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So you've made up your mind that you are going on a family vacation. And the next question is ~ where to? There are many places for a family vacation but not all of them will have what you need for an enjoyable trip. Since you are going together with your children, they will need to be the key point to consider if you are all to have a great vacation.

The number one mistake for a vacation with children is Las Vegas or Reno in Nevada. The rigorous advertising of both cities (especially Las Vegas) as places for family vacations is misleading, because these places are not targeted specifically at family travelers.

Neither Las Vegas, nor Reno offer something exceptional for children that cannot be seen anywhere else. Besides, going to Las Vegas, suggests that you would like to spend at least some time gambling. Gambling is an activity that you~d better keep for adults-only vacations.

The preferred choice for many parents with children is Disney theme parks. These parks are often the best choice for children over five and under twelve. Children over twelve may well still like it, too. Children under five, especially those under three, might find it difficult to spend the whole day there and later they will hardly remember their visit to Disney.

Do not forget, however, that a lot of energy is required for a vacation at Disney. These parks are not a good choice for a relaxing trip, because as a rule they are crowded and there are so many new things to see. With younger children, it can get especially hard in the afternoons.

Hawaii is the place for a more relaxed family vacation with children. Though Hawaii is not specifically targeted towards children, different Hawaiian Islands offer many attractions that are suitable for children.

Hawaii is a good choice for slightly older children -- let~s say over ten -- because many of its attractions are geared to individuals over that age. For instance Pearl Harbor ~ younger children will have no way to understand what is so special about that place.

Another suggestion for a family vacation with children is cruise ships. When choosing to spend your vacation on a cruise ship, there are some important facts to consider.
First, it is most likely that you will share a cabin with your family and there won~t be enough room for everybody's liking. But since there are so many things to do outside the cabin, it shouldn~t be too much of a problem to view the cabin as a sleeping spot rather than a permanent hang-out.

Another disadvantage of cruise ships is that they might not be suitable for teenagers. The reason is that most of the children~s programs are for children under twelve, while the majority of adult entertainment (lounges, casinos, etc.) are also not suitable for teenagers, who are too young for this kind of fun. But despite everything, a cruise vacation is a good choice even only because of all astonishing ocean sights and ports that you will visit while on vacation.
Beware of whales!

The conclusion is that choosing the destination for your family vacation is firmly up to you! You are the one who knows best what is interesting for your children and what is not. Take into account what is suitable for them and what is preferred by you, choose a destination or vacation package which offers the best combination of things which appeal to all of you -- and you're halfway to a great trip already.

Want more detailed Disney information? Check Out This Insider Guide!

Andrew Westforth is the Owner of
FHT Travel
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