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Lessons Your Children Can Learn While Travelling

April 17, 2018 by

Life lessons

Everyone needs a vacation. It’s a way for them to get away from their busy lives and rest their tired bodies and minds. It is also an excellent way for families to spend time together.

If you’re a busy parent, travelling with your kids gives you the opportunity to sit down and ask your kids about school and talk about their hobbies. It’s the perfect time to get to know the little person you are raising and find out how they see the world and how you, as a parent, can guide them.

Travelling with your kids allows you to teach them a few life lessons while you enjoy the scenery and each other’s company.

After all, not everything can be learned within the four corners of a classroom. Sometimes, you need to see the world for yourself in order to internalize some lessons. In fact, here are a few you can teach them while you travel:

Life Decisions

To help teach your children about decisions, let them help out in planning the trip. From choosing the destination to allowing them to pack their things with minimal guidance, your children can learn a lot.

When they choose a place they want to go, explain to them the difficulties that come with travelling there. You can reason distance, how much time it will take to drive, and places and activities you can visit and try.

Also, if you think it’s not feasible with your family’s current budget, you have to explain to them the limitations of what your family can and can’t do.

Doing this will help them understand that not everything will come easy, and they need to decide if they will be okay with what they should expect in the places they will choose to go.

Navigation and Time Telling

They say that the GPS is putting an end to the paper map’s existence. However, learning how to read a map and knowing the route your family will take is still a valuable skill that anyone should possess.

While mapping out your family’s route, show your children the roads you will take, and let them choose where they want to take breaks. Let them trace the route with their finger tip, and let them hold the map as you drive. This can keep them entertained while on the road without the use of electronic devices.

As you teach them navigation, use this opportunity to let them practice reading an analog clock. Show them where the hands will be when you leave your house, and where the hands will be on your expected time of arrival. This helps to set their expectations, improve their patience, and can help curb the backseat question: “are we there yet?”.

Culture Changes

The world is a big place filled with different people from different backgrounds. On your travels, you can introduce this to your children and teach them to embrace diversity and the difference in people and not limit themselves to their comfort zones.

As parents, guide them and show them why diversity should be celebrated. Join them and set an example. This is the best way to teach your children about compassion, and it will help shape them into becoming better adults in the future.

Memories are the Best Gifts

Souvenirs are great to take back home, as they remind us of the vacation we had. However, memories make far better souvenirs. Immortalize those moments with photographs. Teach your children to live in the moment and to take a lot of pictures.

Later on, you can create scrapbooks of your trips or arrange photo albums that everyone can look back to where you can smile and reminisce about all the fun you had together.

It’s never too early to teach your kids these essential skills and lessons. The sooner they learn about it, the better. It will help shape them into responsible human beings and it will give you the opportunity to guide them, if you think they are steering in the wrong direction.

So, as you plan your vacation, do your research and look for a standard car hire service for your trip. So, you and your loved ones can drive comfortably to your next destination.




5 Tips to Plan a Family Vacation on a Budget

March 20, 2018 by

Family vacation

As your family grows, so does the cost of vacationing. However, with a little forethought and planning it is possible to plan a family vacation without breaking the bank.

Here are five tips to help you plan your family vacation, while still sticking to your budget.

  1. Pick your timing

Whether it’s because it’s school break or the Christmas season, everyone wants to vacation at the same time—and no one knows this better than airlines, hotels and travel companies.

If you plan your vacation during peak travel season, you can guarantee you’ll pay premium prices for your flights, accommodation, transport and activities. If you do have some flexibility in when you vacation (whether it’s because your children aren’t yet school-aged or your work needs you around during the holidays), try to do it during the down season.

It’s also worthwhile considering which days you travel on. While it’s not an exact science, most airlines will offer cheaper flights on less-popular days (usually a Tuesday or Wednesday), so make sure you check the price difference on each day of the week you plan travel to see if you can snag yourself a better price.

  1. Consider alternative accommodation options

If you’re not averse to the idea, staying with family or friends can be a very affordable alternative to staying in a hotel, as can vacationing with a group of friends or families, because you can share the cost of accommodation, food and transport.

However, if you’re not a fan of vacationing with others, try looking into home rental options like AirBNB, Tripping, FlipKey or HomeAway, as you may be able to find some more affordable (and even more suitable) accommodation options rather than staying in a hotel. You could even opt to rent out your own home while you’re away to cover some of the costs of your vacation!

  1. Hunt around for discounted family passes

Activities are often one of the largest costs when travelling with a family, but there are a couple of ways you can still visit all your favourite attractions without paying full-price.

A lot of tourism companies offer multi-attraction passes where you can get a discounted price if you pre-purchase tickets to several attractions up-front, so this could be a great way to save some cash if you know what you want to see while on vacation.

It’s also worthwhile searching for any discounted attraction tickets on coupon sites like Groupon, just make sure you check if there are any special conditions for use that you need to be aware of. It could also be worthwhile checking if any of your various memberships offer perks like discounted travel promotions, as you could be eligible for some savings you weren’t aware of.

  1. Pack plenty of snacks

Food is another cost that adds up quickly when travelling as a family. While it’s nice to eat out or get a sweet treat here and there, you can save a bucket-load by making a trip to the grocery store when you first arrive at your destination to stock up on some affordable snacks and meals so you don’t find yourself forking out a wad of cash in overpriced tourist traps. It’s also a great way to keep the kids occupied while waiting in queues!

  1. Pre-arrange your transport

Transportation is another big expense, so it’s worth doing some prior research to find out if you can get around without relying on cabs.

When choosing your accommodation, make sure you look closely at their inclusions, as a lot of hotels will provide free airport transfers with your booking which can represent a significant cost saving.

It’s also a good idea to research your public transport options, as this is usually the most affordable way to get around. Make sure you also choose accommodation where you can easily access the public transport network by foot.

If you have a large family or are travelling with others, you could also consider hiring a minibus from somewhere like this Sydney van hire company as a simple and affordable way to get around to all the attractions.




The Mistakes Every Traveler to Brazil Must Avoid

March 7, 2018 by

Traveler mistakes

You have your Brazil travel visa ready, booked the air ticket and made reservations for accommodation and all you are now waiting for is to get on the plane for a trip to one of the top tourist destinations in the world. You are excited about swimming in the crystal clear waters, enjoying the great Brazilian delicacies and even making a trip to the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio.

In as much as it is good to have high expectations about your trip, you should also be aware of some of the things which might come in the way and ruin the experience for you. Some of these things may sound negligible, but since you will be interacting with a new culture, you can never tell the perception of the locals. If you want a superb trip and a pleasant experience in Brazil, here are some of the mistakes you have to avoid

Don’t be impatient

If you are a stickler for punctuality, then you may have a rough time in Brazil. In the Lateness way of life, you will encounter lots of queues almost everywhere, from supermarkets and ATMs and nobody seems to be in a hurry. Things move at a slow pace in Brazil and being impatient may make you lose your peace for something you don’t have any control over.

Insist on speaking Spanish

 

Language issue

A huge section of South America speaks Spanish, but you will be mistaken to think that this is also the language in Brazil. Brazilians speak Portuguese, and the two languages are very distinct from one another. It is a common mistake for most travelers to this country to attempt to speak Spanish thinking that they will be communicating with the locals. This is sad because it is not the right language and if you have zero knowledge of the local lingo, Brazilians are pretty good in English, or at least they try to mix the two, and you could easily converse with them in English if you do not know Portuguese.

Support Argentina

 

Support argentina

Of course, South America has some of the best football competitions and football teams in the world. When you are visiting the country, you should be aware of the fierce rivalry that exists in the region, and especially that between Argentina and Brazil. Those two don’t see eye to eye on matters football. If you have to declare your sporting allegiance while in Brazil, never favor Argentina. So before you start heaping praises on how Messi is better than Neymar, just be careful about the kind of reaction you may elicit amongst the Brazilians.

Never show that you are rich

One thing you must have in mind when you are getting your Brazil travel visa for a trip to Brazil is that most of the regions, even though they are decorated, the crime rates are pretty high. The streets will always be full of the bad guys looking for an ideal chance to strike. As such, you must be cautious with your property and always ensure you don’t give any indication that you are rich. It won’t be a problem for them to attack you in broad daylight and take all your money or that Rolex watch you are flaunting on your wrist. Also, don’t expose large wades of cash when you are shopping as this will be advertising to them that you have some money and so they should strike.

Don’t criticize Brazil

 

Stop corruption in Brazil

It is true that Brazilians are becoming more vocal at criticizing their country, but as a foreigner, you should not do so, especially in their presence. Things like corruption and social injustices are some of the things that most Brazilians face on a daily basis, but they are fiercely proud of their country, and they will never entertain you’re criticizing them. To them, Brazil is the best country in world football and as such, Brazilians the best in the world. Even with the imperfections, you are not allowed to talk ill about them. Always have this in mind when interacting with the locals or getting into an argument with them.

Sticking to the beaches

 

Beaches

Brazilian beaches are some of the best in the world. The waters are clear, the sand is white and soft, and they are vibrant. You can also go to plenty of the ones in remote locations if you want pure and unadulterated beauty. However, if you took a Brazil travel visa to come and marvel at the beaches alone, then you will be doing yourself a great injustice. There is more Brazil has to offer than just the nice beaches. Think of the Amazon, Christ the Redeemer Statue, the museums and galleries, the food and culture, the wine country and the pampas. There is just too much to see and do in Brazil, and you should never restrict yourself to the beaches.

Be disgusted with the meat

Brazilians are passionate carnivores, and they love their meat. If anything, Brazil is a major exporter of cattle, and their beef enjoys high reputation in most cities around the world. When you get there, you will be treated to a humongous collection of beef dishes and they will be very happy to share the meat with you. However, the locals like to include delights such as barbequed chicken and cow-foot soup, and most people may not enjoy such delights. If you don’t feel comfortable taking such, don’t be squeamish and publicly express your disgust or distaste for what you have been served with. Just find a way of turning it down politely lest you offend the locals who are have been enjoying it for a long time.

Make “OK” hand gesture

If making a circle with your thumb and the first finger means “okay,” back in your home, be advised that it has a different meaning in Brazil and it is a gesture you don’t want to be making here. It has a very offensive meaning and unless you desire to be confronted by angry Brazilians ready to engage in a fight, don’t you ever make that gesture.




Family Vacations Spots in Europe

February 19, 2018 by

Florence

Europe is a very exciting place for all ages alike. From playing football in Spain to touring Coliseum in Italy, all countries in Europe tend to provide you with a different experience all together. If you are planning a foreign vacation to Europe, you have to read this article. We are going to help you visit the most family-friendly spots in the continent, leaving you with nothing but plain, sweet vacation memories:

London:

Things to do in London? Well, you can visit the Tower o London, admirer art and theater at the National Gallery, as well as the West End Theatre District. You cannot skip the great Buckingham Palace, at all. London is a great place to teach your kids a little about history. Other popular attractions include Westminster Abbey, the popular medieval church and Piccadilly Circus (trust me on this, if nothing else this will get your kids totally exited).

Amsterdam:

Things to do in Amsterdam? Well, there is a lot to Amsterdam than people usually believe. Go shopping, go canal-side rambling, or have a decent Indonesian meal with your family, Amsterdam is a very peaceful city of Netherlands. There is always the popular Van Gogh Museum.

Barcelona:

There is no place like Barcelona! It has both, a historic significance and bizarre wilderness. There are the narrow alleys of Barri Gotic and the picturesque Park Guell. The beaches are beautiful, and so are the ancient churches. There are a number of things to do in Barcelona, and you may need a whole more number of days than merely a day or two to get the complete overwhelming experience of the city.

Florence:

This beautiful city of Italy will take you by your breath. The Renaissance period shadowed the city with great artists like Brunelleschi and Michelangelo, amongst so many others. Italian fashion and food is going to woo you and you wouldn’t want to leave this place in seven hells. The architectural beauty is going to make you want to travel in time to the 14th century and witness the art. Don’t miss out on the sunsets and the romantic nights.

Paris:

No one comes to Europe and not go to Paris. Paris is a perfect combination of everything is sweet and pour on earth – the architecture, the fashion, the art and the cuisine, everything is going to make you fall in love with this city. Popular attractions are the Eiffel Tower, French Alps and Dordogne.




Triumphant Travels – 6 Tips for Holiday Success

January 30, 2018 by

Travel tips

Image: https://www.jantomholidays.com/

Travelling during the holidays can be extremely stressful, especially as you start to piece together the activities, determine everyone’s schedule, and ask for time off work when everyone else is at the same time. Not only is your head about to explode, you may want to cancel the entire trip. But, don’t!

Before you decide that your travels are going to have to wait another year, sit down, take a deep breath, and start to plan. There is a solution to everything that may be stressing you out right now. For example, if you are worried about funds, consider travel loans in Australia from Latitude Finance. If you are worried about where you will stay, look at some of the available accommodations.

Below, we will provide you with 6 tips to help make your holiday travels a success.

Avoid Peak Times of Travel

Of course, the airports and train stations will be busy throughout the holiday season. However, there are days that are worse for travel than others and these are called the peak days. Most people will travel as close to the holiday as possible, which means you should plan around this. Some of the off-peak times to consider include a couple of days before the holiday and throughout the week.

Forget the Gifts – Okay, Maybe Not

If you are travelling for fun on the holidays or you are going on a family vacation, you may not need to pack any gifts with you, as the gift is the experience. However, if you are travelling to visit others for the holidays, then you may need to bring a gift or two with you.

One way to handle this is to either ship the gifts to your destination, so they are there when you arrive, or you may want to purchase gift cards for those you love.

Always Have Snacks on Hand

Whether you travel by water, air, or land, you need to make sure you have adequate snacks on hand with you. The holiday season is a busy time, and this may mean that you are stuck somewhere for a long period of time. Having easy to eat and ready to eat food on hand will allow you to enjoy yourself as you wait for the long line of traffic to move or the weather to get better.

Charge Up Your Electronics

Before you head out for the holidays, make sure that you charge up your electronics. You never know when you may be stuck in an airport and a dead phone battery will not help you out. Sometimes, there are charging stations available to the airport, but you do not want to travel with a low battery in hopes that there is a station because you may not be so lucky.

Utilise Travel Apps to Stay in the Know

If you have not travelled in a long time, there are travel apps available that can help you stay up to date about your flight. You will want to make use of these so that you always know when your flight is delayed or if you need to arrive a little earlier than planned.

Remain Positive

When everything else around you may not be working out, keep a positive attitude. You should try to make the best out of the situation whenever you can.

It Will All Be Worth it in the End

Travelling is fun especially around the holidays. You will find that the lines everywhere are longer, and people are rushing around, but the experience will be one to remember.

The above 6 tips will help you travel this holiday season without the worry that you may have experienced in the past. As you do travel, take in as much as you can and remember, you do not have to rush and stress with a little bit of planning ahead of time.




4 Tips To Beating Debt When Holiday Bills Linger

January 29, 2018 by

The halls are un-decked, the decorations are packed away, and the tree (and all its fallen needles) have long since been removed from your house. On the surface, it looks like the holidays are finally over, but for many Americans, there’s more than what meets the eye. After a long season of shopping, credit card debt remains as an expensive reminder of the holidays, and it’s often the focus of New Year’s resolutions. If you ended up charging more than you expected this year, you wouldn’t be alone. Let’s take a look at some pre-holiday shopping polls to see how the nation expected to overspend, so you can learn some tips to pay off any lingering debt. If you have been contacted by 888-899-6650, you likely owe debt.

Holiday bills

The Stats: Nerd Wallet and the NRF’s pre-holiday shopping surveys

The folks at Nerd Wallet published its 2017 Consumer Holiday Shopping Report back in November of 2017. The report analyzed spending habits of average Americans by crunching the numbers of an online Harris Poll survey completed in October by more than 2,000 adults. Some of the questions respondents had to answer included how they intended to plan for the holidays, when they expected to shop for presents, and how much they prepared to spend on these gifts.

At an average of $660, their projections were similar to the National Retail Federation’s holiday shopping report. Though the NRF included other spending categories, such as miscellaneous purchases and non-gift holiday items, it projected Americans would spend $608 on gifts during the 2017 holidays.

This isn’t a big change from holiday spending in 2016. According to Nerd Wallet’s report, roughly 80 percent of respondents anticipated they’d spend roughly the same as the previous year. If actualized, this admission promises challenging times for the average American. One of the report’s key findings was that 56 percent of shoppers acquired substantial credit card debt during the 2016 holidays — many of whom were still paying it off as they shopped for gifts in 2017.

Debt advice: how to undo the credit consequences of holiday overspending

Overspending in 2017 when still paying off debt from 2016 only compounds the problem. If you don’t want to add 2018’s holiday shopping in the mix, you need to simultaneously pay off your debts and plan for the future, so you don’t go into debt this year.

From your position underneath a mountain of bills, these two tasks can sound like trying to juggle flaming chainsaws while riding a unicycle, but it’s not as difficult as you may think. The trick is to divide it into smaller subtasks that are easier to attempt and easier to complete.

#1: Table a budget: Your first task must include making a budget. This financial document can help you reroute money towards credit card debt and online loan repayments. In the future, once you pay these debts off, it will also help you contribute cash towards your 2018 holiday shopping fund. It doesn’t come easy to everyone, so don’t be discouraged if you feel out of your depth. There are a variety of online resources that can help you table an effective budget, including government webpages and award-winning money management apps.

#2: Cut out unnecessary purchases: A budget helps to identify harmful spending habits, so you can eliminate them. It also gives purpose to your spending, so you aren’t guestimating how much money you can spend on things or forgetting how much you’ve already spent. Use your budget to find the silly ways you spend your money thoughtlessly. Be vigilant; it’s not just your daily trip through the drive-thru that’s at fault. Little things like going over your cell phone’s data limits, spending too much on auto insurance, or opting for brand-named items could be the reason why your hemorrhaging money.

#3: Use a calendar:In the grand scheme of things, it’s easy to cut out your daily latte. A simple post-it note to remind you of your promise and a cupboard full of ground coffee beans for a homemade brew can help you get over the habit. What can be a challenge is tackling those bad spending habits like your insurance. It’s not as simple as avoiding the drive-thru on the way to work. It requires researching alternatives on your own, speaking with an auto insurance representative, and making the switch.

When the solution involves several complex steps like the one above, write each task into an agenda. It can be a simple wall calendar, a pocket bullet journal, or an online app. The format doesn’t matter so much as you keep to it and organize your responsibilities according to a date and time. Once you carve out a specific time to tackle these objectives, you’ll have a better chance of actually achieving them.

#4: Be strategic: Once you eliminate those unnecessary purchases, you’ll have more excess cash to put towards your credit cards and payday loans. Which ones you use this money on is important. Financial experts suggest you tackle those debts that have the highest interest rates first because these debts can grow faster than those with lower rates, even if they have less on them.

It’s not the only way you can pay off debt. If you need the gratification of success to keep you motivated, try paying off the smallest debt first. It can be empowering to see a zero balance on the statement, and the sense of accomplishment can encourage you to keep budgeting.

The bottom line: stay determined

New Year’s resolutions are notoriously hard to keep. Most people ditch theirs less than two months after they make them. Don’t join them. It might not be easy, but when you follow a detailed plan and stay motivated, you can slowly chip away at the debt your holiday shopping created. More importantly, you’ll have the tools to help prevent adding debt to the next round of holiday shopping.




How to Get Around NYC with Children

January 24, 2018 by

Nyc trip

Navigating NYC public transportation with a child can be hard. If you want to get some exercise and fresh air, you can choose to walk to your destination provided it is not far. Here are some tips that will come in handy when traveling to NYC with kids:

Walking

Before you head out with a baby, you should check out the weather to make sure that you are dressed appropriately. Once you do that, you should make sure that you carry a bag of snacks and beverages, as well as diapers and extra clothes. If your kids are old enough to walk, you should avoid taking the stroller because it can be hard to navigate.

Lugging a stroller up and down the streets of New York can be hard because of the foot traffic. However, if you need help, you should not be afraid to ask for it because New Yorkers are friendly. If you want to take your children on Central Park Tours to explore Central Park and all its beauty, you can rent a bike for yourself and the kids who know how to ride them.

Taking the Subway

When taking the subway with children, you need to know where you are going. This is the cheapest and safest way to travel long distances with children. If you have three children who are below 44 inches, you can take them on the train without paying for them. However, you should use the subway during off-peak hours if you want to avoid the crowds.

Still, if your kids can walk, you can take them to the subway at any time. Other than the occasional person who will complain about their slow speed, the kids will be fine. You must stress the importance of staying off the tracks to your kids. Moreover, you should sanitize your kids’ hands after you get off the subway because it is not clean.

Taxis

Taxis

Getting around NYC with children in a taxi might be the easiest option, but definitely not the safest. Because taxis are excused from car seat rules, you might be risking the lives of your children. A cab seats up to four people, but children do not count because they can sit on adults’ laps.

If you have your own car seat, traveling with an infant is easy; however, once he or she outgrows the contraption, things will be a bit challenging. If you do not have a car seat, you can carry your child on your lap, strap yourselves in, and make sure that you are secured. However, this is easier said than done because kids are always moving and cannot sit still.

Traveling With a Toddler

If you have a toddler, then carrying him or her in a carrier is the easiest solution. However, if you must use a stroller, make sure that you opt for a light one that folds up and is easy to carry. When traveling with a stroller that cannot collapse, you need to plan ahead especially if you will be using stairs and escalators.

You should use maps to look for stroller-friendly routes that you can take. Here are some other tips that will come in handy:

Do not over-pack – since you will be walking to most places, you need to pack light to avoid putting undue strain on your shoulders. If you forget something at home, you can always purchase another one.

Ask for help – most people know that traveling to NYC with a baby is not easy. Therefore, you will always have help when you need it: you might need help carrying a heavy stroller down the steps, for example.




The Best Attractions to See with Your Family in NYC

January 5, 2018 by

New York city

 

New York is a great destination for families all year round. If you want to visit the Big Apple with your family, you should see the following attractions since they are iconic and child-friendly:

The American Museum of Natural History

All children want to see the bones of a dinosaur, as well as the life-sized model of a blue whale. At the National Museum of Natural History, your whole family will have fun because there are wonderful exhibits for people of all ages. However, you should know that there are gifts shops at nearly every level and you might not be able to resist them.

Circle Line Semi-Circle Cruise

Although you might not have thought about a boat ride as a family activity, the Circle Line Semi-Circle Cruise is the best way to see many sights at once. There will be plenty of space for exploring and you can even rest on the cruise ship. While on the ship, you will have a great chance to see NYC’s dynamic waterfront and get a handle on its layout.

From the boat, you will have a fantastic view of the Statue of Liberty and a great opportunity to take pictures. If you are looking for short, but thrilling rides that won’t allow your kids’ attention to drift, you should take shorter speedboat rides to see Lady Liberty. If you want to see the city from a bus, you should consider tour companies such as Top View Sightseeing.

Top of the Rock

You and your family will get to enjoy a bird’s eye view of NYC from the Rock Observation Deck. Although this place is not very well known, you can see Central Park and the Empire State Building from it. When you buy timed tickets in advance, you will be able to avoid the lines that are associated with skyline viewing.

MoMA

You might be of the opinion that the modern art museum is the best place to explore with your kids, but the best museum to explore with your family is MoMA. Toddlers and babies will enjoy the art from their strollers while the older kids will enjoy an entertaining and interactive audio tour. At this location, you will find many fantastic programs for families that can be helpful and a learning experience.

MoMA offers a number of tours that will enhance your experience. If you go before opening and closing hours, you will get a private tour and experience the place before it opens to the public.

The Bronx Zoo

Bronx zoo

 

This zoo can keep your family entertained for a whole day. If your kids are little, the Children’s Zoo can be plenty of fun thanks to many close-up and hands-on experiences. Children of all ages will enjoy the Asia Monorail – which offers great wildlife viewing while you rest up – and the Bug Carousel. With enough planning, you will get to see all your favorite animals.

If you are looking for something that will not take up your entire day, try the Central Park Zoo, which is a safe bet for people who want something that is easily accessible.

The Lower East Side Tenement Museum

At this museum, you will experience NYC’s rich history and learn about the families that called tenement buildings home. You will be shocked by how many families lived in the small tenement buildings and will surely appreciate modern conveniences even more. Although most New Yorkers love to complain about cramped living spaces, you will see that a small 375 square foot apartment used to house entire families.

If a member of your family is in a wheelchair, you should opt for wheelchair-accessible walking tours. All tours at this museum are open to kids above the age of eight.




Thrifty Travel Tricks

December 19, 2017 by

Overseas travel

Image source

Traveling can get pretty expensive pretty fast, especially when you’re traveling overseas, and you’re taking your family with you! Unfortunately, that means that many of us can’t travel nearly as widely or as often as we would like to.
The good news is that there are lots of thrifty travel tricks that even the most unseasoned of travelers can use to cut the cost of their trips, have a better time on vacation, and most importantly of all, travel more!

So, without further ado, here are the thrifty travel tricks you need to know…

Check Discount Sites

First of all, if you’re planning a trip, you should always check out discount, promo and coupon sites where you can find some great deals like this Marriott 15% off promo code, for example By doing this, you can often afford to stay in a better standard of accommodation than you might otherwise able have been to within your budget, or of course, you can cut down the costs of your vacations even further.

Use Comparison Sites

As well as using discount sites, you should also use price comparison sites to ensure that you get the best possible deal on your flights and accommodation. Most hotels and airlines sell exactly the same setas/rooms at various different prices across various platforms, and you could easily end up paying way more than you need to by not doing this one simple thing.

Use a Travel Credit Card

If you can find a travel credit card that offers ) percent on purchases including those overseas – and they do exist – apply for one ahead of your vacation and use it to pay for as much as you can while you’re out of the country. That way, you’ll dodge expensive money exchange fees and the usual fees that you’re charged for using your credit or debit card overseas, making huge savings in many cases! Just make sure that you do settle the balance when you return and certainly before interest is due!

Use Your Phone as a GPS

Phone as gps

Image source

If you’re travelling to a place you don’t know well and you plan to hire a vehicle to get around, then you’re probably going to need a good GPS system too. Unfortunately, not all car rental companies offer GPS systems as standard and buying one can be expensive. Luckily, you can avoid the cost of these expensive systems by downloading the maps you’ll need on your smartphone and storing them online. Do this, and you won’t need to even use any of your data, let alone pay for a GPS, and you won’t get lost!

Book at the Right Time

This is a difficult one because what represents the right time to book a trip can depend on a number of factors from the location to the time you plan to travel. That being said, you are almost always going to net the best deals by booking really early or as close to the last minute as you can get. To find out which applies to you, you may need to do a little research, but it’ll be worth it when you make huge savings.

Be Ready to Re-book

When you’re booking hotel rooms, make sure that, when you see one at a good price, you always book refundable rooms and then keep an eye on the prices, if they drop significantly between now and the time of your flight, you can quickly cancel your room and re-book at the best price. It’s a simple, but effective way of paying as little as you can for your stay.

Eat in Local Establishments

Eating outside of the tourist areas is not only likely to net you a much cheaper meal, but also a tastier one too. Businesses in tourist areas almost always charge a premium, and they rarely showcase the best that the country has to offer, so don’t be afraid to travel a little further afield for a better deal.

Buy Insurance When You Book

Travel insurance

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You should always buy your travel insurance immediately after you book. Why? Because the prices of insurance don’t fluctuate like flights and hotel rooms, etc., AND more importantly, if you choose the right policy, you will be covered should you have to cancel your vacation, perhaps because one of the kids is sick, not losing out on any of your valuable vacation fund!

Travel Out of Season

This is a pretty well-known travel trick by now, but it’s still worth mentioning that traveling out of season is likely to net your family a much less expensive trip no matter where you go and all it takes is doing a quick Google search to find out when your desired destination is the off-season. I know it’s not always possible to take your vacation at the optimum time, but if you can do so, it’s well worthwhile. Some people think that they won’t have as good a time in the off season, but although the weather may not be quite as good as usual, the place will be less crowded, so you can have more privacy and more room to breath; it’s a trade-off for sure, but one worth making.

Travel on Weekdays

In a similar vein, it is quite often possible to save large sums of money by travelling on a weekday, rather than at the weekend. This is obviously because the demand is higher at the weekend when people have some time off, and they’re using it to get away, and it might not be as convenient for you, but when you see how much you could save, it might just change your mind.

Try ‘Ethnic’ Travel Agents

If you’re flying to a particular country, it may well be worth looking for a travel agent who is from that area because, although it isn’t always the case, quite often, they will have much cheaper flights to that destination than the competition.

While we’re on the subject of travel agents, many people dismiss them completely in this age of internet bookings, but you shouldn’t be too quick to do that – you should explore your own options – because it is still possible to get a better deal offline than it is on.

Use Your Credit Card to Access the airport Lounge for Free

Use credit card for airport lounge

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If you hate the chaos that is the airport, if you have the right kind of credit card, then you could actually gain access to the airport lounge, even if you aren’t flying on a first class ticket, or you aren’t an elite frequent flier, and considering one-time access to the lounge can cost upwards of $40 it’s well-worth looking into credit cards that offer this particular benefit.

Try a House Swap

If you want to not only save money on the cost of travel accommodation, but spend a sum total of zero on it, take a look at one of the many house swap websites on the internet. If you can find someone suitable in the location you’re looking to visit who would like to visit your area, you can stay at their place and they at yours for free. It’s kind of like Airbnb, but without the cash element!

Charm the Staff

If you, or perhaps your beautiful, well-behaved children, can charm the staff, whether it be on the plane, at the hotel or at any number of locations, you can often ask for and get a wide range of freebies. Usually, they’ll just be small things like free Wi-Fi or snacks, but they’re nice to have, and it’s a great way of encouraging the kids to be good on long journeys!

What are your thrifty travel tips? Is there anything we’ve missed?




Historical Places to Visit with the Family

December 19, 2017 by

Historic places

Traveling is a great way to learn about history, and to gain more knowledge about the world beyond the four walls of a classroom. For your next family vacation, consider hitting up some historical sites and delving deeper into America’s complex and storied past. Here are a few suggestions for historical places you can visit with your whole family.

Mysterious Colonial Williamsburg

Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia is the perfect place to start learning more about the country’s history and its humble beginnings. The town is a renown historic district and the world’s largest living-history museum where actors dressed in period costumes depict daily Colonial life and show visitors what it was like to live in those early times. The entire family can learn a lot here, but for a more unusual and exciting experience, you should go on a thrilling Colonial Ghost Tour.

On this spooky adventure, an engaging and knowledgeable tour guide will lead you through the winding streets and haunted areas of Williamsburg. You can expect to hear about various tragic events and strange happenings that took place throughout the city’s more than 300-year history. All of the stories shared on the Colonial Williamsburg ghost tour are based on facts, extensive research, and in-depth interviews with experts on paranormal activity. This is definitely a unique way to combine education and information with good, old-fashioned scares and ghost stories.

The Nation’s Capital

You can’t get any more historical and patriotic than paying a visit to Washington, D.C. This is where you’ll find the legendary White House, United States Capitol, Lincoln Memorial, and National Mall. It is a destination everyone has to visit at least once in their lifetime.

Besides the iconic landmarks mentioned above, D.C. is full of other interesting sights to see and fun activities to do. The city is abounding in museums, including the kid-friendly Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, the fascinating International Spy Museum, and the National Geographic Museum—a perennial favorite for animal lovers everywhere.

D.C. also has a booming nightlife and entertainment scene, as well as an abundance of top-rated restaurants where you can discover stimulating new flavors. Lastly, it’s a great place to go shopping, with a wide variety of malls, stores, boutiques and markets to browse through and spend your money at.

The Vibrant “Big Easy”

The old Louisiana city of New Orleans is famous for its loud, bright, and extravagant festivals and parades; its smooth jazz and vibrant live music scene; it’s bustling, round-the-clock nightlife; and its intensely flavorful cuisine. Children will enjoy a visit to this lively city because there is just so much energy, excitement and color everywhere.

Notable places of interest in New Orleans include the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas, which features a mesmerizing walk-through underwater tunnel and is home to a host of animals such as penguins, sea otters, sting rays, and gigantic sharks.

No visit to the Big Easy is complete without a trip to Bourbon Street in the heart of the city’s oldest neighborhood, the French Quarter. The whole family can enjoy the dazzling live jazz music and delicious food that this famed street is celebrated for.

These are just a few suggestions for historical places you can visit with your family for a fun and educational vacation. There are literally hundreds more places you can travel to throughout the United States where you can learn more about this great country’s roots.




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