Planning family travel comes down to a series of small, but crucial decisions. After a decade of planning family travel, I’ve come to believe that the difference between a trip that works and one that grinds everyone down comes down to a handful of things most parents never think to ask about in advance.

Three smart destinations for families who want the best vacations possible with the least amount of disappointment.

Many hotels claim to welcome families. Fewer have thought seriously about what that means beyond a pool with a shallow end. This list highlights the ones that have: properties where the children’s programming has real content, where kids are doing something that matters and where parents can hand them over for a morning without a second thought.

Why going away for the holidays works, and how to make it memorable.

Our top destinations for holidays away