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Cruises: The First Day

5/22/2012

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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.
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Beach Vacation Sanity Saver

5/21/2012

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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!
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Traveling with the Kids: Distraction is the Name of the Game

5/15/2012

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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.
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Packing for Summer Vacation

5/7/2012

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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/.

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THE MINIMALIST

9/25/2011

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I am packing for my cruise today. This is cruise number 15 for me and I feel like I now have my cruise packing down to both a science and an art form!  I know exactly what I need to bring and exactly what I will use.

First, and foremost, I only travel with a carry-on suitcase. I am always tempted to bring 15 pairs of shoes, as I am sure many women are tempted to do when traveling, but I resist. I know that I will live in one pair of sturdy shoes for hiking around the cities, and, I will live in one pair of cute sandals on the cruise ship. In lieu of my comfy pink fuzzy slippers, I will bring cashmere slipper socks for lounging in the room. Although the trip is 14 days, I will bring half that number of tops. I will plan to wear each shirt two different days during that time period. I find that dividing your travel days by half will give you a good idea of the number of shirts to bring. This is generally adequate, unless you are a clothes horse. The cruise ship has self-service washers and dryers, as well as, laundry service. I also limit pants to all-purpose blue or black ones, along with some capris, and a skirt. I plan to skip the formal nights in the dining room and eat elsewhere on those evenings, and, I can always dress up a skirt and top a bit for semi-formal nights in the dining room. 

If you really want to attend the formal dining evenings, you can often rent dresses through the cruise line and have them delivered to your cabin. To help things out further, I only pack items that will mix and match with everything else and are in basic colors and no-wrinkle fabrics. If you really feel the need to dress up those basic items further, then you are probably a shopper who will enjoy looking for fabulous jewelry, scarves, and other accessories to wear during the cruise. Don’t bother bringing your accessories from home and enjoy the excuse to shop—you were probably going to anyway. As a bonus, those souvenirs generally take up very little room in your suitcase at the end of the cruise. Are you a minimalist when it comes to packing? 

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Creature Comforts

9/17/2011

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I never fly with anything more than a carry-on suitcase that fits in the overhead bin and a computer case that fits under the seat.  However, if I ever do err on the side of bringing too much on a trip, it is probably for comfort items. I am a girl who likes her comfort.  For plane flights: I generally pack an inflatable neck pillow and earphones for the plane. I also bring a home-made picnic for very long flights to avoid eating poorly while traveling. For hotel stays: I bring the books I bought cheaply at the local thrift store (so I can justify dumping them anywhere at any time). I also like to bring granola bars (good for a midnight snack or quick breakfast) and a small nightlight (for the hotel bathroom). For all trips: I pack any medicines that I would want to have quick access to when far from home (bringing a few chewable Pepto tablets can be a life saver when you don’t speak the language).  I also pack a few plastic zip-top baggies of various sizes (they are extremely versatile and take no room at all).

My general rule of thumb for packing:
1)            Make sure you really need an item before it goes in your suitcase,
2)            Reconsider again whether you really need an item before it goes in your suitcase,
3)            If it is worth packing at all, bring enough for the entire length of your trip. Don’t plan on “buying more when I get there” for anything of real importance.

As a result of these self-imposed packing rules, I may pack lighter on the clothes and shoes, but heavier on the creature comforts and nice-to-haves.  I would be far more likely to eliminate an entire outfit than travel to far-flung destinations without my favorite tea to drink each morning. This has worked for me over 25+ years of traveling. Try it--you might like that comfortable feeling, too.

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    Author: 
    Dr. Deborah Wheeler

    Dr. Deborah Wheeler is a Traveler and Psychologist. She has traveled extensively around the world and knows a thing or two about "traveling right". She has been a freelance travel writer and syndicated writer. Her passion is traveling the world and researching the best places for you to visit.

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