Make the Most of Summer Vacation With Cheapflights.ca's Family Travel Suggestions

TORONTO--(Marketwire - May 12, 2011) - With the school year ending in less than two months, now is the time to start planning a summer family trip. Cheapflights.ca, the online leader in finding and publishing travel deals, has suggestions on ways to stretch both your dollars and your children's memories by booking a trip to a destination, near or far, that parents and kids together will love. Instead of opting for the more typical family trips such as Walt Disney World, Cheapflights.ca suggests skipping the massive crowds and long line-ups and opt instead for one of these less exhausting, and less expensive, family retreats listed in its Top 10 Family Destinations.

Does planning a family vacation cause anxiety? Cheapflights.ca's Travel Know-How section is a great resource offering various guides and tips on how to ease the stress of vacationing with kids. Its How To Travel with Kids Guide and Kids' Airport Diversion Guide are just a couple of the tools to help you plan a stress-free holiday with kids.

Now with the stress of planning a family vacation under control, next is determining where to go. With the strong Canadian dollar, this summer is an excellent time to take advantage of favourable exchange rates and take the family on an overseas travel adventure. Here are five overseas destinations to make Cheapflights.ca's list of Top 10 Family Destinations that are definitely worth checking out with the kids this summer.

• Ireland - Possibly the best and definitely the cheapest way to see the Emerald Isle is by car. Rent an automobile in the country's capital, Dublin, and begin your exploration. Catch a Gaelic football game at Croke Park Stadium or live Irish music at a local pub before heading south to tour the coast. Along the scenic way, stop in Waterford to see gifted glass blowers sculpt arguably the world's finest crystal. Then continue on to the Ring of Kerry to admire Ireland's natural beauty, take frameable photos and let the youngsters stretch their legs. Search and compare cheap flights to Ireland.

• Cinque Terre, Italy - If you're keen on keeping an eye on the children at all times, Cinque Terre is your spot. The "Five Lands" are isolated gems, situated along the Italian Riviera and providing tourists a true dose of Italian living, unsullied by tourists or modern developments. Take the family for hikes along the winding dirt paths that connect each town and soak in the views of natural wildlife and endless stretches of sea. Once you've worn the little ones out, relax at the spectacular beaches. Search and compare cheap flights to Milan.

• Sydney, Australia - If your kids can handle the lengthy flight, whisk them off to Sydney for a taste of winter down under. Australia's largest city offers a plethora of activities for families, from city bike tours to gnarly surfing. Scale the Sydney Harbour Bridge together and, once you've reached the 134-meter-high peak, soak in the marvellous views of the harbour and Sydney Opera House. After your feet are planted firmly back on the ground, head to the world-famous Sydney Fish Market and watch as nearly 100 species of fish get auctioned off daily. Search and compare cheap flights to Sydney.

• Barcelona, Spain - Hit the ground running with the whole family on Barcelona's most famous avenue, Las Ramblas, and sop up the excitement of Spanish vendors, bird markets and street musicians as you stroll the tree-lined lane. For a change of pace and more kid-friendly activities, head to the Museum of Natural History or the Barcelona Zoo in Ciutadella Park. After a few days of city musts, consider the beachfront district of Barceloneta for miles of bike riding along the boardwalk and beach. Let the kids sample fresh paella as you sip white wine and take in the views. Search and compare cheap flights to Barcelona.

• Interlaken, Switzerland - Hike the Swiss Alps this summer on a European vacation your kids will never forget. Make Interlaken, a tiny town in Switzerland situated between two Alpine lakes, your family's home base as you rock climb, paraglide, and river raft by day, and indulge in savoury schnitzel and chocolate fondue by night. Take a train, then cable car ride up the snow-capped mountain to Mürren, a quaint town inaccessible by car. Visit the revolving restaurant at the peak for lunch -- and pictures, of course -- before trailing your way south to hillside villages. Search and compare cheap flights to Interlaken.

For those looking for closer to home destinations or have less time to plan a trip overseas, check out the remaining five Canadian and US destinations to make Cheapflights.ca's list of Top 10 Family Destinations which include: Lake Powell, Utah; Whistler, BC; Washington, DC; Colonial Williamsburg, VA; and Niagara Falls. For full details on the Top 10 Family destinations, visit www.cheapflights.ca/travel-tips/top-10-family-destinations/.

And for more inspiration on where to go with the family, visit www.cheapflights.ca/inspiration/.

About Cheapflights Media
Cheapflights Media is an international media network providing users with different ways to find low cost travel. Since 1996, Cheapflights Media has been helping consumers research, compare and save on domestic and international travel. Our flagship brand, Cheapflights, is one of the largest flight deals publishers, delivering over 4 million deals daily. With brand-name deals on airline tickets from more than 300 partners and 600 airlines and a team of travel experts hand picking the best offerings, Cheapflights offers visitors a mix of deals they can't find anywhere else. There are currently Cheapflights sites in the U.K., U.S., Canada, Germany, Australia & New Zealand, France, Italy and Spain. For more information, visit www.cheapflights.ca.