The first thing I’ll say is wow, what a contest! I’m blown away by the enthusiasm of the participants and their fans.  We’ve spent the afternoon counting votes for the two leading families, #38 and #29 and quite simply, it’s close, very close.  Each family got nearly 1000 votes!

Given our two-hour dose of comment chaos on Thursday night and the close number of votes, I decided to approach Casa Cornacchi today and asked Giacomo, the General Manager, if he would be willing to extend two week-long stays so each family would win a free stay in Italy.

As luck would have it, Casa Cornacchi is one of my original hotel partners in Italy and a good friend to Ciao Bambino.  He said yes!  The same rules apply for each family—we’ll reach out to each family with details.  Grazie Giacomo! Here’s the link to Casa Cornacchi’s Facebook page if anyone wants to stay in touch with this fantastic accommodation in Tuscany.

In the meantime, I know I’ll be toasting the winning families tonight.  Congratulations!

Note: We’re going to award the GPS from Auto Europe to the family with the 3rd highest votes.  We are busy crunching numbers and will announce that later in the weekend.

This is a guest post from Paul Eisenberg, the family travel blogger for Shermans Travel.  You can use the kids club (pay a premium) at the Hilton, as well as experience the dolphin encounters and the surf camps without staying at the hotels listed below.

You really don’t know what it means to get wistful about a destination until you’ve come home from Hawaii. You’ll try to put your finger on what’s triggering such an emotional response, recalling the islands’ perfect amalgam of beauty and warmth and kindness, but that’s only part of it. Why you’ll yearn is so intangible, in a way almost private, that you’ll end up telling those who’ve never been that they just have to be there to know. The votes have been in for a long time. Hawaii is paradise.

The thing is, paradise is expensive. That’s not cynicism, it’s just the way it is. Paradise is also immense, and if you’re bringing your family, deciding which island or resort is qualified to impart a bit of paradise to your kids can make you crazy anxious. So you’ll want recommendations.

If your kids are amenable to leaving your side while you’re on vacation, Hilton Waikoloa Village on the Big Island runs half- and full-day drop-off programs for kids 5-12 at its Camp Menehune, which shrewdly mingles the predictable (but expected) lei-making and tiki carving with chances to commune with the hotel’s cockatoos, go fishing, or explore the tidal pools near the beach. Full-day pricing is $75 for the first child, $60 for each additional child, and the corresponding half-day fees are $60/$45. If a massage, manicure, or tutorial in “youthful make-up design” packs appeal for someone in your brood, the hotel’s Kohala Spa has treatments geared toward kids 6-15.

One of the Hilton’s calling cards is its dolphin encounter program, operated by marine conservation outfit Dolphin Quest. The experience is convenient – dolphin swims are held at the Hilton’s on-property lagoon— but they’re pricey, and kids must be at least 2-years-old to get in the water.

By contrast, the Sheraton Princess Kaiulani over on Oahu lets kids as young as one meet the dolphins and as dolphin encounters go has a fairly reasonable pricing scheme of $112 for anyone 3 and up, with kids 1-2 swimming free with a paid adult. The one drawback is that you’ll have to travel a half hour each way between the hotel and Sea Life Park, where the encounter takes place. Round-trip transfers from the hotel are included in the price, however, as is general admission to the park, value-added given that your swim will be all of 45 minutes—which again, by dolphin encounter standards, is pretty good.

If you’ve never surfed, don’t let that stop you from trying and frankly, you’d be a fool not to try it while you’re here. Hawaii Surf Lessons 101 offers instruction for kids of all ages in its surf day camp on Oahu’s south shore. But if your party includes a child that’s 12 or older — and if it does, good luck with the whole tranquility thing—consider enrolling in the Faith Surf School via the Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa, which is packaging a 2 ½-hour group surfing lesson with room rates starting at $309 per double occupancy. Surfboard, leash, and jersey rental are included, as is the guaranteed thrill your kid will get when he or she gets up on the board for the first time.

Relevant Links:

Ciao Bambino recommended Hawaii family hotels

Kona Village Resort review

Big Island of Hawai’i with kids - favorite activities (tips from a local)

Kauai with kids - favorite activities (tips from a local)

Maui with kids - favorite activities (tips from a local)

Maui with kids - favorite activities

Maui with kids - fun photos and special activities

This is a guest post Sarah Burns is a California native, mom blogger who traded traffic-filled freeways & the cold West coast waters for a beach house in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. Sarah, along with her husband and two children, now calls Maui home and shares her parenting dispatches from paradise, on her site The Ohana Mama. You can also follow and catch up to the minute happenings of Sarah’s Maui life on twitter, @SarahBhawaii.

Road to Hana

There’s no shortage of things to do on Maui and the best part is that some of the most fun and adventurous outings are FREE. From the numerous beaches, to our hiking trails, to free walking tours of our historic towns, you can have fun and not break the bank. We also have TONS of paid activities from parasailing in the summer, to whale watching in the winter.  Yes, being bored on Maui is hard to do.

The weather on Maui is warm year round.  Winter brings more rain showers (and rainbows) along with cooler temps while summer is generally hot and dry. Either way, Maui is perfect year round for those who love the outdoors, whether it’s relaxing on a white sand beach or trying out your surfing skills in the warm Hawaiian waters, there’s something for everyone! Just be sure to pack the sunscreen, put it on, then have a fun-filled vacation the keiki (that’s children, in Hawaii) are sure to never forget!

Maui sunset

Gazebo Restaurant, The Ultimate Kid Friendly Breakfast spot

Start an action-packed Maui day with some breakfast at The Gazebo restaurant overlooking breathtaking Napili Bay on the West side of Maui.  Take note that they do not take reservations and you must line up and wait for a table.  Fear not however, the time goes quickly and there are activities to keep the kids at bay while you wait. The Gazebo offers coffee for the partrons while in line and has a life-sized checker board nearby where the kids can use halved coconuts as their markers.  Not into checkers? No worries, there’s plenty of green grass to romp around and get the energy out and of course you can spend the time taking beautiful pics of the amazing Napili Bay. Once seated, the absolute best part, other than the food, is that your breakfast will arrive to your table in less than five minutes from when you order. That’s a grand slam for parents.  The food is excellent and a perfect start to an adventurous Maui day!

Insider secret: Don’t want to wait?  Up early due to the time difference? Be the first to arrive by getting there before 7 a.m. and you are sure to be one of the first seated.

Sugar Cane Train. Photo Credit Sarah Burns

Take a Ride on The Sugar Cane Train

A true classic, The Sugar Cane Train located in Lahaina Town is a must do with the kids.  Go for a ride back in time as you get a scenic tour of Lahaina and Kaanapali along the same rails that were used to transport sugar cane to the old Pioneer Mill in Lahaina in days past.  As you ride along, the friendly conductor teaches you all about Lahaina, Maui and the islands of Lanai & Molokai which sit directly off the Kaanapali coast.  Bring snacks of your own or purchase a snack pack when you buy your ticket for about $8. The ride runs about 90 minutes and they have a dinner train every Thursday.

Insider secret: Grab a tourist magazine at any grocery store or activity center to find coupons for The Sugar Cane Train and other Maui adventures. Also purchase tickets online in advance for a discount.

Under the Sea

The Reefdancer departs out of Lahaina Harbor and takes you on an underwater tour where you’ll learn about all of the reefs and sea-life that hides beyond the beaches of West Maui.  Divers on the boat bring up sea creatures such as Octopus to give you an up-close look at these magnificent creatures. The Reefdancer isn’t a real-deal submarine, it’s actually a glass bottom boat, with air-conditioning in the cabin, and full views underwater from both sides.  For those with children, this can be a godsend, as you aren’t stuck underwater should anyone need air.  You simply head upstairs where you can enjoy the fresh ocean air and maybe spot a whale or two.

Insider secret: Get there early so you can check out one of the world’s largest banyan tree and the old historical Lahaina courthouse; both stand just across from the Lahaina Harbor. Look in the activity books for coupons or book online to receive a discount.

Baby Beach. Photo Credit Sarah Burns

Baby Beach

The name says it all.  This gorgeous slice of Maui coast is aptly named Baby Beach because, you guessed it, it’s prefect for the kieki.  Baby beach is situated just off of Front Street in Lahaina and has gently rolling waves so kids, and parents, feel comfortable splashing away.  It’s in close proximity to the major grocery store, Safeway, as well as the local store, Foodland.  Grab a sandwich, bag of chips, some fruit and water and you have yourself the perfect beach day.  During low-tide you can take a closer look at the reef and watch tiny schools of fish swim in and out with each wave of water (be sure not to step on the reef or you’ll damage it - walking on the reef is a big no-no).  If you forgot your umbrella you can head north towards Mala wharf where you can sit on the grass under the trees all while still being mere steps to the water. Take a stroll to the far north end of Baby beach to also visit Lahaina’s Buddhist Jodo Mission; the larger than life Buddha statue is amazing.

Insider secret: There are bathrooms located at the very North end of baby beach near Mala wharf, although they can be dirty.

Windsurfers, Kiteboarders and Pizza Oh My!

On the other side of the island take a drive past historic Paia town to Hookipa beach.  This high wind beach offers the perfect location for windsurfer and kiteboarders to show off their best tricks.  You can park high above on the cliff for the perfect advantage point.  Your kids are sure to be amazed at the fanciful flights of these Maui athletes.  It can be a bit cooler due to the winds so do bring a sweater. After building up an appetite watching the kiteboarders, stop off at Flatbreads Pizza in Paia.  This all natural, organically conscious pizza joint features a huge wood burning oven right in the middle of the restaurant.  Most all ingredients are locally grown or raised and are organic. They offer pizza dough to the keiki to play with while you wait for your oven-baked pizza; it’s super fun and extremely kid friendly. My favorite pizza is the Kalua pig pizza with goat cheese, Maui onions and barbeque sauce on a crispy flat dough.  They also serve a ton of vegetarian options for those who walk on the green side.

Insider secret: Try and request one of the large booths in the front of the restaurant.  This allows for the kids to keep an eye on what’s happening outside and offers plenty of room for everyone to spread out or even for a little one to take a nap.

Relevant Links:

Ciao Bambino recommended Hawaii family hotels

Kona Village Resort review

Big Island of Hawai’i with kids - favorite activities

Kauai with kids - favorite activities

Maui with kids - favorite activities

Maui with kids - fun photos and special activities

Kona Village hale and beach

There are many exceptional hotels in Hawaii but there is one in particular that seems to have cult status with families, Kona Village on the Big Island of Hawai’i. One of the few inclusive-style accommodations in Hawaii, we’ve had the family-friendly hotel review on Ciao Bambino for a while now. Even though I personally interviewed the family that wrote the review, I didn’t really understand what made the hotel so special.

I do now.

I used Hawaii week as an opportunity to unlock the mystery of this renown hotel by interviewing the General Manager, Ulrich Krauer, as well as a family that has been vacationing at the hotel every year for the past 25 years (not a typo).

When I spoke to Ulrich, I learned that it’s not just the guests that have found a home-away-from-home at Kona Village. The top 50 employees have been working there for an average of 28 years. Clearly, they’ve forged a bond with the generations of families that are now coming back with grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Photo Credit the Rubin Family

I asked Ulrich to help me understand why families are so crazy about this hotel where 66% of them return when it’s time for a Hawaii vacation. Here’s what I learned:

There are no TVs, phones in the rooms, or mobiles allowed by the pool (the thought of that makes my heart sing). The separation from daily electronic connections creates an environment where guests are forced to unwind.

Ulrich described the hotel as an authentic Hawaiian experience in an uncomplicated resort where people from around the world and every walk of life settle in to do one thing and one thing only—relax. He explained that the magic of the experience is that there is no flash or pretention here and people feel free to be themselves. I love this—there are so many luxury hotels where the “scene” in the restaurant or by the pool prevents anyone from genuinely letting go.

Meals and activities are included in the nightly rate at Kona Village.This makes it easy for families to dine together without worrying about splitting the bill. I see the appeal—it’s so refreshing not to have to have to even think about money or tips while on vacation.

Kona Village pool

Kids get the opportunity to experience the same departure from daily life as their parents. The kids club isn’t filled with computers, Playstations and movies but Hawaiian-style games, crafts, and water sports. My favorite part is kids can show up for activities when they choose to join—there is nothing that ruins relaxation faster than worrying about kids’ club sign-ups, cancellation penalities, and start times.

With 82 acres (and only 125 hales (bungalows)—families have room to spread out and soak in the beauty of the Big Island.

Rubin Family at Kona Village

I also chatted with the Rubin family who has been visiting Kona Village for 25 years. They vacationed with their children here for years and are now coming back with their grandchildren. Echoing Ulrich’s comments, the Rubin family raved about the utter freedom to unwind for guests of every age. Since the property is self-contained, kids can go off and do their own thing safely. The appeal of this resonates with me—nothing is more unnerving than a mega-resort where the threat of losing sight your child prevents you from reading a single page of a book while on vacation.

“A real retreat where they can kick off their shoes, enjoy wonderful food, interact with fabulous staff, and meet fascinating people from all over the world,” said Mrs. Rubin. Their parting comment sums it up for me, “Amie, picture Hawaiian Summer Camp with phenomenal food.”

I can’t think of another accommodation in Hawaii I’ve been to that feels that way. The mystery is solved for me. Sign me up—this is the Hawaiian experience I’ve been dreaming about.

Relevant Links:

Ciao Bambino recommended Hawaii family hotels

Big Island of Hawai’i with kids - favorite activities

Kauai with kids - favorite activities

Maui with kids - favorite activities

Maui with kids - fun photos and special activities

Just in time for Spring Break, it’s Hawaii Week on Ciao Bambino!   Although I’ve been to beautiful beaches and islands around the world, Hawaii remains one of my all-time favorite tropical venues.

Kauai from above

The culture and landscape is exotic, yet you are in the United States.  Translation: Families experience no travel hassles around language and hygiene.  It is touristy, although this means there is a wide array of accommodations and family-friendly infrastructure. Despite this, however, each island has ways to get off-the-beaten-path to your own little slice of paradise. The only consistent downside is that Hawaii is expensive. The handful of carriers that get you there seem to charge a premium throughout the year and meals (as well as groceries) are pricey too.

Although I’ve been to every island except for Molokai, I thought it would be best to invite Hawaii locals and experts for tips this week. Every island has a very different landscape and character and we’ll highlight the best things to do with kids on each one of them.  Our portfolio of Hawaii family resorts is growing and we’re actively adding a few new wonderful options right now.  I’ll note what they are at the end of each post.

Our guest author is Kris Bordessa, a Hawaii-based travel writer. She is the co-founder of Honolulu On The Cheap and Big Island On The Cheap, where visitors and residents discover life, culture, and fun in Hawaii – for less. She travels as often as she can with her husband and two boys.

Napali Coast.  Photo Credit Kris Bordessa

Kauai, known as the Garden Isle, is draped with lush tropical rainforests and cascading waterfalls, all surrounded by sapphire seas. But don’t just stand back and look! Dive in and enjoy what the island has to offer: hiking, swimming, and kayaking is plentiful for active families.

There’s a lot of history here, too. You’ll find Hawaiian cultural presentations at various venues around the island, giving you and your ohana (family) the chance to try their hand at dancing the hula or weaving lauhala. Visit a sugar cane plantation or drive by the abandoned Coco Palms Hotel, where Elvis Presley filmed Blue Hawai‘i. Of course, if you’d prefer, Kauai’s beaches offer parents the chance to sit back and relax while the kids play in Mother Nature’s sandbox. There’s plenty of contentment to go around!

These family favorites are a great start to a memorable Hawaiian vacation:

Waimea Canyon

Koke‘e State Park and Waimea Canyon

If your family likes to hike, your first stop should be the Koke’e Natural History Museum. You’ll enjoy the interpretive exhibits providing an overview of the natural and cultural history of Waimea Canyon and Koke’e State Parks, but for hikers, the bigger value here is the knowledgeable staff. They’ll be able to point you to just the right hike for your family – there are many to choose from. The steep Halemanu - Koke‘e Trail reveals some amazing scenery, but the Kaluapuhi Trail is probably a better choice for families with young children. No matter where your hike takes you, make certain to stop at the Waimea Canyon Overlook for a glimpse into the Grand Canyon of the Pacific. Allow a full day for exploring the area and all it has to offer.

Kilauea Lighthouse. Photo Credit Kris Bordessa

Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge

Kids will zoom toward the Kilauea Lighthouse, visible as you approach Kilauea Point, but expect them to get sidetracked as soon as they realize that the path is lined with an assortment of seabirds. Tucked amongst the native vegetation you’ll see nesting birds, and if you’re lucky, eggs or chicks, too. The refuge was established to protect threatened and endangered species and by all appearances, it’s working. Stop in at the visitor center to borrow a pair of binoculars for better viewing.

Ride the Sugar Cane Train

Step into Kauai’s past at Kilohana Plantation where you can ride the rails on a former sugar cane train. The Kauai Plantation Railway takes passengers on a 40-minute ride steam train ride through a 70-acre plantation. When you’re done with your ride, explore the plantation grounds and take a walk through time in the 16,000 square foot historic mansion, now home to restaurants and shops.

Kalapaki Beach

With its gentle waves and white sands, Kalapaki Beach is the perfect spot for your keiki (children) to enjoy the blue Pacific Ocean. Bring your sand toys and beach chair (you can rent basic beach - and baby - equipment from Ready Rentals and kick back for a fun, relaxing day in the sun. Please don’t forget the sunscreen!

Dining at Duke’s Beach House

Duke’s Beach House

When you’ve had your fill of sand and surf, head to Duke’s, adjacent to Kalapaki Beach. Named for the iconic Hawaiian surfer – and Olympic gold medalist – Duke Kahanamoku, the restaurant serves local favorites, steak, and fish, along with kid-friendly dishes like mac-n-cheese. Make reservations, or expect a long wait. If you do find yourself waiting, you can stroll the oceanfront grounds of the Kauai Marriott Resort & Beach Club. Kids will quickly become distracted by the assortment of statuary, and you might even squeeze in a romantic moment or two!

Relevant Links:

The Grand Hyatt Kauai is not in our portfolio but it is a well-known family favorite for those seeking luxurious accommodations who don’t care about condo-style amenities.  It’s been a few years since I’ve been there, but the setting and beach are gorgeous.

Princeville on the North Shore of Kauai must be one of the most beautiful places on earth.  The Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas offers condo-amenities in a resort setting.  Stay tuned for the complete review on Ciao Bambino.

Maui with kids - favorite activities

Maui with kids - fun photos and special activities

SoulTravelers3 has practically become a household name for extended travel. The trend continues and more families are Vagabonding around the world.  Brenna Gibson Redpath reached out to me about their trip recently—last year Brenna and her husband Bob quit their jobs and sold everything they owned, and their family of four is now exploring the world together.

They share notes and stories about their travel experiences on From Here to Uncertainty.  I’m a photography nut and Brenna’s photos are spectacular (the one of Ella by the Vistula River below is magic for me).

I invited Brenna to write a guest post on Krakow, Poland.  When I received her photos, my jaw dropped.  A Photo Friday must and I have to say, Krakow was never on the top of my Europe travel list but now it is.

Probably not your first thought for this year’s summer vacation, right? Well – Krakow, Poland is a wonderful place for families, and being just on the edge of Eastern Europe, the value can’t be beat! The city holds a unique place, both geographically and historically, bridging Eastern and Western Europe with delightful results.

Krakow, like any European city, has its challenges for the American visitor. Our family found Polish a hard language to crack, and while most younger people, and practically everyone in the service industry, speak English, the older generation, as a whole, does not.

Krakow is charmingly crumbly around the edges. It’s not elegant Vienna or picture-perfect Rothenburg. It’s a real city, still recovering in some ways from Soviet era rule. It’s also one of the few European cities that didn’t get bombed to smithereens during World War II. In Krakow, the building you’re looking at may have bullet-holes in it, but it’s the original 17^th century building, not one reconstructed within the last 50 years.

Another reason to love Krakow is simply that it’s not Prague. It’s been called the ‘next Prague”, but it’s not over-run, over-touristed, and over-expensive yet. Get there before it is.

There are ‘do’ vacations, and ‘be’ vacations. In Krakow you can choose either, or both. Our family spent 6 weeks there last summer. We never got bored, and we were sorry to leave.

5 things we loved in Krakow:

The Rynek Glowny

The Grand Square in the center of Old Town is a giant playground for kids. It’s the largest medieval town square in Europe, and all that space means freedom to run. It’s perfect for weary parents too. The square is rimmed with outdoor cafes, selling everything from pizza to pierogi. Our kids loved them. My husband and I spent many evenings sitting at an outdoor table drinking wine while our kids ran around the square chasing pigeons and climbing on statues. It’s a relaxing way to wind down a day.

The buskers that populate the square are the best we’ve seen anywhere in Europe. So many are truly talented performers, who know how to put on a show. Our kids each had their favorites, and pierogis often got cold at the table as they tore off to watch the break-dancing guy spin on his head again.

In the tower of Saint Mary’s Basilica a trumpet plays the henja every hour, on the hour, continuing the 700-year-old tradition. We all loved it, and made the climb up the 266-foot tower to watch the trumpeter play. The views of the city from there are, of course, spectacular.

The Dragon At Wawel Castle

According to legend, Wawel Castle was built atop the lair of Smok Wawelski, an evil dragon from Polish folklore. You can visit his cave, hiking down, down, down narrow circular steps to the dragon’s cool, damp hideaway. It’s good kitsch fun, if not very historical. At the exit of the cave is a statue of Smok, who shoots fire out of his mouth every few minutes. He looks out over the Vistula river, and he’s surrounded by venders selling little stuffed Smoks, Smok keychains and Smok snowglobes. He may be the most exploited tourist attraction in the city.

Wawel is a hodge-podge of a castle, with an “addition” for practically every architectural style in the last thousand years. It’s not elegant, or rich with plunder. It is wonderfully relaxed and accessible, which really works for kids. You don’t have that herd-of-cows experience of shuffling in between the velvet ropes. Our son spent a few hours in the armory, getting an up-close look at some of the longest swords and most ornate guns he’d ever seen.

Wieliczka Salt Mines

A day trip from Krakow, this place is truly awe-inspiring. Salt was mined at Wieliczka from the 13^th century until just a few years ago. The miners who worked there in the early days also lived there, full time. Horses were born, lived their lives, and died in the mines, never having seen the sun. In this underground world of work and sweat, the miners made their homes in the salt, creating beauty in their leisure time. They carved cute little gnomes, and monuments to famous Poles. They created a huge cathedral, with murals and statues, all carved out of the salt. Hanging from the ceiling are enormous and beautiful salt chandeliers.

It’s not that the miners were all incredibly gifted artists. What’s so very cool is that they chose to spend their spare time doing this work, instead if drinking enormous quantities of vodka, which is what I may have done, faced with weeks without sun.

The tour is quirky and low tech. Our guide was funny and irreverent, and deeply, deeply Polish. We loved her. My advice: Don’t take a tour bus from Krakow for this one. Take public transport on your own and you’ll have the time to enjoy it much more.

Kazimierz

Kazimierz is the old Jewish quarter of Krakow, and has a completely different feel than Old Town. It’s steeped in history, which my husband and I found fascinating and sobering. But we also found it deeply atmospheric and rich. The kids liked all the hip little shops, restaurants, and neighborhood squares. It’s where the nightlife is, we hear — we’ll have to take their word for it.

Kazimierez is enjoying it’s renaissance, but according to a friend we met in Krakow, it will never be completely renovated. There are too many buildings that still have no known owner since Jewish property was confiscated during World War II.

The Vistula River

The Vistula flows through the city, and past Wawel Castle. Walkways wind along the river, perfect for a break from city streets. We didn’t take any boat rides, but we spent wonderful afternoons ambling along the Vistula, having picnics and picking wildflowers.

Krakow is an easily walkable city, which also has a good public transportation system. Our apartment was close to everything a tourist wants to see: the Square, Kazimierz, Wawel Castle, the Planty, and the Vistula, all in different directions.

Speaking of apartments – when we travel, we rent. Our kids are better travelers when they can eat their cereal and milk while still wearing their pajamas in the morning, and a washing machine can be a lifesaver for a traveling family. If you’re interested in renting a furnished apartment in Krakow, there are a few good websites to try. HomeAway and HolidayLettings.co.uk are both worth a look. OldCityApartments.eu specializes in Krakow. Expect to pay $600 - $1200 a week for a place that sleeps 6, depending on the time of year, and how luxuriously you want to live. We were on the lower end of that scale, and were perfectly happy with our spacious 2-bedroom flat with a pullout couch.

Finally, I can’t talk about Krakow without talking about Auschwitz. It is not a family destination. My husband and I took turns going solo, and we wouldn’t have missed the sobering and memorable experience. There are inexpensive tour busses that leave from Old Town regularly, taking you to both Auschwitz and Birkenau. They handle the experience with a great deal of dignity and respect. The memorial doesn’t recommend visits for children under the age of 14.

Krakow is a unique city. It’s a bit gritty, and a bit undiscovered. Yet it also feels very accessible and friendly. Our family can’t wait to go back.

Check out more Photo Friday posts on Delicious Baby.

Relevant Links:

Ciao Bambino recommended Europe family hotels

Finding the best family-friendly hotels in Europe

Our Family Vacation Photo contest is in full swing! 50 families submitted favorite photos from travels with kids around the world. Literally, there are photos from Lapland to Hong Kong to Mexico to the Grand Canyon—practically every continent is represented.

We are trying something new and the photos are published on the Ciao Bambino Facebook page. Vote for your favorite photo by adding a comment to that photo in the Family Vacation Photo Album.

And, if you know someone in the contest, we’ve sweetened the deal! The winning family can invite friends to join them on their Tuscan Getaway—Casa Cornacchi has extended a 25% discount for a second apartment at this fabulous resort.

New Addition: Our friends at Auto Europe are giving a Garmin GPS pre-loaded with maps to the 2nd place family!

Voting closes March 12 at Noon PST.