Tips for Travel With Friends Part 3

In our first two parts of the series on traveling with friends, we covered preparing for a trip with friends and going on a trip with friends.  Now, we will cover what to do after your trip is over and you are back home.

• Plan a Get Together – The first thing that you want to do when the trip is over is to plan a get together.  Plan it for a couple of weeks after your trip. This will give you time to get your pictures developed or printed out, if you have a digital camera.   Plan a time when you can all get together and have dinner together at someone’s house.
• Organize Your Photos – The second thing that you want to do is to get your photos organized. If you think that your friends would like copies of pictures you have taken, make sure that you have extra copies.  Even if you think that they have similar photos, make them copies anyway. Your pictures might be better than the ones they have.
• Get Together – Finally, get together and share your stories. Now is a good time to share the adventures that you had when you weren’t together and take a look at the pictures that you have taken. It will be a great time to remember where you went together and the fun times that you had.  This is also a good time to figure out if you want to do this on an annual basis.

Traveling with friends can be a lot of fun when you have everything organized and all of you are a part of the planning. Some of the best vacations are taken with friends; and the time that you spend are memories that can  ast you a lifetime and that you can look back on fondly.

May Destination Spotlight – Mexico

Welcome to the month of May. This month, we will be exploring the wonders of Mexico. We’ll explore the best places to go, the best places to stay, and everything there is to see and do in this beautiful country. If you are planning a trip to Mexico this summer, or you are interested in learning more about Mexico, then this is the blog to follow.

We will explore the culture, the sights to see, the festivals and holidays, and anything else that you can think of.  Want to know where to shop? Want to know where to go to the beach? Want to know where to get the best food? Everything will be revealed this month.

So sit back and relax as we delve into the country of Mexico.  To avoid missing one of our posts, why not subscribe to our blog?

Tips for Travel With Friends Part 2

In our first part of the series on traveling with friends, we discussed preparing for the trip.  This is the second post in the three part series about traveling with friends. This post will cover what to do while you are on your vacation to make it enjoyable for everyone and allow everyone to do what they want to do.

• Choose Car Wisely- When you’re choosing your rental car, think about how many people are going and how much luggage you have.  Something like convertible might be fun, but is it practical for the size of your group?
• Split Driving Responsibility – If you are taking a road trip, make sure that you switch drivers every couple of hours.  A good time to do this is when you stop for bathroom or food breaks.  Everyone should take a turn driving, unless they are under age or they have a physical condition which makes it hard for them to drive.
• Spend Time Alone – Even if you are with the best of friends, it’s always a good idea for everyone to spend some time alone. This gives them the chance to do things that the other friends might not want to do. Besides, it gives you a chance to share different experiences with friends and tell them about your adventure.  If you are traveling with just friends, this is just as important as if there are two or three couples on the trip.
• Have Bonding Time – Do something special together, the three of you. This could be something like going to a spa and having a massage. This is especially important if you are going on a coed trip. The guys can go out to fish or play golf and the women can do something fun together.

These tips will help you to get the most out of your trip while you are away.  Tomorrow, our final part in the series will talk about what to do when the trip is over and help the fun continue!

Tips for Travel With Friends Part 1

With high school and college graduation coming up right around the corner, there will be many friends who are taking trips together.  This can be a wonderful time for everyone involved, or it can lead to a lot of problems. This is the first in a three part series which covers some tips that can make things much easier for the whole group and that will help to avoid any awkwardness.

• Plan ahead – The first thing that you have to do is sit down and figure out the logistics of payment.

1. Who is going to pay for the hotel room? Who is going to pay for the rental car?
2. How are they going to be paid back and when is payment expected? How will things like groceries and gas be handled?
3. For restaurants, will you be getting checks separately or will you divide it evenly throughout?
4. How will expenditures be tracked?

• Share in planning – Assign each person a task for planning the vacation so that everyone has a fair share. One person could research restaurants; another one can research activities, another research shopping. This way, everyone has a say and everyone can enjoy the vacation.
• Know Your Accommodations – Before you go, know what the sleeping arrangements will be in the hotel room or condo where you will be staying. For example, if you are staying in a condo, usually the master bedroom is the one with a big bed and its own bath, while other bedrooms have the shared bath and two beds.  If this you’re staying at the condo, know ahead of time who will get what and for how long. If you are staying in a hotel room, consider having a cot brought in to avoid awkwardness if need be.
• Put it in Writing – Any plans that you make for your trip together put it in writing and have everyone sign it. This way everyone knows where they stand and what was agreed upon before the trip.

These are the tips for planning a trip with friends. The next part of this series will cover the trip.

All Inclusive Handy Honeymoon Packing Checklist

So the wedding is almost here and your honeymoon is planned.  Now the two of you have to make sure that you are packed with everything that the two of you need to have a wonderful honeymoon. So here is the master list – everything that you should have in your luggage.

Necessities

• Airline tickets or a confirmation from Internet
• Visas/passports/drivers licenses
• Credit cards(only the ones you absolutely need)
• Fax confirmations for theater/hotel reservations
• Traveler’s checks
• Two photocopy sets of everything above, plus any insurance(medical and trip) and prescriptions.
• Phone numbers for any pet/house sitter, doctor, and companies for your credit cards in case the cards are stolen or lost.
• Prescription medication, contained in your original bottle
• Birth control
• ID tags and travel locks for your luggage
• Camera

For the Bride – tweak as needed

• 1 pair of khakis or jeans(for airplane and cold airports)
• 1 pullover or light jacket(preferably one that has the ability to be tied around your waist or put into a backpack.)
• 1 nice looking sundress
• 1 all important sexy black dress
• 1 cardigan for cool restaurants
• 4 casual shirts, like tank tops, button down shirts, and t-shirts.
• 2 pairs of shorts
• 2 swimsuits(a one piece for any water activities, bikini for beach
• 1 cover-up for swimsuit
• 1 pair sandals/walking shoes
• 1 pair evening shoes
• 1 fancy purse
• Extra underwear and socks
• Bras
• Accessories
• Sexy lingerie

For the Groom

• 1 pair khakis or jeans
• 1 nice pair of slacks
• 1 pullover or light jacket
• 4 t-shirts –
• 2 pairs of shorts
• 2 button down shirts with short sleeves or polo shirts
• 1 sport jacket
• 1 swimsuit
• 1 pair sandals/walking shoes
• 1 pair sneakers
• Extra underwear and socks

Pack, don’t purchase items

• Insect spray
• Lip balm and sunscreen
• Sunglasses
• Hat for sun
• Aloe-vera
• Bandaids
• Pain reliever
• Antacid
• Diarhhrea relief
• Motion sickness relief
• Pads/tampons – hope you don’t need them but just in case
• Playing cards
• Paperbacks
• Bag for pool or beach
• Guidebook
• Electrical adapter/converter if traveling overseas
• Antihistamine

Basics for the Bathroom

• Toothpaste
• Toothbrushes
• Make-up
• Deodorant
• Remover for make-up
• Brush/comb
• Shaving cream
• Accessories for contacts(solution, storage case, etc)
• Razors
• Hair spray/gel

Handy but Not Necessary

• Sewing kit
• Sealable bags for wet items
• Ponchos/umbrellas
• Extra glasses/contact lenses

In conclusion, when you are packing for your honeymoon, ask yourself, will I need this? If the answer is yes or maybe, then pack it.  It’s better to take something and not need it than to leave it and have to buy it or do without because it’s not available.

Top 5 Romantic Honeymoon Spots for You and Your Honey

Spring is here and summer is coming. With the warmer weather comes weddings, and with weddings come honeymoons. If you are someone who has a wedding coming up, then you are in luck, because this is going to tell you all about the best places to go on a honeymoon.

• Hawaii – One of the very best places to go for a honeymoon, Hawaii is prized by many couples because of the romance, the wonderful resorts, and the spectacular sights.  There’s nothing like taking a sunset stroll along the beach with your new spouse.
• Mexico – The second top spot for a honeymoon goes to Mexico. Whether you and your spouse relax on the beach, go to learn about the Mayans, go shopping, or explore canyons in a train, you will find something fun to do in Mexico.
• Jamaica – If you want passion and a nightlife that goes on and on, Jamaica is the place to go.  If you and your new spouse don’t want to be surrounded by a lot of kids, there are resorts that include everything and are just for adults. For nature loving couples, there are waterfalls and caves, and much foliage to explore.
• St. Lucia – If you and your spouse are looking for a little bit of both Britain and France, and you want some beautiful scenery, then St. Lucia is the place to go.  You can snorkel in water that is warm, clear, and blue, enjoy a tropical drink while you relax in a hammock, or tour a rain forest with a full view of the ocean.
• Bahamas – For newlyweds who are from the United States, the Bahamas are convenient as well as beautiful. The white sandy beaches of the more than 700 islands have many accommodations that will fit just about any budget, big or small.

If you are looking for a romantic location for your honeymoon, one of the above locations is your best bet.  They have everything that newlyweds are looking for – romance, beautiful scenery, and a trip you’ll never forget.

Art Lovers – Walk in the Footsteps of Monet! Visit Giverny

If you are a lover of fine art and you are visiting Giverny, France, then chances are that you will want to visit the two gardens that are there where Claude Monet did much of his painting.  So here is some information about these two beautiful and historic gardens.

Clos Normand

In 1887, when Monet settled with his family in Giverny, there was a piece of land that sloped down gently from his house down toward the road. This land was enclosed in stone walls and planted with a lovely orchard. There was an alley that was bordered with pines which separated the orchard into two separate parts. In order to please Alice, his wife, Monet had all the pines cut down and left only two yews which were near the house. The land’s divided into different flowerbeds where volume is created thanks to clumps of flowers which are different heights. Ornamental and fruit trees dominate climbing roses, hollyhocks with long stems, and vibrant annual banks. Monet himself mixed flowers like poppies and daisies with flowers that are rare. Iron arches cover the alley and allow climbing roses to grow.  The balustrade is covered by other kinds of rose trees, and summer’s end brings the invasion of the nasturtiums in the alley. Claude Monet was not one who was for a constrained or organized garden.  His flowers grew freely and according to colors.

Water Garden

In the year 1893, the neighboring piece of land was purchased by Claude Monet. This piece of land was crossed by a brook known as the Ru.  From this, Monet had the first pond created, much to the chagrin of his neighbors. Their thought was that his plants would poison their water.  The pond was later enlarged to become the large pond which is seen today, and the garden is full of curves and asymmetries. The garden itself is inspired by Japanese gardens that Monet had seen in prints. In this garden is the very well known wisteria covered Japanese bridge, weeping willows, bamboo wood, smaller bridges, and of course the nympheas which are known for blooming throughout the summer.

One might say that Claude Monet created his works of art not once but twice. He created them first in the flowers and plants he grew, and then he recreated them in his paintings.  His water garden is where he found inspiration for more than two decades.  Once he was finished his series of Japanese bridges, he devoted himself to the large decorations of Orangerie.

If you are an art lover and you love Monet, you must visit Giverny.  His spirit can truly be felt here.

6 Important Tips for Traveling Abroad with Children

A lot of times, when parents are planning their vacation, they choose to take their family to another country for vacation. Whether they go by plane, by car, or by a train, there are considerations to make and things to do so that the international vacation goes as smoothly as possible for the whole family.

Here are some tips if you are planning to take your family to another country for vacation this summer.

• Use Credit Card – One of the best things that you can do is to pay for your trip with a credit card.  Often credit cards companies give members things like insurance for medical issues and travel cancellation and other great perks.
• Check Expiration Dates – The next thing that you should do is to take a look at your passport expiration dates right when you decide you’re going on a trip.  More countries are requiring a passport now, when they didn’t require one before.  Also, check to see whether your children need passports.
• Copy Passports – The third thing to do is to make copies of all your passports and give them to someone who won’t be going on the trip. This way, if they get lost, the information is a lot more accessible through the person you gave the copy of the passports to.
• Check Immunization Requirements – Fourth, you want to make sure that you are finding out what kind of shots you and your family need before you go on your trip.
• Inquire About Visas – Next, you should ask about whether you will need a visa, even if you are going to another country for just a day.  This is especially true if you are going to someplace like Europe, where the countries are so close.
• Medications – Finally, take any over the counter medications with you because there’s no guarantee that you’ll be able to get them abroad. And if you are taking prescription medicine, take double the amount that you will need for the trip with you, and take one with you in your carryon luggage. This way you are covered if your bags get lost.

These are just a few things to remember when you are traveling abroad with children.  They are designed to help you have a less stressful trip and help everything go a lot smoother.

The Bottom Line – How Those Tips Save You At Least $200 in Disney World

In my prior post I promised you that I would tell you some numbers of how those tips are going to save you money while you are in Disney World.

Here are some final numbers for breakfast, lunch, and water alone:

Price for eating without suggestions, starting at the low end of the spectrum:

Breakfast for two adults (assuming kids eat free) – $20

Lunch for 4, at the low end of the scale (about $6 a person) -$24

Bottled water – $1.87 (at least)x 4 = $7.48 (assuming water bottles filled at fountains)

Total for breakfast, lunch, and water per day: $51.48

Total for breakfast, lunch, and water per week: $360.36

Price for eating with suggestions:

Breakfast for family in hotel: Free

Lunch for 4 of sandwiches(ham and cheese and peanut butter and jelly) $40, including bread.  This is for the whole week, may be less depending on how much is put in a sandwich.

Bottled water:  24 pack – $20-$24 for two packs.

Cooler:  $10-$20, depending on where purchased.

Locker Rental – Large $14/day with key deposit.

Total for breakfast, lunch and water per day: $23.14

Total for breakfast, lunch and water per week, including cooler and locker: $161

These prices are approximate.  They may be more or less depending on where you buy your food and water, but they are pretty close.  Look at those prices! You have just saved almost $200 just on food and water.  That can make a big difference when you are trying to save money.

As for souvenirs, I don’t have some exact figures but the prices in the parks are always more expensive than in a store, because you are paying for convenience. If you are willing to go and check out the outlets, you will find that your time is well spent. You will get the same merchandise that is available in the parks for a lower price.

5 Essential Tips for Saving Hundreds While on a Walt Disney Vacation!

For most families in the United States, one of the most sought after vacations is Disney World in Orlando, Florida.   But these days, with the way the economy is, a lot of families wonder if they can afford going to Disney World.  But going to Disney World doesn’t have to be out of your reach.   Here are some great tips on saving money when you go to Disney World.

• Go Through a Travel Agent –The first thing that you should do is to go through a travel agent. They are going to be able to get you the best deals and come up with packages that you won’t get anywhere else.
• Ask for a Hotel With Breakfast Included – The second thing that you should do is make sure that you are staying at a hotel that gives you a breakfast.  This way you will save yourself having to buy breakfast each day.
• Pack a Cooler – The third thing that you should do is to pack a lunch with you when you go into the parks.  Go to a retail store, buy a cooler, and then go to a grocery store and buy stuff for sandwiches.  Buy yourself a couple of ice packs and some bottled water that you have either frozen or kept on ice in your hotel room.  This will save you at least one meal in the park.
• Be Prepared – Next, if you are planning to go to the evening fireworks and you know that your kids are going to want to get those glow wands and necklaces, buy them ahead of time. They can often be purchased in dollar stores around the country, and you are going to pay a fraction of what you will pay in the park.
• Buy Sparingly in Parks – Finally, watch what you are spending in the parks.  Stick to things like shirts and autograph books, and buy other souvenirs in other areas. There are some great places not too far from where the Disney parks are that sells the same stuff as in the park but for much cheaper.

Interested in some approximate amounts of money you will save? Continue on to part 2!