* There are plenty of ways to save money on a family vacation. One is to travel in the off-season. For example, ski resorts are a lot of fun for families in the summer months, especially if you can get hold of some mountain bikes. Or look into a serviced campground.

*Another tip, wherever you go, is to cook your own meals (usually, it is the restaurant meals that kill the family travel budget). Finally, be sure to use any reward points you've accumulated with your airline or credit card company. They can really add up to savings.

*If they are old enough to own or borrow an iPod, battery-operated Game Boy or P2Ps, these are also fantastic time passers. Sudoku, word-find games, crossword puzzles, crayons and coloring books are all outstanding investments for a long trip (also plain old books, if the kids are already reading). If it is an especially long flight, ask your travel professional about the onboard entertainment; there might be a built-in gaming console at the kids' seats.

*Families with a big age range have to work hard in advance for the trip. Make sure everyone is involved in the planning and make no assumptions. Look for a destination that has something for everyone, and be on the lookout for special children's programming so the grownups can have some time to themselves.

*Most important, don't push the idea that everyone has to spend every waking moment together. "Downtime" and "apart time" are underrated - build them into your family vacations.

*Work with a travel agent who is really interested in or has knowledge about family travel. The Internet has many great resources too, but take the consumer reviews with a grain of salt; after all, no two families are alike in their needs and expectations.

** For hotels and resorts, I like to check out Trip Advisor. Single Parent Travel is indispensable for that constituency, and Tripso has a lot of tell-it-like-it-is information on the travel industry as a whole.