The New York Times has a feature article on what we’ve known all along: the family vacation as it was known in years past is extinct, at least for savvy and sophisticated parents (like yourselves and ourselves). Not that regular camping and a week at the beach are bad things, mind you, but today parents – and their children – are looking for vacations that offer uniqueness, that allow them to learn or practice something new, whether it’s a skill like cooking or surfing, or the experience of new cultures. Even Disney has gotten on board, with their new cruise itineraries that visit the Mediterranean.

The article has a nice selection of vacation options for parents with children of all ages. Check it out here…

No, we haven’t decided to change our name. Artisans of Leisure has been around longer than we have, and they’re much more than a blog. To us, they’re sort of like, well, GOD. In the form of a travel planner.

Picture this: a family of 12 ranging from a great-grandmother in her 80s to a 3-year old tyke, all heading to Russia. Or a father who gives all of his daughters customized trips to anywhere they want in the world when they turn 15.

Artisans of Leisure has handled all the details of trips like these, and they can handle yours too. What makes them such a standout company in our minds? For one, no age minimums (to which we say fabulous). If you want to head to China with 10-month old Junior in tow, no problem. They’ll help arrange babysitters and age-appropriate itineraries, and will happily build in some down time for naps.

As the name would suggest, this is no ordinary group travel company. For one, all the hotels you’ll be booked in will be top-notch (hello, spa, goodbye, Elmo). Trips include a private car and driver as well as private transfers to and from the airport. They cover any and every destination around the globe: the website gives examples of itineraries for some of their most-requested destinations, but they ‘ll plan a trip for just about anywhere your heart desires.

Your itinerary is tailor-made to fit you and the people in your group. While in Vietnam, you might visit the leading national theme park in Saigon as well as drop in on a Buddhist monastery to meet with monks. In England, a drive to Windsor Castle, home of the Queen, could include a stop along the way to play at Legoland, if that’s your cup of tea.

And did we mention that oh-so-important word, private? Meaning that when your 10-month old starts screaming his lungs out as you tour Hong Kong, the only ones who’ll be bothered are the rest of your family. (Which means, we hope, a little less glaring.)

Because the itineraries are customized for each group (and “group” can be anywhere from 2 people to 20, it’s up to you), costs will vary. One thing you can be sure of, though: a vacation that will be worth every pretty penny.

www.artisansofleisure.com 800-214-8144

We love that so many tour companies are expanding their trips for families. No, it is not easy to bike through the French countryside visiting wineries with a toddler, or to kayak through the Galapagos with a 5-year old. But time was when we rarely saw anything of an active nature offered to the under-teen set, and that is thankfully changing.

National Geographic Expeditions has 9 tours in their 2007 travel catalog geared towards families with children as young as 8. The selections vary widely, from a 10-day trip to Tuscany (nicely timed to coincide with a viewing of Siena’s exciting Palio) to a 13-day excursion to China. There are stateside offerings too, including 6 days of exploring the Alaskan wilderness (which looks to be already sold out!) and 6 days exploring Yellowstone and the Tetons.

The trips nicely blend adult and children’s interests. In New Zealand, a wine-tasting is on the itinerary for adults while a special safari through the Lord of the Rings landscape should captivate the kids (and adults too, actually – it’s breathtaking.) Adults can learn about castle architecture in Tuscany while the youngsters play soccer with local children. Of course, there’s much about all of the trips that will appeal to both adults and children: visiting castles, hiking, kayaking, and just learning about different cultures.

Lodging isn’t really luxury class for most of these trips, but that’s not the National Geographic specialty. What is is active fun and learning about new cultures – and to paraphrase a popular ad, that’s priceless.