Traveling with kids as a solo parent taught me how to plan better vacations. In a blended family, everyone can do what they want.

On Saturday, violence erupted across Israel and Gaza in one of the worst conflicts the region has seen in decades, according to The New York Times. After Hamas militants began launching thousands of rockets and infiltrating Israeli towns early Saturday morning, the conflict has continued to escalate, with Israel’s military responding with massive air strikes. The violence has left thousands dead, according to CNN. Thousands more are injured on both sides.

When I started traveling by plane regularly about two years ago, I constantly made a big mistake: using a duffel bag as my carry-on.

I don’t remember when my love of Canada began — it’s something that’s always been there, this connection to a country that feels like a second home even though I haven’t spent longer than a month there in one go. I grew up by the sea in Cornwall and planned to study marine biology and live out on the water, researching whales and sharks. Unfortunately, or perhaps fortunately, my lack of scientific aptitude quickly put paid to that idea, but the love of nature remained and has been an anchor in my life and in my writing.

The most common question you’ll hear when traveling with kids in the USA? “When can we have a snack?”

Costa Rica is one of the most stable countries in Central America, with welcoming Ticos, lodgings to suit every style and budget, and long-established operators offering an array of family friendly activities, from easy wildlife encounters with sloths and toucans to adrenaline-fueled adventures. 

The supreme nature of Montana sets the stage for a holiday full of unforgettable childhood experiences and encounters.

The average cost to charter a private jet is over $11,000 per hour. While I regularly receive press releases and pitches about flying privately on the cheap, most of these are not that cheap, at least to me.

In 2020, Kim Haas introduced a new public television series on Afro-Latino culture and identity, with its first season filmed in Costa Rica. Now, three years later, Haas is back for a second time with a new set of episodes that brings audiences to Colombia.

Piling onto a tractor-trailer, an assortment of Luxor youngsters leaned into a conversation with a pair of retirees from Europe. "We’re learning English," the youngest said, unabashed by any lack of formal introduction. A tumble of questions followed: "Where you from? You like Luxor? How many kids you have?"

As "premium leisure" shines as a bright spot for legacy airlines, Hawaiian Airlines is showing signs that it wants to compete with the "Big Three" carriers in luxury travel.

Colombia's magic is not just a tale to be heard, but a reality to be experienced. From the beaches of the captivating Caribbean coastline to sweeping Andean vistas to awe-inspiring emerald jungles, South America's northernmost country offers unexpected surprises for families. Significant improvements in security and tourism infrastructure have rendered travel safe in the majority of Colombia, offering parents some peace of mind when visiting family-first cultural attractions and planning unforgettable escapades. Colombia holds plenty of space for children to let their imagination run wild and free and for the enchantment to reveal itself naturally. 

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Nicole Cruz, a 25-year-old cruise-goer who went on the Disney Cruise for the first time. It has been edited for length and clarity.