How to find good locations for your family to travel on a vacation.

A family vacation is a great investment because you may need a couch or new carpet but the furniture or the carpet will wear out; but the memories made on a family vacation will last a life time and only grow better with age.

Now where you take your pre-teens may depend on what you want to do or what they like to do.

In my opinion, here are a few of the top 10 family vacations.

Hawaii, go here for your family vacation to enjoy beautiful white sand beaches, towering waterfalls, whales, dolphins, volcanoes and more activities than I could possibly mention.

Washington DC, this family vacation would be educational as your kids would see so much history their head would spin. But if you get your kids involved in researching the different

Museums and historical sights, let them choose which ones they want to visit, you will be surprised how excited they will get about what they are going to see.

Costa Rica, this is one of my favorite family vacation destinations for those that like adventure and nature. Costa Rican's are so friendly and proud, they want share their beautiful country with you.

While drifting down a river you will see trees full of howling monkeys, toucans and other colorful birds, crocodiles and lizard like creatures that seem to walk on water. On this family vacations you can

Visit frog farms at night and zip through the tree tops during the day or simply relax at the beach.

Gulf Shores Alabama State Park, if you want to stay in the US , this is a wonderful family vacation. It has gorgeous beaches, fishing, skiing, nature hikes, golf and swimming, just to name a few of the things to do.

Colorado Springs area, also a great family vacation spot in the US . Here you can white water raft, horseback ride, go to a cowboy dinner, pan for gold, rock climb; and the list goes on.

Disney, this is a given. But don't forget about Disney in California . It is smaller, but there are so many other things to do in the area that it is a fantastic trip for a family vacation.

Cruises, kids love cruises because they have special activities on board for the different age groups and they make friends and before the cruise is over they will want to have sleep-overs.

Dude Ranches, Texas , Colorado , Wyoming are a few states that have Dude Ranches. These are about the closest thing in the US to an 'all-inclusive' family vacation. Here you can go on trail rides, tube float down a river, watch and sometime participate in a good old fashion rodeo. And most all meals and activities are included in the price. Activities that are included vary.

Riviera Maya, Mexico, this area has some of the most beautiful beaches in Mexico and amazing all-inclusive resorts. Choose the right resort and your kids will never lack for something to do. They can go snorkeling, build sand castles, sail on a sunfish, slide on huge water park slides and all of this is included in the price along with all meals and drinks.

Smuggler's Notch, VT, Located in beautiful mountains, while on this family vacation your family can spend time together mountain biking, fishing, swimming, canoeing, skateboarding, painting, making jewelry, playing golf or just being quiet and enjoying the scenery around you.

I would always check into purchasing a good travel insurance for your family travel because you never know when you will need it. I always tell my clients 'travel insurance is one of those expenses that if you purchase it and don't need it, then you feel it was a waste of money; but if you don't purchase it and loose all of your money or need the medical part of the insurance while on your trip, then you wish you had purchased the travel insurance'. So it is worth investigating.

Written by Jackie Floyed