5 Tips for Selecting a Family Tour Package for Your Next Vacation

April 24, 2013 by 5 Comments

IMG_0041A lot goes into planning a family vacation, from ordering airline tickets and booking rooms to arranging for transportation once you’re there. And it all gets more complicated when you’ve got kids in tow. It’s no longer enough to book any old room, you need to find a hotel that is reputable and clean and you have to make sure to get a non-smoking room on a non-smoking floor, not to mention enough beds to accommodate the whole family, or perhaps even adjoining rooms. And all the hassles of travel can definitely be exacerbated by having to keep track of a pack of little ones in addition to yourself. But you probably still want to play the tourist game in order to get the most out of your time away from home and work, and setting up tour packages is a great way to reduce the stress and headaches associated with seeing the sights. Here are a few tips to help you select the right ones for your family.

  1. Kid-friendly accommodations. You’re no doubt familiar with the double-decker tour buses designed to show you the skyscrapers of Times Square or the homes of Hollywood stars. But these types of open-air transport with nary a seatbelt in sight may not appeal to parents who have the safety of their children to consider. [Read more…]
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Traveling With Toddlers: 5 Things You Can’t Forget to Pack

April 15, 2013 by 4 Comments

When you hit the road or fly the friendly skies with toddlers in tow, you’re opening yourself up to
all kinds of headaches. And yet, parents pack up their kids and head off to parts unknown all the time,
regardless of the trials of traveling with children that have only recently learned to walk (and escape the
second you turn around). So while you’ll certainly want to equip them with some kind of identification
that includes a place to reach you, just in case they slip away during the security screening at the airport
(hey, it probably happens all the time), there are a few other things you’ll want to make sure to pack
when you bring your toddlers along for the trip. Here are some items that you can’t afford to forget at
home.

travel with toddlers

  1. Entertainment options. Providing each toddler with a small backpack with books and toys is not
    only a great way to keep them occupied during travel, but it can also give them a goal to focus on as
    you make your way through an airport or pack up the car. However, it can be difficult to keep track of
    myriad items for each kid. So when it comes to entertainment you really can’t beat the comprehensive
    and all-inclusive option offered by a tablet. All you have to do is preload it with child-appropriate
    movies, music, games, and books and [Read more…]
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Family Friendly Hotels in the Los Angeles Area

April 3, 2013 by 3 Comments

Ready to take the family on an exciting adventure? Try Los Angeles, California for a trip your kids will always remember! The city is packed with fun history and cinematic culture, as well as a zoo, aquarium, and even a magic fountain! If you need help finding a nice, family friendly hotel the folks at HostelBookers.com have you covered. Check out these 5 hotels perfectly suited to whole families.

HI-Los Angeles – Santa Monica Hi Hostel - LAEscape the busy streets of Los Angeles and run your feet through the sand on the beaches of Santa Monica. The HI-Los Angeles provides family accommodations in addition to a short walking distance to the oceanfront and several restaurants. If a family trip to the beach wasn’t enough, the hotel also has other fun activities to include trips to the Getty Museum and the chance to take in a Dodgers’ game. If your family enjoys a nice bike ride, the HI-Los Angeles provides bicycle rentals. Have fun while staying healthy and active on vacation. When you are back at the hotel winding down for the night, the kids can enjoy a game of pool, fun in the game room, and Internet access within the facility.

Cadillac Hotel

Cadillac HotelBecome a part of history when you sleep where film legend Charlie Chaplin resided during his summer months. The hotel is just as classic as its past, legendary resident. Sitting on the famous Venice Beach and overlooking the Pacific Ocean stop to take in the decor of the hotel before heading out to the Venice Boardwalk and sandy beach. Let the kids play in the on-site game room or pool tables while you get dressed for the day’s adventure. Although you may want them to keep the electronics [Read more…]

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Going Cross Country With the Family

March 28, 2013 by 3 Comments

Cross country road trips have become increasingly popular over the last few years, with families
looking to have fantastic adventures without breaking the budget. Road trips offer the chance for you
to really explore our great big country, maybe visit places you have ever thought of going before and
discover the best that America has to offer; they are also a great bonding experience for the parents
and children alike. You will be making memories that will ultimately last a lifetime.

road tripHowever, traveling across country can be an expensive form of travel if you have never tried it
before. When you add up your fuel costs, accommodation, food and activities, it can be equal to, or
even greater than, a trip abroad. Don’t worry though! There are some simple tips that will help you to
have the holiday that you deserve on the budget that you can afford.

Create your itinerary 2 months in advance

So once you have decided that this is the perfect trip for you, you need to start planning as this is
the best way to make sure that you can stick to your budget and still get the most from your holiday.
Look at the areas you want to incorporate into your trip. Try using Google maps as this will plot the
total distance for you. This will then give you an indicator as to the amount of fuel it will cost [Read more…]

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6 Family Friendly Pacific Northwestern Vacations to Enjoy on a Budget

March 25, 2013 by 3 Comments

Vacation budgets are slim these days, and families are looking for ways to spend some quality time and share some adventures on the cheap. If you’re intrigued by the idea of exploring the Pacific Northwest, here are a few family friendly vacation ideas that won’t break the bank but aren’t short on fun.

boat tours

Backpacking the Pacific Crest Trail

The Pacific Crest Trail is composed of multiple sections, each of several dozen miles, spanning Oregon, Northern California and Washington. All you need for a great family vacation backpacking the Pacific Coast Trail are camping gear and supplies and your adventurous spirit. If you’re not an experienced backpacker, it’s a good idea to take a guided tour.

Relax on the Oregon Coast

A camping trip to the Oregon Coast is an affordable getaway if your sole goal is relaxing and soaking in all that nature has to offer. If you’re not one for camping, there are plenty of affordable hotels in the region near to the coast.

Explore the City of Seattle

There are so many things to do in Seattle, a trip to explore the sights and sounds of this city is a fulfilling experience for many travelers. Take your family to see the Space Needle, explore the city’s many museums and [Read more…]

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Would You Go to a Family Surf Camp?

March 25, 2013 by 2 Comments

surf camp

Compared to the daily grind of work, laundry, bedtime battles and errands, sometimes I get the desperate urge to do something crazy and shake up my routine. Getting outdoors, learning new skills and playing together is a wonderful way to bring your family together and remind yourself what it’s all about.

Surfing can be intimidating – especially for those who didn’t grow up near a beach – but facing your fears to try something unexpected can be hugely rewarding. Friendly surf schools offer camps and day lessons for families, children and teenagers.

Here’s your chance to brush off that New Year’s Resolution to try new things, as we take a look at three of our favorite surf schools for families.

Conil, Andalucía, Spain: Surfcamp Spain

If you really need to brush away the cobwebs, a trip to your closest coast might not cut it; thankfully, a laid-back week at Surfcamp in the south of Spain is revitalising and out of the way of Europe’s worst summer crowds. Conil is a picturesque village perched on the famous Atlantic coast of the Andalucía region, and Surfcamp offers 5-day camps specially designed so families can learn together. If you don’t want to stay at one of the popular beach resorts in the area, the school even offers lodging in apartments and houses near the beach. The week-long course costs 120 Euros per person, not including accommodation.
[Read more…]

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5 Alternatives To An African Safari Adventure

March 14, 2013 by 1 Comment

If you’re a seasoned explorer, or just not interested in a vanilla safari adventure, you may be looking
for alternative ways to enjoy Africa. Many tourists are drawn to this continent, year in, year out,
for the raw, untouched wilderness. Instead of going to zoos and safari parks, people want to see
magnificent creatures in their natural habitat. When you can do this in luxury too, what’s stopping
you?

Instead of embarking on the traditional safari experience, try something a little different with the
following suggestions:

Wild Walking

Cooped up in a safari Land Rover, you can definitely cover distance, but can you truly experience
Africa? Wild walking is a great way to get some exercise and enjoy a sensory ramble. Hike-haters
won’t buckle on this journey either – there’ll be plenty of stops and much to see. Sitting on a seat is
not quite the same as pounding African soil and quietly stalking exotic creatures.

Drive Yourself

Are you a fan of road trips? Put the power back into your hands (and your car engine) and drive
around Africa at your own leisure. With plenty of B&Bs by the coast or small guest farms, you won’t
be stuck for a place to stay.

Picnic in the great outdoors and enjoy an unscheduled tour of Africa [Read more…]

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Caribbean Travel with Kids – Simple Tips for Success

March 4, 2013 by Leave a Comment

Many families will instinctively rule out the idea of taking the kids on a far-
flung holiday to Cuba, for no reason other than they’ve come to believe it
wouldn’t be appropriate. Sadly however this is something of a classic case of
jumping to conclusions without any real knowledge of the matter, as in reality a
trip to exotic shores with the whole family can be a quite unique delight.

It’s another one of those situations whereby you’ll only ever hear of the horror
stories arising when things have gone terribly wrong – folk are generally
less likely to share their experiences or make headline news when all went
as planned. So, in the spirit of fair balance it really is about time that the
subject was clarified and approached from a rather more positive and realistic
standpoint – the following tip representing all there is to know about planning
and taking a truly wonderful trip to far-flung shores with the kids in-tow:

Before Booking

Research the available options thoroughly and bear in mind that every island
in the Caribbean offers a uniquely different experience and atmosphere. Some
are cultural meccas, some and throbbing party-scenes and others are practically
deserted, so be sure to opt for one that has something on offer for all the family.
[Read more…]

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