First Class Food in Coach

These days, ANY food in coach is a wonder, but good food is most likely not going to happen - certainly not on the airline's dime.

You're most likely accustomed to bringing at least a child's snack or two if you're traveling with children, but what about you? Are you noshing on Cheerios at 30,000 feet? If you travel out of Los Angeles area airports, there are far better options. Skymeals, a meal delivery service that will meet you right at the airport with your food, is changing how you dine in the sky.

Their meals are not inexpensive, but considering what passes for food on planes these days, they're well worth the cost, particularly for long flights (or long waits on tarmacs). A peek at the menu definitely gets the salivary glands watering: you can choose from entrees such as flash seared ahi tuna or shrimp & asparagus farfalle fra diavolo. There's also a nice selection of sandwiches, salads, appetizers and brunches, and even a SkyLight menu for those watching their weight (which we figure in LA is just about everyone).

Best of all: children are included! Yes, the little ones have their own menu, SkyKids, and it's not all junk. While you can never escape chicken fingers (delivered here as "crispy chicken strips"), they come with a healthy side of fresh fruit and broccoli & carrots. The kids' menu is small - 4 selections - but varied enough that you should find something on there that your child will eat. And since the company is actually a catering outfit and not just a delivery service, they'll also take special requests (within reason); if you or your child can't find something on here you like, they can work with you to create a meal you'd prefer.


A SkyKids Meal

Unfortunately, right now Skymeals is only operating in a limited area of California, so unless you live there or are headed there soon, you may not have the opportunity to sample their cuisine. But check back - the company's founders have said in the past that they'd like to expand, and we're hoping they do soon.

Time for a Laugh, Courtesy of TripAdvisor

If there's one thing we've learned as parents, it's that you should always make time for a laugh. It's rather easy to get caught up in supposedly important details, things that have to be dealt with right now and with all due seriousness. We often sweep our children along for the ride as well, expecting them to hurry up, stop fooling around, and take things seriously so that we can get to the car/dance class/soccer game/grandma's house.

But we say, slow down a bit; there is always something to laugh at, and always time for a chuckle, whether it's your kids, or TripAdvisor's blog, We Are Not Making This Up, where they have posted some of the most hilarious and previously unpublished posts they've ever received. If you're not familiar with TripAdvisor, the website allows travelers to post reviews of hotels, cities, and restaurants they've visited. Of course, with travelers of varying expectations from all across the world posting reviews, some of the posts can get pretty funny, and we've learned to take many of them with about a pound of salt. Since we've cracked up at some of the reviews that has been published, we didn't imagine that there were actually worse howlers. We promise you, there are. Two of our faves, printed exactly as they appear on the blog:

"WE are planning a trip to USA my husband has a criminal record from 1976 it is not a good one but since has not had one When we went down to our local police station they told us the finger print they do at USA airport isn't linked to our system we are wondering is it worth the $500.00 they want to get a visa and record sheet or just tick no"

and this one:

"I dont't remember becoming a member of this Whatever it is, I don't even understand what it is about nor do I wish to so stop sending Junk mail to me.

Unless of course it will increase my sales of curtain poles but I doubt that."

What does this have to do with luxury family vacation ideas? Take a breather - there's loads of info in the archives to the right on everything from all-inclusive family vacations to babymoon ideas. For now, sit back and have a laugh. Like that family vacation you're planning, you deserve it.