Travel Tip: Don’t Get Lost!

September 29, 2015Comments Off on Travel Tip: Don’t Get Lost!

From USA Today Travel: It seems like it should be impossible to get lost these days, but it still happens to the best of us, especially when it seems everyone has one of those stories about Google Maps trying to lead them off of a cliff. If you happen to lose your bearings, take a moment to freak out, and then get yourself back on track with these tips:

  • Know your accommodation. Taking a screenshot of your hotel’s contact information or swiping one of its business cards can be a lifesaver. If you think remembering that your hotel is by a church in Rome, that’s probably not enough information for a cab driver to get you home safely.
  • In cities, get a paper map. I know this is a ridiculous concept, since your iPhone tells you everything you need to know, but if you forget your charger at home, or your phone gets stolen, then it’s important to have a backup means of finding your way.
  • Learn key phrases. Sure, you might not understand the fast, quippy banter of a local who is more excited than you are that you’re going to their favorite restaurant in town, but being able to ask, “where” is pretty key. Plus, when I’ve been able to ask where something is, I’ve often had locals volunteer to walk me all the way there just to make sure I arrived safely. If a taxi driver offers to take you, just make sure you agree on a rate before, so you don’t end up paying a million dollars just to go down the street.
  • Download a GPS tracker. If you’re either super paranoid about getting lost or you’re venturing out into the jungles of Peru, you can download free apps that actually track your location on a map, so someone could easily find you in an emergency. Hi ma!
  • Locate what you need. There are few things worse than getting lost looking for a pharmacy while you’re sick. Apps like iWant allow you to find exactly what you need around you including pharmacies, gas stations and grocery stores.
  • Get your bearings. Taking note of major landmarks and geographical indicators like mountains to the east and sea to the west will help you navigate. You could pack a compass, but I don’t know many people who actually do that. And besides, there’s one on your phone.
  • Photograph your guidebook. Lonely Planet might be awesome to have on hand during travel, but it also weighs a ton. Before departing, I take photos of the pages I feel I might need and log them in my iPhone. This might include important addresses, maps or transportation information. If you’re headed somewhere specific, take screenshots of the “how to get there” page on popular blogs.

Before you do any mobile research out on the streets, get to a safe place first. If none of this is helpful, you could just be one of those travelers who gets lost on purpose, because not all who wander are lost!

Trip Review: Summer in Vail

September 29, 2015Comments Off on Trip Review: Summer in Vail

An outdoorsy mother/son duo (a teen age 15) from Boston, MA spent their summer vacation in Vail.  vailThey let us know it was perfect for their needs.  They stayed at the Four Seasons in the heart of Vail Village.  The family found the property to be nice and clean with an awesome staff.  They really liked the central location.  The rooms here are very spacious and there is a beautiful spa, gym and pool.  Internet access is included.  The duo enjoyed a variety of outdoor activities including daily hikes with Paragon Guides which they highly recommend.  In the summer Paragon also offers llama trekking, rock climbing, fly fishing and mountain biking.  The family also enjoyed a white water rafting trip with Timberline Tours.  This company offers family friendly rafting, stand up paddle boards and jeep tours.  For meals, they really enjoyed the hotel breakfast, lunch on the hiking trails and dinners in Vail Village where they found a nice variety of options ranging from pizza to fine dining.
fourseasonsvail1

 

Travel Tip: Snapchat Tip

August 24, 2015Comments Off on Travel Tip: Snapchat Tip

Good news for all those with teens hooked on sending self-destructing selfies: the updated version of snapchatSnapchat introduced recently now includes a “travel mode” to prevent the app from eating up as much data as before (or just make sure your children are in a free wi-fi zone!).  Until the update, Snapchat would automatically download any photos or videos sent to a user once the app was opened, which could result in hefty roaming charges on the road and contribute to going over data limit at home. With travel mode toggled on, Snapchat holds off from automatically loading content. Users can then click on what they want to see to download it. It works pretty much the same way email functions on phones.

Here’s how to do it step-by-step:

  • Open the app and click the Snapchat/ghost icon at the top of the screen.
  • Click the gear in the top right corner, which is Settings.
  • Under “Additional Services,” click “Manage.”
  • Slide “Travel Mode” to on.

Trip Review: UK

August 24, 2015Comments Off on Trip Review: UK

The Kaplan and Naab Families (4 adults and 3 teens) from Philadelphia traveled to the United Kingdom in July.  The families started their trip with several nights in London at the St. Ermin’s Hotel (rich in British spy history).  They filled their days with a nice variety of tours, sights and museums and used the London Pass to make the most of their stay.  The families let us know that the Harry Potter themed Muggle Tour was really fun, but they do not recommend the Ghost Bus Tour that they decided to try.  Bad actors, but lots of laughs and taking in new neighborhoods as a result.  The teens loved Westminster Abbey, the London Eye, the Tower of London and the Tower Bridge Tour.  They said the later tour is not to be missed- the views and glass floor are wonderful.  The London Dungeon Tour also turned out to be better than expected with lots of laughs and learning.  The only other bomb was the Sherlock Holmes Museum –  it is a bust!  Most of the group took the train out to Windsor Castle (while others checked out Wimbledon) which was spectacular and easy to do. In a visit to Parliament, they got in to see the House of Lords in action which was a highlight for the adults. After London, the two families headed to Bath by train and really loved this charming town.  They took a full day Mad Max tour to Stonehenge, Avebury and The Kaplans @ StonehengeCotswold’s and thought that the tour was perfect and the guide marvelous.  The small bus was ideal.  They explain that their hotel, The Queensberry, was a little tired, but the staff made up for that – they were helpful and agreeable. The sights and shopping in Bath were also excellent – they loved the Roman Bath Museum and the abbey. From Bath they trained to Oxford for a day trip and visited the Great Hall at Christ Church (the dining room from the Harry Potter films) and its surroundings.   The Naabs headed home and the Kaplan Family then flew up to Glasgow, Scotland from nearby Bristol.  They loved Scotland and their relaxed stay at Mar Hall Golf and Spa Resort just outside town.  They agreed with us that at this point they would need a break after so much touring.  They had a rental car and found it easy to get around the countryside and cities.  They spent a day in Glasgow and drove up to Lock Lomond.  The boat tour we suggested was a hit and they completely enjoyed the sights, views and the peacefulness.  They even had fun getting lost and driving in circles!  They moved onto Stirling and really liked the Stirling Castle, the history and the town.  They used points to stay at the Hilton in Dunblane which wasn’t so great, but just for the night.  The trip ended in Edinburgh which they completely loved. The hotel was borderline, again using Hilton points, but the staff was very good.  They loved the Edinburgh Castle and also got to see the Holyrood Palace – which was wonderful and not crowded – the Queens marksmen were there having an archery competition in the gardens; so that was a nice surprise.  All in all both families had a marvelous trip.  They can’t wait to go back!

kaplanwimby

Trip Review: Journey to Israel

July 29, 2015Comments Off on Trip Review: Journey to Israel

The Silverstein Family from Parkland, FL (traveling with parents and 3 young adult children; 2 who had already been on Birthright trips) ventured to Israel this summer for a custom, private tour.  silverstein1They took off running upon landing to make the most of their 10-night journey.  The itinerary first took them to north to Caesarea with its Roman theater and aqueducts, Haifa and throughout the Galilee and the Golan.  Their northern adventures included river rafting, wine tasting on a kibbutz, meeting with an active military unit as well as with a local border resident to better understand what life is like.  The trip then ascended to Jerusalem for the Sabbath and to explore the many facets of this unique city both old and new.  Private tours of the Knesset (Parliament) and Yad Vashem (Holocaust Memorial) were included.  Walking along the walls of the Old City kotelafforded interesting views and was a trip highlight.  They also went underground at the Western Wall Tunnels and really enjoyed seeing the Dead Sea Scrolls and menorahs from around the world at the Israel Museum.  On the way to the Dead Sea they visited the Ayalon Institute, a former ammunitions factory hidden in a laundry that was a trip highlight and the caves at Beit Guvrin.  They hiked up and down Masada, floated in the Dead Sea and then spent the afternoon hiking in Ein Gedi where they were fortunate to witness a herd of ibex.  The trip ended in Tel Aviv for some down time and to visit Jaffa.  They enjoyed renting bikes to explore the city (part of the city’s Tel-O-Fun bike share program) and traveling along the city’s beach promenade.  They stayed in a variety of hotels and inns.  A favorite was Mitzpe Hayamim in Rosh Pinah which was also a working farm.  The trip was thought provoking and informative on many levels. Overall a successful trip full of history, culture, religion, lots of fresh food, amazing photos and outdoor adventures.

silverstein2

Travel Tip: For Large Families

July 29, 2015Comments Off on Travel Tip: For Large Families

Jessica, a mother of 4 boys from the web blog Suit Cases and Sippy Cups, recommends the following tips for large traveling families:

  1. Dress Alike.  It’s corny and it’s certainly apt to encourage people to count in their head as you pass by, but it works in so many ways that we keep doing it.  It completely eliminates the need to decide what everyone will wear each day and speeds up packing.  It helps other people know that you are a group and makes it easy to spot your kidlets in a crowd.  If you ever (temporarily) lose someone, it is easy to remember what they were wearing.  And my personal favorite, everyone matches in pictures and there are no clashing colors when you scrapbook or blog.
  2. Pack Differently.   When you are packing just for yourself, its easy just to put everything you need into one bag and take off.  Packing for a crew takes a different way of thinking.  If you are roadtripping, pack your suitcases by the day, not by the person.  Pack everything everyone will need at each stop in one bag with another bag that you will need every night.  Another way I like to pack is to pack all the swim suits, pajamas and underwear in one bag, saving me from having to dig through four different bags when it is time to hit the pool or the hay.
  3. Color Coding. This is something that we do faithfully at home and it carries over onto the road.  Plates, cups, bags, towels are all color coded for each child.  Matching suitcases can be tagged with a ribbon or a piece of tape to distinguish one from the other.
  4. Tighten the Reins.  At home, I’m much more of a jump on the couch, eat cereal in the living room mom.  On the road, I try to channel my inner drill sergeant.Sorta.  Drill sergeant is not really in my nature, but we have our own set of rules we set aside just for travel to make things go as smoothly as possible.
  5. Relax the Rules.  Yes, I am contradicting myself, but stay with me.  Traveling has its own unique set of challenges and that means that things that work at home won’t work on the road.   At home my couch jumping monkeys aren’t allowed much screen time.  When we travel, I relax this standard to virtual non existence.   Same with bedtime routines and sleep arrangements. Sometimes a mama’s gotta have standards and sometimes a mama’s got have sleep.
  6. Buddy System.  Older kids are paired with younger kids to help take care of their needs as they travel.  In our family, we switch off with the older two helping the youngest one, while we all keep our eyes on #3.  He’s a flight risk.
  7. Kid of the Day. Another great at home trick that carries over to the road.  The kid of the day has dibs on any special privileges that might happen.  While traveling this means pushing the elevator button, unlocking the hotel room, and choosing the restaurant.  Eliminating the arguing and helping each child have a moment to feel special are just two of the perks.
  8. Manage the Transitions.  Preparing kids ahead of time about where they will sit on the plane and where they will sleep in the hotel eliminates the need for fusses and fights. After you have schlepped your kids and all their gear onto a plane, you just don’t want to have a meltdown about the window seat.Talk about it before your hit the jet bridge.
  9. Don’t Eat Out. Saving money on food is often the difference in taking a trip and staying home for a larger family.  Food takes a huge chunk out of your vacation, and not just in dollars.  Packing a lunch and making breakfast in your room will also save you time and calories. Some accommodations have full kitchens with dishwashers and ovens. The staff can arrange to shuttle you to a local grocery store if they don’t already have one on the premises. With some planning you can eat wholesome, precooked meals, save tons of money, and never need to plan you sightseeing around finding a restaurant.
  10. Tame the Laundry Beast.   The power of laundry to multiply increases by a power of ten in a hotel room.  There must be a plan to vanquish the monster!  Instead of waiting to do the laundry at home, I like to find a Laundromat or use the hotel to wash all our laundry and repack nice, clean clothes.  I can get the job done in half the time and it gives me an excuse to duck out of the hotel room and skip the bedtime wrangling for one night.  Be sure to pack a laundry bag, a baggie full of laundry soap, and some quarters and you are set.

 

Travel Tip: How to Get Better Sleep on a Plane

June 28, 2015Comments Off on Travel Tip: How to Get Better Sleep on a Plane

1. Avoid staring at a screen.  The bluish hue can mess with your body’s nature sleep hormones.  Reading a book is one of the best possible rituals you can do to fall asleep.

2. Avoid alcohol.  Studies have confirmed that any form of alcohol consumed within an hour before shuteye will dehydrate you, leave you groggy when you wake, exaggerate jetlag, and, worst of all, disrupt your overall sleeping pattern, since you get fewer REM cycles during alcohol-induced sleep.
3. Avoid coffee and sugar.  Herbal tea, room temperature water or warm milk are good beverage choices.
4. Avoid seats near a galley or toilet to reduce noise.  Keep your seat belts fastened; so the flight attendants don’t disrupt you.
5. Don’t forget the essentials that can help you sleep better including ear plugs and eye masks, noise canceling headphones (with soothing music), thick socks, neck pillow (try using under your chin!), blanket, toothbrush and toothpaste and contact case and solution.  Saline solution helps with dry nasal passages.  Discuss with your doctor about sleep medication such an Ambien or natural sleep aides like melatonin or magnesium citrate powder.
6. Don’t eat a big meal before flying.
7. Dress comfortably and in layers.
8. Fly right before bedtime if possible.
Let us know if you have other tips to share!

Trip Review: The Valenci’s California Adventure

June 28, 2015Comments Off on Trip Review: The Valenci’s California Adventure

Mindy’s family of 4 (2 adults and 2 teens ages 18 and 16) traveled to Carmel Valley and San Francisco goldengatethis month for a fun and relaxing family getaway.  Their first stop was the Carmel Valley Ranch, an upscale resort that sits at the base on the Santa Lucia Mountains.  Activities at the ranch include golf, tennis, hundreds of miles of hiking trails, organic garden, learning about honey bees, equestrian center, spa, mountain-top yoga, pools and daily activities such as geocaching and s’more making.  Their huge suite had a separate living area with sofa bed.  They enjoyed exploring the seaside towns of Carmel-by-the Sea, Monterey and Pacific Grove which offered plenty of great dining options, shops and place to watch beautiful sunsets.  One day was spent visiting Big Sur, the second most visited tourist attraction in the US (after Times Square) and where the mountains meet the sea. There are plenty of spots to pull over for undeniably beautiful photos.  A stop at Julia Pfeiffer State Park included a hike.  After two nights, they moved onto San Francisco with a stay in a one bedroom suite at the Hotel Monaco (with separate living room with sofabed and rollaway). This small, boutique hotel offers attentive service, nightly wine receptions and complimentary coffee and tea each morning.  The staff was friendly and helpful– quickly learning their names and lending to the “homey” feel of the hotel.   As a Kimpton Karma member (free membership) they got coupons for their minibar, a free movie and free internet.  Day one in the city included a small group highlight tour which featured the valencisfoGolden Gate Bridge, Golden Gate Park, Chinatown, the Haight, Twin Peaks, the Presidio, Embarcadero, Fisherman’s Wharf and Ghiardelli Square.  They learned about the history of the city and about local politics, sports, culture, architecture and life style unique to San Francisco. The tour proved to be a great orientation of the city and to figure out which neighborhoods to further explore.  Day two included a walking tour of Chinatown, home to the 2nd largest Asian population in the country.  They learned how and when the Chinese arrived in San Francisco and how they live today.  The tour was led by Linda Lee, a second generation Chinese American who was born and raised in the neighborhood.  Linda was a pleasure and delight to walk with and her sense of humor added to the experience.  They learned about Chinese medicine (herbs and other natural healing elements), religion, language (an incredible variety of dialects are spoken) culture, art, and food.  They even toured a small factory where fortune cookies are still made. A dim sum lunch was the perfect ending to this tour.  The Valenci’s also biked over the Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito, explored various neighborhoods, visited family and friends and enjoyed a comedy show.  Overall a great trip!

Travel Tip: On the Road

May 26, 2015Comments Off on Travel Tip: On the Road

Travel Age West magazine reminds us that the great American road trip is a time-honored tradition that many families will embark on this summer. Here are some tips to make the most of the experience:

Only Pack the Essentials
You might assume that you need to bring a myriad gadgets and supplies with you on a road trip, but you don’t need to bring as much as they think.  For example, contact hotels in advance along your route. Many have cribs available — and that means more space in the trunk for other goodies.

If your destination is a theme park, think about ditching your stroller since many parks offer rentals. Also, be sure to check the weather so that heavy jackets and clunky boots aren’t carried along unnecessarily.

Be Strategic About Toys and Snacks
Car activities and snacks can make or break a family journey. Consider checking out audio books from the library for the kids — or, if they have their own headphones and MP3 players, the parents can take this opportunity to listen to a book or podcast of their choosing in the front seat.

Activity books that include word jumbles, mazes, crossword puzzles and Sudoku can also be effective entertainment options. Of course, digital tablets loaded with movies and games work as well. Don’t forget to bring along requisite power cords and a car USB adapter — you could have a mutiny on your hands once the devices run out of juice.

Pack snacks that have protein, as they will keep the group feeling full for longer such as cheese sticks, protein bars and different types of nuts.

On certain stretches of highway, fast-food eateries are often your only option, so grab fresh fruit and pre-cut vegetables from home so you can get a few vitamins into the kids. Cucumber slices and apples can stay fresh in a small cooler at the kids’ feet.

Rest Stops Are More Than a Necessity
Every seasoned traveler knows that rest stops are stress-free spots to change diapers and have a quick picnic lunch, but they can also be a soccer field or a playground for kids who have been cooped up for far too long in the car. Always pack a ball or other playground toys on longer road trips so that the kids can run off some energy. If you have toddlers, playing tag is another way to wear out little legs.

If you don’t want to spend much time at highway rest stops, create one of your own in the towns you pass. Do a little research in advance and scope out places for lunch or local parks.

Have a Plan (But Be Open to Change)
Almost every adventure needs some sort of structure to begin with, but you always need to leave a little wriggle room for spontaneity. After all, kids can be unpredictable.

Trip Review-A Moroccan Adventure

May 26, 2015Comments Off on Trip Review-A Moroccan Adventure

The Gastwirth Family (one adult and one teen age 16) traveled to Morocco during spring gastwirthmorocco2break for an exciting adventure.  The Family Traveler created a custom trip based on their interests, time and budget requests.  The trip began in Marrakesh with a private tour of the city’s Old Town, markets, royal tombs, mosques and more along with a dinner show. The trip moved onto the nearby High Atlas Mountains for visits to local villages and extensive hiking.  Some time on the coast in the fishing town of Essaouria included a visit to a local argan oil co-op and camel ride on the beach. The trip ended in Casablanca with guided city tour and a stop along the way in the picturesque town of Oualidia known for its oysters.  Hotels were all independent and authentic accommodations. The family really enjoyed the experience and took amazing photos.  They made some great friends along the way and said that their drivers were friendly and timely.  The experience left them with a unique look at Moroccan culture and history and the hope to return some day to visit their new Moroccan friends.  Andrew Gastwirth is an amazing photographer and we thank him for sharing these photos with us!

gastwirthmorocco3

 

Page 23 of 33« First...1020«2122232425»30...Last »