Guide to travelling with the kids

Globetrotting with the kids

We love traveling and we love our kids. But somehow the combination of the two often seems to include drama, shouting, pouting and tears—and that’s just the grown-ups. Fortunately, going away with the family doesn’t have to be a headache. We’ve rounded up the kid-friendliest vacations, from wilderness adventures to city-slicker getaways. Bon voyage!

Babies and toddlers

Winter wonderland
Smugglers’ Notch Resort, Vermont
Dreaming of black-diamond runs, but convinced you won’t see one again until the kids are older? Think again. You can still do the whole mountainside ski escape, even if your tots are young. And they can also get out there with you, sort of; Little Rascals on Snow introduces toddlers to skis and how to use them.

For mom: Soothe “day-three muscle burn” with a deep-tissue massage at the resort.
4323 Vermont Route 108 South, Smugglers’ Notch, Vermont, $50-150.

La dolce vita
Masseria Torre Coccaro, Puglia, Italy
If you’re craving a slice of European heaven, this 16th-century fortified farmhouse will surely satisfy. It feels very Il Postino with a cobblestone courtyard and whitewashed walls splashed with bougainvillea and jasmine. But the place isn’t just pretty — it’s a parent’s dream. The staff are happy to have children underfoot, so feel free to have them roam with you, whether you’re picking figs or taking a dip in the shallow heated pool. Need some downtime? Nanny Angela, who speaks perfect English, will happily take over child-care duties so you can spend a few hours relaxing in the hotel’s Aveda spa, which is tucked into a cave, complete with bubbling indoor pool. And be sure to explore the area: Take a day trip to a nearby farm to watch burrata being made. These mozzarella balls are handmade and served in Coccaro’s restaurant alongside juicy, fresh-off-the-vine tomatoes.

For older kids: Go in the fall for the olive harvest. They can watch olives being pressed, try hunks of fresh focaccia dunked in rich, green virgin oil and make their own chocolate and pizzas in the cooking school.
C. da Coccaro, 8-72015 Savelletri di Fasano (Brindisi), Puglia, Italy, 011-39-080-482-93-10, Masseria Torre Coccar, $300-500 .

Urban adventure
Four Seasons Hotel Chicago
Find us a hotel that makes mealtime easy and we’ll want to stay forever. Here, the kids’ menu is a relief with its chic versions of the usual fare, plus healthy snacks like applesauce and steamed edamame. Also on offer: cots, diapers, Lilliputian bathrobes. At day’s end, ring up the bedtime butler, who arrives with a selection of stories on a silver tray.

For dad: He can still get in his laps at the hotel’s luxe indoor pool. Forgot to pack trunks? Use one of their disposable suits.
120 East Delaware Pl., Chicago, Four Seasons, $150-500.

Fairy tale at sea
Disney Dream, Port Canaveral, Florida
Five-year-olds are tea-party fiends, especially when Cinderella attends. Or perhaps someone would like a visit with Ariel? This 14-deck ship is full of these magical flourishes. There are three pools, two theatres, seven restaurants, the first water-coaster at sea, plus access to Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay.

For mom & dad: Park the kids in the It’s a Small World Nursery, the Oceaneer Club (three- to 10-year-olds), Edge (tweens) or Vibe (teens) and hit the spa.

Disney Cruise, from $2,400/family of four for three nights.

The Right Stuff
Pack light with these multi-taskers and problem solvers.



Instant tantrum fix
Never lose Sophie again with this clever tether. Toy leash, $10, Josh and Teo.



Only wheels you need
Fits most car seats and another child on the back. Caboose stroller, $160, Joovy.



Spill stopper
A wide rim and suction cup bottom save the day. Catch bowl, $11, Boon Inc.



Sleep easy
This full-size cot folds into the slimmest of carry cases. Travel crib light, $330, Baby Bjorn.


Change on the go
Keep diapers and wipes handy in this change pad. Pronto changing station, $37, Skip Hop.

Kids and tweens

Teenagers

Trip of a lifetime
Ladakh Village Experience, Northern Himalayas, India
If you’re eager for a one-of-a-kind adventure rather than the tried and true, you won’t fi nd anything more enriching — or beautiful — than the Himalayan mountains, a long-time hot spot for backpackers. Luxury aficionados now have the chance to enjoy the authentic face of India, too. The entire family can tour pristine mountain scenery and stay in a traditional Himalayan village home — though one with porters, a chef and a guide to keep things safe and comfortable. Way off the beaten path, each dwelling includes nicer bathrooms and more luxe linen than you’d expect at 11,500 feet above sea level. But you’ll fi nd the best parts of this vacation outside. One of the most sparsely populated and remote regions on the subcontinent, it’s the perfect place for teens to run a little wild. They can go rafting, camping and camel riding, and even learn how to shoot a bow and arrow. Plus, the air doesn’t get much fresher than this.

For tweens: Plan a visit to a local school, so kids can connect with their peers across cultural lines.
May to September, Shaki Tours, from $3,962/seven nights and eight days.



Beach getaway
Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island, Florida
Nintendo Wii, movie theatre and air-hockey tables — luxury hotels are totally playing the family card these days and the Amelia Island Ritz-Carlton is scoring points with teens in particular. In addition to a loaded family lounge (perfect for rainy days) an activities-packed 21 km stretch of coastline, the hotel even boasts a teen concierge to fulfill their every need.
For dad: He can enjoy a guilt-free game of golf with privileges at the Golf Club of Amelia Island, a private club for the exclusive Summer Beach community.
4750 Amelia Island Parkway, Amelia Island, Florida, Amelia Island Rizt-Carlton, $50-300.



Jungle tales
G Adventures, Costa Rica
Who wouldn’t want to go on an epic wilderness adventure, especially one that’s totally hassle-free? This rainforest tour keeps the family in perpetual motion throughout Costa Rica, with nary a decision to make or problem that needs solving in sight. You’ll hike through the famous Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve (look out for wild jaguars, ocelots and the ultra-rare quetzal bird), hang out on remote beaches and relax in natural hot springs. Oh, and go monkey spotting on a cruise through the Tortuguero canals.

For mom: The Chief Experience Officer (CEO, get it?) arranges a visit with a local family to learn the art of tortilla making.
1-888-800-4100, G Adventures, from $1,629, including arrival transfer, accommodations, some excursions and daily breakfast.



Skiers’ MECCA
Kicking Horse Mountain Resort, Golden, B.C.
If you have not yet realized your dreams of becoming a ski bum, console yourself with a holiday here. This rugged resort, known for its challenging terrain, is bolstering its family appeal with a new beginner’s learning centre complete with a carpet lift to appeal to newbies. Once the learners are ensconced, older kids and parents can explore the more demanding runs. After a day on the mountain, head back to some seriously comfy rooms at every price point; accommodations range from cozy chalets to charming boutique hotels . And there’s plenty to do for non-skiers, too, including tubing, skating and (our fave) hot tubbing.

For mom & dad: Real adventure lovers can try heli-skiing. Take a helicopter to the top of the Purcell Mountains and enjoy ungroomed terrain, steep slopes and pure champagne powder.
1500 Kicking Horse Trail, Golden, B.C., 1-866-754-5425, Kicking Horse Resort, $150-500.



Must-pack meds


Children’s Benadryl
New places can mean unexpected allergies. Soothe itchy eyes and runny noses, and calm bug bites, too.



Junior Strength Motrin
For kid-sizedaches and pains.



Gravol Quick Dissolve
Chewable tablets Absolute gold for kids who often get upset tummies and motion sickness.



Poly to Go: Antiseptic Pain Relief Spray
Pain relief and infection protection, all in an easy-to-apply spray formula.



Children’s Tylenol Dye Free Liquid
The dye-free formula is great for kids with allergies.

With the grandparents