Travel Tips - Pitstops for Kids

Things to consider when planning a family reunion

September 30, 2019 By Amy Hagstrom

Family reunions are great ways for families to come together and reconnect. It allows you to spend time with family members that you haven’t seen in a long time, and it allows you to meet, and get to know new members of the family. The important thing to remember about planning a family reunion is that, just because you may not see or speak to each other everyday, that doesn’t mean that the love isn’t there.

Planning a family reunion:

Typically when it comes to planning family reunions, the older generations do all the planning. They know more about the family’s history, where everyone lives, and how to get in touch with everyone. Once they hit a certain age, where they are no longer able to plan it, they pass the family reunion planning torch on down to the next generation.

In passing that torch, they will give you all the resources and information you need to follow in their footsteps, and will help guide you along the way. One thing they teach about planning a family reunion, is that you have to be mindful of everyone in attendance.

Those specific age groups are children and seniors. When traveling with seniors, you want to make sure they are comfortable, that they have entertainment they can enjoy, according to their age, and you also want to make sure they have services accommodating to their capabilities (ramps, handicap parking, wheelchair accessible seating, etc.).

With children, you definitely have to make sure they are accommodated, so you want to pick a family reunion location that will meet their needs. New York is a great place to plan a family reunion! There’s already so much to do there, for adults, but have you checked out the attractions for kids! It’s unbelievable!

If you happen to be the next person in line to plan the next family reunion, and you know that kids will definitely be in attendance, then here are the top two things to consider during your planning process, when kids are involved.

Kid-Friendly Attractions

When looking into taking a trip somewhere, one of the first things you look into is the attractions that location offers. With most family reunions having kids of wide age groups, you want to find attractions that accommodate all those age groups.

For added comfort, your entire family can ride together with amenities like bathrooms, to these New York attractions that will surely be enjoyed by all ages:

Bronx Zoo: The Bronx Zoo is great fun for the kids, and the kids at heart! The world’s largest urban zoo give visitors the opportunity to see over 600 species from all over the world. You and the kids can expect to see exoctic birds, reptiles, animals, and insects from the realms of Africa, Asia, and the United States!
Coney Island: This is an attraction great for ALL ages, not just the kids! Live music, roller coasters, shops, and the beach are all things you will experience at this island of fun. The great thing about Coney Island is that it’s open year round, so no matter when you plan your family reunion, you can definitely experience this historic landmark!

Kid-Friendly Hotels

When planning lodging for your family’s reunion, make sure the resort or hotel has fun activities for kids. Lots of times, these kid-friendly hotels will have family scavenger hunts, arts and crafts at certain times, and of course, the pools!

You of course can go to adults-only type of hotels for alone time with your spouse, or even just for a girls weekend, but when it comes to a family reunion, it’s not just about you, and the things you want to experience. A lot of the things you enjoy as an adult, kids won’t enjoy, or aren’t old enough to enjoy, so during your planning process, it’s important to keep that aspect in mind.

Multigenerational travel tips: vacationing with a large group

September 26, 2019 By Amy Hagstrom

We have a lot of multigenerational travel tips! Large-group vacations are a fantastic opportunity to get away with your family, friends, and loved ones. Family members who live far apart can reconnect and friends can get away from the daily grind to enjoy one another’s company. Don’t let the generation gap get in the way, though – it is possible to plan a large group vacation that appeals to everyone, from the very young to retirees. Make sure no one feels left out, no one gets bored, and everyone stays engaged in the fun with these tips.

Amy and her kids at Arches National Park, UT

The first step is getting to your vacation destination! Planning for a large group can feel daunting, but you can actually use your large number to your advantage. When booking a hotel or family reunion venue or renting cars, always ask for group rates. Many destinations are happy to know they can count on the revenue from a large group, and they will reward you with a discount. Remember, booking a large group at a restaurant, tour, or all-inclusive resort can require a pre-set gratuity amount, often 15–20%.

Traveling with a large group does mean you need to book far in advance when possible. A good rule of thumb is to book at least a few months longer in advance than you would for a small family unit. At popular vacation destinations with limited lodging, book at least 9–12 months in advance. Ask to speak to the hotel’s large-group booking agent or marketing director for the best service and to get the most accurate, timely answers to your questions.

If you’re planning a trip with a lot of moving parts, such as a city vacation with multiple tours and dining reservations or an international trip with multiple flights, vehicle rentals, and hotel rooms, consider using a travel agent. A good agent’s expertise will come in handy when seeking group discounts and talking with travel professionals.

While it helps to book most aspects of your trip as a group, airfare can be more affordable in smaller groups since seats on a plane are grouped into tiered pricing. For example, if five seats are available in the price category you desire and you ask for eight, the reservation system will often show no seats available in your category (even though you could get five of the eight for your price). Instead, book airfare in smaller family configurations to ensure that family members sit together but you still get the lowest possible fare.

Once you arrive at your group family vacation destination, the generation gap can become evident. Baby boomers in the family may want to take in a show or visit a museum at a city destination, or they may not have the necessary mobility to hike a challenging trail at a mountain destination. Generation Xers and millennials, on the other hand, have the energy to explore the outdoors or a cityscape aggressively, but they may have younger children who need childcare or extra attention. Generation Yers may want a destination with lots of nightlife options, while their parents long for peace and quiet.

You can bridge the gap by finding a destination that offers multiple activity choices within the same general area so family members can still meet up each day for a meal or a group activity. If your destination or resort does not meet this need, plan your activities with everyone’s needs in mind. Visit museums that have mobility options for elderly family members and the interactive displays children crave. Patronize restaurants with outdoor seating areas where young kids can play or stretch their legs while the adults visit. Pick tours with shorter durations to keep younger family members’ attention and avoid tiring out elderly members.

So what destinations will fit the bill? If your group vacation will take place in a specific city, such as for a family reunion or group event (like a wedding or sporting event), look for a hotel with conference center facilities – these will be best equipped to accommodate your group. If you’re more flexible about your destination, consider a cruise if everyone wants to see as much as possible or an all-inclusive resort if everyone would rather stay put and relax.

Some of our favorite active locations and experiences for large family groups:

Whichever type of vacation destination families choose, flexibility is key to a successful large-group trip. Offer several choices of activity each day, opt for a take-out pizza instead of a lengthy sit-down dinner a few times, and be ready to travel at someone else’s pace. Have a great vacation!

Source: Fix.com Blog

How much to tip: hotel and family vacation guidelines

September 12, 2019 By Amy Hagstrom

Don’t you hate that feeling when you don’t know whether you should tip or not? I do! And the more I travel and write about travel, the more I realize how many families are confused how much to tip. Hotel rates aside, when should we tip? Who should we tip, and how much? There’s no ‘correct’ way to tip, and opinions vary. However, after years of tipping during travel and talking with travel industry professionals across the US and Canada, I’ve compiled the following vacation tipping guidelines for family trips.

Tipping in hotels:

Everyone knows to tip their waiter (though more on that in a minute) and their cab driver, but the majority of tipping confusion happens once parents reach their hotel. In three-to-five star hotels, tipping is expected, and how many hotel staff members earn their living. Here’s what we do:

Valet:

I love valet parking, mostly because I hate finding parking spaces in cities. When I chose to valet park, I know I need to add the cost of tipping into my budget. There’s wisdom in the advice to tip at the onset of any interaction for best service, but we tip a valet whenever we receive our car. Since we go in and out of valet several times during any hotel stay, we spread our tip among several valets this way.

How much to tip: we tip a valet $3-$5 whenever our car is brought to us.

Front desk:

Ok. While tipping hotel housekeeping is a given for me, I do not tip the front desk staff member when I check into hotels. However: this man or woman does hold the most power to assist you during your stay. He or she has the ability to upgrade you in numerous ways, and I do know travelers who routinely tip their front desk agent in hopes of getting a better room.

How much to tip: If you decide to tip your front desk agent, you need to start with at least a $20. If he or she takes the time to help you with an extra service, such as sending something up to your room, finding that item you left behind, or acting as a concierge, tip in this case as well.

Doormen and bellmen:

Tip these guys! These men (or women, despite the antiquated job titles) rely heavily on tips. When they ask if I’d like help with my bags, I say ‘yes’ unless I truly only have one to roll behind me. Once upon a time, I thought the polite answer was, ‘No, I got it, thanks,’ while dragging half a dozen bags behind me. Not so! This is their job, and they get paid when they do it.

How much to tip: we tip $1 per bag, every time they’re touched. On average, when our family of five checks into a hotel and the bellman brings up our five bags, I tip $5. If we have extra items, such as shopping bags, backpacks, etc, I up it to $10.

Room service and poolside service:

We absolutely always tip for room service, and tip pool-side or other resort-grounds service when applicable. Sometimes a charge will be placed on your hotel tab: in this case, it’s very easy to tip when you sign for the item. This works best at the pool, where you won’t want to fiddle with cash.

How much to tip: we tip $3-5 for a standard room service delivery.

Housekeeping:

Another hardworking group that’s often overlooked. I worked in housekeeping two full summers as a teen, and will never take their work for granted! Some families prefer to tip housekeeping one time at the end of their stay, but since staff often rotates, and to ensure goodwill exists during our stay, not just after we’re gone, we tip daily.

How much to tip: we tip $1 per day per person in the room. If you tip daily, be sure to leave the tip under the little card or note usually left by your housekeeper, so they don’t mistake it with cash you’ve simply left out.

Spa staff:

If you visit the spa during your hotel stay, it customary to add a tip to your total at checkout. This is perhaps the easiest tip to leave at a hotel: simply add the amount to your total when paying at the desk. If you put your spa service on your room charge, leave a cash tip at the counter for your spa staff member.

How much to tip: I tip 10% of the cost of my service.

Tipping for tours and experiences:

Tip your guide! But tipping tour guides can be tricky: it’s hard to know when it’s appropriate. In general, I’ve found that any tour guide working for a private company (such as a concessionaire within a national park or a city or nature tour business) accepts tips. Tip at the end of your interaction together, when you’re thanking him or her for your day. If you’re in doubt as to whether to tip, ask! I always say, “This was great! We had such a nice day. Are you able to accept tips?”

Note regarding all-inclusive, multi-day tour experiences: if you’re with a travel company for multiple days, such as a tour through Europe or a guided rafting trip, tip at the end of the vacation. Budget this tip into your vacation cost: we’ve tipped as much as the cost of one person’s airfare for very high-end multi-day tour experiences. Keep in mind that some local experts during your trip (such as a guide while on an African safari) do not work directly for your tour company and may expect a separate tip. Your tour company can advise you on this.

How much to tip: we tip 10% of the total cost of the tour (single day or multi-day). If our day snowshoe tour is $50 per person and we spent $250, we tip $25. If our (hypothetical) safari is $10,000, we’d tip $1000.

Tipping drivers:

I tip all drivers, from cab drivers to airport shuttle drivers to tour bus drivers. How much to tip: $1 per person for shorter drives or shuttle drivers helping with luggage. For drivers taking us around all day, we tip at least $20.

Tipping on cruises:

Like tipping for multi-day tours or all-inclusive experiences, tipping on cruises should be considered part of your cruise cost. If necessary, budget accordingly. Many cruise lines make tipping easy by offering a standard tip percentage to be added to your onboard charge at the end of a cruise, but you can also tip independently. When servers, housekeeping, and bartenders remain constant on cruise ships, we tip once at the end of the cruise. No need to mess with cash every day. More details on tipping on a Disney cruise.

How much to tip: we use this cruise tipping chart. It’s designed for Disney cruises, but will work as a guideline for any cruise experience.

Tipping in restaurants:

I think we all know what to do here. I tip 20% if service is good, and more if I’m dining with a baby or toddler who spills half his or her food on the ground (I also try to pick up what I can). I don’t know if I’ve ever not tipped, but I definitely leave closer to 10% if service is bad. While in restaurants, don’t forget about the bartender: if you start your meal at the bar and migrate to a table, leave a tip on the bar. This advice may not be applicable often if traveling with kids, as you’re not likely to be in the bar area.

As noted above, these tipping guidelines are not meant to be absolutes. The tip amounts listed are what our family uses as a guideline; when we can, we tip more. We are almost always on a tight budget when we travel. Your family’s budget may vary. No matter what your budget, I believe it’s better to tip what you can rather than tip nothing at all.

I invite you to share your own tipping standards in the comments, whether you’re a traveler, work in the travel industry, or both! If I’ve missed a main category of travel industry personnel to tip, please let me know.

Photo credit: Roosevelt New Orleans, Flickr/LightCollector

Best hotel reward programs for your family: SIDE BY SIDE COMPARISON

September 9, 2019 By Amy Hagstrom

If you vacation often as a family, you know that hotel room rates add up. Parents can save money with their loyalty! In my experience as both a traveling mom and a travel writer, hotel loyalty programs consistently save me money. Having a handful of hotel loyalty cards in my wallet (in fact, I have all of the below), I enjoy perks that pay off during our trips.

hotel rewards programs

The best hotel reward programs offer money-saving perks that go beyond earning free stays. Below are our personal favorites of the best hotel loyalty programs for US travel:

Kimpton In-Touch Guest Rewards:

The Kimpton In-Touch Guest Rewards loyalty program gets first pick from me for one reason: free minibar items with every stay! Of course, it’s also no hardship staying at a Kimpton Hotel. This brand takes great care when choosing their hotels’ locations, often renovating old buildings in downtown districts instead of building new ones. But a Kimpton hotel stay can be costly, so what do you get for your loyalty?

Kimpton In-Touch is free to join, and includes a free night stays earned after seven, free in-room wifi (normally a charge), and a $10 ‘Raid the MiniBar’ credit, which I always find convenient. At some Kimptons, membership also earns you reduced valet parking, and member or not, most Kimpton hotels host evening wine receptions to sweeten a stay.

Starwood Preferred Guest:

As a Starwood Preferred Guest (or SPG), you save time by gaining access to their absolute best rates on the SPG website. And many travelers don’t realize that Starwood includes nine hotel brands, including Westin, Regis, Sheraton, and more. You’re never limited. You receive 2 Starwood points for every dollar spent, which can then be redeemed for a free room. There are no blackout dates. Because Starwood includes so many brands, I like that I’m always reminded of a hotel’s Starwood status upon check-in; I’ve never not been reminded to use my card to redeem my points.

Marriott Rewards Program:

I like the Marriott Rewards Program because there are multiple ways to earn points. You earn via stays, of course, but travelers can also earn extra points by booking travel services through their partners, who include Hertz, Travelling Connect, and CruisesOnly. You can earn additional points through booking airfare with many airlines. If you spend often on airfare and rental cars, a Marriott reward card may be the way to go.

Like Starwood, Marriott encompasses many hotel brands, ranging from economy brands such as Courtyard by Marriott, great team hotels like Residence Inn Marriott, and Ritz Carlton for luxury travel. You could earn points during the kids’ soccer games, then spend them on your summer vacation.

Hyatt Gold Passport:

I love Hyatt hotels, but travelers don’t even have to be staying at one to earn Hyatt Gold Passport points. Just dining in one of their restaurants or opting for a service in a Hyatt spa will allow you to earn points. You get five points for every dollar spent (more than most loyalty programs), can convert points to miles, and there are no blackout dates for standard rooms. After five Hyatt stays, you unlock free wifi and a 15% point bonus.

How to go wine tasting with kids: tips on visiting wineries as a family

September 5, 2019 By Amy Hagstrom

With vineyards springing up all over the U.S., wine tasting has become more popular than ever. Visiting wineries is a great way to assist a local economy, taste local pairings, and learn about an area’s agriculture. In fact, vineyards are now a big part of agricultural tourism. But what if you have the kids along? Can you go wine tasting with kids? We believe the answer is yes. Follow the tips below to have a fun, successful, and positive experience at a winery with kids.

Pair vineyards with outdoor activities:

Instead of telling the kids that they’ll be touring tasting rooms all day (get ready for a negative reaction on that one), pick one winery you’d really enjoy visiting and pair it with a family outdoor activity. Many wineries and tasting rooms are ideally located in the countryside surrounding tourist destinations and cities: think of your wine tasting day as an opportunity to explore a rural area. Outside of Portland, Oregon, for instance, lies the Willamette Valley brimming with wineries…and family fun. Before heading the casual and cozy Alloro Winery, we opt for a bike ride or a side trip to nearby Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum for hands-on, kid-centric entertainment.

No matter what region you’re visiting, before your wine tasting, parents can take the kids on a hike in the area, rent bikes and go for a bike ride, or tour a local museum or amusement park. Consider your wine tasting to be a complement to this family day outside, not the sole reason for it.

Select no more than one winery per visit:

Multi-vineyard wine trails are a lot of fun…for adults. Most kids, however, are pretty much of the opinion that if you’ve seen one vineyard, you’ve seen them all. Most tourists spend an average of one to two hours at a winery: plan for one and done to avoid tired, bored kids. Which winery to pick? Ask your hotel concierge or another local for the scoop on the most family-friendly winery in the region, or pick one closest to other area attractions.

Opt for a family-friendly tasting experience:

Yes, they do exist! The emphasis of a successful family day at a winery is not on the wine itself, but rather on the ambiance and togetherness. That said, my kids will tell you it’s not much fun if everyone has something good to drink except for them. We pick wineries that serve sparkling cider or root beer to the kids while adults enjoy tasting flights, and those that will put together a kid-friendly snack, such as a cheese plate.

Many wineries now allow picnics and other food items to be brought in by guests. Check ahead of time to make sure the one you want to visit has this policy, and if so, bring a spread! Look for wineries with plenty of outdoor space, and a staff who will welcome your kids. During a recent visit to Cliff Creek Cellars on the Upper Rogue Wine Trail of Southern Oregon, our kids were greeted by the vineyard dog and offered their pick of bocce ball or other lawn games by the winery staff.

Get on winery mailing lists to learn about events and festivals:

Many wineries host summer concert series, holiday events, and other family-friendly happenings. One of our favorite Easter Sundays was spent at Troon Vineyard, where the kids enjoyed an elaborate Easter egg hunt while adults enjoyed tastings and brunch. Other wineries in our region host bluegrass bands (perfect for dancing to, if you ask any toddler), art festivals, and local charity events. During the summer months, kids can spot hang-gliders coming in for landing at many Applegate Valley Wine Trail vineyards.

Above all, be responsible:

Of course, you want to be safe and set a good example to your children whenever you consume alcoholic beverages. If you think you’ll need it, hire a wine tour service to drive you to the tasting room and back again, or set out on a short walk with the family post-tasting before you get behind the wheel of your car. Most wineries don’t mind a bit if you linger: bring extra outdoor toys for the kids or even a pack of cards and play a family game before heading home.

Best travel water filter system (SIDE BY SIDE COMPARISON)

August 22, 2019 By Amy Hagstrom

When traveling abroad and when backpacking or camping in the backcountry, it’s crucial to have a travel water filter system you can rely on. The best systems we’ve found use gravity to do most of the work, but there’s an abundance of choice. Which travel water filter system is right for you? Read our side by side comparison!

Katadyn BeFree gravity system:

The simplicity of a gravity-based filtration system makes them reliable, plus these systems are lightweight, easily packable, and versatile for a large group or family. The Katadyn Gravity BeFree 3.0 L filter fits this bill perfectly. It’s extremely easy to use: you just fill the reservoir and hang it using the included rugged bail handle and carry loop, and wait for it to filter at an impressive two liters per minute.

When you’re not using it, the filter packs down small; it collapses and then can be rolled tight, fitting easily into a day bag, backpack, or carry-on bag. It’s been tested to protect against harmful organisms, removing protozoa (99.99%) and bacteria (99.9999%), which means it meets EPA standards, so not only can you bring the Katadyn filter along on your next backpacking or kayaking adventure in the US, but it works well for trips abroad as well, when you need to be assured of potable water. Note that it does not meet standards for virus removal; it’s to ensure safe drinking water against bacteria only.

This filter is BPA-free of course, and the wide-mouth opening makes it easier to fill than most. I’ve learned this the hard way with other bladders, when trying to awkwardly fill them in shallow streams, hard to access lakes, or bubbling springs. I did notice that it was easier to fill the bladder by using a second container, such as a backpacking cooking pot or cup to help feed the water into the reservoir.

You should clean the Katadyn filter occasionally, which is simple: just shake or swish to remove debris. We actually do this every trip, and it’s worked out very well. So far, this filter has come along with us on a front-country and backcountry combination trip to Mt. Katahdin in Maine as well as a backpacking trip through Central America. Next, it will accompany my son through Indonesia.

You can pick up the Katadyn Gravity BeFree online at the official Katadyn site or Amazon for $69 for the 3L option.

LifeStraw Flex with Gravity Bag:

Pair the confidence you already have in LifeStraw with the convenience of filtering a gallon of water at a time. You get next-level protection against heavy metals including lead as well as bacteria, parasites, microplastics, and organic chemical matter like pesticides, and herbicides, all in an ultralight system. The whole thing only weighs 6 ounces, and can filter one liter every two minutes. As always with LifeStraw, when you buy a product, you give a product to one school child (one year of clean water).

It works in the same manner as other gravity-based systems: just fill the bag, hang, add the filter, and allow the water to drip through the filter and into your water vessel whenever you need it. Alternatively, you can use the LifeStraw filter individually like you would any LifeStraw, which is a nice bonus of versatility. Pick up the system for only $54, a great value.

Platypus GravityWorks:

The GravityWorks system is similar to that of the LifeStraw and Katadyn varieties, but it involves two bladders instead of one. This can be a pro or a con: on one hand, the system is slightly heavier and bulkier to pack, but on the other, you have a dedicated clean-water bladder to use in a variety of ways, storing clean water and carrying it to your next backpacking location, for instance.

You can choose between a 2 liter and 4 liter kit (I like the 2 liter). Just fill the ‘dirty water’ bladder with lake, stream, or iffy hotel water, then attach the included hose and filter system between it and the dedicated clean water bladder. Hang the dirty water bladder higher (hence the use of gravity), and wait for your water to fill the bladder. The disadvantage to this system is that you have to wait for the clean water bladder to completely fill, which can take a matter of about 20 minutes. With the other systems, you can have water on demand, though you might have to squeeze the bag a bit if you’re impatient.

With the GravityWorks system, you get extra parts, including a universal bottle adapter. Pick up the Platypus GravityWorks on Amazon for $99.

Sawyer Squeeze:

It’s small, it’s easy to carry, and it’s cheap: the Sawyer Squeeze is a super simple system that involves a bag (bladder) plus a small filter. You fill the bag with water and squeeze it through the filter and into your water vessel. You can get bags in various sizes (the smaller ones are only $12) so this can still work for a family or group, but it will be slower going. I like to have a Sawyer Squeeze in my day pack as an extra filter, just in case. Pick one up on Amazon.

Grayl GEOPress:

Another individual travel water filter system, the Grayl is by far the easiest to use, if you don’t like drinking through a straw. You just scoop up water from a creek, lake, river, or faucet, then press the filter down through the water vessel like you would a French press coffee container. It takes about ten seconds and while you do need to use some force, if you have a sable surface, it’s easy.

Once you’ve filtered your water, you’re good to go. I don’t like drinking my filtered water from a straw if I can help it, so I really liked the design of the GEOPress, which allowed me to gulp instead of drink from a straw. With the GEOPress, you get 24 ounces of safe drinking water swiftly.

The water bottle is heavier and bulkier than I’d like (but they do have a slimmer, lighter version if you’re willing to reduce your ounces), but it’s worth it if you don’t have to also carry a water filter or pump with you. I love the ease of arriving at a river and just scooping up my water.

GEOPress protects from global waterborne pathogens (virus, bacteria, protozoan cysts), pesticides, chemicals, heavy metals, and even microplastics, so you’re getting the purest water possible. The cap has a fast-flowing drink spout that can be sealed closed, and vents air while purifying (unscrew the cap a bit when you’re filtering, or you’ll be hard-pressed (pun intended) to press down the filter).

Pick up a GEOPress in one of four colors for $89 (less than most filter systems) or opt for the smaller ultralight filter for $59.

LifeStraw Universal:

When we hike, we like to have Lifestraw filters in ALL our water bottles. Lifestraw Universal gives you just that: this kit sets you up with one filter (2-stage), two sized bottle caps, and one cap lid. We have used the kit to add a Lifestraw filter to our favorite water bottles, from a wide-mouth Nalgene to a narrow-mouth Camelbak. Details for the caps: the wide cap is 63 mm and the narrow cap is 43 mm. The filter height is 7.3 inches. You also get a carry bag.

As always, the filter does the following:

Removes 99.999999 % of bacteria
Removes 99.999 % of parasites
Reduces organic chemical matter (pesticides, herbicides, VOCs)
Removes 99.999% of microplastics
Compatible with most water bottles
Lasts 1,000 gallons

Now when we backpack or camp, everyone in our family can use a Lifestraw filter in their favorite water bottle, and I can travel with a filter in the bottle I love to use for international trips. The Universal kit is only $34, allowing you to switch out your filter from bottle to bottle at will. Pick up your kit on the Lifestraw website or at other online retailers, such as Amazon.

Tip: Lifestraw, Platypus, and Katadyn all carry their own versions of an individual water bottle with filter included. Find your favorite brand and buy a few extras to have in day packs when you travel!

Tips for buying airfare from third party airline booking sites

August 15, 2019 By Amy Hagstrom

If you’ll be among the many families deciding to buy airfare this year, you may feel overwhelmed by the number of third party airline booking sites competing for your business. Buying airfare using third party airline booking sites can reward you with the lowest fares possible, but you do need to go into the process with eyes wide open.

Related post: find the lowest airfare for your trip, every time!

Buying airfare using third party airline booking sites

You’re already familiar with third-party booking sites, even if you’re not familiar with the term. You’ve heard of online travel agencies such as JustFly, among others like Expedia or Kayak. To understand how you can get a great deal through third-party sites, it’s important to understand how they work.

In the airfare pricing industry, there are 4-5 big aggregators of the price and available data called global distribution systems. According to Hopper.com (which is not a third-party site selling airfare, but rather an airfare prediction app), when you go to a third-party site and search for flights, that site will make a request from those four systems. They’ll send it back, with the trips you could buy, and what they cost. Much like hotel booking sites, third-party booking sites can block out seats in bulk, bringing the price down for you.

Essentially, you’re bringing in a middle-man when using third-party sites, which could–but does not always–complicate your travel day. For these reasons, I do recommend booking travel directly through your airline when possible. However, I understand that sometimes, getting the lowest fare during your flight search is essential to your travel plans. We, personally, have used third-party booking sites for this reason. Here’s what you need to know.

Tips for using JustFly and other third-party booking sites:

We used JustFly during our recent trip to Europe. Why? We were operating under a strict travel budget, and when searching for airfare, JustFly offered the route we needed for about $100 less per person. Since we’re a family of five, saving $500 on airfare was significant to our budget.

Using JustFly allowed us to take our trip within budget, so in this case, it was absolutely the way to go. However, we knew that by using a third-party booking site, there were a few things we needed to keep in mind.

Customer service is key: Like with any service, it’s crucial to book with a company that offers good communication and customer service. Why? If anything goes wrong with your reservation, you’ll need to work through your booking site. I like to get on the phone with a booking site right away, before finalizing my reservation, as a test run of sorts before there’s a real problem. Then I usually call again before my flight to confirm my reservation and make sure everything is in order. When I did this during my JustFly booking for Europe, I was very happy with the level of service. It’s also reassuring to know I’m not alone…JustFly gets solid reviews from consumers. I got through to JustFly right away, and spoke to pleasant, competent representatives.

The airline will not make you a priority: Anytime you use a third-party booking site, it will show up on your airline reservation. Depending on the airline and their level of customer service, this can sometimes mean you’re treated like a second-class citizen (of the airline, not of the booking site). At the airport, the airline will prioritize those passengers who are loyal to their brand and book through their channels. How this can manifest itself: you’ll be last priority for rebooking in the case of a cancellation caused by the airline, and unlikely to receive seating upgrades. How to combat this: be sure to list your frequent flier number on your reservation, which you can do when booking on JustFly.

Be ready for some back and forth: When you book through a third-party site, you’re bringing another ‘cook into the kitchen’, so to speak. When you have an issue, your third-party site may tell you to call the airline to resolve it, and the airline may tell you to call the booking site. Patience is key. When we booked through JustFly, we had one flight on our itinerary change flight numbers a few days before departure. This was the airline’s doing, but we were alerted to the change via JustFly. I called them to make sure our itinerary was intact, and was told to call the airline. When I gave the airline my booking number, they tried to send me back to JustFly. It took some insistence and patience to get the issue sorted, simply because there were two agencies involved. How to combat this: be prepared for this possibility, and allow yourself time to resolve it by watching your airline reservation carefully in the days before departure.

Prepare for possible seating issues: In most cases, booking early ensures families can score seats together on a flight, but when booking through a third-party site, sometimes those seat choices don’t carry over. We only had a problem with this once when we booked JustFly, and it may have been because it was on an international leg of a flight. We picked our seats when we booked our flight with JustFly (months in advance), but when we checked in for the flight, the airline hadn’t carried the seat reservations over. We were guaranteed seats, just not the ones we’d picked. The airline told us we were out of luck (see point #1), and we were forced to ask fellow passengers to switch seats. It all worked out, but wasn’t fun. How to combat this: check on your seat reservations through the airline 72 hours before departure, before you check-in for your flight. After you check in, they cannot make seating changes.

The bottom line:

While more complicated and with potential for more issues than booking directly through an airline, booking via a third-party site like JustFly is a tool to have in your travel planning tool belt. For those times when budget is priority #1, JustFly can be a great way to get the fare you absolutely need. If you go into it knowing what to watch for, you’ll have an experience that meets your expectations and, at the end of the day, gets you a great fare. After all, using JustFly, we ended up here, able to enjoy Christmas in Florence!

While this post was written in conjunction with JustFly, I was given full freedom to my opinion, in order to give my readers my best, honest advice.

Travel gear: Smart items to pack in your personal item

July 17, 2019 By Amy Hagstrom

Whether it is a family trip, vacation, trekking trip, or a business trip, everyone faces the problem of packing the right stuff into our handbag, tote, backpack or other personal item. Packing for a trip needs planning that is a lot demanding than planning for the trip itself. For this reason, I have come up with a strategy about smart things that need to be in our handbag or a carry-on bag before anything else for much safer and happier travel.

Traveling smartly: smart items to pack in your personal item

This is an era of smart products, and from our laptops to mobile phones, everything is smart. These items have made our lives easier and much more comfortable. Smart, multi-tasking things are the best to keep in your handbag as they take small space, and can help us do multiple tasks with them. In the past, everyone had to carry heavy laptops in our backpacks. And setting them up to do even a simple task of booking an online ticket was near impossible at any holiday destination.

However, smart products such as mobile phone and tablets have made our lives easier and simpler. Being smarter, and evolving with smart products have brought a lot of positive changes to our lives. On my last trip to Thailand, I was able to find a handsome discount on my flight ticket. All I did was to click on flights-to-bangkok.co.uk, and all the discount deals, cheap flight ticket, accommodation, and traveling transfers were in front of me. Smart traveling always pays off.

Why a handbag?

A handbag or tote is everyone’s best friend on a traveling trip as it seems so compact, yet it offers a great deal of space. It keeps reminding everyone that they need to pack little and light, however when people exceed that limit, it still has enough room for extra essentials.

Smart items to pack in your handbag

It doesn’t matter that you are an experienced traveler, or going on your first trip, you always need to plan your packing. You need to make a check of everything that you may need where you are going. You also need to make a checklist of all the important documents that you may need to keep. Following is a list of smart things that every traveler needs to pack in their handbag. These items will make their traveling much easier and comfortable. So read on and do carry these items on your next trip.

Medicines and prescription drugs

Most people make the mistake of packing their medicines and prescription drugs in their luggage. This doesn’t seem a big mistake a person can make; however, if you come across any need in an emergency, you will have nothing to do instead of waiting out all journey. People who rely heavily on their prescribed drugs and meds, it is imperative for them to carry their stuff in a handbag instead of luggage as they may need them during their time in the air. Airlines also misplace or even lose the luggage sometimes, so it is wise to keep all the important medicines in your handbag or carry-on bag.

Collapsible water bottle

Most airlines don’t allow water bottles in your hand-carry or personal item bags. But keeping a collapsible water bottle may pass the security checks. We don’t recommend you to take what isn’t allowed on the plane. However, air compression can get you thirsty more often, and you cannot call a host that often. So it is wise to keep one collapsible water bottle in your carry-on.

All kinds of documents

Keep all your documents in your handbag. Airlines can misplace your luggage and we don’t want you to go through all that inconvenience of reissuing those documents or finding your bag.

Tablets, Laptops, and mobile phones

When you are traveling, it is important to keep all your electronic items such as a laptop, tablet and mobile phones in your handbag. These items are prone to stealing, and luggage is vulnerable as it isn’t with us all the time. Airport authorities also handle our luggage with no care at all and just toss our stuff here and there. Our valuable electronic items can easily break in the transit, which can become a great source of inconvenience.

Charging devices

When we are on an airplane, or at an airport, we tend to kill our time but we have limited options. In this scenario, our laptops or mobile phones are the best sources of entertainment we have. However, their battery can easily run out, which leaves us asking other people for their chargers. To skip the embarrassment, it is imperative to keep all your chargers in the handbag.

Universal plug/adapter

When traveling abroad, we come across charging plugs that have the weirdest opening sockets. This leaves us no choice but to wait until the end of our long journey and recharge our phones and laptops at our hotel. To avoid this inconvenience, always carry a universal plug or adapter with you, so that you can use it anywhere you want to charge your phone.

One extra pair of undergarments and socks

Keeping one extra pair of undergarments and socks in your handbag is surely a smart move. Sometimes you travel to places that are hot and you can avail a chance to take a dip in a fountain or a pool. However, you don’t because you have no extra pair of undies and socks. For this reason, keep one extra pair all the time in your handbag. When traveling in a plane, you can also need a pair of socks to keep your feet warm, as air temperature can drop with air compression.

Mouth freshener

Mouth freshener is a smart item to carry in a handbag. Sometimes traveling takes a very long time to reach your destination, and you don’t get a chance to brush your teeth after eating something or taking a nap. Nobody wants a bad odor to come out of his or her mouth. For this reason, it is wise to keep a mouth freshener sweet or gum.

Best budget-friendly destinations

July 17, 2019 By Amy Hagstrom

Traveling is a wonderful notion, as you get to spend some time at your favorite place(s). You can refresh your mind, and eliminate all the stress that a normal lifestyle leaves on you. It is certainly a great activity to stay creative, constructive and healthy. But traveling does require a lot of money, and it is very difficult to plan and execute a trip on a budget. However, my travel advice to the esteemed reader will be to visit destinations that are budget-friendly and offer exquisite getaway. In this blog post, I am going to tell my readers which holiday destinations they can visit in a budget, and enjoy a great time. So read this article and learn about different budget-friendly holiday destinations.

Best budget-friendly destinations for holiday:

However, before I present my best budget holiday destinations, I will like to tell my readers about a great way to save their valuable money. Whenever you want to travel, you can find cheap flight tickets offers from the platform of a renowned travel agency. They will not only find cheap flights for you to your destination, but also find cheap hotel accommodations, travel transfers, and local transportations. This is the best way to travel, and when you have a budget to follow, there is no better way.Best budget friendly destinations for holiday

Laos

Located in South East Asia, Laos is truly a fun destination. Although this country is massively overlooked due to its location, it is still an amazingly beautiful place to visit with friends, family or loved one. This landlocked country is sparingly populated with mountainous terrain and a forest landscape that covers 70% of the total country’s area. With such an amazing terrain, Laos is a perfect getaway for some amazing activities such as trekking, mountain climbing, kayaking, hot air ballooning, zip-lining, and much more.

Argentina

Argentina is one of the cheapest countries to travel in the world. This fact will make it one of the most ideal places for anyone who wants to travel on the budget in 2019. As Argentinian currency is massively devaluing in comparison with any Western currency, it is becoming much easier to explore this place. You can visit the highest mountain in the world outside the Asian continent in the Andes, which is known as Aconcagua. You can also visit Patagonia for some elite trekking and mountain climbing experience. The famous cities include Cordoba, Salta, and Buenos Aires. You can also visit the infamous waterfalls of Foz do Iguacu. Enjoy every bit of this country in a budget and post all the pictures on social media.

Georgia

Georgia is a Caucasian country on the borders of Asia and Europe. This country is quite inexpensive to visit, and a truly beautiful place to visit. You can visit this place in the lowest bucks, and get amazed by all the sceneries and serene cities. This place has all the potential to become your first love for all the good reasons. The mountains of Caucasus are truly beautiful and unique, as well as never-ending grass plains, cultural cities, and villages. You can also visit the black sea that touches the shores of Georgia.

Nepal

Nepal is one of the most diverse and beautiful countries in the world. The best thing about this country is that it can be visited on a very low budget. This country has the highest mountain in the world, Mount Everest, along with some other highest peaks of the Himalayas and the world. For this reason, Nepal is a tourist magnet for everyone especially mountain lovers. This country has other places to offer to such as wildlife parks, cultural cities, temples, markets, and much more. Plan a trip to Nepal and you will never regret it.

Romania

Romania is a very beautiful country in Europe, and it has great potential to exceed all the limits of expectation of any visitor. This Transylvanian country has some of the most cultural medieval towns, cities, churches, food, and an amazing Carpathian mountain range. Little is known or marketed about this country, but once you visit it, it can become your favorite destination. The legend of Dracula originated from Romania, and the Dracula castle is still a place to visit for all the tourists.

Mexico

Mexico is known all over the world for all the bad things. However, it is not exactly the case. This country is a very naturally gifted place and opens to all the tourists for exploration. The best part about this country is that it is quite inexpensive. There are a lot of high altitude plains, beaches, mountains, hill stations, historical places, resorts, cultural cities, and much more.

Turkey

Traveling to Turkey is every traveler’s dream, and with the recent economic crisis, visiting this country in a budget is quite easily possible. Turkey is a transcontinental country, and it is rich in culture. There are many Roman ruins, as well as Ottoman remains that you must visit. There are also other amazing landmarks and significant places such as Cappadocia, Anatolia, Pamukkale, and much more.

Philippines

The Philippines is one the first choice for any visitor for an amazing tropical beach holiday. This country has more than 7000 islands, and this provides an amazing chance for everyone to choose which island he or she will prefer to visit. The Philippines is also culturally very rich, so you can expect to see some unique stuff in its cities and towns. Above every other feature, this country can be visited in a limited budget.

Morocco

Located in the northern part of Africa on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, Morocco is one of the primary choices for all budget travelers. This country is rich in white and beautiful beaches, as well as cultural cities that can amaze you beyond any description. One of the best destinations in Morocco in Tangier, which is influenced a both modern, and ancient cultures. The old city is full of stalls and streets, with people selling food items, drinks, different stuff such as electronic items, computers and much more.

Iran

Located between Middle East Asia, and Central Asia, Iran is an oil-rich country. But due to Western sanctions, the economy is always struggling, which makes it one of the cheapest traveling destination in the world. With serene beaches on its coasts, as well as great access to the Caspian Sea, this place is truly magnificent for every traveler. There are also cultural cities such as Tehran, Qom, Bandar Abbas, along with historical places such as Persepolis, Isfahan, Shiraz, Mashhad, and much more for everyone to explore. You can also visit the mountainous region of this country, and be amazed at nature’s marvels.

Six family-friendly U.S. cities to visit this summer

July 15, 2019 By Amy Hagstrom

We’re officially in full swing of summer, and you may be attempting to do some last-minute family vacation planning. Even if you’re not ready to pack up the kids and head to Europe, there are plenty of amazing destinations right here in the U.S.

The following is a round-up of six family-friendly cities you can visit in the U.S. this summer or at any time, and some highlights of those cities to help you with planning.

Six Family-Friendly U.S. Cities to Visit This Summer

Nashville:

Nashville, Tennessee is a fabulous city to visit, no matter your age, but it’s also extremely family-friendly. During the day you can wander along Broadway and hear the music pouring out of the honky tonks. Some of them may even let people in of all ages, as long as it is daytime and not in the later evening hours.

Nashville has a lot of casual eateries, you can visit the Country Music Hall of Fame, and there’s also the Grand Ole Opry.

The Grand Ole Opry has nightly shows appropriate for all ages.

The Gaylord Opryland Hotel is a good option for families in terms of lodging because it’s huge and caters to families with things like an indoor steamboat ride.

San Diego:

San Diego has warm, temperate weather at any time of the year, and it’s beautiful. You can go to Balboa Park with is a famous zoo that also has gardens and museums.

With a Balboa Park Explorer Multi-Day Pass, it’s possible to see The San Diego Zoo and get entrance to the other museums for an entire week.

When you tire of the museums like the TheNAT San Diego Natural History Museum, head to the beaches or the tide pools at Cabrillo National Monument.

New York City:

New York City isn’t always considered a family-friendly destination, but it should be. Also, some of the most amazing aspects of the city won’t cost you anything, like walking through Times Square or Central Park. The Museum of Natural History is great for kids too.

There are some plays on Broadway that are family friendly if you can score tickets including Aladdin, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Frozen, and for older kids, Hamilton.

Washington D.C.:

Going to Washington D.C. is a learning experience, but it’s done in such a fun way that your kids probably won’t even notice the educational aspect. Washington, D.C. is also a fairly affordable city for visitors.

The Smithsonian Institute boasts 19 free museums, and of these, some of the most notable are the National Zoo, the Air & Space Museum, and the Museum of Natural History.

The moments that will leave your kids in awe include the Washington Monument, Jefferson Memorial, and the Lincoln Memorial.

There are many kid-friendly hotels in the area as well. One hotel located near many of the must-see attractions is the Hyatt Place Arlington/Courthouse Plaza. Your family will have easy access to the Metro, which will bring you to all major attractions, which will reduce the stress of driving through D.C.

Boston:

Another location where history can come alive for kids is Boston. If you do opt for Boston, you might want the Boston CityPass. The Boston CityPass offers discounted admission to some of the most popular attractions in the city including the New England Aquarium, the Museum of Science, the Skywalk Observatory, and the John F. Kennedy Presidential Museum and Library.

You can also grab food at Quincy Market, or take a picnic in the Public Garden. Walk along the Freedom Trail, or take a self-guided tour of the campus of Harvard while you’re there.

There are Friday movie nights during the summer at the Hatch Shell, and admission to the Museum of Fine Arts is free for kids under 17 on the weekends.

San Antonio:

Finally, if you want to make your way down south, consider San Antonio. San Antonio is the perfect family-friendly destination, and like many other cities on our list, it’s a place you can ensure is fairly affordable.

The San Antonio Riverwalk is beautiful, and you’ll hear live music, you can take boat rides,and there are plenty of restaurants along the way. There is the old town so you can see the architecture and enjoy boutiques, and you can take in the history at The Alamo.

For the kids, there’s SeaWorld San Antonio as well as Six Flags Fiesta Texas. San Antonio is even home to Morgan’s Wonderland, which is the only amusement park in the U.S. designed for kids with special needs. There are the DoSeum interactive children’s museum and Natural Bridge Caverns for families with kids too.

San Antonio is hot in the summer, so be prepared, but you can go year-round and enjoy fairly mild weather along with great things to do.