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About Our MagazineIn Real Family Travel Magazine, we embrace a sense of authenticity in our articles because we accept stories from writers from all around the world.

In doing so, we acknowledge the different spellings and grammatical preferences associated with the languages of those areas. We spell words like "color" and "flavor" without the extra "u" in the USA, but some of our international writers include it.

So rather than a "one size fits all" approach to editing, we’ve decided that we won’t change their spelling to be like "ours", and we won’t adjust ours to match theirs.

There may be times where we might break some rules that would make our high school English teachers cringe or include articles that have a more personal or conversational feel.

We aren't like other magazines and we like it this way. Having genuine stories written by "average" people, not necessarily professional writers, is more aligned with the core values of Real Family Travel Magazine than strictly adhering to editorial guidelines.

We hope you appreciate this about our magazine as we bring you REAL stories by REAL families about REAL travels around the globe.

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Editor's Letter – January 2013

Wow...another brand new year ahead of us. What kinds of experiences will you fill your 365 days with? Do you plan to meet a goal of being location independent? Are you going to visit a new country? Will you check something off your “bucket list”?

You may notice a change in this issue. With all the mini-iPads that were given over the holidays, we've made our font a bit bigger so our articles are more easily read on the smaller screen...or for eyes that just don't see as well as they used to, like mine. Not only that, but we're expanding to welcome non-iPad readers.

We've got some great articles this month on Italy, Romania, Victoria, BC, and some videos on family friendly spots in Guatemala. Learn how to do “literary travels” and discover some intangible things our kids learn from traveling.

Our featured interview is with a fascinating young woman, Savannah Grace, who reluctantly began a trip around the world at 14 with her family. If you have teens that aren't thrilled with the idea of long term travel, encourage them to read this issue!

Real Family Travel Magazine is committed to becoming the “go to” magazine for travel loving families. Send us your suggestions to info@realfamilytravel.com.

Here's to an adventure filled 2013!

Susan Whitehead, Editorwww.RealFamilyTravel.com

Featured InterviewAuthor Savannah Grace of www.Sihpromatum.com Once a self-proclaimed “spoiled brat,” Savannah Grace shares how a year-long trip around the world changed her life.

5 Reasons to Consider Italy for a Base to Explore Europeby Kalli Hiller of www.PortableProfessionals.com Find out if Italy has something for everyone in your family.

Teaching Literary Travel to Kidsby Jessie Voigts of www.WanderingEducators.com Learn how merging travel with reading to bring new meaning to your family trips.

Off-season exploring in Victoria, British Columbiaby Sarah Vernetti by www.WanderingOff.com If you don't mind a possibility of wet, cold weather, don't discount Victoria, BC as a great place to see in the fall or winter.

Table of Contents

Cover: Hiking through the Dolomites in Italy

Table of Contents

VIDEO: Guatemalaby Marina Villatoro, www.TravelExperta.com Instead of reading about some highlights of this Central American country, let us show you through video.

Roaming Romania’s Mountain Ranges in Transylvaniaby Raquel NeofitCastles, medieval villages and ancient forests hold many things to explore in Eastern Europe.

Intangible Things Kids Learn From Travelby Mary of www.BohemianTravelers.comTravel IS educational and our children learn much more than historical facts when seeing the world.

In every issueFrom the EditorRFT Travel GoodiesReal Travel Family SnapshotTrips PixAsk the Traveling TeensAre YOU a Real Travel Family?

Off-Season Exploring in Victoria, British Columbiaby Sarah Vernetti by www.WanderingOff.com

If you don't mind a possibility of wet, cold weather, don't discount Victoria, BC as a great place to see in the fall or winter.

Teaching Literary Travel to Kidsby Jessie Voigts of www.WanderingEducators.com Learn how merging travel with reading to bring new meaning to your family trips.

5 Reasons to Consider Italy for a Base to Explore Europeby Kalli Hiller of www.PortableProfessionals.com

Find out if Italy has something for everyone in your family.

VIDEO: Guatemalaby Marina K. Villatoro of www.TravelExperta.com

Instead of reading about some of the highlights of this Central American country, let the Travel Experta show you through video.

Roaming Romania’s Mountain Ranges in Transylvaniaby Raquel Neofit

Castles, medieval villages and ancient forests hold many things to explore in Eastern Europe.

“Tourists don’t know where they’ve been, travelers don’t know where they’re going.”

Paul Theroux

Intangible Things Kids Learn From Travelby Mary of www.BohemianTravelers.com

Travel IS educational and our children learn much more than historical facts when seeing the world.

Interview with AuthorSavannah Grace

Once a self-proclaimed “spoiledbrat,” Savannah Grace shares

how a year-long trip around the world changed her life.

Traveling the globe is great, but there are times when your internet IP address can prevent you from getting work done or just enjoying some of the websites you're accustomed to from your home country. Strong VPN allows you to access all your favorite sites while traveling for a very affordable price.

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No matter what kind of travel you're plan-ning, the Gypsy Mamas can help! From new babies through a teenager's first solo trip, Bottles to Backpacks will give you the tools and the confidence to take the plunge and explore the great big world, with your kids!

Ready to book your trip to Italy, but don't speak a word of Italian outside of “gelato” or “pizza”? A whole new world opens up when you know how to communicate even the most simple things to people in their native language. If you'd like to learn more, Rocket Languages is giving away a free trial to one of its best selling language programs, Rocket Italian.

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Written by Lisa Shusterman, a veteran traveling mom, Around the World in Easy Ways: A Guide to Planning Long-Term Travel With or Without Your Kids is a book to guide you through the steps of creating rewarding & successful travel & to inspire you to live out your dreams.

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Send personalized “Wish You Were Here!” cards to all your friends and family anywhere in the world from your computer, in YOUR handwriting, with YOUR photos...all for around $1 per card. Send your 1st card free on us!

If you travel outside the 50 states, you NEED to be aware of visa requirements before you open your wallet to pay for airline tickets! Let a seasoned international traveling dad (and Real Family Travel contributor) guide you through the often confusing maze of foreign visa requirements.

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One of the most convenient and, frankly, child-entertaining thing you can pack for any adventure is a tablet. The Kindle Fire HD has everything you (and your kids) could want: books, games, movies, foreign language apps, travel apps and more.

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Sometimes when you travel with a large group or plan to stay in one location for a week or longer, it's nice to have the amenities of a home, like a full kitchen, dining room and a washer and dryer. HomeAway can help you find a great rental home to make your travels more comfortable and, often, more affordable than staying in a hotel.

Did you know you can buy, extend and claim online even after you've left home? Recommended by Lonely Planet, World Nomads travel insurance is available to people from over 150 countries and is designed for adventurous travelers with cover for overseas medical, evacuation, baggage and a range of adventure sports and activities.

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