Ultimate Vacation Spots

posted by Travel Cat on Mar 10

Spring has finally arrived - with birds, plants and insects all over the place!

I have seen some peacock butterflies bathing in the sunshine, crocuses bursting open all over the place and even daffodils peeking out!  What a great time to get your kids outside and help them explore their surroundings!

Although this is nature of a different sort, this is a lovely story of bringing history to life. Read Dee Andrews enjoyable story of a day out in history with Pompeii Through the Eyes of a Child.

Following this, here is another great story about kids on vacation with MummyT as she cross South-east Asia with here 9-year-old Virachey National Park.

And someone else already out there with the family - this time they are enjoying New York - so join Jennifer Miner for a personal run down of her Best NYC Things to Do with Kids

And finally, here is a really disgruntled blogger who had terrible trouble while traveling with her kids - check out Sierra Black article advising: Flying with Kids? Beware! and get active yourself when problems arise!

So, if you are heading off beware, and be prepared - and make sure you avoid problems by careful planning.

posted by Travel Cat on Feb 24

Before rushing off to book that equine adventure - make your checks!

It’s not so simple to just book yourself onto a week long horse adventure without a care in the world - it’s not like a normal all inclusive, although your food will normally be included here too.

So, here’s a few things to consider before making that booking:

Are You Insured?
Check you holiday insurance details before you make a booking just incase your full trip or part of your intended journey isn’t covered.

A short ride along a beach is probably ok for most; but 4 days trekking through the Andes or wandering across the Sahara for a week might not be a sure thing!

Are They Insured?
And, are you liable for any injuries to the horse or pony while you are riding it? 

And what if the horse you are given for the ride becomes unsuitable for riding - do they have to supply another one for you?  Make sure you know before you go!

The last thing you need is an extra bill at the end of the trip - or a few days riding missed as they have no backup plan!

Are You Ready?
Just because you love horses and riding, is that enough to think that you can sit on one for several hours a day, and for several days in a row?

Sitting in the saddle for a 2 hr trek seems fine - but what about 6 hours at a time - day after day?

And 6 hours of riding can be very tiring for someone who isn’t used to it - and what about all that cantering across huge fields and along beaches.  Can you keep up?

Are You Dressed?
You need to find out what equine equipment is available to you, or whether you should bring your own - or whether you are allowed to bring your own.

For example, it is always advised that you bring your own hat as you cannot guarantee that those supplied (if any) are up to your own countries safety standards, and that they even fit you!  A riding center can’t supply several of every sized riding hat in case you turn up with your very small head!  And a wrong sized hat will not do the best job in terms of your safety.

Some centres might like you to bring your own gloves and boots, but can you use a crop, spurs or other preferred equipment?  You need to find out the stables policy on anything you like to use when riding to see if it all adds up.

Are You Hungry?
Most all inclusive and full board vacation packages supply vegetarian options or have buffet meals to give you the freedom of choice - but vegans, celiacs and any other allergy sufferers might have trouble unless they plan for this in advance.

By making your food preferences known before booking or as soon as possible afterwards you will find that you will be eating without any problems.  I mean the last thing you need on an active holiday is to go hungry!

Are You Alone?
Many activity holidays share accommodation, rather than give single rooms to everyone.  Some times they are 2-shares but sometimes depending on the age of the group, you may all share bunks in the same room!

If you want your own space in the evenings check that there is the opportunity for this on your trip.  If it is in a remote location this might not be possible - so do this before you book anything!

Are You Still Up For It?  Then get that vacation booked!
 

posted by Travel Cat on Feb 4

Regardless of whether you have breakdown recovery - you need to check your own car!

Yes, they will come and help you out of a sticky spot if you break down or get a flat tire, but they can’t help you see that car behind you, or make your seat-belt save your life in an accident!

This means that there are certain things that you should check yourself before heading off on your vacation in your car, van, or RV.

Obviously, making sure that you have enough ’spares’ can go a long way to keeping you on the road as well - so a set of spare bulbs, a roadworthy spare tire and the jack to help change it, a warning triangle, spare gas, spare oil and water all in suitable containers and blankets and waterproof clothes just in case!

But the list below is for those little things that only take a second to check for yourself, giving you time to put them right before heading off:

Tires:
Make sure that they all have a decent depth of tread on all used and spare tires and that they are fully inflated to the recommended pressure.

Lights:
Check that they are all working as they should when it’s not sunny - whether this means getting a friend to stand outside and watch them all be checked, or reversing up to a window in the evening and checking them yourself: front and back!

Windscreen:
Any cracks or chips in the front windscreen should be treated by an expert to make srue that they stay the same size!  Untreated cracks and chips can easily spread at any time into something that makes seeing out of the front window impossible and/or dangerous.

Getting a chip fixed is usually free with your insurance - but a new windscreen isn’t!

Your window-washing liquid and wipers should be checked too as they can make driving impossible under some conditions.  My windscreen got totally covered in road grit during a cold spell, and it didn’t seen a problem until I turned a corner into bright sunshine - I couldn’t see a thing - not a thing: then I found out that my windscreen water was empty and I literally had to put on my hazard lights and stop there and then, right in the middle of the road!

Seat Belts:
Make sure that all your seat-belts work properly even if you are not intending to use them, as you never know when you will need them - and you could be very far from a garage!  And of course, seat-belts are a way of saving lives - so your friends and family will be a lot safer with them working correctly.

Doors & Windows:
For your own safety and comfort, you should make sure that all doors and windows work correctly as you never know when you need to get out of the car quickly and when you might need to open your windows.

Both have happened to me, as my drivers door was being fixed over a period of a few days as the electric windows had stopped working.  Then I pulled up at a busy motorway toll booth!  I had to get out of the car using the passenger door (!) and walk all the way around front of the car to pay the cashier, then walk all the way back around with more than 5 cars I could see watching me!

I will certainly make sure that never happens again!

posted by Travel Cat on Jan 27

Yep.  Right in the heart of the Bronx is an exciting and beautiful park, woodland and deep gorge to explore.

We all know the Bronx Zoo, but how many of us have spent time wandering along the many paths and trails of the the Bronx Park?

The sheer size of the Bronx park and the variety of flora and fauna found here make this natural area one of the real hidden gems of New York - well worth a visit.

A Natural Secret?
The Botanical Gardens here also holds a historic secret - a 50 acre woodland.  Not so exciting? 

Well, what if I told you it was the exact woodland that was here when the land was first brought in 1891?  So it has been undisturbed for over 130 years!

It was part of the continuous woodlands that covered the whole of the the area when the European migrants first came over in the 17th century. And when you stand among these giants in the peace and quiet - can you imagine the whole of New York city covered in it? 

Water World And More:
There is the Bronx River running through the centre of the park and it is the perfect place for water sports.  There are several launch points for kayaking and canoes.

The river runs through a deep gorge with waterside walks and some amazing plants and trees lining the way.

There are also basketball courts, baseball diamonds, soccer fields, cycle routes and skate parks to name a few of the extensive facilities supplies to the parks users.

There are also dog runs for those with pets, and playgrounds for those with kids!

And, of course, a zoo full of tigers!

posted by Travel Cat on Jan 16

Have you made any travel plans for this year?

Well, maybe it’s time you did to make sure that you have the best time this year doing what you love- and getting extra holiday days from your boss without having to take unpaid leave - can a 18 day vacation only cost you 10 days holiday?  You bet.  But you need to plan ahead.

By taking advantage of what already there can make all the difference between wasting a few days off by staying home, and travelling across the world to some far flung destination!  I know which I would prefer!

Plan Your Days Off
We all know that not everyone takes all their holiday entitlement from work - so make sure that you do.  Plan your days off around any normal days off you get - for example if you only work 5 days a week, then make sure that you stretch out your vacation time to add these in rather than ‘lose’ them. 

By this I mean that you must plan your time off to coincide with existing ‘free’ days off.  So say you wanted to plan a 10 day holiday - you could get 18 days straight off work if you plan it right!  So you would need to have the Saturday and Sunday off of week one as your normal days, and the Monday and Tuesday off as normal days off in week 2, then add 5 days holiday to get you to the end of week 2.  Take your other 5 days holiday for the start of week 3 followed by your 2 normal days off, then add your 2 normal days off for week 4.

• Week 1: 2 days off (2 normal days off)
• Week 2: 7 days off (2 normal days off + 5 days paid holiday)
• Week 3: 7 days off (2 normal days off + 5 days paid holiday)
• Week 4: 2 days off (2 normal days off)

This gives you a grand total of 18 days straight off work - time enough to get to Asia, Australia or South America and tour a few sights with time to spare!

Start At The Weekend:
You also need to work out the best 2 normal days off to use as if you use them mid-week, you get less days off in a row for you holiday.  Starting your 10 day holiday on a week day (rather than the Saturday used for the above example) will only give you 16 days straight for your 10 days paid!

That’s 2 days earlier you will have to fly home and be back at work!

Happy Holidays!