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Exploring Sicily with a private tour guide
ByEileen Ogintz September 15, 2011June 28, 2023

Aldo Valerio greets us with kisses, like friends he hasn’t seen in a long while. In reality, we’ve never met except through email. Valerio runs a tour company called ww.secretitalia.com and also works with a Canadian based company ww.toursbylocals.com that puts together guides with travelers—especially those who are cruising and don’t want to be limited to ship excursions.

Read More Exploring Sicily with a private tour guide
Families & Groups | Cruises & All-Inclusive | Destinations | Food and Dining | Lodging | Parks & Outdoors | Travel Diaries | Weekly Column

Kids will love the sights and sounds and stories of Venice
ByEileen Ogintz September 15, 2011February 1, 2024

Right up until the 1960s, wealthy families had their own gondolas. The flamboyant Peggy Guggenheim used to tool around town on hers. She, of course, is revered here for her spectacular art collection housed in the Palazzo Venier dei Leoni, where she lived overlooking the Grand Canal and which now houses one of Europe’s premier museums dedicated to modern art….

Read More Kids will love the sights and sounds and stories of Venice
Cruises & All-Inclusive | Families & Groups | Travel Diaries

To the Amalfi Coast past the ghostly volcano on Stromboli
ByEileen Ogintz September 14, 2011June 28, 2023

We are standing on the deck of the Wind Surf at 10 p.m. our eyes glued to a spectral cone rising from the sea ahead of us with occasional pulses of red and pink shimmering off the top. It is the island of Stromboli off the Coast of Italy. As we get closer we can clearly see the lava erupt—bright orange in the black sky.

Read More To the Amalfi Coast past the ghostly volcano on Stromboli
Cruises & All-Inclusive | Families & Groups | Food and Dining | Travel Diaries

Crab Cakes and more on a day at sea on the Wind Surf
ByEileen Ogintz September 13, 2011June 28, 2023

I would assume the 240-plus adults on board the Wind Surf being attended by 187 crew would agree on this spectacularly sunny sea day. They are reading on deck, playing scrabble and cards, indulging in a leisurely lunch (everything from gyros to Greek beef salad, cold cuts, chilled cranberry soup, Asian fish curry… the list goes on and on. This is our only day at sea and I wish we had another it is so wonderful!

Read More Crab Cakes and more on a day at sea on the Wind Surf
Eileen in the Media

Eileen presenting to travel conferences on family travel market
ByEileen Ogintz September 13, 2011June 28, 2023

Eileen is speaking at several travel conferences, including Florida and Hawaii, this autumn. Her presentation can be downloaded

Read More Eileen presenting to travel conferences on family travel market
Families & Groups | Beach Vacations | Destinations | Food and Dining | Lodging | Parks & Outdoors | Taking the Kids Blogs | Volunteer & Service

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
Cruises & All-Inclusive | Destinations | Families & Groups | Food and Dining | Travel Diaries

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
Cruises & All-Inclusive | Destinations | Families & Groups | Food and Dining | Travel Diaries

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
Beach Vacations | Cruises & All-Inclusive | Destinations | Disney | Families & Groups | Lodging | Parks & Outdoors | Snow Vacations | Weekly Column

Where would you take the kids on vacation if money is no object
ByEileen Ogintz September 8, 2011June 28, 2023

Travelocity and TakingtheKids collaborated on a new poll asking families just that — where they’d take their kids on their “dream trip,” if money was no object. According to the results from the 1,500 people polled, it’s clear that no matter how bad the economy, when it comes to our vacation wish list, we dream big.

Read More Where would you take the kids on vacation if money is no object
Cruises & All-Inclusive | Families & Groups | Food and Dining | Travel Diaries

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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Bags Packed?

Exploring Sicily with a private tour guide

Kids will love the sights and sounds and stories of Venice

To the Amalfi Coast past the ghostly volcano on Stromboli

Crab Cakes and more on a day at sea on the Wind Surf

Eileen presenting to travel conferences on family travel market

Interacting with rescued marine mammals at Atlantis in the Bahamas

Exploring in and around the historic Adriatic city of Dubrovnik

Unexpected sights and eats in Korcula Croatia

Where would you take the kids on vacation if money is no object

Following the chef ashore to the local market in Rovinj Croatia

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