I hope you are one of the lucky ones planning an upcoming cruise. I have now been on 15 cruises (most recently the Mediterranean on Holland America Line) and have loved every one of them! If you are wondering how to plan for your first day, from embarkation to a candle lit dinner, plan for the essential items to make it a great day. For cruise vacations, I recommend boarding the ship wearing an outfit that is appropriate for the whole day. Resort wear or basic travel pieces that can be dressed up or down are the best since they can carry you through the entire day and through multiple activities. You will likely be without your baggage for a while after boarding, until it is delivered to the cabin, so make sure you are dressed appropriately for both sunning on the deck and casual dining in the restaurants. You may also want to bring a swimsuit and sunscreen in the bag full of the necessities you carry onboard yourself so that you (or the kids) can enjoy the pool or spa right away. 

For a selection of travel-friendly clothing that will take you from sun deck to dining room, check out http://www.travelsmith.com/.

For high fashion resort wear for all ages that will take you from day into evening, check out http://www.harpersbazaar.com/fashion/fabulous-fashion/fabulous-at-every-age-november-1111.

Beach trips mean lots of water and sand. But, it is unlikely that you want to pack all that water and sand in your suitcase at the end of your vacation. Instead, start your beach trip prepared to deal with all those wet and sandy clothes, shoes, and swimsuits. If you regularly travel to the beach (or lake) you may want to consider purchasing a suitcase with specialized compartments made for dirty or wet clothes. If you do not make trips frequently enough to justify new luggage, just pack some small bags specifically for that purpose. You could bring reusable nylon bags, zip lock bags of all sizes, or re-use clean plastic grocery bags to handle those items you don’t want to put in the suitcase or trunk of the car. If you have large items, you may even want to bring along a few garbage bags to handle the bulky beach towels, swim shoes, and sandy beach toys. I always carry some zip lock bags in several sizes in my suitcase no matter where I travel. They weigh almost nothing and have proven invaluable on a variety of occasions. Save your sanity on your next trip by adding a few water-proof bags to your suitcase. Enjoy your beach vacation!

I was finishing a delicious meal at a Chinese restaurant recently and opened my fortune cookie. Believe it or not, my fortune cookie said: Take a vacation. Well, I couldn’t really ignore such a clear sign to take another trip (although I just returned a few days ago from a brief visit to Salt Lake City, Utah). So I am now planning my first trip of the summer season. We will be heading for Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park for a few days to explore the territory. I am looking forward to exploring this corner of the West and learning more about the Navajo culture while I am there. Plus, it should be interesting to see some of the landscapes that have been featured in so many movies throughout the years.  I am anticipating the unique, beautiful scenery and sharing a few great photos with all of you. I hope you are planning your summer vacation now, as well, and have something exciting to look forward to on the horizon. Remember, those summer days will pass by quickly. See this as your own happy fortune for the future, Cookie: Take a vacation!

If you are planning a summer vacation with the kids, you will want to make sure you bring along plenty of activities and distractions. The right games and toys can be invaluable when traveling with the kids. Long road trips or airport waiting areas can be made more bearable by bringing the right items. Some tips for fun distractions that work:

1. Bring a variety of games and toys (both individual activities and group activities)
2. Do not give out all of the toys at the beginning of the trip (save some for the end of the trip)
3. Consider buying inexpensive toys, books, and games at thrift stores, yard sales, or dollar stores  
4. Wrap up old toys that have been forgotten for  a while and let them select one out of a surprise “grab bag”
5. Research fun travel games that don’t require any items to play
6. Select tech toys that are age-appropriate and suitable for the child
7. Select music and videos that everyone can enjoy
8. Plan to join in on some of the games yourself
9. Let your child choose some toys themselves to bring on the trip

For more information to help you plan the ideal trip with the kids this summer

Click here for travel game books and ideas.

Click here for additional resources on traveling with children.

Enjoy your vacation with the kids by planning ahead and bringing fun games and activities for everyone. Save your sanity and enjoy your time together this summer.

I just returned from Chicago and a great visit with a great friend. We had a chance to explore her hip downtown Chicago neighborhood and it was great fun to drop in to the trendy shops, cool antique markets, and sip delicious chai tea lattes in the coffee shop. The spring weather in Chicago (including gray skies and the cold wind off Lake Michigan) made me long for a summer vacation of sunny days, warm breezes, and sandy beaches. I was ready to pack for the Caribbean as soon as I got home. But, even in tropical climes, the weather can turn cool in the evenings and the air temperature can be much cooler on the water than on land. As a result, when you are thinking about your summer vacation destination, be sure to pack the right attire.

The smart traveler knows that it is best to pack for wide variations in weather and pick some activities that can be enjoyed indoors, should the weather just not cooperate. Wondering what to pack? The correct answer is always: Layers.  Warm weather destinations can become chilly; cool mountain destinations can be surprisingly warm. Always bring a variety of clothing that can be layered comfortably and shed as the temperature rises. A t-shirt, long-sleeved shirt, and thin jacket or sweater can all be layered, if needed. Bring the right layers to wear and you will always be comfortable throughout the day.

To check out the travel weather at your summer vacation destination, visit the The Weather Channel at http://www.weather.com/.

Warmer weather reminds me that it’s time to start planning a summer vacation! The unofficial start of summer is Memorial Day, so May is the perfect time to start planning for the ideal warm weather trip.  I have a lifetime of wonderful memories of summer vacations spent camping, on road trips, exploring new cities, visiting amusement parks, or swimming at the beach. What new memories will you create this year? Whether you will be road-tripping with the whole family, planning a girlfriend beach getaway, or camping with the kids, summer vacations can bring us joy. There is nothing quite like warm days, a magical destination, and long summer nights to remind us that we really need to savor each summer season.

This month I will focus on the best tips for planning and enjoying your summer vacation. If you are looking for destination ideas, travel bargains, or trip sanity-savers I have the perfect recommendations. Join me this month as we plan for a great summer season and the ideal summer vacation.