Going o­n Vacation With Your Children
by Andrew Westforth
webmaster@fhttravel.com

So, you've decided to go o­n a family vacation - but where to?  There are several different places that you can go with your whole family, and some of them are better than others.  When you're thinking about traveling with children, especially, you should definitely make that a major deciding point when you're trying to figure out where to go.

The most common travel mistake with children is Las Vegas or Reno in Nevada.  While the tourism industries of both cities have been trying to make the towns into family vacation destinations (Las Vegas a bit more than Reno), these towns are not originally geared toward family.

There is very little in either city that is great for children, and anything that is can be easily replicated in other locations.  Besides, if you're planning o­n going to Las Vegas, you probably plan o­n doing at least a little gambling - which is something you should save for an adults-o­nly vacation getaway.

The preferred choice for many parents with children is Disney theme parks. These parks are often the best choice for children over five and under twelve. Children over twelve may well still like it, too. Children under five, especially those under three, might find it difficult to spend the whole day there and later they will hardly remember their visit to Disney.

A vacation with children at a Disney park demands lots of energy and is hardly the best place for a relaxing trip. Very often Disney parks are crowded and there are always new attractions o­ne must see. For younger children, the afternoon especially, might turn into a real punishment.

Hawaii is the place for a more relaxed family vacation with children. Though Hawaii is not specifically targeted towards children, different Hawaiian Islands offer many attractions that are suitable for children.

Hawaii is a good choice for slightly older children -- let's say over ten -- because many of its attractions are geared to individuals over that age. For instance Pearl Harbor ~ younger children will have no way to understand what is so special about that place.

Another nice idea for family vacations with children is cruise ships. Again, there are several things o­ne should know in advance. First, while o­n a cruise ship with your family, it is to be expected that you will have to share a room and there will be not enough space for everybody. If you spend most of the time outside and visit your cabin o­nly to have some sleep, things might be not so bad.

You should also consider that cruise ship vacations may not be the best choice for teenagers.  This is due to the fact that most of the children's programs are designed for children 12 and under, and teenagers are not quite old enough to participate in the entertainment designed for adults (for instance, lounges and casinos).  The benefit of a cruise is that you'll get to see breathtaking ocean views and visit several different ports.  Keep your eyes open for whales!

The conclusion is that choosing the destination for your family vacation is firmly up to you! You are the o­ne who knows best what is interesting for your children and what is not. Take into account what is suitable for them and what is preferred by you, choose a destination or vacation package which offers the best combination of things which appeal to all of you -- and you're halfway to a great trip already.