Explore new places with your family in the year ahead. Here are five cities with something to share in 2012: Cuenca, Ecuador. The old section of this charming, family-friendly city in the Andes has been designated a world cultural heritage site by UNESCO. Enjoy early morning bike tours through narrow…

  As nature parades her fall colors, share the glory with your family. Here are ten spectacular places where the crisp air will invigorate every member of your crew: 1.Purity Spring Resort. East Madison, NH. Check in to this family-owned getaway and enjoy apple picking, country fairs, and antique shopping in the picturesque… -->

  Learn to sail or relax and let the wind ( and your ship’s captain ) set your course. Spending time on the water gives family travelers a chance to reconnect and see the world from a different point of view. Here are seven ways to set sail with your family…

Cape: A small peninsula or finger of land that extends into the sea. Cape vacation: A chance for you and your family to explore seaside locations that combine adventure, beauty, sea breezes and a touch of history.  Here are five Cape destinations to launch your holiday planning:  1.Cape Hatteras National…

When I’m traveling on my own or with family, I always learn something. That’s part of the thrill for me.  In an era where politics and history are playing an important role, why not fold the notion into your travel planning.  Here are a few places where you and your…

Hotels and resorts, from Maine to Mexico, recognize the importance of focused family time. Here are five places with amenities designed to keep kids and their parents happy: 1.       The Benjamin Hotel. New York, NY. This Manhattan eco-hotel helps families focus on a good night’s sleep. Through the Winks’ Kidzzz Club,…

On your next holiday, stay somewhere surprising. Here are a hand full of out of the ordinary options:   Kokopelli's Cave Bed & Breakfast, Farmington, NM. Not far from the Four Corners where Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado and Utah converge, you’ll find this underground sanctuary, originally created as a one-of-a-kind office for… This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ."> This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . ( their website is under development) 

Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica. No oxygen masks required when you check in to stay inside this refurbished Boeing 727 fuselage. Located in the jungle, minutes from the Manuel Antonia National Park, the whole family will enjoy the unique lodging that once served as transport for South Africa Air. The aircraft now rests atop a 50 foot pedestal, offering magnificent views of the treetops and ocean in the distance. Kids will love telling their friends about relaxing on the deck and communing with the local residents that include toucans, squirrel monkeys and sloths. Sleeps six in two air-conditioned bedrooms. Contact: 1 (866) 854-7958; www.costaverde.com/727.html 

Big Bay Lighthouse, Big Bay, and MI. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this lighthouse is run by three avid preservationists eager to share local history. Their goal is to maintain the romance of an era when mariners relied on the skill of a Light Keeper to bring them safely through this challenging stretch of Michigan coastline. Today visitors enjoy the peaceful solitude of the pristine location on Lake Superior. Hiking, biking, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing are available on 40 acres of trails. A full breakfast is included. For safety reasons, children must be 16 or older. Contact: (906) 345-9957; www.Bigbaylighthouse.com. To discover other lighthouses that welcome overnight guests visit: www.USLHS.org. 

Houseboat Holiday, Boston MA. Book the 58-foot Cuckoo’s Nest house boat docked in Boston’s Charlestown Navy Yard to begin your floating holiday. Fall asleep to the sounds of waves gently lapping in the harbor. Relax on the roof top sun deck then hop aboard a free shuttle bus, water taxi, or water shuttle and head into the city for sightseeing and dinner. Children and pets are welcome. Explore houseboat getaway options in Baltimore, Annapolis and Philadelphia. Contact: 413-652-1400; www.SleepAfloat.com. 

Mary Jane’s Farm. Moscow, ID. Check into a stylish wall tent on Mary Jane Butters’ farm and the worries of the world will melt away. Gather your own eggs for breakfast. Pick vegetables you’ll enjoy for lunch. Visit the library housed in a barn. Burn calories helping out with farm chores. Relax in the outdoor living room area nestled in a grove of plum trees. Go for a hike or play cards or board games. Later get clean in the outdoor tub or showers. Contact: 888-750-6004; www.MaryJanesFarm.org.

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Enjoy the gorgeous gardens dotted throughout Massachusetts. Get outside, inhale the sweet aromas of flowers in bloom. Enjoy!Berkshire Botanical Garden, StockbridgeFifteen acres includes display gardens, an arboretum, and interpretive woodland trail. More than 3,000 species and varieties of plants are exhibited. Mother’s Day Weekend is the 34th Annual Plant Sale-- Calling all… This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

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Every day should be Earth Day celebration. Here are some special ways we can honor our beautiful planet. Take part! Enjoy a Farm Stay. Get close to the land by planning a farm stay. You’ll wake to a rooster call or the sounds of other barnyard animals welcoming in the…

First time casters and veteran anglers enjoy the natural places that enable a fly fishing vacation. Test your tippet deep in the wilderness or perfect your back casts on the resort lawn.   Gather your gear. Then enjoy the beauty and art of fly fishing:  LL Bean Outdoor Discovery School.…