Ultimate Vacation Spots

posted by Travel Cat on Aug 10

Take a visit to the historic, sun-blessed and beautiful sandy-beached Hilton Head Island!

If you fancy a vacation with difference - then consider this pretty little island in the very south of South Carolina on the Atlantic coast.  Whether you want to explore the extensive sand dunes and wetlands, play on some of the internationally famous golf courses (the PGA stop of Verizon Heritage) - or to just relax in a great rental and watch the sun set over the waters - try out this location for size!

And with a nickname of ‘Sun City’ you couldn’t want for a better location to spend your well earned vacation!

The Destination:
On the Eastern Seaboard - this historic location has over 19 kms of beach and tribes on indigenous peoples and their culture.  It is also a popular tourist location and so has all the modern trappings that a vacationer needs - but still in relative peace and quiet!

This location has very ‘eco friendly’ design plans where buildings have to be built around existing trees rather than bulldozing them down!  More than 70% of the housing here is in gated communities - including the many Hilton Head vacation rentals that you may be tempted into hiring for your vacation!

With pools, security, delightful tree cover and access to beaches in all directions - this place has it all!

And there is more would you believe it?  There is a full size choral society, a symphony orchestra and a Broadway-Quality plays throughout the year!  Add this to the famous golf courses and tennis championships and the huge wine-tasting events - and what more could you ask for?

Making Plans:
This island getaway is certainly a popular location - so make sure that you plan in advance if you want a certain rental.  Some are on the beach, some facing inland and others surrounded by trees - so depending on what you want from your vacation - it wouldn’t be a bad idea to do some research into what is out there.

Also, it’s worth knowing whether you are within walking distance of certain activities or locations that you know you want to visit - like shopping centers, theatres or fishing harbours - thus helping to save on travel costs once you arrive!

It’s also worth knowing a bit about the history of the island before setting off as well - as Hilton Head certainly has a long a varied history, from it’s first discovery, through to its uses over the past few hundred years and all it’s remaining historical buildings and trees that line the streets across the city.

I found a great site that details all the information you are going to need for planning your trip here - including details about vacation rentals.  It’s easy to use and is packed full of information about costs, dates, activites, golf courses and some perfect beach front properties - you just need to filter your searches and they could help you find the ideal location for you and your family at the right price!

So, just click on one of the links in this post to take you to the best place to start in your vacation search in Hilton Head.

Hope you enjoy yourself there!

posted by Travel Cat on Aug 1

Whether it’s home or abroad - you need to consider the needs of your laptop!

We take them a bit for granted now, but they are still valuable things.  For example, I save all my pictures on my laptop and all my contacts for email, etc - as well as spreadsheets about all sorts of things - so what happens to it all if your laptop is stolen or gets broken?

It’s enough to worry about at home - but what about when traveling with it for days or months at a time?

Well, I have put together a few great tips - things to think about before you head off that could save you a lot of time and money in the future!  Simple planning tools for a plain-sailing vacation!

Ultimate Power:
All laptops have their battery within them and a power lead to charge them up - so have you got both for starters?

But lets start with the battery first. You can calibrate your battery to make sure that it is charging itself up fully every time.  If they are not fully charged as per the manufacturers instructions the first time - they may never charge properly ever again! 

But - thank goodness - you can follow a set of simple steps at home before you go to make sure that you ‘reset’ the battery to take a full charge (following the manufacturers instructions of course!) - and at least it if won’t calibrate properly - or it is running out of juice due to age anyway - then at least you know this in advance of travelling anyway and can buy a replacement on home ground!

You also need to be sure that your laptop will charge fully on alternative power supplies in the countries that you are visiting - as they are not all the same.

Check that you have the correct shape and size adapter as well - and that it can power up your laptop properly - otherwise you have carried it all the way there for nothing!

Also - will you need to reserve a seat on the train, boat or plane that has a power supply next to it?  Not all companies cater for powering laptops or other electrical goods on the move - so make sure that you check for yourself, or upgrade to a seat that does!

Your Important Files:
Make sure that you back up all your important files before you go - either onto an external hard drive or online storage.

And, make sure that you keep them separate at all times - otherwise they will both get damaged at the same time!

Needless to say you should hide all your sensitive data as well - as you might need to be checked by security - and you don’t want them trawling though your company spreadsheets or personal files!  You can easily partition all you files so that the private ones needs a separate access code.

Also by using different passwords to get into your system in the first place; you are preventing data theft and rendering the laptop useless to anyone that steal it.  They can still take it from your of course - but they probably won’t be able to get into any of your files or even the software itself. 

Never assume that you are the only one who will use your laptop - so log out of everything while travelling - as some laptops save your log-ins or open automatically on typing in the web address - a total disaster if someone else gets their hands on your computer!

Airport Security:
Make sure that you can get your laptop through customs as quickly and as safely as possible, by thinking and planning ahead.

Use the right laptop bag to transport it around the airport in the first place, to allow instant access but also to prevent it getting damaged as you move other luggage around or bustle through crowds.

You will also need to send your laptop through the security device separately to your other hand luggage, so make sure that it is out of the laptop bag before you get to the front so as to limit your need to rush and fuss about the thing - and to prevent slowing down the queue!

Maybe even have the laptop powered up - but on sleep mode.  This way, if the staff ask you to turn it on for checking, you can just ‘wake it up’ rather than boot it up!  Not only does this save you time - but you will be less stressed through it and there is likely to be less damage to the laptop through all these checks.

If you have allowed your laptop to run out of battery on the journey to the airport - then you could have a problem if they want to see it working - so make sure that the power cable is packed in the same bag - otherwise you are going to get very stressed at the customs desk!

posted by Travel Cat on Jul 29

Have you ever just thought about driving into the sunset rather than going home?

You must have been sitting in traffic on the way to work - or stuck in congestion going to visit a friend - and just wanted to be out of there and off to somewhere different, so why not just do it one day?

You don’t need to plan a vacation and take time of work as such - just pick a direction and drive off!  Of course, if you have longer, you can get further - but a few days will do!  I did it once, just thought about a few things I wanted to see, and headed off….. 

The Trip:
I love historic buildings and wildlife, so when I set off on my 3 month road trip - I made sure that I joined a few societies (to get free entry) and then headed off into an adventure!

You can end up anywhere and for as long as you want - depending on your car and your ideas.  Even better the adventure if you just take a map and your bags!

Your only worry need be finding a petrol station and deciding where you want to visit next! 

As long as you have a hotel guide to hand, you can stop anywhere you want - 1 night or 2! There is no need to book a room way in advance - although you sometimes might have to make a few calls to find an empty room at the weekends - you can call as late as 3pm and still get a place.  This gives you more freedom to change your route and plans as things happen.

Staying in the same accommodation in places you like the look of allows you to leave your things in the room while you go out and explore - whereas if you only stay the one night, you need to have you stuff in the car while you visit places.  Not so much a problem on the shorter trips - but not so good to leave too much in your car while you head into a zoo or museum for 4 hours or more!

And most hotels offer breakfast included as well as a great place to eat dinner - so you don’t even need to wander around looking for food.  Or maybe stop off at a store on route and stock up on goodies for the room - there’s nothing better than feet up and a box of chocolates after a day exploring!

The Car:
Well, needles to say you are going to need a car you can trust to take you all those miles - and a car that looks good too wouldn’t be too bad either!

If you are only going away for the weekend - then just head off in whatever you have - but if you are going to make a habit of driving off whenever the mood takes you then why not start making your car look great too!

Make sure that the inside looks as good as the outside - whether it’s shiny bumpers or cool seat covers - you can drive in style wherever you decide to go!  No need to be embarrassed about your wheels!

Whether it’s a nice picnic basket for the back seat, a sleek bike rack for the roof or some brand new vw accessories for the camper-van - splash out and make it a trip to remember!

Sometimes, you wait so long trying to plan the ‘perfect’ trip, that you never actually get around to doing anything!  The number of people who say ‘I was planning to do something like that…’ or ‘I’ve always wanted to do that!’  But why can’t you just do it? 

Take a chance and just go do it!

So, get a collection of your favourite CD’s and grab your camera for the ride of your life!

posted by Travel Cat on Jul 16

There are thousands of amazing locations in Africa, but I have narrowed it down to my Top 10.

Spread across this huge continent and all showing off the varied cultures and landscapes that can be found from the very north to the southern tip of this diverse and colourful continent!

Africa is  the second largest continent in the World - and there is plenty here to prove it.  From the glorious Mediterranean Sea way north of the Tropic of Cancer, to within miles of Antarctica in the south; from the roaring Atlantic Ocean on the West Coast to the gentle azure water to the Indian Ocean to the East.  And everything in-between!

Currently known as the birthplace of human evolution, this country is still filled with indigenous people and new-comers alike.  There are over a billion people living here, with over 2000 languages spoken by those living here. 

But it’s not just about the people - the places are breath-taking too, with every known habitat type found here.  From mountains and volcanoes to deserts and valleys; from tropical cloud forest to barren Savannah - and all the different wildlife that offers.

So, imagine you are planning your next vacation here - and choose your ideal location!

1) Okavango Delta - Botswana
The most lush and verdant wetland - that doesn’t empty in to the sea!  This inland ‘estuary’ fills with water during the wet season - leaving you totally surrounded by endless wildlife and plants.

Miles and miles or canals and waterways to travel along, attracting huge numbers of elephants, hippos and giraffes.  Not to mention flowers, insects and birds galore!  Hotels are on the main rivers and tributaries - so you can share breakfast with a herd of elephants!

2) Garden Route - South Africa
Famed for it’s ocean views and mountain backgrounds - this coastal stretch is crammed full of flowers in the peak season - crammed full!

Not only are there whales to see in the warm Indian Ocean where it meets the cooler Atlantic, but our own history right before us.  The shells on the beaches weren’t brought here and dumped - they are thousands of years worth of human waste; from when we first became humans and discovered seafood!

3) Victoria Falls - Zimbabwe & Zambia
This huge slice through the middle of 2 countries is just jaw-dropping.  The nearly 2000 metres wide Zambezi river falls over the top - and has cut back into the rocks over thousands of years to engulf 7 different gorges - and now looks like a great big gash in the landscape that seems to swallow up the river into the ground beneath it!

Needless to say there are different locations from which to view it - and there are hotels along it’s banks - but the best view must be from a helicopter flying into the heart of the gorge!  Nothing would be more amazing than getting inside this amazing natural feature!

4) The Seychelles - Indian Ocean
Needless to say that these tiny islands are totally beautiful!  Surrounded by the Indian Ocean and dotted with tropical jungles and exotic species - you can’t go wrong here!

There are 115 islands to choose from for your visit - although some are more populated than others!  Some have those amazing giant granite ‘pebbles’ resting at the waters edge, and others are a haven for tropical birds and insects.  Whichever you choose - I doubt you will be disappointed!

5) Madagascar - Indian Ocean
Another island nation - altogether larger than any in the Seychelles - but is unique for it’s lemurs, chameleons, baobab trees and the Dodo!

With miles of exotic coastline edged up to by dense tropical jungles - this is a haven for wildlife lovers!  The island was under colonial control for thousands of years so there is a lot of European influence in language, culture and architecture.  Quite a interesting mix!

These are just the first 5 beautiful places in Africa that I would recommend - so join me in a few days for the remaining 5 spots - if these aren’t enough for starters! 

posted by Travel Cat on Jul 10

Welcome back for the summer holidays - and if you are running out of ways to entertain the kids - then we have some help for you here!

There are always plenty of ideas of kids entertainment.  Some parents prefer to pay for a theme park or other activities like rides and zoos, whereas other tend to take them in a more creative direction with making things, playing close to home, wildlife skills and family time.  So we really get a wide range or articles here - and hopefully you will enjoy those given below in this summer carnival.

Lets start with the best thing a mother or father could have when it comes to traveling with kids: A planner. Here, Bill Tyler helps you decide which type would be best for you with: How to Pick the Right Mom Organizer - obviously they work just as well for dads!

And filling the Summer Holidays with just such a plan is Alejandra Halvorssen with Summer Plans, Again for this school break!

Next a lovely little photojournal of the next step in a regular: where Theodora and her 9 year old bring us: Round Halong Bay by Junk with yet more great photos.

And why not take a leaf out of Phillip Lopez book, and plan to take your kids on one of these 10 Amazing Religious Pilgrimages. Not only will they be away from all the regular holiday-makers, rides and cotton candy - they will be experiencing a different culture and learning the respect of the old ways - they don’t need to be religious to follow a pilgrimage, but it is certainly a great experience for anyone.

Now, we come to the creative things for the kids to pass the time. Lets start with these 2 quickies from Joleen Parker; first up is Festive Flip-Flops « Jobie’s Crafts, then have some fun decorating your Summer Fun Tote « Jobie’s Crafts - just try not to get confused by all the ad’s in the posts……

Then finally - feast your eyes upon Olivia Davis seemingly endless list of things for the kids to do: Kids Summer Activity List: 100 Creative and Cheap Summer Activities For Your Kids. Maybe even getting the kids to spend time talking abut the list in the first place could kill another 3 hours!

Enjoy yourselves as much as the kids!