The Secret to Getting Teens Up Early on Vacation — Take Them to Harry Potter

The Secret to Getting Teens Up Early on Vacation — Take Them to Harry Potter

Thanks, Harry. Suddenly, young people, who wouldn’t spend much vacation time with their folks, much less get out of bed this early if they didn’t have to, think family vacations are fun again, especially when mom and dad or grandpa pay for the trip and pop for $100 wizarding robes (yes, despite the 90-degree Florida heat, fans traipsed around the park in the floor-length robes, wearing Hogwarts ties as belts) or $30 wands.

Day Two at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter

Day Two at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter

”The wand learns from the wizard and the wizard from the wand,” the Wandkeeper tells us, standing behind the counter in the small room that is lined floor to ceiling with shelves packed with wands in all kinds of boxes.

Two days at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter

Two days at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter

The much anticipated Wizarding World of Harry Potter has just opened and even the most avid fans who planned their trip to Orlando around the new attractions seem unprepared for the crowds. But that doesn’t stop the fun.

To the Caribbean in Summer

To the Caribbean in Summer

Finally, a Caribbean beach that’s everything a Caribbean beach should be – quaint, with hammocks strung from palm trees, crystal-clear water perfect for snorkeling, white sand, a first-rate beach bar and enough water toys to keep the kids happy (banana boat ride anybody?)

Lots of great food on Nantucket Island

Lots of great food on Nantucket Island

Yum! We’re at American Seasons run by husband and wife team Michael LaScola and Orela Murphy-LaScola, who juggle the restaurant with being parents to their toddler.

Nantucket, once the world’s whaling capital

Nantucket, once the world’s whaling capital

There is a lot of history we learn on this small island. In fact, the entire island is a historic district designated as a National Historic Landmark and has more buildings listed in the National Register of Historic Places than anywhere in Massachusetts, including Boston.

A getaway to Nantucket Island

A getaway to Nantucket Island

It’s that perfect beach day… blue skies, warm but not too hot. Colored umbrellas dot the Nantucket beach. Kids play on boogie boards while smaller ones build sand forts until… the two pups discover each other.

To Lake Placid, an Old-Fashioned Vacation Destination

To Lake Placid, an Old-Fashioned Vacation Destination

No one cares that the water is cold. The kids splash at the lake’s edge, play on the small sand beach as older, daring ones splash in the water and peddle kayaks, rowboats and paddleboats. Our pup eyes them all curiously

To California Wine Country

To California Wine Country

If you think Wine Country — especially Sonoma County — is just for grown-ups (at least those over 21) think again. There are plenty of places to bike, hike and kayak on the Russian River.