Travel can be stressful for pets such as dogs and cats; keep your pet happy, safe and calm when traveling with the tips and advice in this free traveling video guide.Expert: Chrissy Lyons Bio: Chrissy Lyons has perfected the art of packing having traveled via plane, car and cruise. She loves to travel and has been from Europe to the Caribbean. Filmmaker: Suzie Vigoin
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I am sure that many of us have heard horror stories about being cooped up in a car or airplane for hours at a time with cranky kids. “Are we there yet?” “How much longer?” “Megan is ‘looking’ at me!” “I have to go to the bathroom–RIGHT NOW!” There are endless instances when children can get on our nerves when travelling. Here are a few tips that may help soften the travel woes…
Create a TRAVEL SURVIVAL KIT packed with small travel toys and games. Use a bright back-pack or tote bag dedicated to the purpose. Include age-appropriate toys, such as an etch-a-sketch for preschool drawing fun, magnetic letter board for a toddler, sticker, puzzle or joke books for a grade-schooler. Interactive games can keep siblings happy-like Brain Quest cards with age-appropriate puzzles and questions, or even a simple deck of playing cards. Nowadays, portable DVD players and hand-held video games can keep kids trouble-free and occupied for hours. If you do take electronic things like a Game-Gear, be sure to take extra batteries.
Snacks can be healthy carrot sticks, crackers, pretzels, cheese or fruit. Try to keep the sugar content down for less hyperactive kids. Choose juice boxes and water bottles instead of canned soft drinks.
Take CD’s along with their favourite music, as well as family music that you can all sing together while travelling.
Make sure your child uses the bathroom at every opportunity–before leaving home, in the airport before getting on the plane, right after eating on the plane (the line-ups for the few bathrooms can mean a long wait), before getting on the bus to go to the hotel or a sight-seeing trip.
If going on a beach vacation or cruise, of course sun-tan lotion is a must, as well as hats and sunglasses. Also take a skin cream in case of sun-burn. Be sure to include fun bandages and a small first-aid kit. Include some tummy-pills such as Gravol for car/bus/airplane trips, and constipation or diarrhoea medicine.
Another item to take along on your travels would be a history or fact book about the place you are visiting to keep the child involved. Play games asking them if they can find the historic site you are visiting in the book, or an eye-spy game locating various types or trees, flowers or birds. Even allowing them a kid-proof disposable camera for them to take their own pictures would be helpful in keeping the child interested.
Be sure the children have had enough rest before the journey. Tired kids are cranky kids. And limit their intake of exotic foods to prevent tummy problems. It is nice that children will try and enjoy different fruits in another country, but too much papaya or avocado can wreak havoc on even the most mature stomach.
Many resorts are child-friendly and these can be a family traveller’s best friend. These ‘geared-to-children’ places offer everything a child or parent could want, from child-centred snack bars (serving pizza, hamburgers and macaroni n’ cheese), kid-friendly swimming pools, special computer rooms, sports and activities, to group games (where children can interact with others in their own age group). Many of these family resorts also offer babysitting services that allow Mom and Dad some quiet time of their own.
Take along a special security blanket or teddy bear to make travelling not so frightening for younger children. Travel pillows, window-sun shades and a warm coverlet can increase the child’s comfort level when sleeping in a car or on a plane and reduce the travel blues.
Travelling with children doesn’t have to be a nightmare. With careful planning, plenty of rest and controlled activities, parents and children can enjoy vacationing together.
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For more episodes check out www.jillandstaceydotheroo.com When looking through your Australian Travel guides, dont forget to take a trip up to Yamba NSW! Jill and Stacey finally make it to their first destination on time! Yay! While in Yamba the girls stopped at YHA Backpackers resort, took a crazy tour and jumped off cliffs? Or did they? Check it out and see!
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Hitting the road in your RV and the RV lifestyle can be one of the most economical ways to travel. If you do a little planning and research ahead of time, it’s easy to save even more – without ever feeling like you’re pinching pennies.
One obvious way to take the frugal route is to plan your RV travel during the “shoulder seasons” – before and after prime travel time – when discounts are often offered at various campgrounds and attractions.
Here are 5 cost-cutting RV travel tips that are good any time of the year:
1. RV Travel On One Tank of Gas
Remember the ending to The Wizard of Oz, when Dorothy says she doesn’t have to look any further than her own backyard to find her heart’s desire? Well, we’re not suggesting camping out right outside the house, but think about going to places not too far away that you’ve always meant to check out.
You’ll be surprised at how many new and interesting destinations are just one tank of gas away. A lot of territory can be covered in just a few hundred miles, and you’re bound to discover exciting locations you never knew existed so close to home.
Tip: Your neighborhood library is a terrific resource for researching local and state information and attractions – and most of it is free!
2. Put Your RV On A Diet And Get Better Gas-Mileage
It’s a simple fact that the less your RV weighs, the more mileage you’ll get on the road. Look around for places in your rig where you can institute a “less is more” policy.
For example, you don’t have to set out with a full, fresh water tank for your RV excursion. Take what you need for the first day’s travel, plus a small reserve, and fill up once you’ve reached your day’s destination.
Forget that bulky, economy-sized can of coffee: empty a smaller amount into an airtight plastic container that you can refill later. (One place not to cut back, though, is tire inflation: riding on fully inflated tires is a sure way to increase your gas mileage.)
Tip: When buying food staples, consider dehydrated items like soup and dried fruit, and transfer cereal and pasta from bulky boxes into heavy-duty plastic bags – not only do they take up less space, you can reuse them once they’re empty!
3. Plastic not Paper Dinnerware – A More Economical Approach Overall
Sure, the eat-and-toss approach of paper plates and cups is the easy way to go – and might even seem economical when you buy in bulk. But lightweight, inexpensive plastic dishes are easy to find, and while they might not last forever, they’ll certainly see you through the duration of a long-distance RV excursion.
Choosing plastic over a big stack of paper goods is also another way to save on weight, especially when you’re starting out on your RV trip.
Tip: Buy your plastic ware in a mix-and-match variety of vibrant colors, and these snazzy dishes will brighten up even the simplest road fare!
4. Drive Less, Stay More – Save on Gas AND Get Campsite Discounts
When creating your RV travel itinerary, consider making fewer stops and spending more time at each destination. This will save on fuel and campsites costs as most of them offer discounts for lengthier stays.
By driving less and staying more, you’ll receive an additional benefit: It’s much more relaxing to know that once you’ve turned off the ignition you’re settling in for a while. Also, by spending more time in one place, you’ll be able to do some more in-depth exploring of the area.
Tip: Look online at the local newspaper for the area you’ll be visiting. Check for listings of events that you might not hear about otherwise … and don’t forget to look in the classifieds for yard sales and flea markets, too!
5. Stop and Shop – At Local Discount or Dollar Stores
When you need to refill on groceries avoid supermarkets and convenience stores where prices are at a premium. Instead, look for local discount and dollar stores and roadside fruit and vegetable stands — depending on the season. You might not save much money there, but there’s nothing better than freshly picked produce.
Keep an eye open for discount outlets in the area. And stop at flea markets and yard sales where you might find a one-of-a-kind treasure. Not only do these unconventional choices offer the opportunity to find unusual items, it’s a great way to get to know the local neighborhoods and people.
Tip: Keep your birthday and holiday gift list handy – you might spot the perfect knickknack for a family member at someone’s yard sale!
Some Final Frugal RV Travel Tips:
- Make use of the cheaper parks, like state parks
- Join Good Sam Club for 10% discount at their parks
- Subscribe to RV magazines for great ideas on RV travel
- Shop around for best prices on camping stuff like Wal-Mart, K-Mart, GI Joes – instead of RV stores
- Avoid buying your RV “supplies” – like toilet paper – that claim to be for RVs/motorhomes. Save money and buy the cheap stuff.
- Save money and cook all your meals in the RV; don’t eat out. You can even make dishes ahead and store in your RV’s refrigerator
- Ask for senior discounts everywhere you go
- If members of AAA, see if any campgrounds give discounts. Look at a “Trailer Life Campground Directory” at your local library to compare camping fees.
- Plan!!
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Europe cell phone guide. If you’re traveling to Europe and need a Europe cell phone service, then this quick video shows you why EuroBuzz might be your best option
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Hubbard realized there was a great deal of money in business people and thus he created WISE which is Scientology’s Business Management arm. ALL Scientology businesses are part of WISE and they have to pay 10 percent to Scientology Management. Their main pitch is they can make your business more money. Here I explain how it costs a ton to use these consultants and the info you can get at your local library or book store for thousands less. Also they have been known to be extremely abusive re families IF they don’t support their family member forking out thousands of dollars to WISE. www.anti-scientologie.ch purposes www.torymagoo.org and http
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About 5 years ago, I decided that I wanted to travel to Southeast Asia. The reason? Just to explore and expose myself to something totally new. It was important for me to do this in order to grow intellectually and have a better understanding of other cultures as well as my own. So I started researching flight costs on the Internet. I checked out all the big websites like Orbitz.com and Expedia.com and also tried specific airlines (just to get an idea on costs). I was surprised at how inexpensive it was. I was expecting to see tickets range from $2000-$5000 since it can cost close to $1100 just to travel from coast to coast in the US. Instead, I saw prices ranging from $700-$1800. I was shocked. All this time I’ve been putting off traveling and it was only $700 away? I felt cheated. Since I didn’t have any specific date in mind I played around with different dates/times of year and durations. I finally decided to go in the off-season of summer (it was going to be REALLY hot there) and set a timeframe of 3 weeks. I had no further itinerary and I wanted to keep it that way. I like being able to take things as they come and modify my adventure according to what grabs me when I’m there.
I booked a flight about 3 months in advance for $716. Left San Francisco for a layover in Tokyo and then I had to transfer planes to Bangkok. The total trip took about 17 hours. I know it sounds bad, but it wasn’t at all! Japan airlines (JAL) had video screen in front of each seat with several movies to watch and games to play. I watched two movies, took a long nap and I was in Japan. My other plane wasn’t quite as plush. It was an Asia-based airline, which seemed to be on an old plane, but the food was good and not as many people so I could spread out onto three seats to sleep.
My time spent in Thailand was unforgettable and I hold these memories of the culture and people quite dear to me. I have an entirely new perspective of a world that I never really knew existed. It also helped me to become more appreciative of my own culture and of foreigners. It takes a lot of guts to travel outside your comfort zone, but the effort is well worth it and in my opinion necessary to grow as an individual.
The lessons I learned in this process of traveling as cheaply as possible (since I don’t make a lot of money) is to keep your schedule loose and try as many different dates and durations in order to find the best prices. Layovers are typically going to be cheap that direct flights, and in some cases direct flights just aren’t even possible. The trick is that there is no trick. There is also no magic process to find the best deals. You have to research and learn by doing. If I had to do it all again, I’d probably travel use more taxis or hire a personal driver to show me around as I didn’t realize till later how cheap these things are in a third world country.
You can find much more information on international travel and how to articles on finding discounted airfares by visiting my blog site at: http://www.findcheapairfares.org
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CCTV 9 travel commercials
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Flying with children is often times a dreaded task. There is just something about being cramped in a small space that allows for little movement with small children that strikes fear in the hearts of the best parents. But, as most pro-flyers know that have kids there are some great tips out there that will insure that you and your children have a much smoother flight with less “turbulence”. So, here is a short list of some of the best flight tips when it comes to flying with kids.
Give yourself plenty of time at airport check-in. A lot of airports have faster check-in lanes for families that are traveling with small children, so look for these and take advantage of them.
Ask the flight attendant at check-in if your particular flight is a full flight. Some airlines will block out the seats next to you on a less full flight to help you get in and out of your seats better during the flight. If they can make this happen, it will make bathroom visits go a lot easier.
Get on the plane first and be the last ones off, because this will increase your chances of getting some help from the flight crew.
Trade your large diaper bag for a smaller diaper bag that only containers the necessities such as a few diapers, wipes, scented, odor neutralizing diaper sacks, a change of clothes, a few bottles, non-liquid, easily visible snacks, and a changing mat. Remember a lot of liquids are not allowed on flights unless they are purchased inside the terminal, so consider packing your formula in powder form and in one of those pre-measured formula holders. Juice and regular milk can often be purchased on the flight, so don’t bother bringing it. You shouldn’t overdo it on the snacks either for the same reason.
Give toys one at a time. This will maximize playing time, and put the “old” toy away as you get out the “new” one. Be sure to bring several with you, but make sure they aren’t too noisy. None of the other guests will want to listen to your child’s annoying toys the whole flight, so take them into consideration when packing toys.
Consider bringing a portable DVD player/laptop with head phones and movies you know your child enjoys. This will give your child an hour or so of entertainment, especially when they become board with toys. The headphones will help you respect the other guests, and your child may think its pretty cool that they get to use them.
Consider investing in a baby backpack. These are helpful, especially when you are trying to get through the airport with a lot of luggage.
Have your baby drink a bottle during the plane’s take off and landing. This will help your child’s ears “pop” as the altitude changes and will help to alleviate and eliminate ear pain due to the sudden altitude change.
Consider packing a baby sleeping bag or the baby’s own sheets/blankets to swaddle them in, that way you don’t have to use airline blankets. Also, allow older children to bring their own pillow as long as it’s not a huge one. It’s important to take any necessary steps to ensure that your child is comfortable aboard a flight and can rest easily if the need too.
Talk to your child’s doctor before giving them sedatives. Some children fly well with sedatives, other children get “hyped up” by certain sedatives. By talking with your doctor you are helping your child have a safe and comfortable flight, as well as those around them.
Consider a bag of candy for older children to be used as an awards system. Give your child a piece of candy in timed increments as a reward for behaving or helping you do something. This will give your child an incentive to play quietly, kindly, and be helpful throughout the course of the flight.
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South Africa has so much variety to offer visitors that it is difficult to define in a few words. One can travel from isolated bushveldt to cosmopolitan city in a few hours. A safari can be followed by a visit to the spectacular coast and on to the magnificent Drakensburg mountain range. Activities ranging from game drives to shark dives are all part of the South African experience. South Africa is a country that truly has something for everyone.
South Africans national parks and reserves have been splendidly managed for decades and visitors are likely to observe most of southern Africas animals in these parks. In addition, there are many private game reserves providing five-star accommodation and personalized service rivaling any resort in the world. From backpacking to ultimate luxury, you will find what you are looking for in South Africa.
Some of our favorite places:
1. Kruger National Park is Africas oldest game reserve and is one of its largest at nearly 2 million hectares. You are likely to spot all of the “big five” in this park.
2. Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve in the heart of KwaZulu-Natal is renowned for its white rhino conservation program.
3. Itala Game Reserve in KwaZulu-Natals rugged northern region offers not only spectacular game viewing but contains some of southern Africas most unique geological features.
4. The Drakensburg Mountains are a must-see while in South Africa. Its magnificent peaks and valleys can be accessed by car, foot, mountain bike or horse and visitors can see many of the rock paintings that its ancient inhabitants have left behind.
5. Tsitsikamma National Park is a unique mountainous coastal ecosystem and one of the worlds largest marine reserves. Watch dolphins surf the waves, take a hike along the rocky coast, and watch whales while camping on the beach. The Otter trail, a 10-day hike along the coast, has a waiting list of months, and is named for the shy creatures that feed along the shores of the park.
6. South Africas beaches range from the tropical east coast to the cold-current west coast. If you want to get a tan while watching penguins, a visit to the Cape Peninsula is the place to be.
7. Cape Town is one of the worlds most beautiful cities. Dine at one of its many fabulous restaurants and take in the nightlife in the shadow of Table Mountain, then take a cable car to the top of the mountain for lunch the next day.
8. The Western Cape is famous for its wineries and quaint Dutch architecture. Begin your wine tour in Stellenbosch and visit as many wineries as you can (preferably while someone else drives!)
Whether you plan to spend a few days or a few weeks in South Africa, you will find what you are looking for!
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