travel planning - Pitstops for Kids

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

Tips for celebrating the 4th of July in Washington DC

July 4, 2019 By Amy Hagstrom

Will you be in our nation’s capital for Independence Day? We were there last year, and it was one of the memorable holidays we’ve celebrated while traveling! The number of activities, programs, and performances, as well as the sheer number of people, can be intimidating, so we’ve compiled our top tips for celebrating the 4th of July in Washington DC:

1. Book a hotel within walking distance of the National Mall:

No matter what you decide to do on the 4th, it will probably happen on or around the Mall. And trust me, you don’t want to have to park a car anywhere in the vicinity on July 4th. Taking a cab is tricky too, since so many road closures are in effect (your fare could be high as cabbies take detours). When we visited, we took the Metro to the Mall on the 4th of July to save our feet from extra mileage, but walked back when the festivities were over. When we passed the first two Metro stations en route, the line to simply access the escalators spanned almost a block! Be in walking distance and you’ll be happier for it!

2. Take an afternoon siesta:

If you start your Independence Day watching the parade down Constitution Avenue and end it with the firework display and Capitol 4th concert, you’re looking at a 14-16 hour day. Opt to focus on the morning activities or evening activities, or, if you must do both, take an afternoon break. We spent 3 pm to 6 pm at our hotel, resting, watching TV, and snacking. If you can’t make it back to your accommodations, rest on a blanket in the shade or take an extended break in a museum cafe, enjoying the A/C.

3. ‘Preview’ the parade:

Don’t want to stake your claim curbside on Constitution Avenue by 7 am to watch the parade? Neither did we. Instead, we arrived on the Mall around 10 am, and headed to the Smithsonian museums (they’re all open on the 4th). During our walk along the Mall from the Smithsonian Metro stop, we viewed a good number of the inflatables, floats, and bands queuing up for their position in the parade. We were happy with this sneak peek and even heard bands warming up. The museums were quiet and uncrowded until the parade wrapped up around 1 pm. If you’re not a ‘parade person’, this is the way to go!

4. Watch the Capitol 4th dress rehearsal:

Likewise, if the idea of crowding onto the Capitol lawn with 200,000 close friends on the 4th doesn’t suit you, go to the dress rehearsal of this top tier outdoor concert on July 3rd. It starts at 8 pm, and is free and open to the public. Unlike for the real deal, there’s no need to get there earlier than 7 pm. Bring a picnic or grab hot dogs from street side vendors, and enjoy a patriotic evening…a day early.

5. Plan your fireworks location with views and kids in mind:

We were told there’s no reason to go snag a spot to watch the fireworks until approximately 6:30 pm (fireworks start at 9:10 pm). We doubted this advice, and got to a spot just under the Washington Monument by 5:30 pm. We should have listened…the lawn didn’t fill up until about 7 pm. Before arriving, we could have eaten a relaxed meal at our hotel or spent more time in the museums. Here’s a rundown of the best fireworks viewing locations in DC (and their pros and cons):

Washington Monument: This is where we ended up, and we loved this location. It’s in one of the security-controlled areas, which means you go through security at one of (I believe) four entrances along this part of the Mall. There’s no alcohol allowed, and of course no firearms or other weapons. We felt very safe. Security didn’t take long to go through (people stagger their arrival), and by setting up our spot on the hillside just under the monument, we had unobstructed views of the Lincoln Memorial and Reflecting Pool (where the fireworks are set off). Limited food vendors are located inside the secure area (overpriced hot dogs, funnel cakes, and sandwiches).

Lincoln Memorial: We heard this is a fun place to be, but also more crowded, and less comfortable (you’re sitting on the steps if you get there early enough, and sitting on the sides if not).

On the Mall in front of the Smithsonian museums: This is another secure area (as is Lincoln) and offers lots of entertainment while you wait. Your views of the fireworks will be against the backdrop of the Washington Monument (you won’t see the Lincoln Memorial or Reflecting Pool). During the day, we enjoyed playing pick-up soccer games on the grass, and checking out the Smithsonian Folk Festival. As evening descends, these entertaining options give way to blankets and lawn chairs. You’re closer to more food options here. Tip: to get healthier food, we went into the National Museum of Natural History’s cafe, and got sandwiches, salads, and trail mix to go. It was still expensive, but much higher quality than the food vendors onsite. From our Washington Monument location, it was a hike to get this food, but worth it.

On the White House lawn: I was tempted by this secure location simply for the novelty of it (you can sit in the Ellipse area), but in the end, it was a smaller space with more trees, and we didn’t like the view as much.

At the Capitol: This is ground zero for the concert, and where you’ll want to be if you didn’t see the dress rehearsal and wanted to stay late to listen. The concert starts at 8 pm. It’s also one of the most crowded locations.

Throughout the day on the 4th, impromptu concerts, bands, festivals, and games pop up all over the Mall, so try to stay as spontaneous as possible. Enjoy your Independence Day in the nation’s capitol!

Five resort towns with 4th of July parades

June 30, 2019 By Amy Hagstrom

Due to summer travel plans, we usually spend 4th of July away from home. Sometimes, missing our hometown 4th of July parades bums the kids out, so wherever we find ourselves, we try to seek out the local parade festivities. As a result, we’ve experienced new customs, enjoyed local culture and foods, and Toby, always outgoing, has always made new friends. Below, find details on the 4th of July parades in five of our favorite resort towns across the U.S.! Maybe they’ll be on your family vacation route this holiday. Happy birthday, America!

Jackson Hole, Wyoming:

Jackson Hole’s Howdy Pardners 4th of July parade always begins on Snow King Avenue from the Rodeo Grounds to Glenwood, continues on Broadway, and ends on Willow Street. If you’re staying in town, grab a curbside seat early in the day. While one parent holds everyone’s place (a thankless job!), the other can take the kids over to the Amazin’ Jackson Hole Maze for some water gun fight action. Kids rent water guns, pick teams, then spread out in the large maze area complete with water barrels for refills and platforms for scoping out the enemy. Kids are paired as best as possible by size and age, but very young kids may get scared. The parade starts at 10:30, but families will want to stay for the 6 pm town square frontier shoot out or the evening rodeo.

Where to stay: overnight a short car drive away in Grand Tetons National Park’s Colter Bay Village to combine a small town holiday with national park adventure. Alternatively, stay in town in a VacationRoost vacation home.

Park City, Utah:

This iconic ski town is transformed in the summer months to reflect Park City Utah’s love of the rugged outdoors in warm weather. Start your day with muffins or scones in one of the town’s many breakfast restaurants, or participate in 5K run. Then get a spot for the parade down the main street, which includes over 70 floats and an Air Force fly-over. You’ll still have most of the day to go mountain biking or hiking to escape the crowds, or you can stay for the fireworks.

Where to stay: Westgate Park City Resort is far enough from town (located at The Canyons Resort) to offer some tranquility when you’re ready for it.

Seaside, Oregon:

Families celebrating the 4th of July in Seaside might just as likely be wearing windbreakers as swim suits and shorts, but fog, wind, or sun, the party is happening! The Celebrate Freedom 4th of July parade starts at the Seaside Museum, ending at the annual Old-Fashioned Social. The party goes on all day until it’s dark enough for fireworks on the beach. While not waiting for the parade, buy taffy at the famous Seaside Candy Man or make sand castles on the wide, open beach.

Where to stay: find a vacation home near the beach and rent it for the whole week to enjoy the town before and after the crowds descend.

Branson, Missouri:

Among the most patriotic resort towns in America, Branson’s celebration starts with a parade-type event families can participate in! The Spirit of ’76 celebration at Branson Stockstill Park and Branson Landing traditionally starts at 9 am, during which you can join others donning their red, white, and blue for a family-friendly event. Ice cream and flags are complimentary, which you can bring with you to one of the many fireworks displays on nearby Table Rock Lake or in Moonshine State Park.

Where to stay: the Chateau on the Lake Resort is the site of the best evening fireworks, and offers swimming, boating, a full-scale spa, and dining for the remainder of your vacation in Branson.

Stowe, Vermont:

The Moscow parade starts the celebration, which doesn’t end until Stowe’s annual fireworks display. Between events, check out the Village Festival from 11 am to 3 pm, for face painting, music, carnival-type activities for the kids, and a full seven miles of shopping. The parade starts at 10 am, and kids can watch local softball and soccer tournaments, a 4th of July tradition in Stowe.

Where to stay: Settle in near Stowe at Smuggler’s Notch Resort, where kids will stay just as busy the rest of the vacation week with kids’ club activities, hiking and biking, golf, and kid-focused parties.

Photo credit: inparistexas

This post written in partnership with VacationRoost.

When to upgrade to Park Hopper tickets at Disney theme parks (and when not to)

May 16, 2019 By Amy Hagstrom

When buying Disney theme park tickets, families have the ability to upgrade to Park Hopper tickets. What does this mean? Instead of gaining admittance to one park per day, you have access to all four (plus water parks, if desired). Do you ‘need’ Park Hoppers? Most families believe the answer is yes, but in fact, it depends on your family’s plans in the theme parks, style of touring, and organization. Read on to find out when it’s really valuable to upgrade to Park Hoppers at Disney theme parks and when it simply doesn’t make sense.

Park Hopper myths:

1. It’s easy to ‘hop’ from park to park. The term ‘park hopper’ implies it’s only a hop, skip, and a jump from one Disney theme park to the next. In fact, it can take up to an hour to ‘hop’, depending on your luck with bus schedules and how crowded Walt Disney World is at the time of your visit. During a non-peak week in late April, it took me 45 minutes to get from Animal Kingdom to the Magic Kingdom, for example. Why? Disney busses don’t go directly from park to park. Rather, they go from park to hotel resorts, or from parks to the Ticket and Transportation Center, where you ‘hop’ onto different lines.

Even commuting from the Magic Kingdom to Epcot, both on Monorail lines, requires a transfer and occasional resort stops en route (plan on 30 minutes, depending on Monorail queues). Planning to drive your own vehicle? You still need to commute to your current parking lot, drive over, then park and commute again. This is not to say to avoid Disney transportation: we’re fans. Just know that while reliable and relatively stress-free, Disney transportation is not swift.

2. You can hop to a second park late in the day and still ride major attractions. Again, it depends on the season and how busy the park, but sometimes you can, and sometimes you can’t. If you spend your day at Epcot, for instance, and decided to hop to Hollywood Studios at 2 pm to ride Tower of Terror, you may run into difficulty if Fast Passes have run out for the day. Because your party cannot all obtain FP until they’re all in the park, there’s no way to secure Fast Passes until you’ve ‘hopped’.

3. The Park Hopper add-on barely costs anything. In fact, at $35 extra per ticket (over $50 extra with water parks), the cost adds up! Savings can be in the hundreds of dollars to opt out of Park Hoppers. If your family typically tours a park for most of any given day, then enjoys resort time, or likes to spend time in other areas not requiring theme park admission, such as Downtown Disney or Wide World of Sports, you may have no need of a Park Hopper. Just be sure to plan to attend evening shows and entertainment at the same park you visited earlier in the day. (This will take planning.)

You need the Park Hopper add-on if:

1. You plan to take advantage of a morning Extra Magic Hour and then get out. This is a wise strategy, as the Extra Magic Hour park tends to become overcrowded after the hour is up and regular park guests arrive on top of the resort guests. If you plan to leave a park by 10 am and hop to another, you’ll likely have time to arrive before lunch and secure the Fast Passes you need for the afternoon.

2. You plan to utilize the Park Hopper just for evening dining and entertainment (not rides). If you like the idea of arriving at a park early in the morning, focusing on rides, then leaving for a mid-day rest, then heading to a different park for a relaxing dinner and evening entertainment, the Park Hopper may be a great value to you.

3. You’re visiting at a very low-crowd time of year. In this case, you may not need a full day to accomplish what you want in one park, and your transportation time may be lower due to smaller crowds.

25 Unplugged family vacation ideas

May 6, 2019 By Amy Hagstrom

When planning your next family vacation, do you daydream about a mythical place when cell service drops to zero and the front desk staff has no WiFi code to give? Such places exist, and they’re ripe for family adventure! From budget-friendly to bucket list-worthy, these diverse getaways all guarantee time away from screens…for both your kids and you.

Western states:

Experience the Wild and Scenic Rogue River: In the heart of Southern Oregon, the Rogue River offers 84 miles of wilderness untouched by roads, power lines, or cell service. OARS rafting trips on the Wild and Scenic are ideal for families seeking togetherness with a splash of excitement.

See Mt. Rushmore by bicycle: Bicycle Adventures’ six-day family cycling trip through South Dakota may not be completely devoid of connectivity at all times, but your kids won’t have a free hand to hold a phone…they’ll be too busy cycling the Mickelson Trail, the top-rated paved bike path in the US, past Crazy Horse, the Badlands, and the Black Hills.

Camp in a yurt on the Oregon coast: The Oregon State Park system is peppered with cozy, warm, and welcoming yurts in their campgrounds, which are open for families year-round. And it’s hard to beat the $40/night price tag. Alternative: take a PacNW coastal road trip!

Overnight in a treehouse: Out ’n About ’Tree-sort’ is located near the Oregon-CA border along the Redwoods Highway. Kids can climb rope ladders, pick their bunks, and even zip-line the next morning.

Paddle the San Juan Islands marine trail: Join Crystal Seas Kayaking for a multi-night kayak trip from a basecamp at San Juan Island, Washington, to a smattering of outlying islands along the famed marine trail. Camp in tents at night and learn to navigate your sea kayaks during the day.

Backpack the Jefferson Park Wilderness: Located in Central Oregon near the tiny town of Sisters, the Jefferson Park Wilderness can be accessed via the Pacific Crest Trail and offers some of the most dramatic scenery of the entire Oregon section. Families can backpack the area in 2-3 days, or plan a day hike from rustic Ollalie Lake Resort.

Herd sheep on a Leaping Lamb Farm Stay: Located in the coastal mountain range by Corvallis, Oregon, Leaping Lamb Farm offers families a cozy cabin stay complete with farm chores in the mornings, and the run of the farm the rest of the day. Hike, tend to animals, or just read a book on the porch for a long weekend.

Cruise through Southeast Alaska: Families can experience SE Alaska like a local with Alaskan Dream Cruises, which depart from Sitka on small, 30-40 passenger vessels. The ship stops daily in small, native-owned ports where families kayak, hike, and learn about the coastal wilderness.

Yosemite National Park ‘in reverse’ backpacking trip: Want to experience Yosemite in the summer…without the crowds? Start at Tuolumne Meadows and end on the valley floor, hiking a portion of the John Muir Trail with a Yosemite Backcountry Permit. Until your last day, you’ll be able to count the number of people you pass on one hand.

Houseboat on Lake Powell: Spanning Arizona and Utah, Lake Powell isn’t precisely isolated, but cell service is pretty much non-existent, which means you can get there easily then spend up to a week in complete relaxation with your crew.

Mountain states and Midwest:

Raft the Lower Salmon: With OARS at the helm, a trip through the gorges of the Lower Salmon River in Idaho isn’t as risky as it sounds. Mostly, it’s all fun and games, with sandy campsites and delicious food to round out days of sunshine and Class III rapids.

Navigate the Gates of Lodore: Rafting the Green River in Colorado with OARS will uncover American Indian ruins and evidence of the lingering wild west, but no bars on anyone’s phone.

Get in the saddle at Three Bars Ranch: A dude ranch vacation can be the ultimate family retreat, and at Three Bars, you get to enjoy a ‘family camp’ atmosphere with the Canadian Rockies as a backdrop. Cell service can be found if you seek it out, but don’t worry about the kids noticing: they’ll be too busy with their adopted horses for the week.

Explore the backcountry of the Tetons: Families may think they’ve seen Grand Teton National Park…until they experience three days of Lake Jackson kayaking with OARS. The wilderness is stunning, and even in the peak of summer, no one else is in sight for hours.

Stay in a ghost town at Dunton: Dunton, Colorado is a 200-acre restored ghost town that has been transformed into a remote mountain escape. You’ll lose cell service before you even get there, transporting you back a century as you stay in a cabin near a saloon, dance hall, and hot spring.

Cowboy up at Colorado Vista Verde Dude Ranch: Yes, another dude ranch, because this one is open year-round! At Vista Verde, families have no access to wifi, and fill their days riding or, in winter, skiing at nearby Steamboat Springs.

Canoe the Boundary Waters: Start in Ely, Minnesota, where Boundary Waters Outfitters will get you geared up for a guided family trip of this remote wilderness area. Families will be removed from everything except the sound of an oar on the flat, calm surface of the water.

East Coast:

Hike hut-to-hut with the Appalachian Mountain Club: AMC lodges are located through New England along the Appalachian Trail. Families can hike hut-to-hut for a backpacking trip they’ll never forget, or hike one-way into the Highland Center, where they can be outfitted for day trips in summer or winter.

Milk cows near Shenandoah National Park: Belle Meade Farm is located in rural Virginia, an easy road trip from Washington DC but a world apart. Families can help care for animals, swim in the large outdoor pool or the swimming pond, and easily access the less trafficked entrance to Shenandoah National Park.

Channel your inner Thoreau at Spencer Pond camps: Stay in an off-the-grid mountain cabin in rural Maine at Spencer Pond where you can fish, hike, hunt, or paddle the Northern Forest Canoe Trail. Chances are good of seeing moose!

Enjoy R&R at Little St. Simon’s Island: This privately-owned island off the coast of Georgia is only accessible by boat, but the cabins here are not just for luxury travelers. While you are served gourmet meals, accommodations are quaintly rustic, and the emphasis is on nature and outdoor living. Read another review!

Unwind at Little River State Park: Vermont state parks are an oasis for nature-loving families, and one of the best for a low-tech, budget family vacation is Little River State Park. Families can combine camping with extensive interpretive programs and tours of the area’s history.

Experience an old-fashioned family camp at Mt. Snow: If you’d rather someone else do the cooking during a Vermont getaway, head to Mt. Snow for their family camp, which includes an unplugged itinerary ideal for family reunions and multigenerational vacations.

Set sail with a Windjammer cruise off coast of Maine: You don’t have to know how to sail—yet—to go on a Windjammer cruise. But you’ll be amazed what you learn as you sail up the coast of Maine, taking in the sights and enjoying wonderful cuisine.

Boat on Smith Mountain Lake: The beauty of a houseboat trip is the guaranteed alone time with your family; on Smith Mountain Lake in southwest Virginia, you may have the lake nearly to yourselves.

Bond as a family at High Hampton Inn and Country Club: Kids will think of High Hampton as the most amazing summer camp in the heart of North Carolina. Parents will immediately recall the movie Dirty Dancing. Either way, everyone wins.

How to plan college visits for your teen

March 30, 2019 By Amy Hagstrom

As a family who’s always loved learning on the go, we’re excited to be diving into a new version of educational travel: college touring for our teens. At first, figuring when, when, and how to plan college visits can feel daunting, but in fact, we’ve found the process to be fun, helpful, and even a little relaxing! With two teens at home, and one starting the college decision-making process in earnest, here are our best tips:

Start with ‘unofficial’ visits as you travel

There’s no need to go overboard touring colleges before your child is in 11th grade, but that doesn’t mean you can’t start the process earlier in a natural way. While we didn’t schedule any official visits until our oldest son was a junior in high school, we toured approximately six major universities unofficially in the past several years. How? We simply tacked visits to college campuses onto our vacation itineraries. When we went to Williamsburg, VA, we walked through the pretty campus of the College of William and Mary. When we were in Gettysburg, we stopped at Gettysburg College. And so on. These pre-college-age college tours (try saying that three times fast) proved a great introduction to not only what college campuses offered, but the idea that kids can go to college anywhere…not just near home.

Plan to see a variety of school types

Once you’re ready to officially tour colleges with your junior or senior, be sure to visit a variety. On our first ‘official’ college tour road trip, we visited four schools. One was a state school, the other three private. Two were in urban areas, two in rural areas. Two were quite large (over 20,000 students), and two were small (under 3,000 students). The ability to compare them all really helped my son see what was out there. While he still maintains that he prefers smaller, private schools, the state school we visited has programs we didn’t know existed, which could be a game changer. Even for bright students, college homework help is a decisive factor for us.

Make appointments for tours at least one month in advance

Schools definitely make it easy to find that ‘college tour’ or ‘visit campus’ button on their websites. From there, it’s easy to book a campus tour online. You can do so only a week in advance in some cases, but I advise planning earlier. Why? Campus tours fill up fast, especially during high school breaks, such as Spring Break. It’s also helpful to look to see if the college is planning anything special, such as full day visits or overnights (usually only for seniors). It’s good to take advantage of these, since more school personnel will be on-hand and special presentations may be planned.

Can’t get to your dream school for a pre-application visit? Go to a similar one closer to home.

My son has about 10 schools on his ‘maybe’ list, half of which are far-flung, from Colorado to Vermont. Since we live in Oregon, we don’t have the time or budget for him to visit every one of these schools before he applies. Instead, we’re visiting the half dozen we can get to more easily, including a few schools that have similar qualities to the distant ones. For example, he’s interested in a small, liberal arts private school in Vermont, with a big emphasis on outdoors programs and environmental science. Since we can’t get to that one in the immediate future, he’s going to visit a similarly structured school in Washington. The Washington school is not necessarily on his shortlist but will give him a feel for the general philosophy and campus life of the Vermont school. And who knows? Maybe he’ll love it! Of course, after he applies to colleges, he’ll go visit any he is accepted to personally.

Follow your favorite schools’ Facebook pages

If your favorite schools are fairly local, or even regional, to you, check their social media pages often for info on campus events. Major sporting events, community days, or even rallies can give you a good idea of campus culture and the student body. Attending something on campus that’s open to the public allows your teen to put him or herself into the action, getting a feel for what it might be like to be a student there. This is especially helpful if your official college tour was during a school break for the campus, such as summer or Spring Break.

Ask about college interviews, meetings, or specialty programs

College interviews are rarely required during visits, but can leave a good impression. They’re also an opportunity to ask questions about the campus culture or programs. If your teen is reluctant to do an interview with an admissions counselor, remind him or her that this is really an opportunity for him or her to interview the college, not the other way around. After all, at this point, they are ‘shopping’ for schools.

If your teen has a particular interest or major in mind, ask when you book a college tour whether you can also get a specialty tour tacked on. For example, when we visited a state school, we booked a second, shorter tour specifically of the science departments. You can ask for specialty tours of campus Honors Programs, music programs, or even sports programs. Do you want to play basketball while there? Meet with the coach. Thinking of joining a specific club you’ve heard about? Ask if someone might be available to answer your questions.

Bring siblings…if they can stand it

College tours can seem boring to younger siblings, but consider bringing your young kids to at least a few. It helps them picture what college actually looks like, and helps them envision themselves there someday. It also takes some of the mystery out of the ‘going to college’ process younger siblings hear so much about as their big brothers or sisters prepare. Our youngest was actually quite worried about his big brother going to college…which we didn’t realize until he had a chance to see what colleges were actually like.

Stay somewhere central to the schools you’re visiting

Sure, you’re touring colleges, but it can still be a fun vacation, right? If you’re only looking at one college in a location, stay somewhere touristy…play the role of vacationer while you’re there. If you’re visiting several schools in an urban area, as we were, stay at a central location to cut down on driving time. We recommend an airport hotel: it will offer perks such as a free breakfast and free parking, and be central to major interstates…and of course the airport. During our college tour through New York state and Connecticut, we stayed almost exclusively at Red Roof Inn PLUS locations. These hotels are comfortable and convenient, and after a few days, we began to think of their beckoning red roofs as a sign of home. In PLUS properties, you get nice linens and pillow choices, some have complimentary breakfast, and plus, you get complimentary healthy snacks and waters. If you check out Red Roof, definitely look for their PLUS locations, as these rooms elevate the stay to a higher level for a still-economical price…after all, college is expensive! We have to save our dimes. We were able to find PLUS locations in each of the cities we were visiting, plus by the airport before an early flight home.

Have fun!

Plan to visit some local attractions during your college tour trip. During our trip to Portland, we also visited the Oregon coast, always a favorite with my kids. We ate out at fun Portland institutions, and visited some urban parks and food trucks. Not only did playing the tourist help my son picture himself living in this city, but it gave us all much-needed breaks.

TIP: Want to learn more or enhance your kids’ computer and business skills? Here’s their great companion to help them adjust on their new life in college and be at the top of their classes! Check out Training Connection here.

What are YOUR best college touring tips?

Source: Fix.com Blog

Home prep for holiday travel (STEP BY STEP GUIDE)

December 14, 2018 By Amy Hagstrom

You’re going away for vacation…yay! But what about your home when you’re traveling for the holidays, sitting empty? We’ve all heard horror stories: the pipes froze and burst…the mail piled up, enticing theft…we really didn’t leave our home secure. Home prep for holiday travel isn’t hard. Here’s how to prep your house for holiday travel, to ensure your home is safe, energy efficient, and secure while you’re gone.

10 steps to prepping your home for holiday travel:

1. Make plans for the pets.

When we travel, our dogs go to their ‘doggie hotel’, a local boarding kennel we trust. It took us a while to find one we liked, and we have to make sure to book well in advance. Other options: a pet sitter who comes to your home, or a friend or relative who wants to temporarily adopt your fur babies.

2. Talk to the neighbors.

Let at least one trusted neighbor in on your plans. A good neighbor can keep an eye on your house and pick up any packages that might be delivered. Consider giving him or her a house key to check pipes and heat occasionally.

3. Place a hold on your mail and regular deliveries.

Go to your post office and place a hold on your mail until your return. Pause all regular deliveries such as newspapers, milk, or eggs. If you know you’ll be receiving a package during your absence, have a neighbor pick it up.

4. Reset your thermostat.

Depending on whether you will have pets in the house, set the heat or air conditioning accordingly. Even lowering (or raising, depending on your climate) the temperature by two degrees will save you money.

5. Unplug non-essential appliances and computers.

I’ll admit we skip this step when going away for less than a week, but for longer trips, it’s important to unplug. Your home will be safer as well as more energy efficient. Give that desktop monitor a rest!

6. Set your water heater to ‘vacation mode’.

Almost all newer water heaters have this mode, which will lower the temperature just enough for savings without freezing any pipes.

7. Be smart about home security.

Ideally, families spending significant time away from home during the holidays should have a home security system in place, or a home video monitor in use. You want to maintain that ‘lived in’ look. At bare minimum, it’s essential to decide which lights to leave on in your absence.We opt to leave on porch lights and one light in the entry hall. We set what lights we can on a timer, so they’re no continually on, day and night. Any consistent setting, such as lights always on, curtains always drawn, or a car always parked, will signal to potential burglars that no one’s home.

8. Make sure smoke detectors are in order.

Of course, they should always be in working order, right? Carbon monoxide detectors, too.

9. Insulate pipes if living in a cold climate.

After insulating, consider asking that trusted neighbor to stop in a few times during your absence to run the water at the tap in the kitchen. If water only trickles out or will not come out at all, the pipes are likely frozen.

10. Don’t announce your vacation on Facebook!

This is sometimes the toughest step! Given my job as a travel writer, I usually cannot avoid ‘announcing’ where I am (and that I’m not at home), so I always make sure neighbors are watching my house (and say so). However, if you can avoid telling everyone on social media that you’re away, all the better. It’s more fun to post about your trip when you’re back home and can show off those travel photos anyway, right?

Non-essential but helpful upon return:

We do the following before leaving home to make our ‘return landing’ less bumpy:

wash and put away all dishes
do any unfinished laundry (you’ll have enough when you get back!)
clean out the fridge of food that may spoil during the trip

Have tips of your own? Share in the comments!

How to stay healthy while traveling with the family

September 6, 2018 By Amy Hagstrom

Traveling can be an exciting adventure, especially when you get to share it with family. Flying or driving to a new city, having new experiences, and getting to detach from your regular routine are things most people can look forward to when travel is in their future. If you have stress in your typical day to day life, sometimes travel is the only way to really get away to de-stress.

On the flip side, traveling isn’t always so nice for our routines when it comes to staying healthy. When you leave your house, you might leave your regimented life behind and regret it when you return home. Traveling with family brings its own types of stress that are different from your “normal stress,” and it can be handled. Incorporating these healthy traveling tips are similar to managing your health with a super busy schedule.

Keep Some Routine

It’s easy to let routine items slip to the wayside while you’re traveling, but it’s a good idea to keep some of your routines in place, so you don’t experience “travel shock” when you return home.

For example, if you drink coffee every morning to get you going, that shouldn’t become foreign just because you’re traveling. Most lodging has a coffee maker in the room, or you can find a coffee place nearby to grab a cup of joe. Along with giving you your morning jolt, the caffeine in coffee can help your bowel movements stay regular. If you take pre-workout supplements, stay on your routine.

Visit a Local Grocery Store

While you’re traveling, there is no excuse not to find fresh snacks, especially if that’s what your body is used to on a regular basis. It’s just as simple to find fresh fruits and veggies even at gas stations these days as it is to grab a sodium-packed bag of chips off the shelf.

If you’re staying somewhere for a few days, there is likely a grocery store that sells fresh produce and other snacks that will keep you in good health. If your accommodations have a refrigerator that is accessible to you, grab some produce from the local supermarket for snacking in the room or on-the-go. You can stock up for your entire stay with one trip to the store.

If you’re worried about spending extra money on airport food on a layover or as you road trip, pack some pre-made snacks in your suitcase or cooler. This is great for babies and picky eaters. If you’re flying, check the Transportation Security Administration’s website for what foods are allowed through security. If you’re driving, pretty much anything is allowed, but be cautious of states that don’t allow items like fresh fruits across their borders.

Supplements and Water

Supplements are gaining popularity as easy ways to get your daily dose of certain nutrients you might not get in your regular diet. If you’re one of these people, you should absolutely take enough on your travels to keep your health in check. You can’t always count on restaurants to use fresh ingredients that with no preservatives, so your family’s salt intake may spike while you’re traveling. You may consider adding a probiotic to the mix while you’re traveling to maintain your gut health. For your budget-friendly, yet equally nutrient-rich superfood, learn more here in Amazing Grass Green Superfood review.

Also, ensure your family is staying adequately hydrated. Traveling for long periods of time can disturb the level of hydration you usually experience. Whether you’re flying for 2 hours, 12 hours, or trapped in a car for the day, your body will suffer some dehydration. This doesn’t mean you need to consume crazy amounts of water to cause numerous bathroom breaks.

Keep Moving

Unless your travel adventure includes hiking or other activities that keep your family active, consider incorporating a short movement session that includes the whole family. Whether it’s time in the pool swimming laps, maybe disguised as races for kids, or pulling up a yoga video on your iPad, get some movement in each day for at least 30 minutes.

If you’re a member of a national gym, ask if your membership includes admittance to gyms in the area you’ll be visiting or if you can get a guest pass. You can also check out any public fitness groups to get your heart rate up for a bit. Of course, you can always utilize the hotel gym if one is offered. Even if you’re walking a lot each day, you’ll be able to get some weight training in if that’s what you’re used to.

Good Night’s Sleep

Even though traveling is usually a limited time, your sleep is crucial and should not be sacrificed. It’s tempting to pack your day full of activities and sites but consider how it will affect your family’s sleep schedule. Getting quality sleep will keep your mood and mental health in check to ensure each portion of your travels is enjoyed to the fullest.

If you have younger children, you endanger their regular sleep routine by putting them to bed later or waking them up earlier than usual. You might even look at how you can incorporate their usual nap time to give them the rest they’re used to and give you a break.

What you need to know about going through international travel customs with kids

August 2, 2018 By Amy Hagstrom

To some parents, the thought of navigating immigrations and customs with kids is intimidating. For some, the first experience in customs will be during a trip to Mexico, or Canada. For all of us, it can be tiring, especially after a long travel day (or night). But by knowing what to expect (and having the forms and documents you need) going through travel customs with kids can be a breeze. Here’s what you need to know:

1. Finding customs will be easy.

To frequent travelers, this may be obvious, but I’ve been asked by several parents how they’ll know where customs is. The answer: you can’t miss it. Airport security won’t let you. Once you deplane, the only way to go will be through immigrations and customs (through an international arrivals terminal). On the way, don’t delay, if you can help it. There are usually restrooms just before you enter the customs line, but if everyone’s good to go, it’s best to keep moving to avoid a long line.

2. You’ll go through Passport Control/Immigration first.

Get in the line that applies to you (foreign citizen or American citizen, depending on where you are and who you are). Have your customs declaration form ready (one per family, given to you on the plane), plus everyone’s passports. Keep your cell phone off, and pay attention to when it’s your turn. Keep all carry-on luggage with you (just as you would elsewhere in the airport).

When it’s your turn, hand the immigration agent all the passports and the customs declaration form, and be ready to answer some basic questions, such as why you’re in the country, how long you’ll be there, and where you’re staying. The agent may ask questions of your children, as well. He or she will give you the customs declaration form back.

3. Head next to pick up your bags (if you have any).

Again, you won’t be able to miss this step. On the other side of immigration, the baggage carousels will be waiting. Get your bags before heading to customs. If your bag is delayed (bummer!) be sure to have your baggage claim form handy. You will have to pick up your bags whether or not you’re in your final destination. If you’re connecting to another flight, get the bags, go through customs (explained below), then follow signs to ‘connecting flights’ or ‘luggage drop off’.

4. Go through customs.

Get in the proper line (do have something to declare, do not) and turn in your customs declaration form. Declare everything you might have bought in the country, including duty-free items. Our souvenirs never add up to much, and we’re always waved through without much fanfare.

5. Head out and connect with your next flight or ground transportation!

That wasn’t so bad, was it?

If you’re traveling without your children’s other parent:

Learn from my mistakes, because this is where we’ve hit a snag. If you share custody of your children (either in a custody arrangement or as married parents), but you’re traveling without the other parents, you MUST have a signed letter stating that you have permission to take your children out of the country. If possible, get it notarized. We were delayed and ‘interrogated’ (using that term loosely) when I neglected to have a letter from my spouse on a recent trip to Canada.

If your teen is traveling alone:

In addition to his or her passport and customs declaration form, any teen traveling without a parent or guardian should also have a notarized letter from both parents (if both have custody) explaining his or her purpose in the country. He or she should also have a document with the names, addressees, and phone numbers of whomever he or she is meeting in the country. We also send our son with a photocopy of his passport, carried in a different bag on his person.

Will your child be flying as an unaccompanied minor? Read our tips for kids flying solo.

Photo credit: J Aaron Farr