The pluses of skiing without the kids — at the Westin Riverfront Resort in Colorado
Who says ski trips aren’t romantic. Certainly, they are when you leave the kids behind, one northern California couple said. “This is our time to reconnect,”
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Best of Taking The Kids | Destinations | Families & Groups | Lodging | Parks & Outdoors | Snow Vacations | Travel Diaries
World-class snow sculptures draw crowds from all around to Breckenridge CO
Young Colorado art critics were among the thousands who came to Breckenridge to see the results of the work of 16 teams from around the world that came to this historic mountain town to create enormous snow sculptures
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To Washington, D.C., during the government shutdown
Here’s your chance to explore a famous American city in a new way — and support those there who count on our tourism dollars.
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Taking the Kids — calling all chocolate lovers
Today, locals and tourists flock to the Sprungli stores for Luxemburgerti and for chocolates. In fact, at the airport, my daughter used our last Swiss francs to buy a box of Sprungli chocolates to take home. She wasn’t the only one.
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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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Spending the New Year at Seadust Cancun Family Resort
For families looking to still get away and escape the frigid northern temperatures for the new year, there’s good news. The family-friendly Seadust Cancun Family Resort is offering an unforgettable holiday and dining experience
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On a safari planned for more than seeing amazing wildlife
The Madikwe Game Reserve borders Botswana to the north and is home to the famous “Big Five.” Before breakfast one morning, we’d seen four of them — lions, elephants, Cape buffalo and white rhino
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Having some fun in the snow during learn a snow sport month
Throughout the month of January, resorts across the country offer deals to get everyone to play in the snow, whether you choose downhill skiing, snowboarding or cross-country skiing and snowshoeing
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Places made memorable in 2018 by what we ate
I realize as I look back over this past year that food has played a role in my family’s most memorable experiences. Here are five stand-out food memories for 2018:
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Following The Mermaid Trail In Norfolk, Virginia
Families who visit this culturally-diverse and exciting city will also be surprised to hear that Norfolk VA is famous for its interactive Mermaid Trail
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Discovering a hidden gem off the tourist track
Still doing holiday shopping? Take your pick of earrings, necklaces, bracelets, handwoven rugs and baskets — entire roomfuls that are handmade by Native American artisans. Of course, you can shop till you drop anytime!
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Visiting The New Family And Pet Friendly Hotel Indigo In Charleston, South Carolina
Hotel Indigo is fast becoming Charleston’s premiere upscale option and not just because of its fresh designs and inspiring service, but for its affordability, too. In other words, it’s got Southern Charm in almost every corner of its multiple-star property
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At NYC’s One World Observatory: Winter ONEderland
The Winter ONEderland: A Holiday Experience Above It All at One World Observatory in New York City is open until January 7, 2019. I experienced the journey on December 4, 2018 and highly recommend this magical, multi-media fun even
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In Zambia: Empowering women through skills and A&K Philanthropy
This project, one of several here run by Abercrombie & Kent Philanthropies, is designed not only to bring money into the village—the bikes sell from $25 to $120, with people coming from Livingstone to purchase them—but to empower women, explained Mabvuto Phiri, who is showing us around the village
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A special family connection at Madikwe Game Reserve in South Africa
Jack Prater’s mom offered a trip to each of her three children on their 13th birthdays to the Sanctuary Makanyane Safari Lodge in the huge Madikwe Game Preserve of South Africa
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Destinations | Families & Groups | Lodging | Parks & Outdoors | Travel Diaries | Volunteer & Service
Not just any park – Madikwe Game Reserve, South Africa
This isn’t just any park. It’s the vast malaria-free Madikwe Game Reserve in South Africa, some 185,000 acres in the North West Province bordering Botswana to the North
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A world apart: life in a South African Township
We are outside of Cape Town in Langa, a historic South African Township, just a little more than one square mile but home to more than 60,000 people, many living in abject poverty
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A Sobering History Lesson– Robben Island
Mlilwana “Sparky” Sparks was just 17 when he was sentenced in 1983 to the notorious South African Prison Robben Island, less than five miles west of the Cape Town Coast
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Will the mountain come out for the views of Cape Town and Robben Island?
There is zero visibility at the top of Table Mountain, one of Cape Town’s most popular tourist attractions reachable only by foot or cable car.
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Families & Groups | Destinations | Food and Dining | Parks & Outdoors | Travel Diaries | Volunteer & Service
In South Africa’s Winelands: Families welcomed to learn about biodiversity
Welcome to Boschendal, a historic winery in South Africa’s famous Winelands area less than an hour outside of Cape town that is embracing visiting families as well as couples and honeymooners
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Cape Town, South Africa: a sports and foodie place where kids are always welcome
Cape Town is South Africa’s second largest city with a population of nearly four million at the tip of Africa where foreign visitors like us have been coming since the 15thCentury.
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12 places to see the holiday lights
Cities, towns and hotels, just like many families, are getting themselves holiday-ready earlier and earlier, kicking of the season with holiday tree lightings starting Thanksgiving weekend.
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Roswell N.M.: UFO Central and Much More
Picture thousands of fans of “Star Wars,” “Star Trek,” “Guardians of the Galaxy” and other Sci-Fi movie franchises and their families descending on Roswell to see aliens at the UFO Festival
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Gathering for the holidays
According to AAA, more people will be traveling over Thanksgiving — 54.3 million, the most since 2005. But they aren’t all heading to a relative’s house
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Denver Performing Arts: Roller Skates and 80’s Hits
Xanadu, produced by Denver Center for the Performing Arts Cabaret, captures the spirit of the 1980s while appealing to many generations. The musical is adapted from the cult classic movie with the same title starring Olivia Newton John and Gene Kelly
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Trading in the arts of Native America – Gallup, New Mexico
Gallup is what you might call a “hidden gem.” You might need to work a bit to have your authentic experience, whether deciding for yourself whether you prefer the local red or green chili sauce, the type of Native American jewelry, or whether you want to go hot air ballooning
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Eating your way through Italy
Food has become increasingly important to traveling families as kids have expanded their palates by first watching the Food Network and then trying new foods on vacation. I can’t think of a better way to experience a new culture than through food or a better place than Italy where it won’t take any coaxing to convince kids to “eat local.”
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Learning a little military history this month
World War I was so long ago that as we celebrate the 100th anniversary of armistice of the first global war in which millions died and empires were destroyed, today’s kids never met anyone who fought or lived during that difficult time
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Two New York Hotels To Light Up Your Holidays
Those touring The Big Apple over the holidays certainly could use some after a day of ice skating in Central Park, checking out the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree and all the holiday lights and/or hitting the museums
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Fun and festivals without the stress – holidays in Orlando
Welcome to the holidays—Orlando Style. The best part: You don’t have to wait until Christmas week to celebrate since Orlando’s seven famous theme parks and attractions celebrate for 59 days at 20 festive events
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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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Little Taste of Italy – Part 2
Little Taste of Italy Part II starts at the Umbria Region farmhouse (viaumbria.com) in Canarra with tours of Perugia, Spello, Assissi and Gubbo, then moves to Bologna and Parma, where we observed the making of Parmaggiano Reggiano cheese.
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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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To the National Museum of Play
The prestigious National Toy Hall of Fame at The Strong National Museum of Play is a top draw for not only visitors to Rochester, N,Y., but for all of upper New York state
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Visiting Maine in Winter – Family Friendly and Affordable
Unlike bears, Mainers don’t hibernate in winter. They like to encourage everyone who visits to get outdoors. Maine is the place to ski, snowboard, snowshoe, cross country ski, ice skate, tube, build snow forts and make lots of snow angels
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Taking the Kids — on the college tour circuit
To all parents heading out on the Great College Tour this fall, I wish you luck. You are going to need it. Maybe a cocktail or two at the end of the day will help, and so will keeping your sense of humor
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Ham and Cheese Production in Parma – unique craftsmanship
This region of northern Italy, Emilia-Romagna, extends from the Apennine Mountains to the Po River and is especially famous for its food and food industry, including Parma ham and Parmigiano Reggiano cheese
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Bologna in Bologna? Italy’s underrated food and art spot
We spent a day touring Bologna, Italy’s 7th largest city with a guide from Tours by Locals. Bologna is often overlooked by tourists more interested in Rome, Florence or Venice
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Timeout in Umbria – lunch at a wonderful winery
Not just any lunch but a parade of dishes all locally sourced of course paired with Dionigiwines that have been made by the same family since the end of the 19th Century
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Happy Halloween – all month long!
No longer a one-day affair, Halloween has morphed into one of the year’s biggest holidays, with families taking off to experience haunted houses, spooky festivals and gruesome gourmet delights
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Scenes from three days of touring the towns of Umbria, Italy
Great views, Apennine mountain air, historical sites, medieval lore, saints and sinners, plus vino, pasta, and more vino and pasta
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A big lesson in tolerance and humanity — Assisi Italy
Today, six million people a year visit Assisi, a hillside medieval town of 25,000 in Umbria, making it the second most visited religious site in Italy after Rome
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In Umbria, Italy -Medieval machinations and countryside charm
We are in Perugia, the capital of Umbria, which incidentally is the only Italian region that borders neither the sea or another country. It is famous for its university, its historic center dating back to Medieval times, and chocolate
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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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What’s in your bag of tricks for outdoor fun?
There’s no better time than autumn to get outdoors and get away, whether you have a day, a weekend or a week. ACES should be on everyone’s list when they visit Aspen with its terrific in-town nature preserve
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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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Exploring Leonardo Da Vinci’s Creations in Milan, Italy
Besides the Mona Lisa, The Last Supper and other masterpieces, Da Vinci designed a self-supporting bridge, flying bicycle, life sized mechanical lion, musical instruments and much more
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When a vacation rental is more than a place to sleep
Fall, of course, is harvest season around the country and there are many festivals to celebrate the bounty, including those that include showing off your prowess in the kitchen and the garden
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The Curious Theater Company’s The Cake Fosters Conversation in a Sweet Way
Talking about controversial issues doesn’t seem so hard when it’s paired with comedy and confection. That’s why The Cake, a play featured at Denver’s Curious Theater Company, is good for both the mind and the stomach
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The newest revival of Oklahoma! delights Denver audiences
The newest revival of Oklahoma!, which we just saw in Denver, shows that a good theater can produce a beloved musical that not only entertains, but provokes thought and discussion
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To the top of the city
Let’s hope you aren’t afraid of heights. We’re talking a hands-free walk 1,168 feet up on a 5-foot ledge — EdgeWalk at Toronto’s famous CN Tower holds the Guinness World Record for the World’s Highest External Walk on a Building
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Backyard Vacations | Best of Taking The Kids | Destinations | Families & Groups | Food and Dining | Lodging | Parks & Outdoors | Travel Diaries
At the Crested Butte Chili and Beer Festival, It’s Not About Winning or Losing
For my husband and daughter, it proved a fun shared experience—choosing the recipe, shopping for ingredients, and then two evenings cooking in our VRBO rental
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How to Compete in a Chili Cookoff? Vacation Rental of Course!
This is one of the best equipped rentals I’ve ever experienced not only with plenty of dishes, pots, pans and utensils but basic spices and even tin foil and zip lock bags.
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Taking the Kids — and meeting Swiss kids
“Kids should try the local food here,” says Noa Von Allmen, 12, who lives in the Swiss mountain town of Lauterbrunnen, considered the gateway to the famous Jungfrau mountain region
