Travel With Kids has lots of info on top vacation spots for families: Orlando, Caribbean, Hawaii, Florida, and more. Below is a more personal list, of vacation spots that stand out from our own "Travel With Kids".
11. Whistler-Blackcomb Ski Resort (BC, Canada)
* photo © Teresa Plowright
12. Utah Ski Resorts near Salt Lake City
- quality of the snow ("champagne powder")
- convenience: most cities have direct flights to Salt Lake City; from there, seven ski areas are within an hour's drive -- no connecting flights needed
- the diversity of seven different ski areas within an hour of SLC. Skiers-only Alta is legendary; Powder Mountain is a fave among locals with huge back-country; Deer Valley (skiers-only) is gourmet heaven.
* photo © Teresa Plowright
13. Amelia Island, Florida
* photo © Teresa Plowright
14. Italy: Rome, Venice, Hill Towns in Tuscany...
Kids are natural-born medievalists: they love knights and castles and tales of old-- and these towns -- which were prosperous centuries ago, but missed the last century's modern development -- are super places to let their imaginations go. Their old sections are picture-perfect, with centuries-old stone buildings and no plastic ticky-tack. If you're willing to try alternative-type lodgings, the adventure can even be affordable.
* photo of Todi, © Teresa Plowright
15. Europe vacation spots: Center Parcs, Eurocamp
We've also sampled two sorts of vacation spots popular among Europeans.
Eurocamp holiday parks are like resorts, with waterslides, outdoors activities, kids programs, restaurants, and accommodation in "holiday homes" or 3-bedroom tents. We stayed in Tuscany, just outside Florence. Recommended!
Another option is Center Parcs family resorts in northern Europe: each with a huge domed area that houses a tropical pool (slides, waves, etc.), restaurants, shops, etc. Large cottages; country settings; many outdoors activities-- and affordable.
* photo © Teresa Plowright
16. Breezes Costa do Sauipe, Bahia, Brazil
* photo © Teresa Plowright
As is common in the travel industry, the writer was provided with complimentary accommodation for some of these destinations for the purpose of review. While this has not influenced this article, About.com believes in full disclosure of all potential conflicts of interest. For more information, see our ethics policy.






