Family Travel - Page 87

March 21, 2018

Top 10 hidden corners of US national parks

Whether you’re a seasoned national park traveler or just planning your first vacation to our nation’s most precious gems, you know that every park has its “go-to” spots that you can’t miss. Old Faithful in Yellowstone, Cades Cove of Great Smoky, Bridalveil Fall in Yosemite – the list of these iconic wonders goes on and on. Though these attractions are must-sees, due to their popularity they often don’t deliver fully what we came here for - silence, solitude, and serenity. If you’re looking to really get away from the parking lots and crowds, this list should get you going in the right direction for the perfect and peaceful backcountry getaway.

March 21, 2018

Top kid-friendly Atlantic City activities

The HBO series "Boardwalk Empire" has reignited interest in Atlantic City’s gangster-driven prohibition era. The city is synonymous with gambling, leisure and bustling nightlife -- adult pleasures that are more than enough to attract grownups. But if you have children, there are still plenty of family attractions in Atlantic City. The city, recovering from Superstorm Sandy, is still a hotspot for the whole family. If you’re bringing kids to this area of New Jersey, you shouldn’t miss the following attractions:

March 21, 2018

Car-free destinations for your big summer trip

You won't need a car to enjoy these summer getaway spots. Where you're going, you'll be hiking, biking, and walking around town.

March 21, 2018

Summer vacation on a shoestring budget

This summer’s travel forecast calls for high airfares and newly increased fees from major airlines. Groan if you must, but don’t give up on your summer vacation just yet. The key to planning an affordable family vacation this summer, and every summer, is making common-sense choices that keep costs under control. Here are six time-honored strategies for getting away on a dime.

March 21, 2018

The world's 5 most impressive battlefield sites

As the idea of a modern-day battlefield becomes more open to interpretation amid the use of drones and surgical strikes, this Memorial Day its important to appreciate the fact that the locations of battles past are still even recognizable. Preservation of these historic places varies from erecting thousands of monuments, to mere descriptive posts in a field. Here are five of the world’s most impressively preserved military sites.

March 21, 2018

Where to find San Francisco's best views

Marvel at San Francisco's indisputable beauty (even when that beauty is shrouded in fog) from these scenic spots.

March 21, 2018

Orlando theme parks get set to launch cool, new summer attractions

There is no sound quite like that of children expressing their delight for the arrival of summer - except maybe when they're told they're going to Orlando for vacation. The number one tourist destination in the U.S. continues to draw tens of thousands of visitors to its many attractions, the most popular of which are theme parks. This year the big three - Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, and SeaWorld Orlando - are prepared to entertain crowds with exciting new experiences of monstrous proportions that are definitely more than meets the eye.

March 21, 2018

Top 10 moving Memorial Day getaways

To many, Memorial Day means the unofficial start to summer, a three-day weekend for grilling and a chance to break out white clothes that have been in the attic all winter. But the holiday is more than just beaches and barbecue. It’s a time to pay tribute to those who have died in military service to our country. Originally created after the Civil War to honor the fallen Union soldiers, Memorial Day has now evolved to commemorate every American soldier and service member. Here are the top 10 destinations to celebrate and honor America’s heroes.

March 21, 2018

How to make the most of Disney's monstrous summer

Disney’s theme parks are rolling out special savings and movie tie-in events during a summer of fun inspired by the upcoming Disney-Pixar comedy “Monsters University,” which opens nationwide in theaters on June 21. Be on the lookout for Mike and Sulley, who star in the film and will be scaring up fun and meeting fans in Disney’s Florida and California parks all summer long. Planning a Disney vacation this summer? Here are four ways to make the most of the monstrous goings-on.

March 21, 2018

Best airlines for bringing sports gear

You may be headed to the best biking trails, ski runs, surf breaks or golf courses in the world, but if your trip starts off with a gauntlet of extra fees and restrictions at the airport, your vacation buzz will be killed before you even hit the fresh air. It may not sound glamorous, but picking the right airline is a key part of making your trip a good one. Not all airlines, it turns out, are created equal—especially for active and outdoors sports travelers. Sure, everyone’s bummed if their bag gets lost or a bit beat up in transit. But what about a brand new, $2,000 kayak? Or your custom skis? Or your trusty touring bike? If the very item you planned your whole trip around goes missing, it’s a heckuva lot worse than a business traveler going a day without an extra suit and tie. Mishandled baggage is probably the biggest concern for active travelers, but it’s worth taking a closer look at other airline policies, too. United Airlines may offer the cheapest fare from A to B, but by the time you pay $125 extra each way to check your bag and bike—and shell out another $15 on sustenance at the airport, since United provides no free snacks en route—it may be a smarter option to pay for the pricier ticket with, say, JetBlue. And, of course, you'll have to pay careful attention to your particular sport. Most airlines, for example, will allow you to bring a surfboard for a reasonable fee ($50-75), but Qantas allows you to bring one free, as long as it's no longer than nine feet. US Airways, on the other hand, charges $200 each way. The same variations tend to apply to—in order from least restrictive to most—skis and snowboards, fishing poles, bicycles and, finally, canoes and kayaks (several airlines prohibit them altogether). In our quest to suss out the best airlines for carrying your prized gear, we looked at baggage policies—including fees and prohibited items—mishandled baggage rates and, of course, destination offerings. It's great to have great baggage policies and no fees, but if it means you can't get where you're going, then you're out of luck. We also perused forums where disgruntled passengers report their busted gear, where we discovered horror stories of ruined $700 skis and $3,000 carbon bike frames somehow snapped like twigs, and even found people who'd gone so far as to start Facebook protest pages. Delta, United and US Airways were the most common culprits, but that's partially a product of the millions of customers they serve. Either way, we dug deep to help guide you. Here, we take a look at airline policies with outdoors sports and adventure traveler in mind. Study it. It could save you cash—and your gear—on your next big travel adventure.