Whether it’s Fodor’s or Eat, Pray, Love there are plenty of books to inspire the practical side of travel or a bit of wanderlust for Mom or Dad. But what’s on the bookshelf that can inspire the little ones and teens for the family vacation? Plenty!
Harry Potter makes magic for all, of course, especially when it comes to Britain. But did you know that J.K. Rowling lived in Portugal for several years teaching English? The Lello Bookstore has been said to inspire the one described in Hogwarts, and it’s fun to spot the schoolchildren from Porto in their capes — part of the uniform.
Photo: Ittipon | Dreamstime
It’s not just a cookie, although kids will probably be excited to eat some of those too thanks to Madeline, Ludwig Bemelmans’ precocious character whose tales are often told entirely in rhyme. The Catholic schoolgirl’s stories take place in a Paris boarding school.
The This Is series by Miroslav Sasek brings kids to Venice, Paris, Rome and beyond. The author should know — Czech by birth, he spent much of his time in different European countries like West Germany and the author and artist’s delightful series of illustrations are colorful and playful enough to keep imaginations going for hours.
Photo: Rozenn Leard | Dreamstime
Lately Lily: The Adventures of a Traveling Girl shows this little heroine’s wonder at being on an airplane on the cover art, but it doesn’t stop there. Illustrator Micah Player’s world traveler gets around via wings, trains, boat and even camel, accompanied by her “best friend,” stuffed animal Zeborah.
The frenetic pace of Tokyo is captured in Maira Kalman’s Sayonara Mrs. Kackleman, where siblings Lulu and Alexander create poems for their Japanese guide, and haikus written by frogs are just as illustrative as colorful kimonos, fish markets and outdoor baths.
Ages 8-12 reach great heights with Barnaby Brocket, whose journeys as an outlier — a boy with the ability to float — bring him all over the world from New York to Brazil, Canada and Ireland. Parents will be jealous about not paying for an extra plane ticket.
Make Way for Ducklings has been used as a White House Christmas decorating theme and as an exchange for peace between Barbara Bush and Raisa Gorbachev, and its whimsy continues to delight readers of all ages. The official children’s book of Massachusetts, it’s a popular tome for most visitors to the state capital of Boston and serves as a sort of walking guide for the city’s most popular attractions — including the statue in the Public Garden park here of the mother duck and her eight ducklings, decorated seasonally with hats and mini sweaters.
The Roman Mysteries, a series of historical novels for children by Carline Lawrence, focus on fascinating stories from four children who try to solve riddles in ancient Rome, Greece and beyond.
Fans of Twilight can satisfy their thirst for mystery and magic with Karou of Laini Taylor’s Daughter of Smoke and Bone series, which takes the 17-year-old on evil errands across the globe, including Prague and Morocco.
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Insta FeedDestinations / North America
Oct 2, 2023Fall and Halloween Family Fun Await at Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park in Mansfield, Pennsylvania
With cooler weather and fall colors on its way, it’s time to plan your fall family travels. Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp-Resort PA Wilds in Mansfield is the perfect destination, and with both scary and not-so-scary events, kids and parents alike can celebrate the festive season with trick-or-treating, fall crafts, fun with the Yogi Bear characters and more.
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United Airlines Celebrates its First Class of United Aviate Graduates
As the only major U.S. airline to own a flight school, United Airlines already hit a major milestone, and now the carrier celebrates another important — and historic — step as the inaugural class of United Aviate Academy pilots graduates, leading the next generation of aviators. The 51 students in the graduating class were majority, at 80 percent, women and people of color — another stride toward United’s goal of training 5,000 new pilots by 2030 with half women or POC.
Destinations / North America
Oct 2, 20234 U.S. Oktoberfest Events for Families to Enjoy
Oktoberfest is not all about beer. Although beer does play a major role, many of these German-themed fall festivals include activities fun for the whole family. You don’t need to travel to Munich to enjoy the oom-pah bands, lively dances, colorful Bavarian dress and traditional German foods; you can find them in almost all regions of the United States this October. Here are some good choices for families:
Destinations / Europe
Sep 29, 2023How to Find the Best Gelato (And Spot the Fake Stuff) on Your Travels Through Rome
Rome is a city full of musts for visitors. You must visit the Colosseum, the Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps. And the list goes on, all the way down to trying gelato. No trip to Rome would be complete without the obligatory sweet treat, and for good reason. Gelato is delicious, refreshing and it comes in every flavor you can imagine. But while you can find it just about everywhere you turn in the Eternal City, it’s important to know not all gelatos are created equal. The city is brimming with fakes, and once you know how to tell the difference, not only will you see the fake stuff everywhere, but you will also refuse to settle for less than authentic.
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Interior Upgrades Begin Rolling Out Across United Fleet
United Airlines is in the midst of a major initiative to modernize its fleet over the next several years. After first announcing the plan in 2021, planes fitted with United’s signature interior are finally beginning to appear across the airline’s narrowbody fleet of Boeing and Airbus planes. United flyers are sure to notice these enhancements from the moment they step on board: Each new or updated plane sports remodeled seats, seatback entertainment screens for everyone, Bluetooth connectivity and more, all adding up to a better experience on every journey.
Destinations / North America
Sep 29, 2023Kidzania: A City Built for Kids, Run by Kids
Looking for a unique, fun and educational activity for the kids during your next family travels? Well, Kidzania has you covered. Located in Dallas, Texas, this city is not only built for kids but also run by kids. It’s unlike any other entertainment parks; in Kidzania, kids learn useful knowledge, skills and experiences, all while having the chance to be independent.
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