Whenever traveling with your family, it is best to make sure that you research your journey before you hit the road or fly the skies. Although spontaneity can be fun, sometimes being prepared and well informed about your destination is the best way to go. Whether it is something as simple as knowing where an accessible restaurant is, knowing the best way to get to all the kid-friendly attractions, or having a handy city guide in your back pocket, the following products will help you map out your next vacation before you pack your bags.

Read Before You Go

101 Accessible Vacations: Travel Ideas for Wheelers and Slow Walkers
by Candy B. Harrington
(Demos Medical Publishing; $24.95)
Families with individuals who are physically disabled or slow walkers know that travel can sometimes be difficult, but now, with this book, travel can be limitless for everyone. In 101 Accessible Vacations all bases have been covered, taking travel to another level... a level that is accessible for all. With destinations spanning from the whole of America to places like St. Petersburg and New Zealand, slow walkers and wheelers have more than enough selection to enjoy themselves. Organized by activity, everything from helicopter rides over Maui to safaris in Africa, this guide is especially easy to navigate. And searching for accessible restaurants, transportation, and rest rooms is made easy with pre-travel advice, as well as phone numbers and email addresses for every specific activity and lodging, allowing the traveler to confirm accessibility before reaching his or her destination.

Urban Crayon Paris: The City Guide for Parents with Children
By Sheridan Becker, Kim Barrington Narisetti and Erzsi Deak
(Urban Crayon Press; $10.95)
The first of an upcoming series of hip city guides, Urban Crayon Paris offers families a city guide that highlights sights, sleeps, eats, and shopping, while remaining budget conscious. There are 12 categories, such as Playground Paradise, Mother and Baby Pampering, and If You Have To Be a Tourist. For kids, there are the Dudes, Divas, and Co-Ed sections. For boys, activities such as Napolean’s Tomb or Break Dancers in Les Halles are recommended, while the Doll Museum and Museum of Fashion are suggested for girls. The co-ed section is really for the entire family, suggesting activities such as a hot air balloon ride and the Museum of Magic, while the Bonjour Baby introductory section gives general, but essential information for families, such as opening and closing times of some attractions, 24-hour facilities, and even information on babysitting, in case parents need a romantic night out.

DK Eyewitness Top 10 Series
(DK Eyewitness Travel; $12)
The DK travel guides are filled with gorgeous pictures that make planners eager to book tickets. These new Top 10 guides are very helpful in planning itineraries by suggesting the best of each general city and the best within several sections and aspects of the destination.The best list for families is the Top 10 for Children, as well as the always-helpful “Streetsmart” section, which usually includes money saving tips and a phrase book. The Top 10 cuisines and souvenirs lists are also a plus for vacationers. Two new releases in the Top 10 series that we’ve reviewed are Beijing, China and Marrakech, Morocco. And since Beijing will be the location of the 2008 Olympics, be sure to check that Top 10 list. The Top 10 Moroccan Architecture list will ensure that the visitors don’t miss out on any of the area’s unique style.

Rome With Kids
by J.M. Pasquesi
(Synergy Books; $16.95)
This Rome city guide differs from all others since the author has not just traveled to Rome, she has actually lived there with her children. Gathered from her own personal experiences, her suggested tours are mostly one hour -- a practical length -- with some ranging from two to three hours and even daytrips intended for families with older children and teenagers. This Rome guide also offers the family planner handy timing tips that include each point of interest’s opening and closing times. Throughout the book are highlighted sections for kids with interesting facts and activities, such as scavenger hunts like finding the "Ace of Cups" at the Trevi Fountain. This book is great for those families that need to optimize their time in Rome, while still keeping everyone in the family happy.

Watch Before You Go

Travel with Kids: Paris
(PorchLight Home Entertainment DVD; $14.98)
Paris is the newest video guide from the Travel with Kids DVD series, which follows the Roberts family as they travel to different locations and find several family-friendly activities. The video includes the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre Museum and even French crepe making. Like other Travel with Kids guides, it gives everyone a chance to learn more about the city’s culture and history. And watching a new destination come to life prior to visiting can help young children prepare for the experience and build positive anticipation in older ones. The special features of the DVD include a trip planner with accommodation and transportation information, as well as money-saving tips. The Travel with Kids series also explores Hawaii’s Big Island and Kauai, Mexico’s Yucatan and a Caribbean special. Travel with Kids: New York is also a recent addition to the series that visits the Statue of Liberty, Central Park, Times Square and the Empire State Building.

Thanks to Molly McDonough, Jennifer Moore, Jillian Ryan and Victoria Scillia for their collaborative efforts in this product review.