Food and Dining

Ideas and reports for families on dining while traveling

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Interacting with rescued marine mammals at Atlantis in the Bahamas
ByEileen Ogintz September 12, 2011October 4, 2023

The facility serves as the best marine mammal rescue and rehabilitation center in the Bahamas—the sea lions here were also rescued. Corbett shows us the lab which she proudly says is one of the most medically advanced in the Bahamas — for creatures or people, she jokes — complete with ultra sounds equipment, digital x-rays, anesthesia machines and more. Experts here have the ability via the internet to consult with experts around the world.

Read More Interacting with rescued marine mammals at Atlantis in the Bahamas
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Exploring in and around the historic Adriatic city of Dubrovnik
ByEileen Ogintz September 12, 2011June 28, 2023

Everyone says Dubrovnik is the “jewel of the Adriatic” and it’s easy to see why–it’s Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage site with its cathedral, monastery–including the oldest drug store in Europe, operating continuously since 1317 and the second oldest synagogue in Europe dating back to 1652. Today, there are few Jews left in the Old Town and no Rabbi, we learn.

Read More Exploring in and around the historic Adriatic city of Dubrovnik
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Unexpected sights and eats in Korcula Croatia
ByEileen Ogintz September 9, 2011June 28, 2023

I thought a friend who is a local guide was going to meet us—miscommunication that often happens when you are traveling. Instead, we joined a local walking tour learning that this tiny town—just 3,500 people live here—“You can walk around naked and no one will even notice or see you because everyone is home,” promises our guide Katija Tedeschi.

Read More Unexpected sights and eats in Korcula Croatia
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Following the chef ashore to the local market in Rovinj Croatia
ByEileen Ogintz September 8, 2011June 28, 2023

It’s the most unique shore excursion I’ve ever seen and it doesn’t cost a penny. We’ve just arrived at our first Croatian port, Rovinj, aboard the 315-passenger Wind Surf—one of Windstar’s distinctive sailing yachts and the largest in the three-ship fleet. The Ship’s executive Chef Ronald Waasdorp has invited guests to follow him to the local open-air market and 28 of us have taken him up on his offer.

Read More Following the chef ashore to the local market in Rovinj Croatia
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Hot dogs and chicken fingers? Not at all restaurants thankfully
ByEileen Ogintz August 18, 2011May 14, 2025

I’m so tired of hotels and resorts touting kids-eat-free programs limited to traditional kids menus. Do we want to encourage children to eat a steady diet of mac and cheese, chicken fingers, hot dogs and fries? Do kids, once they are in kindergarten, even want that? Not the kids I know who love sushi and steak. Not their parents either. …

Read More Hot dogs and chicken fingers? Not at all restaurants thankfully
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A guided trip through Montana and the Yellowstone — no better way to travel
ByEileen Ogintz August 5, 2011May 13, 2024

This is the first morning of our guided trip to Montana and Yellowstone, arranged by Montana-based Austin Lehman Adventures, which has been guiding visitors to Yellowstone and beyond for more than two decades—several hundred families a year. The company sends adventurous families around the world but Yellowstone remains their signature trip and the Museum of the Rockies is a great place to start.

Read More A guided trip through Montana and the Yellowstone — no better way to travel
Backyard Vacations | Destinations | Families & Groups | Food and Dining | Lodging | Parks & Outdoors | Weekly Column

Want an old-fashioned family vacation? Think Maine
ByEileen Ogintz July 21, 2011June 28, 2023

Maine is ideal for an old-fashioned family vacation with plenty of modern touches. Indulge your young foodies at Portland restaurants ( www.visitportland.com) or shop till you drop in Freeport, home of L.L. Bean and more than 200 retail outlets. Eat blueberry pancakes (the season starts in mid-July). Head out on an old-fashioned schooner for a few days, like we did one summer aboard the Isaac H. Evans, where we ate our fill of fresh lobster on a deserted island, or explore Acadia National Park and hike some of the famous Appalachian Trail.

Read More Want an old-fashioned family vacation? Think Maine
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In Freeport Maine, a restauranteur who gets it about kids and nutrition
ByEileen Ogintz June 23, 2011June 28, 2023

What sets this place apart is his philosophy that I wish other restaurant owners and chefs would embrace. Rather than limiting kids to a kids menu, he offers smaller portions of just about everything on the menu – from calamari to filet mignon and Scottish salmon — at a reduced price.

Read More In Freeport Maine, a restauranteur who gets it about kids and nutrition
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Maine’s Hidden Pond resort is designed for 21st Century families
ByEileen Ogintz June 22, 2011June 28, 2023

Hidden Pond is just 16 spacious cottages spread over 60 wooded acres a mile from Kennebunkport’s famous Goose Rocks Beach that’s open just from May to October. It’s a place where kids can tool around on bikes, go for a hike, do cannon balls in the pool and gather around the fire pit for s’mores and even take an outdoor shower in the cottages or pick vegetables or herbs in the gardens

Read More Maine’s Hidden Pond resort is designed for 21st Century families
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Three Days in Maine — Day One on a Lobster Boat
ByEileen Ogintz June 21, 2011June 28, 2023

We learn from our affable captain Dave Coleman that Maine provides the world with 75 per cent of its lobsters and that licensed lobstermen work very, very hard—with each one having about 800 traps and checking on about 150 a day. We see how much work it is for Dave to haul in just the one trap andcheck the lobsters for size.

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