With Copenhagen in the news this week, I feel compelled to write about my travels there. I brought my whole family for a family travel show I hosted on the Travel Channel, so my perspective is that from a mom traveling with kids. I realize Copenhagen may not top the list of family vacation places, largely because there are desirable destinations closer to home for us here in the U.S. However, this post may inspire you, or just kick back and arm chair travel

Let me say from the get go, and I am sure this is obvious, you need to visit in the summer. In the winter, Copenhagen has perpetually grey skies – with some days seeing only one hour of sunlight a day. Heading into spring, there’s more like 5-8 hours of sunlight – but still! This can have an impact on one’s mood. We met families there who leave Copanhagen in the winter for another place to live.

I was bit by the travel bug years (decades?) ago. But now I have been bit by something almost as alluring to me..and I am completely ashamed to admit it!

Count me in as a new “Twilight” fan. In a matter of less than a week, I have read the first two books in the “Twilight” series…”Twilight” and “New Moon.” I am obsessed with getting my hands on the third, “Eclipse” and almost broke into a cold sweat when the local librarian told me it was checked out.

This might not seem strange to many of you fans – I have friends who hid in closets from their kids to finish reading it. However, with Ted Kennedy’s memoir, and Alice Munro’s latest book of short stories sitting on my bedside table, this was the least likely choice for me.For an involved, busy mom of three kids to read two 500 page books in less than a week tells you something.

My excuse to read it was that the film version of “New Moon” was out, and I should really know a bit about pop culture..and see what “kids” today are enthusiastic about reading. I am now a convert – thank you Edward Cullen. It is total escapism.

If you are like me  you are amazed the holidays are here already – shoot I am still working on my New Years resolutions for 2009…but heck, gotta jump right into the spirit! Especially if you have kids.

Thanksgiving weekend gives you the opportunity to do all that. Whether you are staying home or traveling to see family, there are myriad holiday festivities that begin this weekend, kicking off this special time of year. Visiting them can create wonderful family memories, and get you out of the house!

Wherever you are going to be this weekend you can research the holiday festivities in that area.  www.travelwithkids.about.com offers a good round up of things going on. Also check your local paper or regional websites like www.dailycandy.com for local events.

With Sarah Palin stealing headlines, I am inspired to write about her home state. Whether you like her or not, don’t hold it against traveling to Alaska – it is one of my all time favorite destinations. It is for the traveler who “has been there done that.” It feels so unspoiled, depending on where you go and how you get there.

The most popular way to see Alaska is on a cruise. You do get to see more of the inside passages that way…and you have plenty of entertainment. My well-traveled friend Jessica took a Alaskan cruise last year with her husband and two children ages 10 and 8 and had a great time – despite the fact they aren’t necessarily “cruise fans.” It is a great way for the kids to see Alaska – what they loved most were the excursions like hiking, rock climbing, zip lining, and whale watching. All pretty exhilarating stuff, and sure to please kids her age. But what really was an added bonus were the well-educated guides that explained the natural environment they were discovering.