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Children's Festivals

2012-05-14T09:00:28Z

In a number of cities in the US and Canada, May brings children's festivals where families can find colorful performances, clowns, crafts, and general good times for kids. Read about Children's Festivals.

And let's not forget about Memorial Day Weekend, coming up soon in May...

Children's Festivals originally appeared on About.com Family Vacations on Monday, May 14th, 2012 at 09:00:28.

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Tips for Visiting Rome with Kids

2012-05-10T02:25:28Z

It's the Eternal City, with two and a half thousand years of history that includes the era of the Roman Empire and also the Italian Renaissance -- just being amidst Rome's beautiful fountains and statues and architecture is an unforgettable experience.

Rome, however, is also a very hot place during the summer months when most families visit -- a hot place where you'll be doing a lot of walking. Read tips about getting around with kids, finding rest spots and restrooms, using public transport, and helping yourself to free cold water throughout the city.

Tips about Visiting Rome with Kids

Trends at Disney World

2012-05-08T12:39:33Z

Recently I had a great trip to Disney World -- a media trip combined with family trip-- which included a sneak peek at Fantasyland, and a preview of the new Value resort, The Art of Animation which is opening in May. More about this resort, to come -- it has suites! -- but I thought I'd share a few trends for now. ...

Trends at Disney World originally appeared on About.com Family Vacations on Tuesday, May 8th, 2012 at 12:39:33.

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Tips for Saving Money on a Summer Vacation

2012-05-06T18:06:43Z

Check out six strategies for going easy on the budget, such as splitting costs with another family and renting a vacation home...

You might also want a look at these Affordable Summer Vacation Ideas, including family camps with lodgings, meals, and many fun activities included, affordable vacation towns, and more.

Vacation Home Rental - Photo courtesy of Hotpads.com.

Tips for Saving Money on a Summer Vacation originally appeared on About.com Family Vacations on Sunday, May 6th, 2012 at 18:06:43.

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LEGOLAND California, New Water Park Attraction

2012-05-06T01:45:23Z

LEGOLAND California -- located between LA and San Diego -- is a 128-acre amusement park designed for ages 2 through 12. This summer the 5.5 acre LEGOLAND Water Park gets a new attraction called Pirate Reef: guests board boats and plunge down a chute between two pirate ships. Other attractions include Build-A-Raft River (kids float down a lazy river, after customizing their raft made of soft LEGO bricks) , a lazy river for younger kids, a family tube slide, and more. Price for the water park is extra, but a Hopper ticket include both parks.

LEGOLAND California has over 50 attractions, including rides, live shows, play-zones, “mini-lands” made from millions of LEGO blocks.

More about LEGOLAND California
LEGOLAND Florida
LEGOLAND Windsor, a great day trip from London

Photo courtesy of LEGOLAND California.

LEGOLAND California, New Water Park Attraction originally appeared on About.com Family Vacations on Sunday, May 6th, 2012 at 01:45:23.

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Animal Kingdom Lodge Photos

2012-05-04T10:52:33Z

Just had a great stay at this beautiful resort, on a media + family trip. The architecture, design and especially the amazing five-storey lobby are stunning, but this gorgeousness isn't even the most remarkable thing about the resort: that prize goes to the African savannas that are right on the property, where giraffes, zebras, and many other animals live.

Check out this and other photos of Animal Kingdom Lodge...

And see also:

Animal Kingdom Lodge Photos originally appeared on About.com Family Vacations on Friday, May 4th, 2012 at 10:52:33.

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Ohio State Park Lodges: Gas and Go

2012-05-03T13:10:13Z

Ohio has several state parks that are driving distance from PA and MI as well as from Ohio towns. Salt Fork State Park, for example, is an easy drive from Pittsburgh, and has 20,000 acres, two marinas, historic Kennedy Stone House, and the Salt Fork Lodge.

Salt Fork Lodge has private balconies overlooking rolling hills; cabins with lake views; indoor/outdoor pools, game room, family programs, basketball, volleyball, tennis, golf, and paintballing, geocaching...

This summer, five State Park Lodges are offering a "AAA Gas and Go" package, available to AAA members, that includes a $25 gas card, two nights lodging, breakfast, and a choice of a park or a regional activity. For example, at Mohican State Park Lodge -- two hours from Columbus-- activities include a one-hour horseback ride or an adventure combo with canoeing, miniature golf, go-karts, and more. The Lodges have other family-friendly packages also...

Photo courtesy of Salt Fork Lodge.

Ohio State Park Lodges: Gas and Go originally appeared on About.com Family Vacations on Thursday, May 3rd, 2012 at 13:10:13.

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Palace Resorts Upgrades Kids Clubs

2012-05-02T15:13:09Z

The Palace Resorts brand has several family-friendly all inclusive resorts in Mexico, including the Moon Palace, Beach, Cozumel and Playacar Palace, and is adding a couple of features for families at these resorts.

"Connection Zone" kids clubs now have extra amenities and services, such as walkie-talkies that let parents speak with their kids at any time. Kids club activities include tennis lessons, minigolf, beach soccer treasure hunts, crafts, cookie-making, sea turtle release (in the right time and place), and more.

Also, families can book "Family Connections" luxury suites with additional amenities, connecting guestroom, and nanny service.

Read more about the Moon Palace resort.

Moon Palace Resort, photo © Teresa Plowright.
Palace Resorts Upgrades Kids Clubs originally appeared on About.com Family Vacations on Wednesday, May 2nd, 2012 at 15:13:09.
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Resorts with Eco-Friendly Features

2012-05-01T15:24:36Z

Apple Vacations is one of the biggest packagers of family vacations, with hundreds of getaways in the Caribbean, Mexico, Hawaii... Apple's pulled together a list of "Eco Friendly Resorts" in popular areas: some resorts have certifications or Green Business Awards, some have made impressive efforts to reduce energy... Interesting list!

The Iberostar Cozumel, for instance, has the island's first Green Globe certification for sustainable operations. At the Grand Hyatt Kauai, 100% of green waste is used for compost and waste cooking oil is processed into biodiesel fuel.

Have a look at Apple's Eco Friendly Resorts.

Photo courtesy of the Grand Hyatt Kauai.

Resorts with Eco-Friendly Features originally appeared on About.com Family Vacations on Tuesday, May 1st, 2012 at 15:24:36.

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A Few Family Travel Deals...

2012-04-30T13:30:10Z

And here are a few new promotions that may be of interest:

In Puerto Rico, the Doubletree Hilton San Juan has a family-friendly "Art and Culture" package that starts at $139/night, and includes accommodations, breakfast for two adults and two kids, entry to the Puerto Rico Museum of Art, Doubletree Chocolate Chip Cookie, and more. (Puerto Rico was a recent winner in About.com's Readers' Choice Awards.)

Nickelodeon Family Suites, in Orlando, has a $99 spring rate. This hotel is lots of fun, with two on-site water parks and theming and entertainment by Nick. And families love the suites with kitchenettes and separate room and bunkbeds for kids.

The luxurious Fairmont Copley Plaza in Boston has a Museum of Science family package this summer, that includes accommodations and four tix to the museum; rates start at $239. There's also a Just Ducky Package with tix for a Boston Duck Tour, a Children's Museum Package, and more. By the way, this hotel has a resident Canine Ambassador -- called Catie Copley --in the lobby, and she's available for walks.

A Few Family Travel Deals... originally appeared on About.com Family Vacations on Monday, April 30th, 2012 at 13:30:10.

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