Families don't need to fly to the Caribbean or Mexico to find a full-features all inclusive resort... Club Med Sandpiper Bay is located two hours southeast of Orlando, on the St. Lucie river in Florida.

Club Med is a top name in all inclusive resorts, and their kids and teen programs are second to none. This resort -- after a giant renovation -- has a kids' complex for multiple age groups, and also offers Baby Club Med and Petit Club Med (at an extra charge). Special Baby Welcome services are available to all. Club Med is known for active fun and this resort has trapeze, Tennis Academy (including Petit Tennis for ages 4 to 7), Golf Academy, Fitness Academy (for kids too), and more. Club Med resorts are also known for friendly ambiance, thanks to their enthusiastic G.O.'s.

• Read more about Club Med Sandpiper Bay, and about Special Features at Club Med Resorts
• More Spring Break Destinations for Families
• Twenty Top Family Spring Break Ideas

Photo courtesy of Club Med Sandpiper Bay.

It may be a challenge to find some couple-time on a family vacation, but there are ways to at least improve the odds. For example, families can head to a resort that offers a kids' club or a Kids' Night Out. Check out eight suggestions for Romantic Getaways with Kids Along for Valentine's Day.

(For more fantasies about romantic getaways, see Valentine's Day Headquarters at About.com's Honeymoons and Romantic Getaways site.)

See more February Travel Ideas for Families, including ideas for President's Week and Black History Month. February's also a good month for winter festivals, including the family-friendly Quebec City Carnival.

Photographer: Peter Vitale; courtesy of Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale.

Would you guess that Chinese New Year is one of the biggest events of the year -- in Paris?

Paris is one of many cities around the globe that's historically had a large Chinese community, and will have a grand parade, as will San Francisco, Queens, and Sydney .... Not to mention the parades and fireworks mega-extravaganzas in China and Hong Kong.

In 2012, we're welcoming in the Year of the Dragon. The date itself is Monday January 23 but festivities are spread over several weeks. Many parades take place on the weekends of January 28th and February 4th.

If your family's visiting New York, or D.C., or L.A., or another celebrating city on the right date, you can enjoy colorful (free) festivities. See more about Chinese New Year Celebrations in 2012, and see photos from a past Chinese New Year Parade.

Disney's new Aulani Resort and Spa-- in Ko Olina, Oahu, about 20 minutes from the airport -- opened last year and -- no surprise-- has some amazing features for families: a lovely spot on a sunset-facing gentle beach, for starters; the 7-acre "Waikolohe Valley" with lazy river, waterslides, snorkelling pool, and a water-play structure; and complimentary Aunty's Beach House kids club, with multiple themed rooms and a big play-space outdoors.

(If you're worried about Hawaii being Mickey-fied: this resort was designed to honor Hawaiian culture, and has specially-commissioned art throughout. Mickey and pals do appear for meet'n'greets, though.)

Here's a nice promotion, for stays most nights from March 1 to 17, 2012 and again from April 15 through May 31: book five nights and get a sixth night free, plus a daily complimentary continental breakfast. Read details about this Aulani promotion, and book by February 29th.

See more about Disney's Aulani Resort and Spa, and have a look at photos too.

Photo courtesy of Aulani Disney Resort & Spa, Ko Olina, Hawai'i.