Travel Tips and Strategies Archives - Page 3 of 13

Feb 04 2014

5 London Travel Tips From A Local

My London travel tips for Americans article has been so popular that I thought I’d do another one but this time from a local’s perspective.

My friend Colleen Williams, a marketing manager for a college in North London and a travel blogger at www dot adlibtraveller dot com, is originally from Birmingham, UK but relocated to London three years ago. She loves the city life and the ease of travel that living in London affords.

I had some questions about taking the road less traveled, British vocab, London transpo, those cute (but expensive) black cabs and sightseeing. Check out Colleen’s London travel tips and add it to your list of things to know before you go.

Where to go outside London

What are some off the beaten path neighborhoods you’d suggest people visiting and how can they get there?

Rather than venturing to central London, I’ve learnt that some of the most authentic experiences are outside of the centre. I’m thinking Brixton, Richmond, Golders Green, Islington to name a few. These are examples of places where Londoners live and visit daily. I can’t recall the last time I went through Central London and honestly, I actively try to avoid it.

British vocab

What are some vocabulary words that Brits use that differ greatly from us (e.g. I think you all call a truck a lorie (sp?), sneakers? pants? line is cue, right? bathroom?)

I recently meet a friend from the USA as she visited London. We spent some time discussing this very subject, the fact she referred to a sleeveless jacket as a ‘vest’, something we’d call a ‘gilet’ or bodywarmer. Pants in the USA = trousers in the UK. If you go into a store and ask for pants, you’ll be shown to the underwear section!

Transportation in London

What’s the best way to get around the city? And time that you shouldn’t do the Tube (don’t they charge you more during rush hour?) What about the cabs – are there certain ones people shouldn’t take? Do they all only take cash?

When I first moved to London, I spent a huge amount of time using the tube network only. Whilst it’s a great service, especially for longer trips, friends advised that I use the bus or walk. Not only is it healthier but you really do learn more about the route of your journey (plus it can be a good way to fit in some unintended sightseeing).

If you can use the bus or walk then do so (you’ll start to realize how small the city can feel when you walk). If the tube is your preference then avoid peak times. I can’t imagine anything worse to portray Londoners and the daily commute. It becomes a maze of pushing, ill-mannered people and fighting for any available seat. It’s not a pleasant experience and will likely result in a bad start to your day.

If you’re preferring to use a taxi, then try to have cash ready. Black cabs will cost much more than a pre-booked transfer. Pre-booking also gives you the chance to confirm the price before your journey and have the money ready. Black cabs have now started to accept credit/debit card payments, however there is a nominal fee added for this service.

Money-saving tips

Eating in London can be expensive. How can you save money on food?

To save money in London, don’t be afraid to venture out of the centre. A meal on Oxford Street won’t deliver the same value as a local eatery in Camden or even better, a food market like Borough Market if you want to try a selection of foods at reasonable prices.

Would you suggest something like the London pass or another discount type of card to save money on attractions?

To make the most of visiting London attractions, I would opt for money-saving alternatives to the mainstream. I’ve tried a walking tour in London with London Walks where a guide showed me around accompanied by around 10 other people. We navigated the streets and learnt more than I would have done on a bus tour. If you’re comfortable to try a bus tour but prefer not to use a company, this guide offers a brilliant way to recreate your own tour at the cost of a day ticket on the London travel network.

Your turn! Are you heading to London? What questions do you have? Leave a comment below and we’ll hook you up with answers as best we can!

Head to Visit Britain site to purchase your Visitor Oyster Card before you go and save money on the Tube and other public transportation in London.

This post contains affiliate links.

Oct 08 2013

Fall Family Travel: Two Common Reasons Why Families Don’t Travel More

Fall is one of my favorite times of the year to travel with the family. It usually consists of day trips and weekend getaways. Every now and again we’ll do something lengthier when the kids have days off from school. However, A lot of families don’t think that they can travel once school is in session for two main reasons: time and money.

No Time To Travel

Let me make a couple of disclaimers before I go further. Both of our kids are school-aged, I don’t homeschool, and we’re not rich. I often hear from families that they don’t have time to travel once school begins. I understand. School commitments are crazy. Every week there’s a fundraiser, or your child has band practice, or a recital, or your child may be involved in sports, which comes with its own set of commitments.

The best way to approach travel in the Fall is to think in terms of your month-to-month schedules and responsibilities. You won’t be traveling every weekend, just choose one where the load is low. Carve out at least two days every month to get some family RnR, take a breather, and avoid the burnout so many of us feel by the holidays.

Strategy:

Games and performances tend to be on Saturdays. Can you leave for your family getaway that evening? Maybe you can just do a day trip on Sunday. Pick a destination that is two hours away, North, West, East or South, and discover something new. Sign up for Groupon Getaways or some other last minute travel site or better yet look at your child’s schedule ahead of time and plan.

Don’t Have The Money

The other day I had a conversation with one of my son’s nurses that went a little something like this:

Nurse: I wish I could travel more with my kids.

Me: Why don’t you? You don’t have the time because of the job?

Nurse: No it’s not the job actually my schedule here is pretty flexible.

Me: Oh okay then what is it? Too stressful?

Nurse: It’s the money. I have three kids. It’s expensive.

Me: Right. Yes, it can be expensive but how are you defining travel? Where are you traveling to?

Nurse: Well yeah. Well we went to Disney last year and that was…

Me: That was Disney. It’s going to be expensive.

Nurse: Right.

Strategy

Me: You have to define travel for yourself. You can travel anywhere with your family. There are plenty of places that aren’t expensive. Here in the mid-Atlantic there are so many places that you can go. We’re in an awesome location.

Nurse: Yeah, I guess you’re right. I didn’t think about it like that.

Me: Yeah, most people don’t. They think the family travel means that they have to go to some sexy destination. Everybody can’t afford London, Hawaii, or Paris. Or Disney for that matter.

Nurse: You know what, you’re right. Well my kids love great Wolf Lodge. We go there all the time. My daughter wants to go again for her birthday in January.

Me: Okay. There are a bunch of other resorts you can go to too. Which Great Wolf Lodge?

Nurse: Williamsburg.

Me: Okay. Well, if they like Great Wolf Lodges, why not check out the one in the Pocono Mountains? There’s also one in Texas. Oh, well never mind – you’d have to fly. But there’s a few that you can drive to or just go to another resort in the Pocono Mountains. Does she like to snowboard?

Nurse: Ooh, that sounds great. She would love that.

Me: Yep! It doesn’t have to cost you a whole lot.

There so many things to discover in our own backyards. Because we live close by we overlook them or take them for granted. However, they’re there and we don’t need to spend a lot of money to enjoy them. So! Where’s your backyard? Tell me what’s in it so that I can come for a visit. 🙂

Aug 11 2013

Traveling Solo With Kids: Managing Travel As A Single Parent

The blog has experienced an uncharacteristic length of silence because I’ve been in constant adjustment to managing a travel lifestyle as a single parent. Since my husband‘s work has taken him overseas a few months ago, I’ve had to get accustomed to traveling solo with kids. It’s not the first time that I’ve had to taken on single parent travel but the circumstances have changed – the kids are older, mommy is older, and life is more hectic in our home.

Managing a household, a business, two young boys, fitness, and travel has been inexplicably difficult. I’ve been faced with some challenges throughout my life but this is one that I can’t pick up a book and read about. Single-entrepreneurial-travel-traithlete-special needs-cancer management-motherhood hasn’t been published yet. I’m living out the chapters on a daily basis.

So why don’t I give up the travel thing? Two reasons, it’s my livelihood and it keeps me sane.

However, that sanity doesn’t come without a headache. It takes a bucket of coordination with other people outside my household (along with an inherent dependency), whether it’s family to watch the boys when I need to travel solo, or a nanny to accompany me when I need the extra set of hands for a family trip.

This past week, I took my 15 year old nephew with us for the first time and we road tripped to the Laurel Highlands and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The 4.5 hour drive with a 5, 9, and 15 year old was more pleasant than I’d expected. I love when my boys surprise me. I even surprised myself! I followed all the tips that I leave for families on my blog, tips like:

Use a packing list.
Dole out responsibilities to any able-bodied person.
Leave at a strategic hour.
Take your time and don’t rush to get to the destination if you can help it.
Pack plenty of snacks, toys, and devices.
Factor in those very important driving breaks every two to three hours.
Get a good night’s sleep the evening before.
Focus on the journey as much as you do the destination.

If there’s one thing that I’ve learned from the trip that I’d say is consistent with the obstacles I face in my life, it’s that there’s always a beginning, middle, and end. My goals should always be to live in the moment and focus on where I’m at.

Jul 08 2013

Traveling With Autism: Resources And Things To Know

Traveling with kids can be a handful; add autism to the mix and it can quickly turn into the Amazing Race. I have a five year old who’s battling both leukemia and autism, so our travels are almost always an adventure. He’s a pretty good traveler, I must admit. He’s limited verbally but he loves riding in new cars, enjoys hopping on trains and buses, and has done well on the plane in the past. He has his tantrums and meltdowns but in general, he isn’t overwhelmed by loud noises or changes in his routine. Traveling with autism isn’t so simple for other children.

For many families of children with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD), the travel landscape feels narrow. Managing the process of flying, dining with a special diet, deciding where to stay, and gauging appropriate destinations, presents a labyrinth of decisions for ASD families. These are just a few of the obstacles to overcome in the trip planning process. However, there are resources in the travel space that are taking note of our growing population and trying to make things more manageable for us.

Autism Defined

Autism is a neurological and developmental disorder characterized by difficulty in communication, socialization, and repetitive behaviors. According to the most recent CDC report, 1 in every 50 children has been identified as having an autism spectrum disorder. The spectrum is wide, and so are the ways in which autism presents itself, especially during travel.

Many children with autism are accustomed to routines and defined schedules. When taken out of their normal setting, breakdowns and tantrums can emerge. Here lies the inherent problem for a family traveling with autism. Travel is anything but routine. More often than not, there will be a hiccup, a delay, a cancellation, or something totally unplanned. That’s the paradox and beauty of traveling for a vacation: expect the unexpected. Yet, a child with autism doesn’t want to hear that. Luckily, the travel landscape is changing.

Flying With Autism

Some families of kids with autism opt not to use the airplane as a means of transportation for their vacations. Issues with security, the boarding process, flight delays, food, uncompassionate travelers, untrained officials, and general sensory overload can be discouraging. However, several US airports are implementing ways to help families with the flying process. Boston Logan; Washington Dulles; Atlanta International; Bridgeport, Connecticut; Manchester, New Hampshire; Philadelphia; and Newark, all offer “mock boarding” experiences that help familiarize ASD children with the routine. Participating airlines in mock boarding programs include: Jet Blue, Air Tran, Continental, Frontier, Southwest, and United Airlines.

The mock boarding process involves practicing: purchasing tickets, navigating the security line, walking through a security scanner, strapping into a plane, and hearing the plane’s engine without ever taking off. Chicago, Houston, and Los Angeles are expected to rollout programs this year in a partnership with nonprofit organization, Autism Inclusion Resources (AIR). Hopefully, every major airport around the country will soon offer a mock boarding program.

The airport rehearsals are invaluable for both families and transportation officials. The child gains familiarity with the routine and airport officials gain insight on how to accommodate and manage the special travel needs of the growing autism community.

Cruises and Autism

Cruising can be therapeutic for most people. For children on the spectrum, that’s not necessarily the case. Ships can be crowded and the rooms can feel claustrophobic, and let’s not even discuss the muster drill. However, an ASD family interested in cruising doesn’t need to rule out the manner of vacationing.

Autism on the Seas (AutismOnTheSeas dot com) is the leading developmental disability service provider to the cruise industry. They arrange group cruises and land resort stays with their staff of therapists, as well as one-on-one respite for individual family trips. Autism on the Seas will handle dining and dietary needs, disability accommodations, pre-vacation planning services, respite care, and special needs accommodations for the muster drill, boarding and disembarkation.

Hotels and Accommodations

When it comes to accommodations and traveling with a child with autism, standard hotels can be a nightmare. There usually isn’t enough space, dining options can be limited, and the arrangement of the room can present a challenge. Over the past couple of years, Trade Winds Island Resorts in St. Petersburg, FL; Clinton Inn in Tenafly, New Jersey; Wyndham Hotel in Austin Texas; and Wyndham Tampa Westshore have made renovations to become official autism-friendly hotels. The Wyndham Hotels, in particular, offer autism-friendly rooms which feature door alarms, power outlet covers, cushions on corner tables, locks on drawers, shorter blind strings, and a set of toys with books in the room.

Dining With Special Diets

It’s not uncommon for a child with autism to be on a special diet. As a matter of fact, it’s becoming more the norm. When we travel, we often opt to stay in hotels or homes that have a kitchen, where I can prepare food for my family. However, when I’m on vacation, I’m not trying to cook everyday and I imagine that’s the case for other parents. There are gluten-free restaurants out there but it takes a bit of research to find the certified ones. Luckily, more and more restaurants are offering and listing their gluten free menu items.

Seattle, Arizona, Colorado, Hawaii, Illinois, Los Angeles, Nevada, San Diego, Texas, Utah and Wisconsin have gluten free restaurant guides where parents can use the restaurant locator for specific locations. The Gluten Intolerance Group of North America (GIG) offers a gluten free restaurant database of spots in thirty two states that provide safe options for the gluten free community. Users can search by cuisine type, keyword, and price point.

In general, at the end of the day, traveling with children is tough. Traveling with autism just adds extra spice to the mix. With a little research, the right resources (hire a special needs travel agent to help you out and consult your occupational therapist to address your child’s specific needs), as well as travel industry considerations, traveling with autism can be manageable.

1. Photo courtesy of whitestone, 123rf.com; 2. Photo courtesy of dubova, 123rf.com.

Jul 05 2013

Packing Light Vs. Packing Not-So-Light: Two Types Of Travelers

I recently read a Huffington Post article by Rick Steves on how he lived out of two carry on bags for two months and I was amazed. And then, I was resolved. I concluded that we are in no way alike. On average, I’m not someone who subscribes to packing light.

Steves remarks, “there are two kinds of people you meet on the road in Europe: those who pack light, and those who wish they’d packed light.” To be more of a generalist, I’d say that there are two types of travelers, ones who pack light and ones who don’t have a problem not packing light!

I. Don’t. Pack. Light. This is who I am.

I’m totally adept at packing light. I’ve done it before. Depending on the circumstances and the nature of the trip, I’ll most likely do it again. Like Steves says, I take a look at my itinerary to see how mobile I’m going to be. Steves notes, “if I’m going to be changing cities every couple of days and using public transportation (trains and buses) rather than a car, I get serious about mobility and packing light.”

I totally get that. Last November, when I traveled to London, I had to take the Tube to a bus to my accommodations, which were located in a neighborhood called Greenwich. It was on the complete opposite side of town from Heathrow airport. One-way cab fare would have cost me $100. With my luggage, a cab seemed like my only option and I almost kicked myself in the foot for not looking at the journey before I packed. And then, I got over it. My bags weren’t oppressively heavy, just a little cumbersome for public transportation. I wasn’t the only one on the train pulling check-in sized luggage pieces.

Here’s the bottom line: I don’t like forgetting ish! It irks me to no end. I don’t like being on a vacation or a trip wishing that I had packed something that I talked myself out of taking. I’m cool with having extras. It makes me feel more secure – secure that I have everything that I need; secure that I don’t have to run to the store to spend extra money buying something that I already own.

I pack just enough to make weight at the airport (if I decide to check in my bags), but leave a little room in my luggage for things that I pick up along the way.

I never know what I want to wear because I don’t know what the journey is going to bring me. I can plan for the basics like walking, swimming, dancing, and dining – mind you, all of these events need totally different outfits – but I don’t know what adventures lay before me. It might rain – I need specific clothes for that. It might be hotter than I expected – I need to change clothes twice a day for that. I might meet some dignitary – I most certainly need a nice dress for that. Okay, okay, so maybe the last one is a bit of a stretch but hey, you never know. I travel with slight excess. I know it. I love it. And I don’t mind it.

If I’m traveling with my kids, forget about it! If I could fit their bathtub in my luggage, I’d take it. And to be honest, when they were babies, I always traveled with a blow-up tub to bathe them in while we stayed at hotels. Oddly enough, “bathing a baby while traveling” is a common search on my site.

When we traveled to the Cayman Islands as a family, I even used Space Bags To Go so that I could get more stuff in our suitcase. It was a great way to keep the boys’ clothes compartmentalized and allowed room for me to pack other items in the bag.

Even though I might take an outfit or two more than I may need, I don’t see myself as an over-packer. I count out my outfits for my days and pack miniature toiletries that I can finish up and throw away.

I’m so meticulous about my packing, that I created packing list cards for the family. There’s a card for baby, a card for mommy, a card for kiddo, and a card for daddy. I’m sure Rick Steves’ packing list looks nothing like the one I created for dads.

I get it. He’s a simple guy. His needs are minimal when he’s on the road and has to switch cities often. Even still, I’m not sure I’d be okay with only two pairs of shoes. Guess he’s not going out dancing while he’s in Europe.

Two types of travelers: the light packer and the leave-nothing-behind packer. There’s nothing wrong with either traveler – They’re just different.

So, what type of traveler are you?