Family Adventures
- Still Time for a Summer Vacation
- My Family Vacation in Orlando
- Living Abroad with a Baby
- Where Will You Travel in 2008?
- I Don't Do Holiday Travel
- Last Minute Labor Day Deals
- Free Colonial Williamsburg Tickets
- Hit the Road
- Cheap Spring Break
- Don't Be Scared of Baby Travel
Still Time for a Summer Vacation
Posted by
Kelby Carr
Kelby Carr
Does it seem like summer is slipping away, and you haven't made any summer vacation plans? Believe it or not, you can still plan a summer vacation, even post-July 4th.
I think a lot of people believe that once you start traveling with kids, planning well ahead of time is so necessary. That totally isn't true. Not only that, you don't even need lots of cash to do it.
In fact, kids just love an unexpected vacation on short notice. Shoot, wake up one morning and announce you're taking a daytrip to a town an hour away. Or load the tent and some groceries into the car, and hit a nearby campground for the weekend.
You won't believe the morale boost both parents and kids also get from even a short weekend getaway. Sure, you may have longed to do that whole week-long beach vacation rental thing. But that isn't the only thing you can (or should) do for a summer vacation.
Hard up for some summer vacation ideas? Here are some resources and tips to help you on your way:
In fact, kids just love an unexpected vacation on short notice. Shoot, wake up one morning and announce you're taking a daytrip to a town an hour away. Or load the tent and some groceries into the car, and hit a nearby campground for the weekend.
You won't believe the morale boost both parents and kids also get from even a short weekend getaway. Sure, you may have longed to do that whole week-long beach vacation rental thing. But that isn't the only thing you can (or should) do for a summer vacation.
Hard up for some summer vacation ideas? Here are some resources and tips to help you on your way:
Posted by
Kelby Carr
Kelby Carr
OK, this is a bit weird. I'm a family travel writer who's never seen what is, arguably, the world's Mecca of family travel. I've never been to Orlando.
I know, I know. You can stop gasping, because I'm about to leave for Family Travel Central. I figured it's about time I visit some of those uber-popular family attractions like Disney World, SeaWorld and Universal Studios.
I've always been more the hiking with kids type, or the travel abroad with kids type. We don't do too many theme parks. I must confess, though, I'm pretty intrigued by the offerings there. I know, at the very least, the kids will have a blast.
I've already learned some interesting news. For example, did you know there will soon be a Simpsons ride at Universal Orlando resort? Or that your little ones can attend a Princess and Pirate Party at Disney World (and even get a princess makeover at Cinderalla's Castle beforehand)? Or that SeaWorld is opening the ultimate water park (think water slides in the water, surrounded by tropical fish or dolphins).
Come back very soon, as I share our first-hand family travel experiences in Orlando.
I've always been more the hiking with kids type, or the travel abroad with kids type. We don't do too many theme parks. I must confess, though, I'm pretty intrigued by the offerings there. I know, at the very least, the kids will have a blast.
I've already learned some interesting news. For example, did you know there will soon be a Simpsons ride at Universal Orlando resort? Or that your little ones can attend a Princess and Pirate Party at Disney World (and even get a princess makeover at Cinderalla's Castle beforehand)? Or that SeaWorld is opening the ultimate water park (think water slides in the water, surrounded by tropical fish or dolphins).
Come back very soon, as I share our first-hand family travel experiences in Orlando.
Posted by
Kelby Carr
Kelby Carr
My husband and I had one of the most unique experiences. We lived in France for a year with our daughter, who was 1 at the time. I highly recommend this experience.
It wasn't easy making it happen, and it wasn't always easy overcoming the challenges of living abroad and caring for a baby-becoming-toddler. The grandparents thought we were nuts. We sold our house, sold or gave away most of our possessions, sold our cars, and completely uprooted our lives. People don't tend to do that when they become parents.
But to this day, that extended family sabbatical vacation was one of the most amazing experiences of my life.
We lived in Nice, but we traveled almost the entire time we were there. The three of us saw most of the South of France, we visited Italy, and we hit many destinations in Northern Spain, such as Barcelona, Pamplona and San Sebastian.
My daughter didn't learn what an elephant was from a book. She saw one at the Barcelona zoo. She learned about her colors at Le Louvre.
You don't have to be rich (we weren't). You don't have to be sophisticated, or stay in four-star hotels (we camped frequently). But you can have an amazing vacation that isn't just gone as quickly as it started. You can have an experience that you and your child will cherish forever.
But to this day, that extended family sabbatical vacation was one of the most amazing experiences of my life.
We lived in Nice, but we traveled almost the entire time we were there. The three of us saw most of the South of France, we visited Italy, and we hit many destinations in Northern Spain, such as Barcelona, Pamplona and San Sebastian.
My daughter didn't learn what an elephant was from a book. She saw one at the Barcelona zoo. She learned about her colors at Le Louvre.
You don't have to be rich (we weren't). You don't have to be sophisticated, or stay in four-star hotels (we camped frequently). But you can have an amazing vacation that isn't just gone as quickly as it started. You can have an experience that you and your child will cherish forever.
Where Will You Travel in 2008?
Posted by
Kelby Carr
Kelby Carr
I love the start of a new year. It's a chance to think about where I want the kids to go in the coming year. If you aren't already, this is a good time to ask yourself.
First, I like to start off by reminding myself why it's so important to travel with kids. They are little sponges, and evidence shows in particular that toddlers learn much better through experience than example. It's a chance to bond.
For someone as hyper as me, it's a great chance to put a stop to all the incessant distractions and tasks and focus just on the kids and the experience.
If you haven't already done so, consider making some travel resolutions for the coming year.
Think family travel is too expensive? Think again.
For someone as hyper as me, it's a great chance to put a stop to all the incessant distractions and tasks and focus just on the kids and the experience.
If you haven't already done so, consider making some travel resolutions for the coming year.
Think family travel is too expensive? Think again.
Posted by
Kelby Carr
Kelby Carr
I know you're supposed to do it, especially if you have kids. But having kids is precisely why I stay home for the holidays.
A few years ago, my husband and I started vetoing the whole madness that is the I-must-travel-for-the-holidays-because-everyone-expects-me-to nonsense. Travel is stressful. The holidays are stressful. Kids and parents should actually enjoy the holiday season.
Instead, we invite the grandparents to visit us. That does mean added stress of hosting people in our home, but it also means that the kids get to open gifts, decorate a Christmas tree, have dinner and do all those fun holiday things in the place that is most familiar to them.
It's also a matter of one child having a birthday close to Christmas, which means we would have the stress of throwing a birthday party, immediately followed by packing for a trip. I don't think so.
I know what you're thinking. My parents would never go for that! They expect us to pack up the car and make the annual exodus with about a kajillion other parents dragging grumpy kids along. It's a tradition, after all. But you can just say no! Start a new tradition.
Get some tips on the Holiday Travel Dilemma: Deciding Whether to Stay Home or Travel. If you simply must go, though, you can make things go easier with my tips on Holiday Travel with Kids.
Instead, we invite the grandparents to visit us. That does mean added stress of hosting people in our home, but it also means that the kids get to open gifts, decorate a Christmas tree, have dinner and do all those fun holiday things in the place that is most familiar to them.
It's also a matter of one child having a birthday close to Christmas, which means we would have the stress of throwing a birthday party, immediately followed by packing for a trip. I don't think so.
I know what you're thinking. My parents would never go for that! They expect us to pack up the car and make the annual exodus with about a kajillion other parents dragging grumpy kids along. It's a tradition, after all. But you can just say no! Start a new tradition.
Get some tips on the Holiday Travel Dilemma: Deciding Whether to Stay Home or Travel. If you simply must go, though, you can make things go easier with my tips on Holiday Travel with Kids.
Posted by
Kelby Carr
Kelby Carr
Labor Day Weekend is just a few days away, but there are same great last-minute deals out there for the procrastinating traveling family.
Here are a few family travel deals for Labor Day Weekend:
- Travelocity features One Final Summer Travel Fling, with package travel deals for a last-minute Labor Day getaway for as little as $199. The destination choices are pretty diverse, from Philadelphia and Las Vegas to Vancouver and Cancun.
- Expedia is offering several last-minute deals good over Labor Day Weekend, such as Chicago to Cancun with air and four nights' hotel from $1,018 per person or Los Angeles to Maui with air and four nights from $1,116. Better yet, they offer dirt-cheap last-minute Orlando deals with rooms from $55 per night and vacations from $201. The site also features several last-minute Labor Day Weekend deals.
- Hotels.com has a lengthy list of hotels offering last-minute deals that include Labor Day Weekend stays.
- Travelzoo.com has released an extensive list of Labor Day 2007 Deals, including round-trip flights from $123, a $39 stay near Downtown Disney and a Chicago Waterpark Package for $100 off the normal pricetag for $139.
Free Colonial Williamsburg Tickets
Posted by
Kelby Carr
Kelby Carr
Summer vacations can be expensive, and vacations to theme parks can provide a double whammy to the wallet once you buy parents and kids the attraction tickets.
There is a great deal now for families visiting Colonial Williamsburg. Stay three nights starting on a Sunday, Monday or Tuesday between July 22 and August 28, and the family gets free admission to Colonial Williamsburg Historic Area and Museums during the stay.
If you can't go during those dates, you can still get free admission any days of the week and anytime in 2007 by booking a four-night stay instead.
The admission pass includes:
If you can't go during those dates, you can still get free admission any days of the week and anytime in 2007 by booking a four-night stay instead.
The admission pass includes:
- Length-of-stay admission to Colonial Williamsburg’s Historic Area and the Museums of Colonial Williamsburg while residing at the Williamsburg Inn and Providence Hall Guest Houses, Williamsburg Lodge, Colonial Houses–Historic Lodging, Williamsburg Woodlands Hotel & Suites, or Governor’s Inn.
- 50 percent discount on evening Colonial Performances tickets
- Admission to regular daytime programs and Colonial Explorer Activities
- The Revolutionary City, a Colonial Williamsburg adventure
- Museums of Colonial Williamsburg and Bassett Hall
- Viewing of the movie short Williamsburg: The Story of a Patriot
- Free parking at the Visitor Center and use of Colonial Williamsburg shuttle buses.
Posted by
Kelby Carr
Kelby Carr
As soon as spring arrives and the temperatures rise, I start getting the urge to wander. This is a great time of year to take a roadtrip.
You don't have to do something too ambitious like take a month off, rent an RV for the family and drive cross-country (but hey, you can!). There is surely a highway not too far from your house. Grab a map and find a destination nearby that you've never visited. Shoot, let the kids pick the place. Take a weekend, and go.
You can make the trip more pleasant by using some tips to avoid tantrums on the road. It doesn't even have to cost a lot, especially if you follow some of these ideas for saving gas on road trips. With just a little bit of road trip planning and some creative road trip packing, you can be out the door and on your way to discover the world.
You can even avoid some of the annoying requests like, "Are we there yet?" if you trip out your ride with a GPS unit. If you have a minivan, you can find lots of cool minivan accessories for family road trips. You can also avoid the fast-food jungle by packing some healthy kid travel snacks or stopping over at one of the healthier chain family restaurants. And keep things sane in the car by packing a family travel tote.
Still finding excuses to stay home? Well, don't forget you can actually use travel to teach your kids. There is little doubt that both parents and children benefit from travel.
You can make the trip more pleasant by using some tips to avoid tantrums on the road. It doesn't even have to cost a lot, especially if you follow some of these ideas for saving gas on road trips. With just a little bit of road trip planning and some creative road trip packing, you can be out the door and on your way to discover the world.
You can even avoid some of the annoying requests like, "Are we there yet?" if you trip out your ride with a GPS unit. If you have a minivan, you can find lots of cool minivan accessories for family road trips. You can also avoid the fast-food jungle by packing some healthy kid travel snacks or stopping over at one of the healthier chain family restaurants. And keep things sane in the car by packing a family travel tote.
Still finding excuses to stay home? Well, don't forget you can actually use travel to teach your kids. There is little doubt that both parents and children benefit from travel.
Posted by
Kelby Carr
Kelby Carr
The kids get spring break off, but that doesn't mean you have the money or time off to jaunt to Disneyworld. You can still enjoy a great, cheap spring break on a budget.
You don't have to hit the typical spring break destinations (which are probably overrun with families also seeking out some spring break fun anyway). You don't need to pop for pricy plane tickets for everyone. Get in the car, look at a regional map and hit the road.
Get some ideas for cheap spring break vacations close to home: Spring Break Family Vacation Ideas or Spring Break 2007 Deals.
Get some ideas for cheap spring break vacations close to home: Spring Break Family Vacation Ideas or Spring Break 2007 Deals.
Don't Be Scared of Baby Travel
Posted by
Kelby Carr
Kelby Carr
I hear it time and time again. New moms and dads hardly leave the house for fear of baby-related incidents. Here's a hint: they happen at home, too. So why not go?
Here are some tips for overcoming new-baby-agoraphobia:
Want some inspiration? See Family Travel Resolutions for 2007 or Top 10 Reasons to Travel with Kids.
- Baby steps - Don't go from homebody and homebaby to world traveler. Just vow to hit the grocery store, a museum (yes, babies CAN do museums!) or a decent restaurant once a week. Then work your way up to daytrips an hour away, and in no time you'll be planning a week's vacation abroad.
- Realize that babies are so portable - When that little one gets mobile, gets preferences, gets a mouth and gets an attitude, it won't be nearly as easy to drag them around the globe. While babies present challenges, it's no more than you encounter in the woobie-like security of home.
- Embrace unpredictability! - Yes, babies are unpredictable. Shoot, isn't that what's so great about travel? Ramp it up a notch by traveling with a baby, and you'll surely have tears, laughs and amazing memories to cherish forever. Besides, test your parenting skills trying to figure out a way to change a poop diaper when you (a) have run out of wipes, (b) you're in a strange place and (c) there's no changing table anywhere to be seen. Now that's extreme parenting!
Want some inspiration? See Family Travel Resolutions for 2007 or Top 10 Reasons to Travel with Kids.