My family recently visited Cuba for the first time, and as with most of our vacations, we did so by cruise ship. Since we’ve come back, a lot of our friends and readers have asked us for tips on how to make the most of a visit to Cuba with …

In our house we choose the Caribbean when we want an easy vacation. Beach, umbrella drinks, some sightseeing options in case we want a break from our lounge chairs and beach reading.  Whether we choose a resort or rent a beach house even a simple vacation takes some planning. To …

If your family prefers a quieter Caribbean vacation than some of the mega resorts offer, consider an escape to the village of West End on Grand Bahama Island, the Bahamas. West End village is an especially appealing destination for a winter or spring break vacation with tweens or teens, who …

Caribbean Islands that are close to the US, like Turks & Caicos or the Virgin Islands, get the most buzz for family winter getaways. But islands further south like  Grenada, Dominica and Barbados have neat opportunities to get off the beach and explore nature, local history and West Indian culture. They’re …

Valentine’s Day is perhaps the worst time of year to try to go away for a romantic weekend. Many hotels and resorts charge a premium for clichéd packages and there’s a lot of pressure to be “romantic.” But the holiday can inspire you to look at the year ahead and …

Cuba is not the most likely place for an American child’s first passport stamp. But this Caribbean island offers a short flight from the U.S. and travel services are improving thanks to easier travel restrictions (recently retightened, of course). So we took a chance and decided to be among the …

The Hotel: Club Med Punta Cana Where: Punta Cana, Dominican Republic The Vibe The Dominican Republic is a popular resort destination because of its relatively short flights from the U.S. and the great deals it offers relative to other Caribbean Islands. The Punta Cana Coast is dotted with all-inclusive resorts …

For a lot of families, the ideal winter getaway includes a long stretch of beach and a short flight from the continental US. For me, that means the Virgin Islands. I recently headed to the islands on a kid-free getaway. But it’s such an ideal family destination that I found …

Portland Parish is easily my favorite part of Jamaica. Away from the busy tourist areas of the North coast, Portie, as it’s affectionately known to Jamaicans, is always lush and tranquil. The unspoiled natural beauty takes your breath away. Often on a Sunday we pack up the boys, a 7YO …

We moved a little less than a year ago from Canada to Providenciales (“Provo” to the locals), the main island in the Turks & Caicos chain and the destination for most visitors.  We’d enjoyed several activity-packed vacations in Provo before moving here. But settling in has given us the time …

The Caribbean is definitely one of those destinations where you can find everything you want most in a family beach getaway: resorts that are good values, fantastic food, incredible nature and pristine beaches, plus a wide range of activities for all ages. Moreover, the calm, clear, relatively warm Caribbean Sea …

Like many American sun-seekers I had never heard of the Caribbean Island of Guadeloupe. Then a Guadeloupian mom at my daughter’s school spent an afternoon telling me about the rainforests, waterfalls and volcano, beautiful beaches, world-class marine reserve, and French-creole cuisine. It sounded like an island worth visiting. So when friends …

You’ve heard about the turquoise waters and the powdery sand of Turks and Caicos. They really are the reasons you go, and if you are traveling with a toddler what more do you need? Here are eight practical tips for planning a beach vacation to Providenciales with little kids. 1) Consider Turks …

Puerto Rico has a lot to offer for a family getaway. It’s sunny and warm, it has a wealthy of history and culture, it offers great local food (and rum). And better still, you don’t need a passport or foreign currency to have a real getaway. Here are five ways …

Turks & Caicos is known mostly to travelers from “up north” as an easy place to get to for a beachy resort vacation—the sort of family vacation where you might not even leave the resort. But the islands have plenty family-focused activities, food and culture to offer for families with …

Than you Antigua! As a mother to a toddler and step-mom to a tween I find planning vacations to be a challenge, to say the least. We want a place where both kids will have things to do, the tween can have a modicum of independence and we might find …

Bermuda is a terrifically easy to place to vacation with kids. Scenic beaches, pretty gardens, great seafood and gentle weather help. The island is pricey, especially dining and hotels, so we arrived via cruise ship both times we visited. By spending our shore time exploring the beaches and using easy …

What’s 25 miles long, one mile wide and chock full of fun things to do? Ambergris Caye, an island off the coast of Belize. With fine white sand, crystal blue water and the world’s second largest barrier reef, it’s an ideal beach vacation with kids. Here are my five favorite things …

Puerto Rico is a no-brainer for a family beach getaway. It’s a reasonable flight from the East Coast, you don’t need a passport and you can use American money. The food is yummy, the beaches are roomy and there’s a lot to do and see. Yet parents often overlook it …

Dear FG Editors: We are looking into beach resorts for two adults & two kids ages 2 and 5. We must have child care/kids club during the day for both kids, but I’m finding most places provide only for ages 4 and up. Any suggestions besides Beaches, Club Med Punta …