Family Summer Survival Guide: Don’t Leave Home Without ‘Em

Written by Kate Pocock

Canadians are addicted to vacation. (Or so a recent national survey says.) We’ll give up that second car, grill burgers instead of steak and scour flyers for bargains. But forego that time-honoured tradition of packing up the kids during spring break or summer to escape our daily lives? Never. Besides, with travel comes unexpected bonuses that add up in these difficult economic times. Memories are made that can be trucked out at family gatherings for years to come. There’s time to sleep and dream and laugh. And kids are exposed to a different way of life that shows that different can sometimes be better.

Our summer guide gives tips and advice from a parent of three who’s been there—from the rough roads to high peaks offering a magnificent view. Happy travelling!

Section #1: Top Ten Tips for Road Trips: How to Survive that Summer Drive

In a crowded car, road rage is upon us, but not the kind you normally read about. The frustration I’m talking about is that experienced by frazzled parents—those driving with kids swinging at each other in the backseat. Whether it’s that afternoon drive to Grandma’s or the marathon car trip to the other side of the country, a road trip can be hazardous. Thankfully, there are a few successful techniques to smooth any bumps in the road.

Before Setting Out:
1. Survey the Landscape: Hand out a parent-made survey: Would they like to stop at Kings Landing Historical Settlement near Saint John, N.B., to play pioneer or kayak in the highest tides in the world. Would they prefer to overnight in a motel, hotel or bed-and-breakfast? (Our kids once chose the latter as they thought it would be cool to sleep in someone else’s house!) Have the kids plan part of the trip and they will usually travel happily. This works!

2. Fun and Games: Fill a plastic bin with supplies for each kid in the car--one
with art supplies, one for science toys, and one for small games and puzzles. Keep these kits exclusively for road trips and only for 20 minutes at a time before the kids switch. Our three got to love these bins so much that they would be begging for car trips. As you travel, add things along the way such as shells or treats from family restaurants. Window stickers, song sheets for sing-alongs, loot bags filled with small wrapped surprises, clear plastic photo albums filled with colour copies of family pictures, dollar-store action figures and other interesting finds will all distract kids from sibling wars before they start.

3. Map-making: Visit your CAA office for maps, TourBooks® and TripTiks® (you can also download TripTiks®). Have each kid pick one stop, and then follow the route along the way with markers and stickers.

On the road:
4. Divide and Conquer: It’s better not to have siblings up against each other. Position a bag filled with soft toys between the kids, or have parents take turns in the backseat to play cards or read a story.

5. Change Seats: Savvy CEOs often have meeting participants switch seats during sessions to encourage fresh ideas. Sometimes just changing seats during the drive will avert fights.

6. Stop A Lot: Kids can’t sit still for long periods, period. So plan pit stops for food and refreshment, a paddle at a local beach, or games to run off steam. Carry a soccer ball or Frisbee for an impromptu sports break in a park. Keep swimsuits and towels at the ready for a swim —even small towns have outdoor pools.

7. Picnics: The last thing kids want to do when they emerge from the car is to sit still—again—in a restaurant. Keep a set of cups, bowls, and plates in the car for picnics. Local supermarkets along the way are a good source for ready-made sandwiches, juice boxes and treats.

8. Restaurant-Only Surprises: If you’re travelling with very young kids and you plan to stop at restaurants for hot meals, bring along a special bin with crayons, colouring books, stickers or small toys to be used only when waiting for food. Not all restaurants carry kiddie supplies. Your special bin will keep them busy—and happy—until the chicken fingers arrive.

9. The Wired-Mobile: If you can count on battles in the back seat, you might want to install DVD screens. Story CDs, however, will inspire imagination—and making up their own stories. The whole family will enjoy tales such as Grimm's fairy tales, Harry Potter or the Narnia fantasy series.

10. Sing Along: Visit www.caa.ca/music to download albums such as the soundtrack to The Lion King or Disney’s Lullaby & Goodnight with classics like “Morning Has Broken” and “Puff the Magic Dragon.”

Section #2: Teen Travel

Forget the Terrible Two’s. When it comes to family vacations, it’s often those Terrible Teens who cause holiday angst. They have attitude, they have opinions that are often voiced loudly, and often, family togetherness is not one of their top priorities. These tips should help:

BRING A FRIEND Teens need other teens so let them bring a friend along for the ride. At least one of them will be on good behaviour. Or stay at an all-inclusive resort that has excellent teen facilities and activities (such as Club Med Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic).

LATE RISERS Don’t schedule anything before noon. Teens like to sleep in. On the other hand, their schedule is perfect for nighttime activities such as comedy clubs, amusement parks and concerts.

GET ACTIVE It’s hard to be grumpy on the back of a horse or while riding a surfboard. Choose a vacation with active pursuits such as surfing in Nova Scotia (White Point Beach Resort, www.whitepoint.com) or Vancouver Island (www.surfsister.com); riding horses in New Brunswick (Broadleaf Guest Ranch in the heart of the Bay of Fundy region, www.broadleafranch.com) or Ontario (Honora Bay Riding Stable, Manitoulin Island, www.hbrstable.com); and rafting on the Ottawa River (www.wildernesstours.com).

TAP INTO THEIR INTERESTS Green teens would probably love to watch turtles lay eggs on a beach in environmentally friendly Costa Rica (near the family-friendly Paradisus Playa Conchal resort where hotel staff arrange family outings to the National Park, for example). Or they could participate in Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ambassadors of the Environment program at the Ritz-Carlton on Grand Cayman in the Cayman Islands, or the Reef and Ray Adventure program at the JW Marriott Ihilani Resort & Spa in Kapolei on Oahu, Hawaii. A guitar-playing teen would probably be keen to tour the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland, Ohio. A teen currently engrossed in Anne Frank’s The Diary of a Young Girl would appreciate the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa or the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C., where some exhibits are geared to young visitors.

CARRY THE TUNES Let teens bring their own music, and they’ll let you in on the current scene by playing their faves with running commentary. An intro to the music of Pink during a 16-hour car ride with my daughter is one I won’t forget.

Section # 3 For Adults Only

Vacations are for parents too. Here’s how to make sure that adults get some “me” or “us” time:

TRAVEL IN PACKS Hit the road with another family, so you can arrange babysitting exchanges. It’s best to do a short trial run, though, before setting out for two-week togetherness.

SUMMER SCHOOL Keep the grey matter active and enroll in a fun learning program at the Haliburton School of the Arts in Ontario’s cottage country (www.HaliburtonSchoolofTheArts.ca) or EdVentures Fredericton: Vacation Learning in Craft & Culture in New Brunswick (www.EdVentures.ca). While you explore outdoor painting or landscape photography, your kids will be kept busy making jewellery or cartooning alongside kids their own age.

TAKE TURNS Let dad spend the morning on the golf course, and then mom can book in at the spa for the afternoon while dad watches the kids.

BUILT-IN BABYSITTER Bring a teenager along to help so you can escape for adult-only beach time and romantic dinners. Or book at resorts with nanny programs such as Franklyn D. Resort & SPA, Jamaica (www.FDRHolidays.com).

TIME OUT Book into a resort with excellent childrens’ programs for lots of adult-only time. All-inclusives like Beaches in Turks & Caicos will have you poolside with an umbrella drink while Junior learns the alphabet with Elmo or makes cookies with Cookie Monster.

Section #4: Penny Pinching

You don’t have to have pockets bulging with mega-dollars! A few thrifty ideas help to keep travel affordable.

Planning:
TIME IT RIGHT Forget the Caribbean at Christmas or Europe at the height of summer. For bargain rates on flights and accommodations, plan a Caribbean island vacation in summer, and London or New York after the winter holiday blowout, when you don’t have to fight the crowds and weather is usually balmier than home.

Sleeping:
TRY A HOSTEL Friendly “youth hostels” aren’t just for backpackers. Many Hostelling International (HI) properties now offer family rooms and ensuite facilities. Check out Lake Louise Alpine Centre (often among HI’s International Top Ten), a cabin by Athabasca Falls in Jasper National Park (closer to the falls than any hotel) or the scenic Whitepark Bay hostel in Ireland (http://www.hini.org.uk/news/newsdetails.cfm?news_key=127). No charge for ages 18 and under; www.hihostels.ca or, for international travel, www.hihostels.com. For more, call 1-877-848-8737.

HOME SWAPS You escape to an 18th-century Paris apartment or a country cabin by a lake while that family sleeps in your Toronto abode. You can swap cars, bikes, toys for the kids, pets as well as helpful neighbours. It costs just $100 to $143 to join a home exchange club; www.homelink.ca, www.intervac.ca, or www.HomeExchange.com.

Touring:
FREE ADMISSION Seek out family attractions that are free, such as the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C., or those offering free admission times, such as the Canadian Museum of Civilization in Gatineau, Que. (Thursdays after 4 p.m.), Toronto’s Royal Ontario Museum (Wednesdays from 4:30 p.m.) and the Vancouver Art Gallery (certain Tuesdays of each month, from 5 to 9 p.m.).

CITY TOURS Have a local resident guide you through kid-friendly parks or around neighbourhoods. Many world cities now offer this type of free service, includingToronto (www.toronto.ca/tapto), Houston (www.houstongreeters.org) New York City (www.bigapplegreeter.com) and Hong Kong (www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/heritage).

You can also have entertaining and affordable tours via local public transportation. On the #506 Streetcar in Toronto for example, you’ll travel from Little India to Little Italy and finish with a romp in High Park, all for $2.75 (70 cents for children 12 and under; $9 for a family day pass for two adults and up to four kids). In New York City, a $7.50 US Fun Pass (purchased at any subway station) lets you hop on and off subways and city buses to visit the Central Park Zoo or zip up the Empire State Building.

Eating:
NEAT TREATS Bring jars of peanut butter, dried fruit, crackers and other non-perishables for impromptu snacks. For a restaurant splurge, ask hotel staff where they celebrate important occasions. We’ve had delectable family meals at recommended restaurants unknown to most tourists.


Section #5: Oh, Canada Where to Release Your Inner Patriot

Unlike other countries, we’re not so rah-rah-rah about our homeland. And yet, there are times—and places—where we should be patriotic. In fact, there are lots of spots across the country where you might feel like breaking into “Oh Canada,” or channelling Rick Mercer. Here are just a few:

THE ROYAL CANADIAN MINT IN WINNIPEG OR OTTAWA Watch loonies and commemorative Olympic coins being made: did you know that Canada makes coins for 69 countries around the world including Iraq, Barbados and Mexico?

RCMP CENTRES IN OTTAWA AND REGINA It’s stirring to hear the Canadian anthem amidst all red serge and horse hair: The RCMP Musical Ride centre in Ottawa has sunset ceremonies on horseback during the last week in June and frequent tours throughout the year. The RCMP training academy in Regina, Saskatchewan (known as Depot Division) offers sunset ceremonies in July and August, including a march and drill display by cadets dressed in the famous red serge.

THE CAPE SPEAR LIGHTHOUSE IN NEWFOUNDLAND Stand on the cliffs overlooking the ocean to be the first in North America to watch the sun rise.

HOCKEY HITS At the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto, see the Lucky Loonie that was embedded in the ice during the famous 2002 Winter Olympic Games hockey games in Salt Lake City. Or, kiss the Stanley Cup.

PARLIAMENT HILL Every Canadian child should visit Ottawa at least once to see where our laws are made and our taxes are spent. Visit the Memorial Chamber in the Centre Block (free tours daily) to see the seven Books of Remembrance listing the members of the Canadian Armed Forces who died serving our country. (A page is turned each day at 11 a.m.). For spine-tingling music, hear the bells of the carillon in the Peace Tower ring out from noon to 12:15 from September to June and from 2 to 3 p.m. during July and August (www.parl.gc.ca)

WESTERN WHIRLS Ride a gondola to the top of Sulphur Mountain for a spectacular view encompassing the Rockies and the giant Canadian flag. Have a patriotic toast by the windows of the mountaintop Regal View Garden restaurant.

In Whistler, ride a gondola up the mountain (where you’ll again find Canadian flags whipping in the wind at the top) to catch the PEAK 2 PEAK gondola, the longest unsupported lift span—and the highest lift of its kind 415 metres (1,361 feet)—in the world. Some of the cars making the 3.024-kilometre (1.88-mile) glide offer a spectacular downward view of our Rockies through a glass section of the floor.


FOR Section # 6
Stats about family travel for graphic interest:

No wonder families are on the move! A 2006 Travel Industry Association survey found that 55 percent of families preferred spring and summer for travelling compared to winter (26 percent) and fall (19 percent)

Summer remains the most popular time of year for family travel (33%), followed by winter (26%), spring 22%) and fall (19%).

OR a stat about Grandparents travelling with grandkids:

One in Six: A 2003 Travel Industry Association survey found that one in six (17 percent) of family vacation travellers said that their travel party included grandchildren, up substantially since 1999 (7 percent).

OR, a stat on general family travel:

A survey by travel marketing firm Y Partnership says 38 percent of adults travelled at least once with children in 2007, compared with only 26 percent in 2000.

From TIA (Travel Industry Association):
In 2006 (latest data available), Americans took 235.2 million trips with their children, up nearly 4 percent 2005 (226.4 million trips).

About 90 percent of adults travelling with children drive to their destination and only 4 percent fly. Average trip length is 3.2 nights.

The following activities are favoured by adults traveling with children: dining (30%), shopping (30%), general entertainment (24%), tours/sightseeing (22%), theme/amusement parks (13%), beach/waterfront (9%), visiting national or state parks (8%).

For Section # 7 Eco-Friendly Family Travel

TAKE THE TRAIN According to the Union of Concerned Scientists, for trips of 1,207 km or less, solo travelers, couples and groups of four would create less pollution taking a train than if they took a non-stop coach flight. Some experts emphasize that a full train is about a third of the environmental cost of a full plane going to the same destination. VIA Rail offers discounts for kids (www.viarail.ca)

ROLL ON Keep your tires properly inflated during road trips to save on gas.

FRIENDLY FLIERS Fly nonstop direct flights if possible (takeoff and landings are worst for carbon emission) or fly on an unpainted plane, or during the day if possible, for best fuel economy. Take bathroom pit stops before boarding as onboard flushes use a lot of energy.

STAY GREEN Book in at hotels with strong environmental policies, such as family-friendly Fairmont properties —they compost kitchen scraps, adopt endangered species and use their green roofs for everything from chefs’ herb gardens to beehives for honey production (www.fairmont.com)—or the award-winning Maho Bay Eco-tents on St. John Virgin Island (children under 16 free May to November) www.maho.org. Most Hyatt hotels offer authentic local experiences for the whole family (through the Camp Hyatt program), such as the Native American Learning Center in Scottsdale, Ariz. or Caribbean nature lore in Aruba.

ECO SOUVENIRS Visit the local post office for wildlife stamps, local banks for coins or colourful paper money (some kids will love these collections), shells from the beach and other found objects. For presents for folks back home, visit local grocery stores where the items may not be gift-wrapped but are authentic—such as coffee or ginger in the Caribbean, maple sugar in Quebec and hot sauces from the southern States. But check the Canadian Border Services Agency website (www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca) for information on which foods and shells you can’t bring back.

CAA Section # 8 Cruising Chart: Anchors Away
Floating Families at Sea
One of the best vacations for families is on the high seas. In fact, some think of no better way to see the world. You pack and unpack once. The all-inclusive nature of a cruise means parents or grandparents are not constantly shelling out for food, drink or treats. And with all the amenities and activities aboard these days, there’s something to please every age, from 1 to 101.

Cunard Line (www.cunard.com)
Where They Go: Around the world—to Canada and the U.S. as well as far-flung ports and islands
What’s Unique: Largest library at sea, the only Canyon Ranch SpaClub afloat, enrichment programs (study acting with the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art or learn about film). A kennel program with 12 spacious pet suites is overseen by a Kennel Master (open throughout the day for pats and hugs)
Kids Will Love: The special Children’s Tea served by white-gloved waiters in a salon decorated with balloons, artwork, place mats and crayons; the Illuminations star show in the world’s only floating Planetarium
Parents Have Fun Too: A nursery with British nannies for babies 12 months and older; the largest library at sea accompanied by the floating Cunard Book Club; glamorous dress-up evenings at sea
Recommended Route: Transatlantic crossings from Southampton, England to New York or vice versa

Disney Cruise Line (www.disneycruise.com)
Where They Go: Now: Caribbean and Europe with cruises stopping at interesting ports like Stockholm, Tunis, Barcelona and Malta. New for 2011: Alaska
What’s Unique: award-winning elegance for families; well-designed family staterooms that sleep up to five with privacy curtains, separate beds, verandahs and two bathrooms (one with a tub); endless Disney character fun that’s friendly but not overwhelming
Kids Will Love: No-parents-allowed teen hang-outs Aloft and The Stack offering overstuffed couches, big-screen TVs, video games and smoothie bar; top-notch entertainment; Disney Digital 3-D cinematic experiences featuring lasers, fog, streamers and special in-theatre lighting effects
Parents Have Fun Too: Baby priorities include a nursery at sea from 12 weeks old, morning cabin service allows babies to have afternoon nap; room-service puréed baby food deliveries. Adults-only spaces such as the Vista Spa or Disney Wonder’s Palo Restaurant are given top marks for décor and cuisine
Recommended Route: Any sailing with a stop at Castaway Cay, Disney’s own fantasy island

Royal Caribbean International (www.royalcaribbean.com)
Where They Go: around world including Panama Canal and Hawaii, but after all, Caribbean is this line’s middle name!
What’s Unique: Interconnecting staterooms that sleep up to six people allow separate bedroom for parents; interconnecting balconies allow kids to go back and forth to visit a multi-generational group. High-adrenaline onboard activities including full-court basketball as well as the world’s first floating ice rink, rock-climbing wall and surf simulator.
Kids Will Love: A teen-only advisory board means teen-only lounges and separate discos; new for 2009: the first zip-line at sea and Coney-Island-style amusement park. On selected nights, youth staff host dinners in the casual restaurants so that kids can eat with new friends.
Parents Have Fun Too: Fisher-Price Aqua Babies and Aqua Tots program for parents and babies age 6 months to 3 years; in-cabin babysitting; special adult evenings for Mystery Dinner Theater or four-course Italian Wine Dinner with pairings of wine from one of Italy’s leading producers.
Recommended Route: Caribbean cruise departing from Galveston, Tex., a unique island in its own right for seaside family attractions

Norwegian Cruise Lines (www.ncl.com)
Where They Go: Various international destinations but especially to Bermuda and Hawaii
What’s Unique: Largest living accommodations at sea; interconnecting suites create two-, three-, four- or five-bedroom areas; two-year-olds not yet toilet trained can be checked into the playroom—staff will beep you on your pager for change time
Kids Will Love: Bowling alleys; Kids’ Cafés with kid-sized furniture and child-height buffet; Fitness Frenzy teen boot camps. New for 2009: expanded LEGO family building challenges
Parents Have Fun Too: A pioneer for flexible dining—when kids are hungry, it’s time to eat; up to 13 restaurants on board; voted “Best Spa Facilities” by readers of Porthole Cruise Magazine
Recommended Route: Especially for first-time cruisers, try a two-day, two-night cruise from Miami, New York City or Vancouver; for experienced cruisers, set sail for Hawaii

Princess Cruises (www.princess.com.)
Where They Go: Around the world with a special family emphasis on the Pacific—Alaska, Fiji, Tahiti and Hawaii
What’s Unique: Family Suites that sleep up to eight people have two staterooms and a living area that opens onto an oversize balcony; an emphasis on fitness even for junior cruisers
Kids Will Love: Yoga for kids and teens; special teen spa services like Fruity Facials; a brainy interactive science program, where kids can build a roller coaster, learn about chemistry, study coral reefs or dissect a squid; movies under the stars
Parents Have Fun Too: Adults-only sunbathing area with direct access to the spa; a chef’s table experience that includes French champagne and appetizers in the ship’s galley as well as an exclusive Chef’s dinner in the dining room, autographed cookbook and photos with the Chef
Recommended Route: Alaska offers shore excursions such as wildlife watching and glacier lore with the National Park Service Junior Ranger Program and a chance to earn a Jr. Ranger badge. You can extend this northern Pacific experience by staying on in Alaska at Princess’s own wilderness park lodges.

Section # 9: Celebrations and Big Groups

For special occasions such as birthdays, anniversaries, family reunions or just a special surprise, why not gather the clan together in one place that suits all ages? Some possibilities:

A SKI RESORT DURING SUMMER Ski trails turn into biking and hiking trails, cuisine options are numerous, and suites or lodges provide lots of space both indoors and outdoors. Some good bets are Whistler-Blackcomb, Mont Tremblant, Mont-Sainte-Anne—just outside Quebec City—and Blue Mountain in Collingwood.

DISNEY DELIGHTS Throughout 2009, Disney parks give those celebrating a special occasion—be it birthday, anniversary, Sweet 16 or even a first vacation with children— extra perks to customize the experience such as family portraits, a celebration roundup and barbecue at Big Thunder Ranch, behind-the-scenes tours and free admission on visitors’ birthdays.

COTTAGE LIFE A lakeside chalet at Kenauk belonging to Le Fairmont Château Montebello (halfway between Ottawa and Montreal) that sleeps up to 12 people with wildlife excursions, fly fishing and relaxing by the lake (book two chalets for a big group), or a family cottage rental near Joggins, N.S., home to some of the oldest fossils on the continent and recipient of a recent UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site designation.

For Section # 10: Travel Agent SOS
Interview with Michele Radford, CAA Travel consultant

CAA travel operations manager Michele Radford is a self-confessed travel addict. She doesn’t have children so she borrows her favourite niece to cruise to Alaska or travels with her sister’s family to walk the Freedom Trail in Boston. And she loves it.: “You’re seeing the excitement through their eyes,” she says.
Why go to a travel consultant to help plan a holiday? “We have the experience and knowledge to help,” she says. “We have camp books if you’re camping; we have tour books that list points of interest, and indicate hotels with special rates for families.” Here, the enthusiastic Radford offers her best tips and destinations for family travel.

DISCOVER THE PASSION Ask kids about their own interests. Radford’s 11-year-old niece wants to be a veterinarian, so they embarked on an Alaska cruise. “There are lots of animals in Alaska and shore excursions are geared to animal watching,” says Radford. “We went to a husky summer camp. We did whale watching. She’s still talking about it.”

DON’T RUSH You can’t hustle kids and expect everyone to stay calm. “Don’t try to do Disney on a three-day weekend,” she advises. She and friends recently took 12 days to really enjoy both Walt Disney World and a Disney cruise.


DEFINE YOUR DESIRES “There is so much information on the Internet, but it’s overwhelming,” says Radford. Decide what your family really wants so your travel consultant can get it for you. For shore excursions while cruising and for certain popular restaurants like the Sci Fi Dine-In Theater at Disney’s Hollywood Studios (where you sit in vintage convertibles in front of a big screen), you should book ahead especially if you’re with a big family group. “You might want cars beside each other,” suggests Radford. “By booking ahead, you’ll get everything you want when you want it.”


GO FOR VALUE A travel consultant will make sure that you get value for money. Radford gives an example. “We know that if you are cruising into Hubbard Glacier or Glacier Bay in Alaska, you arrive very early in the morning. This could be the highlight of your trip as you watch chunks of ice fall from the glacier right next to your ship. “So a balcony cabin will save you from getting the kids up, getting them to breakfast and then out onto the deck fighting with crowds of people.” Travel agents are keen to pass on this type of insider knowledge. In Radford’s case, she and her neice ordered hot chocolate and eggs and bacon and wrapped up in blankets on their balcony to watch the action.
Similarly consultants can recommend the proper cabin size. “If everyone is on top of each other, what fun is that?” she asks. A consultant can recommend cabins spacious enough to fit everyone’s needs.

TEACHING MOMENTS “Parents want educational experiences for their children. But after all, it’s the kids’ vacation too,” notes Radford. Good combos: Boston with the Freedom Trail and Salem, Mass. for the witch lore; Prince Edward Island for the Confederation history and then Anne of Green Gables and clam digging on the beach; Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia for history (where kids can cavort with costumed interpreters from the 18th-century) and nearby Busch Gardens Williamsburg for roller coasters. “You can have fun with history in Willamsburg and then go to the park and stuff your face with popcorn,” Radford laughs.

BEST BETS If you can’t decide where to go, some possibilities for good family experiences:
* Great Wolf Lodge in Niagara Falls, ON. “Once you’ve checked in, you don’t need to go anywhere else. Everyone can have a good time.”
* A cruise on the Disney Magic or the Disney Wonder: “Kids do not want to leave the ship,” she says.
* A Rocky Mountain vacation: stay in Banff at the Fairmont Banff Springs Lodge or in Jasper at the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge; or, all aboard for Rocky Mountaineer’s two-day rail trip between Vancouver and Alberta. “It’s only two days but kids get a big kick out of it.”

As for Radford’s immediate travel future? This spring, she will take her niece to the Galápagos. And they have plans for Antarctica in 2010. “I’m not sure how long it will be there,” she says, “so we better go while we can.”

Section #11: Airport/airplane Survival Guide

* Dress everyone in dark layers so that airport food disasters with ice cream sundaes or pizza won’t ruin those white travel T-shirts.

• You no longer have to lug everything through an airport. Sevices such as Wee Travel based in Toronto, Vancouver, Victoria (www.weetravel.ca) arranges for portable cribs, strollers, car seats and feeding utensils to be picked up in any airport or shipped to any hotel room or destination.

• As soon as a child is old enough to say “backpack,” buy a small one and pack it with blanket or soft toy, a few books and a light change of clothes. It could be the start of a great travel relationship.

• Use the amazing new flight safety restraint harness for kids that’s now officially approved by the FAA as well as Air Canada, Air Transat and WestJet. The CARES child aviation restraint, invented by a grandmother of nine, is intended for children one year and older weighing between 22 and 44 pounds. See Kidsflysafe.com 1-800-299-6249. (Wee Travel will also rent them for $5/day or $25/ week and will ship across Canada.)

* Have proper documents at the ready: there are tighter ID requirements now for kids: children who appear 12 years or older now need two pieces of ID for all flights (this can be a passport or other ID). Parents travelling alone outside the country with their child should have a notarized letter saying it is ok to travel. A good resource for air travel with kids is: http://www.aircanada.com/en/travelinfo/before/youngtravellers/infant-child.html

• Plan something to suck on for babies and small children during take off and landing to relieve ear pain. For breastfed babies, save the feeding for those times. For older children, bring something to suck on or chew such as candy sticks or small bags of apples, raisins or cereal. And bring milk; it’s not always available on board.

• If kids have ear infections, don’t fly. The pressure could pop an eardrum. Even pilots with bad colds book off sick.

• Consult your travel agent to find airports with kids’ play areas or attractions such as SpacePort in the Calgary International Airport or whether you should book a bulkhead seats or bassinet if travelling with babies.

• Prepare children for air travel, especially first-time flyers. Read books about airplanes and talk about everything from airport security to waiting times and weird noises. Stress the safety aspects. For teens, absolutely no jokes at security or immigration checkpoints!

• Bring non-kicking-the-seat diversions: snacks, puzzle books, crayons, a small DVD or CD player or MP3 player with podcasts or downloads of childrens’ stories.

• Play a game of putting on good behaviour clothes for travel when you arrive at the airport. If they misbehave, remind them. Should it continue, have another passenger or flight attendant (it’s great to get someone in uniform!), speak to the child directly with an explanation of why. It often works.

• For safety’s sake, make sure that kids are wearing running shoes during flights, not flip-flops or plastic clogs, just in case they too have to run for a flight or from an airplane in an emergency situation.


Section # 12: Let the Fur Fly: Travel with Pets

Don’t let pets stop you from travelling. According to one Travel Industry Association survey, more than 29 million Americans took trips of more than 50 miles with their pets over the past five years. Almost 80 percent of those travelers took dogs. About 15 percent took cats, while the rest took birds, ferrets, rabbits—and even fish!

Another survey for Starwood Hotels conducted by Lieberman Research Worldwide found that 47 percent of dog owners travelled on overnight trips; of these, 40 percent owners had taken their dog to a hotel.

PAWS PATROL The CAA/AAA PetBook: Traveling with Your Pet offers thousands of hotel choices, details of leash-free parks and “petiquette’ suggestions for canine and feline travelers Why not the WOOF Hotel in Nantucket, MA, for example?

PET-FRIENDLY PROGRAMS Starwood’s LTD (Love That Dog) at Westin, Sheraton and W properties offers pampering products such as deluxe pillow beds, water bowls, doggie toys, canine massages and ID tags with hotel contact information. At the Seattle W property, doggy turndown truffles, an in-room dining menu and heather-bed pet bed! Other hotels are jumping on the canine bandwagon. Ask Holiday Inn, Fairmont Hotels and Resorts, Metropolitan, Crowne Plaza, Choice Hotels and Loews properties how they pamper your pets.

PET TRAVEL TIPS make sure your dog or cat is wearing an identification tag that includes your cell phone number; carry your pet crate into the hotel room for guaranteed sleep; ice chips are better than water for your pet while travelling.

And if you can’t bring Fido on the road? Fairmont’s Resident Dog (at many properties such as Fairmont Vancouver, Fairmont Waterfront in Vancouver, Fairmont Boston Copley Plaza and Fairmont Château Frontenac in Quebec City) acts as a popular tail-wagging ambassador and greeter. The dogs are available for room visits and walks with guests. For family members missing pooch time, book visits with the bellman.

Section #13 (or Sidebar): Ultimate Cope Kit
SUN, SAND AND WATER Children’s waterproof sunscreen, long-sleeved T’s, hats with brims, water bottles, cool shades, sand toys, water shoes (or old runners), kids’ flippers and masks
FIRST AID Thermometer, zinc ointment, ear drops, after-bite creams, tweezers, nail scissors, gauze tape, kids’ Band-Aids, antibiotic ointment, acetaminophen for fever, anti-histamine for insect bites, natural Gravol for anti-nausea, anti-itching ointment, hot-and-cold compresses, rehydration salts, tensor bandages for sprains, prescriptions in their original bottles, IAMAT’s co-ordinates (416-652-0137 or www.iamat.org) for a list of English-speaking doctors worldwide
DAILY NEEDS Baby wipes in bulk, zip-lock bags for dirty clothes or sudden motion sickness, insect repellent, flashlight for night hikes or emergencies, sports equipment, portable music players and CDs/DVDs
SLEEPOVERS Childrens’ bedtime storybooks, small pillows and blankets from home, stuffed friends, flashlight or plug-in lamp as night light (extra batteries too)

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