Cynthia J. Drake

Family on Boat; Courtesy of Max Topchi/Shutterstock.com

6 Things You Didn’t Know You Can Rent on Vacation

by Cynthia J. Drake

With the rise of the sharing economy, most people know that renting someone’s private condo or even their car is not only possible, but easily…

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Mom Splashing With Kids at Fountain in City; Courtesy of MNStudio/Shutterstock.com

What to Pack for a Summer City Vacation With Kids: 12 Essentials to Bring

by Cynthia J. Drake

If you’re heading out for a city vacation this summer, you’ve probably planned a well-rounded itinerary filled with museums, parks and public transit (for suburban…

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Boy Playing With Toy Boat on Beach; Courtesy of LeManna/Shutterstock.com

Cruise vs. All inclusive Resort: Which One Is Right for Your Next Family Vacation?

by Cynthia J. Drake

When you’re looking for an easy vacation that requires minimal hassle, planning and decision-making, your two best options are a cruise or all-inclusive resort. Both…

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Grayhaven Motel; Courtesy of Grayhaven Motel

9 U.S. Motels That Are (Almost) As Fun As Resorts

by Cynthia J. Drake

 Motels, usually characterized as roadside hotel stops for budget-conscious travelers, have been occasionally subject to a less-than-positive reputation over the years. But motels make…

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Woman On The Beach; Courtesy of mimagephotography/Shutterstock.com

12 Ways to Look and Feel Sexy on Your Next Beach Vacation

by Cynthia J. Drake

To paraphrase an oft-quoted remark about having children, just because you’re a mom doesn’t mean you’re dead. Moms can and should embrace their sexiness, however…

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Family Walking on Caribbean Beach; Courtesy of TravnikovStudio/Shutterstock.com

What to Pack for the Caribbean: 13 Essentials for Families

by Cynthia J. Drake

Your family is headed to the Caribbean for a much needed getaway filled with sun, sea and sand. The only thing that’s left to do:…

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Lazy River at Hilton Orlando; Courtesy of Hilton Orlando

4 Best Non-Disney Hotels Near Disney World

by Cynthia J. Drake

 Many families love giving their kids the full Walt Disney World experience, but let’s face it: sometimes you just need a little down time…

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Luxury Villa at Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita; Courtesy of Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita

6 Luxurious Mexico Villas You Can Rent for Your Next Vacation

by Cynthia J. Drake

Few destinations offer the combination of value, historical and cultural sightseeing, relaxation and beauty as Mexico. To enhance your vacation, consider booking a villa, or…

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child feet plane seat; Courtesy of NadyaEugene/Shutterstock

7 Things You Should Never Let Your Child Do on the Plane

by Cynthia J. Drake

Airplane travel with children is often stressful for the whole family. You’re taking your kid out of his or her normal routine, possibly combating tiredness…

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Cruise Ship; Courtesy of NAPA/Shutterstock.com

7 Things You’ll Regret Not Packing for Your Family Cruise

by Cynthia J. Drake

A cruise is a great vacation option for families because of the no-fuss, unpack-once-and-enjoy appeal of a floating hotel. The only drawback of this arrangement,…

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Woman Reading a Book on the Beach; Courtesy of wavebreakmedia/Shutterstock.com

7 Surprising Benefits of a Kid-Free Vacation

by Cynthia J. Drake

My friend Jennifer and I recently found ourselves relaxing on a beach in Corsica, France, on a perfect October day during a two-week Mediterranean cruise.…

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Mom and Daughter in Cozy Cabin; Courtesy ofAlena Ozerova/Shutterstock.com

Skip the Gifts? Why You Should Choose a Vacation Rental for the Holidays Instead

by Cynthia J. Drake

Each year, more and more families are switching up their holiday traditions by opting for a vacation rental instead of their own home. Vacation rental…

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Father and Kids With Carry-On Bags at Airport; Courtesy of LightField Studios/Shutterstock.com

7 Carry-On Bags That Take the Stress Out of Travel

by Cynthia J. Drake

In an era of tighter restrictions on carry-on luggage, families are often scrambling to come up with good solutions for toting all their necessities on…

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Museum of the American Revolution; Courtesy of Visit Philadelphia

9 Historic Sites Your Kids Won’t Learn About in School

by Cynthia J. Drake

 Many of us have at least a couple recollections of doze-worthy history lessons in school, where rote memorizations of battlefields and dates felt as…

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Kids Playing in Fall Leaves; Courtesy of FamVeld/Shutterstock.com

12 Ridiculously Affordable Fall Vacations for 2019

by Cynthia J. Drake

We’ve put together a guide to our favorite super-cheap U.S. destinations for fall, with affordable accommodations and activities in mind. These are the best budget-friendly…

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A [Tongue-in-Cheek] Guide to Surviving the Oregon Trail With Kids in 2018

by Cynthia J. Drake

The Oregon Trail was a brutal journey 175 years ago, slightly more fun when it was remade into a game, and miles better in person…

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Vacation Injury; Courtesy of Robert Przybysz/Shutterstock.com

Ouch! What to Do If Your Child Gets Sick or Injured on Vacation

by Cynthia J. Drake

On vacation with a sick or injured kid? Medical professionals share their advice for dealing with the unexpected health care emergency while traveling.

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7 Most Underrated Family Vacations in the U.S.

by Cynthia J. Drake

In these U.S. destinations, you’re less likely to find crowds and more likely to find hidden gems and cool experiences to share with your kids.…

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Passport; Courtesy of Tawan Jz/Shutterstock.com

8 Things That Will Ruin Your Vacation If You Forget to Pack Them

by Cynthia J. Drake

If there’s something that could be forgotten while packing for a trip, I guarantee my family has forgotten it. You’d think that after years of…

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5 Safest Countries for Family Vacations 2018

by Cynthia J. Drake

Based on results from the Travel Risk Map, these are the five safest countries you can visit for a family vacation in 2018.

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What Should I Do If My Child Cries on the Plane?

by Cynthia J. Drake

We’ve all been there – you are not alone. Therapists, travel experts, and other parents like you share their tactics for handling the tough travel…

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How to Survive a Flight Delay with Kids

by Cynthia J. Drake

How do you deal with a flight delay (or worse – a cancellation) and not lose your cool while traveling with kids? We asked a…

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Conestoga Wagon Camping at Capitol Reef Resort; Courtesy of Capitol Reef Resort

14 Most Unusual Overnight Experiences for Families

by Cynthia J. Drake

Lighthouses and teepees appeal to our sense of imagination, and amazingly, families can stay in some of these lodgings overnight! Pack your bags and your…

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9 Best Life Jackets for Kids 2020

by Cynthia J. Drake

Life jacket use – whether in the pool, at the beach or on a boat – is one important step families can take to help…

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Little Girl Playing with Sand Toys on the Beach;NadyaEugene/Shutterstock.com

10 Best Pool and Beach Toys You Can Pack

by Cynthia J. Drake

We took a look at the coolest beach and pool toys and assembled a list for your next pre-trip Amazon shopping spree. Stock up on…

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