A Family Vacation for ALL

“You’re going on a vacation with your little children? Are you insane?”

That’s probably one of the things you’re going to hear when you start asking about good family vacation spots and activities. You can’t blame them, as traveling with children can be quite a challenging feat. The good news, however, is that it’s not impossible and your options are many and varied.

My family traveled a lot when my siblings and I were little, so there were like three children to look after and keep entertained. I believe the secret to having a family vacation that both kids and adults can enjoy is to find places where activities appeal to both parties. My parents achieved that. Among places I can suggest (it’s a pretty unusual list) are:

Disneyland/Disneyworld
Even if you are a cynical adult, you have to admit that you have a soft spot for the Magic Kingdom. It’s because the memories you forged there as a child were so good it’s ingrained in you forever. Why not do it for your kids? You can ride the teacups, the cable cars, Magic Mountain, among others. The “It’s A Small World” ride still appeals to me even as an adult. Older children may like the thrill (or mini heart attack) that the Twilight Zone ride gives. You can watch the parade on Main Street and then the light and fireworks show later on. It’s reliving your childhood while sharing it with your children. Win-win.

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Universal Studios
I’d go have a future family vacation in Universal if only to hear E.T. say my name once again (note: The E.T. ride is now only available in Universal Studios Florida). Any of the Universal Studios locations are good picks. You can interact with your children and explain to them what that talking car was about or why there is a giant shark with its mouth open. If you are a movie-watching family, this place will really keep kids entertained.

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Las Vegas
Yes, you read that right. As a child, I loved Las Vegas. I loved seeing the lights. I loved eating as much mashed potatoes as I wanted. I loved winning tickets and exchanging them for prizes. My parents utilized the Midway to keep kids happy while they sat on slots. Of course it wasn’t all about fun and games. Las Vegas has a lot of shows and I’ve watched many great magic shows and circus acts as a child. Cirque du Soleil is breathtaking to watch no matter what age you are.

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Historic Places
Personally I think these are great places for kids to visit because they’ll actually be in places most people would only read about in books. It also helps that you are interested in things like that because children will ask questions. My parents took us to the Statue of Liberty and I never saw it the same way again. My parents took us to see the pyramids up close, which would mean I was horseback riding in the Sahara. How many children can say they’ve been to Egypt? These kinds of places are a great way to teach your kids something else aside from the usual school stuff.

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The Beach
Come on, you’re going on a vacation, might as well go to the beach right? The beach is all kinds of perfect, and resorts have all sorts of activities planned for both adults and kids, or even the family as a whole. The children can play on the sand while you relax and sip your drink. You can try something new and get surfing lessons and what-not.

See? A family vacation isn’t that hard to plan. You don’t need to stress about it. Just remember, enjoy yourself and take photos. Take lots of photos.

I Will Travel To Mexico… Soon

Why would anyone not want to go to Mexico? It has beaches, it has art, it has historical sites, it has great food, the people are fun, and the list goes on and on and on. I’ve long been planning a visit to our neighbors to the south, and several travel shows, travel books, and reading about traveling to Mexico all this time, I think I have figured out my itinerary.

I’m going to be alone and it’s going to be my first time there so I know I’m bound to go to some known tourist destinations. I don’t mind this at all. And besides, I want to somehow “discover” the country. It’s going to be like The Amazing Race minus the stress of racing. Get ready, because this is gonna be grand (at least in my head it is).

Since I’m gonna be landing in Mexico City, my first days will be spent exploring the city on foot, eating authentic, authentic, authentic Mexican food, people watch at their enormous plazas, and visit the Catedral Metropolitana (the largest church in Latin America). I also want to see the Templo Mayor, which is a remnant of Aztec architecture right smack in the middle of the city. And of course I have to go to the Frida Kahlo museum. I have to admit I primarily wanted to go to Mexico for that.

Next stop on my itinerary is Oaxaca. Ah, Oaxaca. I once watched a feature on the state and it featured Oaxaca’s finest product: Chocolate! All the more reason to travel to Mexico, right? I’d want to go to a chocolate tour, eat mole perhaps, then settle down and enjoy the laidback vibe, the architecture, maybe do a bit of shopping if I hadn’t already done so back in the big city. And then go back and have another hot chocolate. I can feel it. Oaxaca’s gonna be divine.

After spending my first days exploring decidedly urban places (well, Oaxaca can’t really be described as urban but they have a lot of people so you get what I mean?) I think it would be time to head to the beach now. The beach is where I’m going to spend the few days I have left on the country and will probably take over my budget because I booked myself on a 3-day, 2 night stay in Puerto Vallarta. I really meant to end my travel to Mexico big time and by the time those 3 days are over, I’ll probably be itching to start my vacation again.

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Vacationing in Paris during the off season

You’ve seen the pictures. You’ve dreamed of Paris. So now that you’ve decided that you want to do it, what are the steps to making your Parisian wishes come true?

First of all, realize that from the first of November through the end of March, Paris is slow therefore there aren’t a lot of things going on. Many attractions and tours are either closed or have limited times and hours. The only real busy times are the holidays like Easter and Christmas. So if you’re planning a Christmas vacation to Paris, book your airlines and hotels as far in advance as possible.

It’s a good idea to check with a travel agent to find out their recommendations but another popular option is to search online to find the most up to date information for booking your off season Paris vacation.

One of the huge benefits about visiting Paris during the winter times are the lack of visitors – so, many times you can visit monuments and attractions in Paris that would otherwise be so crowded that you might not enjoy it as much as you could.

There are a number of very unique Paris attractions that you might enjoy. For instance, the Conciergeries.

The Conciergeries is the prison in Paris. It is located over the waters around Paris and has a fascinating history. The Conciergeries was originally the palace where the French kings lived. They then relocated to the Palace Louvre, and the, in the late 1300’s, the palace became Paris’ first (and only) prison. The conciergeries is located on the Island Cité, near Notre Dame (another place well worth visiting, along with the Sainte-Chapelle).

The Conciergeries became notoriously popular in the 1700’s during the French Revolution where many men and women were put to death in the prison.

The Conciergeries is part of the Palais de Justice which is still used today for much of Paris’ judicial business. The Palais de Justice also played a crucial role during the French Revolution because prisoners were detained here as they left the Concorde Squares before they were beheaded.

Paris has a wide array of attractions. During Christmas however, most of the activities are relaxed with the exception of Christmas activities. During this time, you will enjoy shopping, and strolling the beautiful city of Paris. To learn more visit your travel agent or go online to check out travel services.

Traveling with Teenagers & Kids

He rolls his eyes. She pouts. And you wonder whatever happened to the kid who couldn’t wait to go on vacation. What happened is that child turned into a teenager. Teens are often difficult to please and as a parent you probably understand this. Heading out on a vacation with teens can be an experience that you don’t want to remember. Many times a teen will become bored and unhappy. This is why it’s important to pick a destination that your teenager will enjoy.

When you’re selecting a destination, see if it’s geared toward your teenager. Perhaps there are video games – but make sure that your teen enjoys the activities that are there. Also, will your teen enjoy the available activities?

Amusement and theme parks are perhaps a good destination for your teenager. Some possibilities are Disneyland, Six Flags and Orlando Studios. Some of these resorts even offer onsite camping (which will reduce the cost of the vacation.)

Some teens might enjoy such adventures as white water rafting or mountain biking. There are white water rafting vacations offered in Colorado, Idaho, Utah and West Virginia. If you’re interested in a white water rafting vacation, take a look at your child’s age, athletic ability and age. If your family is inexperienced, then book a guided white water rafting tour.

Another vacation possibility for teenagers is a cruise ship. Since cruises are offered all over the world, this gives you the ability to vacation throughout the world in a safe, carefree way. Many cruises are geared and emphasize families and offer onboard activities that appeal especially to teenagers. There are video games, movies, swimming, dancing and even rock climbing.

There are cities throughout the world who cater to tourists and have a lot of available activities. These cities include Hollywood, Paris, New York and London. Often there are events and attractions that might be appealing to your teen.

When planning your vacation with your teenager, it’s important to figure out what your teen and your family enjoys. Consider asking your kids what they would like to do on their vacation and allow they to help plan it. This will make them not only enjoy the planning but will bring your family together and this activity will be time well spent.

Trains In Italy

Riding trains in Italy is a must-do adventure for your Italian holiday pleasure!

The people of Italy are a generous, hospitable and lively group. When you meet Italians on the street, just to ask directions, you’ll find that they are so eager to be genuinely helpful. Many do not speak English, but are quite adept at getting the message across. On a busy street in Rome, I approached a lady, to see if she could direct me to a watchmaker’s repair shop. Although she didn’t speak much English, she got me on my way, pointing the direction and counting blocks before turning.

Despite these many virtues, Italians are somewhat disorganized. Perhaps spontaneous is the better word!  Trains in Italy do suffer from infrequent, unexpected strikes, usually lasting just a day or even only hours, before resuming regular service. Whatever you may have heard, it’s still unlikely you’ll encounter one of these strikes. You must avail yourself of the adventures to be found riding the rails of the trains in Italy.

Getting a rail pass before you leave the States results in better rates. Impromptu purchases in Italy cost more, but spontaneity is a recommended part of the Italian experience. Italy is a fairly small country, and the majority of trains in Italy travel in a north-south direction, serving major towns and cities. Unlike France, with train routes virtually covering the map, trains in Italy provide convenient travel between major cities, with transfers required if you get off the main network.

Italian train stations are typically teeming with people. Allow extra time to find your platform, if you’ve got your ticket in hand. If you’re buying your ticket at the station, you may want to allow a couple of hours before your scheduled departure to accomplish the task. However, the process is highly entertaining, so just enjoy the experience. The enthusiasm of the ticket seller may seem unwarranted to some Americans, so used to efficient, snap-snap service here in the States. However, you can be sure that the ticket seller will make every effort to get you a good deal and get you where you want to go as quickly as is possible.

For your part, for best results when traveling on trains in Italy, spring for the book of European train schedules. It will prove invaluable. This book allows you to look up when and where you must be to travel from point A to point B. If you’re traveling between, say, Milan and Rome, look for the Eurostar trains, which make just a couple of brief stops, with a total trip time of just about three hours. The regular train makes stops at every little town along the way and can eat up the better part of a day out of your holiday.

When you buy your ticket, specify the Eurostar, as possible, and your final destination. You’ll get where you want to go, in the adventurous Italian style!

Train Travel In France

Traveling to France? Trains in France are a great transportation choice!

When we plan trips overseas, there’s always a need to plan your transportation needs prior to leaving the States. You can arrange car rentals and train passage after you arrive, but it then becomes a far more expensive proposition. If you buy a transportation package in the U.S., you enjoy discounts of up to half the cost of buying as you go, within Europe.

This pre-arrangement does require that you carefully consider your itinerary and know just how many days you’ll spend traveling from one place to another. Plenty of first time visitors to France arrange for a car rental her in the States, believing it will allow them more freedom and spontaneity in terms of when and where they travel during their holiday.

What you may not be aware of is the absolute excellence of the trains in France. Unlike here in America, rail travel in France is ultra-fast, lavish in comfort and accessible to all major cities, as well as the vast majority of towns and villages. The network of trains in France is amazing, well organized such that you can reach almost any destination within France with, at worst, a single transfer. The French are very particular about train schedules and it’s rare that you’ll miss your connecting train. My own experience, in two months of extensive use of the trains in France, only once resulted in a train missing its scheduled arrival.

The specific circumstances should make it clear that such an occurrence is not the norm. Approaching Pau, a small town in the south of France, the train came to a rather sudden stop. Within a few minutes, the train conductor came to tell us that, unfortunately, a cow was resting on the tracks and that we would be unable to proceed until the cow was lured off the tracks. It turned out that this process took over two hours! By the time we reached our destination in Lourdes, it was after 9pm, the station was closed and all the taxi drivers had gone home. Fortunately, we were familiar with the layout of the town and just hoofed it through the quiet, winding streets, to a hotel. No harm done. In fact, I found it quite charming that the Frenchmen had such patience with getting this cow off the tracks.

When you ride trains in France, you are pampered in comfortable seating, with a large table and attractive lamp, allowing you to read, play board games, enjoy your lunch or dinner or just kick back and watch the scenery.

There is just one feature which may surprise you when riding trains in France. The French love their dogs and its de rigeur for your pet to accompany you on the train. So how does Fifi endure for several hours without a walk around the block to do her business? She uses the train’s doggie bathroom, of course!

 

Touring the Jungles of Mexico

Touring the Mexican Jungle

 There are an almost unlimited number of activities while you’re vacationing in Mexico.  There are the pristine beaches with their aquatic activities, there are the resorts with their spas, pools and restaurants there is shopping for inexpensive jewelry – and then there are some of the lesser known activities.  For instance, touring the jungles of Mexico.  To many who prefer these kinds of adventures, this sounds more adventurous and fun.

Mexican jungle tours are a well-kept secret however there has been an increase in popularity due to the adventurous aspect.  One of the reasons that jungle tours have been gaining in popularity is that they have now become accessible by ATV.

The density of most Mexican jungle terrain makes it impossible to tour by bus or car.  Hiking and biking in a jungle is often too dangerous.  Therefore, with the increased popularity of ATVs (all terrain vehicles) this is an ideal way to take a fun and exciting jungle tour. 

Although ATV rentals are available, if you’re interested in a jungle tour, it’s important to schedule through a tour guide or company.  The professional tour guides know where to look and what exciting things to show you and they also know how to keep you safe.  You can find ATV jungle tours through your hotel concierge, through your travel agent or even research on the internet.

While researching ATV jungle tours, it is likely that you will come up with a number of tour companies.  When selecting a tour guide, it is advised that you determine the location of each tour and then compare it to your intended Mexico destination.  ATV jungle tour guides are popular, but they can only be found in limited areas.  If you are interested in scheduling an ATV jungle tour, you may have to be prepared to travel to the intended tour site.

While Mexican jungle tours on ATVs are popular, they aren’t the only tours that you can take while on vacation.  You can also rent an ATV and ride along the coast.  But prior to anything make sure that you know whether reservations are required.  Research the tour company to make sure that their vehicles are well maintained.  The internet is a great place to start and, in fact, many companies offer such incentives as discounts for booking over the internet and also a “flex” reservation which allows you to decide when you’re on your vacation, the day that you’d like to go.  This is great in the case of inclement weather.

You should also look at tour packages that allow you to schedule multiple activities, such as hiking, fishing and ATV tour all in one package for one price.

Touring Disneyland

Take a Disneyland Tour

If you love Disneyland or have never been there before, you might want to consider taking a Disneyland tour.  Currently there are four tours that you can choose from and you’re required to have a paid admission to take the tours.  You also should make a reservation for any tours that you want to take.

The “Discover the Magic Tour” is probably the most popular of the four tours available.  You’ll be working alongside popular Disney characters to hunt for treasure as you fine clues.  You can live out a Disneyland fantasy and outsmart the bad guys.  The tour includes lunch and a give that is exclusive to the tour.  The three hour “Discover the Magic Tour” costs $49.00 each with a two ticket minimum (and each additional ticket is $39.00).  The age range for this tour is 5-9 years old and adults.  It’s not appropriate for children under 5 or kids in strollers.

For adults (not appropriate for children) who love Disneyland and Disneyland history, there’s the VIP tour.  The cost is $75.00 per hour, for up to 10 people.  This tour must be booked well in advance or there’s an additional $20.00 fee. 

Are you going to Disneyland for the first time?  Then the “Welcome to Disneyland Tour” is perfect for you.  This two and a half hour tour has many benefits including tips and suggestions, priority seating at one of the stage shows and one of the restaurants, two bonus FastPass tickets, a history of the park and much more.  The cost of the tour is $25.00 per person.

Have you ever wondered what Walt Disney envisioned for his company and park?  Then you can’t miss “A Walk in Walt’s Footsteps” which focuses on Walt Disney’s vision.  This tour is filled with trivia and history about Disneyland, lasts for more than 3 hours and costs $49.00 per person.  It’s not suitable for small children.  A highlight of the tour is a tour of the exclusive restaurant Club 33. 

If you’re planning on visiting Disneyland (especially if this is your first time) then considering taking a Disneyland tour – where you’ll discover new and wonderful things about the “happiest place on earth.”

The World’s Five Largest Hotels

Travel and sleep in the 5 biggest hotels in the world

 

 

Super-size me…Occasionally we just want to go bigger because we think it’s better.  This matters in fast food and sometimes it even has to do with hotels. 

 

Have you ever wondered about those huge mega-hotels around the world?  Well here is a breakdown of the world’s 5 largest hotels.

 

The Ambassador City Jomtien is the largest hotel in Asia.  It’s located in Thailand and boasts a 40-acre beach surrounded by mountains of green forests.  The hotel is just 10 minutes by boat from Pattaya, yet it’s worlds away from the hussle and bustle of the city.  The hotel has a sports and tennis center as well as the largest swimming pool in Asia.  This hotel has 5,100 guest rooms and suites.

 

The next four largest hotels in the world are located all in one city…you guessed it…Las Vegas.  The MGM Grand Hotel and Casino is the largest hotel in North America with 4 thirty story towers.  There is a large gold lion outside with live lions inside the hotel.  The hotel also boasts two food courts and nine restaurant.  The MGM Grand has 5,005 guest rooms and suites.

 

Would you like to travel to Egypt but don’t have the time?  Then try the world’s third largest hotel, also located in Las Vegas…The Luxor Hotel and Casino.  The tower house and pyramid have 4,408 guest rooms and suites.

 

The Mandalay Bay hotel in Las Vegas is the 4^th largest hotel in the world.  This hotel has a very popular night club and has also held concerts, museums, and an aquarium as well as numerous restaurants.  The Mandalay Bay has 4,341rooms.

 

And finally, if you love Italy but it’s just too far away, you can visit The Venetian.  Starting out with a replica of St. Mark’s Square, you can experience Italy with it’s gondola rides and strolling musicians.  The Venetian also has the largest standard rooms with an average of 700 square feet per room.  The Venetian Hotel has 4,049 guest rooms and suites.

 

Take Care While You’re Traveling

It was 4:00 am when my phone rang waking me out of a sound sleep and shooting my heart into the stratosphere.  I immediately knew that something must have happened to my elderly parents who were traveling with my brother and sister-in-law on a dream vacation through Greece, Egypt, Israel and Italy.

Sure enough, it was an international call from my mother – upset, flustered and not a little angry.

She had given her wallet to my father to hold while on a crowded subway in Rome.  Despite her warnings, Dad had ignored her, and choosing to believe that nothing could ever happen, he’d placed her wallet, containing driver’s license, 7 credit cards, 5 traveler’s checks and about $100 in his cargo pant’s pocket. 

One bump, one quick swish and sure enough, she lost everything. 

“But mom” I questioned as my brain begged for coffee in order to comprehend what she was saying…”didn’t Dad have a money belt?”  I know you got one.

“Well yes…but you know your father, he didn’t like wearing it and didn’t think anything would happen.”

“OK – so what do you need me to do?  Do you need money?”

“Well, I need you to call the credit card companies and cancel our cards…and the bank about the traveler’s check…oh, and can you call the DMV also…?”  Suddenly my already packed day just became a little more hectic as visions of spending hours on the phone, pushing the silly buttons to get through the automated voices started through my head.

“Sure mom, of course I will…” (Gritting my teeth). 

Fortunately, she had the numbers all in one place because we’d planned ahead in case something like this happened and making the most out of the situation was a relatively simple thing.

Unfortunately, this could also have been prevented if some very simple steps had been followed.

1. It CAN happen to you.  Don’t ever believe that just because you believe you’re a savvy traveler or it doesn’t happen at home that you won’t be targeted.  My father is in his late 70’s and was the perfect target for a pickpocket.  There was clearly a bulge in the shape of a wallet in his cargo pants and it was only a matter of a moment before my mom’s wallet disappeared.
2. Travel lightly. Never carry more than you need to.  7 credit cards, 5 traveler’s checks and a driver’s license, etc.?  My parents were out for a day’s tour in Rome.  There was never a reason to carry that many credit cards.  The hotel where they were staying provided a safe for tourists and they easily could have taken 1 or 2 cards and left the rest in the hotel. 
3. Wear your money belt.  A money belt is a small, lightweight nylon bag that goes under your shirt and around your waist.  Certainly it’s less comfortable than not wearing it however it’s much less trouble than a phone call back to the States at 4:00 am. 
4. Be aware of your surroundings. This goes without saying.  You must always be aware of who is sitting next to you.
5. Prior to leaving, make a list of the numbers and types of credit cards, — providing a photocopy to someone you trust.  Because I insisted that my mother give me information, it was a simple task to retrieve the information from my safe and call the credit card companies who immediately cancelled the cards and replaced them – even offering to overnight them the hotel in Rome.

 

By simply following a few simple rules, nearly all petty crimes can be avoided – or at least minimized.  You’re on vacation – you’re there to have fun however you need to travel smart.  Travel should be fun if you a careful.

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