Our Favourite Travel Destinations

It happens every year. About this time, the cabin fever sets in and we start thinking about about getting away for a little change of scenery. Whether you're dreaming of jet setting to a tropical locale, or if a family day trip is more your jam, to inspire you and kickstart your vacation planning here are the tried-and-true favourite places our Savvy writers, editors and staffers love to visit.

For our first-ever holiday away with a baby we didn't really know what to expect, so we chose the Azul Sensatori by Karisma in Riviera Maya, a luxury chain of hotels designed for families. The resort took care of all the essentials by providing high-quality cribs, change tables, strollers and high chairs and even had a playroom designed by Fisher-Price. The rooms and restaurants are the most kid-friendly of all the resorts we've ever been to. This will forever be one of our favourite places to vacation.

Our family adores Sanibel Island in Florida (just west of Fort Myers). It is blissfully free of any chains (except for a solitary Starbucks) and the white sandy beaches stretch for miles, offering great shelling and the chance to see dolphins frolicking in the gentle surf. There is amazing wildlife on the island with the chance to kayak in the mangrove forest to search for starfish and manatees. The food is delicious, with great fresh fish and ice cream aplenty.

With our local technology museum still out of commission, we'll be heading to Montreal to get our play on at their Science Centre. It has four floors of cool experiments, design challenges, and building projects in the Clic! Zone for kids; plus their awesome special exhibit Dinosaurs Unleashed, featuring full-size animatronic dinos. It's close enough for a day trip, but if you grab a hotel you can add the Biodome (a favourite of my family) and Insectarium to your visit, too—both highly recommended.

Mexico is always a cheap and cheerful option and Cabo is my favourite resort for families. Despite drawing an A-lister crowd, there are many affordable family options, too. Bed down at either Mykonos or La Jolla in San Jose to watch turtles hatching right on their beach. Both condos are located next to MEGA, an amazing grocery store. Take the bus ($2) to Zipper's for fish tacos (they have a playset!) or 7 Seas Seafood Grille for a fabulous meal.

Located a mere 15-minute ride from the Cancun airport, this modern all-inclusive resort has everything to please families who are looking to hit the pool for a week, and couples looking to get away from it all. With chef-quality food (it is amazing!) and larger than normal suites, this resort checks all the boxes. Our kids splashed the day away in the water slide area while my husband and I lounged poolside and were pampered by the attentive staff (there are waiters to bring you drinks) as we enjoyed the sunshine. We loved that there were plenty of towels, and no ‘towel card' needed, that the rooms had two queen beds plus an additional pull-out sofa, and that reservations are not required (or limited) at the restaurants.

This gem of a hotel is small and quaint and full of charm. Families will love the luxury of having their own ‘casita' or cottage on the property. Available as studios, 1- and two-bedrooms, your cottage has a full kitchen, porch or balcony and BBQ. The owners go above and beyond and provide you with a ‘treasure box' of activities to experience on the island—an insiders guide to the best of Aruba. The Boardwalk Small Hotel is within walking distance to the busy (but beautiful) Palm Beach, and Aruba is a small island that is really easy to get around via rental car. Some of the world's most beautiful beaches can be found here, and the kids will love the experience of snorkeling (even for the young ones), and splashing in the clear blue water.

Every parent knows the lure that Orlando holds for kids (after all, it is the home of Mickey Mouse). But if you aren't too keen on hitting up the many amusement parks, or if you'd rather keep the parks for just one day, there are a ton of other things to keep you and your family busy. Appreciate the outdoors by taking the kids on an eco-tour of Shingle Creek or get in touch with your adventurous side at Wallaby Ranch, where you can see Orlando from the air on an assisted hang glide. Be sure to visit The Coop for an amazing meal of comfort food classics—don't miss out on their signature Icebox pies! Our favourite place to stay? The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes—minutes from the amusement parks and a great kids club make this a great choice for families.

Start your day with a sunrise walk or run—whether along the busy hotel strip or out to the quiet roads of Makena Beach—then spend the morning at the beach, where toddlers can play in the tidal pools and bigger siblings boogie board or body surf, and make an afternoon outing of shaved ice in Paia, before watching the stunning Maui sunset. We love Maui because there's something for everyone in the family.

This is a great spot for families with preschoolers and school-aged kids. We went with our then three-year-old daughter, and she still talks about it two years later. From a splash pad designed for toddlers and a waterpark for the bigger kids, to entertainment by the pool by the lovable character Raggs and disco parties at night, there are so many activities to keep kids entertained and parents happy. Good to Know: if you're travelling with babies or toddlers, note that guest rooms are joined by series of boardwalks—not a deal breaker but a little difficult to navigate with a stroller. For those with larger families the resort has ‘family of five' friendly rooms ideal for families with three kids under 12 years.

My family always has a blast skiing, snowshoeing, and enjoying the winter wonderland that is St-Sauveur, Quebec. Mont Saint-Sauveur has a great mix of easy, intermediate, and expert runs to accommodate a variety of skill sets for boarding or skiing, so if your gang is new to winter sports, this is the spot for you. It's also located just two hours outside Ottawa, making it a great choice for Ottawa or Montreal-area families. The picturesque nearby town has great shopping and dining options—and for families of four or more, consider renting a chalet and cooking your own meals for some economical family fun. Although Saveur alone kept us thoroughly entertained our whole stay, passes that include access to five neighboring ski hills are great value if your crew wants to explore different runs.

In Turks and Caicos, you'll find beautiful silky smooth sand for miles right in front of the hotel—our kids loved roaming around looking for salamanders and fallen coconuts—and a tropical breeze to keep you happy for days. It's the perfect location for multi-generations and for those who prefer a quieter spot. The island has many incredible family-friendly restaurant options, making this place well worth considering over other all-inclusive resorts. (Nearby Coco Bistro has you dining under the palm trees!)

Given the current state of our Canadian dollar, now is the time to stay local and explore our own backyard. Our family has enjoyed staycations at Toronto's Four Seasons hotel, enjoying movie nights in our suite (the hotel whipped us up a jaw-dropping spread of movie treats), spending time poolside at the indoor pool and ordering room service for breakfast. The hotel even has mini robes and slippers available for the little ones so that they match the grownups. A hands-down family favourite and yes, it did feel like a vacation.