All Over the Map
Central America
Trips that make the whole family happy
When they were toddlers, my children’s level of enthusiasm for a destination largely mirrored my own, whether fake or real. I don’t want to brag, but I could shamelessly promote just about any trip and make them believe it was their idea. How about an awesome long drive up the entire New Jersey Turnpike!? I more »
Family Farm to Table Vacation in Costa Rica
There’s something uniquely gratifying about waking up on a misty morning to a rooster’s crow, tumbling out of bed, slipping on some rubber boots, and heading down to the barn to feed pigs, milk a cow, and collect eggs. An hour later, as you pour thick, fresh milk into a cup of local coffee and more »
Language Immersion Vacation “En Familia”
In the words of Italian filmmaker Federico Fellini, “A different language is a different vision of life.” As I learned from the a local Mount Vernon-area family, a family immersion vacation is a great way to expose children to a different culture and lifestyle, receive excellent language instruction from native speakers, and discover a new more »
Plan B: When a change of course saves the vacation
This post is reprinted from my August 30, 2011 column in Mount Vernon Patch. I’m writing this week’s column sitting on the breezy patio of Mango Moon, a charming boutique hotel outside Manuel Antonio National Park on the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica. It’s no easy task, as the sweeping view of the Pacific Ocean more »
Animal Sanctuaries Help Foster a Passion for Conservation
This post was first published on June 5, 2011 as a guest blog on World School Adventures. One of the greatest educational travel experiences we’ve had as a family (three boys plus mom and dad) has been to visit animal rescue centers. The staff members and volunteers we’ve encountered have been universally friendly and knowledgeable more »
