Many families prefer renting apartments in European cities as they offer more value and living space than traditional hotel rooms.

My issue with apartments is that standalone units can be a quality risk unless you are diligent about checking references (see my post on finding the best family-friendly vacation rental for more tips and links to resources). Moreover, the management of an apartment may be nonexistent which leaves you without someone to help with planning and logistics in a foreign environment.

I stayed at one of our longtime Ciao Bambino Approved properties last summer, Internazionale Domus, and was reminded why this apart-hotel is such an exceptional option for families visiting Rome.

Located on – literally – one of the most coveted and picturesque squares in Rome, the Piazza di Spagna, Internazionale Domus guests need only to walk out their door to be immersed in their adventure. Many of Rome’s major attractions are walking distance from here, not to mention that wandering the streets in this neighborhood is a joyous activity in and of itself.

Recently named the number one resort in the United States by Condé Nast Traveler readers, The Resort at Pelican Hill is a unique destination. It’s located on the Newport Coast, between Laguna Beach and Newport Beach in Orange County, California on a gorgeous strip of hilly coastline.

While not directly on the beach, the resort sits on a hillside that offers spectacular views of the ocean and Catalina Island.

Families are traveling. This isn’t news, particularly to anyone that has vacationed over the past few years — kids are everywhere!

The difference now is where people want to take their children. We took a quick bucket list poll on our Facebook page and even this brief snapshot is telling; target family travel destinations for 2012 include Ireland, Umbria (Italy), Costa Rica, Dubai, South Africa, Istanbul (Turkey), and Canada. Parents want to experience the world with their children; gone are the days when kids need to be “old enough” to travel abroad.

Sometimes I wonder how my family fits it all in. Life with a teen and tween is busier than I ever imagined which makes me appreciate our time together traveling even more.

It’s time to explore new places and relax, instead of finishing homework and racing off to swim practice. We’ve been incredibly fortunate to visit some fabulous places this year. And along with great destinations came equally impressive family-friendly hotels and resorts.

It’s a shame Omni Hotels aren’t in every city in the US as the staff are always courteous, the rooms are consistently lovely and the level of kid-friendliness has my girls anticipating every visit.

During a recent trip to the Dallas area we were privileged to stay in the Kid’s Fanatasy Suite at the Omni Mandalay at Los Colinas. This 2 room suite on the 23rd floor can be described only as incredible.

Kimpton Hotels recently hosted five writers in five cities across the country as part of a holiday blogger getaway event.

My family loves Kimpton as this kid-friendly brand offers a fresh departure from typical hotels with updated décor and whimsical themes. We stayed at Hotel Marlowe in Cambridge for our family getaway and it was quite a treat!

Can you imagine a world without books or libraries? Books stir up our imagination and open our eyes to the bigger world around us — much like travel does. That’s why we love this year’s Passports with Purpose fundraiser.

For the fourth year in a row, travel bloggers around the world will unite to raise funds for a charity. After last year’s success, $64,000 raised to help build housing in India, Passports with Purpose is aiming to raise $80,000 to build two libraries in Zambia.

When we travel to destinations in remote regions where day-to-day life for local people is a struggle, we try and select accommodations that support the communities around them.

Fortunately for all, Sustainable Tourism is fast-growing around the world. If your kids are old enough to process the shift in how people live versus what they are used to seeing at home, staying in accommodations that are deeply integrated …

Carmel is one of my favorite family getaways. If I didn’t call Northern California Wine Country home, I could easily see myself having a Carmel area code. Locals are lucky. They have mountains and the sea and everything in between. So do visitors who hang their hat at Carmel Valley Ranch.

Readers have been gushing about Carmel Valley Ranch since it got its $35 million makeover. When my family was offered the opportunity to explore the property, I jumped at the chance. Now I can’t wait to go back.