Gift Ideas that Travel Well

In the midst of the holiday festivities many are preparing to travel to visit family and take vacations. In effort to help give some ideas on keeping the kids entertained during holiday journeys, Tropical Family Travel has its top gift recommendations.

Games to GoBoard games still bring families together at home and on the road. Games pack well and give everyone something to do together during their travels and turn the TV off. Even the classics continue to evolve with the “build it” elements found in Battleship, Monopoly and others. Others are keeping themselves new with added features and elements like the Sorry! Spin and the Uno Flash games. Many of our favorites are now available in a “to go” version.

Bezzerwizzer is a new game of trivia, tactics and trickery featuring 20 categories of questions and a fast-paced playing environment. Strategy is required to go around the board coupled with knowing the trivia answers as your opponents can steal points or entire categories.

To Go! Games: Great for entertaining during holiday travel, the To Go! Games assortment features five new versions of everyone’s favorite family games designed for portable, on-the-go fun! Our favorite is the little man version of Pictionary Man™ Game To Go, now completely portable. This game is the best version of charades and Pictionary combined and results in hours of laughter that can now go on the road.

A favorite recommendation for kids on the go is a DS game. There are several new ones that are compact and provide hours of entertainment lessening the “are we there yet” questions. Plus with DS games, there are opportunities for interaction. Here are just a few temptations for a variety of ages:

Littlest Pet Shop 3: A favorite among young girls is the Littlest Pet Shops featured in their best competitive spirit in 10 available games. Practice makes perfect as players help their pets become the best gymnasts, models, ice skaters, dancers, flyers, fashion designers, and more. Other fun elements include playing with the pets’ uniforms and accessories they have customized because it’s time to hit the road!

Club Penguin: Experience all new mysteries, missions and mini-games in this action packed sequel in Club Penguin.

Camp Rock: The Final Jam!: An extension from the popular Disney movie, tweens will rock out on the guitar, bass or drums to songs from both Camp Rock films in Camp Rock: The Final Jam!

The Sorcerer’s Apprentice: Keeping the movie alive, kids will transport into a world filled with fantastical quests and magical combat as they fight alongside Balthazar Blake and the forces of good against the evil Morgana and her minions, bent on world domination in The Sorcerer’s Apprentice!

Tinker Bell and the Great Fairy Rescue: Customize your fairy avatar and fly away to Summer camp with Tinker Bell and the Great Fairy Rescue! This is a great game for the younger girls considering the ongoing popularity of the newly released movie.

Get ready to fight for your life in the most intense, action-packed Harry Potter game ever available in DS, Xbox and other gaming formats. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 the videogame represents a shift in tone for Harry Potter games, as you find yourself on the run with hordes of merciless enemies on your tail. You will find yourself in unknown territory, far from safety and fighting for survival at every turn. Packed from start to finish with combat and action, you’ll be on a desperate and dangerous quest, hounded on all sides by deadly enemies and ferocious creatures. This is designed for the older kids and keeps the Harry Potter magic alive.

Movies for the RoadThere are many blockbusters released in time for Christmas trips including Inception, Twilight: Eclipse, Tinker Bell and the Great Fairy Rescue, and Jim Carrey’s Christmas Carol. But keeping with audience’s fascination with the Harry Potter and Narnia type fantasy, a new fantasy adventure titled The Secret of Moonacre will keep kids entertained. Based on the winning novel, “The Little White Horse”, which was J.K. Rowling’s favorite childhood book, the director brings to life a magical world inhabited by outlandish characters, a princess and mythical beasts.

Barbie™ A Fashion Fairytale DVD: For the first time ever, Barbie® stars as herself and tells her personal story filled with fashion, adventure and friendship! In this modern day fairytale, after Ken breaks up with Barbie® and after she loses an acting job, she escapes to Paris with her dog Sequin, to visit her Aunt Millicent, a fashion designer. In Paris, Barbie quickly learns that her aunt’s fashion house is in danger of closing and it’s up to her to save it! With the help of some fashionable friends Barbie kicks her creativity into high gear by putting on a fashion show to save Millicent’s line, and ends up finding her inner sparkle. Barbie continues to be a powerful and positive role model for young girls throughout the decades!

Toys that Travel & Entertain
Pillow Pets™: A must have for any kid on the go. A pet pillow serves as an oversized stuffed animal for playtime and has a dual purpose of a true soft pillow when it is time for a nap or bed. From the car to the airplane, a pet pillow is the perfect travel companion.

Hot Wheels® R/C Stealth Rides Power Tread™: A great gift idea for kids of all ages, Stealth Rides™ are small enough to fit in a pocket and engineered to amaze. These mini but mighty R/C tanks are folded flat and fit in a slim carrying case. The case becomes the control for the vehicle – which slips out and transforms from flat to fully functional R/C tank made for gripping and climbing – taking on the piles ribbons and wrapping paper left behind during the holidays. Hot Wheels continue to evolve and transform themselves for the next generation of car lovers.

Disney’s Tangled Rapunzel Fashion Doll: One of this season’s hottest movies, Tangled, has off shoot products that will delight kids on Christmas morning and can be taken along for holiday journeys. Disney’s newest heroine wears her signature gown from the movie and features beautiful golden hair that nearly touches the ground! Includes 10-inch wear-and-share hair extension so girls can re-create their favorite movie scenes with Rapunzel’s long, luxurious hair, which our 5-year-old laughs at every time she sees it!

Disney’s Tangled Rapunzel Maximus Horse: A faithful, spirited companion, Maximus joins in Rapunzel’s adventures and quickly becomes one of her best friends! With an articulated head, girls can pose Maximus and really bring him to life. Also included are wear-and-share hair clips so that girls can groom and pamper their horse.

Polly Pocket™Pop ‘N Lock™ Stage: Polly™ is the ultimate rock star and is ready to go on tour this holiday season with the ElectroPop World™ Pop 'n Lock Stage. Girls can dress Polly for the ultimate rock concert or New Year’s bash in a snap with her Pop 'N Lock Fashions. Cruise with Polly as she travels around in her boom box tour bus! Once she’s hit her destination she’s ready to rock! Just press the play button on the side of the tour bus and watch it transform into a rocking three story party pad complete with a concert stage where girls’ inner diva can explode. At the end of the performance, it’s a snap to close the playset and pack up for portable on-the-go play. This is great for stimulating a girl’s imagination and encouraging interactive play.

Foods & Beverages for Traveling
Talbott Teas is the perfect traveling companion to keep calm and add a touch of serenity to what can be considered a hectic time to travel. Steeped in style and packaged in sleekly sophisticated tins, Talbott Teas explores combinations of unexpected flavors, spices and aromas from the finest quality ingredients from around the world. Vibrant colors and boastful flavors, these teas come in a variety of gift selections for the tea lover.

Tortuga Caribbean Rum Cakes allow travelers to bring the tropical experience home. Choose any of the nine stimulating flavors from pineapple to chocolate. The rum even transfers over to rum cream coffee. So however you like it in the Caribbean, the gift lives on.

Wherever your holidays are taking you, pack up and go!

Turkey & the Tropics

Thanksgiving is the time of year when we all pause to give thanks and to realize all of the things we have in our lives to be grateful for. Yet, it is also one of the busiest travel times of the year. Just this week, we can expect over 42 million travelers to embark on holiday travel this week and Florida is one of the most requested destinations, according to AAA. So why not combine turkey with the Florida tropics.

During the holidays a few of our traditions include to frequent local resorts and to spend as much time on the water as the Florida weather allows. This season we headed to South Seas Island Resort located on Captiva Island in South Florida just to celebrate the season and to enjoy time with friends. This resort caters to families from a wide range of accommodations allowing families to still cook their Thanksgiving feast to a good range of family activities for all kids of all ages including a new fleet of bikes and a fairly new water park area, H2Whoa!

Captival in itself is a destination worth exploring from the environmental elements to the beaches. There is not a high rise located on this pristine white sandy island. The views compare with those in the Caribbean without the increased time and cost of travel. We have learned to explore our backyard as tropical delights await. Spending even a day away is often the pick-me-up that is needed in our crazy lives. Now, it is on to the turkey! Oh, and while you are making your shopping list for Black Friday, consider purchasing a family escape to South Seas.

Disney’s Food & Wine Fest’s Last Call

If you have never experienced Walt Disney World’s annual pilgrimage to the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, you still have time. Last call is Sunday, November 14th though to sample your way around the world with destinations top food and beverage offerings.

Our family always makes at least one trek for this tasty event. What a great way to introduce your kids to new cultures and sample new culinary delights. Trust me, even the pickiest eater will find something that pleases the tastebuds.

New this year includes tasting marketplaces from Belgium, South Korea and Singapore, plus new menu offerings from returning marketplaces including Argentina, Chile, Poland, South Africa, Puerto Rico, Australia, U.S.A., Spain and others.

“Whether sampling steamed mussels with roasted garlic cream at the new Belgium marketplace or sipping the trendiest wines from South Africa and Chile, festival guests can make a day of grazing their way around the World Showcase promenade,” according to a Walt Disney release. “Tapas-sized portions of regional specialties run $3-to-$8 each, and recommended wines and beers make perfect pairings at each marketplace.”

Two personal favorites from our worldwide sampling were South Korea’s Lettuce Wraps with Roast Pork and Kimchi Slaw and Canada’s Cheddar Cheese Soup!

Food & Wine Fest also marks great entertainment. This year 38 Special, Rick Springfield, Sugar Ray, Taylor Dayne and others took the stage. For the closing weekend, Nov. 12-14, crowd-pleaser Big Bad Voodoo Daddy is scheduled to perform.

We stayed at the Boardwalk Resort, which was very convenient as it is walking distance from Epcot. This was an added treat to this special event.

Guests can call 407/WDW-FEST (939-3378) for information and to make reservations for special events and programs. Festival details are available at www.disneyworld.com/foodandwine.

PHOTOS:
FLAVORS FOR KIDS: Even youngsters join in the tastings during the 15th annual Epcot International Food & Wine Festival at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. The six-week-long festival Oct. 1 – Nov. 14, 2010 features savory international samplings, lively entertainment, celebrated chefs, wine tastings and more.
BON APPETIT: The annual Epcot International Food & Wine Festival at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., offers guests the perfect balance of fine wines, delectable cuisine and diverse entertainment. More than 33,000 bottles of wine and champagne are uncorked during the six-week-long, outdoor festival.

Summer Family Travel Tips, Guest Post by Debbie Glade

Be Armed with Great Guidebooks with Maps – As a guidebook reviewer, I can tell you that the right guidebook can really make your trip planning easier. Plus a great guide will give you tips on exploring sites, shops and restaurants off the beaten path. Beware: don’t rely exclusively on specific information found either in books or online. I find that many websites are outdated, even more so than guidebooks, so I always call to verify special exhibits, visiting hours and more. Attractions can be closed for renovations, and museums are often closed on Mondays or Tuesdays.

Make Accommodations Well in Advance – Consider renting a house/condo rather than staying in a hotel. It’s often cheaper and you get a yard, a full kitchen and a laundry room, not to mention more privacy. With a rental, you can pack less clothing. Wherever you choose to stay, make sure you understand what the amenities are and what will be included in the rate. Is there Wi-Fi or cable internet in the place? How close is a grocery store? How well is the kitchen stocked? Is there a pool? Air conditioning? What are the terms of the security deposit? Are pets allowed? Is there a fee?

Pack Wisely – Over packing is more common than under packing. If you are driving rather than flying, then you are much more likely to over stuff your car with stuff you don’t need. To keep your family healthy, bring a first aid kit, thermometer, children’s pain reliever and plenty of sunscreen.

Make Leaving Easy with a Master List - Create a comprehensive checklist on your computer of all the routine things you need to do to your home before you leave home. (Set the timer, turn off water, unplug appliances, turn up A/C, cancel the newspaper, lock doors, etc.) Every time you leave, just print out another master list, without having to create a new one each time.

Tell A Family Member Where You are Going – Be sure to leave your itinerary, hotel phone numbers, flight numbers, etc. with a family member in case of emergency.

Program Your Cell Phone – Program the phone numbers of your hotels and other contacts into your cell phone before leaving home. Then you won’t have to scramble around for the phone numbers when you need to make a call. It’s also wise to program the numbers of your doctors, vet, house sitter, neighbor and other important contacts.

Keep Your Pet Happy – If you are traveling with your dog, be sure to keep his collar on with ID at all times. Bring vaccination papers if you are going to any state parks, as these are required for entrance. Keep his food, dishes, treats and leash in an easy-to-reach place inside the car. Your dog will need more water than usual while on the road. Don’t forget his favorite toys!

Bring Healthy Snacks and Drinks - There’s nothing worse than a child who is bouncing off the walls inside a car or plane. That’s why kids should not get all sugared up on soft drinks and candy or binge on junk food before or during any trip. In the car, pack a cooler with water bottles and some juice. Bring popcorn, nuts, crackers, apples, raisons and other healthy items. If you are taking a long car trip, pack lunch so you can avoid having to stop for fast food. If you are flying, bring a bottle of water and healthy snacks (or sandwiches) on board, because it takes the flight crew a while after take-off to bring you a beverage and snack.

Keep the Kids Occupied on the Journey – Be creative with activities for the car or plane. Think about activities that take up some time. Coloring and activity books, crayons, video games, travel size board games, rug-hooking kit, iPods. Make a basket or open box for all the toys and games so they are easy to access. If you are driving, check out some books on CD from the public library to keep everyone in the car entertained. This will make the time go by much quicker.

Don’t Over Plan – Part of any great trip is going with the flow to some degree. Stop at a yard sale, buy tickets to a local play, or ask the locals what they like to do for fun. The best moments of a vacation are always the ones you didn’t plan.

About the Author: Debbie Glade is the author, illustrator and voice talent of the award-winning children’s picture book The Travel Adventures of Lilly P Badilly: Costa Rica, published by Smart Poodle Publishing. She visits South Florida schools with her reading, writing and geography programs. For years, Debbie was a travel writer for luxury cruise lines. She writes parenting articles for various websites and is the Geography Awareness Editor for WanderingEducators.com and is a regular guest book reviewer for LA Parent Magazine. She blogs daily at smartpoodlepublishing.com, where she publishes a cartoon every Friday.

Southwest Florida Beaches: Family Tropical Escapes

Florida is a pristine family beach getaway year-round. Do not let the oil spill keep you away from tropical paradise. The majority of Florida’s beaches are oil free. Here is a link to an article I wrote for Southwest Florida Parent & Child Magazine featuring five family-friendly resorts in the region. There is truly something for everyone – from the natural beaches to fabulous sea life and animal attractions – Florida is a family’s playground. Come to Florida and get away!!

Featured in this article is the Naples Bay Resort, The Resort at Marina Village (located in Cape Coral), ‘Tween Waters Inn Island Resort (located on Captiva Island), Marco Island Marriott Beach Resort, and Sundial Beach & Golf Resort (located on Sanibel Island).

These fabulous resorts are worth your consideration for a family vacation.

Travelers Ready to Explore in 2010

With most of us thawing out from a wicked winter season, we have our sights on vacation horizons. Americans are ready to get packing, according to a recent survey by TripAdvisor, as survey respondents indicate they expect to travel more in 2010 than in 2009.

Forty-one percent of U.S. respondents said they plan to spend more on leisure travel in 2010 than they did in 2009 and 92 percent of travelers are planning to take two or more leisure trips in 2010, up from 89 percent last year.

Even with an uncertain economy, 66 percent of survey takers said the economy will not affect their travel plans for the coming year. So, the lingering question remains…where to go?

Troncones, Mexico is emerging hotspot for 2010 as reported by TripAdvisor’s TravelCast, which identifies up-and-coming travel destinations based on site data, including increases in search activity and postings for the past year on TripAdvisor.com.

This tropical destination boasts miles of white sand beaches. Troncones is a peaceful and secluded haven nestled between the jungle foothills of the Sierra Madre del Sur Mountains and the warm tropical waters of the Pacific Ocean.

A top tropical U.S destination for 2010 as revealed by TripAdvisor’s TravelCast includes Waimea, Hawaii. Situated on the Southwest side of the beautiful island of Kauai, this unassuming beach-side town is the gateway to Waimea Canyon, the largest canyon in the Pacific, which oozes natural beauty.

In the summer, families might want to consider visiting Hyannis, Massachusetts. John F. Kennedy’s former Presidential retreat can be found in Hyannis, the largest and most central village in Cape Cod’s Town of Barnstable, and its picturesque sandy stretches make it a fantastic escape.

Hot Springs, Arkansas is also touted as a top U.S. destination this year. True to its name, nature’s geological wonders are a key feature of this picture-perfect town, which boasts natural hot and cold mineral springs in which to relax, restore and renew.

For those families wanting to explore the southwest, then consider Chinle, Arizona. Drive around nearby Canyon de Chelly’s rim roads for a bird’s eye view of the spectacular scenery below, or take a tour of the canyon floor for a closer look at its breath-taking rock formations, cave art and cliff dwellings.

Games to Occupy the Youngest Travelers on Holiday Travels

This holiday season when packing up for grandma’s house, be sure to bring along a variety of electronic games for kids and kids at heart including Nintendo DS games, Leapster games, Pogo games, and other video games to occupy time during travels and for fun nights together. Many resorts offer a gaming area for kids now and some accommodations are even supplied with a gaming console. These games are compact and make great stocking stuffers and gifts for future car trips, long waits in airports and other transportation means. The biggest trend noticed is how companies are capitalizing on movies and creating games to keep the movie alive after returning home from the theater or when the DVD ends.

Nintendo DS Games
Gaming has evolved quite a bit since Atari’s Pac Man and Asteroids as there are many more games that have been introduced offering new ways to play, immerse and engage. Every popular character seems to have transcended into its own video game. It is not uncommon for video game launches to coincide with theatrical releases. Good news is that the Nintendo DS games offered by Electronic Arts (EA) are compact, easy to travel with and ensure hours of fun. With its wireless element, family members can compete against each other, creating another level of competition!

Below are just a few titles and descriptions to take along during holiday travels or to surprise your favorite traveler.

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince: Experience the thrills, action, and excitement of the Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince while engaging in exciting wizard duels, mixing and brewing magical ingredients in Potions class and taking to the air to lead the Gryffindor Quidditch team to victory!

Littlest Pet Shop Friends: Offering co-operative play and delightful new graphics, Littlest Pet Shop Friends takes girls and their friends on fun quests such as delivering party invitations, serving up cake and ice cream and gathering party decorations, all in preparation for the biggest party ever!

Hasbro Family Game Night 2: Featuring OPERATION, JENGA, BOP-IT, PICTUREKA, and CONNECT 4X4, Hasbro Family Game Night 2 offers traditional and new modes to play these Hasbro favorites. MR. POTATO HEAD returns as master of ceremonies and your host in a brand-new “GameShow” mode which transports players to a live television game show studio complete with an audience and “Challenge Wheel.”

G.I. Joe The Rise of Cobra: G.I. JOE The Rise of Cobra features 16 playable characters – including four unlockable COBRA bosses – each with unique abilities and weapons. Adding to the adrenaline rush is an intense single-screen co-op mode allowing two players to easily unite as a team in a classic struggle between good and evil to defeat the powers of COBRA.

SimAnimals Africa: With its brand new art style, SimAnimals Africa takes players on an adventure across jungles, deserts, savannas, river deltas and more! All new animals, each with their own unique skill, are ready to play like never before. Kicking zebras, rock-breaking rhinos and lions that excel at hunting will assist players in keeping the environment happy and unlocking new areas, animals, and special items. New mini-games give players more ways to interact with the animals.



There are games for everyone and many are available on multiple platforms including the Wii and Sony Play Station. Below are a few other titles by Warner Brothers and stimulating creativity and taking movies to the next interactive level for kids.

Where The Wild Things Are: The award-winning children's adventure coincides with the movie release in 2009 as players assume the role of Max, “King of All Wild Things” and team-up with the fearsome but loveable creatures to solve action puzzles and overcome challenging obstacles to save the tribe before it's too late.

Scooby-Doo: First Frights: An action-adventure game for the Wii, DS and PS2 complements the DVD release, Scooby Doo: The Mystery Begins, this title features co-op play allowing two people to work together to solve mysteries, combat enemies and collect clues to unmask each episode's mysterious villain.

Scribblenauts: The award-winning pick-up-and-play game for the Nintendo DS from Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment in which the character Maxwell acquires the Starite in each level by solving a series of puzzles armed with their stylus, notepad and imagination.

Astro Boy: The Video Game: The official game of the upcoming movie, a young boy robot utilizes his full arsenal of iconic weapons and abilities to battle robot enemies and colossal bosses on multiple platforms.

There are other electronic-based games that are sure to delight travelers of all ages beyond the Nintendo DS platform.

Pocket POGO Handheld: Yahtzee, Connect 4, Battleship, & Monopoly: Perfect for waiting in line and compact enough to fit into a pocket or purse, test your skills with some childhood favorites that grownups still like to play. POGO games incorporate electronic elements with the classic games and are the perfect travel accessory for backseat or in-flight fun!

Pocket POGO Touch Screen: Scrabble, Battleship, Solitaire, Casino Island & More: With eight available games, the Pocket POGO is a step up from the POGO Handheld games in terms of advanced play. Using a stylus, in the Scrabble game, users can select from the four games testing speed and word making skills!

New games have launched throughout the year to keep the library fresh and coincide with big movie premieres or DVD releases, as reported by Leapfrog. This year’s titles will build on the established library of games that offer traditional learning, such as math and spelling, and will expand on the traditional with new curriculum, such as geography and map reading in X-Men: Wolverine and music in High School Musical.

The Leapster2 system, the industry’s first educational gaming handheld for kids aged four to eight, has released eight new titles in 2009. Many of the new titles below are connected to movies, which helps the younger kids identify with the brand on multiple levels. The Leapster2 and games are perfect for traveling (just bring batteries). Below is a sampling of the new games available this holiday season and what each title emphasizes on the educational level.

• Disney/Pixar’s Up! – early number sense, addition, subtraction, shapes
• Disney’s The Princess and the Frog – early math
• The Wolverine and X-Men – geography, shapes, word sounds
• Disney Fairies: TinkerBell – early math, addition and subtraction, patterns
• Star Wars: Jedi Reading – letter identification, phonics, spelling

“Educational gaming has evolved and is now recognized for delivering competitive and exciting gaming that rivals traditional videogames,” said David Perkinson, director of game development for LeapFrog.