On our way to our zip-line excursion featured in yesterday’s blog post, we passed through a little town called Beaumont du Perigord. This 13th century village had their town festival the day before and we had the pleasure of driving through streets when they were empty with the decorations still in place.

The French do many things very well and one of them is decorate!  They lined the tops of the streets and squares with colorful streamers—it was pure magic.  I’ve never seen anything like it.

What I didn’t mention in the zip-line post is that there were unexpected river dwellers in the area.  When we first saw the animals in the river, the kids yelled “look, beavers!” … after closer inspection we noticed that the animals were in fact not beavers given their long and skinny tails.  These little beasts looked liked rats and when I asked someone to clarify, the answer was something like “rat de l’eau”.  Nice.  No playing in that river allowed.

For more of this week’s Photo Friday posts, visit Delicious Baby.

Relevant Links:

Zip-Line Adventure in France

Excellent Experience with VRBO Rental (France)

Photo Friday: Endless Sunflowers in France

Ciao Bambino recommended places to stay in France

Go figure that one of the highlights of our trip to France (yes, France, not Costa Rica) was a visit to a zip-line park called Parc-en-Ciel. It seems like these family adventure parks are growing in popularity around Europe—I just spoke to a friend today that raved about their experience at one near Madrid.

The nice thing about the set up of our park is that they had varied levels for different age groups.  I’m going to come clean and say that I was the only one in our group that did not enjoy the action—I’m scared of heights and didn’t get past the kids level. Oh well. The kids and the more adventurous adults, however, had a blast.

It’s easy to visualize breaking limbs—a key part of taking part in the fun is following a strict set of safety procedures.  It was great to watch the younger kids follow the instructions too and learn about using a harness.

The 10-year-old in our group was particularly pleased. I think it may have been the highlight of his entire trip!   Activities like this are an excellent way to break up the monotony of traditional sightseeing for kids, plus it allows them to burn off some serious energy.

Who knew?

Relevant Links:

Excellent Experience with VRBO Rental (France)

Photo Friday: Endless Sunflowers in France

Ciao Bambino recommended places to stay in France

Natasha Schlesinger is the founder of Artmuse, Artkids, and ArtXplorers. She lives in New York City and is an expert in teaching children to appreciate art.  Here are seven of her favorite museums in New York City to explore with kids. I invited Natasha specifically to write about smaller museums.  What a fun and interesting list!

Interior of the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York by Ernst Moeksis on Flickr.

1.    The National Museum of the American Indian, 1 Bowling Green, the George Gustav Heye Center.  Come all the way downtown, view the Statue of Liberty from the shore and enter a majestic building that served as the customs house in its earlier life.  The museum is a quiet oasis of spacious galleries and hidden treasures from the Native American world, especially in its’ circular gallery.  AGES: 4 and up.

2.    Mount Vernon Hotel and Museum, 421 East 61st street.  This is a 19th century house museum which served as New York’s country hotel in its past.  A whole period environment, great kids’ tours and holiday decorations in the traditional style. The docents will bring out a whole gamut of touchable objects. AGES: 6-10 years.

3.    The Guggenheim Museum of Art, Fifth Avenue and 89th Street. Though a known institution it never gets boring to visit because no matter what the exhibit, the building itself is a work of art to navigate and ascend in its spiral form. Kids love to run up the ramp.   AGES: 3 and up.

4.    The Luce Center, 4th floor, New York Historical Society, Central Park West at 77th Street. These galleries house thousands of objects that were made in or belonged to people living in New York in the past three centuries.  One can find items as small as children’s toys and war memorabilia to as large as the only 18th century “Cinderella” carriage on view in the US. AGES: 5-9 years old.

5.    The Rubin Museum, 150 West 17th Street.  This is the best teaching museum in New York and Buddhist art is often overlooked. Watch an artist-in-residence at work and grab a magnifying glass for a closer look. This museum really wants to educate young and old and welcomes with open arms. AGES: 5 and up.

6.    The Museum of Arts and Design, 2 Columbus Circle.  This newest incarnation of the Lollipop Building has recently opened as a fantastic new venue to see innovative art and design.  Unexpected works made from ordinary materials and interactive open studios where visitors can watch artists at work will surely ignite kids’ imagination. AGES: 4 and up.

7.    The Jewish Museum, 1109 Fifth Avenue. Archaeology Zone: Discovering Treasures from Playgrounds to Palaces is a special interactive exhibit for children that allows kids to imagine life in ancient Israel by playing dress up, doing art and even being archeologists by experiencing a dig. Ages: 3-6 years old.

Relevant Links:

Visiting the American Museum of Natural History with Toddlers

Museums and Kids: A Great Combination

I’m happy to report that we had a fantastic experience at our VRBO-rented farmhouse in the Dordogne region of France last month.  After a thorough and thoughtful search, we determined that the VRBO rental was our best option (see my post on How and Why to Use VRBO).

The decision to go this route was a bit controversial given that Ciao Bambino features a few outstanding rental agencies as partners on the website.  I firmly believe that every vacation has unique requirements and you have to go with the best available option given needs and budget—in this case, VRBO was the right choice.

That said, I do want to reiterate that what made our rental work was the owner.  She was amazing from start to finish.  From her very first communication with me the owner provided comprehensive information about the property and went out of her way to answer every question (given what I do, I ask many more questions than the average very picky traveler).  We understood the exact pros and cons (like no Internet access) of the property and made our decision accordingly.

Insight into our decision

We were working with a limited budget, but we also wanted a high quality rental.  I always laughed when my clients over the years have asked me to find the most amenities for the least amount of money—here I was doing the exact same thing!  At the end of the day, we had everything we needed to be comfortable including lovely outdoor seating areas (a priority for me), flat grass and a heated swimming pool (a priority for the kids), and a convenient location that was walking distance to an idyllic village.

One of the main advantages of a rental agency is that they can provide extensive local services.  What we discovered in our due diligence an owner that would do that for us—she organized babysitters, a chef, additional housekeeping, and was happy to answer all of our “what to do in the area” questions.  She was in the region at another property at the time, which made this all possible.  I would say that if an owner is going to be in another region or country at the time of your rental, it is essential to understand who will serve as a local resource before confirming the booking.

Tips on finding a kid-friendly villa rental

I just wrote a comprehensive tips article for Peter Greenberg Worldwide on finding kid-friendly villa rentals.  Be sure and read the article to understand key things to look for in a rental.  One thing I’ll highlight here is that checking references is critical!   Don’t be afraid to ask to speak with a family that has stayed at a property.  If none are available, that is major red flag in my book.

Here’s a link to the VRBO listing for our fantastic rental.  Stay tuned—the property will be part of the Ciao Bambino portfolio very soon!

I’ve traveled extensively through other mountain destinations around the world and I have to say that Lake Tahoe remains one of my all-time favorite outdoor vacation venues—with and without kids.  I grew up going to this area throughout all the stages of my childhood.  It’s an outdoor paradise and jaw-dropping scenery and the fresh air and alpine smell never get old for me.

Winter and summer seasons are both fantastic, but summer is particularly great with kids of all ages given the wide range of activities.  It’s hard to narrow down a list of just a few favorites, but here are my top picks in the main activity categories (rafting, hiking, biking, beach, and dining).

Rafting down the Truckee River. If you are a thrill-seeker, look for another venue. The Truckee River from Tahoe City to Alpine Meadows is a famous kid-friendly stretch and a blast for all ages.  The river is calm and even young kids (and dogs) can raft and get in the water.  Inner tubes are popular too.  What makes the experience unique is the social atmosphere—water fights are guaranteed and it’s not unusual for rafts to gather at an “island” on the way.  There is definitely a party component with college-aged kids too—but not so much to make it inappropriate for the younger set.

Rafts are available at Truckee River Raft Company and don’t forget to join the crowd for refreshments and snacks at River Ranch Lodge—a rafting institution of sorts during summer months.

Bike around the Lake.  There is a multi-use trail that goes around the North/West Shore of the lake (and also towards Alpine Meadows and Squaw Valley) and perfect for a family-friendly bike ride.  The terrain is “flatish” (although with the altitude it is nonetheless tiring) and perfect for school age kids that can control their bike and stay on one side of the trail.  It’s also easy to rent various bike trailers and seats for younger kids that can’t make it on their own. My favorite ride is from Tahoe City to the beaches on the West Shore.  Be sure and pack a picnic. The fun is that there are plenty of great stops along the trail, so it’s easy to play the distance by ear.

We’ve had good experiences with Tahoe Dave’s for bike rentals and they have an array of kids bike gear too.

Head to the beach. The beaches of Lake Tahoe are insanely gorgeous and there are many wonderful options for families.  Sand Harbor on the East Shore of the lake in Nevada has soft sand and particularly clear water.  Families are everywhere on this beach playing sports and wading in the water.  Note, Lake Tahoe is the largest alpine lake in North America and notoriously cold, although, this doesn’t seem to bother kids as long as the weather is warm.

I also love the beach area around Homewood.  It’s really rocky which is not as comfortable for lounging, however, skipping and throwing rocks into the lake provides hours of amusement.  The setting is incredible too.

Commons Beach in downtown Lake Tahoe has developed into a wonderful lakefront playground and grass area; it’s perfect for picnics and convenient to many North Shore accommodations.

Hike to Eagle Falls and Eagle Lake. The beauty of this hike is that it’s short—1 mile each way—with spectacular scenery and a wilderness vibe.  Eagle Lake Trail is relatively steep and rocky, so it’s not well-suited for toddlers, but school age kids can definitely make it without going into bribery.  In fact, the trail provides a great introduction to hiking for kids. There’s waterfall part way up the trail for a mid-trail distraction and the lake itself is a gorgeous venue for relaxing and swimming.

Emerald Bay is breathtaking and there are a few wonderful hikes in this area with lake views and beach access.   Be sure and bring in your own supplies for lunch (and have plenty of gas) as there are no stores, shops or restaurants in this area.

Eat dinner on the deck at Sunnyside. It’s unusual for me to outline dining as a top activity with kids, but Sunnyside is an exception.  This lakefront lodge and restaurant is another Lake Tahoe institution in the summer. They have an enormous deck that overlooks the marina and lake.  The view and setting is amazing and it’s always buzzing with families.  We never go to Tahoe during the summer months without spending at least one evening on the deck.

Eat in the bar area to keep pricing down (noting it is first-come-first-serve, so you need to get there early to beat the rush or plan to wait).

There’s a long list of other things to do.  Boating and sailing is very popular on the lake, but this is not one of the activities I’ve spent much time doing given that it’s expensive unless you own a boat or know someone that does.  In addition, the ski resorts like Squaw Valley and Northstar have structured activities and facilities for kids during the summer months. Be sure and check the North Lake Tahoe Chamber of Commerce website for special activities and events.

Relevant Links:

Best family-friendly places to stay in Lake Tahoe

Best Lake Tahoe hikes with kids

Lake Tahoe family activities on UpTake.com

This weeks pictures are of Cape Cod, Massachusetts. There’s something classic about this summer playground formed by the peninsula that jets off mainland Massachusetts and creates a lazy summer destination for generations of families that visit year after year. The “Cape”, as locals call it, feels like a throw back in time, dotted with cranberry bogs, salt-washed shingled homes and towns that look like they are straight out of a Norman Rockwell painting. In each area of the Cape, you’ll find lively discussions about which shack has the best lobster rolls or which shop offers the best homemade ice cream.

With over 500 miles of beach, there is the “right” beach for everyone. Those of us with younger children like the calm shores of Buzzards Bay. With plenty of tide pools loaded with creatures, these beaches are sure to keep the kids busy for hours. Then there is also the long open stretch of the National Sea Shore that has more challenging waves and amazing vistas.

What we love about the Cape is that it offers us a place to connect with family. We unplug from our busy lives and embrace our unplanned time and relaxing rituals of summer. However, when you’ve had enough of the beach and sun, there are plenty of accessible family activities. Because we’re here all summer, we have horseback riding, tennis, sailing, and hockey scheduled in, but there is plenty to do on a whim. There are mini-golf courses, go-carts (our favorite), trampolines, Cape Cod League Baseball (Best college players in the nation), hiking trails, biking trails, boat trips, camps – you name it.  For a comprehensive list of summer activities check out Cape Cod Kidz or Cape Cod Kids.

For more Photo Friday pictures visit Delicious Baby.

Relevant Links:

Ciao Bambino recommended Cape Cod family resorts

Ciao Bambino recommended Boston family hotels

Cape Cod family vacation overview

Cape Cod things to do with kids

Photo Friday: Cape Cod

Boston with kids – Spring activities

Boston with kids – Summer activities

Boston with kids – top attractions

These lucky boys, ages 4 and 6, will get the chance to give kid-friendly Solage Calistoga a test drive—they are part of the family from Lafayette, California that won our recent Napa Giveaway!

Their Mom and Dad will have some fun too. Solage generously donated 2 mudslide spa treatments as part of the free 3-night package.

Quote from the Mom: “I never win anything!”

Your luck has just changed … Congratulations!

We have another fantastic giveaway that will be announced in August. Stay tuned!

Photo of Lasker Pool by Joe Shlabotnik on Flickr

For many New Yorkers, the summer is their least favorite season with children because the city is hot, humid, and empty.  Many of our daughter’s friends evacuate NYC as soon as school is finished.  We love to travel during the summer, but we also enjoy our relatively quiet city.  I have found many ways of entertaining Charlotte and Lily in inexpensive ways.

One of our favorite sprinklers is at the Catbird Playground in Carl Shurz Park on East End Avenue.  They have a large asphalt pit with plenty of side sprinklers.  Last time we were there, we spotted Brangelina’s brood splashing around!  If we are in the mood to travel, we hop on the subway down to Madison Square Park where they have a pinwheel which dumps water on the kids from overhead.

Chelsea Piers is an amazing indoor play land for kids.  This 28-acre athletic facility provides an oasis on the Hudson.  There is a great indoor playground, which is perfect on a rainy day.  There is also ice skating at the Piers in the summer for kids ages 3 and up.

Believe it or not, there is actually a pool in Central Park!  It’s a bit of a secret, but it exists.  Located between 106th and 108th Street mid-park, you’ll find Lasker Pool.  The pool opens July 1st and closes after Labor Day.  Admission is free.  Keep in mind the pool can be crowded on the weekends, so weekdays are a better option.

Photo of gorillas by Andrew Yee on Flickr

The Bronx Zoo is a regular summer outing for us.  The girls love the gorillas and all of the shady walkways help keep them comfortable.  The tigers are also a big hit and the summer is a good time to spot them cooling off in their watering holes.  On Wednesdays, admission is by donation all day.  Tuesday mornings at the Zoo are considered “Toddler Time”—parents and toddlers through age 3 receive free entry to the Children’s Zoo.

One of our favorite summer time activities is going for gelato.  In our neighborhood, the Ciao Bella Café has some of the best ice cream around town.  It’s located at 27 East 92nd Street between Madison and Fifth.  We often wander over to the Cooper Hewitt Museum on 91st Street between Fifth and Madison after we eat.  They have one of the best gardens the city has to offer and it is very kid-friendly.  We often bring a ball or an art project to enjoy while we are there.  The design exhibits are an excellent way of gathering ideas for our art projects if we decide to do a bit of exploring.  Up until July 5th, the museum is showing “Doodle 4 Google: What I Wish for the World,” which presents 39 of the thousands of entries submitted to the design competition from children K-12.

It’s always great to get ‘things to do’ tips from a local.  A big thanks to Amy of the Q Family Adventures for this great guest post on the top 5 kid-friendly excursions in Atlanta.  Amy’s blog is fun to follow—she covers US destinations, as well more exotic destinations like Thailand and Cambodia.  Follow her on Twitter @Theqfamily.

Atlanta is a great destination for family vacation with kids. We have many popular attractions that I’m sure by now I don’t have to talk about like the Georgia Aquarium, the World of Coca-Cola, or Stone Mountain. In addition to those popular destination, there are many places to visit that can bring as much fun to kids of all ages, especially the little ones of the family. Here are my 5 family favorites for little kids and toddlers in Atlanta.

1.    The Centennial Olympic Park – The Centennial Olympic park in the downtown area is a favorite place for everyone in the family. You can check out various Olympic structures all around the park. The kids can enjoy the Fountain of Rings during hot day in Atlanta. Afterward, you can have a picnic in a park and enjoy the afternoon at the new children playground that’s so cool kids wouldn’t want to leave. Also throughout Summer, there are various free events to entertain the adults of the family like the Music @ Noon, Wednesday WindDown or 4th Saturday Family Fun Days.

2.    Zoo Atlanta – The Zoo Atlanta might not be one of the biggest zoo in this country but I think because of that it’s a perfect zoo for kids especially the young ones. The Zoo is small enough to allow you to enjoy without tiring little legs. It’s mostly shaded along the path make it perfect to beat the Atlanta heat. Plus there is Kid Zone that allows a small break from the animals that kids can enjoy train ride, children playground or the carousel.

3.    Atlanta Botanical Garden – This gem in the Atlanta is not only for garden-lover parents but kids of all ages. The Children’s Garden utilizes the interactive features with plant education to provide fun activities for the whole family. Kids will love to get wet in several water features or explore the Flower Bridge filled with year-round herbs.

4.    Chattahoochee Nature Center – A short drive from downtown Atlanta to the Northern Metro will bring you to the Chattahoochee Nature Center situated in Roswell along the Chattahoochee River. The nature center is a great place for a fun easy outdoor adventure with kids of all ages. The brand-new Interpretive Center is a great stop for kids to learn about nature and water along the Chattahoochee River. There are several easy hiking trails for family with kids. Each trail is less than 0.5 mile so it’s perfect for first timer or family with small children.

5.    Imagine It! Children Museum – A fun children museum in the heart of Atlanta is a perfect stop for family with small children. The museum is one story so it’s easy to navigate. There are several areas to satisfy kids of various interests. Kids will spend hours at the water table or the Giant Ball machine. A little Picasso will love to show their art skill painting on the wall or create a masterpiece sand sculpture. Don’t forget to check out special exhibit that rotate out every quarter.

Related Links:

Atlanta family activities on UpTake.com

It’s hard to choose just one, but this might be my favorite photo from our recent trip to the Dordogne region of France.

The endless fields of sunflowers in full bloom were insanely beautiful.  This photo was taken on our way to the wonderful Sunday market in the historic town of Issigeac.  The field of sunflowers was so dramatic that every person in our group—including the kids—couldn’t believe their eyes.

A wow travel moment for sure. We explored so many fantastic sights in the Dordogne—there will be many more blog entries on this destination in the days to come. In the meantime, for more of this week’s Photo Friday posts, visit Delicious Baby.

Relevant Links:

The best places to stay in France with kids