A thrilling double-launch roller coaster and a hands-on animal learning experience all rolled into one. Only one amusement park can deliver on that kind of promise. At SeaWorld San Diego, folks young and old are lining up for their chance to fly.

Manta Roller Coaster

I’m not what you would call a roller coaster aficionado, but Manta is different than any ride I’ve ever been on. After being latched in securely in a manta ray shaped train, riders roll into a tunnel with underwater images of rays …

If you live in Europe or are there for a trip without kids this winter, a two-night getaway to Whitepod, an eco-luxury hotel in Switzerland, is the ultimate romantic escape. 40 geodesic tents (pods) perched over a valley overlook fantastic Alpine scenery. It’s definitely glamping – not camping – as each pod includes a wood stove, a cozy bed, and a complete bathroom. The tent stays toasty but one parent must stoke the fire all night long. Part of the fun!

What inspired you to take a round-the-world sabbatical with kids?

There were so many reasons to do it. We’ve always been a traveling family. I am a travel writer by profession and my husband and I traveled as a couple before we were kids. It has just always made sense to take them with us.

When we began planning this particular trip we quickly realized the impact an opportunity like this could have on the rest of their lives. We wanted to introduce them to people …

There is a reason that Alaska is high on many family travel bucket lists. An Alaska family vacation is a little mysterious, a little off the beaten path and full of adventurous activities and wildlife. It’s impossible not to get caught up in Alaska when you visit because you are surrounded and immersed in the destination.

Skiing is one of the best family vacations ever. The only downside is that this beloved sport is expensive. Once you add in lessons, lodging, equipment, and tickets, skiing becomes cost prohibitive for families. Fortunately, family-friendly ski resorts are plentiful and many are doing their best to take the sting out of the cost by offering ‘kids ski free’ deals.

At some resorts, this perk is just for very young children so the benefit is short-lived. While at others like Keystone Resort, Steamboat, Mt. Bachelor, Killington, and Sun Valley, school-age kids get a big break too.

One of the most challenging parts of international travel with kids is enabling them to really engage with a new culture. It’s the difference between being an observer versus a participant; the latter creates the biggest impact. Ways to accomplish this include kid-friendly walking tours or taking a class — anything that brings kids and locals together in an interactive way.

During our extraordinary family tour of Morocco, Kensington Tours organized a lunch in a home. This authentic glimpse of Moroccan life was a trip highlight for all of us.

The mountain scenery in the Dolomites, located in the northern Italian Alps, is off-the-charts spectacular. If there’s a place where “skiing isn’t just skiing” and the trek to get there is worth the time and expense, this is it. UNESCO-protected, the region’s distinctive limestone cliffs are the backdrop for over 1,200km of pistes, including the unbelievable 36km Sella Ronda loop that can be covered in a single — very focused — ski day.

We spent our ski break here last winter and discovered the Dolomites is a family ski holiday …

As if you needed one more reason to head to family-friendly Keystone Resort in Colorado for the 2012-13 ski season …Vail Resorts recently announced that all children years old and under can ski and snowboard every day for free. There’s no cap on the number of children included per family and no black out dates, including ALL weekends and holidays!

This is an interview with Franci Kursh about her family’s vacation at Club Med Sandpiper Bay with ten family members including four kids ages 6 to 12.

Why did you choose a Club Med vacation?

At Club Med every member of the family gets to do a little bit of what they want. Given that there are so many activities offered at the resort itself, there are no logistical nightmares. We could all do what we wanted without endless discussion.

Paso Robles, located off Highway 101 midway between San Francisco and Los Angeles, is one of America’s fastest growing wine regions. We passed through Paso on countless road trips when I was a kid, but we never thought of it as an appealing destination for a California family getaway. No so anymore!

We spent the Columbus Day holiday here and enjoyed every minute; there’s loads to do for wine and food loving parents traveling with kids of all ages.