Travel Tips: Traveling with Children

Many parents are hesitant to travel with children for a variety of reasons. Some parents worry about their children’s behavior and endurance while traveling. Other parents worry that they will not be able to see as much or enjoy themselves during their travels. Fortunately, there are many ways to make traveling with children a highly enjoyable experience for everyone in the family.

Find Child-Friendly Lodging
Families that travel frequently know that having a tiny hotel room or a comfortable condo can make a big difference in the quality of the vacation. Families have a much more enjoyable time with they have room to move. Since children need to have space to play, it is important to have lodging that provides that space. There are many family-friendly resorts all over the globe that can make a vacation unforgettable for all of the right reasons.

Be Prepared
Vacationing requires time in a vehicle, like an airplane, train, or car. When children are required to sit for long periods of time, they tend to get bored. Parents who are prepared with things to keep their children busy have a more relaxing time traveling to and from their destinations. Toy manufacturers are aware of the need for travel-friendly toys and games, so there are many different options for children of all ages.

It is also important to have snacks available for kids when they are confined in a small seat for a long period of time. Parents of babies and toddlers who are traveling on airplanes should be sure to bring along bottles and sippy cups to use during take off so that their children do not experience pain in their ears. Bringing chewing gum or suckers for preschoolers or school-age children can make take off less painful, too.

Visit Fun Places
When children get bored, bad things tend to happen. That is why it is important for families who travel to visit sites that are fun and interesting. It may seem like an art museum or historical home might be a perfect choice for the parents, but if the children are not interested, the parents will not be able to enjoy themselves either.

Parents should understand that they may just have to put off visiting more adult themed sites for a few years, until their children are old enough to make the visit pleasant. Children love to climb, run around, and explore, so parents can take these opportunities to visit National Parks, zoos, great beaches, and other locations that encourage hands on activities.

Start Them Early
When parents start bringing their children on vacation with them, parents find that their children become good travelers. Those children get excited to visit new places and they begin to understand what to do on the voyage to the destination. Those children learn about the world around them and have a better understanding of other people and how they live. Those children also help their parents see the world through the eyes of a child, which makes traveling and exploring even better.

Travel Destinations: Thailand and Songkran

Thailand is known as a tropical destination for some and a site seeing destination for others. One of the most unique times to visit Thailand is during the festival known as Songkran. This New Year’s celebration usually takes place in the middle of April and lasts for three to ten days.

Songkran: New Year’s Celebration
Because this is the New Year’s celebration as the sun moves into Aries, the Thai people take the opportunity to clean their homes, their Buddha statues, and their streets. This festival celebrates the coming spring and it is also a time when farmers have been relieved of hard work and they have time to offer respect to the elders and ancestors.

Water Fight Takes Center Stage
Songkran has gone through many different shifts over the centuries and the festival has now become a world-wide sensation. People from all over the globe travel to Thailand to participate in the cleansing of the streets, the people, and anything else that can get wet. Songkran has truly turned into the world’s largest water fight.

Biggest Events in Chiang Mai
In Chiang Mai (the northern capitol), the celebration is like no other. The locals are commonly found throwing buckets of water at on-coming traffic, spraying pedestrians with their water hoses, and dowsing pedestrians from moving cars. Young children will use water guns to spray anyone who comes near. Travelers are often amazed at the buckets and buckets of water that are thrown from everywhere at everyone.

Most people who Chiang Mai during Songkran are not disappointed in the celebration. The temperature in this part of Thailand is incredibly hot, so the splashes of water offer relief from the excessive heat.

Symbolism of Throwing and Sprinkling Water
Visitors should remember that the water throwing is truly symbolic as the people of Thailand symbolically clean dirt and grime from the old year and make way for the New Year. Even though Thailand officially celebrates the New Year on January 1 like the Western World, they still use the astronomically based Songkran as a way to cleansing and reflecting on the previous years and welcome in the new.

Other Traditions of Songkran
In Chiang Mai and other parts of Thailand, there will not just be people throwing water and having fun, but it is very common to see locals sprinkling flower-scented water on their Buddha statues. Families who are cleansing the Buddha will do so while wearing traditional Thai costumes and wearing leis made of Jasmine.

Young people will gently sprinkle water on their elders as a sign of respect. This tradition is different from the water-throwing show that happens during the celebration in Chiang Mai. These young people will also say prayers and good wishes to their elders.

Some people will also use a chalky white paste to ward off evil spirits. They will wear the paste on their faces or neck and then place some on people they encounter. The paste will not stain clothing and it is proper to accept this from a local Thai elder.

Feasts are also very common during Songkran and many people will even place delicious looking food at temples. The food should not be taken from the temples, but left for the monks.

Five Amazing Overseas Destinations for Honeymooners

For most newly married couples, the perfect honeymoon would consist of a tropical island, white sandy beaches, crystal clear water, warm breezes, and accommodations that provide a luxurious and romantic experience. However, the perfect honeymoon for some couples is something completely different, perhaps an adventure trip such as an African safari or Swiss Alps ski trip. With thousands upon thousands of overseas destinations to choose from, a couple has the opportunity to create whatever type of memory wanted.

Greece

Greece is a magnificent place to honeymoon. Contrary to what most people believe, there are several cities in Greece that are very affordable. One of the main attractions to Greece is diversity, which makes it possible to enjoy a variety of experiences. For instance, Athens is a bustling island with plenty of things to do and see while Santorini is a relaxing city that boasts some of the world’s most pristine beaches, breathtaking sunsets, and tranquility of the Aegean Sea.

South Africa

This is another wonderful international destination for newlyweds offering diversity. While there are actually several great places a couple could consider, we provided information specific to two.

o    Mozambique – The azure waters are simply stunning and unlike beaches in larger and busy regions of the country, most of the beaches around Mozambique are deserted. As a result, honeymooners have the chance to enjoy real romance. However, Mozambique is also a great place for water sports to include scuba diving, snorkeling, and windsurfing.

o    Botswana – Staying in a rustic camp on the Okavango Delta would offer a honeymooning couple the ultimate outdoor experience. A stay in Botswana would entail vibrantly colored sunsets, leisurely canoe rides down calm waterways, and up-close views of wildlife such as black rhinos, elephants, zebra, leopards, buffaloes, and even lions roaming the isolated and unspoiled land.


Italy

Of all international destinations for couples on a honeymoon, Italy is one of the most romantic. Of course, the best place to visit is Rome, an Italian city that offers a unique combination of ancient history and modern day pride.  During the day there are incredible tourist attractions such as the Sistine Chapel, Ancient Rome Coliseum, and the Vatican, among others but at night, fine dining, nightlife, or romantic walks on the beach.

For something extra special, a couple could sneak away to the beautiful city of Tuscany and take in the view of Montalcino vineyards, visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Pienza, or walk through the medieval town of Montepulciano. Of course if wanted, a couple could simply retreat to the sanctity of a five-star resort to enjoy unrivaled amenities.

Thailand

There are actually a number of destinations in Thailand that would be ideal for a honeymoon. The “City of Angels”, more commonly known as Bangkok, is a large and exotic city where local people are warm and hospitable. Nighttime activities consist of dancing in some of the city’s most exciting nightclubs, dine on authentic Thai food, or visit night markets such as the Suan Lum Night Bazaar, Major Ratchayothin Night Market, and Patpong Night Market.

Of course, Thailand is just as spectacular during the day as it is night. In addition to a wide range of things to do on the beach or in the water, honeymooners could take a trip to various ancient temples and museums or simply relax around the resort’s pool while enjoying a couple’s massage.

Switzerland

For an entirely different honeymoon experience, Switzerland would be an excellent choice of a foreign country to visit. Zurich and Lucerne are great cities but Geneva has something very special for couples looking for romance. As one of Europe’s most beautiful cities, Geneva proudly boasts numerous four and five-star resorts with the snow-capped Swiss Alps as the backdrop.

This city also has more than 40 museums, parks filled with beautifully colored flora and fauna lining the banks of gorgeous Lake Geneva, and Rousseau Island in the city center complete with a wonderful restaurant and bird sanctuary. In addition to restaurants that serve local cuisine and exotic wine, as well as quant shops that sell items made by Swiss artisans, a honeymooning couple that loves the outdoors could participate in kayaking, skiing, swimming, horseback riding, bike riding, and hiking but as a finale, enjoy mesmerizing views of Geneva on a romantic hot air balloon ride.

Tips for Safe Travel to Foreign Countries

People have always taken the necessary precautions when traveling to foreign countries but after the devastating events of September 11, the level of concern increased dramatically. Some people became so worried about international travel they stopped taking trips altogether. Obviously, no one can be faulted for being afraid but it is important to know that in recent years, many new systems and technologies have been implemented to again make foreign travel safe.

However, safety while traveling could also be enhanced with a few smart decisions. While there has always been some degree of concern with international travel, there is no reason a person has to spend an entire trip worrying about safety issues. Whether traveling on business or for pleasure, there are specific steps to take during the planning phase but also while abroad to include the following recommendations.

In-Depth Research
Any current travel concerns or confirmed risks for a country being visited could be acquired from a local travel agent or through any number of reputable online travel websites. With the information gathered, an individual would have the opportunity to make an informed decision to continue with the trip or reschedule for a later date.

Smart Traveler Enrollment Program
This United States government program is free and designed to assist US citizens traveling within foreign countries. By signing up for the program, someone on an overseas trip would be notified in case of a family emergency back home but also receive assistance if faced with some type of crisis.

Medical Coverage
Depending on the international destination, personal medical insurance might cover expenses incurred in case of emergency. However, if a policy does not offer medical coverage, it would be worth purchasing a special policy for travelers. Unfortunately, there are many reports of people who have been forced to pay a significant amount of money out-of-pocket or have received compromised care while in a foreign country by not having medical insurance.

Travel Information and Documentation
Someone on an international trip should carry important travel information and original documents such as passport, visa, and travel itinerary. In addition, a copy of everything should be kept in each piece of luggage and left with a family member of friend back home. Other information would include a list of people to contact in case of an emergency to include phone numbers and if a person has a major medical condition or depends on specific medication, the name and phone number of the doctor should be included along with prescription information.

United States Embassies and Consulates
These government agencies provide assistance to American citizens 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year. When planning an international trip, the phone numbers for both agencies should be obtained specific to the country traveling to and carried around securely.

Laws and Customs
Regardless of destination, the laws of the country a person plans to visit must be followed. Therefore, the most pertinent laws should be researched prior to travel. Keep in mind that knowing a country’s customs is not required but to avoid an uncomfortable or even potentially dangerous situation by unintentionally offending someone local, it would also be recommended to become familiar with customs for the country.

Crime Prevention
Even when going to a country deemed safe, an individual should always use common sense to avoid becoming the target of a crime. A few examples of things a person should NOT do include the following:
o    Wear expensive jewelry
o    Carry a significant amount of cash around
o    Be on the streets after dark
o    Dine, shop, or sightsee alone
o    Accept a package from an unknown party
o    Leave luggage unattended

Restrictions and RegulationsFor both the country being visited and home country, there are restrictions and regulations regarding things that can and cannot be brought in as a way of preventing a catastrophic environmental occurrence but also terrorist attack. There are a number of online resources a person should research prior to departure that provide a comprehensive list of acceptable and unacceptable items.

Old vs New: The Seven Wonders of the World

In our fast-paced, modern lives, it is sometimes easy to forget that the world is still full of ancient and awe-inspiring wonders.  That all it takes is a week and a plane ticket, and you can be anywhere in the world… soaking up a foreign sun, exploring another culture, being amazed by the beauty of the world.

Now most people have heard of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, but few could name perhaps more than two or three of them - at best! 

Originally compiled almost 2,500 years ago by the Greek historian, Herodotus, these ancient monuments conjure up a sense of awe and wonder that sometimes seems lost in our new world of technology and 24 hour living.

Here’s the original list that was compiled thousands of years ago -

The 7 Ancient Wonders of the World:

1.    Great Pyramid of Giza
2.    Hanging Gardens of Babylon
3.    Statue of Zeus at Olympia
4.    Temple of Artemis at Ephesus
5.    Mausoleum at Halicarnassus
6.    Colossus of Rhodes
7.    Lighthouse of Alexandria

Controversial – The 7 New Wonders…

Recently a new list of world wonders has been causing some controversy.

Since antiquity, a number of different lists were created to replace this famous ancient selection of  ‘wonders’ because when Herodotus first put his list together, the known world was a much smaller place based mostly around the Mediterranean Sea.  It was very limited and only included monuments from the local area, completely excluding the rest of the as yet, unknown world.

However, it was only very recently that an entirely new and generally accepted list was put together by the New7Wonders Foundation a not for profit  organization based in Switzerland. 

This new list was compiled based on the votes of over 100 million people from around the globe, and was historically announced on the date of 07-07-07 in homage to the number seven.

It was extremely controversial with some countries upset that they did not receive a place in the top seven wonders.  And because nothing prevented multiple votes from being cast during the contest, some countries tried to sway the results in their favor.  Many actually ran vigorous campaigns for their citizens to vote on a national monument, including Brazil, where phone companies allowed people to vote for free, and even sent them text messages to remind them!

Now that the hype and controversy has settled down the New Seven Wonders of the World has been generally accepted by most people, although not everyone is happy. 

What do you think?  Here is the new list:

The New Seven Wonders of The World:

1.    Taj Mahal, India
2.    Chichen Itza, Mexico
3.    Christ the Redeemer, Brazil
4.    Colosseum, Italy
5.    Great Wall of China, China
6.    Machu Picchu, Peru
7.    Petra , Jordan

Probably the most exciting thing about this list is that unlike the ancient and myth-like wonders… these are all still in existence.  They are truly magnificent places that you can visit just as soon as you get the time, money and the inclination!

What About You?
Have you been lucky enough to travel to any of these thrilling locations? 

If you have been to any of these amazing places we would love to see your photos on our facebook page. 

And if you think that somewhere else should have been included in the top seven, tell us where and why!

We would love to hear your comments.

Five Uncommon (but very useful) International Travel Tips

Traveling around the world is simply one of the best things that you can do.  It is packed with excitement, adventure and new experiences whether you are traveling for business, education or pleasure.

But as many of you already know, international travel can be a stressful and harrowing experience if you are not prepared! 

So to make sure that you are a slick, savvy and satisfied traveler we have compiled list of some lesser-known tips and tracks for travel abroad. 

1.    Buy a SIM card for your cell phone when you land:

If you travel with your in-country SIM card when you travel overseas, most phone companies will charge you at expenses international rates.  This means that if anyone calls you, or if you call anyone from your regular cell phone, it will be very pricey.

However, almost all international airports have stores and vendors where you can buy local, pre-paid SIM card for as little as $5.  In fact, at places like Heathrow Airport in London, for just $15 you can pick up a local SIM card with unlimited data.

It’s a great way to save money and hassle.  It also means that for friends and colleagues in country with you, they will just be paying a local cell call to stay in touch with you.

2.    Scan all of your important documents and save them to a free e-mail account

When traveling things can go wrong, so you have to be prepared. 

And nothing is worse, or harder to sort out, than losing important official documents like your passport, visas, travel itinerary, plane tickets, travel insurance and important phone numbers. 

But one way that you can always have access to these important documents no matter what happens is to scan them into a digital file such as a .jpg, .pdf etc. and then send them to one of your free e-mail accounts.  Just make sure that you set up a free account that is accessible from anywhere like Gmail, Yahoo or Hotmail.

3.    Take Melatonin to beat jet lag

Melatonin is a dietary supplement that you can buy at any drug store in the USA.  It helps you to naturally overcome jet lag and get your body clock in line with your new time zone, much faster than you could normally.

This is a must-have, especially if you are travelling into a major time difference.

4.    Don’t Keep All Of Your Eggs in One Basket

When you are travelling, you are cut off from everything except what you have on you, and what you have packed in your luggage.  So don’t  put all your eggs in one basket by keeping all of your cash, traveler’s cheques and credit cards in the one place like your wallet, because if you lose your wallet or are robbed, then you are in serious trouble and left begging for help.  Definitely not ideal!

The best technique is to divide everything into two or three and store it in separate locations.  Keep some money and cards on you, some in your luggage and some in your carry-on. 

That way, if anything is stolen or lost, you still have enough money to get a cab, get to a hotel and sort the whole darn thing out!

5.    Research Your Destination Airport

Don’t presume that the airport that you are traveling to has everything that you need or is the same as you have back home.  It’s best to check in advance so that you don’t get stuck in a difficult situation.

Some airports close much earlier than they do here, or you may have to book hire cars in advance so make sure you know what facilities are available before you depart.

You don’t want to arrive to find out that the money-changer is closed or that all the rental cars are booked out leaving you sleeping on a bench!

6.    Your international travel tip…

These were just some less-common travel tips that we have helped save us time, money and frustration.  Hopefully these little ideas will save you some time and hassle the next time you travel.

But what about your travel tips?   Comment here or tell us on FaceBook what your clever little tricks are to stay in control and happy when traveling.

Why Nothing Beats a Magical African Safari

Picture this, my friends: You wake early in the morning, just as the first rays of sunlight are penetrating above the distant horizon. A low mist clings to the cooled ground and the eerie noises from animals greeting the day meets your ears. Giraffes can be seen in the distance, walking serenely between the largest trees to grab their first meal of the day; and then, a tiny deer-like creature scuttles in front of you: this is a dik dik which is a small species of antelope that you probably wouldn’t have heard of until you have ventured to Africa.

Absolutely no where else on this great planet of ours will you feel and marvel at the magical natural beauty of our world, other than on safari in Africa. Unless you do it for yourself, you can only imagine how you might feel when you are there. To really immerse yourself into this whole experience, it is imperative that you spend at least a couple of nights at either the campsites or lodges which are located deep within the African savannah.

If you do fancy the idea of an African safari, you need to ensure you book with a reputable and knowledgeable tour guide. This way they will know exactly where to take you to see the biggest range of animals; otherwise, you may simply spend several days aimlessly wandering around without hardly seeing a thing.

Of course, most people go on an African safari in the first place in order to catch what is known as The Big 5 Game. These are the animals which are deemed to be the most highly sought-after on a safari and originally they were believed to be the most difficult hunting targets on foot. They are the lion, leopard, buffalo, black rhino and the African elephant. If you manage to catch sight of at least three of these during your safari, you may count yourself as being very fortunate.

There are numerous other different types of animals to enjoy during a safari and for many people, they may feel that the giraffe, hyenas, mongooses, ostriches or warthogs etc. are equally rewarding sights during their trip. Be prepared to be overwhelmed with the sheer number of species of animals in this part of the world; you will definitely appreciate the fact that this part of our planet has an amazingly diverse eco-system in play.

If you are definitely contemplating the prospect of an African safari, you may be wondering where to go. Top of the list has to be Kenya, where you will find that the country has set many different national parks aside for the animals to wander around freely. Tsavo East and Tsavo West are the largest national parks, however, The Masai Mara is perhaps the best known. The Serengeti, in Tanzania, is also world-famous; especially for the mass migration of millions of wildebeest every year. You might also like to think about South Africa or Botswana.

Wherever you eventually decide to go on your African safari, rest assured that if you have a heart beating in your chest and a soul, you will not be able to help feeling moved and totally inspired by such a life-changing experience.

Visiting the Most Magnificent Mountains on Our Planet

There is no denying the fact that we live on an extremely diverse planet, covered by myriad different landscapes. One of the types of landscape that seems to intrigue us the most are the mountainous regions which can be found in many different locations across the world. From The Rockies and Appalachians of North America, to The Southern Alps of New Zealand, you are never far from the awesome beauty of this specific type of landscape.

Pictured: Machu Picchu, an ancient settlement high in the mountains of Peru.

Of course, nowadays, many people head to the mountainous regions in order to indulge in popular winter sporting activities such as skiing and snowboarding; but for others, the sheer beauty of these areas is a massive draw in itself. There is a lot to be said for taking in deep and crisp breaths full of mountain air and for centuries now, mankind has recognized the fact that this can provide healing qualities for respiratory medical conditions.

Mountains owe their very presence to tectonic plate movements which are still continuing on our planet to this very day. As large landmasses collide with each other, this pushes the land upwards, and in turn, this is exactly how mountains are formed. This process has been occurring on Earth for millions of years and we now know that the mountainous regions were formed at different periods in our planet’s history. It is interesting to note that The Appalachian Mountains in North America are thought to be very ancient mountains indeed (dating back hundreds of millions of years); whereas the mighty Himalayas, in Asia, are known to be relatively new (in fact they are still being formed today as India continues to collide with the Eurasian plate).

Some of the most magnificent mountainous regions to consider visiting on our planet include The Andes, in South America, which runs close to the west coast of the continent. If you get the chance, you really should head to Machu Picchu, which is an ancient settlement high in the mountains that was abandoned long ago.

The Rockies runs along the west coast of North America and are home to some of the world’s most spectacular landscapes. From the United States right up to Canada, this is a tremendously long chain of mountains that still boasts areas of totally unspoilt wilderness.

Europe’s most famous mountains can be found in The Alps. The mountains stretch across the countries of Switzerland, Austria, France and Italy and are easily the most popular destination for Europeans during the winter months. Again, though, this is usually for the enjoyment of winter sports.

In Australia and New Zealand, the highest mountains can be found on the South Island of New Zealand. Mount Cook is the highest peak in this area and reaches 3,754 m (12,316 ft) above sea level. Australia does have moderately high mountains on its east coast, but these are ancient peaks which have been whittled-down in size over the millennia due to the process known as weathering.

Wherever you are in the world, you should never be more than a couple of hours’ flying time from a beautiful mountainous landscape. By all means head to these mountains in order to enjoy some popular winter sports, but also bear in mind that these truly idyllic locations make for a perfectly relaxing vacation at any time of the year.

Cruisin’ for adventure: Is a cruise vacation right for me?

If you haven’t taken a cruise yet, you know someone who has. Most people like cruises, but they provide distinctly different experiences than independent travel. You are “along for the ride”, so to speak, as opposed to the intrepid backpacker wandering freely through the unknown. Despite the relatively rigid agenda of a cruise vacation, there is an array of advantages.

The tapas vacation

Spanish tapas are a variety of appetizers that encourage people to make conversation and sample new food. Cruises offer similar encouragement. In addition to the exotic destinations of the cruise, there are lots of fun activities available on the cruise ship itself. Activities such as swimming, dancing, concerts, magic shows, and standup comedy. If the opportunities aboard the ship are taken advantage of, a cruise vacationer is sure to meet new people, eat great food, and have a great time.

Many cruise ships visit several destinations during the cruise, which allow mini-trips to beaches and popular island destinations. These tiny excursions can be lots of fun, but often feel short-lived, as the crew often calls everybody back to the ship after only a few hours of site seeing. Some people might want more than a half a day to soak in the culture of a new city.

Hungry for more: when appetizers are not enough

To keep the tapas metaphor going, appetizers are not a meal. They are meant to whet your appetite before the real deal. And cruises, in this respect might be helpful in that they can spark in an interest in a new area. By themselves, however, cruises fall short of an opportunity for rich cultural immersion. A quick bite to eat, lounge on the beach, and visit to a historical site might be all you have time to do during a cruise.

For a deeper, richer experience of a city or region, you are better off traveling independently and playing tourist by your own rules. By yourself, you can waste the full day away in a museum, or roam a tiny village not frequented by tourists.

Independent travel, of course, is outside the comfort zone of some people. Others will argue that leaving one’s comfort zone is necessary for meaningful experiences and personal growth. Ultimately, a comfort zone is comfortable. Cruises are comfortable, and no one will argue otherwise. The variety of activities, although lacking in spontaneity, ensure a minimum amount of amusement. For fun-loving parents, the daycare services offered by some cruise liners are a must.

Whether a cruise is your thing really depends on the level of involvement you want to have in the planning of your trip. Freedom to roam appeals to some, others prefer more structure. Either way, the choice to embark on a cruise vacation will not disappoint. Just do not expect an organic, life-changing experience.

Travel tip: Minimize regret

“I should have gone there” is a phrase you will invariably hear from travelers returning from their latest excursion. That special dish, historical site, or music festival was somehow forgotten, and a feeling of incompleteness plagues the memory of the trip. Excuse the melodrama, but the pain of travel regret should be vigorously avoided. Here’s how.

Play the ‘what if’ game

Before beginning a hypothetical trip to France you should ask yourself: What if we get back from Paris without ever seeing The Louvre? Imagine you miss every destination or activity that you hoped not to miss. Let the uneasiness set it, and then plan accordingly.

That is, instead of making a list of all things you would love to do, make a list of what you would hate to miss. The difference might seem insignificant, but planning from this perspective will sharpen your focus. Thinking about what you would love to do can lead to giddiness and the excited exclamation, “Everything! I want to see everything!” You will have plenty of time for unbridled excitement during your trip, but effective planning is how to maximize the experience.

This regret-minimizing perspective is not meant to rain on your touristy parade- quite the opposite. Traveling can lead to fulfilling and revelatory experiences, and the traveler is wise to provide him or herself with the best opportunity to have such experiences. Do not make the mistake of equating preparedness with rigidity.

Smart spontaneity

No traveler should strive to adhere to an itinerary of diplomatic proportions. That is, you are an ambassador of smart traveling and good times- not a foreign country. Always leave room on your regret-minimizing plan to get lost and discover that hole-in-the-wall restaurant or scenic trail that the guidebook doesn’t even know about it.

Veering off the indelibly beaten path of tourism can reveal hidden treasures with unlimited potential for producing great stories- and enviable Facebook albums. The special steps you take in planning for no regrets, along with a healthy does of spontaneity, makes for a wonderful mélange of travel experience.

Je me souviens

The official motto of Quebec (a great travel destination) is rich with historical context, but more superficially, its literal translation of “I remember” offers the traveler important insight. While photo albums and artsy trinkets will come home with us, memories prove to be the most valuable and endearing remnants from a successful trip. The goal of every traveler should be to make his or her trip an adventure worth remembering. Anything less is a waste of airfare.

So, think hard about regret, minimize it in your travel through smart planning, and most importantly have fun.

Bon voyage!