My wife and I are about to take our two kids to Disneyland ... and I'm absolutely terrified. Not because I don't want to go. My nearly 3-year-old carries his Mickey Mouse stuffie everywhere. He sleeps with it. Eats with it. When he sees Mickey in real life, he'll lose it. I can't wait for that. Here's the problem: I'm really worried about how much it's going to cost.
If I'd told my parents 10 years ago that they'd have the opportunity to stand on top of a mountain in the Swiss Alps, they wouldn't have believed me. For most of their lives, they operated a small family dairy farm in rural Wisconsin and were tied to its constant responsibilities. Because of this, their vacations were limited. So, last year, when I learned my parents were ready to book their first trip to Europe to celebrate their 31st wedding anniversary, I was beyond excited.
As summer school breaks stretch longer and childcare becomes harder to secure, some families are turning to an unexpected solution: hotels offering full-day, structured kids' camps that allow parents to travel, work and keep routines intact.
Scary Mommy can exclusively reveal that for just 24 hours, starting February 6, 2026, families of four staying in a standard room can snag a price point of just $26 per person, per night. Using the promo code 2626, all you have to do is log on February 6 and reserve an overnight stay at any Great Wolf Lodge vacation (all U.S. locations are participating), with the offer valid through June 18, 2026.
On the approach to Arosa in the Graubunden Alps, the road is lined with mountain chapels, their stark spires soaring heavenwards; a portent, perhaps, of the ominous route ahead. The sheer-sided valley is skirted with rugged farmhouses and the road twists, over ravines and round hairpin curves, to a holiday destination that feels like a well-kept secret. On the village's frozen lake, young families ice skate, hand in hand.
"I liked our last holiday house better," announces my niece on arrival at Gairnsheil Lodge's Laggan Cottage in the Scottish Highlands. The thing about six-year-olds is that they famously have very little taste, and this isn't the first thing we've disagreed on (other topics include bedtimes, what constitutes 'dinner' and how often you should brush your hair). You'd think for someone who was being treated to a bucket list holiday she'd have a little more respect.
Playfulness is at the heart of the Art and Play holiday, based on a farm outside the Bay of Kotor. A family-friendly retreat designed to reignite joy and reconnect with the inner child, it's one for solo travellers and couples as well as parents with kids. There are creative sessions on everything from dance to painting, as well as time to enjoy the farm feeding the animals, collecting eggs or helping harvest vegetables for farm-fresh meals.
"Mexico has a culture where family is at the heart of everything, and you really feel that in how resorts are designed and in how staff welcome family travellers," says Meagan Drillinger, founder of boutique travel planning business Good Horizon. "You can have five-star luxury and still feel like you're actually in Mexico, as opposed to other destinations where the luxury tends to feel cookie-cutter."
It's official: The White Lotus is taking up residence in the French Riviera's grande dame hotel: Château de la Messardière. Crowning a hilltop between the Bay of Pampelonne and the Gulf of Saint-Tropez, the 19th-century palace is cinematic in every sense. Originally an aristocratic wedding gift, it was later restored by Jean-Claude Rochette, architect-in-chief for France's historic monuments, before joining the Airelles Collection in 2021.
Children's museums have evolved from rainy-day backups into stand-alone destinations, and the U.S. is home to some of the best in the world. Size can help-yes, some of these museums are enormous-but it's far from the deciding factor. What really sets the best children's museums apart, however, is how intuitive they feel: The focus is on learning through fun as opposed to text-heavy exhibits that tend to fall flat.
Many folks think Ooty is just for newlyweds chasing romance in the hills. But that's not the full story. This spot in the Nilgiris shines for families too, with its calm vibes and spots full of nature that let parents unwind while kids play. You can mix tender couple moments with fun group times here. If you're a parent craving a getaway that feels like a honeymoon but includes the whole crew, this guide fits right in.
For someone whose job is seeking out the new and notable in travel, 2025 was a year when the old guard came out on top. Why? Hotel prices remained sky-high, leading us to look for places delivering maximum value. Established hotels often have deeper ties to their destinations, making them more solid conduits for local experiences so long as they aren't resting on their laurels. They've also had time to figure out how guests move through their space, what they want from their experience and how best to deliver.
As a family of five who travels a lot, I'm always looking for the best deal because air travel can get expensive very quickly. When we planned a recent trip from Portland, Maine, to Pittsburgh over the holiday break, low-cost flights from Breeze Airways caught my eye. They were also the only direct routes available, yet I was hesitant to book with the low-budget airline after reading negative online reviews that mentioned frustrations about delayed flights and hidden fees.
Every hotel on this list has been selected independently by our editors and written by a Condé Nast Traveller journalist who knows the destination and has stayed at that property. When choosing hotels, our editors consider both luxury properties and boutique and lesser-known boltholes that offer an authentic and insider experience of a destination. We're always looking for beautiful design, a great location and warm service - as well as serious sustainability credentials.
When people don't give grace to their fellow passengers, it drives me nuts. When I see somebody traveling with a young kid, and they're not only worried about their baby's experience of this flight and trying to make sure that it's a good memory for them, but also then having to worry about the adult the row over who is huffing and puffing and rolling their eyes? Have some grace!
If you've ever fantasized about packing up your family and spending the holidays hopping around Europe by train (*raises hand*), Christina Milian has a message for you: Yes, it's as dreamy as it sounds, and 100%, you should do it. As someone who didn't need much convincing, hearing that from Christina - forever that girl - has me already digging into how I can get my family across the Atlantic next Christmas.
It's when our close-knit extended family gets together to celebrate, feast, and spend time with one another. However, my husband, two young kids, and I spent last Christmas sitting in our caravan on a remote beach in South Australia, just the four of us. It was a far cry from the holidays before. But after years of deliberating, we'd just recently packed up our lives and belongings and headed toward the Australian outback for a yearlong adventure in a small caravan.
When I was 10, I remember preparing for the most exciting adventure of my life - so far. My family and I were going on a cruise from Mumbai to Lakshadweep Island. I could hardly stand the anticipation. My father, in those days, was still an up-and-coming businessman, and paying for our travels didn't come easy. But he always made sure to prioritize travel.
Since I met my husband in 2005, we've built a life on the move. Both of us work remotely - him as a software engineer and me as a travel writer - and we've lived in many parts of the world, including Singapore, US, UK, Netherlands, Bali, Spain, and Mexico. As a digital nomad family, we set up temporary home bases in each country and travel from there.
I get it: traveling with teens can be overwhelming. For parents, family trips can feel high-stakes. All parents want to create lasting memories, but it can be tricky to chase those golden moments of connection amidst mood swings and screen time battles. As a professional travel advisor for over 20 years and a mom to a 15-year-old, I've witnessed every side of the struggle, but I also know just how magical a well-planned trip can be.
Securing family-friendly World Cup tickets has become an increasingly demanding task as global demand accelerates and trusted platforms evolve their offerings. As dedicated observers of the market, we understand how crucial it is for families to depend on transparent pricing, verified sellers, and seating options designed for a safe, comfortable stadium experience. Our objective is to provide an authoritative guide that helps readers navigate trustworthy ticket sources while ensuring that their journey to the tournament starts with clarity and confidence.
For parents seeking a more home-like environment, the multi-bedroom villas at this secluded Relais & Chateaux property offer spacious living rooms, full kitchens, and private pools. Staff arrange scavenger hunts and arts and crafts hours; for an additional $325, parents can reserve the VIBabies package. This comes with two hours of complimentary babysitting plus a host of handy gearincluding a portable crib (with turndown service!), changing table, diapers, bottle warmer, baby monitor.
The Colosseum and Roman Forum are iconic for a reason: historic and stunning, they ignite imaginations with tales of gladiators brought alive by expert guides who use storytelling and games to engage little ones. Make sure to step inside the Vatican's Sistine Chapel, which is a treasure trove of art and architecture, and even has activity booklets for kids. The ancient city of Ostia Antica is a can't-miss site.
Europe's efficient trains and buses are legendary, connecting major cities with impressive speed. But for travelers who dream of discovering the continent's true soul-the hidden villages, scenic vineyards, and breathtaking landscapes that exist between the capitals-a rental car isn't just an option; it's the ultimate key to freedom. With services like Localrent, comparing offers and booking the perfect car is quick and effortless-all sorted before the journey even starts.
Between daily errands and long family road trips, my family of four spends a lot of time in our Toyota Sienna, so keeping it well-stocked with everyday essentials and emergency provisions feels really important to me. Ultimately, stocking the car is all about understanding your own family's particular needs. If you've got a baby who's still in diapers, a packed diaper bag will be essential for you, whereas, if you've got tweens and teens, charging cables might be the hottest commodity imaginable.
We love the vaguely folk-horror animatronic trees, witches and giant sea monsters lurking within a labyrinthine real forest. We love the anthropomorphised talking bins that plead (in a haunting, perpetual sing-song) for crumpled pieces of paper to be shoved into their suction-powered mouths. We love the inventive rides that, variously, judder along rattling wooden tracks, plunge cursed pirate ships into water, or nudge gondolas serenely through sylvan scenes of bum-flashing goblins showering beneath waterfalls.
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