Travel Tips

Keeping The Kids Happy This Vacation

November 14, 2012 by admin Leave a Comment

A family vacation kicking back at the cabin is great – in theory.

In practice, the results can be less than ideal, especially when the little people get a serious case of cabin fever. Fear not, because experts say finding a cure is easier than you think. And it starts with reaching back into the past.Pull out your own favourite childhood games and activities, says Dave Besson, at Calgary’s Discovery Hut.

“Think about the games you played as a kid – your kids will love [them] no matter how old school you think they are,” Besson says.

The key is to “do things you wouldn’t normally do at home,” adds John Tait, the store’s owner.

Tait suggests holding off bringing out all the activities the first day. Instead, he says, unveil different things over the entire vacation. Here are a few ideas to make cabin time fun and memorable.

Keeping Kids happy On the road

Parents and kids all agree: the hours spent driving to and from the cabin can be the most arduous and boring. These game suggestions courtesy of The Discovery Hut should help:

Rush hour challenges players to slide game pieces (cars and trucks) around their square to replicate the rush hour depicted on picture cards.
Blokus challenges gamers to play as many pieces as they can by only touching corners to corners. The player who places the most pieces wins.
The Klutz Kids travel book, a.k.a. The back seat survival guide, is an all-in-one activity centre for car-contained kids age eight and up.

Memory makers to Keep Kids Interested

Here are some ideas to help remember the vacation long after it’s over.

Start a scrapbook or family journal. Encourage family members to contribute, including pictures, poems, postcards, or a pressed flower, feather or other memento from an outing.
Ask your budding artist to draw a picture from their favourite moment.
Make homemade kites using twigs, string and paper or scraps of fabric; or make a “telephone” with a tin can and a string; frame and hang the family’s vacation art.

Bad Weather days with the Kids

Rainy days are perfect for making brownies or cookies for – and with – your little helpers.

Pull out the cards for rummy and crib, crazy eights, go fish or memory.
Build a fort with the couch, sofa cushions, pillows and blankets.
Host a collage- or mask-making party based on themes such as nature, favourite colour or favourite animal. Pack some old magazines and your arts and craft kit.
Peel your favourite fruit (think melons, cantaloupes and oranges); dip the peels in paint; and then stamp them on paper to show kids the different textures.

Games Kids Like to Play

Board games and cabin life go hand in hand. The Discovery Hut offers these suggestions.

Bananagrams is a word game that challenges players to make their own crosswords using 24 tiles on their own boards. Suitable for kids ages seven and older.
Farkle is a dice rolling game. Players must roll certain combinations and then decide if they will risk their points for the next roll or lose all their points if their dice don’t come up. For players eight and older.
Rent jumpers for the day from Jumper’s Jungle Family Fun Center or go to the location with your family and have an amazing time and fun !!!
Table Topics is a conversation starter game. Players pull a topic card (from about 60) designed to get people chatting, laughing and challenging each other. The Family edition is kid-friendly.

Outside Fun for the Whole Family

Make the most of your time in the great outdoors.

Organize a nature-inspired, team scavenger hunt that includes clues inside and outside the cabin. Pair a parent with a child or an older child with a younger sibling. Make sure the clues keep the kids on the property.
Host a kids-only catch and release fishing derby on the dock. (Check for appropriate licence fees.) Offer a novelty trophy or winners’ crown (baseball cap).
Go berry-picking together for a pancake feast, berry crumble or homemade pie.
Make rainbow-hued ice cubes using food colouring. Take the ice cubes outside to make tabletop sculptures that melt.
Make a batch of homemade bubble mixture and your own bubble blowers using twist ties, straws, pipe cleaners or anything around the cabin with holes. (For bubble mixture combine 1/2 cup (125 mL) dish detergent with 5 cups (1.25 L) water and 2 tbsp. (25 mL) glycerine, which is available at drug stores.)

Before Bed – Cranky Kid Fixes

The time between dinner and bedtime can be daunting, especially when kids are keyed up.

Before bedtime, take a short walk together as a family. Let the kids man the flashlights and keep the walk short (15 minutes or less).
Listen to night sounds of the birds and crickets.
Back at the cabin, pull out one book you can read together. Depending on age, enlist a different family member to read a new chapter every night.

A Brief Checklist To Make Sure You’re Prepared For Air Travel

September 8, 2012 by admin Leave a Comment

Travel is exciting—but waiting in long lines at the airport and being stuck in a flying airplane for more than ten hours? Not so much. Unfortunately, these are things you can’t avoid if the only way to get to your destination is by plane. But if you carefully plan and prepare for your flight, airplane travel can be a lot less stressful. The following tips will show you how.

Air Travel Checklist

Make sure your travel documents are in order. If you will be flying to a place where a passport and visa are required, see to it that these documents are up to date. Keep them in a small envelope that you can slip inside a carry-on bag. Once you reach your destination, don’t leave your travel documents in the hotel. Carry these papers with you at all times. You never know when you might need them.

Choose your airline. We all want to travel as cheaply as possible. But sometimes, cheap can mean poor seats and maybe even poor service. Do some research and find out other people’s opinions about an airline before buying a ticket. Depending on where you’re going, you can maybe even rent and fly your own plane. To make sure you get the best practice ever, then make sure you take a course over at this flight training service.

For long flights, you will need to be as comfortable as possible. This is one of those occasions when splurging a little bit won’t hurt. Book a flight with a reputable airline and reserve good seats. Aisle seats are great if you want more legroom, but if getting good sleep is your priority, get a window seat.

Check airline rules and baggage regulations. This may sound boring, but it’s very important. Staying updated on airline rules can save you from a lot of problems and inconveniences. Don’t just read the rules—make sure you perfectly understand them. There are also certain items, such as specific types of drugs, which are considered illegal in some countries. Do your research to avoid getting caught in unpleasant situations.

Make a list of things you need to pack. Even if you think your memory is good enough to remember every single item you need to bring, it’s always best to make a list. This makes it easier to check if you’ve forgotten a few things. Make this list at least a week before your flight. It gives you a few days to keep going over the list and make revisions if necessary.

Never procrastinate on packing! Pack your bags at least three days before your flight. Never do it the night before or on the day itself! Being in a hurry makes you prone to forgetfulness. If you need to check in your luggage, make sure your suitcases or bags have locks, as well as labels that show your name and contact information—but don’t give out too much information. A phone number (complete with country code and area code) will do.

Plan on how to keep yourself busy during the flight. A long flight doesn’t have to be a dreadful experience. It could be the perfect excuse to catch up on your reading—or to write letters to your technophobic grandma. You can also bring a laptop filled with games and movies that you can enjoy offline. Of course, make sure that it’s fully charged before your flight.

Be at the airport at least two hours before your flight. Remember that in some airports, getting through security can take quite a while. Be at the airport early to avoid very long lines.

These six little tips shouldn’t be so difficult to remember. The main idea really is to keep things organized. Plan and prepare. Don’t wait until the last minute. By putting things in order days before your flight, you will feel more relaxed and confident during your trip.

Tips to Travelling with Kids this Summer

July 5, 2012 by admin Leave a Comment

Summer vacation is finally here!!! I’m sure many of you are gearing up for a fun family trip while the kids are out of school. Finding entertaining activities to do in-transit can be challenging. Here are some helpful hints if you plan on traveling with kids via air or car:

Avoid the stress of last minute packing and try to be reasonably packed in advance. You’ll have to carry what you bring so remember that you don’t really need all of those items, and you’re probably going to be traveling to a place that has stores should you desperately need something, the most important thigh you need is the Double Umbrella Stroller in 2018 & 2019, which will be necessary to carry your baby around.
Mandatory items to carry with you: Band-Aids, children’s pain reliever, wipes/diapers, Sippy cups/bottles, pacifiers, a few snacks, chewing gum (during takeoff and landing helps soothe children’s sore ears), change of clothes, and extra Ziploc bags for wet clothes and nausea. If your child is on certain medications, pack plenty of extra, along with a copy of the prescriptions.
Bring entertainment such as coloring books, crayons/markers, headphones, a portable DVD player, a deck of cards, stickers, and travel board games.
Travel in something comfortable and dress the children in bright colored items that are easy to spot. You may want to tuck a card into their pocket with their name/address/cell number in case they get lost. Also have a recent photo on you and if your child is a wanderer consider a child safety harness.
Kids with certain dietary restrictions (i.e. allergies, diabetes, kosher, etc.) can request special meal plans before flying. Many flights no longer provide meals, especially foods that will appeal to your child. Bring plenty of portable, non-messy, nut-free snacks on board such as small crackers, juice boxes, cheese sticks, and grapes. Keep yourself and your children hydrated with bottled water.

How to Keep Kids Busy While Travelling

While you are waiting to board your flight, your kids will probably get antsy.

Here are a few things you can do once you’re at the airport:

Take an “I Spy” walk and identify objects at the airport.
Watch the airplanes take off and land.
Grab some food before the flight.
Walk up and down the stairs.
If there is enough room you can do some jumping jacks, yoga moves or play “Simon Says” to burn off some of that extra energy before having to be seated for a long period of time.

If you’re going to be driving…

Make sure to schedule plenty of stops to take bathroom breaks, get a bite to eat and stretch.
Plan to leave just before a meal, and pack that meal to go. Otherwise, when you eat before you leave, bathroom breaks are sure to follow shortly into the trip.
Pack a backpack of treats for each child that includes a mixture of healthy snacks. They’ll love trail mix, dry cereals, baked crackers and cheese, pretzels, etc.
Don’t assume fast-food has to be unhealthy. The addition of salads, veggies, and wraps to many fast-food restaurant menus mean choosing a nutritious meal is possible and there are also supplements you can get from sites as http://thepatriotpowergreens.com/ that really help to maintain health. Plus, the added bonus of playrooms and bathrooms, toys in kids’ meals and being able to leave the mess behind, make them worth visiting.

This is soooo borrrring!!! Not anymore! Here are a few fun ways to prevent your little whiners from making you crazy:

Before your trip stock up on DVD’s, CD’s and books on tape. Hand held video games are also a sure way to keep their boredom at bay.
Pick up a few small surprise gifts for each child. The novelty will be exciting and provide some distraction.
Look for CD’s that quiz kids on general knowledge – Quizzology is a great one.
Play “I’m going on a picnic.” Start naming items in alphabetical order that you would bring. Ex: I’m going on a picnic and I’m going to bring apples. I’m going on a picnic and I’m going to bring bananas.”
Play the classic game of 20 questions.
Make a scavenger hunt of the trip and list a few things they should watch for. Some suggestions: Owls, old tires on the side of the road, weird sculptures/landmarks and a vintage car.
Play the license plate game and see how many states you can find.
Play travel board games.

And most importantly – Have a great vacation from Mommy I Want This!!!

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Buying a second hand camper

April 24, 2012 by admin Leave a Comment

If you are considering buying a second hand camper, you will undoubtedly be preparing yourself to make a significant investment. If you lack experience of purchasing a second hand camper, you must take the time to investigate the types of campers available to you. Once you have narrowed down your selection, you will need to thoroughly check over the camper to determine the condition that it is in and hence, whether it is worth the investment.

Buying a second hand camper

Damp -When checking over the camper, ensure that you inspect all of the corners, roof lockers, bed boxes and cupboards for signs of the development of damp. This is easy to do if you possess a damp meter.

Sealant-A range of sealant types are used in the production of a camper, including acrylic and oil-based sealants. when buying a second hand camper these sealants last for between five and 20 years. Ensure that you look around the panels of second hand campers for signs of missing or penetrated seals. You may be able to re-seal the camper. However, this could cost you around £1,000.

Doors and Lockers -Ensure that all of the doors open and close properly. You should not be able to see daylight through the seals. Ensure that all of the hinges are secure and that the locks turn freely.

Windows -Check around the windows and seals for cracks as, as a camper ages, the plastic trim surrounding the inside of the windows can crack. The windows should lock securely and there should be no signs of rust around the screws. If the windows are not double-glazed, there should be no condensation to be found between the layers.

Floors -Take a good walk around the camper to determine whether any of the floors are weak or show signs of sagging. Pay close attention to the floors around the doors, kitchen area and seating areas. The cost of fixing floors can vary considerably and a second hand camper with sagging floors should be avoided unless it is sold at a heavily discounted price.

Electrics/Gas -Ensure that the dealer checks that the gas and electrics fully comply with the legal safety requirements and ask them to show you the way in which the appliances function, and services like Gold Coast electrician could help with this in your camper.

Hitch and Chassis -While the hitch and chassis of a second hand camper should have been serviced, you should check that the mechanism functions freely and that the push bar moves in the correct manner.

Stabiliser -Replacement pads can be purchased for some types of second hand campers. However, they will need to be set at the correct torque in order for them to prove effective. New stabilisers can be purchased from around $120.

Tires -When checking the tires you must concentrate on the condition of the tyres’ walls. Cracking of the tyres’ walls indicates that the side walls are malfunctioning and may blow at any time. Tyres cost between $60 and $140 to replace.

Brakes -The handbrake of a used camper should move freely and effectively. The breakaway cable should be in good condition and should display a secure connection to the handbrake base.

Breakaway Cables -The breakaway cables should be secure and must be replaced if rusty. New breakaway cables will cost around $10.

Michael P Richards is writing on behalf of North Western Caravans, specialists in Second hand Caravans and Second hand Motorhomes

Whenever you are out looking, take this list along for tips buying a second hand camper

4 Ways To Lower The Cost Of Your Vacation

April 15, 2012 by admin Leave a Comment

With economies around the world struggling, it’s a difficult time to take a vacation. Trips abroad can be expensive, and even at the best of times it can take a lot of saving to get away. However, it’s perfectly possible to take great vacations on a tight budget. Here are some tips to help you plan for a vacation that doesn’t mean spending too much.

Lower the Cost of Your Vacation

Stay At Home: We almost always think that taking a vacation means going abroad. However, until half a century ago vacationing abroad was virtually unheard of. Today we’re so eager to visit other countries that we forget there are many great things to see in our own backyard – things which people from other countries come to see every year.

Staying in your own country means you don’t have to pay for expensive international flights. You probably won’t need to pay for organized tours either, and it’s possible that you’ll be able to drive your own car wherever you go, meaning that you’ll only be paying fuel costs for transport.

If you have friends or family who live near places that you might like to visit, it’s possible that you could get your accommodation for free. If that doesn’t work, then check out youth hostels in the area, or search for cheap guest houses.

Save Money On Transport: If you want to go abroad, then the first thing you should do is check out the best air-fare deals. Usually, this means avoiding travel agencies. Instead, visit price comparison websites on the internet to look for the best flight deals available, and buy direct. Being flexible about your destination and/ or travel dates can really help save some cash.

If you’re a more adventurous sort of person, there are other ways to keep travel cheap. Once you arrive at your destination, make use of local transport instead of tour buses. You could also try hitch-hiking!

Bring A Tent: Accommodation can be expensive, and sometimes you might not a find a place you want to stay. This is especially true if you want a more flexible vacation where you’re free to explore your destination at your leisure.

If you’re staying in a hot country, it’s often possible to simply sleep outside. Alternatively, try to find out if there are places that will let you stay for free. In some countries, temples will never turn away someone who needs a place to sleep for the night, or you can bring your own tent/ hammock and sleep surrounded by nature.

Eat On The Street: One of the most expensive parts of your vacation can be food. Eating like you do at home can cost a lot if you’re in a country with different eating habits. Try to eat what the locals eat and you’ll more than likely save quite a bit of money.

You can also try eating the local street food. Usually, street food is cheap and pretty tasty. Look for food stalls that get frequent visits from local customers and you’ll usually improve your chances of getting something that’s of decent quality.