As spring breaks grow in popularity, how to plan one on the fly

As spring breaks grow in popularity, how to plan one on the fly

Spring break these days is more for families than for college kids, as parents find it easier to grab a few days off in spring rather than summer when the kids have jobs, summer school, camp, sports practice and everyone at work is vying for the same vacation days.

Why families love the quintessential ski town of Breckenridge, CO

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.

Families learning the culinary arts on vacation

Families learning the culinary arts on vacation

We’re fans of including cooking classes in our travels, learning to make mole with our kids in Oaxaca, Mexico and pasta with other young travelers in Lucca, Italy. We learned to make crab cakes on a Windstar cruise ship, after following the chef to a local market in Croatia. Wherever we go, at the very least we make sure to visit local food markets.

Following the kid — to Nicaragua, the new destination for eco-tourism

Following the kid — to Nicaragua, the new destination for eco-tourism

After years of Taking the Kids, on this trip we’ve followed our 22-year-old daughter Melanie here to Nicaragua, which many say is fast becoming the next eco tourist’s must-see destination, offering volcanoes, cloud forests, rain forests, pristine beaches and a growing number of eco resorts.

Learning a snow sport — more than just fun in the snow

Learning a snow sport — more than just fun in the snow

Snow sports can be more than about fun in the snow. They’re about persistence and courage, trying something new (just ask the cold-hating Los Angeles boy who was with us) and empathy for those who may be struggling more than you might be.

In New Hampshire for an old fashioned family holiday getaway

In New Hampshire for an old fashioned family holiday getaway

In New Hampshire for the holidays, we sleep and hike with the Appalachian Mountain Club, visit the historic Omni Mt. Washington Hotel, tour the treetops at Bretton Woods Ski Area and are pulled by a sled dog team that includes a pair of amazing canines.