Jamaica

30 Best Vacation Ideas for Families Who Want to Avoid Winter

Submitted by Allison Tibaldi on Sat, 11/24/2018 - 1:05pm

Ready to ditch your winter blues for a family-friendly vacation in climates warmer than here?

From perpetually wet feet to relentlessly bundling (and unbundling) your kids with layer upon layer, the need to escape grows for many parents as the winter season drags on—and on. Even those families who don't live with the finicky four-season cycle might prefer their vacation with a side of palm trees, rather than fur-trimmed snow boots. So whether you're seeking to escape the cold or just don't want to vacation in it, we've rounded up more than two dozen of our favorite warm-weather destinations that beckon you to shed your parka and bask in the sun.

Read on to find great all-inclusive resorts, beaches, and charming cities teeming with culture that might not offer bathing suit weather in January but certainly no snow!

Star Wars Day at Sea Aboard the Disney Fantasy: Could a Cruise Be Any Better?

Submitted by Mike Anderson on Sat, 02/10/2018 - 1:32pm

A long time ago (early January), in a galaxy far, far away (Florida), I had the pleasure of embarking on a thrilling voyage: Star Wars Day at Sea, aboard the Disney Fantasy. My spouse is an Imagineer who worked on creating the Day at Sea, so our lucky toddler and I got to tag along. Just call us the Death Star... cuz we had a blast.

25 Best Warm Winter Family Vacations

Submitted by Allison Tibaldi on Mon, 11/16/2015 - 11:03am

Winter in NYC can be a grim experience. From perpetually wet feet to relentlessly cold temperatures, the need to escape the city is a feeling many of us know well. Whether you are in the grips of the winter blues or planning ahead this season, here are 25 warm-weather destinations that beckon you to shed your parka and bask in the sun.

Our Best Family Travel of 2014: Top Family Resorts, Beach Towns and Super Cities

Submitted by Anna Fader on Sun, 01/04/2015 - 12:10am

2014 was a great year for travel. Our bloggers visited dozens of southern cities, mountain towns, Caribbean beaches, and kid-friendly resorts so we could share some of the best travel destinations for families with you. We discovered fantastic new beach resorts, revisited great national parks and broadened our horizons at new destinations. Whether you’re planning your next trip, or you just want to do a little armchair travel through our photo galleries, here are our top ten travel destinations from 2014.

Jamaica with Kids: Best Things to Do on a Family Vacation in Negril, Montego Bay or Ocho Rios

Submitted by Allison Tibaldi on Sat, 11/22/2014 - 4:13pm

Jamaica is a near-perfect family vacation destination. Hotels and all-inclusive resorts have extensive facilities to enchant and entertain the entire family. We've reviewed several Jamaican resorts, including Beaches Negril, Hotel Rui Palace Tropical Bay and the Grand Palladium. With their sparkling swimming pools and glorious beaches, it’s easy to see why many vacationers never leave their resort’s cushy confines.

But Jamaica is a lot more than beautiful beaches. Pull yourself out of the salty sea and venture outside of the hotel’s gates, because this intriguing country merits exploration. Jamaica is a land full of history and culture, as well as tons of active vacation activities.

As many family travelers utilize the tourist towns of Negril, Montego Bay and Ocho Rios as a base, our guide will focus on these areas. Most hotels will gladly help you arrange off-site transportation. Here’s our list of the best activities worth shaking the sand off for. Let’s go!

Villas by Linda Smith: Luxury Jamaican Vacation Rentals Perfect for Families

Submitted by Allison Tibaldi on Tue, 10/28/2014 - 5:00pm

We've reviewed plenty of hotels and resorts in the Caribbean, the go-to choice for most travelers to the region. But for some families, skipping the hotel and renting a private home might be preferable. A house provides many advantages for families, like more room and amenities that can make travel with children much easier. It's one reason we like home swapping so much.

The one drawback to renting a vacation house can be missing out on some of the services and amenities that you get at a hotel or resort. The family who wants the advantages of a house rental and the luxury service of a resort can find it with a company like Villas by Linda Smith in Jamaica.

Hotel Riu Palace Tropical Bay Jamaica All-Inclusive Family Resort

Submitted by Allison Tibaldi on Mon, 10/27/2014 - 9:22pm

The Hotel Riu Palace Tropical Bayis a 416-room all-inclusive resort in Negril, Jamaica. Accommodations, meals, sports, entertainment and drinks are all included. The pay-one-price option gives families the chance to engage in a variety of activities, without experiencing sticker shock when it comes time to pay the bill

Despite the large number of rooms, the resort feels manageable, thanks to its compact layout. The Hotel Riu Palace Tropical Bay stands out for personalized service and a staff that is genuinely friendly. It takes just over an hour to get to the resort from the Montego Bay airport, so you’ll be on the beach soon after clearing customs.

Beaches Negril Jamaica: All Inclusive Caribbean Resort for the Whole Family

Submitted by Katia on Fri, 06/22/2012 - 6:19pm

I’m not the best candidate for a tropical vacation in Jamaica. I freckle and burn, I don’t like seafood and I’m not crazy about reggae. So when we were invited to review Beaches Luxury Family Resort in Negril I felt a little guilty that all that sun, sand and fun may be wasted on me. Or that having our children with us would stress my husband and I out, since I tend to think of island vacations as relaxing, romantic destinations. I even thought maybe I didn’t really need all that luxury.

I was so wrong. This vacation was everything I needed and Beaches Negril is an amazing family vacation destination where everyone will have fun. Read on to find out why Beaches Negril should be top on your list for your next family vacation.