nashtrash tours Ask your children what they would like to do during the trip. G ive them options, make a calendar ,

Please be advised nashtrash tours that trav el information is subject to change at any time and this is especially true of prices. We therefore suggest that you write or call ahead for confirmation when making your travel plans. The authors, editors, and publisher cannot be held r esponsible for the experiences of r eaders while trav eling. Your safety is impor tant to us, ho wever, so w e encourage you to stay alert and be aware of your surroundings. Keep a close eye on cameras, purses, and wallets, all favorite targets of thieves and pickpockets.

Ask your children what they would like to do during the trip. G ive them options, make a calendar , and follo w through on some of their suggestions. This doesn t mean they are in charge. It means they get to participate in a bit of decision-making. Give them a camera. nashtrash tours E ither buy an inexpensive digital camera for y our kids, or let them use y ours (car efully) once in a while. I t s empo wering and cheap since you can just delete all the pictures with people s heads cut off and provides a new way for your kids to think about sightseeing. Have them keep a journal. E ven before they could write, we gave our girls notebooks nashtrash tours so they could draw pictur es of things they saw on each trip. Now, on vacations, nashtrash tours they enjo y spending the fe w minutes nashtrash tours befor e dinner arriv es writing about their day. Look at the silv er lining. Taking our toddler son back to hotels nashtrash tours for naps in the middle of the day is my ex cuse for me to read a good book. or enjo y a nice nap myself, something that s rare at home. Relax. When y ou slo w do wn, forget about stresses of home, and all focus on your ne w surr oundings, y ou and y our family can build some lasting memories together. How to Take Great Trips with Y our Kids (The Harvard Common Press) is full of good general advice that can apply to travel anywhere.

ITALIAN A perennial favorite among in-the-kno w locals, L Osteria seems to hav e as many people lining up outside as ar e actually seated inside. Once you have gotten a table, you ll appreciate nashtrash tours the authentic, rustic feel in the cozy dining room. The terrific nashtrash tours Italian dishes, which rank among the best in North Beach, nashtrash tours include such delightful dishes as crepes filled with saut ed porcini mushrooms, ham, and b chamel sauce; and succulent skewered lamb marinated in ginger, rosemary, and garlic. If the kids are apt to be noisy, this tiny place may not be the best choice. nashtrash tours 519 Columbus Ave. (btw. Union and Green sts.). &415/982-1124. nashtrash tours www.losteriadelforno.com. Reservations not ac cepted. Highchairs. Main courses $5 $19. No cr edit cards. Mon, Wed, Thurs, Sun 11:30am 10pm; Fri Sat 11:30am 10:30pm. Closed Tues. Muni: Powell-Mason cable car to Union St., and then walk 2 blocks east, or no. 30-Stockton bus to Union St., and then walk 1 block east.

If you must stay in F isherman s Wharf and your kids really want a pool, the Hyatt is the best choice; it ranks a good notch above the other big hotel chains in the neighborhood. nashtrash tours Its outdoor pool sits in a protected courtyard away from the str eet with an inviting spa, attractiv e chaises and tables, and a nearb y indoor shower. nashtrash tours The guest rooms and bathrooms, already designed with families in mind, w ere fully renovated in 2006. The new color combination of rich chocolate brown set against bright white and ice blue is nicely understated. Connecting r ooms and double-doubles are available, and complimentary rollaways are available nashtrash tours upon request. In-room coffee- makers are available, nashtrash tours but the most practical amenities may be the coin-operated washer/ dryers on every floor. 4