A special dinner at the Grand Hotel Tremezzo on Lake Como
It’s nice when a hotel can make the experience special for the youngest guests as well as their parents and those who may be here to celebrate a birthday, anniversary or an engagement.
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Exploring the beautiful villas along the shore of Lake Como, Italy
Could this place be any more beautiful? The three-story villa is directly on the lake shore located in Laglio between Cernobbio and Tremezzo on Lake Como, with private dock and lake access.
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George Clooney’s temporary neighbors discover the virtures of a Lake Como villa
I think George Clooney is lucky to have a villa in the tiny village of Laglio—just 700 people on Lake Como in northern Italy. I can say that from personal experience because I am the Clooneys’ neighbor—well, their temporary neighbor at a lakefront villa
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To Deer Valley, where guests say ‘no snowboarders!’
Instead of frustrating hours at the airport, we spent a blue sky day on Deer Valley’s famously groomed slopes, stopping for an excellent lunch. (Deer Valley is as famous for its eats as it is for its grooming and customer service.)
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Using interpretation and technology to revive the 18th Century in Williamsburg VA
The idea in the Historic Triangle — home not only to this recreated 18th-century city but also to the living-history museums Jamestown Settlement and Yorktown Victory Center, is to use interactive activities, 21st-century technology and costumed interpreters
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After the wedding, time to explore the Charlottesville VA area
Correspondent Melissa Miller had time to spend touring the Charlottesville VA area after a spectacular wedding this month. Here is her report.
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21st Century meets 18th in Colonial Williamsburg – huzzah!
21st Century meets 18th Century—that’s the idea of Colonial Williamsburg. The audience was enthralled by the street theater Revolutionary City where costumed interpreters play out different aspects of the politics surrounding the American Revolution.
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Take the Kids to San Diego in October — they’re free!
There’s no better time to visit San Diego than October when kids are free all over town — from the zoo to harbor cruises, LEGOLAND California in nearby Carlsbad, nearly 40 museums, restaurants and activities from surf lessons to speedboat rides to golf and even fishing.
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History and fun for families in Virginia’s Historic Triangle
Williamsburg has plenty to offer families—from Busch Gardens, famous for its coasters and Water Country USA, to plenty of American history. This is the heart of the Historic Triangle, of course, home to Colonial Williamsburg
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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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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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Half Moon Bay, CA, gets ready for families with lots of pumpkins
Farmer John Muller, a third-generation California farmer, is also the mayor of Half Moon Bay, which bills itself as the World’s Pumpkin Capital. The coastal climate here, with warm days and cool nights, is perfect for growing pumpkins.
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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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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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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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Great way to stretch your vacation dollar – Orlando
There’s a lot more to Orlando than theme parks—and a lot of ways to stretch your vacation dollar while having plenty of fun, especially in September, the cheapest month of the year to visit with deals up to half off.
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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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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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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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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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Sonoma County: the right locale for a trip with a grown-up kid
Who says grown kids don’t want to travel with their parents? I don’t get to see my daughter that often and was determined to make our few days together as fun and as stress-free as possible for both of us. The key, I discovered, is choosing the right locale.
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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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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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Families love meeting future baseball stars on Cape Cod
We’re sitting on the grass with several hundred parents and kids on a balmy summer night in Falmouth, Massachusetts on Cape Cod watching the Falmouth Commodores play the Orleans Firebirds.
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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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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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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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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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Generations gather at the ballfields in Cooperstown all summer long
With the families and generations at Cooperstown Dreams Park, which draws 104 Little League baseball teams each week to its 22 pristine fields spread out over 150 acres.
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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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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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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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How families can get great deals in the Caribbean in summer
Many consider summer in the Caribbean family season because rates are significantly lower and there are so many value-added amenities.
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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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Why families like ski country in the summer: 6 adventures
Ski country in summer, especially Colorado: you won’t run out of things to do. Many who live in ski towns say they originally came for the snow but stayed because they love the summer
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Celebrate Yosemite’s 150th birthday with your family
This month marks the 150th anniversary of the Yosemite Grant Act, which set aside Yosemite Valley and the Mariposa Grove as the first protected wild land in the country — the first time scenic, wilderness lands were set aside specifically for preservation and public use by the federal government.
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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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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.
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Bringing out the inner child in Turks & Caicos
In the days of being connected 24-7, there is a place where adults can unplug, unwind and become a kid again.
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Hoteliers like Kimpton take the stress out of family travel
Kids—and parents–will like that every Kimpton hotel is different. None of their amenities cost the hotel much but they certainly will make a stay memorable—and less stressful—for families.
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World War II history comes alive for families visiting Normandy
June 6 marks the 70th anniversary of D-Day, and many families, even if they can’t visit, will be thinking about grandfathers and great-grandfathers, sons, uncles and cousins who fought and died here.
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Kids treated like VIPs at San Francisco hotel
Everyone likes being treated like VIPS—especially a four year-old staying at the St. Regis San Francisco with her parents and younger sister
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A Family Day in the Erzgebirge Mountains
In two hours, we were immersed in an alpine landscape that looked straight out of “The Sound of Music”.
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Boutique Hotel Chains are stepping up their family offerings
The animal crackers and lemonade looked really good sitting there by the front desk in the lobby. A lot of boutique hotels around the world are realizing that making young guests and their parents happy is good business.
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Mother’s Day doesn’t have to be just once a year
Really, any day can be Mother’s Day — like on your next family vacation. All you have to do is declare: “This day is for you, Mom!”
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At the Tonga Room in SF, fun dining for families
The Tonga Room and Hurricane Bar has been a San Francisco fixture since 1945, famous for its tropical drinks and band that floats up and down the water on a thatched-covered barge
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Back to Bolton Valley with the ABC boys — many lessons learned
Why would three sane adult males drive five hours for a day-and-a-half of skiing and snowboarding with a group of five high school boys when there are bigger and fancier ski areas much closer to home? A guys weekend of course.
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Keeping your children safe around vacation pools and beaches
As many of us head off to warm climes and cruise ships on spring break, it’s especially important to be mindful of water safety, particularly if young kids are along for the trip.
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Why families love the quintessential ski town of Breckenridge, CO
Challenge is a good thing for all ages on vacation and Breckenridge offers it up in spades, whatever the kids’ ages and ability — from the Four O’clock run, which is 3.5 miles long, the terrain parks, the kids’ trails through the trees and kids’ terrain features with names like Rip’s Ravine and Dragon Trail.
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Something for every family in Park City, including snowboarder nephews
Until this year, I had never snowboarded in Utah. When I thought Utah, I thought tiny martinis and tabernacle choirs . When I thought Park City, I thought fancy film festivals. Turns out, Utah, and specifically the former silver-mining town of Park City, are pure gold.
