A family getaway is the perfect chance to unwind and reconnect with loved ones away from the distractions of daily life. However, peak travel times like Memorial Day and Fourth of July weekend are some of the busiest times of the year, which can mean limited options. Booking travel early not only gives you more time to get excited leading up to your trip — it gives you more time to plan, helping take some of the stress out of family vacation. Learn how to plan your getaway today by reading the full Medium article here.
A little planning will ensure your next road trip with one or more children will be happy and safe, no matter where you’re going. Enjoy your road trip with the family using these seven tips, and you will all be safer and happier - and you and your kids may even have fun along the way!
(BPT) - Whether the length of your drive is three hours or 30 minutes, it can seem an eternity with a bored child in the car. A little planning will ensure your next road trip with one or more children will be happy and safe, no matter where you’re going. Here's how you and your kids can stay safe and enjoy the journey almost as much as the destination. 1. Factor in time for pit stops Don’t try to crush a several-hour driving marathon to get there quickly. Children need frequent breaks to use the restroom, have a healthy meal — and release their pent-up energy. Look for signs of restlessness and stop before kids get too out of sorts. When you stop, find a safe spot where your kids can stretch their legs and run around a little. If they’re sluggish, organize a quick game of tag or catch, or encourage them to do a jumping-jack competition. If frequent stops are making you later than expected, call ahead to let people know you’re off schedule. Better to take your time and arrive safe and happy. 2. Make sure kids stay buckled up, the whole time Help keep your kids safe by making sure your child is buckled up every time, for every ride. As older kids get restless, they may unbuckle themselves during a long drive. Make sure you’re checking periodically throughout the trip, not just when you first pull out of the driveway. After every rest stop or meal, ensure kids are buckled up before you head back on the road. 3. Bring games — and dust off your creativity Age-appropriate hand-held games and books can be good diversions for your children on long trips. Find audiobooks the whole family can listen to during the trip. Recall games you played during road trips with your parents. Did you spot license plates from different states? Say a certain word when you saw an animal or certain type of car? How about a game of I Spy? Start a guessing game like 20 Questions, or use yes-or-no questions to guess a famous person one of you thinks up. Stock up on knock-knock jokes or silly riddles to keep kids engaged with you and each other. 4. Keep kids under 13 in the back seat No matter how long your trip is, children under 13 should never sit up front, for their own safety. Car safety standards and features, like air bags, are developed and tested with adult bodies in mind. Air bags can be inflated at speeds of up to 200 to 400 mph, and because kids’ bodies are still developing, they are safest in the back seat. Additionally, most crashes impact the front of the car, and the back seat is farthest from this impact. 5. Pack healthy snacks Make sure each child has a refillable water bottle for the journey, plus healthy snacks they enjoy, like fruit, cheese sticks or yogurt. Choose age-appropriate snacks that won't be a choking hazard, so you can focus on the road. 6. Bundle up safely For the best protection in a car seat, your child's harness should fit snugly. A bulky coat can create extra space between the child and their harness, increasing risk of injury in a crash. To keep your child safe and warm on the ride, dress your child in a lighter jacket and place a blanket over the harness if needed. 7. Before you go: Check that they’re in the right seat A car crash can happen anywhere, anytime — so the right car seat for your children’s age and size is always important. Any upcoming road trip can be a good reminder to double-check that they’re in the right seat for their safety — and that it’s installed correctly. Enter your child’s age, weight and height at NHTSA.gov/TheRightSeat to check if they’re in the right seat. On the website you can also get installation tips and find a location near you where a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician can help you check the seat’s installation. Enjoy your road trip with the family using these tips, and you’ll all be safer and happier. Trips like these can be memorable for all the right reasons, and you and your kids may even have fun along the way. KEYWORDS
![]()
If your fondest dreams are more about the journey than the destination, a trip on a legendary four-masted windjammer in the Caribbean may be just the adventure you're looking for. This article provides info on how to make your sailing dreams come true!
(BPT) - If your fondest dreams are more about the journey than the destination, a trip on a legendary four-masted windjammer in the Caribbean may be just the adventure you're looking for. Finding an authentic sailing ship for your nautical adventure is not out of reach. Sea Cloud Cruises sail the traditional way — by hand. The yacht is designed for up to 64 passengers, with a crew of about 60. You can watch the ship’s sailing crew climb the rigging and work the sails as you journey to smaller ports and destinations — and you can even volunteer to help work the ropes, if you like. A 360-foot windjammer with 29 sails and a main mast towering to 184 feet, the tall ship was built in 1931 as a private yacht for heiress and founder of General Foods Marjorie Merriweather Post and husband Edward F. Hutton. Shipboard guests included the rich and famous, such as author James Michener. The ship was restored in 2011 by a group of German businessmen seeking to retain its opulence and beauty. Every journey provides an “Open House” cocktail hour where guests can view all the staterooms, including the luxurious cabins created for the heiress and her husband. Other cabins have more modern furnishings, most with picture windows, and some with doors opening to Caribbean breezes on the Promenade Deck. Travelers enjoy personal service, with many crew members staying with the line for over 10 years, and some even more than 30 years. While the settings may be luxurious, the on-board experience is informal, with no assigned seating at meals, a casual dress code and an intimate atmosphere. American and European guests mingle and relax while enjoying Michelin-star quality meals out on the deck or inside the dining room, featuring fresh seafood and produce obtained during the voyage at Caribbean ports like St. Barts, the British Virgin Islands or Bequia Island in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The Caribbean has been the ship’s destination since the beginning, so the long-lasting contacts between the company and local suppliers provide the best quality products for unforgettable meals. The smaller size of the ship allows her to visit lesser-known ports of call, far from typical tourist destinations. Often small Zodiac boats are used to let passengers visit quiet island beaches or indulge in a little snorkeling. The Caribbean offers ideal sailing due to the east-to-west prevailing trade winds, making it the perfect destination for the yachts. On most of the 7- to 14-day Caribbean itineraries, half the day is spent sailing, allowing guests to enjoy the beauty of the sailing ship and revel in the journey. For those who love to sail, it’s a dream come true. Passengers can visit the ship’s deck any time, stopping at the bridge to speak to the captain or the officer on duty, 24/7. The engines only run when needed, using low-sulfur diesel, so the trip is an example of sustainable tourism. Travelers seeking a longer voyage can travel the crossing from Europe to the Caribbean, a two-and-a-half-week trip. The ship spends summers sailing the Mediterranean, but winters are prime for some of the best sailing in the world — following in the wake of buccaneers throughout the islands of Lesser Antilles and other unique Caribbean destinations. A second ship, Sea Cloud II, is more modern but still sailed the traditional way, by hand, with 23 sails and a 188-foot main mast. This ship carries up to 94 guests, with a crew of about 65. The company will christen a third ship in summer 2020. Learn more, find stunning videos or take a virtual onboard visit, at SeaCloud.com.
KEYWORDS
Whether you are a first-time or repeat international visitor to the United States, here are 3 tips and reminders that will help your American vacation go smoothly and be a memorable adventure.Your trip to the United States for your holiday break will take a passport. You may also need to bring your driver's license. If you plan to stay for an extended period and a purpose, you will need a visa. Traveling DocumentsIf you're just traveling to the United States for a vacation, your passport and driving ID will be enough to get you into the country and through customs. It's important to review the difference between a passport and visa. Passports verify who you are and whether or not you are allowed to travel internationally. Visas grant access for a specific purpose and a particular stretch of time. When traveling internationally, you always need a passport. You may not need a visa. TransportationYour travel goals will help you determine whether or not you need to arrange a car rental. For example, if you're traveling to a major metropolitan area for your vacation and don't plan to leave the city, then setting up a ridesharing app on your phone and summoning a car when you need one may be a better choice. According to Budget, a car rental will likely require that you show your passport or other documentation as well as your license. You will also need to have a familiarity with driving rules and regulations in the United States. Be aware that these can change from state to state, so if you're crossing state lines you will need to review law changes and carefully monitor the speed limit. Consider a Road TripA great way to see the United States is to drive historic Route 66. This route includes many roadside attractions and passes close-by natural wonders such as the Grand Canyon. You can also enjoy time in St. Louis and take the elevator arch so you can see the city from up high. This road trip takes you from Chicago through St. Louis and down to Tulsa, Oklahoma. You'll travel through Texas, New Mexico and into California, stopping in Santa Monica. In every city along the route, you'll find museums, dining, and attractions to suit any interest. This two-week trip will provide you with memories that will last a lifetime. A visit to the United States can include natural wonders, thriving cities, and charming small towns. No matter your travel goals, you can find something wonderful to visit and enjoy in the states. Here is another article you might like: Make Your Weight-loss Goals a Reality KEYWORDS
![]()
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
January 2021
November 2020
September 2020
July 2020
February 2020
January 2020
December 2019
November 2019
September 2019
August 2019
April 2019
March 2019
February 2019
January 2019
September 2018
July 2018
June 2018
May 2018
April 2018
February 2018
December 2017
November 2017
August 2017
July 2017
June 2017
April 2017
February 2017
December 2016
October 2016
August 2016
June 2016
May 2016
April 2016
All
Abroad
Accidents
Accommodations
Accomodations
Activities
Adventure
Adventure Travel
Advice
Africa
Airfare
Airline
Airplane
Airport
Air Travel
Alabama
Amenities
American History
Animals
Anniversary
Apps
Aquarium
Asia
Astronauts
Attractions
Auto
Automobile
Auto Travel
Babies
Backpacking
Backpacks
Baggage
Baggage Fees
Bargains
Beach
Beaches
Beach Vacation
Bedbugs
Biking
Birding
Bonding Time
Booking
Books
BPT
Brandpoint
Brandpoint Content
Bucket List
Budget
Budgeting
Budget Travel
Business Center
Business Travel
California
Campground
Camping
Canada
Cape Canaveral
Car
Caribbean
Car Rental
Carsharing
Car Travel
Cash
Cashless
Cats
CDC
Changes
Chicago
Child
Children
Clothes
Clothing
Coast
Coastal
Comfort
Condo
Condos
Congress
Connectivity
Consumers
Contest
Convenience
Conversion
Conversion Rates
Costs
Credit Cards
Crime
Criminal
Crowds
Cruise
Cruise Ships
Cruising
Cuisine
Culinary
Culture
Currency
Customer Service
Cyber
Cybercrime
Deals
Department Of State
Department Of Transportation
Destiation
Destination
Destinations
Destress
Devices
Diet
Digital
Dining
Directions
Disabilities
Disability
Disconnect
Discount
Discounts
Disney
Disneyland
Disneyworld
Dogs
Domestic Travel
Drive
Driving
Driving Vacation
Eating
Ecotourism
Ecotravel
Entertainment
Environment
Equipment
Europe
Exchange
Exchange Rates
Experiences
Expert
Experts
Explore
FAA
Family
Family Features
Family Travel
Family Vacation
Farm
Fashion
Federal Aviation Administration
Fees
Festivals
Fishing
Fitness
Florida
Flying
Food
Foodies
Footwear
Foreign Visitors
France
Furnishings
Gastrotravel
Gear
Getaway
Global
Golf
GPS
Guests
Guide
Gulf Coast
Hacks
Happiness
Hawaii
Health
Heath
Highway
Highways
Hiking
Historic
Historical Travel
Historic Hotels
Historic Sites
History
Holiday
Holiday Travel
Home
Hotel
Hotel Room
Hotels
Hydration
Immigration
Infants
Information
Insurance
International
International Travel
Internet
Investment
Islands
Itinerary
Kayaking
Kennedy Space Center
Kids
Lakes
Las Vegas
Law
Lega;
Legal
Leisure
Leisure Travel
Lifehacks
Lifestyle
Living Well
Local
Local Travel
Lodging
Luggage
Luxurious
Luxury
Map
Mapping
Meals
Medium
Memorial Day
Memories
Memory
Mental Health
Menu
Mexico
Midwest
Mississippi
Money
Motels
Mountains
Museum
Myrtle Beach
NASA
NASCAR
Nashville
National Park
National Parks
Natural
Nature
Nevada
New Mexico
New Orleans
New York
NHTSA
Nightlife
North America
Nostalgia
Nutrition
Ocean
Off-season
Online
Online Booking
Online Reviews
Organizations
Organize
Orlando
Outdoors
Outfits
Outlook
Packing
Parasailing
Parents
Parks
Passengers
Passport
Payment
Payments
Peak Season
Personal
Personal Finance
Perspective
Pets
Phone
Physical Health
Plan
Planning
Ports Of Call
Preparation
Prescriptions
Prevention
Reading
Recreational Vehicle
Relax
Relaxation
Rental
Rentals
Research
Reservations
Resort
Resorts
Rest
Restaurants
Rest Stops
Retirement
Reviews
Rewards
Ridesharing
Rivers
Road
Road Trip
Rockets
Route 66
RV
Safety
Safety Seat
Sailing
San Diego
San Francisco
Saving
Savings
Scenic
Schedule
Seafood
Season
SeaWorld
Security
Senior
Seniors
Service Dogs
Ship
Ships
Shoes
Shopping
Short Trip
Singapore
Sites
Sleeping
Smartphone
Smartphones
Smoky Mountains
Snacking
Snacks
Snorkeling
South Carolina
Spa
Space
Space Coast
Sports
Spring
Spring Break
State Parks
Staycation
Strategy
Stress
Suite
Suites
Summer
Sun
Survey
Swimming
Tailgating
Tech
Technology
Tents
Texas
Theme Parks
Time
Timeshare
Timeshares
Tips
Tire
Tire Pressure
Tires
Tourism
Toyota
Train
Trains
Train Travel
Travel
Travel Apps
Traveler
Travelers
Travel Goals
Traveling
Travel News
Travel Planning
Trip
Trip Advisor
Trip Planning
United States
Unplug
Unplugged
Urban Travel
U.S.
USA
Vacation
Vacation Home
Vacation Rental
Vacations
Vaccinations
Variety
Vehicle
Venmo
Virginia
Vitamins
Volunteer
Volunteering
Volunteers
VRBO
Washington
Water
Waters
Weather
Weekend
Well-being
Wellness
West Coast
Wheelchair
Wifi
Wi-Fi
Wilderness
Wildlife
Winter
Wisconsin
Work
Yacht
Yoga
Zoo
Zoos