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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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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Families & Groups | Cruises & All-Inclusive | Destinations | Food and Dining | Parks & Outdoors | Weekly Column
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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Best of Taking The Kids | Cruises & All-Inclusive | Destinations | Families & Groups | Food and Dining | Travel Diaries
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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Beach Vacations | Cruises & All-Inclusive | Families & Groups | Food and Dining | Lodging | Taking the Kids Blogs
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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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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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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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
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Adventure hiking in the Swiss Alps
This is the start of a two-week, self-guided hiking trip arranged by Alpenwild for my husband, me and our two daughters — a rare time together now that the girls are grown
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Aspen’s Hotel Jerome: Historic, comfy, very pet-friendly!
Horses trotted through the lobby when Aspen’s Hotel Jerome opened in 1889. Today there are just happy guests, many with their dogs who are treated like royalty
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Backyard Vacations | Destinations | Families & Groups | Parks & Outdoors | Travel Diaries | Volunteer & Service
Challenging kids to learn nature at Aspen Center for Environmental Studies
At the Aspen Center for Environmental Studies (ACES), environmental educators including Denali Barron and Bowman Leigh think a grab bag of nature challenges can help kids engage with the outdoors—and get off their devices.
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Choosing the right gear for your next adventure
I just spent a few days at the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market, North America’s largest trade show in the outdoor industry, and perused all that’s new in outdoor gear
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Hiking Switzerland – Summer 2018 – Video
During our 10-hiking trip through Switzerland in August 2018, we took tons of great photos and short video clips with a Nikon D3400
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Last day in Switzerland – A ‘Sweet Tour’ of Zurich
It is interesting to consider that the Swiss have become so known for a product whose ingredients—cocoa and sugar—came from abroad
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Not an airport hotel – but only five minutes from the airport! Swisshotel Zurich
we are ensconced in the luxe 347-room Swissotel Zurich, across the street from a train station that is one stop from the main Zurich Station in one direction – and one stop from the airport in the other
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In Zurich, a vegetarian restaurant like no other
The popular Haus Hiltl Zurich restaurant is run by the fourth generation of the Hiltl family and is open from morning until late evening
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Rainy in Zermatt? No worries – plenty to see, do and eat!
The clouds are low again. We can’t see much and I’m wondering why we came—And then we come upon a flock of the grazing black-nosed sheep near the top of the funicular. Wonderful!
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What’s new at museums for families
Whether you have an end-of-summer trip planned or just a few days before the school year gets into full swing, consider checking out a new museum exhibit or two
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In the Swiss Alps — a cafe to remember
Café 3692 is named for the height (in meters) of the Wetterhorn Mountain, which looms over the town of Grindelwald along with the Eiger and other peaks in the Jungfrau
