One of the things I love about traveling is discovering new things. When planning a trip, there’s always a strong urge to jam in as much vacation fun as possible. But packing your days too tight can be a recipe for disaster. When kids get tired, they get cranky and cranky kids take all of the fun out of even the best family adventures. I always plan trips with the thinking someday I’ll be back. It sets the tone for more relaxed, better vacations.

At Ciao Bambino, we all have long “must go back to” lists. The destinations that top our lists are there for a variety of reasons: great sights and activities, culture, scenery, even weather. Visiting them all (my goal) will take you around the globe. The locations differences are great, but they all have one thing in common – the makings of a fabulous family trip.

If you’re not traveling, I think reading about great trips is the next best thing. Once you’ve got the knowledge and the inspiration you can make one of your New Year’s Resolutions planning a great trip for your family!

Amie’s Must Visit (Again and Again) List

Biking the walls of Lucca. Photo by Amie O’Shaughnessy

Lucca, Italy

I never get tired of visiting Lucca - with and without kids!  It looks, feels, smells, and of course, tastes, Italian through and through.  In a relatively small area, you can experience incredible history and enjoy dramatic, diverse architecture.  The fortified walls are the highlight where families walk and bike together, followed by a gelato stop and shopping.  Heaven!

Zermatt, Switzerland

The Matterhorn in Zermatt never fails to leave gaping in wonder.  How can a mountain be that striking? Tourists aside, Zermatt has done an excellent job of preserving an old-world Swiss Alpine feel.  No cars are allowed in town which makes strolling a pleasure.   In the summer months, you can ski in the morning on the glacier and then hike in the afternoon. We love working our way to a hot lunch (and cold beer for Mom an Dad)

Dana’s Taste for Adventure

Guilin at night. Photo by Dana Rebman

Guilin, China

As my girls get older, our trips get more adventurous. Three weeks in China with kids is not at the top of the average family’s vacation list, but it should be. My entire family, Grandma included, fell in love with Guilin, China the moment we arrived. The destination for many travelers visiting the Li River, Guilin has wonderful mystique that kids school age and older will be awed by. If the sheer wow factor of the Li River weren’t enough, the city of Guilin will surely sway you.

At night, the city comes to life. Locals and visitors crowd the night market. Children (and adults) play in open spaces with light up whirly gigs. (We bought as many as we could fit in our suitcase. About a dozen were just a few dollars.) Walking, or wandering is simply fun because you never know what you might find like a neon replica of San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge, or a crowd of folks with a radio who turn a road into a dance floor. Don’t plan on getting to bed early, they’ll be plenty of time to sleep on the plane flight home.

Nerja, Costa del Sol, Spain

A vacation is truly a vacation when there’s warm water and sand involved. I think that’s why I love Spain’s Costa del Sol. We landed in Nerja for a couple days of down time in the middle of an action packed Spain itinerary. By day, the beach serves as a playground, compliments of Mother Nature. I had to pull my 8-year-old out of the Mediterranean Sea to eat, while my 10-year-old collected beach rocks and polished off a great book.

When the sun sets, local families turn out in spade for their evening paseo, or stroll through town. Kids run and play close by, while mom and dad shop, socialize and maybe enjoy dinner out. Don’t go hunting for early bird specials.Folks in Nerja and Spain in general eat late. I never would have thought my kids had it in them, but when the pizza arrived on our table at the stroke of midnight, I became a believer. Next time we go, I’m setting aside a week to have fun doing a lot of nothing in Nerja.

Long Beach Island, NJ

There’s no place like home, especially when home is a popular summer vacation destination. I have a California address now, but I set aside a chunk of time every summer to take my family to the Jersey Shore. No your eyes aren’t playing tricks on you, I said New Jersey. It’s where I grew up, so I admit some bias right off the bat. But Long Beach Island has a little something for everyone, no matter how young or old. Families can rent a home on or near the beach, and spend their days searching for sea shells in the ocean surf, or catching minnows in the warm, gentle bay. At night, a round of mini-golf or a walk to get ice cream (or both) is the perfect ending to a perfect summer’s day. The kids may get to bed late (are you noticing that seems to be the norm for my trips) but everyone can sleep in.

Cambria with kids. Photo by Kristi Marcelle

Kristi’s Favorite Family Getaways

Cambria, California

The central coast of California is often overlooked as a vacation destination in favor of more popular (and populated) California cities but the natural beauty and nearby attractions are not to be missed – wineries, elephant seals, Hearst Castle and the Big Sur coast are all within a 30-minute drive. Our family fell in love with this small town and it makes a great base for a multigenerational trip with attractions that appeal to all ages. Moonstone Beach, with its row of small hotels is my favorite place to stay. Every morning we walked out our hotel room door, crossed the street to the beach and walked the wooden walkway looking for sea life (binoculars are a great idea) or combed through the shells and small rocks on the beach searching for moonstones and sea glass – you will find them!

Door County, WI

Often called the Cape Cod of the Midwest, Door County is a peninsula dotted with small towns located on the shores of Lake Michigan. I grew up here and could never figure out why Chicagoans loved coming here in the summer – until I had kids and became a tourist too! Door County is naturally beautiful with several state parks, limestone cliffs, scenic lighthouses and acres of farmland and cherry and apple orchards. There is a thriving arts community with many galleries and several theater companies, including the oldest professional resident summer theater in the United States, Peninsula Players.

There are so many activities to do with kids but our favorites are climbing the Cana Island lighthouse in Baileys Harbor, kayaking over shipwrecks in Sturgeon Bay, riding bikes in Peninsula State Park in Fish Creek (we always see deer and wild turkeys), taking the ferry to Washington Island and art camp at Hands On Art Studio – no ordinary paint-a-piece-of-pottery art studio. And finally, don’t leave Door County without eating like a local – a Friday night perch fish fry, deep fried cheese curds and a brandy old fashion for the adults and a kiddy cocktail for the kids.

Nancy’s Top Vacation Spots

Jardin d’Acclimation in Paris. Photo by Nancy Solomon

Paris, France

Our first European trip was to Paris when our kids were 7, 5 and 3. To date, it’s our favorite European trip. The stunning architecture, vibrant culture, and delicious food were perfect for us grown-ups, while the lovely parks, kid-friendly entertainment and crepes kept my kids smiling. With plenty of local markets to assemble the perfect picnics, we found Paris easy to peruse with kids. The Parisians were more than friendly and delighted to share their city with us. From climbing to the bells at Notre Dame to cruising the Seine River on the Beaux-Mouches, Paris was a perfect place to start our European adventures. We can’t wait to go back.

Turks and Caicos

Unlike a city trip, a beach trip needs to be easy: easy accessibility, easy accommodations and easy lounging. When all of these things come together, you have the makings of a perfect vacation. That’s exactly what we found in Turks and Caicos. Being just a quick, direct flight from most East Coast cities and a small and laid back island makes sinking those toes into the gorgeous white sand beaches simple. Even the snorkeling, diving and fishing are easy because the reefs and drop-offs are just a short distance from the shore.

While, there are plenty of beautiful accommodations to choose from, The Grace Bay Club certainly is one of the most decadent places we’ve stayed. The condo size rooms coupled with personalized one-to-one service, this place was amazing. It is a smaller resort, so the beach is quite. The beach staff kept our drink bucket stocked full of ice and water and even came around in the afternoon with sorbet. The kids program was eco-focused and my kids loved it. All in, this is where my mind drifts when I need an all out break!

San Diego, CA

While the beach and sea are the real attractions in San Diego, there is no need to worry if you are not the type to spend hours sitting on the beach. San Diego offers plenty of outdoor family-friendly activities that will keep the whole family entertained. With amusement parks, museums, zoos and aquariums, San Diego is perfect for families. We spend a month here each year and we never tire of activities and still seem to find new ones each trip. Our favorites are The Zoo, Surf Camp, Sea World, Del Mar Beach, Lego Land, Mission Beach and La Jolla Cove. In addition, you can’t forget the ideal weather – consistently ranging from 65-75 degrees – is perfect almost all year long.

Many of the top-rated family-friendly ski resorts across the US and Canada offer kids ski and/or stay free programs for families with young children. This is a great way to cut some of the brutal expense out of skiing with kids.

We published a Where Can Kids Ski Free in 2010 list last year and it was so popular that I just updated it with 2011 promotions.  Good news, many resorts are still offering great programs for families.  A special shout out to Mt. Bachelor in Oregon where kids under 18 (!) can ski free all season long when accompanying a full paying adult with a multi-day pass.

Skiing at super family-friendly Steamboat Springs

California

Mammoth Mountain

What: Kids ski free all season

Who: Kids 6 and under

Rules: Must accompany a full paying adult.  Available at ticket window. Link with more information.

Colorado

Aspen/Snowmass

What: Kids ski and stay for free from March 1-31 or April 1-24

Who: Kids 7-12

Rules: Must accompany a full paying adult with comparable adult ticket of 4+ days. Must be booked by February 28th. Available from Stay Aspen/Snowmass 877-308-8703.  Link with more information.

Beaver Creek

What: Kids ski free plus get free ski school and ski/snowboard rentals from February 27-March 11

Who: Kids 12 and under

Rules: Available from Vail/Beaver Creek Reservations 800-953-0844. Link with more information.

Steamboat Springs

What: Kids ski free all season

Who: Kids 12 and under

Rules: Must accompany a full paying adult. 5 or more lift day purchase required.

Available from Steamboat Central Reservations 970-871-5252. Link with more information.

Oregon

Mt. Bachelor

What: Kids ski free all season

Who: Kids 18 and under

Rules: Must accompany an adult who purchases a 3 of 5 or 5 of 7 multiday ticket. The child will get the same. Must be purchased online 4 days in advance of trip. Link with more information.

Idaho

Sun Valley

What: Kids stay and ski free most of the season

Who: Kids 15 and under

Rules: Available for one child per skiing parent staying in the same room. Must stay within Sun Valley resort. Not available from from December 24 – January 2, 2011 or February 19-27, 2011. Available from Sun Valley Reservations 800-894-9931.

Utah

Snowbird

What: Kids ski free all season

Who: Kids 6 and under

Rules: Ski chairs for free only.  Tram upgrades are $15 per child but complimentary for Snowbird lodging guests.  Available at ticket window.  Link with more information.

Brighton

What: Kids ski free all season

Who: Kids 7 and under

Rules: Available at ticket window. Link with more information.

Deer Valley

What: Kids ski free

Who: Kids 12 and under

Rules: Receive up to two free tickets for kids with purchase of two adult lift tickets in conjunction with a Lodges at Deer Valley Exceptional Family Package.  Available January 3-13, January 19-February 9, and March 27-April 10. Available at ticket window with voucher.

Vermont

Killington

What: Kids ski free all season

Who: Kids 5 and under and kids 6-12 and under rules below.

Rules: Must accompany a full paying adult who pre-purchases a 5-day Ski Week lift ticket.  Minimum 5-night lodging required.   Purchase online.  Link with more information.

Okemo

What: Kids ski free all season

Who: Kids 6 and under

Rules: Must accompany a full paying adult.  Available at ticket window.  Link with more information.

Wyoming

What: Kids fly, ski, and stay for free

Who: Kids 12 and under

Rules: Must accompany a fare-paying adult who purchases a lift ticket and lodging.  Valid for travel on American Airlines. Available from January 5-February 16 and  February 27-March 10.   Available through Jackson Hole Central Reservations on 888-838-6606.  Link with more information.

Canada

Banff, Alberta

What: Kids ski free all season

Who: Kids 12 and under

Rules: Must accompany a full paying parent. Minimum 5-day lift ticket required. Up to 4 children per paying parent. Available from UltimateSki.ca or call 866-440-1083.

Whistler/Blackcomb, British Columbia

What: Kids ski free all season

Who: Kids 6 and under

Rules: Must accompany a full paying adult.  Available from Whistler/Blackcomb Reservations 866-218-9687. Link with more information.

**

Squaw Valley in Lake Tahoe gets an honorable mention for their package where kids 12 and under ski for $12 every day of the season. Tickets available at the ticket window with a purchase of an adult all-day lift ticket.  This is a great value. Link with more information.

Relevant Links:

Ciao Bambino recommended ski hotels and resorts

Tips for planning a family-friendly ski vacation

Finding family ski resorts and accommodations

Steamboat vacations with kids

Family-friendly recipes for ski weekends

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Grand Mouflon in Les Gets

Does an upscale catered ski chalet in a fantastic family-friendly ski resort complete with ski-out lift access, daily childcare, and inclusive meals sound too good to be true?

It’s not!

We just finished our holiday ski vacation at Les Gets in the French Alps.  After hours and hours of research, I concluded that a hotel for 4 adults and 3 kids was too expensive over the holiday peak period, not to mention too confining for a group.

When you search for family ski holidays in Europe catered chalets come up quickly.  Although we have loads of rental homes in US ski resorts, we don’t have the same category of serviced accommodations—at least at this level.

Chris Thompson, the Managing Director of Ski Famille, wrote an article for us last year on the best family-friendly ski resorts in Europe.  I immediately gave him a call when I narrowed down chalets as our accommodation of choice as his award-winning ski holiday planning company focuses entirely on families. Their tagline? Totally ski. Exclusively family.

Mark, our private chef

What is a catered ski chalet?

At the most basic level, a catered chalet is a holiday home in a ski resort with an in-house private cook who prepares morning and evening meals.  Additional services can include daily housekeeping, concierge services, drivers, and in our case, built-in babysitting.

Anyone who has rented a home over ski season that is not ski-out and does not include meals will understand what I mean when I say that the hassle factor when skiing with kids can be huge. Schlepping to the ski hill with kids and equipment, managing ski school or childcare pick ups, grocery shopping, and cooking most means parents are likely to miss the “skiing” part of their ski holiday. Not good.

Irrespective of the location, the beauty of a catered chalet is that the meals are covered.  You don’t even need to think about what to eat or where and how to buy it.  In addition, you aren’t dealing with restaurants either so kids can get to bed on time. Talk about relaxing!

We loved our manny

What makes a catered ski chalet family-friendly?

Ski Famille takes care of all the little details that may mean “more work, new place” instead of a vacation for parents. Core to the service is that they hire nannies who are at the chalet from 8:30-4:30p each day.  The number of nannies who work a chalet is determined by the age and number of kids. If your kids are too young to ski, you can! If your kids just want 2 hours of ski school, no problem, they take care of it. If your kids only want to ski with you part of the day, no worries. The bottom line is that customization is what makes this kind of holiday work for families with different needs.

Ski Famille offers kids’ meals.  Parents determine when their kids eat (i.e. early or with them), and the kids that stay back at the chalet for childcare get lunch and afternoon tea.

Our chalet also had a playroom complete with games and toys that is perfect for young kids — a safe, fun place for them to do a variety of activities.  Parents leave snow gear handy so kids can go outside for supervised snow play including sledding and ice skating.  The bottom line is the kids aren’t sitting around all day and watching TV. Translation, parents can get some ski time in guilt-free.

They also organized kids’ ski lessons and took care of all drop-offs and pick ups.  The age of your kids determines how much or how little you’ll use their services, but it certainly makes it comfortable and easy when everything is handled for you.

The nannies are equipped to handle all ages. We had babies and school age kids in our chalet and the mix worked perfectly.

The downside?  Like other service-oriented vacations, the pricing is not inexpensive.  That said, our trip was packed with value and most importantly, we all loved our holiday.

Budget aside, are these vacations for every family?  Perhaps not and you need to do your homework before choosing the service provider. Stay tuned for a follow up post on tips for finding the right catered ski chalet.

Relevant Links:

Ciao Bambino recommended ski hotels and resorts

Top family-friendly ski resorts in Europe

Tips for planning a family-friendly ski vacation

Finding family ski resorts and accommodations

Kids ski tips

Isabella York is a Ciao Bambino reader who works for Balsam Hill. She wrote me to ask if she could write a guest post for us on visiting Charleston over the holidays with kids. She spent Christmas last year at this historic city in South Carolina and loved it. An idea for 2011? Happy Holidays!

Christmas is a wonderful time to be with friends and family. Every year, our family comes together to have a big, traditional holiday celebration that is jam-packed with family activities. However, after hosting a hectic holiday season last year, we decided to take a break this coming season and go on a much needed family vacation. Wanting a coastal vacation in a smaller city, we settled on Charleston, South Carolina. A delightful little seaside town, Charleston boasts a rich history and Southern charm that is just irresistible.

Charleston offers a variety of accommodations, from plush hotels and historic inns, to charming little bed and breakfasts and comfortable beach side homes. For our family getaway, I chose a beautiful little cottage on the nearby Sullivan’s Island. Less than 15 minutes away from the downtown area, Sullivan’s Island gives us easy access to the heart of the town and also offers a quiet respite from the hustle and bustle of downtown.

Our first day on vacation usually involves getting settled in, and we take a family walk around the surrounding area to get a feel for it. We also take this time to sample local culinary offerings. Charleston boasts that their charming little town is a foodie’s dream come true, with choices ranging from fantastic seafood, traditional Southern cuisine, to the interesting Lowcountry cuisine.

Lowcountry cooking is strongly influenced by Southern cuisine. It combines the rich diversity of local seafood offerings with Caribbean and African cuisine for a style of cooking that is comparable to New Orleans and Cajun cuisine. Being a family of adventurous eaters, I’ve arranged for us to sample the best Lowcountry cooking that Charleston has to offer at 82 Queen. Voted “Best City Restaurant” by Southern Living readers for three years in a row, we’re excited to sample the superb Lowcountry dishes and mouthwatering desserts at Charleston’s most historic restaurant.

Because of its coastal location, Charleston (formerly Charles Towne) suffered many attacks from land and sea. As such, this small seaside town has amassed years of notable history and lots of character, which can be experienced through the various tours offered in the town. For families with young kids, it’s best to book the carriage tours. Aside from the hours of amusement the children will get from watching the horsey, you’ll can give yourself a break from your tired and painful feet. One great thing about the tours offered at Charleston is their themes. Be sure, when your ready to be back on your feet, to try the Charleston Pirate Tours which tell about the swashbuckling days of Charles Towne (a surefire hit with the kids!) or any of the various ghost tours that will take you through the town’s haunted past and the chilling stories of old and new sightings.

As Charleston is a seaside town, it would be a shame not to take advantage of their various water-related activities. Cruise the historic harbor on a sleek schooner, nibble at fresh oysters while paddling through the tidal marsh, or take in an eco-tour with the family. You can even take a scenic sunset sailboat cruise and enjoy the setting sun while eating feast of sumptuous seafood. I can’t wait!

For a relaxed day, take the kids to the Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry. They can paint murals, run a shrimp boat, create animal masks, and do a number of other activities that will have them grinning for days on end. With facilities and activities for babies, toddlers, and school-age kids, the Children’s Museum can be a godsend for parents who just want a break from all the activities of the past days. Those with pre-teen or teenage kids will enjoy a night at Theatre 99, Charleston’s home for improv theater. Promising “original, never-gonna-see-it-again hilarity”, the theatre offers superb improv, sketch and stand-up comedy, cabaret and other “raucous entertainment for people who groove to something saltier than the mainstream”.

However you and your family decides to spend your time at Charleston, one thing is for sure, the charm and loveliness of the “Best-Mannered” city in the United States will leave you refreshed, happy, and coming back for more.

There are some extra happy Ciao Bambino readers this week! The winners of the Omni Hotel giveaway and 2010 Passports with Purpose fundraiser at the Riviera Palm Springs have now been confirmed.

Omni Hotel Giveaway Winners

Paul Haddock from Leesburg, VA and Page Pastore from Auburn, CA won a free weekend night in any Omni Hotel in the US and Canada.  Congratulations Paul and Page!

Passports with Purpose Winner

Liz Lewis from Christchurch, New Zealand (and writer behind Write to Travel and Perceptive Travel Blog) won a 5-night stay in a Mediterranean Suite plus an incredible dinner at Circa59 restaurant from the Riviera Palm Springs.

Liz told us she never wins anything (love having winners say this!) and she has a really good incentive to plan a trip to the States next year.  Congratulations Liz!

A bit thank you to Omni Hotels and the Riviera Palm Springs for their generous prize donations!  Giving away prizes like this are fun for us and our readers.

Relevant Links:

Holiday meal ideas

Best Europe Christmas Markets

2010 Holiday Events and Activities

Montreux Switzerland Christmas market

Travel gift ideas for kids

Christmas in New York City with kids

Christmas in Rome with kids

Christmas in London with kids

Christmas in Paris with kids

Tips for holidays at Walt Disney World

Best holiday ice skating rinks

It can be difficult (especially for kids) not to be home for the holidays. Sure, there’s the excitement of exploring a different location, be it Grandma and Grandpa’s house in Phoenix or a ski resort in the Alps, but on Christmas morning, you sometimes can’t help but crave the comfort of home.

That’s where the power of food comes in. While there are many things you can’t bring with you when you travel, recipes actually travel quite well! You may be surprised to find how much comfort can come from a home-cooked meal. The scents and sounds from the kitchen, familiar flavors and family gathering to share in a special tradition, that’s what it’s all about.

Start a family tradition this year, by creating a special holiday meal that your whole family will enjoy. Year after year, you and your children will look forward to sharing and preparing this meal together, so that no matter where you’re spending the holidays, it will feel (and smell!) like home.

One Family One Meal has created a selection of dishes to help you plan your holiday menu. For an incredibly simple, yet elegant, option try Italian Pot Roast with Creamy Polenta. It is truly the easiest and most delicious braised meat you’ll ever eat, and it requires just five ingredients! Or if you’re up for spending a bit more time in the kitchen, try our Prime Rib and Potato Gratin. Oozing with amazing flavor, these dishes are true crowd pleasers, for both kids and parents alike. Round out either of these dishes with a side of Sautéed Broccolini. And for dessert, decadent Chocolate Pots de Crème that take just five minutes of prep work! For a great Christmas Eve tradition, try the classic fish stew Cioppino – hint: if you make enough, leftovers can double as an easy lunch the next day! For Christmas morning, the whole family will go crazy for Doughnut Holes, and you’ll love that they can be prepared the day before.

Amanda Haas is the founder of One Family One Meal, a website offering simple family-friendly recipes, menu plans, and customizable shopping and budgeting tools. By following her helpful tips, families can save hundreds of dollars every year and eat nutritious meals together.

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This is a guest post from Monique Rubin, a freelance travel blogger who lives in the Netherlands and blogs about family travel and expat life. A contributor to Examiner.com and TravelMom.com and a frequent guest blogger, she documents her travel adventures with her family from Amsterdam to Zanzibar.

Nothing gets you into the holiday spirit in Europe like a Christmas market. These markets, which originated in Germany, can now be found in many cities throughout European. I’ve been to several over the years and here are my picks of the best Christmas markets for festive family fun.

Dusseldorf

The gingerbread houses of this market have different themes and are sprinkled throughout the city. The one on Schadowplatz with its huts adorned with large Santa Claus hats, merry-go-round and activities specifically for children is particularly family-friendly.

While in Düsseldorf, take time to walk down the city’s shopping street, Konigsallee with its giant chestnut trees brilliantly illuminated with thousands of twinkling lights.

Prague

Brightly decorated wooden huts which occupy the Old Town Square, Wenceslas (he of the Christmas carol) Square, Namesti Republky and Havelske Trziste are the hallmark of the Prague Christmas market where you will find Czech handicrafts and glass, wooden toys and Christmas tree ornaments. Take the children to the animals stable in the Old Town Square where they can pet sheep, goats and a donkey. The Old Town Square is also home to a cozy wooden cabin with daily workshops where kids can make participate in fun holiday activities and a stage where Christmas carols and concerts are performed daily.

Berlin

While most Christmas markets have a bit of rustic charm, there’s no denying the buzz that comes from being in such a lively, urban setting like Berlin. The city’s sixty markets are as varied and diverse as its neighborhoods. Kids of all ages will want to experience “WinterMagic” at Potsdamer Platz, which features Europe’s largest toboggan run. Also at Potsdamer Platz is the Christmas market at Sony Centre, and next door, Legoland Discovery Center.

Families will also enjoy the WeihnachtsZauber on Gendermenmarkt, one of Berlin’s most beautiful squares. Small and intimate, this market also features an extensive daily performance program of choirs, dance ensembles, acrobats and theater. Gendermenmarkt charges a fee of € 1.00. However, children up to age 12 are free.

Paris

The city of lights shines even brighter during the holiday season with a number of traditional Christmas markets throughout the city. The Champs Elysees is home to one of the city’s main Christmas markets. As you make you’re your way through the market along this grand avenue, you’ll find chestnuts roasting on a open fire and maybe even Jack Frost nipping at your nose, especially if you visit the market’s ice sculpture festival “Around the World”. After you’ve finished at the market, take the kids for a ride on La Grande Roue (“big ferris wheel”) which offers beautiful views of the city.

For more Photo Friday posts head over to Delicious Baby.

Photos courtesy of Monique Rubin

Relevant Links:

Montreux Switzerland Christmas market

Travel gift ideas for kids

Christmas in New York City with kids

Christmas in Rome with kids

Christmas in London with kids

Christmas in Paris with kids

Tips for holidays at Walt Disney World

Best holiday ice skating rinks

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For many, the holidays mean travel. Making the trek to family on the other side of the country, escaping to a beach in Mexico, or skiing. Spending the holiday somewhere special has its perks, but my family does an amazing amount of excursions over the weekends leading up to (and after) Christmas and New Year’s. We may not be hopping on and off of planes, but we’re definitely hitting the road to take advantage of the whirlwind of great “holiday things” on the calendar.

Of course, an excursion for one family may be a major undertaking for another, but here’s a list of special holiday happenings from coast-to-coast.

Theme Park Parties in Florida and Southern California

The Happiest Place on Earth knows how to throw a great Christmas party. In Orlando, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, is held on select nights in December. Snow falls on Main Street, fireworks explode in the air and a jolly holiday parade with special appearance by Santa himself. You need to purchase a separate admission ticket for the event, the park closes to regular visitors, but the extra cost is well worth the smaller crowds. See our recent post with tips for visiting Disney World over the holidays for more information.

In Southern California, Disneyland dresses up for the holiday with thousands of lights, fireworks and its own snow show. There’s no separate admission ticket to purchase. The Merriest Place on Earth adds holiday flair to some of its better-known rides like “It’s a Small World.” But don’t expect small crowds; just like Walt Disney World, the holidays at Disneyland have become a tradition for many families, so be ready to pull out that holiday cheer when you’re waiting in line. Make your Disneyland hotel reservations early.

Nutcracker in a Nutshell in San Diego

Treat your ballerina to Tchaikovsky’s holiday classic, in a sweet abridged performance at The Grand Del Mar in San Diego. After dining on family-friendly tea sandwiches and French pastries, sit back and relax for a mini rendition of “The Nutcracker Suite” performed by the Scripps Performing Arts Academy. Just forty-five minutes in length, the show is the perfect length for young attention spans. A portion of ticket sales is donated to Isabella’s Giraffe Club, a non-profit organization committed to providing emotional and educational support for parents with infants in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

Skating Through the Holiday from Coast-to-Coast

I don’t like to be cold. My idea of a great vacation almost always involves warm water and a beach. But I love going ice skating with my kids.

When I’ve only got a few hours, I glide close to home at the Redwood Empire Ice Arena. The swiss chalet-style indoor ice rink, built by Peanuts creator Charles M. Schulz, takes on the feel of a Victorian Winter Wonderland and the Christmas tree stays at center ice through the holidays.

When we’ve got a whole day to spare, we head to the Holiday Ice Rink in San Francisco’s Union Square. We skate until we can’t feel our feet anymore, then go to Macy’s to ohh and ahh over the adoptable pups and kittens in the store’s Holiday Windows. Folks from the San Francisco SPCA will help you find the perfect match. Over the past six years, nearly 2,000 animals have found new homes thanks to the Macy’s Holiday Windows. If you’re looking to adopt an animal, I can’t think of more memorable way to find a furry friend.

High on my list of holiday must-dos is skating by the sea in Southern California. The Hotel del Coronado has a seasonal outdoor rink that overlooks the Pacific Ocean. If the view weren’t enough, a portion of the skating proceeds go to the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of San Diego.

New Yorkers and holiday travelers crowd the world-famous Ice Rink at Rockefeller Center. But don’t lace up your skates until you’ve got your ticket. All skating is on a first come first served basis, so be prepared for one to one-and-a-half hour lines in November and December.

MummersFest & Parade in Philadelphia

New York’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is televised across the country, but if you ask me, the holiday parade that should be on everyone’s must-see list happens in Philadelphia on New Year’s Day. The Mummers Parade has helped the City of Brotherly Love welcome the New Year since 1901, yet has remained one of the East Coast’s best kept secrets.

What are Mummers, you ask? More than 10-thousand strong, the volunteer marchers spend all year working on large, elaborate costumes, floats and props. Come the first of the year, they strut their stuff. My favorite part of the parade is the string band performances. String Band members wear fabulously fancy and fabulously heavy costumes while playing saxophones, banjos, accordions, violins and percussion instruments.Bundle up the kids and go and go. It’s a New Year’s Day you won’t ever forget. If you’re afraid of the cold, or got other plans for the New Year, head to Mummersfest. Held the week between Christmas and New Year’s, the event offers a behind-the-scenes look at everything Mummer, inside the Philadelphia Convention Center.

The New Year Smells Rosy in Pasadena

More than 50 million Americans enjoy a rosy start to the New Year, compliments of the Rose Parade. The floral extravaganza is televised all over the world. In Pasadena, California, an estimated 700-thousand more line the streets so they can truly catch a fragrant whiff. 2011 marks the 122^nd Anniversary of the parade. Plan your dates correctly and you could hit the Rose Parade and Disneyland in one fun-filled long weekend.

An Explosive New Year in Seattle

Seattle’s Space Needle gets decked out for the holidays, but the festivities really get explosive on New Year’s Eve, when the famous landmark hosts the world’s tallest structure launched fireworks show. Thousands of people brave the crowds to watch the display from the base of the Space Needle, while hundreds of thousands more watch from surrounding neighborhoods. Be sure to hang around for a few days after the holiday, as Seattle has its fair share of family-friendly activities.

Relevant Links:

Travel gift ideas for kids & Omni Hotel giveaway

Christmas in New York City with kids

Christmas in Rome with kids

Christmas in London with kids

Christmas in Paris with kids

Tips for holidays at Walt Disney World

Best holiday ice skating rinks

Holiday shopping mania is in full swing.  There are holiday gift lists circulating all over the web right now. The upside?  No shortage of information and suggestions.  The downside?  Sifting through all the articles is yet another chore we don’t have time for!

If travel gifts are on your mind, we have fantastic travel gift ideas for kids on CB. Plus, if you don’t see something you like on our list, we’re getting loads of comments from Ciao Bambino readers with additional suggestions.  Be sure and check out the comments too!

I’ll also be adding links to other great kid-friendly holiday gift lists I find in my own research to the bottom of the article.

To inspire CB readers to contribute gift ideas, we’re giving away two certificates for a free weekend night at any Omni Hotel in the US and Canada.  This means odds are even better that you can win a much-needed night away and use your certificate in a location that is appealing and convenient. To enter, just add a comment about your favorite travel gift at the bottom of our kids’ gift ideas post.  It takes two seconds and the reward is worth it.

Speaking of travel paraphernalia, see what the Travel Blog Mob is saying about travel gear this week: Smart Alec Backpack Review on The Vacation Gals, Best Holiday Gifts for Travelers on Wanderlust and Lipstick, Favorite Travel Gear by Traveling with MJ, Gearing Up by Nerd’s Eye View, Top Ten Travel Gift Recommendations for 2010 by Wandering Educators, The History of Travel Gear by Sharing Travel Experiences, and Reviews of the Best Socks for Travel by Spot Cool Stuff.

Ciao Bambino Holiday Articles:

Christmas in Rome

Christmas in Paris

Christmas in London

Christmas in New York

Holiday activities on the West Coast (USA)

Cities with great holiday ice skating rinks