I'm planning to take my family on our first real vacation ever. The problem is that I'm travelling with a 12-month old baby at the time of the vacation. I need to find something tha wll prove fun for a set of grandparents, a couple of pre-teens, and the baby... and let's not forget a thirty-something couple! Help! we've got a week-long vacation to work with. Thanks!

Multi generational trips can be tricky. It can be a challenge finding a resort or destination that will please everyone. Perhaps this article will help you with some ideas regarding baby travel...
http://www.vacationkids.com/babytravel.php

Here you will find links about flying with your baby and resorts that offer infant programs as well as activities for the entire family.mom@vacationkids.com

familyfun.com is good for ideas
I have 7 children. Hotels are out for us. We went for an RV and we travel in RV parks and the best of them are loaded with activities for all ages with memories everyone will talk about for years to come. Simple things like camp fires, smores, nature walks, swims- it is all great.

We always love Disney Parks because they are so mulit-generational and family friendly. go off season in Sept / October they have Food&Wine Festival and is less hot, less crowded.

We have some good options in Banff, Alberta, Canada. Here's a video with some of winter activities you can do with your kids: Sunshine Village Kids Ski
Hope this is useful

I did a Disney cruise in Dec to Bahamas and it was great!!! Cant tell you enough great things about it. Once you pay thats it. Everythings included, even childcare! You can take them to the kids area from sun up to after sun down, no extra. There is an adult area, bingo, an adult club, and an adult pool. There are lots of mixed generation families on board. It only leaves out of Port Canaveral FL, so plan to go when theres a shuttle launch! Look on www.vacationstogo.com at the Disney line and youll easily see all of their dates and prices so you can choose! Very easy. I paid $350 for a 4 night. The more you have in a room the better the deal. Worth more than that! Kids have fun= you having fun!
Let me know if you want more info. I could go on... PS the Disney Island was as good as Cozumel and had free food and childcare also!
This ship was made for situations exactly like yours! You wont regret! Very clean, very safe... Ok Ill stop now.

www.irelandforkids.ie
check out this site... I've just launched itr and I think its great!!! if oyu thinking about going to Ireland with Kids

I agree with Michelle. We just took our 12 month old daughter and had a blast. It was just my husband and I, and we're in our 30's as well. Here's some advice: buy yourself a good umbrella stroller that your baby can nap in (we love the Maclaren quest b/c it reclines,) if you can swing it, stay on property. Makes it easy to return to your room for naps and swim breaks. You're lucky to have parents going w/ you-maybe they can take the baby back to the room while you ride the big rides! And, you never have to drive while you're there! We stayed at Animal Kingdom Lodge and my daughter LOVED the animals outside of our room! We're thinking about doing the cruise next!
San Diego is also a good option. The Hotel Del Coronado is gorgeous, on the beach, has great food, and is a short drive to the SD Zoo, Sea World, and a couple of hours from Disneyland. There's many other resort options in SD, though. Good luck, and have fun!

Such trips can be fun but you've got to consider the two extremes. You would like to travel with a baby and grandparents so there is only so much you can do. Let's dissect this into some meaningful advice:

don't travel far away as travelling itself is exhausting and usually unnecessary to achieve your goal - have fun!

visit a place that is well covered with useful family guides (it simply means people there are used to family visitors)

use Google and search for websites that are based on owner's experience of the place and don't just look for pure tourist guides (example: http://www.maribor-slovenia-travel-guide.com

before going anywhere talk to everyone and make sure you know what they'd like to do during holidays (this will help you focus on most appropriate destinations)

and finally, if travelling abroad, make sure you're all insured and find out how things work in case you need a doctor, hospital, etc.

Best wishes and have nice holidays!

First things first....
When it comes to vacation planning there are a few questions that need to be answered in order to get you the best family vacation ever...
who, what, where, when, and how much.
You've told us the "Who" in Who is going on this trip. Now for the rest of it -
WHAT kind of trip are you looking for
-relaxing
-adventurous
-educational
-themed
-by land/by sea/by air
-luxury
-camping
WHERE do you want to go?
U.S?
Caribbean?
Europe?
Your own back yard?
WHEN?
Next week?
Next month?
Next year?
dates and timing will effect your rates and budget.
HOW MUCH?
You're family needs to determine a budget ahead of time to avoid sticker shock and arguements later on. This will also help with your decision making process too.

Having answer to these questions will help you to focus your decisions. If you're not sure, seek the help of a professional travel agent who knows the industry and can help you thru this process.
Cheers
Sally Black
mom@vacationkids.com

Renting a house instead of staying at a hotel can offer families more space to unwind after a day of sightseeing. We found www.ownerdirect.com had some good deals. My family of 6 spent a week in Whistler, BC and had a great time.
Whistler Accommodation - http://www.ownerdirect.com/accommodations/whistler.htm

Fun Family Photos at the Beach
There is so much to keep track of on a family excursion that it can be tempting to leave behind the camera gear. With the chances of dropping something in the Gulf, losing something in the sand or leaving something behind, perhaps it is a good idea to leave your quality camera at home.
What, you ask? Take the tykes to the beach and not take a camera? Impossible.
Well, you can get the best of both world - lasting memories without the worry of ruining your camera.
On your way to the Alabama Gulf Coast, stop in to a retailer in Gulf Shores or in Orange Beach and check out the array of disposable cameras. The technology has come a long way, and there are styles designed to be waterproof. You can even find disposable video cameras.
For a souvenir the entire family can enjoy making, get a camera for each person. Collect them all at day's end and have double prints made. Each person can put his or her prints in a personal album (there are hundreds of styles to choose from at shops along the Alabama Gulf Coast), plus there will be a set for a family album.
Then, have each person choose a favorite to submit to www.thebeachiscalling.org. From the home page, scroll over the Photos & Fun button and look for “Visitor Favorite Photos” in the drop-down menu. Follow the link for a form to submit photos for consideration.

Hey, did you know that a Dude Ranch vacation is a week long? They are also very family centered and loads of fun. You mentioned that you had teens in the group, right? Any horse crazy girls that would like to basically own a horse for a week? Some ranches have full spa accommodations, while others don’t even have a swimming pool. You might try looking on www.coloradoranch.com. I don’t know of a better family vacation! I mentioned in my thread that there are activities for everyone… so true. I personally am partial to Colorado dude ranches… I mean, you are dealing with some of the most stunning mountains in America!! Oh, and did I mention the complete and total lack of crowds? Beat that Disney.

Thailand is the land of golden temples, tropical beaches and forested hills. For sightseeing and travel, Thailand has few equals. From dazzling temples and palaces to awe-inspiring World Heritage Sites; from timeless rural settlements to vibrant towns; from idyllic beaches to national parks where wild nature rules.

The various activities in thailand such as Spa, Thai Food&Cooking, Adventure, Shopping, Diving, Golf etc.
http://travel-guide2008.blogspot.com
http://www.toursthaionline.com
http://www.thaitour-hotel.com

Too fun - we took our first real vacation to DisneyWorld when our 3rd child was 13 months, and the older ones were 5 and 7, then did it again 2 years later with our 4th being just a year old (and took the 2 grandmas as well). We LOVED Florida, the second trip we opted for less Disney (our kids aren't the biggest fans of rides) and more beach. Clearwater Beach by Tampa was awesome! The baby loved to play in the icing-sugary sand, and we always spotted dolphins, went to the Clearwater Marine Rescue place. It was great for all of the generations. Stay at a hotel that has a waterpark, or other activities so that you can take a day or two "off" and still have some fun.
At http://www.familyvacay.com/ezine-index.html they have a great article about packing for a trip with children. You can also post reviews of places you've been, or read other families' vacation reviews. Good luck and have fun!

quote:

Originally posted by joiebutterfly:
I'm planning to take my family on our first real vacation ever. The problem is that I'm travelling with a 12-month old baby at the time of the vacation. I need to find something tha wll prove fun for a set of grandparents, a couple of pre-teens, and the baby... and let's not forget a thirty-something couple! Help! we've got a week-long vacation to work with. Thanks!

joiebutterfly: If you're interested in fun, outdoor-ish activities for the family, you could consider the Portland, Oregon area. It's got some beautiful hiking or boating opportunities, and even stuff for little tykes. Here is a review of one place I know of out there. http://www.pdxfamilyadventures.com/current-events/great...ted/1038/18/02/2009/ Good luck!

Try the south beaches of the Gulf of Mexico, IE Yucatan, Mexico. 1.5 hr flight from Houston into Merida(MID) , the capital of Yucatan. The beach areas of Progreso and Chicxulub 20 miles north of Merida, now there you can really relax. After July and August, the beach areas are deserted, the waters are warm, food is good and cheap. Many Mayan sites to explore within an hours drive.
We live there 5/6 months of the year and rent out our 3 story, 5 bedroom house that sleeps 10. Great for a reunion at the beach. See our web page www.Castillo Nicte-Ha.com for more information and contact.