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Travel Tips

Have Fun Traveling with Kids

January 10, 2008 by admin Leave a Comment

Taking a road trip with kids in tow is not always a joyful experience. It is, however, possible to have fun with the kids on a road trip. Read on for some excellent tips on traveling with your kids.

Bring lots of fun activities to do in the car. One good idea is to take a couple gallon-sized Ziploc bags and fill each one with different activities. For example, you can include crayons, colored pencils, blank paper, coloring books, tic-tac-toe boards, mini travel games like checkers or Connect Four. Pack two such activity bags for each child, but remember that each bag gets different stuff. This way your kids can switch bags throughout the trip and there are plenty of new activities.

Before the trip, go to the store and pick up a new toy for each child. This should be a surprise, so don’t tell your kids that you are getting them a new toy. Do make sure that you get a toy that your child wants or has been asking for. Give the toy to your child after you get on the road. In addition to a toy, it is also a good idea to get a new book or comic that you know your child will enjoy.

There are a number of portable DVD players on the market, choose one that has a car power adapter, long battery life, and that you can plug headphones or ear buds into. Take several DVDs that your kids enjoy. When it gets late or the kids are getting cranky, pull out the DVD player and get a DVD going. This gets boring if used too often, so save it for when the kids are driving you crazy.

Pack a variety of single serving snacks. Although it is less expensive to buy a big bag of chips, it is also a lot messier. If you do want to save some money on snacks, buy the big bag and separate servings into sandwich size plastic bags. Chips, pretzels, trail mix, fruit roll-ups, and gummy fruit snacks are good choices. Carrot sticks and apple slices are healthier snack choices.

Drinking a lot while on the road leads to many stops for bathroom breaks. Avoid giving your kids sugary drinks, which make them have to use the bathroom more often than if they drink water. Limit the amount that they drink, within reason, of course.

When you do stop, choose places where your kids can get out of the car and run around. Even better, choose a place where they can be loud too. A few minutes running round, screaming like banshees will give your kids an outlet for all their pent-up energy. For even more fun, run around with them! Play a quick game of tag or “catch me if you can”.

Keeping kid occupied is the biggest key to fun road trip travel with kids. If they have something fun to do, they don’t have time to whine, cry, or demand.

Filed Under: Travel Tips

How to Stay Safe While Aboard a Cruise

January 9, 2008 by admin Leave a Comment

Taking a cruise is a great way to relax in a atmosphere that is full of fun. There is a downside to cruises, and that is the fact that they are not always safe for you and your belongings. The following article is full of tips that will help you remain safe while you are on the ship.

Many people do not go on cruises because they are afraid of the boat sinking. While there is a chance that this could happen, it is not something that happens on a regular basis. You should be aware of how to use a lifeboat in case of emergencies. You can find some videos online that can give you a few pointers or you can ask a member of the crew once you are on the ship. Keep in mind that you should remain levelheaded in case of an emergency so that you remember what you were taught.

When you are on such a large ship it is only natural that you will want to explore, but you should try to spend most of your time in areas that are very well populated. It would probably be a big help to ask a crew member where everything you are interested in seeing is located. That way you will not be wandering around the vessel looking for anything.

Cruise ships dock at different ports so that you have a chance to explore a little bit. If you are traveling alone you should make sure not to stray too far away from other travelers. The danger of being in an unfamiliar place is very real, and you should not take this very lightly. Try to find a group of people to buddy with when you first get on board so you have people to hang out with when you are ashore.

Always keep your cabin doors locked. It does not matter whether you are in it or not. You do not want to give anyone the chance to harm you or steal any of your belongings. When you are out on deck never let any other travelers know what cabin you are staying in. This would make you too vulnerable to thieves or other criminals.

The point of a cruise is to have fun, but you do not want to overdo it when you are drinking alcoholic beverages. One reason you do not want to drink too much is because it may impair your judgment and you will not take steps to protect yourself as well as normal. Another reason is because you do not want to be too close to the edge of the ship and fall overboard.

These days it is very popular for people to go on cruises for vacation. Regardless of where you plan on traveling you have to take the proper steps to keep yourself safe. If you use the tips provided to you in the above article, you should be able to enjoy your vacation while remaining totally safe.

Filed Under: Travel Tips

How To Simplify Business Traveling

January 8, 2008 by admin Leave a Comment

There are many people who have to travel for business on a fairly regular basis. If that describes you, your busy schedule can cause you to overlook several important factors when you travel. The article below will show you ways to make your next trip much simpler.

If you go on trips a lot, there is no reason why you should have to pack every single time you are told that you have to go. The key is to pack as soon as you are back from your current trip. That saves you time, since you will already be packed when it is time to hit your next destination.

You can save a lot of space in your luggage if you put your toiletries in contact lens cases. They are much smaller and efficient than using a bottle, and they are just perfect for people that will only be gone a couple of days. If you are going to be gone for a much longer amount of time, this is not an ideal solution for saving space.

Many people make the mistake of packing more than they need. Every little accessory and every makeup brush does not have to come along for the ride. You should only pack the essentials since that would make it much easier to carry. There is no need to carry so many items that you could not possibly use them all.

When you are traveling anywhere by plane, you should pack as lightly as you can. The reason for this is the fact that you will be able to fly with only a carry-on bag. This will save plenty of time because you will not have to wait at the baggage carousel for your bags to come out.

You should pack your items in your baggage according to the type of item it is. This means that all pants should be in one area while all underwear should be in another and so on and so on. This will make it easier on you when you are looking for something in your bag since you will only have to look for it in one section.

While it is important that your trip essentials be simple and easy, you may want to relax and take it easy yourself. When you have any downtime you should try your best to enjoy the city that you are in. Each city has its own way to show you a good time and you should do your best to explore that. Do not do anything that requires too much mental taxation. Just do your best to release some of that stress from traveling and/or work responsibilities.

Traveling often for business can be a very stressful thing, but it can also be the source of a lot of excitement, since many people even decide to take this time to make some extra money using the best trading strategies online for this. It is up to you to make the most of the situation. Follow the advice given to you in the above article if you want to know how to make your next trip pleasant and enjoyable.

Filed Under: Travel Tips

Hassle-Free Traveling with Kids

January 7, 2008 by admin Leave a Comment

A family vacation can be a source of wonderful memories or a potential disaster. This article will help keep you from needing a vacation from your vacation.

Occupied children are happy children. Make sure your kids have plenty of age-appropriate activities for car trips or plane rides. Even a trip that seems short for an adult can seem long and boring for a child, so make sure kids have something to do during any travel time. Keeping kids entertained doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg. A new coloring or activity book can keep kids happy, especially if you introduce it as a special treat. Books, portable movie players, and video games are also good ways to keep kids occupied. You may be enthralled by the scenery, but it isn’t fair to expect children to have the same appreciation. Bring a book or a game so you and the other travelers can enjoy the view.

It’s important that you and your spouse enjoy the vacation, but make sure your destination provides something for children to enjoy. Most cruise ships provide children’s spaces and activities for younger passengers to make friends and have fun while their parents enjoy the rest of the ship. Almost any destination can be made fun and interesting for children, but if you’re staying at a resort, make sure there are facilities available for children.

Sharing a hotel room can be easily managed. If children don’t want to share a bed, use extra blankets and chairs to make a “special bed” or ask for a cot, especially if you have more than two children staying with you. For older children, a second hotel room might be the best choice. The kids will enjoy getting their own room, and you’ll be able to enjoy some alone time. Regardless of the number of people in the room, try to make a schedule for showering and bathing and remind children that certain items are being shared. If necessary, divide up the towels in advance.

Look ahead to see what museums offer children’s exhibits or displays. Many children enjoy seeing local wildlife in zoos or aquariums. Use activities like this as a reward or a treat for going to an attraction that’s more interesting to Mom and Dad. Smaller children may not be able to walk long distances and may have difficulty with a new routine. Keep things like walking distance and usual meal and nap times in mind when planning activities. Also, keep your children’s interests or school subjects in mind when planning excursions. These activities can keep a child happy and entertained as well as reinforce learning.

Bring nonperishable, easily transported snacks to save money and avoid meltdowns. Children may become irritable if hungry, and they may be tempted by high priced theme park or museum food. Having a few granola bars or pieces of fruit available may make everyone happy.

For theme park visits, consider traveling while school is in session. There will be fewer crowds and shorter lines for your children to wait in. Also consider the time of year. During the summer, theme parks in Florida can be incredibly hot and humid. Finding a temperate, less crowded time can prevent unhappy children and a miserable experience for you. Children of any age will enjoy the experience, but again remember that young children may not be able to walk all day. Rent a stroller or be prepared to carry them.

By planning ahead, you can make a family vacation something you and your children will fondly remember for years to come.

Filed Under: Travel Tips

Improve Your Vacation With A Few Simple Tips

January 6, 2008 by admin Leave a Comment

Going on vacation is much more than just simply packing and leaving. Planning the your trip ahead of time is very important and how you feel is greatly determined by how well you plan. The tips below will help you prepare for your vacation and to have a great time!

Getting the best flight deals really takes some patience and shopping around. Do not just book the first flight that you see! Many times, switching dates or airlines can either decrease or increase ticket costs. Consider all factors and use several websites to compare costs such as Expedia, Travelocity and Kayak. Taking your time will ensure that you do not rush into unfair prices and get the deals that you seek.

Consider what you will need to take with you on your trip. Make a list of the absolute necessities. Remember, you are only going on vacation and it is not permanent. Only pack what you will for sure use, especially if you are traveling by plane. Most airlines have a maximum weight allowed and charge you quite a bit of money if you go over this limit. Packing only essentials will ensure you do not have a lot to carry around and save you money while traveling.

It is imperative that the hotel you wish to be staying at is reserved in advance. If you are traveling during the holidays, this is especially important. Most hotels get booked quickly during rush times and this can leave you in a less than desirable area if you are not careful to book ahead. Make sure that you choose a hotel chain that you are already familiar with or read reviews to ensure that what you see online is what you will experience in person.

Every place on earth is famous for one sightseeing attraction or another. Do your research if you are traveling to some place exotic or just somewhere interesting. The Internet has a wealth of information available to those travelers who seek it. Consider which landmarks are tourist attractions, museums that are historical in nature and which restaurants are native to the area. Making a list of attractions like the latter mentioned ensures that you have a well-planned trip and you will enjoy yourself as well as learn something new!

Whether we like it or not, there is always a chance that your luggage will be lost, stolen or misplaced. Making sure to write all of your contact information inside and outside will ensure that your luggage will make it safely back to you or if in case it should be misplaced, it will be found. The best policy is to print it clearly in ballpoint pen or print out labels using a computer. Weatherproof these labels somehow with a laminating machine or purchase pre-made luggage tags that are widely available.

When you travel to a new place, you are more than likely going to feel overwhelmed and even lost. While a map or GPS device comes in handy, the easiest directions are the ones you memorize. Make sure that you memorize the location of your hotel and take notes of what it is located next to. Most hotels are located near airports, landmarks or shopping centers. Keeping a mental note of a few store names or recognizable landmark traits will ensure you find your hotel without fail each time.

Having a wonderful vacation does partially depend on which hotel you book and airline you choose, but another good portion depends solely on you and your research. Make sure you prepare for your trip ahead of time and leave room for error. Apply what you have learned from this article to ensure you have a good time traveling!

Filed Under: Travel Tips

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