Thursday November 12, 2009
With 47 sq. miles and four giant theme parks, each very different, Disney World is bigger than some entire countries, and the cliché that "there's something at Disney World for everyone" is pretty much true.
(Not to mention two giant water parks, Downtown Disney entertainment zone with Cirque de Soleil, and 22 themed on-property resorts.)
If you've visited already, take a second to vote on your favorite Disney World theme park. (You can also take a peek at how others vote.)
Then have a look at current Disney World deals. 2009's been a banner year for promotions: Mickey's gone to great lengths to make sure his friends keep visiting (in the millions.)
We've also got lots of tips for visiting Disney World:
Wednesday November 11, 2009
Skiing's expensive for a family, even if you're not flying to a ski resort; and if you
are flying, and want to keep to a budget, the tendancy is to choose a destination with the cheapest airfares.
Which isn't always the wisest choice-- according to Guest Writer Paul Johnson, editor of
Family Ski Hub.
Focusing on price alone ignores an important factor: how long will it take to get on the slopes? Most families have tight timing on their vacations.
Miss the crowds, at Snowbasin near Salt Lake City airport.
One suggestion is to fly to Salt Lake City: a major airline hub, where seven ski resorts are less than an hour away.
Johnson also recommends taking a
direct flight to one of the more remote ski resorts. You may even save money, by not renting a car, and by simplifyng logistics. And a bonus: the more remote ski resorts often have less crowded slopes.
Read more about
Choosing a Ski Resort: Airport-to-Slope Time.
See also:
Kids Ski Free | more about
Family Ski Vacations
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Monday November 9, 2009
Thanksgiving's on the horizon, in the US: Thursday November 26th starts the four-day long weekend.
Families love to gather round the table for a turkey feast -- but that table doesn't have to be at home (with major clean-up afterwards.) Check out ten family-friendly resorts, where Thanksgiving Weekend includes the feast plus special activities, from turkey trots to elf tuck-ins.
*Photo of giant gingerbread house, courtesy of Nemacolin Woodlands Resort & Spa.
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Friday November 6, 2009
The tradition of Christmas markets began in German and Austria, but nowadays cities in many other countries in Europe -- from Spain to Scandinavia, England to Eastern Europe -- also stage these markets, often in a charming setting.
The ambiance is picture-perfect: twinkling lights, the smell of gingerbread and roasted chestnuts, Christmas music playing...
Christmas markets make great outings with kids, and the shopping ops are huge of course, especially for items such as traditional foods and hand-made toys.
Our Guide for UK Travel has rounded up
Christmas Markets All Over Europe, in the latest "blog carnival" in our Travel Channel.
*Photo: Bernhard Lang/Getty Images.
More Holiday Season festivities: Christmas trains, holiday lights, Christmas windows...
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