The last time we tried skiing with the kids it turned into a bit of a disaster. Going from walking to sliding down a snow-covered hill on two small boards was too much of a jump in motor skills for our tots. With another winter getaway fast approaching we've been thinking about other possible snow activities, like snowshoeing!

We saw a few great articles on snowshoeing with the kids and are definitely going to try it out. A snowshoe-clad nature walk with a thermos of hot coco and some sandwiches sounds like the perfect way to spend an afternoon. Plus, we've been looking at the rental costs of snowshoes and have seen prices as low as $8 for the afternoon. In fact, at Dick's Sporting Goods, you can even buy kids' pairs for as low as $30! Cost effective and fun? Count us in.

Have you ever been snowshoeing with the kids? Tell us how it went!

Kayt Sukel | Travel Savvy Mom

As winter brings its signature gloomy skies and frosty temperatures, Mauritius is a fantastic last-minute getaway for European families. Sometimes called Ile de Maurice, this tropical island in the Indian Ocean may be best known as the final resting place of the infamous Dodo. But this stunning destination has it all -- flawless beaches, lovely weather, and a one-of-a-kind funky Hindu-Creole culture. And to top it all off, it's incredibly family-friendly.

Many of the island's resorts offer all manner of kid's activities so parents can enjoy some of that all-too-infrequent alone time.  Spend your mornings rambling on horseback, exploring the deep in a submarine or hiking in one of the island's nature preserves. But afternoons should definitely be spent lounging by the pool or on the beach.  Mauritius is not a short flight -- it's about eight hours from the European continent -- but it is well worth the trip. 

You can find regular flights to the island from Paris, Frankfurt, Rome, Madrid, Geneva, and London.

Kayt is another one of our Travel Savvy Moms. Based in Germany, she is a full time writer and full time mom. All this week we're posting last-minute getaway ideas from some of our favorite travel experts, so keep checking back!

Nancy Solomon | Ciao Bambino

With four kids, the likelihood that someone is sick, getting sick or getting over being sick (i.e. will spread it to the others) when we are traveling is always high. We've learned that a little preparation and a plan of action goes a long way.

Consider your destination: When selecting your destination, take your family's health needs into account.  The more remote a location, the further away the hospital will be and in foreign countries, hospitals near larger cities will be more likely to have English-speaking staff.  Some places have no hospitals at all, only local clinics -- this is a big issue on islands and should be evaluated before you commit to a location, especially if you are traveling with infants. Also, destinations where food and water safety are a concern increase the likelihood that you may need medical care.  The CDC web site provides thorough information on specific destinations and various tips on traveling with children. 

Prepare a medicine bag: A well-stocked medicine kit enables you to treat most minor ailments, while assuring you'll have what you need when you need it.  Internationally, it's helpful to have familiar brands since many of the name brands are not available. Our kit always contains: Motrin, Tylenol, Benedryl, Dramamine, Swimmer Ear drops, Adult Sudafed, Band-Aids, Neosporin and a thermometer.  When going out of the country, I add a general antibiotic prescribed by my pediatrician, Dent Temp (temporary dental glue), anti-diarrhea and re-hydration solution (this way I have the accurate dosing), DEET bug repellant and sunscreen.  It seems like a lot, however, taking care of this ahead of time allows you to relax while traveling knowing you can treat most things that come your way with familiar products.

Despite diligent preparation, you your kids may need medical attention while on vacation.  If this happens, here are some tips to ensure the process is as easy and safe as possible:

Be proactive: Being proactive cuts down on the spreading of the sickness and most importantly, trips to the ER. Don't wait to a critical point to address an issue, especially on Fridays, before heading into the weekend.

Find a local doctor:  Domestically and abroad, I prefer local doctors to clinics or hospitals. You can easily ask your hotel for a doctor, but in countries with robust bribing systems, you may want to call your local embassy or consulate and get the list of recommended doctors. It is also a good idea to understand the location of regional hospitals in case you need emergency care and the local embassy or consulate can provide recommendations for this as well.

Verify medicine: Look to buy sealed bottles of a medicine even if you only need a portion.  If time allows, verify the name of medicine with your pediatrician. On a recent trip, the local doctor come to our hotel room with a suitcase of loose pills to give to our 3-year-old.  This was his normal protocol, so fortunately we were in a situation where we could say no thank you.

Thinking about your kids getting sick or hurt is never fun and certainly, my least favorite part of trip planning.  I don't let this stop me from traveling, but I'm always prepared and ready to deal with anything that comes our way.   

Courtney Adamo | Babyccino

1. Reset your watches the minute you land, and start getting accustomed to the new time immediately. Don't think about what time it is in the departure city -- it will only make things worse!

2. Don't take naps, and try not to let your kids take naps at odd times. When they do take a scheduled nap, don't let them oversleep.  Pretend you haven't flown across the globe and that you aren't in a different time zone!

3. If your kids wake up in the middle of the night and seem wide awake, try to keep them in their beds by giving them a few books to read. It always seems like my boys are wide, wide awake, but they always go back to sleep within an hour if we keep the lights dim and don't give them the option of waking up for good.

4.  Try to get as much fresh air and natural sunlight as you can. Apparently natural sunlight works wonders on readjusting your natural clock.

5. Eat when you're supposed to eat according to your new time, and drink plenty of water.  Your kids may not seem hungry but you should encourage them to eat so they quickly adjust to the new schedule.

(p.s. we found this amazing photo by SohieMuc on Flickr!)

Tamara Heber-Percy | cofounder of Mr & Mrs Smith Boutique Hotels

I was really nervous when I took my first journey with my son Tom at just three months old. I didn't know what to take, and I thought he would scream the whole way there! Since then, I've traveled a lot with him and have learned a thing or two:

FOR THE AIRPORT/PLANE

- Skip priority boarding. Killing time in the departure lounge (where they can run around) can be better than an extra half hour on board.

- Pack a new attention-grabbing toy--like magnetic drawing boards AquaDraw Draw 'N' Go mats--as well as tried-and-true favorites. 

- A sling or wrap-style carrier leaves you more mobile. I never travel without my Ergo baby backpack, which can carry a child from three months to an older toddler. It's an absolute godsend for negotiating packed airports.

- Many kids grow out of in-flight bassinets by the time they're eight months old. Ask your airline if you can take your car seat onto the plane. You'll have to pay for an extra seat, but your child will be safe and more comfortable.

Bug lovers, fairy fans, and girl power enthusiasts should check out  "Maria Sibylla Merian & Daughters: Woman of Art and Science," now showing at the J. Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles.

Curator (and Cookie contributor) Stephanie Schrader shows us how Maria broke ground for women when she could draw and paint better than her male counterparts in art class.

After Maria divorced and took her daughters with her to Suriname in the 18th century, she and her daughters used their interest in nature to create painstakingly precise renderings of plants and insects.

The illustrations will transport your child into a magical land filled with flowers, plants, and insects (with the possibility of a fairy hiding behind each one!). Now through August 31st.

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