Kiawah Island, South Carolina
Many people are familiar with the coastal islands off North Carolina, but fewer are privy to the coastal islands of South Carolina. Kiawah Island is one of these hidden gems, loaded with 10 miles of pristine beaches and approximately 10,000 acres of natural woodlands. Located only 21 miles from Charleston, SC, Kiawah offers sun, sand and a short drive to a city chock-full of Southern charm.
Kiawah Island is privately owned and is home to a well-designed beach resort with amenities and activities to meet the needs of the entire family. Most of the beach is private and access is limited to resort guests, with the exception of the island's Beachwalker State Park, which offers public parking, lifeguards and restrooms. Continue reading
Palm Beach, Aruba
Families flock to Palm Beach's sugar-white beaches in droves; Aruba's kid-friendly atmosphere prevails at Palm Beach's resorts and restaurants, and a number of programs sponsored by the island's tourist office cater to families with young children, offering discounts and freebies around the island.
With miles of clean shores, tranquil waters and picture-perfect weather year-round, Aruba sees its fair share of tourism. The island offers accommodations in a variety of price ranges and enough activities on land and sea to satisfy everyone's wishes. Continue reading
Family Spring Break Vacations
School's out for the week, and spring break is a great time for family-bonding. Whether you're looking for a blast of sunlight to recharge your soul until summer or outdoor winter fun, here are Travel Channel's picks for an unforgettable spring break.
Atlantis Resort
Paradise Island, Bahamas
The legendary underwater world bearing the same name has nothing on this Bahamian resort that beckons children and their parents with luxurious resort surroundings and outrageous kids' activities. Kids can choose their own adventures at the stellar AKA (Atlantis Kids Adventure) program. Aspiring chefs can twist pretzels or make pizza in culinary classes and budding architects can don their hard hats and get building in the Lego Construction room. Wizards? Check. There's a cozy tree with perfect nooks for reading the latest magical tale. Extravagant tea party? Atlantis has this one covered, too, in the life-sized Victorian dollhouse equipped with the highest quality in pretend kitchens. There's gaming systems galore, a performance gallery complete with costumes and equipment to make movies, and arts and crafts to rival the best art institute. If the kids ever choose to leave the club, parents might squeeze in a fast family meal before the wee ones are off to the water slides, river rides, rock climbing or marine habitat. Continue reading
Florida’s Panhandle Beaches
Planning a Florida vacation without doing your research is likely to land you in expected destinations such as packed-to-the-gills South Florida or not-so-delightfully tacky Daytona Beach.
To experience Florida's most pristine and beautiful beaches away from the masses, consider passing on the perpetually populated peninsula and set your sun-loving sights on the state's loneliest region - the panhandle - instead.
Most people associate that northernmost thin stretch of Florida, which fronts the Gulf of Mexico, with the raucous spring break crowds of Panama City. The busy resort town is the heart of an area that has long been dubbed the Redneck Riviera, much to the chagrin of marketing types, who are hard at work rebranding the beaches around Panama City as the 'Emerald Coast.'
Snowbirds, mostly hailing from Canada and the Midwest, abound in the winter months throughout the Panhandle. However, they tend to stick to the populated communities of Fort Walton Beach and Destin. Come summertime, crowds thin out and you'll find endless stretches of solitary sand. Continue reading
Panama City Beach, Florida
A visit to Panama City Beach is about the best way to stimulate all five senses at once. Smell the salty sea breezes from the Gulf; feel the warm water lap against your bare skin; taste some of the best seafood in the country; listen to local bands or top 40 hits at nightclubs; and see enough miles of sandy white beaches, parks and water sports to last a lifetime.
There is certainly plenty to do in Panama City Beach. Vacationing families will find that amusement parks such as Gulf World (currently adding a Dolphin Stadium and Tropical Bird Theater) are a hit with the tykes. Most hotels and restaurants are kid-friendly, offering children's programs and meals.
And, of course, there are the spring breakers. Panama City Beach has welcomed spring breakers since the 1950s, when crowds were chaperoned high-school students who entertained themselves by swimming in the Gulf and dancing at places like the Longbeach Hangout. Now, spring breakers flock to this area to cruise Front Beach Drive, work on their tans, shop for airbrushed t-shirts at the numerous souvenir shops and party at local nightspots, such as Club La Vela.
But Panama City Beach is also a quiet vacation spot. Golf and tennis await and the sunset cruises, sailing and dolphin excursions will soothe the work-weary soul.
Naples, Florida Vacations
Naples may seem like just another monied Florida community, like Palm Beach or South Beach. Sure, many of the seasonal and year-round residents may be loaded and there are plenty of mansions to attest to this fact, but the feeling in this community is a little less stuffy and a little more relaxed than some other wealthy vacation spots. And the beaches, most within walking distance from the city, are some of the best in the state.
The biggest dilemma when chilling on the pearly white sands is to decide which way to look. On one side are the rolling waves, and on the other the gleaming mansions that make up Millionaires' Row. One of the most popular beaches at Naples Pier is in the city, on 12th Avenue South. Another great beach lies a few miles north of Old Naples, at the Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park. This is a great place to spread out the family's beach blanket and camp out for the day as there are bathhouses and food stands on site and rentals available for everything from umbrellas to kayaks to snorkeling gear. Continue reading
Kuala Lumpur Vacations
Kuala Lumpur , or simply KL, is the capital of Malaysia. Literally meaning "muddy estuary" in Malay, KL has grown from a small sleepy village to a bustling metropolis (population 4.2 million) in just 50 years. With the world's cheapest five-star hotels, great shopping and even better food, increasing numbers of travellers are discovering this little gem of a city