By: Shalene Dudley

Dear Diary,

Planning a vacation as a mom is much different than creating an itinerary as a single person! Water parks replace spas and zoos push nightclubs right off the list. But taking your new family on a vacation doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the journey.  You just have to do a bit more planning to make memories that will last a lifetime. Before you book your next ticket or make your hotel reservation, visit these top travel blogs for families.

Autistic Globetrotting

Autistic Globetrotting is the most unique sites on this list.  It opens the doors to families who may feel their options are limited.  Definitely not so!  Not only does this site include sensory friendly activities, it has personal stories from families who are affected by autism. This mom focuses on the importance of assisting her child experience the world hands on.  Margalit Sturm Francus has almost literally been everywhere! She encourages us all to continue our adventurous lives when we begin to expand our families and see beyond what others would consider our limitations.

Luxury Travel Mom

I want to be Luxury Travel Mom when I grow up! I love her slogan: Leaving tiny fingerprints in all the finer places. Kim-Marie Evans is living it up and bringing the little ones along on her journey.  She visits locations where nannies  for each child are provided along with a personal chef.  Or how about capturing memories with your own personal photographer?   Although she doesn’t have specific tips for traveling with kids, she does visit locations that accommodate her family without disqualifying the luxury experience.  I would suggest that before you fall in love with the locations, you do your own research on pricing and the best times to travel for your own budget.

MiniTime

Whether you’ve got a newborn or a teen–or several kids in between, MiniTime is your one-stop destination for finding the best places to stay and things to do for your family. The reviews on destinations and attractions include  age ratings and photos from parents with kids the same age as yours. You can even filter your hotel results by the family-friendly amenities that most interest you.

Moms Guide to Travel

Mom’s Guide to Travel expands the notion of family travel, highlighting places and activities that all family members will enjoy. The site’s primary mission is to encourage parents to explore the world, whether with or without kids. It includes restaurant and shopping reviews that are popular and off the beaten path. Jetsetter and former TravelChannel.com contributor, Tawanna Browne Smith provides tons of tips, resources and ideas.

Pit Stops for Kids

I like this website, because it’s extremely easy to navigate. There are four categories: Pit Stops For Kids, Resorts For Kids, Road Trips For Kids and Adventure for Kids. It’s definitely kid-centric.  Everything on this website is easy to find and up-to-date.  In addition to providing the editor’s favorite pit stops, the site feature travel products, experience advice, a city and road trip series, pre-planned itineraries, and family resort and attraction reviews from parents who have been there, done that in over 35 states and dozens of countries.

Suitcases and Sippy Cups

Suitcases and Sippy Cups follows the travels of a homeschooling family who really know the meaning of expanding their educational horizons. There are lots of great lessons to learn on this site, including how to raise little explorers without leaving home.  You’ll also find cheat sheets on unexpected items to pack on trips to everywhere from ski lodges to cruise ships, and destination guides with first-hand travel information for families, including what to do, where to stay and how to get around.

Travel Savvy Mom

Travel Savvy Mom is a fun mix of reviews, tips and personal travel experiences. It’s like the stuffed suitcase you sit on to zip–this site is overflowing with information and advice. You may even need a notebook to take notes. Jamie Pearson and her team take a tons of photos, which they post on amazing boards on Pinterest.

Travels With Baby

The best adventures with your child begin here. That’s the motto at TravelsWithBaby.com. Shelley Rivoli is an award-winning author and blogger who provides weekly travel inspirations. She is a great source of information for those who are traveling  with children under the age of 5.  Her site is filled with travel solutions and product reviews.  This is definitely a great site to visit for quick tips.

Travel Mamas

Travel Mamas cover everything from  toy reviews to cruises.  What I appreciate the most is not only the product reviews but the fact that you could purchase them directly on the site. They also share stories about grown up getaways, like Baby Moons, romantic weekend getaways, romantic weekend excursions and girlfriend getaways.  Make sure you check out the section called Life Journeys, which showcase trips that may inspire a life change or provide an opportunity for growth.

Hey DFTM Fam–What’s your favorite travel blog? Where are you planning your next family vacation?