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 I find that many websites are outdated, even more so than guidebooks, so I always call to verify special exhibits, visiting hours and more.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.
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