With summer travel season in full swing, it's time to start thinking about planning your family's trips out of town.  We all know traveling with kids can be a challenge, so it's best to load up on as much information as possible before planning that weekend getaway, beach escape or cross-country road trip.  I was lucky enough to attend an exclusive luncheon hosted by the folks behind one of my favorite websites, KidzVuz (where tweens can post and view video reviews of products, destinations and more), during which I garnered a plethora of family travel tips that I am thrilled to be able to impart to you! 

Hosted at J&R Jr. in downtown Manhattan, the luncheon showcased a variety of products and resources that are perfect for traveling families.  First up was Laurie Schact, aka the Toy Insider Mom, who who presented an array of toys guaranteed to entertain kids of all ages during those otherwise boring car rides and flights.  I was impressed by each of Laurie's picks, but the ones that really caught my eye were the Neat-Oh Picnic Lunch Box, which unfolds into a self-contained placemat (perfect for those icky airplane tray tables or picnic tables at roadside rest stops), the ever-popular LeapPad, the My First Crayola Washable Dry-Erase Activity Mat, which contains Crayola's innovative dry-erase crayons and reusable activity sheets, the Groove Tube, which Laurie described as the ultimate "fiddle toy," and the Mega Bloks Hello Kitty Ice Cream Parlor, which comes in its own folding case and, since I received one in my gift bag, has been providing my four-year-old daughter Sadie with hours of entertainment.  

Next on deck was travel guru Heidi Leder of Techlicious, who shared with us some of her favorite travel apps, narrowed down from the universe of over 5,000 travel-related apps on the market.  I have no idea how Heidi was able to sort through the myriad apps to bring us the very best ones, but I'm certainly grateful that she did.  Here are just a few of Heidi's fabulous app suggestions: 

• Apps to help you plan your trip:  Trip Advisor, Kayak Pro, Trippy (which uses friend sourcing to serve as a sort of Pinterest for travel)
• Apps to help you get organized for your trip:  TripIt, Gate Guru, My TSA (best for checking what you can and can't carry onto a plane), Pack & Go (which lets you create and assign individual packing lists for each family member)
• Apps that will help you while you're on the road:  KidzOut, Gas Buddy, iExit (to find which restaurants, gas stations and other resources are available at each exit), Sit or Squat
• Apps for tots:  My Little Suitcase, Wheels on the Bus, Kids Maps, Drawing Pad, Barefoot World Atlas (which, according to Heidi, is worth the steep $7.99 price tag)
• Apps for tweens:  License Plate Game, Roxie's a-MAZE-ing Vacation Adventure, iDiary, Viddy, Stack the States, Goby, X is for X-Ray,Strip Designer

We then learned all about Audible.com, a site that allows you to download digital audio books directly to your smartphone, tablet or other device.  This seems like a great idea for a long car ride, when you need to focus on the road and can't read a book to your kids.  Simply use the speaker on your phone to allow the kids to listen to a book together, or let each kid listen to his/her own audio book using headphones.

Last, but certainly not least, we heard from the folks at Homewood Suites by Hilton, which, although I've not yet stayed in one (that will be changing soon if I have anything to do about it!), is my new favorite hotel chain.  Not only does each roomy Homewood Suites guest suite include a fully- equipped kitchen and a full-size bedroom (some locations even have 2-bedroom suites), the hotel also offers complimentary hot breakfast each morning and complimentary dinner and drinks from Monday through Thursday.  You'll also be treated to free internet access, free parking and, in many instances, complimentary airport shuttle service when you stay with Homewood Suites.  In a stroke of genius for traveling families, Homewood Suites will also do your grocery shopping for you and have your items ready and waiting for you when you arrive!  All you pay for is the cost of the groceries - there's no additional charge!  Right now, Homewood Suites is running a Great Getaway promotion, whereby you can save 15% when you book a stay at a participating Homewood Suites by Hilton hotel by July 23, 2012 for stays through September 30, 2012.  With over 300 locations in the U.S. and Canada, there's bound to be a Homewood Suites locale that's perfect for your summer vacation, so be sure to visit them online and book your stay. 

Thanks so much to my friends at KidzVuz for hosting this fabulous event!  Happy travels!