Thursday, May 22, 2014

SUPER WAYS TO ENJOY YOUR TRAVEL ENDEAVORS MORE


by Clay Larroy

There is both stress and excitement when it comes to traveling. The beneficial travel advice in the following article is here to help you have a successful trip.

Shopping

If you know that you are going to have a long layover in a city, check what there is to do beforehand. A 3 hour layover in Washington D.C. can easily turn into a quick tour of the Washington Mall or a long sit in Minneapolis can become a quick shopping trip to the Mall of America!


If you plan to go shopping for clothes while abroad, research that area's measurement system. Garment measurements vary greatly from country to country. They also vary greatly from brand to brand. However, a basic knowledge of their clothes sizes will help you get in the ballpark as far as finding a size that fits you, if possible try on clothes in a dressing room.  

A great tip for traveling is to go shopping for snacks and drinks for your lodging place in your hometown. This saves hundreds of dollars over the course of your travels because every time you stop to sleep in a hotel, the multiple trips to vending machines and the store located in the hotel that has frozen dinners and soups will leave you with a lighter wallet.

Protect your liquids from spilling when you travel with a homemade bottle stopper. Before screwing the cap on your travel-sized toiletries, cover the top with a small piece of plastic removed from a plastic shopping bag. This will both protect your clothes from the liquid and keep the liquid inside its container.

Shopping for airline tickets online isn't always the best deal. In general, you will find the same price by buying online as you will from the airline itself or from agencies. At times you can find great airline deals online but they are limited and contain restrictions. If you don't mind the limits, buying your tickets online may be for you.

From a trip of a few miles to a voyage around the world, travel offers many different possibilities. The tricks and tips provided here will help you have a safe trip which you'll remember forever.


“One's destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things.” 
― Henry Miller

Live Life and Travel to create marvelous memories!


Tuesday, May 20, 2014

RELAX AND ENJOY NATURE WITH THESE CAMPING TIPS


by Clay Larroy

It is hard to dispute the immense enjoyment people from so many walks of life derive from camping. To truly maximize your next camping adventure, you will need to possess a good number of valuable tricks and tips. The article that follows is chock full of useful information sure to help make your time in the great outdoors a huge success.

Children

When you are traveling with children, give them the opportunity to assist you when you get to the campground. They can carry gear, support you as you set up the tent and look for firewood. Not only will it keep them busy and out of trouble, it will be fun for them as well.

Particularly, if you have children, you need to consider what to do if you have inclement weather one day. Gather together a few supplies to have on hand in case you need to stay in your tent. Bring a board game, play doh and art supplies. Don't let your family members touch these items until it rains so that they don't lose their appeal.


If you are traveling with children, consider staying at a campground that is specifically designated for families. Campers in these areas know what to expect and will not have an issue if you have a cranky toddler or your children want to run around, scream and play. You will probably be more relaxed as a result and have a better time.

When you're going to take some kids with you on your camping trip, educate them on the dangers that camping can bring with it. Make sure they understand what poison ivy looks like, to stay away from wild animals and to carry a light if they are walking around at night.


The array of individuals who enjoy camping is surprisingly diverse. The common link that connects all experienced, skilled campers is their advanced level of knowledge on the topic. Heed the recommendations contained in the piece above, and you can join the ranks of seasoned campers who find the experience to be among the very best on earth.

“It always rains on tents. Rainstorms will travel thousands of miles, against prevailing winds for the opportunity to rain on a tent.” 
― Dave Barry

Live Well, Laugh Often, and Travel Much!

Wednesday, May 14, 2014

GOING ON VACATION? CHECK OUT THESE TIPS BEFORE BOOKING YOUR HOTEL!


by Clay Larroy

Are you anxious about your vacation? Do you have your destination picked out but not your hotel? If you are putting off making reservations because you aren't sure how to choose your accommodations, you need to keep reading. This article has advice that will help you pick your vacation hotel.

To accommodate a small family without having to pay for more than one hotel room, look for a location that offers suites. Often the rates are competitive with single-room rates at other hotels, but the addition of a living area (and a fold-out bed) means that more of you can sleep comfortably.

After you check prices for hotels online, call the hotel's direct number. Sometimes you can get a better price when you reserve directly through the hotel rather than through the company's website or toll-free number. In addition, you can make any special requests during this call, such as requesting a quiet room or a crib.

When planning a vacation, be sure to make all of your hotel reservations well in advance. In this way, you can lock in lower rates. If you have some flexibility regarding when you take your vacation, be sure to find out about off season rates. Very often, the rate you pay in non-peak times of year is significantly lower.

When going on a trip, it is a good idea to book a vacation package instead of booking each service separately. While it may seem like you are spending a lot more money at once, the reality is that you will be getting a cheaper hotel stay than you would otherwise.



If you are a member of a frequent flyer program or travel a lot, try joining a hotel loyalty program. You can earn points and use them toward your upcoming stays. You can also gain airline miles if the hotel is a partner of a frequent flier program. Check the airline or hotel website to see what you're qualified for.

Look into club-level rates. While these rooms are more expensive up front, they typically offer a great value. For example, included in the price could be breakfast or dessert, Wi-Fi service or other perks, like drinks and snacks. See what is offered and decide if the extra cost is worth it to you.

Now that you know something about choosing a hotel, go make your reservations. That will be one more thing you can cross off your list. This vacation may just be the best one you ever take. Enjoy it, and remember what you've just learned the next time you plan a vacation.
Live Life and Travel to create marvelous memories!


Saturday, May 10, 2014

TIPS ON HOW TO PICK THE BEST LUGGAGE FOR YOUR VACATION


by Clay Larroy

Travel can be a lot of fun and there are so many ways you can improve upon your traveling plans. Whether you need cheaper transportation or better places to stay so that you can better enjoy your trip, take a look at the tips below to help you plan a better trip.

Cruise

If you're going on a cruise, pack a highlighter in your luggage! There are tons of activities that go on during the cruise and most of the time you'll get a nice little newsletter that details what's going on and where. You can use your highlighter to mark which ones you want to do, and save yourself some headaches.

If you're going on a cruise with your family, pack along some Walkie-talkies. Cruise ships are basically floating cities and it's very easy to get separated. Walkie-talkies can help everyone keep in touch, especially if you don't get cell phone reception or if you're out of the country and don't want to pay heavy international charges.

If you are planning a long cruise, consider selecting a cruise line that offers self-service laundry. This will reduce the amount of laundry you need to bring along when you pack, and is also significantly cheaper than asking the ship's crew to do your laundry for you. Longer cruises require more clothing, so a laundry is very useful.


When going on a cruise, wear your room key around your neck, on a lanyard or similar item. Losing your room key on a cruise ship can cost you greatly, not only in money, but in lost time. Keeping your key with you wherever you go can insure that you, and your belongings, will be safe.

One of my favorite ways to visit new places is to travel by cruise ship. I board the ship and settle into my cabin, leaving most of my stress and worries behind on dry land. On board a cruise ship you will have 24 hour access to some of the finest food you will ever taste. There are nightly shows and many shore excursions to choose from. If simple rest and relaxation is what you're looking for, you can opt to spend your day laying by the pool, sipping on your favorite drink, and reading.

Traveling can be a very exciting experience and you can see and learn about new places. You may already have some knowledge on how to plan a trip, but you can always improve your travel plans. No matter your reasons, hopefully the tips above gave you some ideas on what you can do to enjoy your trip even more.

Live a Better Life Travel Often!


Tuesday, May 6, 2014

DITCH EXPENSIVE TRAVEL AGENTS WITH THIS HOTEL ADVICE


by Clay Larroy

Every once in a while during your life, you may need to get a hotel. What should you look for in a hotel that's supposed to be good? Well, the answer is in this article. It will help you to understand this matter so it's a good idea to read along.

If you've left amenities at home, ask the front desk. Often you won't need to go out to buy things like toothpaste and toothbrushes. The front desk typically has the staples available to customers at no cost whatsoever. Sure it's only a few dollars saved, but every dollar counts.

To keep your drinking water clean in a hotel room, rinse out your drinking glasses, even if there is a paper cover or a plastic wrapping around it. Dust and debris from the plastic can settle in the glass, leading to an unpleasant first sip. Taking the time to rinse it out will make your experience better.



To help your family get into the hotel as comfortable as possible when you are pulling in for a late-night checking, pull the car under the porte cochere, and leave the engine running while you go inside to check in. Even if you don't get lucky enough to get to have a room close to the front and have to drive to another entrance, this minimizes the traipsing that they have to do.

To save a little bit of money on the cost of your hotel room, whether you are booking over the phone or online, see if there is a discount for paying at the time of booking rather than waiting to pay at checkout. Often this can make the difference between queen and king beds, or between a room and a suite.

Checking online is the best way to find a good price and get the information that you need about hotels. A lot of the time, when you book a room with someone, they'll tell you there aren't any online discounts. So, it's up personally to you to go searching for such discounts.

This article has now shown you what to look for when you're thinking of getting a hotel. Sometimes you will find that a few of the tips can help, or all of them are going to. Either way, you should know what you're doing when a hotel is what you need.
Travel and create wonderful memories for your family!