travel essentials for the home

Here's why I like this product. Sure, it makes your airline seat more comfortable. But I'm a stay-at-home mom and probably not flying anywhere anytime soon. Instead, I plan on using it at home. For example, my daughter wakes up at 5AM. After I take her out of her crib and cuddle her, she usually falls asleep on the couch next to me and I end up sleeping sitting up for another 45 minutes before she wakes up for the day. Soft Hugwear's Travel Essentials Set ($20) can help. I'd put the mask over my eyes to block out the rising sun outside the living room window, lean back on the comfy neck pillow and throw the mini blanket over my lap. The neck pillow would also come in handy when I'm reading a book to her before bed and she falls asleep before I finish but I still have to sit still for a few minutes until she's really zonked out. The ear plugs will likely be a lifesaver when my son decides to play all three of his bongo drums at the same time (trust me, it happens). The Soft Hugwear collection is priced between $3 and $29 and is available exclusively at Walmart locations nationwide and online at http://www.walmart.com/. Stock up now!

a kid in a castle

Sure, there's Disneyworld. But why take your kids to Cinderella's castle when they can sleep in a real one? Ireland's Dromoland Castle and Castlemartyr Resort not only offer a true castle experience but design their itineraries with kids in mind.

While parents enjoy an authentic Irish breakfast or a pint of Guinness at the bar (it's OK to indulge, you're on vacation!), kids can try archery, falconry, horseback riding, fishing, tennis, clay shooting, nature walks, duck feeding and the castles themselves. Where else can they play hide and seek in the forests and gardens or spend hours in the Kids' Zone, or play fetch with resident Irish Setters Earl and Countess?

Once they've worked up an appetite, they can enjoy a children's menu or snacks from the in-room dining menu while watching a movie with the family. Special treats also await at check-in and turn-down: lollipops, cookies and warm milk, and teddy bears (a special teddy bear picnic can be arranged).

Nearby you'll find a wildlife park, beaches, Europe’s largest indoor activity center for kids and a go-cart circuit. Yet other family-friendly outings are easily arranged by the resorts’ knowledgeable and enthusiastic concierges; ie: day sailing on the Celtic Sea and shopping in historic-yet-vibrant nearby towns. Go to www.dromolandcollection.ie. or www.castlemartyrresort.ie to book your stay; your kids will be treated like royalty.

traveling with tots

If you have to stay in Brooklyn, check into the New York Marriott at the Brooklyn Bridge. (It's just over the bridge from Manhattan so it's a great spot to unpack in if you are planning a trip to the city too). In addition to getting all of the basic amenities you get at any Marriott hotel (think clean, comfortable rooms, dependable service, and attention to detail), you'll find it's a great place to escape to with kids. We took Harrison, age 3, and Ava, 20 months, with us for the weekend. The hotel happily provided extra beds and linens, including fluffy pillows and down comforters. You'll love the cityscape and bridge views looming before you; your kids will love the HDTV and selection of Pay-Per-View movies. You can request an in-room fridge to store their favorite foods and snacks. The best thing about the hotel for kids is the lap pool, designed for adults but very amenable to kids who want to splash around a bit. The lifeguard closed a lane for us and some other mini swimmers each time we went down for a dip! Walk a few blocks to visit the New York Transit Museum where kids will love trekking through old train cars and going through the different turnstiles that have been in operation over the years. If you really need a break, leave the kids at home and take advantage of the hotel's romance package ($379 through December 31st; champagne and chocolate covered strawberries included). Go to www.marriott.com and search for the Brooklyn Bridge destination to make your reservations.

playdate with a pachyderm

Lions and tigers and bears...oh my! OK, maybe just some exotic elephants. If you need to get away with the family but want to do more than lounge on the beach, pack your bags and head to Hoedspruit, South Africa. Camp Jabulani, a Relais & Chateaux, eco-award-winning luxury safari camp near Kruger National Park, introduces a new edutainment program called Team Tusker, designed for children under the age of 12 staying at the Camp’s luxurious newest lodging, Zindoga Presidential Villa (opens September 2009). Kids will learn the basics of tracking, dung throwing, camp survival, orienteering, bush cooking, animal art, star gazing, radio communication, bird watching and much more. Camp Jabulani’s Zindoga Presidential Villa was named after the first male elephant born to the camp’s herd; the name means “on its own.” The ultra-deluxe villa consists of two luxurious suites each accommodating two adults with an additional annex to accommodate two children. In addition, the facility boasts a wood-burning fireplace in the lounge, gas fire places in the suites and two heated pools, as well as a dedicated chef and team on hand to guarantee that everything goes smoothly for every member of the party. I know my kids would be thrilled to meet the camp's dozen specially trained elephants and take an elephant-back safari. Rates for the entire Zindoga Suite start at 38,500 R or US $4,844 per night. For more information, visit www.campjabulani.com

the great escape

Summer is the perfect time to get away...and family travel is affordable and easy to arrange this summer, thanks to new and exciting deals from Trafalgar Tours. Whether you want to show your kids the castles of the British Isles or the great plains of the Old West, Trafalgar's specially designed Family Tours cater to your every need. With Trafalgar, you can save you up to 40% off the cost of putting together a similar vacation on your own. And kids 14 years old or younger who share triple or quad accommodations with two adults save up to an additional 40% off the adult fare (special savings are also available for children 15 to 17). Choose from these great packages...

European Adventures. Your clients will see it all - from the White Cliffs of Dover to the Toy Museum in Prague, the Glockenspiel in Munich, and the Eiffel Tower in Paris. This is a 15-day journey for everyone and includes a sweep of England, Belgium, Holland, Germany, the Czech Republic, Austria, Italy, Switzerland, and France - nine countries filled with history and culture -- from $2,250 per person.

Castles, Highlands & Heritage. The vast beauty of Great Britain is revealed on a 15-day tour through England, Wales, and Scotland, with fascinating sites including Stonehenge, Shakespeare's home, a journey to Loch Ness, and a visit to St. Andrews. Rates start at $2,050 per person.

Gladiators, Gondolas & Mountains. Families can travel, dine and explore their days away within the breathtaking beauty of Italy, France, Monaco, and Switzerland on this 13-day tour that visits Rome, Florence, the Tuscan Hills, Nice, Geneva, Zermatt, Italian Lakes, and Venice. Rates begin at $2,175 per person.

If you want to stay closer to home, check out these amazing itineraries right here in the US...

Adventures in the Wild Northwest. Vacationing families will wander the great North Woods enshrouded in canopies of centuries old giant redwood trees. They will ride dune buggies in the sand, race jet boats on the Rogue River, zoom to the top of the Space Needle and more in a wild 9-day journey of the Northwest that runs from San Francisco to Seattle. Rates start from $1,935 per person.

Pioneer Adventures of the Old West. This sojourn in the vast high desert includes all the great American memories that kids will hold dear for the rest of their lives. They will see Montezuma's Castle, take a ride on the Grand Canyon Railway, swim in Lake Powell and see the Old West in style on an 8-day escapade from Phoenix to Las Vegas via Grand Canyon and Bryce Canyon national parks. Rates begin at $1,550 per person.

Wild West, Cowboys and Buffaloes. What child would say no to a chance to explore Cowboy Country - where the Wild West began. Children of all ages will have a rip-roarin' good time on this 8-day adventure through the true cowboy towns of Jackson, Cody, Sheridan and Keystone. Even the most reticent of travelers will want to ride a genuine 1880 steam train in Yellowstone and gaze up to the famous faces at Mt. Rushmore. Rates begin at $1,550 per person.

All rates are per person, double occupancy and do not include airfare. They include top quality hotel accommodations, luxury transportation by motor coach, rail or cruise ship, outstanding cuisine, daily sightseeing and optional excursions with expert local guides, and personal concierge services. For more info, see your travel agent, call 866.544.4434, or go to www.trafalgartours.com.

baby on board

Summer means getting away from it all and we all know how important it is to travel light when there's a baby involved. Now you can do so and still bring the products you need and love--thanks to the Weleda Baby Starter Kit ($12). It's composed of five essential Weleda products designed to calm, soothe and protect in an easy-to-carry, reusable bag that meets TSA size requirements. Formulated with Biodynamic® calendula, the Weleda Baby Calendula Care collection softly cares for a baby’s ultra-sensitive skin. Plus, it smells baby fresh! The Calendula Baby Cream gives skin a protective layer from dry indoor air or the ravages of the great outdoors. Calendula Oil, formulated with organic chamomile, is ideal for after a bath or to pamper your baby with a soothing massage. Calendula Lotion with sweet almond oil, organic sesame oil and calendula moisturizes and soothes delicate skin. Calendula Shampoo & Body Wash, with plant-derived, sugar-based cleansing and foaming agents, is gentle on eyes and skin. And--my favorite--Calendula Diaper Care, complete with a medicinal blend of zinc oxide and other calming ingredients, offers quick relief from diaper rash and minor skin irritations. Plus, it eliminates unwanted odors and leaves your little one smelling sweet. Get your kit at www.usa.weleda.com.

father's day: travel light

For guys who are always on the go, this compact travel kit will save time otherwise spent on refilling travel bottles or searching for products in their miniature form. The rich shave cream features a blend of absinthe extract, jojoba oil, vitamin E, active aloe, and pro-vitamin B5 to help the razor glide over skin and ensure a close shave. It also soothes skin and protects it from irritation. The light-textured aftershave balm features marigold and ginseng to soothe and comfort skin after shaving. The toning and hair strengthening shampoo, with magnesium and wheat protein, the juniper and rum shower gel, and the ruscus and chestnut eye cream make up all the necessities of a daily skin care routine. Metrosexual or not, it's a gift he won't be able to do without. Available at www.sephora.com and Korres Natural Products stores in New York City.

family retreat

I remember staying at a certain Caribbean mega-resort and overhearing parents talking about dropping their kids off for the day at the kids' program, then hiring a babysitter for the evening so they could go out to dinner and the casino. While I am all for "couple only" vacations, when traveling with the kids I believe you should actually spend some time with them. That's why the new Family Package at The Somerset on Grace Bay is so appealing. This idyllic property in Turks and Caicos was developed by Allyson Nick, a New York real estate developer and mother of five, who knows what families want to get out of a vacation. She designed the Somerset with exceptionally large suites (featuring one to five bedrooms!), two swimming pools (one with a zero-entry shallow end for toddlers and the other with underwater music piped through for teens). The Family Package (available now through December 18th, 2009) offers four night stays for the price of three (a savings of $500 to $4,000, depending on the type of room booked) and includes an Alice in Wonderland tea party, a beachfront clambake with live music, a dive-in movie night, early dining room hours for kids (plus free meals for those under 12!), cookie baking sessions, en suite pizza delivery (extra charge), complementary snorkeling equipment and babysitting services (if you do want to get away for an hour or two!). For more info, visit www.thesomerset.com.