Vacation packages for family

By Susan Hanson Traveling across China is exhilarating –  the country is so vast, so ancient, so varied in its experiences, that a trip there can overwhelm even the most seasoned traveler. The key, says Virtuoso travel advisor Suzanne Bouldoukian, is to “focus on personal interests – history, art, gastronomy, adventure – rather than trying to do it all.” Bouldoukian, who’s based in Menlo Park, California, recently traveled from Beijing to Shanghai with tour provider Abercrombie & Kent, visiting Xi’an’s Terracotta Warriors, meeting pandas in Chengdu, and taking in Guilin’s gorgeous landscapes. She emphasizes that the pace of a China trip is extremely important, and recommends at least a full  two weeks on the ground: “You want to spend enough time in each place to absorb the sights and sounds.” Here she shares a few other tips for making the most of your time in the country. A baby panda in Chengdu. [Photo: Alatom/Getty Images] / Featured image: Beijing’s Templ...

It might be daunting, but it can be done. You, yes you, can learn how to ski…as an adult. Kids shouldn’t be the only ones to love snow days. From great beginner-friendly resorts to necessary gear and the best après-ski cocktails, we answer your questions. How should I get started? Beginners should take a minimum of three days of lessons with an instructor. (Pro tip: An instructor that’s not your partner or relative.) “Skiing is like learning to ride a bike,” says Atlanta, Georgia-based Virtuoso advisor Laura Madrid. “But once you do, it’s all downhill, so to speak.” And if you only ski once a year or every few years, start off with a lesson “to help sharpen your technique and recall best practices,” says Madrid. For beginners and experts alike, learning never stops. What advantages do I have over those kids on the magic carpet? It will humble and reward you in equal measure, as long as you have patience, a good attitude, and diligence. Chicago, Illinois-based Virtuoso advisor Shaw...

Spread out the beach towel or spark up the grill: Summer playlists should move you whether you’re sunbathing in South Beach, setting out on a road trip, or splashed down on your oversize pool float at home. We combed a year of releases for a breezy mix of slinky beats and bass lines with just the right amount of sheen and shamelessness that summer’s last weekend entails. From electropop newcomers Sylvan Esso and Damon Albarn’s latest under his Gorillaz alias to Arcade Fire’s disco nostalgia and extraterrestrial hip-hop from Seattle’s Shabazz Palaces, the tracks below stand well as a set and mix easily into heavy rotations of your own.     “Wow,” Beck “Don’t forget where you came from,” Beck sings in this stuttering track that proves, surprisingly, you can build a summer jam on a flute hook. The teaser single for his long-delayed follow up to the Grammy winning, folk-county album Morning Phase finds him in top form with the slack-rap that launched his career.   “...

Generation X has money to spend on vacations, but tends to stay close to home The travel choices Baby Boomers make have attracted interest for decades. And their children – the Millennials – are an influential new force in travel. But what about the generation sandwiched between them: Generation X travel preferences? Age ranges vary, but typically Gen X was born between 1965 and 1982. They’re about 25 percent of the U.S. population – some 68 million strong. They’re established in their careers, and MMGY Global reports that 61 percent have children at home. They’re paying off mortgages and other debt, and saving for college educations for the kids and retirement for themselves. How do these factors and more influence Generation X travel? Read on for these 9 factors that shape how Gen Xers choose to vacation.