Adventure Starts Here.
Every journey brings you closer to new places, to people you love, to family, and to yourself. Let’s make your next escape unforgettable.
Eileen’s interview with First Lady Michelle Obama on staying active on family summer vacations ran on ABCnews.com
Eileen is guest on Rudy Maxa’s radio travel program, talking about her exclusive interview with the First Lady on tips for staying active on vacation.
lLarning about the flag starts in Baltimore with a visit to Fort McHenry (walk among the canons and peer into barracks that look as they might have during the Battle of Baltimore). Then on to the Smithsonian in Washington D.C. to see the actual flag in all its glory.
That’s also the idea behind the Bahamas People to People Program. Visitors are paired with locals of similar interests who might take them to church, running in Nassau, on a boat ride or a kayak in Grand Bahama Island or to dinner at their home. There is no charge.
Welcome to the Abacos Islands in the Bahamas —a chain of some 120 tiny islands, home to just 14,000 people and a mecca for boaters, fisherman, snorkelers and divers. Today we’re at Munjack Cay about 40 miles by boat from the town of Marsh Harbor with Lincoln and Marcus Jones who have brought us and some other guests here to cook the fish we’ve just caught.
First Lady Michelle Obama suggests letting the kids lead is one way to get everyone more active on vacation this summer. The first lady told Taking the Kids exclusively, “The key to getting kids moving is to find something they enjoy, and join in!” For the First Family, that includes biking.
What began with programs for school kids in the Bahamas in 2000, now attracts cruise ship passengers and other visitors for workshops in Junkanoo costume making. And what amazing costumes they are, put together with thousands and thousands of strips of brightly colored crepe paper adorned with feathers and gold and silver buttons.
There’s certainly plenty of that here in Nassau, the Bahamas capitol just 179 miles east of the Florida Coast. It is just 21 miles long and seven miles wide and a bridge links Paradise Island to New Providence Island—Nassau’s other name.
Sail racing is the island of Anguilla’s national sport dating back to the early days of the 20th century when Anguillan men on their way back from working in sugar cane fields in the Dominican Republic would race their schooners home. In fact, the unique design of the racing boats here evolved from fishing boats that would fish as much as 40 miles off shoe
Ava Thompson is the chief family officer for the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism—that means she helps families decide which island best suits them and what to do when they arrive. She explains that Grand Bahama Island, home to about 55,000 people, is a nice mixture of city (Freeport) and laid-back island feel.
At the first TMS Family Travel Summit in Orlando (May 3-5, 2013), Eileen and other bloggers did a panel on How to Pack for Family Vacations. Published by Conde Nast Traveler.
You’ll have your pick of thrills — wet and dry — this summer when nearly 200 new rides and attractions open at more than 80 theme parks, water parks, family fun centers, zoos, aquariums and museums in the United States and Canada, according to the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions.
If you’re on board the new Norwegian Breakaway, you—and baby—and grandma might all be joining in special “Guppies’ activities—maybe finger painting with special paints or using chalk or crayons made out of vegetables. “We want those younger families whose kids aren’t in school,” said CEO Kevin Sheehan –especially during times of year when there aren’t school breaks.
That this ship is home-ported in New York is such a big deal that Mayor Bloomberg was on hand for the christening. “New York is the number one cruise capitol in the Northeast,” he said welcoming 587,000 passengers in 2012—growing 32 per cent just in one year. “Breakaway will add to those numbers and it will be our pleasure to show them the greatest city in the world,” he said
We all know that kids seem to grow up in a blink of an eye (It seems as if my youngest who is graduating from college this month was just starting preschool!) That’s why families shouldn’t feel guilty about taking time—or money– for vacation. We’ve only got a certain amount of time when our kids are mesmerized by princesses or dinosaurs, when they think playing with mom and dad is the best time ever.
Talk about kid vacation heaven — Caribbean style. “They really cater to the kids here at Curtain Bluff observes Dr. Tania Spenlinhauer, here in Antigua from Maine with her husband and three kids, including Brady, for her sister’s wedding at the resort. That the small (just 72 rooms) all-inclusive resort offered so much for the six young grandchildren was a big factor in why the family opted to gather here, they said.
Check out these fabulous video shorts our partner Kyle McCarthy of the Family Travel Forum put together while at the first ever TMS Family Travel Summit in Orlando May 3-5, 2013:
This first-ever summit brought together national travel media with top marketers to brainstorm how we could work together to improve and de-stress the family travel experience. “It’s nice to see both sides of the table share the same concerns,” observed Laura Parquette, from Vail Resorts.
2013 is the Year of the Ear at Disney Parks with new limited release Disney Ear Hats available every month as part of Disney Parks’ Limited Time Magic—special experiences designed to surprise and excite guests when they visit—including saving up to 30 per cent with the Monstrous Summer promotion available at Walt Disney World Resorts through mid June.
Eileen is interviewed on Newschannel 8 in Washington DC on April 27, 2013 about her newly published “Kids’ Guide to Washington DC”
Any mom — or grandma — who has traveled with kids, especially young ones, knows that all too often a vacation is not a vacation at all for moms. “It’s just like home without the washing machine,” one young mom told me glumly as she watched her kids splash in a hotel pool.
Today people consider the War of 1812 “the forgotten war” but visiting the Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine is a good place to earn about it. Wherever you go in Baltimore, the kids are bound to learn something—maybe without even realizing they’re getting a history lessons.
Eileen is a guest on Rudy Maxa’s World, discussing new new Kids’ Guide to Washington D.C
Eileen and other family travel experts provide travel advice to the Huffington Post.
On Richmond’s Emancipation and Civil War Day held the first weekend of April, I joined hundreds of visitors to take advantage of the open doors of the historical sites and honor the important event in American history.
Royal Caribbean wants you to know they’ve not only got your back but they’ll guarantee you an experience like none other on board a ship. That’s especially the case if you wait 18 months for the new Quantum of the Seas that will sail out of the New York area.
Today we’re back at Curtain Bluff and I’ve decided to take the 6:30 a.m. deep sea fishing charter. The best thing about Curtain Bluff, other than the beauty and just about every other thing, is that it is all-inclusive, so the fishing (along with Scuba, snorkeling, water-skiing and other activities) is part of the price.
Kids who visit Los Angeles, especially tweens and teens, want to hit the beach and the beach towns are guaranteed to please — no town more so than Santa Monica with its world-famous pier, which has been drawing visitors since it was built in 1908 — the first pleasure pier on the West Coast.
Rod McCrea likes that Curtain Bluff is not only considerably less expensive in summer but that the all inclusive nature of the property means he not only knows exactly what he is spending but that all of his kids and grandkids can do what they like–tennis and sailing, deep sea fishing and snorkel trips, not to mention all the fruit smoothies the kids can drink—or that their parents will allow them to mix up with the bartenders.
Thirty years later, our room overlooks that same windswept beach. As I think about the three kids we did have—and the adventures we shared with them—I’m struck by how this 72-room all-inclusive resort is emblematic of how family travel has changed in the past three decades.
The Ricketts want their little hotel and villa business to show people that Anguilla is not only for those who can afford five-star luxury. The hotel also serves as the island’s unofficial cultural center. In fact, the restaurant is crowded the night we visit with locals and visitors alike for the weekly dance performance that tells the story of Anguilla.
Eileen contributes to tips on budget friendly family vacations for Womans World Magazine magazine (April 29, 2013) issue.
The hardest thing about visiting Chicago is deciding where to take the kids first — Chicago’s famous Lakefront where you can ride bikes and in-line skate, or Lincoln Park where you can visit one of the few free zoos in the country. (Kids especially love the polar bears.)
Eileen blogs for the HuffPost about taking the kids to Washington DC
I was thinking of how she had to juggle the needs of her kids with her work—as we all do. One minute she’s cajoling a son—she had four kids—to come to a family get-together; the next she is deciding whether to grant a death row inmate a reprieve, under pressure from the Vatican and Mother Theresa.
Eileen is interviewed on Foxnews.com about touring Washington DC with the kids.
New museum exhibits often foster excitement and increase tourism and, since it opened last fall, “The Space Shuttle Endeavour Exhibition” has done both in spades. (Did I mention there is no entrance fee to the wonderful hands-on museum, though you can pay $2 for a timed entrance to Endeavour?)
Hotels are so much more than a place to sleep these days, especially for families. Check into the Thayer Hotel at West Point, N.Y., and kids might even learn a little history in a room dedicated to famous graduates like astronaut Buzz Aldrin, complete with memorabilia. (The newest is the Army Baseball Room.)
Like a lighthouse in the Allegheny Mountains, the enormous tower and complex of the Homestead Resort marks the location of healing waters of the natural springs in central Virginia. The rejuvenating mineral waters were once sought out by Native Americans and early colonists alike.
“I’m going to travel like this from now on!” Sarah exclaimed, while she was receiving exciting emails from MMC and Ya’axche about fun things to do during our trip. Not only do I feel like I truly took advantage of my last spring break in College, but I also made it educational…aren’t you proud Mom and Dad?
Some of you are just heading out on spring break. Some of you are there and are wondering why you left home. That’s because traveling with kids is never easy. It’s aggravating, stressful, expensive and wonderful. Keep reminding yourself that all the travel research shows that family vacations are responsible for the happiest memories we have—memories that last a lifetime.
Already, the California Science Center drew more visitors than any other museum in southern California—including 370,000 school kids. But since the Shuttle has opened, the museum officials are projecting visitation will be up nearly a million to 2.5 million, says Science Center VP William Harris.
Hollywood…and Beverly Hills.
It’s often what people think of when they think of LA but of course LA is a lot more than that, my friend Jennifer Miner who is one of the www.vacationgals.com and lives in suburban LA tells me.
On a rainy day, grab an umbrella and go to the National Mall in Washington, D.C. “Nobody’s there,” reports 11-year-old Sean, who is from suburban Virginia and was one of the local and visiting kids we interviewed for my new “Kid’s Guide to Washington, D.C.” While you are there, pick up a mini Washington Monument, “The best souvenir from Washington, D.C.!” offers William, 12, who lives in suburban Maryland.
When I go for a before dinner walk on the beach, there are adults—and kids—doing yoga, playing on the swings and the gymnastics equipment. (There is an area for the kids to climb mini ropes!) They are inline skating, riding bikes, swinging and jumping in and out of the surf and squealing with laughter. They are lining up for fresh lemonade and tacos, playing games in the arcade on the pier.
2013 is the Year of the Ear at Disney Parks with new limited release Disney Ear Hats available every month as part of Disney Parks’ Limited Time Magic—special experiences designed to surprise and excite guests when they visit. Of course you can get your ears autographed.
Eileen is interviewed on Rudy Maxa’s national radio program. Download a podcast here. Rudy Maxa, aka “The Savvy Traveler,” is one of America’s premier consumer travel experts
Download a PDF file of Eileen’s presentation to the California Governor’s Tourism Conference in San Diego. California Governors presentation March 2013
We all know that San Diego is home to the San Diego Zoo and SeaWorld but we may not realize there are so many museums that because they are in one urban park are so easy to visit (you can also buy a park passport that’s good for a week–$49 for adults and $27 for kids 12 and younger.
At the new LEGOLAND Hotel in Carlsbad, CA you—in consultation with your kids, of course—can choose which theme you prefer and your room will be decorated accordingly at the 250-room hotel set to open with great fanfare April 5.
Browse through a selection of travel ideas for cities, countries, and unique regions that offer memorable experiences for every type of traveler.
Escape to the outdoors where lush parks, scenic trails, and serene natural retreats provide the space to relax, recharge, and experience the world in its purest form.
Every destination has its own flavor. Let the food take you on a journey through local traditions, and unforgettable meals.
