My husband and I really wanted to take our own five young kids to Walt Disney World. My family had such a great time at Disney, that my kids are still talking about it two months later -- and constantly asking to go back! Here are some tips I will pass on to you, if you are planning a Disney vacation!

  To find a good hotel that suits your family's needs is like looking for a second home. For our family the winner hands down has been the We...

As the outdoor temperature starts to fall, many Canadians plan their winter escapes. Most look for someplace warm. Canadians are generous, caring people, and that doesn't change when we go on holiday. But surely we can't cure all a country's problems in the one week we are there! There's nothing we can do to change things for the children, right? Actually, there's a lot we can do.

"Learning doesn't take a vacation." Okay, like most annoying moms, I said it and this summer, I tried to live it. During a family vacation to London, England, I attempted to make our visit a mixture of the historic and the fun (they're not always interchangeable, no matter what my history buff husband says), hoping that the kids would learn something, even if their summer-vacation-new-knowledge resistance factor was strong.

The days are feeling long, but don't be fooled: Summer will always feel like the shortest season. Make the most of the extra daylight by hitting the open road. From north to south and east to west, the editors at Travelzoo have put together three road trips for travel this summer.

Travel, of course, is about the joy of discovery. Vacation, though, is best spent re-discovering. I was reminded of that fact this week when I returned to New York, where I lived for 10 years. When you travel to places for the first time your time is often spent running from one tourist spot to the next, taking tours, and exercising your brain. Sometimes, however, you just want to feel the comfort that only comes when you know a place well.

Another glorious summer long weekend has passed, perhaps you were lucky enough to jet someplace fabulous, or pile into the car for a road trip. There is nothing quite like travelling to cement a relationship. The gloves come off, so to speak. When cramped quarters, jet lag or language barriers are factored in, true colours are unabashedly revealed. Here are some tips to help keep the peace.

My family and I are city slickers, that's a fact. We love the life that living in the downtown core affords us. People say that "back to nature" is the way to go if you want to get a real perspective on life. Hogwash, I thought... until now. My motor-mouth and city swagger was at once shot down by the scene before me. I had been humbled by the mountains.

Besides cleaning up the yard, there's just one thing on my mind: what to do with the kids for the summer. The first thought is a road trip to visit my parents. That's a 30-hour drive and I know every kilometre of the trip in advance -- from the Montreal pee breaks, to the moose. On second thought, maybe we'll look for adventure elsewhere this summer...

The last thing anyone wants to do on vacation is work. Whether it's discovering the local area with a personalized trail guide, selecting the ideal microbrew for your afternoon quaff or choosing a scented pillow for a quality snooze, these hot spots will ensure your visit is no work, all play!

One week in the Dominican Republic at an all-inclusive resort for a good friend's wedding. This is the place where you DON'T bring your laptop. But, I reasoned, the self-employed don't get vacations. Then I put away my laptop, and I had the best week of my life.

Telfor Bedeau began hiking in 1962 and since 1990 has been regularly guiding travellers throughout Grenada. A former surveyor, sailor and British railway worker, Bedeau is the most recognized face in Grenada hiking. Fit and sprightly at 73 years old, Bedeau's love of nature and knowledge of the country make him great company.