My favorite souvenirs are the cheap, small, and festive kind

If there’s one thing my mother taught me, it’s that almost anything can be a Christmas ornament.  If you like it, hang it on the tree!  Ornaments make great travel souvenirs because they are small, lightweight, and (usually) inexpensive.

Here are a few seasonal baubles that I happily drag down from the attic every year:

King Henry VIII
We purchased the marrying monarch at Hever Castle, in Kent England.   You can also buy his Yuletide likeness at the Tower of London and Hampton Court Palace.

Anne Boleyn
Anne was also purchased at Hever, which was her childhood home.  We could have bought Henry’s other five wives there too, but it seemed somehow tacky.  We traditionally hang her several branches away from Henry.  I think she would want it that way.

The Union Jack flag (shown here being inexplicably stalked by an irate mouse)
I’m pretty sure, though not positive, that we bought this at the National Portrait Gallery in London.  I also bought something there called “The Magnetic Monarchs” for our fridge, only to discover our @#$!!%  fridge wasn’t magnetic.

Little Viking dude
I bought this at the super-cool Vikingeskibsmuseet Roskilde (Viking Ship Museum) in Denmark.  Why is he wearing fishnet stockings?  This and many other Viking secrets are lost to the sands of time.  For the record, I believe I am the only person to ever visit Denmark with children and skip Legoland.

Hand-painted Santa
I almost passed a kidney stone when I saw the price of this exquisite, but tiny hand-painted Santa (approximately the circumference of a Ritz cracker) at the Christmas Market in Aachen on the border of Holland and Belgium.  He cost $50, except, you know, in Euros.  I just sort of belted down another cup of hot mulled wine and pulled out my wallet.

Finally a tablet that challenges the iPad, and at half the cost

Many of you know that in addition to writing about family travel, I also run a kids’ app review website.   For the first, I travel a lot.  For the second, I own all the latest gadgets and apps.  Guess which gig my kids like better?

Up until now, I haven’t been very impressed with Android tablets.  I test drove a bunch of them, and briefly owned the Samsung Galaxy Tab (but returned it after two frustrating months).   Then, two weeks ago, my Kindle Fire came in the mail.  Guess what?  I’m in love.

If you’re struggling for a gift idea for an adult or kid on your list (and they don’t already own an iPad or an iPad 2), go get a Kindle Fire right now.  Here’s why:

1.  It’s a good size

Traveling families will love how easy it is to slide the Kindle Fire into a purse or carryon bag.  At 7.5 x 4.5 inches, it’s no bigger than a paperback.  Even kids can hold it with one hand (though mine grip it with two, the better to thwart marauding siblings intent on swiping it).

2.  It’s tougher than an iPad

The lightweight, chemically-strengthened display is allegedly 20-30 times stronger than plastic. It just feels less scratchable and breakable than the iPad.  I have no hesitation throwing it into a bag with keys, a phone, and all my other junk.

3.  It’s cheaper than an iPad

At just $199, you can buy two of these suckers for less than the price of a single iPad 2.  If you have more than one kid, that’s what I’d call a slam dunk.  For long-haul trips, the battery doesn’t last quite as long as the iPad’s, but you can stretch it by turning down the brightness and turning off the wifi.

4.  The Amazon Appstore for Android is easy to use

Amazon knows how to make shopping easy, intuitive, and fun.  It’s a pleasure to browse apps, games, and movies on this device.  And they offer one paid app free every single day, which is totally fun.

5.  Books, email, and web browsing

Of course you can also read on it, check your email, and browse the web.  I appreciate the convenience, but I seldom get the chance when my kids are around.  I’d rather read on my regular Kindle anyway.  Since it’s not backlit, it’s a lot easier on the eyes.  Magazines are nice though, since you can see them in color.

>>Read more about the Kindle Fire on Amazon

6 ways to experience the Eternal City as a family without spending a dime

Today’s guest writer is Bethany Bassett.  When she isn’t racing strollers in Rome, sampling local wine, or teaching English students how to pronounce her name, she’s busy working on a family travel guide, Apéritifs and Sippy Cups.

When most of us daydream of a vacation to Rome, we imagine hours spent lingering at the Sistine Chapel or touring the Colosseum. However, preschoolers generally have much more reverence for snack time than for sacred museums, and it isn’t worth shelling out money for the big tourist attractions only to hear “Moooommmm, can we leave now?”… or even worse, “Potty time!”

With real kids and realistic budgets in mind, here are my family’s favorite things to do in Rome without ever having to pull out a credit card.

1. Race strollers at Circus Maximus

Reenact the chariot race scene from Ben Hur at its original location—now a public park. Nestled between two of Rome’s famous seven hills and with the incredible Palantine Ruins as a backdrop, this grassy oval track is the perfect place to expend some energy while still soaking up the city’s history.

2. Toss pennies into the Trevi Fountain

Legend has it that tossing a coin into this gorgeous landmark will guarantee your return to Rome. Whether or not you believe the legend, the Trevi Fountain is well worth seeing, and throwing pennies will keep your children entertained while you marvel over the Baroque architecture and larger-than-life sculptures.

3. Picnic on the Appian Way

Much of the ancient Appian Way leading away from Rome is still how it looked during the time of Spartacus—tall cypress trees and overgrown fields flanking a cobblestone road.

Thankfully, you won’t find executed slaves lining the road any more, but you can still drive past the ruins of historic villas and mausoleums, and there are plenty of open spots to enjoy a picnic in true 300-B.C. style.

4. People-watch at the Colosseum

You don’t have to fork over the entrance fees to appreciate the Colosseum’s otherworldly grandeur. Even the walk to it is lined with wonders including the Arch of Constantine and the old Roman Forum.

If your children are getting burnt out on ancient architecture though, outside the Colosseum is a perfect spot to see some of the more colorful characters of modern Rome—gladiators chatting on their cell phones, “statues” who can’t seem to stop fidgeting, and boisterous carriage drivers.

5. Count obelisks

If you enjoyed Dan Brown’s “Angels & Demons,” you might have special appreciation for tracking down the 13 ancient obelisks dotting the city. Children can also have a lot of fun with this citywide game of I Spy. Kids will get a particular kick out of the elephant obelisk in Piazza della Minerva, and for an Egyptian-themed bonus, see if you can find Rome’s only pyramid!

6. Dance in the Vatican

For artistic inspiration, you can’t beat Saint Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, and its combination of vast floor space and liturgical music inspires little ones to move.

Let them get their groove on as long as they can do so quietly, and then turn them loose into the enormous St. Peter’s Square to boogie to their hearts’ content.

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Make a donation.  Build a library.  Change the world, $10 at a time.

It sounds a bit like a fairy tale.  Travelers across the globe have come together to help build a school in Cambodia.  They’ve helped built a village in India. And now, they are working together to build two libraries in Zambia.  It’s a beautiful thing, really.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year–that is, time for Passports with a Purpose.  And as we have for the past few years, we keep aiming higher.  For all that we get out of our travels, we’re ready to give something back.

How can you help, might you ask?  It doesn’t require much on your end.  Check out all the fantastic prizes on the Passports with a Purpose website.  Bid on whatever may strike your fancy.  For each $10 donation you make, you have the opportunity to win an incredible travel prize like a luxury Hawaiian getaway or a cool photography backpack (and much, much more).  Get your bids in–and don’t be afraid to put in multiple bids for that prize you just can’t live without.  Trust me, the strategy works.

To quote Mark Twain, travel is “fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness.”  Each trip gives me more than I ever expected.  And we have the power to give a little something back–and that little something can make all the difference.  This year, give your passport a purpose.  Help us travel bloggers build some libraries in Zambia.

Tips on making snow trips fun for everyone

This is definitely the "before" picture.

“Do you guys ski?”

Living in the San Francisco Bay Area, it’s a question we get an average of twice a week between November and April.  My husband and I usually exchange a nervous glance when we’re asked.  Do we?  It’s complicated.

I grew up skiing and though I’d prefer not to fall or freeze, I still like to step into a pair of skis on a sunny spring day.  My husband makes up for what he lacks in technique with enthusiasm, a character trait which has earned him the affectionate nickname “The Salad Shooter” from his friends.

The kids can take it or leave it.

To clarify, it’s usually my 9-year-old son who would be happy to leave it.  My 11-year-old daughter is cautiously optimistic as long as no one speaks aloud the words “ski lesson” in her presence.

As we all know, it’s our duty as parents to open as many doors as possible for our kids.  But what if they’re standing on the other side of those doors with furniture pushed up against them?  Exactly how much time and money are we supposed to spend exposing them to skiing?

I honestly don’t know, but the past few years have taught me a thing or two about compromise.  Here are a few of the strategies we’ve employed to make our snow trips fun for everyone.

Why is he smiling? Because I paid him $5 to let me take this photo.

Insist on one day of skiing

Forget multi-day lift tickets.  Forget ski school.  If you’ve got a reluctant skier on your hands, plan on just one day of skiing.  Book a one-hour private lesson in the morning for your child, and sneak off for a few adult runs.  After the lesson, take a few green runs together as a family.  No matter how well it’s going, break early for a nice hot lunch in the lodge.  Maybe your child will be up for a few more runs after lunch.  Maybe not.  Breathe deeply and focus on fun.

Administer lots of junk food

There is a time and a place for carrot sticks, almonds, and organic apple slices, and trust me when I tell you: this is not it.  Reluctant skiers should be plied with fun-sized candy bars (which you have wisely squirreled into the pockets of your jacket) and hot chocolate with whipped cream (in front of a roaring fire).

If possible, give them the treats when things are going well, as in, “Wow, great run!  Let’s celebrate with something warm and sweet!”  It’s harder to get them back out there if you break after a bad tumble.  I speak from experience.

Stay warm

After I took this picture, I turned and ran.

Be smart about the weather.  If the forecast calls for lots of wind and snow, it’s not a good day for beginners.  You’ll have more fun playing Uno and soaking in the Jacuzzi, so do it.

If your schedule isn’t flexible, make sure to pack hand warmers and foot warmers for everyone.  Those things are magic.

Just play

Nowhere is it written that you have to ski to have fun in the snow.  Maybe your kids’ idea of a good time is building snowmen and snow forts.  Make snow angels.  Throw snowballs.  Buy a couple of saucers and go sledding.

Teach your kids that snow is fun.  If they don’t want to ski this year, so be it.  There’s always next year.

Photos taken on a family ski vacation at Northstar-at-Tahoe, which I highly, highly recommend even if you never don a pair of skis the whole weekend.