Travel and tips

Vacations and trips are great family events, but how do you keep kids interested and busy during the down times? Have them keep journals of the trips and their impressions.
Writing JournalsTake a minute to give some consideration to your most recent family vacation. Where there periods of time when you wished you kids would pay more attention to what was going on? Its natural for kids attention to wonder. In these days of the Internet and video games, the average child seems to have an attention span of about 30 seconds.
For many kids, the only way to truly get their attention on a family trip is to get them involved. The best method for doing this is to give them a journal and ask them to make daily entries. Keeping a journal will encourage kids to pay attention to the things around them. It also gives them something to during long rides in cars, on planes and so on as well as promotes good writing habits.
There are famous instances of people keeping journals throughout time. Of course, Anne Frank’s Diary is the best example. In her diary, Anne kept a running commentary of the two years her family spent hiding from the Nazis. While your family vacations will hopefully be more lighthearted, keeping a journal will let you and your children reflect on past family vacations, particularly as the years pass. Nothing beats reading old journals at a family gathering and reliving the memories.
A good journal for kids will combine a number of characteristics. First, it should be compact. Second, it should have a case to protect it from rain, spills and just because kids will be kids. Third, the journal should contain blank areas for notes, doodles and so on. Finally, the journal should contain cue spaces to remind children to pay attention to certain things and write them down. Cues should include:1. Who went on the trip,2. Places visited and why they are important,3. The most memorable experience each day,4. New friends made and contact information for them,5. Events occurring on each day, and6. Impressions of things seen.
As time passes, the family vacations journals will remind your kids of past trips. Memories fade with time, even for kids. By keeping a journal, kids will open their eyes to things around them, enhancing your family vacation.

When President Eisenhower signed the Federal-Aid Highway Act 50 years ago, he may have started the glorious tradition of the great American road trip. Seasoned travel writer Eric Peterson takes full advantage of the public works project, and in his book “Ramble: A Field Guide to the U.S.A.” reveals some brilliant, off-the-beaten-path landmarks you won’t find in a typical guidebook. And with Microsoft Streets & Trips 2006 with GPS Locator, you can plan stylized getaways to unique destinations such as those Peterson has discovered.
Ale, With A Sideshow Of Bad ArtWhether you’re a high roller or a rock ‘n’ roller, the Northeast offers something for everybody. Where else can you grab a bite at the Big Apple’s oldest bar, McSorley’s Old Ale House in Manhattan, take in a sideshow on Coney Island and still make it up to Dedham, Mass., for a stop at the Museum of Bad Art-all in a day?A Mason-Dixon Good TimeAfter eating a drumstick in Gainesville, Ga., where it is illegal to eat fried chicken with utensils, head to the birthplace of miniature golf in Fayetteville, N.C. Save a day to tour the Jim Beam bourbon distillery in Clermont, Ky., but make sure to see Elvis at Graceland in Memphis, Tenn., before overnighting at the Shack Up Inn in Clarksdale, Miss.
Chili, Hoosiers and Jazz When in Cincinnati, eat as the locals do and get some chili-smothered spaghetti for the road-then fight off heartburn in David Letterman’s Alley in Muncie, Ind. After a nap and an antacid, visit the Green Mill in Chicago, one of Al Capone’s favorite clubs, and take in some of the best jazz in the country.
Rope and Road TripFor road trips, Texas offers a bit of everything. In Amarillo you’ll find the Cadillac Ranch, where spray-painted Cadillacs become art. In Dallas you might uncover the conspiracy on the grassy knoll, and in Austin you can enjoy the nightlife on famous Sixth Street. Whatever you do, remember the Alamo. Bigfoot, Bubble Gum And TrollsOver the Rockies lies a land of wonder with some oddities thrown in for good measure. In San Luis Obispo, Calif., you can add your chewy mark to the offbeat work of art known as Bubble Gum Alley, then travel up Highway 101 to Northern California’s redwood forests, allegedly the domain of Bigfoot. If you fall in love on your trip, get married at Voodoo Doughnut in Portland, Ore., or just get a mammoth apple fritter to go. Visit the graves of Jimi Hendrix and Bruce Lee in Seattle, but beware of the Fremont Troll lurking under the Aurora Bridge.
Once you decide between finding Bigfoot or visiting the Museum of Bad Art, the next step is getting there.

Car rentals do have certain restrictions that apply, and it is always important to know the contracts and to know what you are and are not allowed to do before signing the agreement. While individual contracts may vary, and it is always important to read each individual contract you agree to, there are some basic common limitations with all car rental companies, and some others that are common enough to be worth asking about.
A common restriction actually involves age. Most car rental companies will not rent a vehicle to someone who is under 25 years old. There are a few who will rent to individuals who are between the ages of 21-24, but be prepared for an additional daily fee and possibly a longer list of restrictions than before. One restriction, at least from United States rental companies, is that taking the car to Mexico is never allowed. In addition, the far majority of rental agreements clearly state that the car should not go on any roads that are unpaved, whether gravel, dirt, or otherwise.
Generally, the car you rent needs to be returned to the location where you originally picked it up. There are some exceptions, though these matters should be discussed prior to signing the contract. Many of the larger companies will allow a car to be returned from one city in a state, to another city in that state. This happens often in Florida and California. Once again, this should be discussed before renting. The last thing you want is to drive from San Francisco to San Diego only to find out you need to return the car in San Francisco. Sometimes this will result in an extra charge, but depending on the rental company you use, it is possible to find deals on one-way rentals that come without an extra fee. You need to ask if there is limitation on the places you can drive the car to, in-state, out-of-state, or even out-of-country. The out of state is an important one. You will be charged extra fees if they find out you went out of state. It used to be that there was no way for them to find this out, but now with GPS you can pretty much assume you will be caught, so be straight forward with the rental people on this matter.
Those are the most common restrictions put on rentals. If there is anything else you are concerned about: ask. Ignorance doesn’t get you off the hook, so ask as many questions as you need to in order to feel good about your contract, because in the end it is your dime.

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You may see below comprehensive listing of Phuket hotels sorted by price. The Hotel Channel website presents a quick guide to top hotel choices in the Phuket area that can be booked online. The Phuket hotels and resorts guide provides a brief summary, customer ratings and reviews for hotels or resorts. For a quick summary see the list of hotels and resorts in Phuket. Secure your premier Phuket hotel bargain now by booking your stay at the Hotel below. If you’re looking at other areas of Phuket follow the links at the bottom of this page for hotel booking web sites.
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The Pattaya hotels and resorts guide provides a brief summary, customer ratings and reviews for hotels or resorts. It is only a 10 to 15 minutes drive from the hotel to most part of pattaya city and Jomtien beach. If you do not see the hotels list in Pattaya click here. from South Pattaya.The hotel low rise buildings are set amidst a tropical landscape of lawns, pools and tropical trees. Secure your premier Pattaya hotel bargain now by booking your stay at the Hotel below. Ideally located at the very pulse of the city, Century Pattaya hotel is the ultimate center of all. Book your Pattaya hotel stay safely, securely and without worries. Agents rates for on-line bookings at international class hotels in Pattaya. For others types of rooms, please use the search box and check rates for Pattaya hotels.
Each of the hotel’s 300 rooms has a private balcony and panoramic view of Pattaya bay and the offshore islands… For others types of rooms, please use the search box and check rates for Pattaya hotels. Each of the hotel’s 300 rooms has a private balcony and panoramic view of Pattaya bay and the offshore islands. Each of the hotel’s 300 rooms has a private balcony and panoramic view of Pattaya Bay and the offshore islands. You may also view Pattaya lodgings and hotels alphabetically or Pattaya hotels and rooms sorted by price. Nightlife beyond Pattaya’s hotels is more liberated, with discotheques, transvestite cabarets, nightclubs, karaoke bars, go-go bars and open-air bars. Each of the hotel’s 300 rooms has a private balcony and panoramic view of Pattaya bay and the offshore islands… Each of the hotel’s 300 rooms has a private balcony and panoramic view of Pattaya bay and the offshore islands. Each of the hotel’s 300 rooms has a private balcony and panoramic view of Pattaya Bay and the offshore islands. You may also view Pattaya lodgings and hotels alphabetically or Pattaya hotels and rooms sorted by price.
You may see below comprehensive listing of Pattaya hotels sorted by price. Spend a thoroughly entertaining vacation in comfort and privacy at sunbeam hotel pattaya. The sunbeam hotel is situated in the heart of pattaya between beach road and pattaya 2nd road. The Sunshine hotel is a low rise building set in lush gardens in North Pattaya, close to shops and nightlife….. Travel Library always lists the real direct contact details for every Pattaya hotel including email, web site address, telephone and location address. For detailed Pattaya hotels information or to make a reservation, select a hotel and let asiahotels.com be your Pattaya travel agent. For a quick summary see the list of hotels and resorts in Pattaya. http://www.rabbitresort.com

Shopping for airline tickets has come a long way since the days of calling the airline companies directly to reserve your itinerary. The advent of the internet has given everyday consumers the ability to book airfares without the assistance of airline customer service representatives or travel agents. Here’s some information that will make you more knowledgeable about how to get the best deal when booking flights yourself online.
Have you ever seen the prices for a flight fluctuate drastically in the same day? This is because most airlines use robust, database driven software that factors historical purchase data along with current ticket supply and demand to determine ticket prices. For example, if a flight is selling out too fast compared with past flights for that same route, ticket prices will rise and vice versa. Prices are updated multiple times a day and even real-time in some systems.
Are you a business traveler? Airline companies are well aware that businesses are willing to pay more for airfares then the average consumer, so they commonly implement the “Saturday Night Stay Over” requirement to capitalize on them. If you’re a non-business traveler try to incorporate a Saturday night stay over to avoid this fee. If you’re on business, show your employer how much they’ll save by letting you stay the weekend, if you so desire.
What are the most inexpensive days to fly? Tuesdays and Thursdays are historically the cheapest days to fly, with Wednesdays and Saturdays being a close second. Fridays and Sundays are the most expensive. This all goes back to the aforementioned ticket demand data that helps determine ticket prices. The same holds true for seasonal popularity and times of day. Flying red-eye during non-peak seasons is generally cheaper because those flights have less demand.
When is the best time to book my flight? Prices on last minute airfare can be highly volatile so try to book in advance. At the last minute, airlines know you’re desperate and are willing to pay more. However, occasionally the airlines are desperate to fill seats, so prices might decrease. For travel during popular holidays (i.e. Christmas, New Years, Thanksgiving) and internationally try book at least three months in advance. Most travel sites recommend booking 7, 14 or 21 days in advance, but in my experience the cheapest tickets usually get bought up long before then. So, even for domestic flights I start looking several months in advance.
Ultimately, the best way to save money when planning your trip is to resist mainstream travel patterns. If you can avoid traveling during peak seasons, days of the week and times of day you can find the tickets the airlines were forced to mark down to ensure a sold-out flight.

Like clothing, luggage comes in many styles, sizes, and shapes. Most styles of luggage now come equipped with wheels. There are wheeled carry-on bags. Duffel bags also are equipped with wheels.
There are full sized garment bags with wheels. Travel bags, tote carry on bags, shoulder carry on bags, and travel totes also are available. There are expandable cargo bags as well. Expandable bags are usually smaller than is typical and expand when you pack your belongings.
Luggage also comes in sets of the same design and color. The material and frames are generally the same. Sets can include small carry on bags, travel kits, multiple sizes of upright luggage. Leather luggage is also available. There are leather suit bags, garment bags, duffel bags and cabin bags. There are weekender bags and the old fashioned carpet bags. Styles also include the design of the bags. There could be designs such as flowers, cartoon characters for kids, camouflage designs, or animals. Virtually any design is possible. Color is also a consideration as is the type of material the bags are made of. There are soft, canvas types of materials as well as soft leather, polyester materials. There are hard materials that protect your belongings and stand up to the rough handling they can receive while being loaded or removed from planes, trains, and buses. The hard luggage is used mostly by frequent travelers because of their durability. The style you choose will depend on your needs and possibly your frequency of travel.

The city of Florence is the capital of the Tuscan region in Italy. The city enjoys a long history of prosperity and rich culture as evidenced by its architecture, museums, churches and sculptures. Florence is a city embellished with some of the greatest works of art in history.
Florence inspires talent perhaps that is why it is a recipient of many works of art. From Michelangelo to Leonardo da Vinci, some of the most revered names in the world of art came or have at one time lived in Florence. Among the more contemporary masters who lived in Florence is none other than shoe visionary Salvatore Ferragamo.
The House of Ferragamo is known worldwide as one of the great luxury brands specializing in footwear and leather goods. Salvatore Ferragamo is originally from Naples, Italy. He made his first pair of shoes for his sister when he was 9. The 11th child from a brood of 14, one of Salvatore’s brothers worked for a boots factory in Boston. He followed his brother in 1914 and worked briefly in the same factory. In search of a brighter and more glamorous future, he and his brother moved west to Hollywood. They put up a small custom and repair shoe shop. The shop prospered as their creations gained a cult following among movie stars. Salvatore soon became known as the shoemaker to the stars. He was regularly commissioned to design footwear for movies and special Hollywood occasions.
Regarded by his peers as a true visionary, Ferragamo was not the type to sit on his laurels. Instead, he studied anatomy at the University of Southern California to improve the comfort of his shoe designs. In 1927 he decided to fly back to Italy and settled in Florence. It was in Florence where he achieved his legendary status as the shoemaker of dreams. His clientele expanded to include some of the most powerful and iconic women of their generation such as Eva Peron and members of royal families around the world. Salvatore passed away in August 7, 1960 but his legacy live on. In 1995 the Museum of Salvatore Ferragamo was opened in Florence. The museum has on display more than 10,000 the works of art he created throughout his colorful career. Today the House of Ferragamo stands firm on top of the shoe world. Many designer brands have come and go but Ferragamo remains firmly on top.

Leave it to a pilot to come up with this idea! After years of dragging, carrying, and lugging bags all over the place Bob Plath. In 1989 Bob Plath said that wheels on the luggage would eliminate the need to lug all those bags and ease the strain on the back. An added advantage to luggage with wheels is that it allowed the user to move through travel terminals with more ease and in less time. After the first wheeled luggage was created Bob Plath began the company Travelpro. From this time on, the quality of travel was changed. Eventually all luggage companies incorporated wheels on their luggage.
Travelers rarely will find luggage now without wheels. They were created in an effort to make travel easier. Now even backpacks and tote bags have wheels. Wheels are also found on kid’s luggage. Computer bags and duffel bags as well as garment bags also have wheels. Ease of moving through terminals was facilitated by the creativity of Bob Plath. Initially, it was a matter of self comfort and convenience but has become a boon to travelers world wide. Some companies make wheels for kid’s luggage based on gender. Wheels can be plastic, wheels on casters like those on beds, and skate wheels found on roller skates and skateboards.
Thanks to Mr. Plath for the wheels, for the saved time and the comfort his invention has brought travelers. Wheeled luggage is here to stay and for that we should all be grateful.

Whether they are planning a family reunion, an adventure experience or an international excursion, increasingly, consumers are using the Internet to plan their trips. A study called The Travelers’ Use of the Internet, 2005 Edition indicates that “online travelers” -online consumers that define themselves as travelers-make up almost half of the United States’ 216.1 million adult population.
“Americans are turning to the Internet to plan and book their trips in greater numbers than ever before and it’s become increasingly obvious that the way we sell and distribute travel has changed forever,” said Dr. Suzanne Cook, the Travel Industry Association of America’s Senior Vice President of Research. For example, one Web site called www.TicketForFun.com is becoming a popular travel resource for many families looking for amusement parks and attractions. It includes a worldwide directory of 1,200 facilities, such as theme parks, family entertainment centers, museums, aquariums and more called the “FunFinder.” There, consumers will find contact information, descriptions and Web site links. The directory links connect Web site users to some attractions with online ticketing or a reservation system. This means that along with their airline tickets and hotel confirmations, travelers can leave home with online confirmations for tickets to attractions they selected through the Web site.
“We recognize there has been an emergence of more savvy and technological-oriented consum-ers,” comments Charlie Bray, President and CEO of the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA). “Ticket For Fun was designed to offer visitors useful information as well as to entertain them with information about the park and attractions industry.” IAAPA is the largest international trade association for permanently situated facilities worldwide. Other aspects of the Web site focus on games pages for children and families, safety tips and information, news and promotions from theme parks and attractions, and more.