Montana's Flathead Lake Lodge

Family Fun at Park Hyatt Beaver Creek

Who needs a graham cracker when you can eat a burnt marshmallow right off a stick?

I've long been a fan of the Park Hyatt Beaver Creek for it's incredible Allegria Spa, spacious rooms with dark wood and sophisticated accents, and its enviable location at the base of the Colorado's Beaver Creek mountain -- easy access to skiing in the [Read more]

Dolphin and Whale Watching Cruises in Los Angeles

blue whale fluke whale watch cruise (dolphinsafari.com)

January isn't typically thought of as a top month to vacation in Los Angeles (except perhaps for fans of the Rose Bowl Parade). This winter, though, there's such a plethora of whales and dolphins off the coast of Los Angeles, that it's worth the trip for [Read more]

Lapakahi State Historical Park Hike in Hawaii

Tree at Lapakahi State Historical Park Trail (Jennifer Miner)

It's always at least a little breezy at Lapakahi State Historical Park, and the day I was there, it was so windy that my younger daughter almost got blown off her feet. This is on the dry, leeward side of Hawaii's Big Island, up north past all the luxury [Read more]

Experience THE RIDE – Unique Multimedia Entertainment in New York City

the ride bus manhattan

I wasn't exactly sure what my family and I were getting into when we secured tickets to experience THE RIDE. I tried explaining what little I knew to my mom, who'd planned to accompany me on the tour: "We get on a bus, with stadium-style seating, so we're [Read more]

Playing Catch-up with Travel Writer Kayt Sukel, Author of a New Book about S-E-X (in Part, Anyway)

book cover dirty minds

Three years ago, we spoke with Kayt Sukel, a freelance writer and Travel Savvy Mom, about her favorite family travel destinations--and her favorite travel memories with her son, Chet.  Since then, she's made a few changes.  She has moved back to the states [Read more]

Egypt and Greece Travel with Adventures by Disney

Family Travel to see the Sphinx of Giza (adventuresbydisney.com)

Adventures by Disney takes family travel to the next level. My own family participated in the Southwest Splendors Adventures by Disney travel program several years ago, and my kids still talk warmly about Sedona and Grand Canyon National Park. Now, the new [Read more]

Favorite Travel Posts from 2011

ph-flag-memorial

I know it's cliche, but at this time of year -- as 2011 comes to a close -- I can't help but reflect on what a good year it's been for The Vacation Gals. As always, we've enjoyed sharing our firsthand travel tips and vacation destinations with our loyal [Read more]

Hiking Trail on Hawaii’s Kohala Coast

Ala Kahakai Hiking Trail on Hawaii Island's Kohala Coast (Jennifer Miner)

The Big Island of Hawaii has many nature trails and hiking paths. One hiking path on the Big Island (also called Hawaii Island) is the most child-friendly leg of the Ala Kahakai Trail. This mile-and-a-half part of the trail connects two oceanfront hotels on [Read more]

Book Your Riviera Maya Vacation with LocoGringo.com

LG_sunlogo_ylw

Don't let the name of this brilliant booking site fool you! It might be an irreverent term for "crazy white person," but the folks behind this Riviera Maya vacation reservation website are anything but nuts -- LocoGringo.com agents are friendly, patient and [Read more]

Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Hollywood

Hogwarts is Coming to Universal Studios Hollywood (NBCUniversal)

This has been a pretty big year in terms of theme park news. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Orlando broke all kinds of attendance records, and added to the significant lift that Orlando as a whole saw in terms of family travel visits. [Read more]