Five steps for planning beach trip with the family

1. Pick somewhere popular, but not so popular that everyone else will be making their way to the same beach as you. Beaches are popular for good reasons, such as comfortable swimming conditions, good surf breaks, convenient access by road and the presence of good cafes and restaurants. Don’t forget that some beaches are better for kids than others, and don’t overlook swimming conditions including rips, surf and other considerations. Sometimes it’s worth travelling a bit further to avoid the crowds, and there will be crowds if you’re travelling on the summer holidays, so if that’s the case and you have the time, go for it!

2. If you’re planning on spending a night or two book early and don’t forget to check the weather forecast before you book (see below). If you’re travelling over the summer holidays, which is the best time to go to the beach with the kids, bear in mind that many other families undoubtedly have the same idea in mind, and also note that accommodation rates often rise during the holidays too, so factor this fiscal consideration into your expenses
   

   

3. Check the weather forecast the day before your beach trip. There’s nothing worse than realising that the weather isn’t conducive for a day at the beach when you’re halfway there, moreover you can bet that the kids won’t be impressed either. Checking the weather forecast in advance enables you to postpone, or bring forward, the trip to a day when the weather is at its best. However, if the forecast is for an overcast day with no chance of rain, this might actually be a great day to go as it won’t be so hot, which often proves quite uncomfortable.

4. Pack everything but food the night before. Packing and preparing the night before means less stress and rushing about preparing in the morning, plus you can head off early so you can get a full day at the beach, or if you’re staying the night, then a few extra hours of sea, sun and sand. Successful family beach trips start with solid foundations and that foundation is your preparations, so in addition to packing comfortable country clothing from Trekwear, don’t overlook the following essential items or your highly anticipated beach trip might not be the success it should have been:

– Bathing suits, towels and plastic bags (for wet clothes)
– Camera and a protective case to keep the sand out
– Hats, sunglasses and t-shirts (t-shirts are great for swimming when the sun is strong)
– Sunscreen, insect repellent and Aloe Vera gel (or something similar for sunburn)
– Flip flops or sandals
– Bottled water, snacks and tissues
– Balls, buckets, Frisbees, goggles and other items for the kids
– A large carrying bag to carry everything from the car to the beach!

5. Have a great time. Family trips to the beach should be enjoyable experiences and although it’s often the case when travelling with young kids that they’re a bit frazzled by the end of a big day out, they’ve still had the time of their lives at the beach, as should you.

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–  Wear the proper swimwear. These days, there are lots of different styles of swimwears. This makes it hard for many to choose which type of bathing suit to use. When making a choice, it is best that you take into consideration not only safety but courtesy as well. When talking about safety, it is best that you avoid wearing baggy clothes that can become quite heavy while you are on the water. Such clothes may include an oversized shirt or a heavy denim shorts. This will be quite dangerous since it can weight you down and prevent you from swimming properly. When it comes to courtesy, one thing you should consider is the company who you will be with.

–  When you leave the beach, ensure that you will take your trash with you. Unlike pools, anyone is allowed to eat along the beach side. The funny thing about this is that food tastes better when you are on the beach. No matter how enjoyable it can be, you must always remember to clean up after yourself. Also, try and avoid to bury any food scraps in the sand. This will not only decrease the beauty of the beach, any leftovers will surely attract pests as well as birds.

–  Take responsibility of your dog, Most beaches allow the presence of dogs. In the event that you decide to bring your dog with you on the beach, then you must always remember that you should be considerate of the feelings of other people around you on the beach. Always keep a closer look at your pet. If you want to bond with him and play fetch or just simply enjoy the water together, go to a more secluded area in order to avoid disturbing the time of other beach goers.

–  Avoid playing too loud music. Most people carry their radio with them on the beach. Since you will be going to the beach, where there are lots of people and lots of noise to drown the music out, you must keep your music within reasonable volume. When you play your music at an extremely loud volume, it will surely disrupt other people’s relaxing time. In addition to that, it can be quite hard for the lifeguard to hear any call for help. In addition to that, you must also choose the music that you will play wisely. If you will be on a beach with lots of family and children, avoid playing inapporpriate music.

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1.  The tourist guide asks you for money while you are on tour. When you choose a tour guide, it is expected that all the fees have been covered when you have made an upfront payment. Also, it is expected that you do not have to shell out any money since you have settled the fee that covers the tourist guide’s ‘package deal’. However, there are some tour guides that will try to coerce money from you. They would ask for more money saying that the prices of the tickets have gone up or there have been some additions on your itinerary. That is why it is best that you prepare yourself for things like these and don’t give in, no matter how persuasive the guide can be. There are also times when guides will be asking you to pay for their lodging. You should not do so unless such conditions are stated in the contract that you have signed.

2.  The tourist guide speaks in a different language as yours. When choosing a tour guide, one of your primary considerations should be the language used by the guide. Also, it is best that you ask the guide to always speak in the language that you understand. Why is this so? If your guide speaks in the native tongue and you have no idea what he is saying, it is easier for him to make deals that he will use to rip you off. Because of this, it is best that you make an effort to familiarize yourself with some of the most used local phrases. In this way, you will be able to decipher each conversation your tour guide makes.

3.  The tour guide asks for high commissions or tips. Tipping etiquette vary from one place to another, In Egypt, an extravagant amount of your money will surely be given to tips. Most tourists rely on the tourist guide to tell them how much tip they should be giving. However, there are instances wherein the guide connives with the waiters, busboys and the likes so they can get fat cash from you. This is why it is best that you do some research before your tour so that you will be able to know when you are being ripped off. Also, most tourist guides work on commission basis wherein they will persuade tourists to buy a ‘special souvenir’ in a certain store where they are affiliated in.

4.  The tour guide takes an off the beaten path that looks suspicious. Since you are not familiar with the place, it is quite easy for the travel guide to make up and invent special sceneries and attractions. Since you are ‘adventurous’, you will definitely be excited about what’s in store on these attractions. For times like these, it is always best that you have your phone with you. Also, try to know the contact numbers of the local police so that you can call them at anytime.

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Although villas can potentially afford you the accouterments of home living, if not researched properly your vacation could be disastrous. Before renting a vacation villa, there are essential things you must consider.

Choose your villa wisely

There are tons of rental possibilities on websites advertised by rental agents, but it is likely that these agents may not even visit the villas.

Vacation villas often go by different names, as they are often represented by several agencies. Insist that your agent give you the real name of the villa so that you may research the best price possible.

Know exactly what you are paying for by asking about detailed amenities lists, staffing information and any taxes or surcharges.

Ask specific questions like whether a particular property’s style resonates the signature style of the area. Also, demand to know the good and the bad details.

Know your agent

Perhaps the most important thing of all is to know your villa rental agent. Should an unforeseen problem arise during your stay, how accessible will your agent be?

Oftentimes, the agent is not the owner of the property. In these cases, make sure that the agent and the owner have a sound and communicative relationship. 

If your rental agent does not initially ask you specific questions concerning your rental expectations, that’s a very bad sign. It is to your benefit that your villa agent speaks the language of the area and is extremely familiar with his or her properties. Find a trustworthy broker who is willing to disclose the lowdown on the pitfalls.

Enjoy your stay

Once you finally arrive to your destination, expect to spend time learning basic living protocol if you are a stranger to the region. This cuts in on your vacation time, so try to do as much research on the area as possible before you arrive. 

Your agent should serve as your information ambassador, making house books, Web resources and brochures readily available to you. This information should detail exactly what your travel package includes.

Image source:http://mashable.com

Expect the unexpected

Do not take expected luxuries for granted and have a firm idea of what to expect. Some properties come with animals, the owner or live-in employees.

There also may be basic things that you might expect but that are not readily available, like cleaning supplies and certain appliances. Additionally, common comforts may not be so accessible either. There may be a limited water supply, little to no Internet access or poor electricity (or none at all).

There is a possibility that not every bedroom will have a bathroom, and not every villa may have a bathroom. Outhouses are not all that rare in some areas of the world.

Plan in advance

You don’t want to travel halfway around the world to a place like Southeast Asia, for example, just to discover that you’ll need to hire out a philippines investigation unit to find the nearest market that sells your beloved hamburger meat.

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Having said that, since the advent of the digital age many of us make sure we are able to remain in touch our normal lives while we’re away. Whether we choose to take a laptop, tablet or cellphone with us, or perhaps we make a daily trip to the local Internet café, we don’t quite feel as though we can relax properly without knowing everything is OK back home. Here are four common reasons to get onto to the web during a vacation.

Send and receive emails

The first thing most people do when they log on to the Internet when on holiday is to sign into their email account. For many tourists, the email system is the only way to remain in touch with people back home, so they therefore feel happier once they have ascertained that there are no issues that need to be dealt with. A sizable proportion of travellers also check their work inbox at least once or twice while they’re away as well.

Find out the sports results

OK it’s fair to assume this is mainly a male thing, but it doesn’t make it any less important. There are plenty of tourists who won’t be able to relax fully on even the most comfortable sun-lounger if they don’t know whether the New York Jets, Manchester United or the All Blacks won their most recent game. Thankfully, the Internet makes it easy to keep up with the sporting action from all across the globe.

Social networking

A quick look at Facebook or Twitter is often all that’s needed to keep us up to date with all the news and gossip from home. Social networking sites have become increasingly popular in recent times – there are more than 160 million Facebook users in the USA alone – and for many people the day isn’t truly complete without a look at the statuses of friends, work colleagues and family members.

Check out the weather forecast

Looking at online weather forecasts on holiday serves a double purpose. You can find out hopefully how hot and sunny it’s going to be in your chosen destination in the coming days and, perhaps more importantly, how wet and miserable it will be back home. Needless to say, it can be great fun to let everyone know just how warm you currently are and how the only way to keep cool is by ordering an ice cold drink.

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URBANSPOON

Urbanspoon is very useful in finding restaurants and diners in unfamiliar places. It scans the closest food places in your current area with just one shake of your smartphone. Also you can make reservations and see what restaurants your friends like. This is definitely a great help for travelling businessmen and families.

TRIPOSO

Having trouble finding internet connection for your smartphone during a trip in another country? Well be troubled no more! Triposo is a travel guide app for smartphones that can work offline. It is updated with info of more than 50 countries and cities plus has a currency converter and a weather report system.

HAILO

Visiting the UK? Well then Hailo, a taxi finding and calling application for smartphones is the best app to have. This unique feature can track taxis near you and calculate how far and how long it’ll take for the cab to get to your location. Payment for the taxi can be either in cash or card. Also Hailo is now available in Toronto, Dublin, Chicago and Boston.

INSTAGRAM

This app may be the most famous and most utilized travel application since it most people love to take pictures and upload them ASAP. Plus this simple application lets you retrace where you have been through global pinpointers via GPS.

XE CURRENCY

Lastly, what’s better than an up to date currency guide right? None! XE currency gives you live and daily accurate changes in world currency. This is very useful for travelling especially for travelers and businessmen who visits different countries on a regular basis. It also comes with a calculator and a save function for offline use as well.

Enjoying what the world has to offer has its benefits and risks and we have the power to make sure that we enjoy every bit of it safely. Countless applications still await us in the future but for now, let us utilize the best in the market for a safe and fun filled travel.

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It sounds like a great idea on paper but suddenly you’ve found yourself stuck on a tourist coach without
air-conditioning & struggling to get up a hill as the tour guide rambles on with nonsensical stories that may or may not be true. It’s an all too common mistake, but why suffer any more? It’s time to get yourself out of the tourist trap and onto the open road as you become your own tour guide on the greatest driving roads in the world.

Los Angeles to San Francisco   

Considered one of the greatest drives in the world the roads on this route have been the location for countless movie scenes and now it’s your turn to join in the fun.

Driving along the California coast you’ll take in the Pacific Ocean, watching in awe as waves crash against the jagged shoreline before stopping at one of the many picturesque mountain ranges. Be sure to visit towns including Laguna Beach and Carmel by the Sea.

The real highlight of the trip is yet to come, as you enter San Francisco and the Golden Gate Bridge opens up before you welcoming you to one of America’s most famous landmarks.

Driving Time:
11 Hours Non Stop

Highlights:
Carmel by the Sea, Monterey Bay, Hearst Castle, Golden Gate Bridge

Watch out for:

Devils Slide, named due to erosion that previously made the road impassable.

Stay at:

The Four Seasons Beverly Wilshire (L.A) Marriot Union Square (San Francisco)

Jebel Hafeet Mountain Road – United Arab Emirates

English: Jebel Hafeet mountain in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

There’s something slightly impure about having this road on our list, after all it was built specifically to be the ultimate driving road and only leads from a car park to a hotel (albeit a very luxurious one.)

However what the road lacks in purity it more than makes up for in terms of sheer driving fun, with 60 formula one inspired corners and a 4,000 foot ascent. Furthermore, it’s almost always empty
(after all it doesn’t really go anywhere) meaning you are assured of hours of fun without the risk of a single traffic jam.

Driving Time:

30 minutes Non Stop

Highlights:

60 Formula one inspired corners and an 18 hole golf course at the summit,

Watch out for:
Due to the 45c heat the surrounding Sand Dunes seem to move, be sure to keep your eyes on the road!

Cape Town – Port Elizabeth – South Africa

Wine enthusiasts will love this journey from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth as your drive past 65 different wineries all more tantalising than the other… but be warned, you may need to appoint a designated driver.

The route passes through South Africa’s famous Winelands and offers 748km of winding roads and stunning landscapes, well what else would you expect in a country as diverse and magnificent as South Africa?

Stop at the natural springs and Roman baths located at the warmwaterberg spa, it’s a great place to relax after hours of driving. The route also takes you past Klaasvoogds game reserve, an ideal location to spot wildebeest, leopard and zebra.

Driving Time:   

9.5 Hours Non Stop

Highlights:

Take a donkey trail over the Swatberg mountain range

Watch out for:

This is a long journey so be sure to split driving duties

Stay at:

Cape Grace Hotel (Cape Town) Protea Hotel Marine (Port Elizabeth)

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One of the most popular holidays is the traditional city break, or the so called escape which many couples do. It’s an opportunity to have a few relaxing days, to enjoy dining out and some sightseeing. The most popular is the weekend getaway as there are plenty of romantic packages for couples available online. Two days are enough to see a big city and try the cuisine and the nightlife too.

Another popular type of holiday is the family vacation. The ideal destination is a place that offers plenty of things to do for all ages. It’s best to choose a resort which has outdoor activities organized. A family holiday doesn’t have to be a long one – even just 5-6 days are enough to spend a wonderful time with your spouse and children and try new activities as a family.

If you don’t want to lie in the sun and relax throughout most of the time, the perfect holiday for you is the adventure holiday. There are so many types and destinations you can go to, that you’d be spoiled for choice. Some of the adventure holidays you can try include water-skiing, rock-climbing, safari holiday, camping and more. This is one of the best ways to experience nature and ensure a vacation full of adrenaline.

You might be surprised by this type of holiday, but it’s becoming more and more common – the short holiday on one’s own is a great opportunity to rediscover yourself, meet new people and do all the things you’ve never had the chance to do. Going on holiday by yourself might sound boring at first, but once you head to your destination, you will feel the freedom and the excitement.

If you have a big budget to spend, go on a round the world tour. Pick your most desirable destinations and plan the trip of your lifetime. There are so many beautiful places (popular and not so popular) you can explore with friends or your significant other.

You could also go on holiday when there will be a big sporting event – a tournament, a match, the Olympic Games, etc. It’s great to explore the city, while watching the sport you love and meeting new people with the same interest as you.

Why don’t you visit some friends or relatives who live abroad? This is one of the cheapest types of holiday, because the accommodation is sorted for you. Moreover, you will get to see all the best places, catch up with your friends and have the best travel guides you could ask for.

Go on a road trip and combine it with camping and hiking. This is a wonderful outdoor experience that’s fun and a real challenge. Sleeping in a tent and having a fire every evening is relaxing and memorable. Organize a group of friends who are not afraid to camp out and pick the perfect route.

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1. GPS System: One of the more important tools that travelers may need is a reliable GPS system. However, this can depend on your traveling method. If a good amount of driving is required for your travels, then a GPS is going to be one of the best tools for you. Be sure to choose one that has free map updates as this can save a lot of time and money in the long run. On the other hand, if you travel primarily by plane, a GPS probably would not be as useful, but can still be a great tool to bring on trips where any type of driving is going to be involved.

2. Smartphone: Smartphones have taken the world by storm and almost everyone has some type of smartphone albeit an iPhone 5, Android, Blackberry, Windows Phone, you name it. With these handy devices, you can access email, browse the web, make and receive calls, and stay connected to your friends, family, and business all in one easy handheld device. Although the small size of a smartphone may limit you somewhat, these handy devices have been listed as the traveler’s best tool.

3. Adaptor: For international travelers, they can’t stress how important adaptors are. This small tool can be easily included in luggage, and a basic wall adaptor can be used in outlets around the world. If you find yourself traveling globally, a travel adaptor is one of the easiest gadgets to find. When purchasing an adaptor, be sure to choose one that can be converted or used in at least three countries– and will be able to work for major types of electrical outlets.

4. Ultrabook: For travelers that like having a more substantial computer, the ultra-slim ultrabooks are a great choice. These slim and small computers are a great tool to carry around. They have the same features of a computer, but are slim enough to fit into a small bag or purse and have a long-lasting battery life. In addition, the keyboard makes it a perfect tool for typing documents or writing emails—a feature iPads and smartphones just cannot compete. Overall, ultrabooks offer travelers more options and easy access to many computer functions that smaller handheld devices lack.

5. E-reader: Our last suggested tool would have to be an e-reader. Whether you go with the newest Windows RT Tablet which can be used as an e-reader or a kindle, or a nook, these are great ways to keep up with books, magazines, and newspapers while on the road. Furthermore, these are fairly inexpensive, especially for basic version e-reader which typically span under $100. They’re also handy because you can practically fit a library’s worth of books all in one small handheld tablet. If you’re an avid reader, this is a great tool for you to take when traveling.

The next time you head out on a trip, be sure to bring one of these top five devices.

Author: Courtney Lee – Follow him on Google+.

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The botel as an original and not a common type of vacation rentals is both – intriguing and cozy. Before we select you all of the advantages to have a bed in a botel during your upcoming holiday tour, we should explain you the meaning, the origin, and the functionality of this amazing and distinctive amenity. The word “botel” is coming from the English language as a functional hybrid between hotel and boat, so that is why you can also find a boatel as a word, presenting the same type of original and unique accommodation alternative. The botel is an ordinary hotel or a cheap hostel, which, though, possesses one characteristic that makes it so special and diverse. It associates with a boat, because the botel is situated right next to a channel, river or even a bay. This is not the boats, yachts or ships that are used for cruises through the ocean or the seaside. The botels never moves from a place to another, because they are moored in the most beautiful and attractive wharf cities or in those towns, where picturesque scenery is formed thanks to a riverside that crosses the district in its middle.
The accommodation in the botel reminds of the accommodation in the boat or in the ship, while you are participating in a dynamic and super cool cruise. However, you can preclude the possibility to catch seasickness, which is a big plus for a holiday in a botel room. You can feel some slight movements and shakes during your stay, which are usually caused by the passing by vessels. The awesome thing, though, is that the botel provides an amazing view no matter which room you will be placed in. the breakfast with the riverside scenery in front of you is an extra to your lovely romantic vacation. Besides, there are different kinds of botels – small and cheap, where you can be provided both – an original accommodation alternative and a friendly-budget list of prices for the services. There are also luxury botels with amazing apartments and sumptuous residential rooms. The most popular botels are located in North America – mostly in the region of New York – and in Australia, where the planet of bays and channels present the best conditions for a luxury and impressive net of botels. You can also find several botels in Europe. Try to book a room in the botel of Amsterdam or in the newest botel in Bratislava, which is located next to the New Bridge in the capital of Slovakia – you will not regret by all means.

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