Today's segment was the second installment of my Traveling Through the Ages series, focusing on the top five travel experiences for people in their thirties and forties. I looked at this age group as people with families at home, whether toddlers or teenagers, and people who likely are busy with life and work and have limited time and budget. So have a look below.

And don't forget to tell us about your dream vacation...no matter what the age. Email us at traveltips@ctv.ca and at the end of the month I'll pick some of them and tell you how you can make those vacations a reality.

French Polynesia

  • Moorea and Bora-Bora specifically. Tahiti sounds tropical but is actually not the most beautiful of islands..
  • If you are going to splash out once why not make it to the ultimate honeymoon destination -- the one big crazy trip you'll take in your thirties.
  • You can only go there as a doe eyed in love couple, because everyone else there is in on their honeymoon too.
  • I would recommend enlisting a travel agent to help you with your plans. Rack rates tend to be high and this is not a Priceline or Hotwire destination. I love my travel agent....give him a call: Carl Henderson, CTM Personal Travel Consultant; chenderson@tpi.ca; 416.972.9688 or 1.877.972.2275; www.carlhenderson.ca

Disney

  • I think every young family at some point in their lives should consider Disney. Prevailing wisdom says that your kids should be at least aged five for that first mega-park outing, but whenever you go, make sure you have a detailed plan of attack.
  • Former Disney World VIP host Michael Hewell of Tour Guide Mike www.tourguidemike.com charges families $21.95 to map out custom itineraries based on answers to a pre-trip online questionnaire.
  • For the ultimate in hand-holding -- at $100 an hour -- ask for one of Hewell's guides (http://www.michaelsvips.com/), who will wait in lines for you.

The All-inclusive

  • If Disney is too much for your young family check into an All-inclusive.
  • The Club Med resorts at Sandpiper, Florida, and Ixtapa, Mexico (http://www.clubmed.com/cm/jsp/clubmed_welcome.jsp), provide child care in their Baby Club Meds (expect to pay a weekly supplement of about $180 per child). Parents also have access to fridges and microwaves and, as part of the just-introduced baby welcome service, will find their rooms stocked with cribs, strollers, and infant tubs and childproofed.
  • At Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort & Spa (http://www.beaches.com/) families can sign on for a $12-an-hour Ultra Nanny who's ready to oversee everything from mealtimes to sand castle construction.

Tofino

  • As you and your kids age think about vacations that are fresh…do exotic, do thrilling and do adventures that they will remember.
  • Here in Canada, Tofino is a great place to go and have the whole family take surfing lessons.
  • In fact if you are in the area in the next wee .the O'Neill Cold Water Classic Canada 2010 (www.oneill.com/cwc) -- Canada's only professional surfing competition sanctioned by the Association of Surfing Professionals (http://www.aspworldtour.com/) -- will again be held in Tofino on the west coast of Vancouver Island from October 9-15, 2010.

Slovenia

  • And when you need a break from the kids that won't break the bank but is a step above the single sex hostel dorm scene do Europe. But instead of Paris in the summer, pick a secondary destination like Slovenia that is up and coming.
  • The capital of Lublanja is charming. Go in the shoulder season, like October or April for even better value on your vacation.
  • Be more European in your travel mentality. You don't need two or three weeks to enjoy Europe. Just Go for a week and don't over plan the itinerary.
  • http://www.slovenia.info/

What's your dream vacation? We'd like to know! Send us an email at traveltips@ctv.ca