New Zealand proved a great choice for a vacation to celebrate our daughter Alissa’s college graduation. We wanted a trip that provided great scenery, a mix of city life and adventures plus affordable, but comfortable lodging for a family.

The Caribbean is one of my family’s favorite destinations. Not just for the region’s spectacular palm-tree lined sands, conducive to lounging in the sun and lapping up the latest mystery novels, but for all the adventures and experiences we’ve shared on these islands.

Cruises offer families a great vacation. But you must choose the right sailing. Years ago, before our first voyage, we worried that we’d come home fat, bored and broke. Instead, we had one of our best family vacations. Here are some tips to find the ship of your family’s dreams.

Consider renting a houseboat to see a bit of Europe and to stretch your budget. We did and had a great time exploring the Venetian lagoon.

Dogs add excitement to winter adventures in Maine. The Telemark Inn offers sled dog outings, mushing packages, snowshoe excursions and skijoring. The country lodge, located in Western Maine on the edge of the White Mountain National Forest, serves as the base for New England Dog Sledding.

Our favorite time to visit Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, is winter. After all, the worst thing about Yellowstone National Park is the summer crowds and the best things are the wildlife and the geothermal features. In winter the former are gone and the latter remain.