Pool in the Caribbean Village at Beaches Turks and Caicos When I was a kid, our family vacations usually consisted of long car rides and gas station food serving as bookends for a holiday spent with grandparents. In really good years, we got to add state parks or a visit to the regional amusement park to the mix. I was just happy to be out of school and sleeping in a house where I couldn’t get grounded. I had no idea what I was missing. Today’s family vacations have been given a major upgrade by all-inclusive resorts like Beaches Turks and Caicos that cater to families. The Illinois countryside has been replaced with a Caribbean beach, and the pint-sized travelers can expect just as much pampering at the luxury compounds as the parents who are footing the bill. Turquoise Waters behind the tops of the French Village at Beaches Turks and Caicos The Beaches Turks and Caicos resort is a sprawling compound on Providenciales island in the Turks and Ciacos Islands, a British terr...[more »]

Spring Training in Phoenix Although it’s still football season here in New England (go Pats!), I’m excited for baseball season to start. While my beloved Red Sox don’t play in the Cactus League, many other great teams do. If you are looking for a March getaway, and want to catch some great spring training games, consider visiting the greater Phoenix area. Last year, I had the opportunity to visit Phoenix during spring training, and I had such a great time that I decided to visit this year with my family. We are visiting in March, and plan to check out several games. During spring training, there’s no such thing as a bad (or expensive) seat. I went to three games at three different stadiums, and loved feeling like I am part of the action. Although Fenway Park is small, I never get that kind of up-close experience during the regular season. Plus, the warm weather makes it such a fabulous outdoor activity. We plan to get lawn seats, like those shown i...[more »]

Jellyfish Although their bodies are composed of 95 percent water, jellyfish remain some of the most fascinating and diverse sea creatures. They also prose real creative challenges for researchers, which is why the elaborate exhibit, “Jellies” at the Shedd Aquarium through May 28, provides such a rare glimpse into the world of these see-through sea animals. The sprawling show invites visitors to dive into the world of sea jellies, exploring natural history, anatomy andlife cycleswith videos, life-sized models and of course, hundreds of translucent jelliesrepresenting tendifferentspecies. This is an absorbing and overwhelming showcase that will engage three-year-olds and old geezers alike. You’ll glean intriguing facts like how for 500 million years, jellies survive without bones, blood or brains, how their feeding arms can grow up to eight feet long and how they journey thousands of miles just bydriftingwith the sea current. My favorite part of ...[more »]