Ed Kaufman's linked memoir and travel essays sweep the reader along to coveted destinations on five continents in a fast-paced blend of adventure, humor, and poignant insights. At times the author, his wife Karen, and their young son Adam face danger when a herd of thirsty elephants surrounds them in Zimbabwe, when Ed lands in crocodile-infested waters in Costa Rica at other times they undertake an inner journey, participating in ancient rituals in Ethiopia, Tibet, and Papua New Guinea. The author, who has dual credentials as a psychiatrist with a MFA in creative nonfiction, brings a unique perspective to this odyssey, one courting risk yet circling back to family and home.

The Benefits and uses of a Vacation Planner Vacations are supposed to be fun and relaxing. But even when you are on an enjoyable outing away from home, some sense of organization is needed. You and your family want to take in as much as possible in a short amount of time. That is why a vacation planner is a must. All sorts of planners are available online. You can even download a vacation planner app on your smartphone. Find out what hotels and attractions are in the area. Check the distances and travel times between destinations. Where are the best places to eat? Where can you gas up your vehicle? Get all this with a vacation planner to make your trip both orderly and fun.

"What? Quit our jobs, sell everything, and take the kids on a 4 year adventure through the Caribbean and South America? Are we crazy? "
"You will laugh out loud as you read the inspiring true story of a family who abandoned their crazy, stress-filled days to live a life of adventure. "
Carla and Dan were living what was supposed to be the American dream-the big house, successful corporate careers, and two young, wonderful children. But it all came at a cost-the constant stress of the weekly morning race to work and school, the tired weekends, a family headed in different directions, the struggle to keep it all together as effortlessly as everyone else seemed to be doing, and the overwhelming fear that the struggle to live this life was costing them a life of happiness.
They knew they had to make a dramatic change, so over the objections of family, friends, and co-workers, that's what they did-they made a" big "change.
Though not proficient sailors, they sold their house and most of their possessions, bought a sailboat, and with their six-year-old daughter and ten-year-old son, left on a four-year adventure, sailing through the Caribbean and backpacking through South America.
""Everything that defined who we were was gone. Now it was time to find out who we are." "
They sailed down the Caribbean, battling the fears of storms, pirates, and homeschooling. Surviving those things and more, the foursome were not only surprised to still be talking to each other, but were inspired by how strong they had become as a team. Encouraged and emboldened, they left their sailboat in Aruba and backpacked through South America where they:
Fought off biting ants in the Amazon Reveled in the beauty of Machu Picchu Observed penguins in Chile Hiked to a glacier on top of a volcano in Ecuador Stood star-struck in the remoteness of the Atacama Desert
Wanderlust still not satisfied, their expedition branched out to the US. The family crossed the country by train and RV, where they became schooled in the art of RV parking by German tourists and learned the dangers of mistaking a fellow camper for a potato chip eating bear.
The best part of their odyssey was connecting with other cultures and reconnecting as a family, learning they will always be stronger when they are together.
"Whether you can sail a boat, ride a bus, take a train, or just cross the street, Carla and her family will inspire you to live a life without borders. "

A heartwarming travel memoir filled with temper tantrums, disorienting jetlag, and zany, once-in-a-lifetime family adventures. Who says you can't travel with kids? Dan and I find out we can do just that as we set off with our two very young kids, first to live and work on an island far out in the Pacific, then on to the continent of Africa with a few stops in between. Armed with strollers, diapers, and too much luggage, we travel to over twenty-five countries throughout a ten year span, while working together as international overseas educators. After surviving typhoon Yuri, almost being mauled by lions, and, being nearly shot by a presidential guard, we happily endure all of the good times and bad, while living life to the fullest. A decade's worth of experiences and lifelong memories remain with us, as we return to the U.S., now with two teenagers in tow, and begin to experience our very own version of reverse culture shock.

From botanical gardens to horseback safaris, Days Out Around Orlando is packed with hidden gems for both visitors and residents to enjoy. Packed with information, directions, tips and photographs, this guide has something for all ages. Get the lowdown on state parks and natural springs and enjoy Florida's wildlife including alligators, manatees and rare birds. See sponge divers, take an airboat safari, visit historic mansions, tour a winery, cycle down a disused railway line or hire a swan-shaped boat on Lake Eola - the choice is yours. This guide book is entertainingly written and brimming with ideas for great days out around Orlando. Best of all, it is full of information from someone who has actually done the trips and thoroughly enjoyed every one of them.

Margot and Anthony were ordinary parents. With two jobs and three kids, there was soccer and carpool and too much to do, and a little chronic stress about money. Then one night, following a day that was a regular amount of hectic, Margot had an idea: "I think we should move to Costa Rica." Seven weeks later, there they were, jobless on top of a mountain, hours from the nearest paved road. This witty, insightful memoir of a family's struggle to right itself in a leafy new world is about parenting and privilege, loneliness and connection. It's about what happens when a stressed-out technology professional escapes with her loved ones to an idyllic mountaintop...and finds that even when everything changes, some things remain the same.

Discover the Faces and Places of South Dakota The Black Hills Family Fun Guide is your key to the perfect family getaway. Whether you're a first-time visitor or a lifelong resident, this full-color guidebook leads you on a modern-day adventure through the best that South Dakota has to offer. From hiking and horseback riding to museums and theaters, author Kindra Gordon's tips and trivia help you to make the most out of every experience. The easy-to-read guide features more than 150 family-friendly attractions and is arranged by such themes as Dinosaurs Galore, Meaningful Museums, and Puttin' on a Show. Neat-to-know facts introduce the people, places, and history, while maps help you find South Dakota's hidden treasures. Discover the faces and places of South Dakota. Blaze new trails and share experiences that you'll cherish forever.

When she set off to cross the Atlantic as part of a delivery crew, Jill Dickin Schinas had no idea that she was embarking on a whole new life, but within a week of setting out she and the skipper were making plans for a journey to Cape Horn. One year later the couple were on their way but had detoured up the Amazon to get married. Two years after that they were crossing the Atlantic again, this time from the Caribbean and this time with the ship's company enlarged by the addition of a two year old son and a babe in arms. Together the little family then headed directly for the Falkland Islands and the southern tip of South America - travelling via the Bahamas, the Azores, Portugal, the Canaries, Cape Verde, Senegal, Guinea Bissau, Guinea Conakry, Cote d'Ivoire, Ghana, Sao Tome and Principe, Uruguay, Argentina, and various tenanted and untenanted islets and lumps of rock cast adrift in the Atlantic Ocean. Seven years after setting out, they almost reached their destination... On the face of it, this book is a travelogue, but it is also a portrait of the cruising lifestyle - the hand-to-mouth, alternative lifestyle, not the early-retirement luxury cruise. ////////// "Yes, we were bound for Cape Horn... in as much as we had a destination, this indeed was it. But we were in no great hurry, and even this goal was viewed as little more than a staging post on our journey, for we meant to journey indefinitely. Truly, it was not a place but a lifestyle which we were setting forth to find." ////////// The family's adventures range from fighting gales and battling with immigration officials, to exploring uncharted African waters and abandoning ship to board a chopper via the winch cable. There is much in here that will be of value to other yachtsmen and other travellers, and heaps which will appeal to armchair voyagers and to families seeking to turn away from the nine-to-five motorway and tread a road of their own. ////////// Contains 31 pen-and-ink drawings and cartoons. Includes a brief glossary for people not conversant with sailing terminology. By the author of Kids in the Cockpit (a guide to sailing and cruising with children). ////////// "The Schinas family are talented people. There's nothing on the planet that Nick can't fix, while Jill is an artist of character. The children are developing in the same mould, but the overriding feature of all their lives and the guiding spirit of this book, is their self-sufficiency and courage to make their own choices, come fair weather or foul. Casting fate to the ocean winds without visible means of support in the third millennium demands a lot more guts than ever it did thirty years ago. Keeping going, despite producing three fine children and surviving a capsize off the Falklands that ended on the winch cable of an RAF helicopter, shows the true spirit of seafaring." - TOM CUNLIFFE

Admit it: you need a vacation Every Mom needs a vacation, but most of us just can't imagine how we can take one. Traveling with kids means theme parks, stress, and no romance. Doesn't it? The answer is cruising Mommy Cruises shows you how every Mom can take a relaxing family vacation, enjoy time with the kids, and still find time for romantic interludes. Inside this book you'll find all of the information you need to start planning your first cruise vacation, written from a Mom's point of view. But be warned: once you start cruising, you may become addicted About the Author Helen Brubeck is a veteran cruiser who has traveled with her family many times and lived to tell the tale. Find out her secrets in Mommy Cruises

Your trip to Walt Disney World can be one of the greatest vacation experiences you'll ever have, but getting the most out of it can be a bit of a challenge. So many people aimlessly plan their Disney World trip and end up wasting so much time and money when they arrive. Unlike many other vacation destinations, Walt Disney World is very fast paced and there is more to do than you will most likely have time to do. Therefore, if you want to get the most out of your trip, you must first familiarize yourself with what there is to do, where to stay, where to eat, and then develop a time saving schedule. This book will give you a lot to consider when planning your trip. It will also show you how to effectively schedule your daily time at the parks and dining with a sample time schedule. This book is perfect for anyone who is planning a first time vacation to Walt Disney World, as well as anyone that has been to Disney World and wants to get the most out of their trip the next time they visit

Pack your bags, hop a plane, and take a trip Embarking on a journey with your kids can be a thrilling and rewarding adventure. Family travel is also a great way to expand your cultural horizons and help cultivate our next generation of global citizens. This book offers hundreds of easy-to-use ideas for: Drumming up excitement for the journey ahead Teaching your kids to pack themselves Having fun at the airport and on the plane Easing jetlag and schedule changes Involving everyone in setting itineraries and expectations Making museums and tourist stops engaging for everyone Enriching your travel experience through journaling Keeping the joy of the journey alive long after your return Discovering cultural education in your own back yard This book is intended for well-seasoned travelers and newbies alike who enjoy being with their children, want to enrich their education, and are excited to discover, as a family, the vast and unique experiences this world has to offer.

If you're reading this, you may be dreading an upcoming flight with your young child or thinking about taking one, but aren't sure you can handle it. I completely understand, but have no fear. Long haul flights were routine for us as we spent 7 years as expatriates. When my daughter was born in Hong Kong (7500 miles away from our families in California), we obviously had to fly her home for visits. I had anxiety about this for years before I was pregnant and I thought about canceling our first long haul flight trip multiple times. My newborn baby was fussier than most, had major acid reflux, I had to fly alone with her, and our journey was 24 hours door to door. We were just fine, in the end. With preparation, you will be, too. Since then, I've flown long haul and domestically with my daughter more times than I can count. I now enjoy the adventure with her, but getting to this point was not without challenges. I bought tons of useless gear and spent countless hours scouring the Internet for information. The purpose of this ebook is to share details both large and small to help you get from departure to destination without hiccups. I share how I plan my flights from scheduling to seat assignments. Does your baby need a bassinet? There are a few things you need to know that isn't information usually found on airline websites. I include tips to get you, your child and all of your gear through security and to the airplane. Speaking of gear, specific products have been very helpful to us. I'll tell you why and where to buy some of it. The most pressing issue parents seem to have is how to keep kids entertained and fuss free on the plane. Specific things worked for us and I developed a strategy for quieting meltdowns. It can also be tough to get kids on long haul flights to sleep and keep them (and, therefore, you) from getting severe jet lag. We received jet lag advice from medical professionals that does work. My daughter is usually over her jet lag by the second day. What you bring in your carry-on is key. To avoid stress, it's important to organize and pack it well. I'll tell you everything I bring onboard and keep within arms reach on the plane. There is nothing worse than having something you need in a bag in the overhead compartment, when the seat belt sign is on. Remember, if you request bulkhead seats you will not be able to store a bag at your feet. Other topics include tips for diapering on the plane, in flight meals, flying first or business class, and more. You'll also be able to receive quick answers to questions via our ongoing discussion on Twitter via the #flyingwithkids hashtag. There is helpful information in this ebook, regardless of how long your flight is.

My son Alexander was born in New York City, a town millions of children call home. These kids love to share their backyard (Central Park), their playgrounds, their restaurants, their favorite museums and their passion for New York. They make sure the Big Apple doesn't lose its youthful charm, despite being the most sophisticated and cosmopolitan of cities. Even the brattiest of New Yorkers stroll wide-and-starry-eyed at the city's wonders. And every morning brings the promise of a new discovery, a new treat for the senses, a gift. The City's spirit is as contagious as a deep belly laugh-you'll catch it and pass it along. Promise. Yes, you'll find some crab apples and worms in the Big Apple. But, when you pack up to return home, you'll agree that New York is one amazing town. This snappy 2012 travel guide will show you where to eat, play and stay, as well as give you budget tips and places outside of the City worth your while.

This is a detailed travel guide book for families wanting to take an international home exchange vacation; there also is useful reference information and ten essays on actual home exchange vacations. There is an introduction to home exchange with a statistical analysis of home exchange and exchangers. Information is provided to help the reader decide if home exchange is for them and how to set up a home exchange listing and how to find and evaluate exchange offers. Negotiating with potential home exchange partners is covered as are preparations for the exchange and the actual home exchange itself. Reference material includes discussions of relevant concepts and things, a guide to home exchange by country, and a discussion and review of home exchange agencies. All this information is put into context by ten entertaining essays on the actual home exchange adventures of the author, his wife, and three children in France, England, Wales, Netherlands, Denmark, and Sweden.

From rookies to seasoned pros Don, Lee, Jock, and Fran Key absorbed every low blow Eurasia, Africa, and Australia threw at them before throwing in the towel after round 5. Europe excited the Four Keys Overseas virgins as it depleted their dollars with $3 Cokes, $7 gas, and $450 hotels. New Zealand and Australia spoke English with an accent "Mate" and showcased kiwis, kangaroos, koalas, and kickgroin footie. Egypt exacted tons of tribute, while touched by terrorism, and thrilled the troops at three am on the top of the Great Pyramid. Spain, Portugal, and Morocco gave them friends for a lifetime, portapotties, and a variety of historical experiencesssssssssssss. Turkey and Greece ended the Four Keys Overseas trips with culture, Greek Salad, and Streaking Sunny Shortspire. The Key family is now three as Jock and Fran are grown and have families of their own. In different combinations they have invaded over 50 countries, but as usual "The First" is the most memorable.

A true account of a families decision to move to Spain, was it a dream come true? This book was not written to put you off buying your dream home in Spain or to get you to change your mind and stay in the UK, written with the benefit of first hand experience, this book will prepare you for the up's and down's that you may meet along the way. A must for anyone considering the life changing move. A must for you if one of you is not too sure about the decision. A must if you have the slightest of doubts. Discover why so many ex-pats are returning and what we thought the Spanish really think about the 'English invasion'. Buy it for your parents; buy it for your friends But please...if you are thinking about the move, buy it for yourself

'Home Keeps Moving' follows Heidi and her missionary family on their many moves through the eyes of a Third Culture Kid (TCK) and the unique phenomena of having four very different home countries to relate to. It tells the true story of being catapulted from continent to continent constantly: leaving friends and starting all over again, her unquenchable search for a 'home' and sense of belonging in this world, her desire for a life-partner with the odds all but against her due to constantly relocating (even into adulthood). You will laugh and cry along with Heidi as she recounts hilarious and heart-breaking tales from her childhood as West blends with East. That is the true beauty of Heidi's upbringing, it crossed borders and defied logic but she lacked for nothing.

Graveyards fascinate many folk. Many inscriptions tell abbreviated stories, which a little research can expand. Some offer philosophical advice, but there are also hidden depths of history, biography and sociology. Kilkerran church, Kintyre, Scotland, first appears on record in the mid-thirteenth century. The burial-ground has grown immensely since its expansion, in 1857, beyond the walls of the original churchyard. "Kilkerran Graveyard Revisited" forms a sequel to "An Historical and Genealogical Tour of Kilkerran Graveyard" by the same author and illustrator, published by Kintyre Civic Society in 2006 and still available from the Society. Angus Martin was born in Campbeltown. Editor of "The Kintyre Magazine," this is his twentieth book. Artist George John Stewart traces his Kintyre connections to the 19th Century. He started The Oystercatcher Gallery in Campbeltown in 1989.

A guide to taking 'one-on-one' trips with a child, where one adult and one child have a unique opportunity to bond while sharing a travel adventure. In addition to endorsing such an experience, the book gives all the practical travel information needed to accomplish such a trip.

Anticipating the end of the family vacation era, we packed up Rick Steves style and traveled to Great Britain. There we encountered the Full English Breakfast, lots of castles, churches, and shrines. We were never in any danger except while on the small roads in Wales. Nothing was lost, aside from our appetite for eggs. No one fell ill, but we neared starvation on our first day as we tried to understand the British restaurant business hours. Join us as we 'Mind the Gap' on the Tube and visit Scotland without eating haggis.

This offbeat memoir recounts the odyssey of a sixty-year-old mother and her seventeen-year-old son who hit the road for his junior year.

In August, 2002, the pair left St. Louis in a 1987 Volkswagen van to wander up the Mississippi into Canada, across to Newfoundland, down through New England, deep into southern Mexico, ending their journey in the high country of Colorado. This provocative tale of foibles and family, astonishment, missteps, and magical moments challenges preconceptions about education, freedom, and necessities for a good life.

By turns funny, poignant, and heart-warming, "Learn As We Go: Roadschooling My Son" is about a young man on the brink of adulthood peering into the world, and a mother insisting on doing his schooling her way. It is also about survival, relative sanity, and compassion in very close quarters. Most of all, it is about having a great time no matter where the road leads.