Before I get into Oahu, I want to set the scene. The first time I visited Hawaii, I was 16. At the time, I was living in Japan with my parents and sister, and Hawaii was any easy destination to visit over school break. I remember we stayed in a gorgeous little rental on the island of Maui. The house …
North Lake Tahoe: Winter Fun for All Ages
North Lake Tahoe has been my “happy place” ever since I moved to San Francisco 20 years ago. I call it my happy place because I quite literally feel a sense of calm, peace, and happiness every time I reach the edge of the Tahoe National Forest. Not even my children, on their most mischievous of days, can dampen my …
Don’t Book Summer Travel Just Yet: We May Have an Extended School Year
Just when it seemed that the fallout from coronavirus couldn’t get any worse, a new idea is trending that could potentially derail summer vacation plans for families. And President Biden has echoed the sentiment, and given it life. I am, of course, talking about how the school year may be extended into summer break. I quite literally gasped when I …
Is Bora Bora a Good Destination for Kids?
In honor of Valentine’s Day, I thought I would write about Bora Bora. A destination that is (arguably) one of the most romantic places to visit in the world. Specifically I want to address why Bora Bora is a good destination for kids. I’ve been lucky to have traveled to this little South Pacific island in French Polynesia twice. The …
Face Masks and Family Travel in the U.S.
Last month, a very dear friend of mine bit the bullet and took her family on a plane so that they could continue to enjoy an annual ski trip. It was a much-needed vacation, and a step toward normalcy after many months of anything but normal. At the time, she admitted that she was extremely anxious about her travel decision. …
Safest International Destinations for American Families
The desire and ability to escape to a far-flung destination is a constantly moving target in today’s global pandemic environment. As much as some of us want to get away, there is a myriad of rules to consider, in addition to concerns about safety. And, with new coronavirus variants starting to gain traction, these rules are likely to continue to …
Exploring the Wonders of Rome with Kids
Rome is an amazing city to visit with children, so long as they are old enough to cover some ground. I found that my boys, aged nine and six, had absolutely no problem walking from our hotel to various historical sites each day. In fact, they were easily able to handle both Rome and our larger tour of the Italian …
Family Friendly Spots Along the Amalfi Coast
The Amalfi Coast has been a popular playground for the rich and famous ever since the days of the Roman Empire. Today, the coastal towns along this beautiful stretch of the Italian peninsula play host to glamourous yachts and honeymooners from all over the world. But is the Amalfi Coast family friendly, or is it just for romantic souls and …
The Italian Peninsula: How to Tour the West Side with Kids
My kids have always got a kick out of the Italian peninsula being shaped like a boot (lo Stivale). In fact, Italy is one of the few countries they were able to easily identify from a young age. This meant choosing Italy for one of our summers vacations was a no-brainer, especially when I also factored in their love of …
Saving Money for a Summer Vacation: Here Is How You Can Do It
Summer family vacations can be expensive, but they don’t have to be. Learn how you can start saving money for the vacation of your dreams today.