Archive for the ‘Travel Tips’ Category

We have compiled a great deal of packing tips after years of travelling and together with some members suggestions, we thought we should share them with other travellers setting out.

1. Security and Keeping Details Safe

Scan your passport, passport photos and paper tickets (if not the e type) in. Store this (in an email for e.g.) in your web based email account. You can also store the details of your emergency ‘lost card’ telephone numbers in your web based email account so you know who to contact if your credit card or ATM card is lost or stolen. This way, even if you lose everything, you have immediate access your all important information. You can even email the details page of your passport to the embassy or consulate when applying for a new one. (Tip from a member)

Also consider writing your home and destination address (and mobile number if you have one) on a self-adhesive sticky label to stick INSIDE your luggage in a visible place. If your luggage is lost and the baggage label has come off, at least the airline can still figure out whose luggage it is. (Tip from a member)

2. Split up your valuables

Split up your bank cards, cash, travellers’ cheques and credit cards as much as possible in different pockets, your bags and wallet when packing. In case you do get robbed, at least you won’t be strapped for cash (unless you have all your bags AND your wallet stolen of course!).

3. Nalgene/Small Bottles

Use nalgene/small bottles to pack toiletries and other small items. There are several sturdy and (very nearly) waterproof ones, with clear/see through ones being preferable (easier for security purposes post August 2006). You can also use small bottles to repack shampoo or lotions so that you don’t have to always carry a big bottle with you. This is especially useful if you normally take these items in your carry-on luggage, which as of early 2007 is much more restricted than before.

4. Backpack Tips

When you are packing things into a backpack, place the lighter items at the bottom and the heavier ones on top. Your bag will feel lighter this way as the pack rests on your lower back. It is also smart to place the things you use the most on top. Dirty clothes are perfect to pack at the bottom of a backpack. If you are still trying to decide on the right backpack, have a look at Choosing the right Backpack on our Travel Unravelled blog.

5. Plastic Bags

It is always handy to have a few plastic bags around certain items, especially toiletries. Not only does it counter any leaking, the bags can also come in useful to keep dirty clothes in, as garbage bags or even as a makeshift umbrella. Ziplock or other airtight plastic bags are the best.

6. Pack in Plastic

Pack everything in clear plastic bags (preferably zip lock), divided into items e.g. underwear, t-shirts, shorts etc. before packing in your suitcase or backpack. One plastic bag for each type of clothing. This is extremely useful in various ways. When you unpack your bag you just take out a series of bags and you can see immediately what you want. So an overnight stay somewhere just means taking 1 item out of a bag – no rummaging!! In addition, if you have to unpack at customs etc, instead of having to disgorge all your clothing etc out in front of everybody, you can calmly take maybe 5/6 bags out, the contents of which can be clearly seen by the officials. To repack then is also dead easy. Just be sure not to leave your plastic bags lying around if you are travelling in nature! (Tip from a member)

7. Clothes

Pack only what you know you will use and if you are travelling for more than three weeks, plan to wash on the road. You can cut back on the number of clothes items by packing multi-purpose clothing, for example items that can both be worn during the day and as sleepwear.

8. Split up clothes when travelling with others

When you are flying somewhere and especially if you have a few stopovers, divide the clothes between different suitcases/backpacks/bags etc. If one persons luggage doesn’t arrive at the destination, they’ll still have clean clothes available. Airlines generally don’t compensate lost luggage for the first 24-48 hours so this will save you money if it happens to you. (Tip from a member)

9. Separate Beach Bag

When packing to head to the beach consider pre-packing whatever you might need at the beach into a beachbag inside your backpack or suitcase. Especially if travelling with kids, this will prove a timesaver!

10. Suitcase lovers

For those using suitcases without a divider. A piece of cardboard makes an excellent divider and helps keep your clothes organized and neat as you are able to lay them out flat on the cardboard. It also makes airport inspections a lot less of a hassle as you can lift out your divider with clothes on top easily.

11. Gifts

While it is a good idea to take some small gifts with you while travelling, pre-wrapping them can be a waste of time if you are flying and your bags are opened. (Tip from a member)

12. Flashlights or Torches

When packing a flashlight or torch (or any other item with batteries for that matter), turn the batteries around so that if the item is accidentally turned on, you won’t empty the batteries. Don’t forget to turn the batteries back around when using the flashlight.

13. Diaper Bag

If you are travelling with babies, then the diaper bag is an excellent place to hide your valuables. This most likely will not be the first thing to be stolen. It’s also a great to use as a waste bag (even when not travelling with a child!), especially at places that do not allow you to flush toilet paper. (Tip from a member)

14. Shoes

If you want to make sure everything else in your bags stays clean and odor free, place the shoes inside old socks and then inside airtight plastic bags (ziplock).

15. Carry-On

Keep any medication and important papers in your carry-on bag. On long flights with multiple stopovers (especially if flying via London, LA or other major airports), packing a fresh change of clothes is a good idea as bags tend to get delayed or lost on long haul, multiple stop flights. You don’t want to end up stuck without medication, clothes or your important papers even if it is just for a few days.

16. Roll Technique

Somehow it seems that bags will hold more if the clothes are rolled rather than folded. If you roll in tissue paper, the clothes will also get less wrinkled.

17. Travelling to warm destinations?

If you appreciate cold drinks think of using a six-pack cooler as a toiletry bag. Once you arrive at your destination and unload your toiletries your ‘toiletry bag’ guarantees cheap cold drinks on the beach, no matter how remote.

18. Local Tourism Offices

The best source of information is usually local. Check out Tourism Offices to find unbiased feedback on the best accommodation to suit your needs. Excercise caution in countries where you feel the information might not be so unbiased!

19. Minimize on toiletries

Take only half a tube of toothpaste rolled up tight, store shampoo in small containers, only take half a roll of toilet paper (for emergencies only) and crush it so the middle is folded.

20. Take solid shampoo bars and tooth powder

Solid shampoo bars and tooth powder (instead of tooth paste) can be easily located on the internet and make carry-on travel in this age of liquid restriction possible. Places like Beijing now bar all liquids in carry-on bags, and you’ll still be able to breeze through without checking. (Tip from a member)

21. Planning on carrying a lot of luggage?

While carrying a lot of luggage is not recommendable, sometimes it is necessary in the case of relocations and so on. If you have the possibility, fly via the US as airlines will allow you 64kg (two 32kg bags) instead of the 20kg in the rest of the world. Even if it is just a stopover in the US, you will be allowed to carry the extra weight. Check with your local travel agent for the details.

22. Packing List and Trip Planning

Ready to start packing? Or is there still more trip planning to be done? Check out our Packing List, Trip Planning guide and Travel Tips to help you get the most out of your trip by planning well and packing everything.

Very often the excitement for a trip makes the scheduling less important than the dreams we have. We spend lots time imagining how the country we are going to visit will be and we forget that, even if we are tourists, there are some precaution to be taken. Travelling to Rome may be very interesting, but also quite expensive, this is why it is advisable to book the place to stay at before, staying in a Rome b&b would be the best, hosts are always very welcoming and happy to give the best tips and advices about the places to visit during the day and at night time, and it is also a good chance to get to see how Italian and roman classical houses are like without paying too much and having assured the same privacy of a most expensive and cold hotel.

Also it is important to remember that we are not the only one to visit the city, Rome is a very touristic city, if we plan to visit it during holidays or vacations, remember it is going to be even more touristic. This is why prices are going to be higher and lines longer. Don’t even think to be able to visit the Vatican Museum standing in line for less than a couple of hours at late morning, like it is unthinkable to buy water in Trevi Square for less than 2 euros. Knowing this before is a plus, because it makes it possible to get organized waking up early and stopping by a supermarket to buy food and water and let the time spent passing in a line less unbearable.. even if unavoidable!

Planning before the tour gives also the chance to rent a bike to move from a place to another, it is quite cheap with bike sharing and at night you are not going to be so tired and you can enjoy your dinner at Campo de Fiori and your Giolitti’s ice cream.

Airplane Advice: Pre-Boarding and During the Flight

Pre-Boarding

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Be sure to make photocopies of your family’s airline tickets.  If one gets lost, this will make it a lot easier for you!

Flying will be more pleasant if children work off energy before boarding. Use every opportunity to walk and move around before boarding.

Let children walk with you from parking the car. Watch planes flying into the clouds while you walk around.

Don’t try to have children sit quietly while waiting for the plane. Obviously they have to be supervised and civilized while waiting for the flight. Go from window to window. Watching planes take off and fly into the sky entertains almost any age child.

Play Areas in airports- These spots are wonderful– unless your flight is ready to leave and your child isn’t. Tell your kids about the time limit right when they start to play. Remind them gently. Countdown the last minutes. For toddlers, have some enticements on hand to ease them away.

Consider a small meal in the departure lounge before you board if the kids are getting hungry. Yogurt, cheese sticks, crackers, anything to keep them from getting hysterical!

Take children to bathroom before boarding and landing. When the captain has the seat belt sign on, children can not leave their seats even for nature. Explain this before you fly and they might not even use the bathroom as an excuse for roaming around.

If your children are small you may want to take advantage of pre-boarding. This gives you first choice at overhead storage space. One of the parents can pre-board with all the stuff while the other parent stays in the waiting area with the kids. Let the kids run around for a while and board at the last minute. You won’t have to worry about not having overhead space and your kids don’t have to sit too long on a plane that’s not going anywhere for the time being.During the Flight

Be sure to dress your young children in something bright, patterned, if possible so it doesn’t show stains. The cuter they look the better your receptions by stewards, the business man seated next to you, etc.

When traveling with a child under the age of two and a spouse or second adult, request a window seat and an aisle seat in the same row, with an empty seat in between. The middle seat could be one of the last filled, increasing the possibility of a vacant seat for your child’s use.

If you are traveling with an infant, you may want to use a soft front pack which will allow your hands to be free.

If you’re deciding whether or not to purchase a ticket for a small child (children under the age of two travel free, when seated on the adult’s lap), consider their temperament. Do they prefer to be held a lot or to sit alone? Are they mobile? Will you be comfortable with them on your lap for the duration of the flight? It may be worth it to buy the extra ticket!

Many airlines have bassinets which you can request in advance for small infants.

You might want to read the information presented at this link, Using Child Restraints on Aircraft to learn safety guidelines.

Keep a color picture of your child’s face in your purse or wallet in case he or she gets lost in a crowded airport or shopping area.

Whenever possible, book a nonstop flight. This streamlines your trip and prevents change-of-flight problems.

Whenever possible, travel during off-peak hours. Peak travel times can be very crowded, especially during holiday seasons. The less crowded a flight is, the more comfortable you will be, and the less your child’s behavior will affect other passengers.

If you’re traveling out of the country, consider taking red-eye flights. This will not disturb your child’s normal sleeping patterns as much as a daytime flight.

Let children take turns at the window. The window is the best place to sit on the air plane. Make certain every child has a chance to see the world from a great distance above the earth. Also, let kids enjoy the experience of take-off or landing.

Know what to ask for on the airline. Pillows, blankets, playing cards, and often fun packs for junior travelers, are all usually there for the asking.

Pack some finger foods, like fruit, pretzels and cereal for your children to enjoy during the flight. (this came in handy once when our airplane was stuck on the runway for three hours!) These items might help them adjust to in-cabin pressure changes. For younger children, try using bottles, “sippy cups” or pacifiers to help ease inner ear pressure. For older children, chewing gum or lollipops can serve the same purpose.

Request special meals for your children at least 48 hours in advance! Airlines really go out of their way to make these meals appealing to your kids!

Ask the flight attendant to serve your children their meals before starting the general meal service so they don’t have to wait and you don’t have to eat and struggle with the children at the same time.

Have your childrens’ ears checked at the doctor’s office before you go so that you know all is clear! This will make you and your children (and everybody on your plane) happier!

Some popular home remedies for popping the ears include hot towels (place one over each ear and the heat will expand to the middle ear, relieving the negative pressure on the drum), hot cups (place the hot towels into two paper cups and hold a cup over each ear), and blowing (have your child blow through the nose while you hold both nostrils closed…although this may be painful at first it will help to relieve the pressure). Also try to get your child to yawn, which will help make the ears “pop” and relieve the pressure. Exaggerated facial movements will also help and can become a fun game!

On our doctor’s advice we have always given our young children a dose of Triaminic Night Time before we have flown. (we have used the above mentioned remedies as they grew older) This helps relieve the pressure on their ears and it makes them a bit sleepy. If you are lucky, they may sleep through a good portion of your trip.

If all of these suggestions fail and you find your child screaming at the top of their lungs, just remember that the screaming will help to relieve the pressure on their ear drums!

Be aware that clogged or painful ears can take as long as three days to return to normal. If your child has problems after that, see a doctor.

If your child is on medication, be sure you have enough for the entire plane ride. Keep medicine with you in your carry-on and also have a prescription handy just in case.

Invest in a child-sized roll-on suitcase for your younger children. They will really enjoy pulling it behind them at the airport just like all the grownups!

Pack a bag of surprises for your children.There are lots of neat travel-sized toys(such as the Travel Magna-Doodle and the Travel-Sized Etch-a-Sketch) and that will work great. Don’t forget the old standbys such as crayons, colored pencils, a roll of Scotch tape, stickers, safety scissors, notebooks, coloring books, small wind-up toys, rubber stamps with ink pads, and finger puppets. Audio books with a Walkman are also a good choice. Older children enjoy Game Boys and personal DVD Players (just remember to pack the headphones to go with them) Try not to get noisy toys since you and everybody else will have to listen to them over and over. Also, try to avoid bringing along toys that are sharp, heavy, or that break easily. Pull some “tricks” out of your bag as needed while you are on the plane.

Always pack changes of clothing in your carry-on luggage for your family. A fresh shirt can be a lifesaver.

Arrange for children to trade places to share parents. This travel time is an opportunity for some quality time with each child. Plus, children who are enjoying uninterrupted attention from Mom or Dad are less likely to grow restless while flying.

It might be a good idea for you to be friendly with the people sitting around you.  Introduce yourself and introduce your child/children – most people like babies, some just don’t know it.  If your child starts to cry and they have seen you to be a pleasant individual they will tend to be sympathetic rather than annoyed.

Most airlines will allow you to bring a stroller for your infant or toddler with you at no additional cost. Instead of packing your best stroller, invest in a cheap umbrella stroller. Umbrella strollers fit in the overhead storage bins on the plane and allow you to have access to them right away when you are exiting from the plane.

Bring your own car seat with you! Car rental agencies charge about $5 a day to rent a car seat and often their car seats are dirty and not good quality. Sometimes, rental agencies may be all out of them. We purchased a duffel bag from the Right Start Company that is made especially for car seats. Just put your car seat in the bag and check it on as you would normal baggage. The cost of the duffel bag was more then paid for after one trip. (The bags cost $30–at $5 a day for a week you have more then paid for it!)

 

Traveling By Car

When packing the truck of your car, place your kids suitcases on top.  They are much more inclined to need something out of their bags then you are, so having them within easy reach will make life easier for all!

The kids are whining, crying, and complaining as your car heads down the road. What should you do? Bring out the grab bag. Each of the children can pick out a wrapped surprise. You don’t need to include anything expensive. Some examples of items to include would be glitter markers, plastic animals, toy cars, puzzle books, stickers, little activity books, mazes, dot-to-dot, threading sets (pictures with yarn), felt boards, small magnetic puzzles, Go-Fish cards, silly putty, rubber stamps,trading cards, and so on. Each child’s surprises can be wrapped in different paper to make it easier for them to pick out.

Along with the concept of the grab bag, you may want to label the wrapped presents with a day or time that they can be opened. For example, if you are going to pass by Washington D.C. in your travels, you might have a gift that says “Do not open until we pass by Washington D.C. This will help to generate some interest in your destinations and the different cities and places you will be passing.

To avoid the frequent question of “How much longer till we get there?”, you may want to give your older children a pocket atlas and highlighter so they can map out the route as you travel. They can use the highlighter to plot out the route, circling different points of interest or particular milestones. When you pass those points, or a few minutes before you approach them, talk about them. Not only will this teach them good geography skills but it will give your children a sense of accomplishing the miles and cause them to take a more active interest in the landmarks of the trip. A suction cup compass will aide them in these endeavors.

If your car travel will take you through several states, your children will enjoy marking off each state on a laminated U.S. map after you have passed the state boundary line. On one trip we made, our oldest son made us get out of the car and take a picture of each state’s welcome sign. If it’s time for a car break, the first rest area in a state is usually equipped with a welcome center where your children may find stickers, brochures full of pictures, pens, and other such items that they will enjoy adding to their stash.

Another alternative is for you to make a “map” of the places you are going.  Depending on the ages of the children you could have them look for things as basic as road signs or cows in the field to land-marks you’re going to pass.  As kids my sister and I had a Bing-o game that used various common things found along the highways and the first one to spot it got to mark it on her card (things like railroad tracks, a barn, a rest stop, a picnic table, a gas station a sign with the letter Z in it, etc.)

Designate a navigator each day.

One of our most worthwhile investments for long car trips was the Little Tikes Travel Desk (which can be purchased at etoys ) This has two storage compartments and a clip to hold down papers.

Hang a pocketed slipcover over the back of the front seat. This useful holder will save space in the car and keep toys, books, and games in one easily accessible place.If you have a child traveling in a car seat you may want to equip the seat with a cozy cushion to provide head support during naps. If your seat has a tray you may want to bring along some suction toys and attach them to it. The old days of all-day, all-night driving staight through to your destination fueled by coffee, cans of Coke, fast food, and doughnuts are gone!! Frequent stops are a must when traveling with children. A good rule of thumb is to take a 15 minute break for every 2 hours on the road. Stash a ball, bubbeles, a frisbee, and a jump-rope in your trunk. This will allow your kids to burn off some energy before they have to go back in the car.(Bonus: The Frisbee is flat and won’t take up much room.)

A sensible schedule would include starting early, while your kids are still pajama-clad, and drive for a couple of hours while they sleep. At the breakfast stop, they can change into their day clothes and pile back into the car for a few more hours of driving. (followed by rest stops every 2 hours or so depending on your children’s ages). Time your arrival for late afternoon so that you and the children can have some time to unwind by taking a swim in the hotel pool or playing at a playground. In the case of rainy weather, we have found that indoor shopping malls make great places for everyone to stretch their legs before going to bed for the evening.

Let your children know when you’ll be making the next rest stop. Most kids will find it easier to cope with the tedium of travel if they know a break is coming. If your children can tell time, let them do this for you.

Designate QUIET Times. Agree on times when everyone must zip their lips. It’s vital to your sanity and the kids need a break from each other, too.

To make their car ride as comfortable as possible, you might want to use car shades to keep the sun out of their eyes.  Sun glasses will work too if your child will wear them.  Take sun screen and a hat as well.

If your children tend to fight in the car try this: When traveling by car, put one child in the front seat and one parent in the back seat. You can also have the children change seats so they’re not always sitting in the same spot and with the same person.

Stop backseat bickering by consulting your kids in advance about how they think car disputes should be solved. Write down their solutions and when the first complaint rings out from behind, whip out the pad with their responses and read their words back to them.

Wake any sleepers about ten minutes before you plan to stop so they can re-enter the world with a minimum of grogginess(this will allow them time to get their shoes back on as well)

Avoid restaurants and have a rest stop picnic. Keep a small cooler in your trunk with sandwich fixings for roadside picnics.  No need to assemble the sandwiches ahead of time.  Your children will be much happier having the freedom to run around in the fresh air rather then being stuck in a restaurant. A relaxed picnic in a park can become a fond family memory!

In warm weather freeze your bread the night before traveling.  In the morning take out the number of slices you need, spread the choice of your filling, and then wrap.  The bread will work as an insulator and will thaw out by lunchtime.

Fast food restaurants, such as McDonald’s or Burger King, that are equipped with playgrounds are also a great idea! Our children really enjoyed being able to use these areas when they were finished eating. When we were traveling in rainy weather, indoor playgrounds were a life saver! If your children’s Happy Meals come equipped with toys, you may want to put them aside for when you get back in the car. This will make the transition of getting back into the car a little easier!

Audio book tapes are great. Bring your children to the library before you travel and allow each of them to pick out a few of their favorite selections.

Edible Jewelry: Here is a great activity for the car trip. Provide your children with sweetened cereal rings and string licorice. The children can string the cereal rings onto the licrorice and make necklaces and braclets. When they get hungry they can snack on their edible jewelry!

Don’t forget the snacks. You may have just passed by the last restaurant for 50 miles but your kids are hungry. Those snacks can come in handy. Excellent choices include pretzels, raisins, crackers, string cheese, dry cereal, fruit, carrots and celery. An idea to make them more interesting is to put them in special decorated baggies to peak your child’s interest. You can put colorful stickers on them or store them in paper bags with pictures of the places you will be visiting on your vacation. Dried fruits such as raisins, cherries, apples, papaya, bananas, apricots, pears, and cranberries won’t bruise or spoil on long trips. Cut celery and carrots into sticks.  Place in plastic containers and add several ice cubes.  This will keep them cool and crisp.

A water bottle for each child is also a must! For older toddlers and children, invest in a small individual thermos for each with an open-and-sip spout that doesn’t require pouring liquids. This should be washed each evening in preparation for the next day. Fill it with water only-it is thirst quenching, doesn’t stain if spilled, and children drink less than a sweetened beverage.

Pass out packs of bubble gum and stage some bubble blowing contests. See who can blow the biggest bubble, the funniest one, etc..

Vinyl window clings or toys with suction cups attached to them are fun to put up on the car windows and may keep the younger set busy for a while while you are driving.

There are many travel games you can play with your children, and travel times can be a wonderful opportunity for teaching and helping your children explore the world. Point out interesting sights or concepts such as fast, slow, over, and under. Here are some other suggestions:
I Spy: I spy something green……..and name it
The Alphabet Game: Locate the letters of the alphabet in sequence on signs and license plates
I’m Going on a Trip and I’m Taking . . . Name something starting with “A”. The second persons repeats your word and adds one starting with “B” and so on through the alphabet
Geography Start with any place in the world–Florida for example. The next person has to think of a place that begins with the last letter of “Michigan” such as “Nepal”. Whoever goes after that needs to think of a place that starts with an “L”. You may not use the same place twice and it has to be a real place.
Counting games: Assign each child a color, such as green, and count how many green cars he or she sees in a given time frame. See how many trucks one child can count, how many sports cars for another. There are plenty of other things outside the car windows that you can count like birds or cows.
The license plate game This can be played by seeing who can add up the numbers the quickest. You can also make words out of the letters. Or you can see how many different states you can identify on license plates. (For a bonus, name the capitol city of that state.)
The License Plate Game #2: Give each child an outline map of the United States. As they find a license plate for each state, they can color in that state. They will enjoy seeing how many states they get to color on their maps!
The License Plate Game #3: Take the three letters from the plates of cars you pass on the road and try to make a word out of them. For example, the letters TOG might become “together” or “toggle” or “photograph.” If they have trouble coming up with a word, give them a definition as a clue. This is a great game for older children and it can be pretty challenging when the letters are mostly Qs or Xs.
Watch cars coming in the other direction:  Have each person select a different type of vehicle to look for.  They can be sorted by colors, number of doors, type of vehicle, etc.
One Minute of Words Everyone has a piece of paper and pencil except the one who is going to keep the time. The timekeeper picks a letter and tells everyone to “Go!” Players write as many words as possible that start with that letter. When a minute is up, the timekeeper stops everyone. Now each person says the words that they came up with and if it is a valid word, count it. (Variation- After the valid words are counted, take another minute to write a sentence with as many words from your list as you can.)
Black-out bingo  Prepare equal size grids for several colors of cars and “x” out a square every time one is spotted.  See which one fills up first. Remember that your children are always delighted to have your undivided attention and will enjoy playing the games with you!

Visit this site for some great traveling games Family Fun Magazine

If you want kids to fall asleep, sometimes stroking their heads, along with soft music and the motion of the car, will do the trick. Prop little kids’ heads up with pillows in the car seat. Pack enough pillows and blankets for everyone.

To combat motion sickness, experts suggest eating lemon drops, lemon cookies, or peppermint; also, try foods high in carbohydrates, and salt-covered foods such as crackers or pretzels, which cut down the production of that which causes nausea. Ask your doctor for advice. Also, if your children are susceptible to nausea, don’t allow them to read while the car is in motion!!(even looking down to color can bring on nausea!) If you don’t mind using a medical alternative, Chewable Dramamine might help your car sick child.

An Inflatable Potty might turn out to be a godsend for those extra long drives. Don’t forget the toilet paper and plastic garbage bags with twist ties for disposal.

For older children you can help them understand how much time is left on the trip by trying this this trick: Gave them each two small containers. Fill one with pennies, dimes, jelly beans, marbles or any other small item. Leave the other container empty. Each time you pass a town or some other important mile marker along the way, have them move one small object into the other ocntainer. They will enjoy watching the one container get empty while the other one starts to fill up.

Bring along a first-aid kit. Don’t forget to pack a thermometer, adhesive bandages, non-aspirin pain reliever, insect repellent, sunscreen, antibiotic ointment, and medication needed for family members. Keep the kit handy!

Some other survival goods you may want to have in your stash would be pine scented-cleaner and a roll of paper towels,for car trips,wet wipes (they always are welcome on hot, sticky days or after an in-the-car snack), readily accessible changes of clothes(if the kids spill their drinks or have another unfortunate accident you won’t need to dig through a trunk full of suitcases for clean clothes), pillows, blankets (the air conditioning in the car can get cold!), and rain gear. You may also wish to take along some hand sanitizer. This works without water and is perfect for cleaning grimy, sticky hands when you can’t find a restroom.

If you don’t already have a cellular phone, you may want to consider leasing one for your trip.

Plastic bags of several sizes can be used for dirty clothes, vomit of a car-sick child, and placing beneath the sheets of the motel bed for children who sometimes wet the bed.

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Planning Your Trip

To avoid burns from hot car seats exposed to the summer sun, take along a sheet or towel to place over the car seat.

 

Involve your children in the planning process. Show them pictures of the places you will be visiting and get them interested! You might even allow them to select a specific destination that they would like to visit. When we traveled to Colorado our oldest son who was a three year old train enthusiast picked a train ride on the Georgetown Loop Railroad.

To build on the excitement of the journey, create a countdown calendar and put it on the refrigerator. You can make this yourself by searching through brochures or magazines specific to the region you’ll be traveling in. Cut out pictures of some of the fun things you will be seeing or doing together while you are away. For example, if you are traveling to Orlando, Florida you may want to cut out pictures of Mickey Mouse, Disney World, Univeral Studios, your hotel, and so on. Use craft glue to paste the pictures onto a large sheet of construction paper, then tape small squares of construction paper to cover each picture. Your children can take turns opening a flap each day until you leave for vacation!

A great gift for a child is a minature toiletry kit that they can keep packed with travel-size products. This makes is much easier to remember the small necessities such as a toothbrush, shampoo, hairbrush, and sunblock.

Pack some familiar things from home to bring with you. Some suggestions include a beloved blanket, a favorite stuffed animal, or a toy train. This will help them feel more comfortable while you are away from home.

With little kids it might be a good idea to take “pretend trips” before you go. Involve your kids in packing a small suitcase, setting up rows of chairs as a plane or in a configuration similar to your car, cutting up paper for play tickets, and taking turns being waiter and customer in a restaurant. Use this as an opportunity to warn kids about what to expect — that the plane may rock or that they need to order their dinner from a menu and wait for it to be served

Give kids information about where you are staying and distances in kid terms(i.e. it will take about as long as to drive to Grandma and Grandpa’s or the length of 6 Barney Shows on T.V.). You may want to start small. Try a one-night camp out in the backyard or a nearby state park before committing yourself to a weeklong camping trip, an afternoon hike as a trial run for a vacation in the mountains, a local museum visit before a weekend grand museum jaunt.

Put your children on a budget for souvenirs and spending money. If your children can handle the math, let them weigh the pros and cons of spending their money on a stuffed toy, say, versus a t-shirt. It’s a safe, low-risk introduction to the challenge of shopping.

When checking into a hotel, teach children how to operate the security locks. Establish a code word for children so they don’t open the door to strangers when they can’t see through the peep hole. And immediately put toiletries out of the reach of children in the hotel bathroom.

A night light can be comforting for a child sleeping a strange room. You may want to bring one of these along with you.(They also help Mom and Dad find the way to the bathroom in the middle of the night!)

If you are bringing small children along a childproofing kit including doorknob covers, plastic outlet covers, and pipe cleaners to tie up drapery or electrical cords is a must.

Make sure that the places you will be staying are kid friendly. Some hotel chains that go the extra mile where your kids are concerned. We enjoy staying at The Embassy Suites hotel chain. This chain offers a two room suite, a small fridge (great for storing water bottles & milk), a microwave, and a free cooked to order breakfast each morning. My boys think their breakfast is the best of the best! Ask if they are offering any special family packages. I have seen this chain offer everything from Family Movie Night packages to Build-A-Bear Workshop deals.

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Food Smarts

Most of all, make sure everyone in the family gets a good night’s sleep on the evening before you leave for vacation! We all know that frustration, irritability, or bickering can ruin a trip really quickly! Remember to be sure that you and your children get plenty of sleep before you leave!

Don’t worry about atmosphere when you are traveling with children. We all know how children are, when they are hungry they want their food served quickly in a manner that’s familiar. This doesn’t have to mean fast-food for every meal!

You may want to consider limiting restaurant meals to one a day if your kids are under the age of ten. We have enjoyed staying in suites or other accomodations that have a small kitchen. Not having to go out every morning to breakfast can be a real time and money saver! There is also the option of a picnic for lunch. You can pack plenty of healthy food and you won’t have to worry about your children making too much noise while you are eating!

Carry low-fat snacks like bagels, pretzels, carrot and celery sticks, and fruit in the car. Stay away from too many junk items like chips, cookies, and candy bars.

In restaurants you can order “family style” where you share the main courses rather than order each child a meal. Another option is to ask if your children may order half-portions from the adult menu so that they aren’t limited to endless meals of hot dogs, grilled cheese, french fries, and the other high-fat menu items contained on most children’s menus.

If you have a picky eater in the bunch (such as our son was while we were in Germany) it may be worth carrying along some food with you into the restaurant that you know he/she will enjoy. This also helps if your children are very hungry. They will be less impatient and crabby if they can have something to eat immediately.

Last of all, bring along something for your young children to do while you are waiting for the food to arrive. A small art box stocked with markers, stickers, paper, a puzzle or coloring book, or even a few plastic animals will be sure to keep your kids busy before their food arrives.

Carry a multi-sectioned pillbox and fill with cereal, goldfish crackers, raisins, and other small treats. Opening and closing the doors will keep your toddler busy for a while and the small snacks will help to hold them over until their meal arrives.

If possible, let your toddler sit facing a window. Cars and people will help provide distraction.

Avoid booth seats with an unrestrained toddler. (If you don’t understand the wisdom of this tip, you will after you sit in a booth with an unrestrained toddler!)

Bring your child’s own training cup to avoid spills.

Don’t forget to tip your restaurant personnel generously.(especially important if you have young children who tend to leave a mess!)

Here are some quiet games that you and the children can play in the restaurant
1. Water Snake – take the plastic straw covered with paper and scrunch the paper down until it forms a tight accordion shape. Put the paper on the table and using the straw, put a few drops of water on it creating the snake.
2. Shuffleboard Pennies – for this game you need several pennies. Two players sit opposite each other. Place the pennies in the center of the cleared table. First player hits the penny with the finger to try and get it as close to the opposite edge of the table as possible. Players alternate turns, shooting the pennies from where they last landed. If the penny lands within two inches of the edge = 1 point. If it’s slightly over the edge = 5 points. If it falls of the table = lose a point
3. Guess the Check – Always a favorite.
4. Another variation of Add the Check. If the kids find an error they get an amount equal to it.

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Don’t forget the plastic containers. (such as those you use for school lunches) This will allow you to conveniently save uneaten portions for later.

Set the ground rules before leaving home. Let the kids know exactly how much they can spend.

Bring back money or stamps from another country. Give each child a special album or special box to house their collection.

Bring along a baseball cap and have the children look for pins for each of the places you visit. They will enjoy pinning them on their special vacation hat!

For the girls in your family, a charm bracelet is a great souvenir! They will enjoy finding and adding special charms to their braclet from year to year!

Don’t spend hours searching for the perfect memento, especially with younger children. Pick something and then leave. If you don’t want to buy anything explain that today is a “looking day” and that you’ll buy something tomorrow.

For any aged child, look for things that are different from home. Some examples include: a bleached cow skull from the Southwest, a tri-corner hat from Williamsburg, VA, a Junior Ranger Kit from a National Park, and don’t forget books written especially for children on the area that you are visiting.

If a historic site is on the itinerary, let the kids get a small replica of the Golden Gate Bridge, the Liberty Bell, or the White House. Look for a reproduction on an historic toy.

Don’t forget to save money for a few special impulse buys too. They’re always the best souvenirs.

Encourage your children to take advantage of free souvenirs such as printed napkins, business cards, brochures, matchbooks and paper coasters ( these can be put in a blank scrapbook)

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Memories That Will Last a Lifetime

Let the kids start their own collections to remember their trips. They can buy a postcard at every stop, writing a few lines about what they did there and then send the card home to themselves with a special vacation memory written on the back. Patches, pins, decals, pencils, pennants, spoons, mugs, and magnets are also fun, inexpensive things to collect from your many vacations.

 

If your children are old enough, pack a camera for them.( a disposable camera might be a good idea) Don’t try to tell them what to take pictures of. Let them take what they find interesting. Remember a child’s perspective is different than an adult’s.

Have your children make a Video Diary. Give your children a chance to make their own video of the trip.  Have your children act as reporters and directors. You will be surprised at how much they will enjoy this!

Have them start a scrapbook! If they are very young you can encourage them to draw pictures of what they are seeing. Have them cut out pictures from brochures and paste them in. Record what countries, cities, or states you have visited during your travels. Have them save ticket stubs and include them in their books. If they meet any friends they may want to ask them to sign their books as a special memory. If your children are older let them put in their books what they find interesting. Maybe they would like to write down all the makes and models of cars they see or all the different wildlife they view. It’s their book so they should put what they want in it!

If your travels involve the “great outdoors”, a Nature Walk Diary is a must! Be sure to bring along a notebook, markers, a glue stick, a small stapler, and some envelopes. Your children can collect flowers, leaves, stones, shells to add to their notebook. Wild flowers can be pressed between pages. Have your children sketch pictures of landscapes to include in their notebook.
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Most of All, Have fun!

Don’t forget to pack your sense of humor! It’s essential to survival when traveling with children!

Try to plan a balance between things you enjoy doing and things your children enjoy doing. It may mean a few stops at a playground along the way or running through a fountain in the town square but these things might be what your child will remember most!

Even young children enjoy museums and cultural exhibits in small doses. Plan short, varied activities for toddlers, and always follow an activity requiring attention and quiet behavior with something fun, that allows children to run around and get some exercise

No matter how much you have planned and organized, be flexible enough to shift gears!

Relax, have fun, and retreat to a vacation state of mind. That’s what you are there for and that is what your children will remember.

Take the time to listen and hear what your children have to say. Savor these moments; they disappear all too quickly!

Remember, nothing beats a lazy afternoon of kite flying in a mountain meadow with a picnic lunch!

 

Sight-seeing Guide

RULE 1: Forget long bus tours (unless you’ve got an infant who will sleep anywhere), and give up the idea of following a guide through a museum or historic site, unless you’ve somehow stumbled on a tour that’s meant for families
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RULE 2: Spend some time at home reading up with the kids about where they will be going and what they will be seeing. The more comfortable they are in a new environment, the better traveling companions they’ll make.

RULE 3: Tell the kids that what they will be seeing is NOT boring; then plan the day so that’s the case.

RULE 4: Plan one major site-seeing outing a day. Spend the rest of the time playing.

RULE 5: Have a good breakfast. Don’t head out without eating and without a backpack or diaper bag with some healthy snacks and drinks. Hunger will strike at the oddest moments.

RULE 6: Always take a stroller for a child under four (or a backpack for a baby or toddler).

RULE 7: Dress for comfort. If you plan on doing a lot of walking or standing in line, well fitted, comfortable shoes are a must!

RULE 8: Don’t roam when you’re away from home. The old adage, “There’s safety in numbers,” rings especially true when in a distant location. Safety dictates that families enforce the buddy system, making sure that no member of the family wanders off alone. Parents should write each child’s name on a slip of paper, along with their own name and local address, plus the phone number of a close friend or relative back home who can serve as a go-between in case a child is separated from the adult; then tuck or pin the paper in the child’s pocket. Always accompany children into rest rooms. And always carry a current photo of your child with you.

RULE 9: Relax! Be flexible!  Allow time to stop and take a detour. Travel brings unexpected situations and surprises.  Show your children how to make the best of a difficult situation through your own gracious example.

Happy Souvenir Hunting

Traveling with a partner has its rewards and pitfalls. So before you head out together to explore the wild blue yonder, give these tips some serious consideration.
Trust me, it will make life on the road together a lot smoother!

1) Communicate

Probably the most important tip of all, communicating about where you want to go and what you want to do before you go will make things a lot easier once you’re away from home.

Make sure the destination you choose is compatible with both of your desires and that you’ve each had a chance to talk and listen.

2) Separate

Sometimes taking time apart will make the trip better for both of you, especially if you’re on a long journey.

Don’t be afraid to take a day trip to that underground cave you’re dying to see while your partner lounges on the beach.

If you’re hesitant to go out alone as a woman, reach a destination where you feel comfortable. Then your partner can venture out for a day or two while you enjoy a secure adventure of your own.

3) Compromise

Compromise doesn’t always entail giving up on what you want or meeting in the middle. Sometimes rock climbing and deep sea diving just won’t jive. Don’t sweat it.

Rather, dare to do things you think you may not like on occasion. By the same token, make sure your partner is coming with you on your wild escapades too.

4) Plan Ahead

I don’t mean that you should book everything ahead of time. But it is a good idea, especially on shorter trips, to make sure you’ll both be able to do what you want at a given destination.

Disclaimer: if you’re not a planner and neither is your partner, that’s OK. Just be sure you’re both ok with the fact that if you don’t plan you may end up in a youth hostel bunk-bed, or skipping a meal.

Not planning can lead to the greatest adventures, but it should be fun for both of you.

5) Respect

At home you have your creature comforts and your personal space at your disposal all the time. Sometimes being on the road together crimps that style.

Make sure you’re respecting each other’s privacy by being considerate – especially when it comes to sharing a bathroom!

6) Keep it Romantic

There’s nothing more fun than getting a romantic surprise whilst traveling, but it should be something you know your partner will like. Don’t throw a surprise party if you know your partner wants a tranquil escape!

7) Indulge

Don’t buy that $10,000 rug in Mumbai if you’ll be paying it off for the next ten years. But indulgence is relative. If it means going a little over your budget then go for it.

In Kerala, India, my partner and I once decided to rent a houseboat for $100 a day (a literal fortune compared to what we’d been spending), but the experience was worth every penny!

Keep in mind that you may never return to a place. Don’t hesitate. You won’t be sorry.

Don’t Sweat the Small Things

New destinations can be stressful, small irritations and stressful events often occur whilst traveling. This can lead to frustration and aggression, which sometimes gets taken out on your partner.

Take time to cool off and then let it go. Don’t let the little things get in the way of a great vacation together.

If major incompatibilities arise on the road, work it out once you’re back home. Don’t waste your trip on couple’s therapy!

Good advice for those travelling in this often-unpredictable part of the world, from Travis Vincent, director of security services at International SOS.

1. Be aware

The security situation can change quickly in remote areas. Know what the threats are and how to mitigate them

 

2. Watch your image

You’re less likely to attract the attention of criminals if you look less of a worthwhile target

3. Vary your routine

Change your daily routine, so your movements do not become predictable

4. Use layers of protection

Good personal security involves layers of protection, including awareness, procedural and physical measures

5. Plan ahead

Planning all aspects of a journey is key to reducing your risk profile

6. On flights

Limit time before and after customs, ensure the airline has a good safety record, and keep the most important items on your person and the least important in your luggage

7. Travelling around

Only use trusted transport providers, and minimise nighttime movement

8. Your accommodation

Check the security of the hotel before booking, minimise time spent in the lobby, get a room away from the hotel entrance, and check security and emergency procedures

9. Women travellers

Dress modestly, travel with a colleague if possible, and ensure your hotel room has a key chain, spyhole and deadlock

10. Communications

Mobile coverage in Africa can be limited. Check coverage before you go, and, if outside a coverage area, always have an alternative plan