Affordable Adventures, Cozumel.

Rated by Money magazine as a top winter destination, Cozumel, Mexico is the place for families searching for a getaway that's diverse and well-priced. This cozy island sits along the largest coral reef network in the Western Hemisphere; visitors enjoy exceptional snorkeling, diving and swimming year-round. On land, travelers explore ancient ruins; take jeep, ATV and horseback tours; hike through national preserves, and more. Hotels and resorts welcome families with packages that include dive lessons for children, snorkeling and massages. Family packages begin as low as $115 per night per adult, and kids stay free. Visit Cozumel on the World Wide Web, www.islacozumel.com.mx.

At Home When Away.

If you want plenty of space for family and friends, treat yourself to a villa with Marriott Vacation Club International (MVCI). These family-friendly accommodations have one to three bedrooms, full kitchens, separate living and dining areas, private balconies, washer/dryers and more. MVCI resorts are located any place families want to travel, with resorts in warm weather destinations from Florida and Hawaii to Aruba and Costa del Sol. There are kids' clubs and activities for all family members: snorkeling, golf, spa and theme parks, just to name a few. Travelers can rent spacious villas on a nightly basis. For yearly travelers, vacation ownership can be a smart choice because of the flexibility. Owners can exchange their weeks and travel to top destinations worldwide. For information, call (800) 845-5279 or visit www.marriottvacationclub.com.

Best Surf ‘N Turf, Panama City Beach.

On Florida's northwest coast, Panama City Beach beckons with sugary, white sand beaches and the emerald green waters of the Gulf of Mexico. This classic beach town is heralded as a Best U.S. Beach destination by The Travel Channel, Southern Living Magazine, Dr. Beach and others. The award-winning beaches -- coupled with lakes, waterways and bays -- offer countless opportunities for year-round water sports, from snorkeling, surfing and diving to sailing, kayaking and fishing. On land, there are championship golf courses, hiking and biking trails, water parks, roller coasters and more. Winter packages start as low as $79 per night per adult, and kids stay free at many hotels. Visit online www.thebeachloversbeach.com.

Paradise Found, Caribbean and Mexico.

Marriott and Renaissance Caribbean and Mexico Resorts welcome families with "Discovery Adventures." This new activities program takes children and parents on cultural explorations of the world around them, examining shells as beach archaeologists, experimenting with centrifugal motion as scientists, following the moon's phases as astronomers and more. When vacations are done, "Discovery" booklets, with space for journal entries and scrap-booking, make invaluable keepsakes. Marriott and Renaissance Caribbean and Mexico Resorts' are located in Aruba, Cancun, Curacao, Puerto Vallarta, St. Kitts and St. Thomas. Each property offers a distinctive vacation: Swim in on-site dive centers, relax at luxurious spas, tee off on championship golf courses, try your luck at state-of-the-art casinos, dine on world-class cuisine and more. Check out the "Total Escape!" (R) inclusive packages, with rates starting as low as $250 per room per night at select resorts. Call (800) 223-6388 or visit www.totalescapebymarriott.com.

Hole-in-One Family Travel, Orlando.

Visit the theme parks or hit the links. Whatever your interests, you're covered at the Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate, Florida's new luxury golf destination resort. The Mediterranean-style, 730-room property is just a few miles from Walt Disney World Resort. At Omni Orlando, grown-ups rejuvenate at the 10,000 square-foot, European-style spa. Kids spend the afternoon plunging down the two-story water slide and tubing down the 850-foot lazy river. ChampionsGate is home to the world headquarters of the internationally acclaimed David Leadbetter Golf Academy and two par-72, championship courses designed by golf great Greg Norman. For information, visit omniorlandoresort.com or call (800) THE-OMNI.

Family Feast with Entertainment Medley.

While in Orlando, catch "Stampede of the Buffalos," at Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede. At what Dolly calls the "most fun place to eat in Orlando," visitors feast on four-course meals. Acrobatic horsemanship, original comedy, choreography and music provide a full menu of entertainment. The all-American show has a friendly North-South rivalry theme, with audience participation suitable for all family members. Tickets: $46.99 + tax/adults; $19.99 + tax/children. For information, call Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede Dinner & Show, (407) 238-2777, or visit online, www.dixiestampede.com.

Courtesy of ARA Content