the Grand Residences Riviera Cancun with my three friends from grade school and after a day of lounging, we’re also smitten—the good food and service, the spacious accommodations with plenty of hang-out space
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Sailing To Grand Bahamas Island With The Kids: Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line
If you are looking for a short but memorable getaway with your family this year, the Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line is a great option for parents and their children.
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Aboard Celebrity Edge: a much-anticipated cruise ship
Step aboard the new Celebrity Edge, four years in the making and set to take its maiden voyage on Dec. 9. I was able to get a sneak peek recently on a two-day trip from Port Everglades to Nassau
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On a river cruise designed for families
If you thought river cruises were only for seniors, think again. As the cruise industry reports rising interest in such trips, different lines are seeking ways to broaden their audience with more active excursions, an emphasis on food and wine and yoga and bikes onboard
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A Little Taste of Italy – Part 1
A Little Taste of Italy – October 2018 – Pt 1 – Starts in Milano with tour of Verona and Valpolicella Wine Region, followed by 6-day Uniworld River Cruise aboard the River Countess. Excursions to Ferrara, Padua, Chiccogia and Turano, with lots of time to explore Venice.
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Caribbean and Riviera Maya – Karisma Hotels & Resorts is Ready and Affordable
If you thought a winter Caribbean getaway was out of reach this winter, think again. The all-inclusive Karisma Hotels & Resorts, known for their Gourmet Inclusive Experience, not only can offer the luxe vacation you want but deals that are 45 percent off or more and in some cases, kids are free
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Postscript to the Uniworld Cruise -Let’s hear it for the crew!
Whatever he 101 guests aboard the Uniworld River Countesswant, the 42 crew members from a dozen countries—everywhere from Bulgaria and Romania to Britain, Switzerland and the Czech Republic, accommodate with a smile
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Don’t touch the produce! At the Rialto Market in Venice, Italy
At Venice’s famous centuries-old Rialto Market, the purveyors ask you what you want, what you plan to cook — and then they choose for you
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Street and canal scenes in Burano Italy
On Day 6 of our Uniworld River Countess cruise in the lagoons around Venice Italy, we spent the day in Burano, a small island village famous for lace-making
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Where the food comes from — on a Uniworld River Cruise
We are cruising the Venice Lagoons after a morning spent in the fishing area of Chioggia, which has a larger wholesale fish market than Venice.
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On a Uniworld river cruise – Not just for families with kids
Look around this Uniworld river ship and you realize family travel isn’t just about two parents traveling with young kids. There are sisters traveling together; brothers and their wives; a mom and son, dad and daughters, a group of cousins… the list goes on
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A shore excursion like no other – St. Marks Basilica in Venice on a rainy night
St. Mark’s Basilica is dark and silent as we file in, drenched from the rain. The church is closed to visitors. We are here as an “exclusive” only for passengers of Uniworld Cruises’ River Countess
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A Walking Tour of Venice Italy on a Rainy Day
Our Uniworld River Cruise in and around Venice got off to a rainy start but never let a rainy day spoil your fun. Get out and take a walking tour and see scenes like these
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Disney Cruises rolls out new activities for kids
On the Disney Fantasy there are state of the art kids’ programs, including the chance to play in Andy’s Room with its oversized Toy Story toys
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To Vienna
After a morning bike ride on Danube Island where it seemed all of Vienna was out strolling and biking on this sunny weekend morning, we saw some of Vienna’s most notable sites
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A vacation without busting the budget: Carnival Cruise
There are activities for all ages—including supervised programs for kids from preschoolers to teens so parents and grandparents can get a break. Parents can feel more comfortable allowing tweens to navigate on their own around the ship than at another vacation venue
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Family Fun in Panama City, Panama
My family and I recently had the opportunity to explore Panama City, where the 21st century mingles with the old world
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A different kind of trip to Alaska
Just one road leads into Denali National Park’s 6 million acres, and after mile 15 the road is restricted to park buses. You can’t get much more remote in Alaska.
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The whole gang on a cruise, but not necessarily a big ship
Cruises are a great bet for extended families as everyone, if they’d like, can go in different directions and meet up for dinner.
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To Antigua, spared from the 2017 hurricanes
Curtain Bluff welcomes kids with a breezy, open-air kids’ club and an adjacent playground tucked in the shade. The activities, says Ainsley Smith, a former teacher and daycare provider who oversees the kids’ program, are designed to teach kids about Antigua
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Two massages in one week! Now that’s the way to travel
There isn’t anything like a massage, I think, to help you de-stress, especially when traveling and I’ve had some really memorable ones
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Spending New Year’s with the whales in Antarctica
Everyone is busy getting ready for the black-tie New Year’s Eve bash. Here in Antarctica, it’s a giant penguin party, of course. Whales are invited too
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Taking the whole family on a cruise
There are ships to suit every budget and travel style, from adventure-minded families chartering a small ship from a company like AdventureSmith Explorations that accommodates as few as a dozen guests, to a river cruise in Europe to a megaship in the Caribbean
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To Budapest and exploring a new city through food and drink
In Budapest, The Hungarian Flodni layer cake with plum jam, apple, poppy seed and walnuts lives up to its reputation. Yum! So do the “Baselon,” (translated as a “friend’s ear”) — dumplings fashioned from potato dough with plum jam and sprinkled with brown sugar.
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On a European river cruise with kids of all ages
The all-inclusive nature of these cruises also seems to de-stress the experience — just choose which shore excursion you like, borrow a bike, enjoy complimentary wine and beer and more on some ships.
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On an adventure when the kids are in or out of college
Welcome to a Backroads Breakaway trip. Besides the biking, there are special walking tours in various cities and lunches in out-of-the-way local spots.
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With Backroads and AmaWaterways in Bavaria
Hard or really hard—that was our choice for our final day of cycling with Backroads and AMAWaterways—today in Bavaria. Either way, it was worth the effort
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Excursions offer river cruisers history and culture
Wolfe chose a river cruise because friends at home in Salt Lake City raved about their experiences with their kids and all were having a fun week
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Biking in the rain along the Danube in Austria
It is pouring, raining so hard that we’re getting soaked despite good rain gear. Did I mention we are on bikes riding alongside the Danube River in Austria?
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In Vienna, Sacher Torte and ice-cream coffee!
Sacher torte is a chocolate cake invented by Austrian Franz Sacher in 1832 for Prince Wenzel von Metternich in Vienna. It is one of Austria’s most famous pastries
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In Bratislava – the “Iron Curtain” bike tour misadventure
The “Iron Curtain” bike ride was to take us about 18 miles through the country side into Austria from Slovakia — the border made famous by Winston Churchill and the Cold War.
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Biking along the Danube in the summer heat – a miracle!
I’m biking past fields of sunflowers, bucolic fields with rolls of hay, ponies and pretty farm houses. Did I mention it’s 90 degrees? We try to convince ourselves that is part of the adventure.
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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.
