Are We There Yet?: Traveling With Kids

Taking This Show on the Road

Matt Villano — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 01:59:43 +0000

If you’ve read this blog even sporadically over the last 12 months, you know I believe strongly that family travel is about creating new adventures at every turn. It’s about exploring uncharted territory. About trying different things. Put simply, I think family travel is about transcending the ordinary, as a group.

For all of these reasons, it’s time for me to take this show on the road. Literally.

Good on-the-Go Snacks: The Key to a Great Family Trip

Matt Villano — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 13:13:00 +0000

Whether you’re dragging the kids on a lengthy road trip or you’re flying across the country to see some relatives, one thing about family travel is true: Good snacks make better trips. With this in mind, I recently set out to find the best and most family-friendly snacking options on the market.

My top choices: A stainless-steel snack trap from Snack Trap, and all-natural fruit and nut bars from KIND Healthy Snacks.

First, the snack trap.

4 Secrets to Travel With Grandparents

Matt Villano — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 15:40:39 +0000

In theory, multi-generational travel kicks ass. Who doesn’t love the notion of 80 years of [insert family name here], together experiencing faraway places for the first time? Who wouldn’t warm to the idea of the new dogs teaching the old ones new tricks? Just thinking about it is enough to make even the most stoic among us verklempt.

Family Cruising: 3 Different Takes on Shore Excursions

Matt Villano — Sat, 23 Feb 2013 00:06:07 +0000

Late winter/early spring historically is the time of year when many families book summer cruises. In many cases, this means early March is decision-time on shore excursions for those few days the big ship is in port.

Most of these formal (and cruise-sponsored) daytrips are prohibitively expensive; for family travelers—who often must pay for four or more—the prices can be downright ridiculous.

With this in mind, here are three tips for saving money on shore excursions for your next cruise.

Denver Gets a Dinosaur-Themed Family Hotel

Matt Villano — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 14:30:23 +0000

Most kids love dinosaurs, which means most kids are going to love the new-and-improved Best Western Southwest Denver hotel by the time summer rolls around.

The 112-room property, located in the suburb of Lakewood, Colo., is just about done with a $3 million remodel that ultimately will transform it from a humdrum hotel into a destination for dinosaur fans big and small.

Man Slaps Crying Baby on Plane

Matt Villano — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 15:00:31 +0000

Undoubtedly there will be those who joke about the alleged Feb. 8 incident in which a (likely drunk) man slapped a 19-month-old boy on a plane as the aircraft descended into Atlanta.

There will be those who say stuff like, “Good for him!” They will quip, “Amen, brother.” In many cases, these people even secretly (or even not-so-secretly) may wonder if they could get away with something similar the next time they’re near a screaming baby at 30,000 feet.

How to Buy Family Travel Souvenirs That Don’t Suck

Matt Villano — Fri, 15 Feb 2013 11:51:05 +0000

A giant plastic bin in my garage tells the story of family travel souvenirs gone wrong. Somewhere near the bottom lurks that pink stuffed monkey with Velcro hands and feet. In the middle of the pile, you’ll find that ridiculous Maisy lunchbox we bought in England. On the top, taunting me like an angry Chihuahua, sits the Mickey-themed spray-bottle-misting-fan thing my older daughter simply “had to have” on that last trip to Disneyland.

The bottom line: Because we travel so much with our girls, over the years we’ve amassed a whole bunch of crap.

Little Touches Go Long Way on Vacation with Kids

Matt Villano — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 06:56:56 +0000

When you’re traveling with children, it's the little things can make or break an entire trip. Continually wow your kid with tiny surprises and she’ll remember the trip forever. Consistently disappoint her and she’ll be whining about going home in no time.

Discount for Good Behavior: Offensive or Not?

Matt Villano — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 12:00:30 +0000

For many family travelers, the incentive of a peaceful meal is what motivates us to keep kids on good behavior when we dine out at restaurants.

For visitors to Kingston, Wash., however, there’s a new impetus: Cold, hard cash.

What You Don’t Need When Flying With Kids

Matt Villano — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 23:12:23 +0000

Even the most Zen among us has to get a little agitated at airport security checkpoints these days. The reason: It seems the rules are different every time. Take the subject of iPads, for instance. Can we leave them in our carry-ons or not? Sometimes the answer is yes. Sometimes it’s no.