#family-travel

#family-travel

Between daily errands and long family road trips, my family of four spends a lot of time in our Toyota Sienna, so keeping it well-stocked with everyday essentials and emergency provisions feels really important to me. Ultimately, stocking the car is all about understanding your own family's particular needs. If you've got a baby who's still in diapers, a packed diaper bag will be essential for you, whereas, if you've got tweens and teens, charging cables might be the hottest commodity imaginable.

We love the vaguely folk-horror animatronic trees, witches and giant sea monsters lurking within a labyrinthine real forest. We love the anthropomorphised talking bins that plead (in a haunting, perpetual sing-song) for crumpled pieces of paper to be shoved into their suction-powered mouths. We love the inventive rides that, variously, judder along rattling wooden tracks, plunge cursed pirate ships into water, or nudge gondolas serenely through sylvan scenes of bum-flashing goblins showering beneath waterfalls.

It turned out many of his classmates had holiday homes around the world and would invite him to visit. Soon, the schoolboy found himself going beyond his family's regular vacations to the Greek town of Galaxidi south of Delphi, scoring invites to destinations in Spain and eventually Hong Kong-a trip he took as an unaccompanied minor, venturing further than he ever had from his UK home.

One of the greatest things you can do as a parent is plan a weekend away with friends who also have kids. You get built-in playdates, everyone can share the cooking and childcare, and the fact that it's not your home means no one feels the pressure of hosting. But the trick to pulling off this magical weekend away is finding the right place to stay.

There is perhaps no better setting for a recreation of "The Polar Express" story than Durango, Colorado, a mountain town home to a vintage steam train. The steam locomotive, which was built in the early 1920s, makes the journey over the mountains between Durango and Silverton year-round. But, during the holidays, it transforms into The Polar Express for a special seasonal experience, transporting passengers to the "North Pole." This year, it's running on most days between Nov. 21, 2025, through Jan. 3, 2026.

When it comes to traveling with kids, conventional wisdom says you should have a home base and take day trips from there. I can see how this approach can help kids adjust more easily by giving them a familiar place to return to each night. It also means less packing and unpacking. However, moving around makes my trips better. By changing hotels, my family covers more ground.

Airbnb recently released its winter travel report for the 2025/2026 season, and Americans aren't sticking to old-standby spots this year. Overwhelmingly, U.S. travelers are turning towards under-the-radar destinations for winter sports and non-traditional beachfront getaways for their warm-weather plans. Families are leading the way in the trend, with 80 percent opting for suburban or rural vacations, according to Airbnb's report.

"When families go on vacation, they often post the highlight reel: angelic kids, joyful candids, gorgeous scenery. But this California couple decided to do the opposite. Reality TV producer Devin McGovern and his story editor wife Marlene Martinez took a family trip to Hawaii and created an Instagram reel that showed what it looks like when parents stop being polite and start getting real. There was screaming, crying, angst, despair - and yes, even a middle-of-the-night slap heard 'round the island."

As an avid solo traveler who's used to exploring destinations on my own terms, I had mixed feelings when my boyfriend's family invited me on a river cruise this summer. Of course, I was grateful to be invited and looked forward to the memories we'd make while sailing on the Danube. But after reading the itinerary - packed with eight destinations in seven days - I wondered how it would be possible to get an adequate feel for each location. I also worried about my ability to relinquish control in the planning process.

About 72% of Americans plan work-and-play hybrid vacations, combining work duties with time to unwind. Many families are adopting this setup, with parents taking calls from rental homes, coworking spaces and even mountain resorts before joining their kids for outings or shared meals. The shift is turning family travel into longer getaways that keep paychecks steady while giving families more quality time together.

There's nothing like mountain views, fresh air and farm-to-table food to help give tired parents a much-needed reset. And while quiet Alpine hikes might not appeal to all ages, the hotels on this list have reimagined the appeal of some of Europe's best family-friendly resorts and applied them to the mountains. Where kids' clubs include farm animal meet-and-greets, ski schools, and swirling waterslides, spa treatments are tailored to the tiniest of hands, and cosy nights are spent stargazing and toasting marshmallows by a crackling fire.

A family trip to Normandy soon unravelled into a disaster that left our correspondent and her husband considerably out of pocket Do you know the word "calamity" is originally of French origin? How else do you explain your clutch suddenly failing while hurtling down a motorway in Normandy with your three children in the back? Less than an hour into our 400km journey to the Vendee region, a vital part of our (French) car had decided to give up the ghost.

When I was a child, my parents and I flew to central Florida annually for many years, often joining my grandparents and cousins at the campgrounds in my grandparents' RV. My husband, parents, and I took my 3- and 5-year-olds on their first trip to the Florida parks in May. I have to admit, a lot of the new Disney practices and prices left me feeling somewhat disenchanted,

It isn't farfetched to say that train-loving is a rite of passage for many young kids. The sound of the engines, the well-dressed conductor, the tickets - it's a lot to take in as a young person. So it's fitting then, that train-focused attractions and hotels are SUCH a thing, especially here in America, where train travel once was the main innovative connector.

When Ellis and Scotty Harry welcomed their second child, Bennett, in September 2024, they knew they wanted to celebrate by doing something memorable-and maybe just a little ambitious. They were also staring down a long Pacific Northwest winter with a toddler and a newborn, which made the idea of flying south especially tempting. "We wanted to go somewhere warm but still mountainous," says Ellis. "We love a beach vacation, but after a week, we're ready to move on. Chile gave us summer in February and the dramatic landscapes we crave."

The secret (according to me) is to anticipate the unexpected, which is why a "just in case" bag is a must-have. From dead phone batteries to cranky kids who refuse to sleep, I've curated 10 carry-on "just in case" items that have proven their worth on countless trips. Whether facing a delayed flight, a forgotten essential, or the general chaos that comes with traveling as a family, these picks will help make traveling with kids easier-not perfect, but easier.

As a parent to two young kids, traveling can be exhausting, and lugging around excess baggage is the last thing I want. So, this summer, my husband and I decided to try only packing carry-ons - three backpacks, two small suitcases, one weekender bag, and one laptop bag - for our family's monthlong vacation to the UK. We navigated rainstorms in London, cooler nights in Cambridge, heatwaves, and the occasional delayed train, but never once felt as though we underpacked.

One of my greatest joys in life is traveling with my children, who range in age from 10 to 15 years old. We regularly take road trips throughout the United States and they have also been to various destinations in Africa, Europe, and Asia over the years. As much as I enjoy these trips, I often feel like I am forcing my children to live out my travel dreams when we spend the night freezing in the desert

Located a five-minute (private and always on hand) shuttle ride away from the Nobu Hotel Marrakech, the buyout-only Nobu Riad is within haggling distance of the Jemaa El Fna Square and souks. Once a nobleman's private residence, the property was previously rented by the room until Nobu (and owners of Puente Romano Marbella, Nobu Hotel Marbella, and the upcoming Nobu Beach Inn) acquired it in 2020 and transformed it into a design-focused upscale abode.

One of the biggest shifts has been a growing demand for unique experiences. By taking advantage of flexible work opportunities, more Americans are embracing the appeal of a digital nomad lifestyle. What was once seen as an option mainly for solo travelers and young couples is now growing among a new demographic: families. Recent studies show that digital nomad families have increased in 2025, with about 15% of digital nomads now traveling with their children.

When you think of Orlando, visions of Disney World, Universal Studios, sunshine, and palm trees will likely pop into your head. And while Orlando is home to some of the best and newest theme parks in the world, it also plays host to some incredible Airbnbs with enough rooms to house an entire cast of characters-or your extended family. Whether you're looking for a top-rated Airbnb in Orlando that's a little more subdued, where relaxation and winter sun are top of mind,

"I made them hold those signs,"

My 3-year-old daughter and I enjoy vacationing at all-inclusive resorts as a worry-free way of bonding. When activities and dining are included in the upfront fee for the stay, it's easy to stay flexible - and I like that I don't need to stress about budgeting as we go. Since our 2024 trip to Grand Velas Riviera Maya in Mexico was so fun, I wanted to try an all-inclusive stay again this year with a different brand.

It actually started about four years ago. Carlos heard about this reputable program out of state. We looked it up, joined the waitlist, and in 2021, he went with our oldest son for the first time. Since then, we've gone every year.

The ultimate set-up is a large suite or chalet-style space within a hotel, with your own lounge area. Are the balconies safe? Ostensibly a strange question, but I continually see furniture placed next to balconies (a hazard for excitable children when heads are turned) and swiftly pull it right back or even into the bedroom. I always ring up ahead and check that the bathrooms aren't clad in slippery marble floors, and if so, if they provide several rubber mats.

Seattle is an exceptionally kid-centric city thanks to its plentiful activities and family-friendly hotels and Airbnbs. It's a place where orcas breach within sight of skyscrapers, boats zip around the waterways, and the smell of salt air mingles with freshly caught-and tossed-fish.

New Zealand's North Island offers diverse family adventures, from Auckland's food scene to Māori cultural experiences in the Bay of Islands and magical Waitomo Glowworm Caves.

The Westgate Town Center Resort in Kissimmee offers affordable family fun with attractions such as Shipwreck Island Water Park and a Jurassic Park Mini-Golf Course, complemented by various dining options.

Traveling back to London with my mom, now as a mother to my own 8-year-old, felt equal parts nostalgic, fun, and refreshing. We saw the world in Notting Hill and browsed antique maps at the amazing Portobello Print & Map Shop.