Archive for March 2010
Affordable Vacation Ideas for Families
Author Alexine
In the best of times, it can be difficult for families to budget the funds to get away for a time of rest and relaxation, but that task proves to be even harder in today’s economic conditions.
Thankfully, it’s not impossible. The following list of travel tips provides affordable vacation ideas for families who want to escape the rat race this year and enjoy a little time away together without breaking the bank.
Take a Stay-Cation
It used to be that family vacations meant packing Mom and Dad and the kids into the family station wagon or boarding a plane for a long cross country trek, but with the challenging economic times of the past few years, families are finding plenty of opportunities to get away within a day’s drive of their own backyards.
From state parks and theme parks to regional resort towns around lakes, beaches, or mountains, budget-minded travelers are finding plenty of opportunities to relax and unwind just a tank or two of gas away from home.
Talking with friends and relatives who’ve taken similar trips or searching for nearby family vacation destinations on the Internet can help you turn up some of these nearby family fun spots.
Take Advantage of Discounts and Special Offers
Just like the vacationers who visit them, the owners of hotels and attractions are very mindful of the recession and are offering special deals and discounts to entice vacationers to spend their hard earned dollars with them.
To find these special offers, visit the websites of the destinations, hotels, and attractions you wish to visit and look for a link to the page containing their current discounts and promotions. Additionally, placing a call to the destination can uncover any specials they have recently announced that might not have been posted on the website.
Be Spontaneous
Although it’s not always possible, the ability to drop everything and go with a few days’ notice can save hundreds if not thousands of dollars. While this may not be feasible for a family that has just a small window of opportunity to get away, families with small or home-schooled children and parents with flexible work schedules can take advantage of these last minute opportunities.
Though it does take some diligence – and the ability to make a quick decision — the Internet makes it easy than ever to find these deals. Travel comparison sites, like FareCompare.com and Orbitz track the latest deals and pass them along to their readers. Airlines such as Southwest Airlines frequently post last minute airfare and hotel packages online.
To be among the first to know when these deals become available, track sites that follow vacation deals and sign up for their newsletters or deal alerts. If you don’t like giving out your email information, you can also follow them on Twitter or Facebook. Just make sure to periodically check their posts and updates in order to take advantage of any time-sensitive offers.
Travel Off Season
In good times or bad, vacationers can save money and avoid the crowds by traveling off season. Peak times for family vacation destinations vary on location, but most are Memorial Day through Labor Day. Vacationers who visit outside of these dates can avoid fighting the crowds and paying peak rates that are associated with the busy season.
If vacationing off season isn’t an option, look into the possibility of travelling on weekdays during the peak season. Many resort towns fill up end-week through Saturday night, but are quieter on Sunday through the middle of the week and may even offer room and attraction discounts for these off-days of the week.
One word of caution, however, when traveling off season, some of the attractions may be offered on a more limited basis or not at all. Be sure to call ahead to verify which venues will be open and what their hours will be.
Don’t Eat Your Budget
Finally, one of the simplest ways to save while travelling is to avoid paying the inflated tourist prices for food. Booking a hotel room with a kitchenette or even a small refrigerator can help you keep and prepare food for simple meals or lunches to go.
Even theme parks offer in and out privileges. Getting your hand stamped and heading off-site for a picnic or even to a fast food restaurant outside of the attraction can drastically cut down on the costs associated with visiting the park.
Top US Cities for a Family Vacation
Author Alexine
Taking a vacation with your family this summer can be lots of fun and you do not have to travel far away from home. There are many different cities all over the Unites States that would be wonderful destinations. Here are some of the best cities to take your family for a vacation.
San Diego, California
There are plenty of beautiful hotels all over San Diego where you can stay on your visit. However, the best thing about San Diego is all the activities to do. You can take your family to the San Diego Zoo, swim at the beautiful beaches and take part in the activities going on throughout the year.
Honolulu, Hawaii
This tropical paradise has lots of great activities to do with your family. You can hike in the jungle, tour museums and lounge at the beach. There is a lot of history in the area and touring around is sure to give you a little taste of the past. Don’t forget to snorkel or take a surfing lesson if you love the water.
San Francisco, California
Another Californian city that is great for a family vacation. One of the best outings in San Francisco is the bay aquarium where you can view thousands of different ocean plants and animals. You can also take your family to the Presidio National Park where they have hiking trails and historical architecture.
Chicago, Illinois
This city is great if you like to get outside and walk around as there are over twenty nine miles of lakefront walking paths all over Chicago. The other attractions for your family would be a day at the Lincoln Park Zoo looking at exotic animals or Navy Pier where your children can ride the Ferris wheel.
Seattle, Washington
This is a beautiful city to visit as there are luscious green tones everywhere. With Seattle Center just a monorail or bus ride away from the city you can easily take your children on some carnival rides and to the Experience Music Project. Another fun day trip is to the Seattle Aquarium and Pike’s Place Market.
Denver, Colorado
If you are looking for adventure then Denver is the city for you. With whitewater rafting, rock climbing, hiking and mountain biking there is a sport for everyone to try. On another note you can go horseback riding which is a fun way to see the beautiful landscape. Don’t forget to check out the old west too.
Charleston, South Carolina
This city is full of water parks which are a great way to spend the day with your family. With plenty of other outdoor activities you can enjoy some time off out in the fresh air. Renting bikes or canoes are a great way to see some of Charleston. All you have to do is pack your bags and make a hotel reservation.
Boston, Massachusetts
As one of the oldest cities in the country there is plenty of history in Boston. From the swan boats on Boston Common to the Duck Tours that take you all over the city, you can get around in many different ways. Check out the Boston Aquarium and Museum of Science for fun day trips.
Austin, Texas
As one of the fastest growing cities in the country, Austin is full of surprises. There are plenty of shops to indulge in and lots of music and outdoor activities throughout the summer months. Just like Boston, Austin has a great Children’s Museum and fun Duck Tours. Experience a little Texas by visiting Austin with your family.
Orlando, Florida
With Universal Studios and Walt Disney World within your reach there is plenty of fun for your whole family in Orlando. On your down days you can take day trips to the beautiful white sand beaches and go swimming in the warm water. Don’t forget to pack lots of sun screen and your bathing suit.
Plan Away
While any of these cities would be great for the family there is usually a desire to take part in certain activities on your vacation. Choose the most economical location based on where you live if money is a factor. Do not feel bad if you travel to a city within your own state as there is plenty of fun in each of the cities above. All you have to do is make sure every family member enjoys themselves.
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Top Ten US Beaches to Visit and Explore in 2010
Author Alexine
By: Alexine
Looking for travel plans for this coming summer vacation with your family and loved ones? Look no further than a beautiful beach in our own diverse country. There are beaches all over both coasts and on our very own tropical paradise in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. Hopefully you will be able to enjoy some quality time this summer on one of country’s most beautiful beaches.
1. Hanalei Bay, Kauai, Hawaii
Flying into the Lihue airport is such a wonderful experience in itself. The smell of sweet tropical flowers overcomes your senses. Then you make your way to the condo or hotel where you are staying and reality sets it. It’s time to visit the beach. Make your way to Hanalei Bay and you will discover all the fabulous beach activities. From body surfing to sun bathing, there is something for everyone.
2. Siesta Beach, Sarasota, Florida
Siesta Beach is another gorgeous beach with beautiful accommodations. There are exquisite resorts lining the beach that have package deals if you would like to stay within walking distance. While the white sand beach is breathtaking in itself there are many fun activities to take part in right outside your hotel door. They offer sunset cruises, fishing and parasailing just to name a few.
3. Coopers Beach, Southampton, New York
Miles of breathtaking beach are at your finger tips when you visit Southampton, New York. Coopers Beach is a wonderful place to go on long walks and watch the sunset. Family vacations are great here because you can just spend quality time together relaxing on the beach. It is important to allow yourself to unwind from the daily grind back home and this is defiantly the perfect place to make that happen.
4. Coronado Beach, San Diego, California
This beautiful beach is home to a small community of friendly people. You can stay in wonderful accommodations just minutes from the beach on your vacation. When you feel like getting a little more active than just lounging on the beach there are many activities to take part in like tennis, sailing or surfing. Be sure to pack your walking shoes as there are miles of pathways along the beach to explore.
5. Hamoa Beach, Maui, Hawaii
This beach is rated one of Hawaii’s best beaches by many as it is a stunning place to visit on your family vacation in Maui. You can take part in different activities including swimming, snorkeling, diving and body surfing. Be sure to rent or buy some equipment and pack a lunch before you head to the beach as there aren’t any concession stands or rental places. This beach is not handicap accessible.
6. Main Beach, East Hampton, New York
East Hampton is a great family vacation due to the historical background. You can tour around all the old buildings and get a feeling of what the 1600’s were like there just from visiting. Also you can’t forget about Main Beach, one of the finest in the area. This is a safe beach to take your family as there is a lifeguard on duty. They also have a bathroom and snack bar for your convenience.
7. Cape Hatteras, Outer Banks, North Carolina
With temperatures already getting to the 70s you can’t wait to get yourself to this beautiful beach this summer. Outer Banks is such a popular family destination due to its exciting activities and wonderful accommodations. Take part in water sports if you don’t want to just lie around on the beach. Also, if you get too much sun you can go tour all the wonderful historical sites and museums too.
8. Cape Florida State Park, Key Biscayne, Florida
This gorgeous state park has everything you need for a wonderful family vacation. There are beautiful beaches and lots of great camping sites to spend quality family time around the camp fire each night. If you are not very fond of camping you can make reservations to rent a cabin or stay in the lodge. For fun you can go swimming, hiking, rent boats, take a bike ride and visit the museums.
9. Coast Guard Beach, Cape Cod, Massachusetts
This beach is a wonderful place to spend the days with your family. With restrooms and wheelchair ramps you can bring the whole family down to the beach when you feel like going. Cape Cod is a beautiful place to visit in the summer time and has many different accommodations and restaurants available. Be sure to make reservations for your hotel as places fill up during the summer.
10. Beachwalker Park, Kiawah Island, South Carolina
This beautiful island surrounded in beaches is a great place to vacation with your family. Kiawah Island has lots of wonderful accommodations really close to the beach. There is also lots of wildlife to explore during your stay when you need a break from the beach. However, when you do go to the beach there are plenty of great services available including showers, restrooms, chair rentals and a snack bar.
I hope you are able to make it to one of these beautiful beaches this summer as it would be a wonderful experience for you and your family. Look into travel deals online or drive there if it is relatively close to your home. Even a weekend getaway is a great opportunity for some quality time with your family.
Ten Fun Activities to Entertain a Traveling Toddler
Author Alexine
By: Alexine
Traveling with toddlers can be very tricky as they are in the “terrible 2” or “terrible 3” stage. Pretty much once your child starts running around and taking fewer naps traveling becomes a challenge. Making sure they don’t get bored and scream on the flight will save you a headache for sure. To help keep your toddler entertained en route I have come up with ten fun activities to do together or independently.
Drawing
While a pencil and paper are not the best choices for an active toddler there are plenty of options available. Using one of those magic pens on the black paper that only show the colors when the pen is used are great. There is no mess and they can draw you lots of pretty pictures.
Coloring
Crayons and coloring books are lots of fun to use together or let your toddler do alone. There are many different stages of coloring books available and one for beginners is preferable. This way you can talk about what they are coloring and work on staying in the lines. It’s good practice and takes up time.
Painting
I would never suggest taking an actual paint set on the plane however those paint with water books are wonderful. All you need is a paintbrush and cup of water to use the book. The great thing about these is the colors appear when the water is put on them so you can talk about the colors of the shapes for fun.
Flash Cards
Working on getting ready for school and expanding your toddler’s vocabulary can be lots of fun. Flash cards are a great activity for traveling as you can do many activities with one set of cards. First you can name them. Then you can sort them in different ways. It is a learning activity and fun all in one.
Reading
Bringing along a few of your toddler’s favorite books is great to keep them preoccupied. Sometimes you may have to read the same book over and over but that is a lot easier on the ears than a frustrated tot. Once you have read the book you can also go back trough and talk about the pictures on the pages.
Movies
If you have a portable movie player then this would be the perfect opportunity to put it to good use. I have seen many toddlers sitting on airplanes silent and happy while watching their favorite movies or shows on DVD. If you don’t own one then you can use your laptop or rent one at the airport.
Puzzles
Educational toys are some of my favorites because they work on the mind and keep your child entertained. Puzzles are a great solution for long flights as they can be an activity you do together. Make sure you bring age appropriate puzzles to keep your toddler’s attention.
Treats
Special treats like lollypops and sweets are great for traveling because they help calm down you little one when they are getting out of hand. There is sure to be a moment or two where you just need something to get them to sit down or quiet down. This is when you try a lollypop or some fruit snacks.
Picture Album
This activity is great because it keeps your toddler entertained and gets them thinking about fun memories. Picture albums of personal photos or filled with pictures out of magazines are great. You can put animals, people, objects and other photos in there to keep them talking to you instead of whining.
Cozy Blanket
Most likely at some point throughout the day of traveling your toddler will finally get burned out. This is the perfect time to bring out a cozy blanket from home and maybe a stuffed animal or two. Familiar cozy items are wonderful sleeping aids when getting your little one to take a nap.
While it may be a lot to take all of these things along with you while traveling, pick and choose according to your toddler’s interests. Make sure you bring several activities along to keep them busy because their attention spans are normally pretty short during this phase. If you really wanted you could probably fit all the items above in a small roll on bag. Then you surely wouldn’t run out of activities.
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Tips for Traveling Cheap in Europe
Author Alexine
By: Alexine
Traveling around Europe is a pipe dream for most people these days. Whether you got laid off at your job or just don’t make enough to afford the airfare and accommodations, vacationing is not always in the budget. However, if you do not want to wait there are plenty of inexpensive alternatives to extravagant travel plans. Here are some tips for traveling cheap in Europe to help you live your dream.
Airline Tickets
One of the most talked about website for comparing prices on airline tickets these days is Kayak. It is sites like this that have revolutionized the airfare searching world. Whether you have enough air miles saved up to pay for your ticket or you are looking for cheap tickets it is nice to find a great deal. Using a site like this is great for comparing all the available flights in one easy search.
Train Tickets
When traveling through Europe you can spend a pretty penny on flights to and from the different countries. A cheap alternative to flying from country to country is taking the train. You can purchase a Eurail Pass for different amounts depending on how many countries you visit. While it may take longer to get around the train is a great way to see the countryside and save money.
Accommodations
An inexpensive alternative to staying in luxury hotels and resorts is great when you are on a serious budget. Staying in hostels is wonderful because they are all over Europe and cost much less than hotels. Most include bread and tea in the morning which is the common breakfast. That also saves you a few Euros. Make sure you arrange dates with each of the hostels as they fill up quickly.
Food and Beverage
As mentioned before there are free breakfast food and beverage available when you stay in hostels which is a great start to your day. To save money on the other meals throughout the day buy food at stores and walk up food windows. Sitting down for lunch or dinner can be very expensive so save yourself some money and snack throughout the day. Also some hostels offer dinner for a small fee.
Sight Seeing
Instead of signing up for guided tours of the different European cities you should buy yourself a guide book or two. These are great for self guided tours all over the gorgeous cities and countryside. With a little pre-planned itinerary for each day you can really get a lot of sightseeing in when you travel freely. So skip the boring tours and take the adventure into your own hands. It will save you time and money.
Enjoy Your Trip
Traveling is something that many people really enjoy and with the right insight anyone can have fun in Europe. Whether you love history, culture or architecture there is so much in Europe you will never become bored. To ensure you get the most for your money make sure you really prepare for this trip.
Using the tips provided above will help you save time figuring out how to cut corners.
Enjoy your trip and travel safe.
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