Top 5 Tips for Finding a Family Vacation that Fits Your Budget

Home prices falling, gigantic bailout on Wall Street, the stock market’s a mess – we can almost feel the anxiety in the air. In uncertain economic times like these, a lot of us cut back on extras. Family travel certainly seems, on the face of it, like just such an “extra” to put off until the market improves. But is that really the case? Many people don’t think so: The travel and tourism industry is responding to the recession worldwide by offering some great travel deals and hotel packages, the likes of which make family vacations a viable choice again. In fact, digging up the best travel deals and packages is an important way to stretch the family travel budget. We can still have great, memorable trips with our children, and those experiences really help bring the family together. Enjoying family time away from home is invaluable, after all. Here are our top 5 tips for finding a family vacation that fits your travel budget.

1. Do some online research at travel websites like Kayak and Orbitz. There are always vacation deals and travel packages on those sites, although the best discounts may not be where you plan to travel. TravelZoo is another great site to find travel bargains you won’t see anywhere else – although these are often last minute and not on holidays.

2. Check the websites of your planned destination’s hotels. Many offer online-only discounts and vacation packages that you won’t find elsewhere.

3. Consider vacation condos and house rentals, instead of hotel rooms. A vacation rental condo is more convenient for families anyway, with more room to spread out, a kitchen, and other homey amenities. Be sure to research the rental condo or home before booking it, though. No one wants a leaky roof.

4. Take a look at HomeExchange.com – If your home is in a desirable destination, this reputable site allows for free home swaps for vacation. This works out very well for people who are comfortable with the concept.

5. Research general information travel sites. These are great for ferreting out deals and vacation packages you may otherwise have missed. An example is one of the Traveling Mama’s favorites, Conde Nast Traveler’s The Perrin Post. A recent post of hers describes the amazing deals to be had on luxurious Hawaiian vacation homes, along with (relatively) cheaper air fare than might be expected. And another travel site to peruse for tips and suggestions for budgeting a family vacation? Why, the Traveling Mamas, of course! You had to ask?

These top 5 tips for budgeting a family vacation all entail using the web to seek out discounts. It is true that the most up-to-date travel deals will be found online before making it to “hard copy.” It’s easier than ever to research an entire family trip online, from making hotel reservations, to printing out boarding passes, all the way to checking ourselves out of hotels at the end of our vacations. As more and more people plan their vacations online, this online travel deal trend will only become more pronounced.

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October 31, 2008 | Filed Under Adventure Travel, Budget Travel, Family Travel, Travel News | 18 Comments 

Holiday Entertainment for the Family in Nashville plus Giveaway

Last year around this time, I enjoyed a day of shopping and visiting with my mom and aunt in Nashville. We walked through the Gaylord Opryland Resort, where I was astonished at the amount of Christmas lights that were on display. We spent hours catching up, admiring the various holiday scenes, and even enjoyed a few martinis at the Jack Daniels Grill. It provided the perfect spot for a girlfriend afternoon or even a family vacation for a few days. The horse drawn carriages in front of the resort provide the setting to make this a romantic escape, as well.

The Gaylord Opryland Hotel’s Winter Wonderland will be one of the holiday “hot spots” for families and friends alike this year. Held in the resort’s Ryman Exhibit Halls, this beautiful wonderland features many activities for “kids” of all ages, like Photos with Santa, Treasures for the Holidays Crafts Show, Hall of Trees display and a charity fund-raiser, a Christmas train and the return of Gingerbread Corner with gingerbread decorating classes taught by elves. Winter Wonderland begins Nov. 23, 2008.

Gaylord Opryland is the only place in the world where the beloved Christmas story, How the Grinch Stole Christmas! by Dr. Seuss, is being retold in frozen form. ICE! featuring How the Grinch Stole Christmas! will run in its final year Nov. 14, 2008, until Jan. 4, 2009. Starting at the Grinch’s frozen mountaintop lair, to the 20-foot high slides for kids and built-in photo opportunity stops, down to the picturesque Who-ville, complete with feasting Whos, ICE! featuring the How The Grinch Stole Christmas!will make even the coldest of hearts grow three sizes.

Don’t miss your chance to be a part of the 25th anniversary of A Country Christmas and ICE! Vacation packages are available with two- to three-night options. To make reservations or for more information on A Country Christmas events, please visit www.gaylordopryland.com or call 1-888-999-OPRY (6779).

Gaylord Opryland has graciously offered a pair of tickets to ICE! for one of TravelingMamas.com lucky readers. Just leave a comment telling us a special memory you have that involves ice. Leave your comment before Tuesday, November 4 at midnight. Must be at least 18 years old, US citizen, and not be an immediate relative of a Traveling Mama. Winner will be announced sometime on November 5.

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October 30, 2008 | Filed Under Destinations, Family Travel, Girlfriend Getaways, Romantic Getaways, Travel News | 7 Comments 

Renting Bikes, Mopeds, and Scooters in Florence, Italy – Don’t Rent a Car!

Streets of Florence, Italy (Jennife Miner)Part of planning a trip overseas is figuring our your modes of transportation ahead of time. When we last went to Italy, we planned to bookend our trip in Florence. That is, we’d start there, travel around, and end up there as well. We rented a car for this, but honestly – don’t rent a car in Florence if you don’t have to. It’s a walking city. Walking.

Yes, the people who live in Florence do own cars, but these are mostly those European midget cars that we half expected a hundred clowns to pop out of. These Smart cars (ForTwos) are usually stick shift to boot. Bicycles and mopeds can be rented – from casual observation, I’d guess that Italians on said mopeds don’t typically bother with right-of-way and other traffic laws in Florence. The entire city is a Traffic Limited Zone, too. This means that cars go in only to pick up or drop off. To make matters more complicated for a tourist trying to navigate the tricky streets of Florence, the streets are one-way and as crowded as Times Square during peak travel seasons. It’s easy to accidentally muck things up and have a bunch of angry Florentines giving you gestures that need no translation.

Taxicabs in Florence, Italy

The thing you need to know is, taxicabs don’t respond to hails: The Traffic Limited Zone doesn’t allow this. After a day of walking, standing on line (you think the Uffizi is easy to get into?) and walking again, tourists in Florence may really want to just hop in a cab to get back to their hotels. Taxis do wait for customers in a few parts of the city – these are big, historically interesting piazzas that you’ll get to know if you spend more than a weekend in Florence. Try the Piazza Santa Trinita, Piazza della Republica (there’s a gorgeous carousel here), the Piazza San Marco or the Piazza del Duomo, as there may be a few idling taxicabs there. If you are truly exhausted from all that great Italian shopping, dining, and museum-hopping and simply “can’t take another step,” you can call for a cab. Try 055 4798, 055 4242, or 055 4390 for a taxi, and remember to know the name of the street where you need to be picked up!

Bikes, Mopeds and Scooters in Florence, Italy

We foolishly “hit” both the Accademia and the Uffizi in the same day. If you make this mistake (that’s a lot of art to take in at once), you’ll be tired too. A day of sightseeing and other activities in Florence can leave even the most intrepid traveler pooped, but the cabs are pretty expensive. If you really don’t want to walk, but are staying within Florence proper, your choices beyond taxis are limited.

Alinari Scooter Rental, on Via Guelfa 85rm rents – well, scooters, obviously. Call 055 280-500 if you’re already a good rider; your vacation in an Italian city with narrow medieval streets is not the time to learn!

Florence by Bike on Via San Zanobi, 91r, rents bicycles and scooters. Florence by Bike offers bike tours along with rentals.

Massimo, on Via Cairoli 8, rents mopeds. A lot of those Florence streets are still cobblestone, rather than paved, so it might be easier on a tourist to go by moped rather than bicycle. Call 055 2654207.

And that’s it! We saw a few electric cars that looked like rentals tooting around Florence – and in this city a Prius looks like a hulking behemoth, comparatively – but I don’t know where they came from. If anyone knows where an electric car rental place is in Florence Italy, please tell me. It’s ridiculously hard to drive within the city of Florence, but it’s still good to know these things!

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October 30, 2008 | Filed Under Budget Travel, Destinations, Luxury Travel, Romantic Getaways, Travel News | 9 Comments 

Winning Wednesday: WDW with Kids 2009

Wow. That’s all I can manage to say after reading all the great tips and tricks left by all of you for a Disney World family vacation.

Some of the tips that really stood out include Charlotte Winters’ tip to UPGRADE. Jaclyn Reynolds advises visitors to study the park maps before exploring the park. Donna S says not to forget your suncreen.

Congratulations to the following commenters who each won a copy of Walt Disney World with Kids 2009:

Lisa Fosses -Recommends bringing a fold-up stroller.

Jennefer Sweitzer – Has never been to Disney World but really wants to go.

Nikki – Hasn’t been but is planning a trip in March 2009.

Ruthann Rhodes – Hasn’t been either but is traveling to Disney World in March for National Cheerleading Competition. Ruthann, look for Nikki!

James – He says that after several visits, always choose the lines on the left, as they tend to move faster.

Don’t worry if you didn’t win. The guide retails for $17.95 at most major bookstores or you can order online here. Special thanks to Random House and the Fodor’s imprint for sponsoring this wonderful giveaway.

Winners can email me CajunMama at TravelingMamas dot com with mailing address.

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October 29, 2008 | Filed Under Budget Travel, Family Travel, Travel News | Leave a Comment 

Travel Gear Review: Complete Traveler 3-piece Weekend Bag

My fashion style — in both clothes and accessories — leans toward the sporty side. Regular readers know I’m a fan of brands like L.L. Bean, Water Girl, Keen Footwear and El Naturalista. When I’m on the road, you’ll sooner find me in flip flops carrying a duffel bag, than in heeled leather boots pulling a stylish carry on.

But I was intrigued by the Complete Traveler 3-piece Weekend Bag. Especially since its publicist offered me the opportunity to review a sample product in time for me to bring it along on my girls-only weekend trip to the mountain town of Keystone, Colorado, earlier this month.

I found the Weekend Bag surprisingly roomy. And, as much as I love my L.L. Bean Toiletry Kit, I was turned on by the large, removable, multi-pocket toiletry roll that’s integrated into this bag. You can un-snap it from the main bag and hang it in your hotel-room bathroom. Love that feature! Plus, the see-through plastic pockets are big enough to store a wet bathing suit, if you didn’t have time to dry it before packing up to go home.

There’s also a small, removable cosmetics case that snaps on to the main bag, but the large elastics meant to hold long makeup brushes and eyebrow pencils did nothing for me. (I don’t wear that much makeup!)

The main compartment can fit a ton of folded (or better rolled) clothes and a couple of pair of shoes. Now, I’m a shoe freak – my feet must be prepared for any and all occasions when I travel. So, I couldn’t fit all of the ones I wanted to bring – plus my clothes – in the Weekend Bag. But maybe women who don’t need hiking boots, tennis shoes, flip flops and clogs for a two-night trip could manage to bring all of their footwear in this bag.

I tucked clothing way into the corners of the main compartment, and I appreciated the side pockets in which to smush socks and underwear. Again, it’s surprising how much you can actually get into the compact bag.

While I would not have necessarily chosen this piece of luggage for myself, I certainly felt classy rolling it into my rented condominium. Plus, it’s healthier for my back to use a pull-behind bag on wheels, instead of hauling around an overstuffed tote or duffel bag.

With the winter holidays approaching (okay, I realize it’s not Halloween yet, but really, Hanukkah and Christmas are going to arrive quickly), I’d recommend this bag as a gift, for sure. The price is right: it’s under $50 with shipping and handling and available on Lori Greiner’s site at QVC. The exterior color comes in tan, light blue, pink and black — with the LG logo weaved into the shell. Or if you’re feeling sassy, consider the leopard pattern.

Now some of the online reviews at the QVC website say that it’s tough to wheel the bag down a plane aisle, and it doesn’t fit conveniently into overhead bins. Obviously, I can’t comment on that, since I just stored it in the trunk of my car. But I wouldn’t hesitate to bring it on another road trip — especially if I want to look classy and cool on an urban weekend away.

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October 29, 2008 | Filed Under Girlfriend Getaways, The Cookie Jar, Travel Gear | 4 Comments 

Tips For El Tour de Tucson Spectators

Every November over 9,000 cyclists from around the world arrive in Tucson to compete (or simply just complete) one of four El Tour de Tucson races. Each race is divided by mileage: 35, 67, 80, and 109. Click here for map.

We, the DesertFamily, have stood on the sidelines cheering for the cyclists over the years and I just love the excitement of watching the athletes take on the challenging quest.

But this year is different because DesertDaddy has registered to ride the full 109 miles. The training has been intense and at times grueling, but he is very focused and we are all anxious to cheer for him on November 22.

The race is only days before Thanksgiving, and if you are going to be one of the 30,000 El Tour de Tucson spectators here are few tips to help you get through the day:

1. Wear layers. The mornings this time of year start out cool, even cold, but as the sun rises the day will warm up, which brings me to…

2. Sunscreen and shade. The desert sun is intense which means only minutes in the sun can scorch your skin. Remember to reapply the sunscreen often, bring an umbrella and wear a hat.

3. Water. Water and food stations are set up all along the route – but they’re not for spectators. Pack an ice chest of snacks, sandwiches and water – lots of water.

4. Know the course. Some streets are closed to thru traffic, so know the course before venturing out and make sure the spot you plan to camp out at is available to spectators, especially if you have “refills” for your riders – like their preferred brand of electrolytes.

5. Never enter the course. It is very unsafe to run into the course for any reason. Be sure to keep the little ones at bay so they don’t get the urge to run into the road with those flying bikes.

6. Know what your athlete is wearing. Part of the entertainment of watching the tour is viewing some of the fun outfits and decorated bikes. I’ve seen cyclists wearing capes, chicken heads and clown costumes. However, if the person your cheering for isn’t dressed like Big Bird have an idea what time he or she will reach your spot and be sure to know what colors her or she is wearing.

7. Cheer for everyone. Not everyone riding has a support team so be sure to cheer the riders on by clapping, yelling, whistling or use noise makers. The fans’ support is what keeps the riders going.

8. Bring signs. Waving signs is a fun way to show support and can give your arms a break from clapping. Just make sure you have a special sign cheering for “your” cyclist.

9. Plan the finish. The finish line area is absolutely nuts as the race ends so have a meeting place planned out. You might want to bring some Action Wipes for your athlete to refreshingly cool off (my husband loves these after a ride for his sweaty bald helmet head and neck).

10. The day after – give your cyclist a break. 109 miles – enough said.

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October 28, 2008 | Filed Under The Cookie Jar | 15 Comments 

Your Questions Answered: Girlfriend Birthday Getaway near East Coast

I was recently contacted by my high school friend, Kristina, who wants to celebrate her 35th birthday with a Girlfriend Getaway. She lives in Frederick, MD and would like something close enough in case the kids get sick, but far away enough to relax. I did a little research and found out that she is only a 90 minute drive from one of the sweetest places on earth, Hershey, PA and I have two words for Kristina – SPAJAMA PARTY!

I can’t think of a better place to celebrate 35, because not only do they offer decadent spa treatments and a place for all the girls to hang out, but there’s chocolate to make you feel better. For those of you who participated in GNO or TwitterMoms’ first wine-tasting event, the discussions included talk of chocolate and wine. So I searched around and found that if Kristina and her friends choose Hershey, PA as their destination, then she can include wine tasting at wineries on her route.

If staying at Hershey Lodge or The Hershey Hotel aren’t your thing, then you can check out BedandBreakfast.com, which offers smaller places to spend a few nights with the girls, drinking some of that wine you picked up along the way and just giggling and visiting in front of a warm fire on a cold January night. Don’t forget to pack the bubbly too.

This is what I would do:

  • Book one or two nights at The Hershey Hotel or Hershey Lodge.
  • Schedule a Hershey Hug ($220, 2 hrs) Includes a spa rain shower, hydrating body wrap, and 50-minute cocoa massage.
  • Enjoy a fabulous dinner with the girls at the Circular Dining Room.
  • Celebrate with a glass of Champagne, toasting the big 35!
  • And finally, just have a wonderful birthday spajama party. Happy, 35, Kristina!

Where would YOU suggest Kristina and her friends spend an all-girls birthday celebration?

Photos courtesy Hershey Entertainment & Resorts.

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October 27, 2008 | Filed Under Culinary Travel, Destinations, Girlfriend Getaways, Luxury Travel, Romantic Getaways | 1 Comment 

Romance in Ireland

Mountain and MudslideMamas’ posts on romantic interludes have made me contemplate what romantic travel is to me. I’ve been to Sorrel River Ranch and Red Cliffs Lodge, which are both gorgeous properties that offer relaxing and romantic lodging on the Colorado River near Moab. Sorrel River Ranch offers a luxurious spa, whereas Red Cliffs Lodge (previously an escape for John Wayne) has a winery. The neat thing is, they are located almost right next door to each other, so you can have the best of both places, no matter at which one you choose to stay.

But what is a romantic escape? Does it really have to be about time with your significant other? Does is have to be a honeymoon trip or anniversary journey? Is it who you are with or is it about where you go?

My affair with Ireland began before I visited this magical place. I read about it as a child, with stories of fairies and legends like The Blarney Stone. I read about the mists in history books and her heroes in my romance novels. When the offer was made to travel across the ocean and actually step foot on this island, I jumped at the chance to meet one of my crushes.

My entire being began to change when I stepped off the plane. My hair curled up, and I longed to start my exploration of the land that inspired so many writers. I visited faery rings, wondering if any of these places were portals into other worlds, like C.S. Lewis’ Narnia. I enjoyed dinner at a private residence overlooking the inspiration of Lake Isle of Innisfree by W.B. Yeats while my host read the poem aloud in between courses.

I visited a seaside spa in Sligo and floated in a seaweed bath, imagining myself as a mermaid. I walked the streets of Dublin late one night, in search of Bram Stoker’s residence where he penned Dracula. I enjoyed a pint of Guinness at Davy Byrnes on Grafton Street, the place where James Joyce used to frequent.

I learned about my name, Shannon, and the river my mother named me after. I also learned that the Irish don’t name their children Shannon, as it would be like an American naming their child Mississippi or Rio Grande, but the legend of Sinaan and how the river was named is a fascinating story in itself.

I danced with friends and I danced with strangers all over the island, from Sligo, to Donegal, to Dublin. I enjoyed the food and the drink and the people. I fell in love with Ireland and I discovered a new depth in my soul and even fell in love with myself. I knew that when I returned home to my family I would be able to hold the memories of Ireland dear to my heart whenever I thought my life was dull with dishes, laundry, and carpools.

Every once in a while, after the kids get on the bus for school and my husband leaves for work, one might be able to find me listening to a bit of Celtic music, drinking a hot cup of Irish Breakfast tea, and flipping through photos or reading the poetry of Keats. My romantic affair with Ireland will always be in my heart, never to be forgotten.

Ireland is a welcoming destination for families, romantic escapes (with or without spouse), girlfriend getaways, and definitely soul-oh trips. When you find the real Ireland, you find yourself. For more information visit DiscoverIreland.com or find your own romantic escape closer to home.

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October 26, 2008 | Filed Under Adventure Travel, Destinations, Family Travel, Girlfriend Getaways, Luxury Travel, Romantic Getaways | 19 Comments 

Family Travel Adventures by Disney – A Romantic Interlude

The Mudslide family had been having one of the best family vacations imaginable with the Adventures by Disney Southwest Splendors trip. The children were shaken out of their idea of what America looks like (it’s not all coastal!) by their experiences in Sedona, and participating in a child-friendly hike in the Grand Canyon. But what about the parents? All the adults on the trip through Arizona and Utah were sure getting in a lot of quality family time, but sometimes…well, let’s face it: Sometimes a little adult time without the kids is worth its weight in gold.

Adventures by Disney knows this. That’s why the penultimate night of our family travel tour of the Southwest featured a “Kids Only Dinner/Adults’ Dinner” and Disney Movie Night. At the time, the tour group was staying at a somewhat romantic hotel – Red Cliffs Lodge in Moab, Utah. Now, the Colorado River winds right past the lodge’s restaurant, and sunsets seem to set the eponymous cliffs on fire. The children all ate their kiddie fare somewhere else, and watched a classic Disney flick. It was no surprise to see most of the parents enjoying a romantic meal here at the Cowboy Grill, enjoying every child-free moment of this evening.

There is a small winery here; I’d say it’s “boutique,” but that word somehow clashes with the wild west ethos of Red Cliffs Lodge. The desert heat and constant sun makes for a good dark red wine (more thin-skinned grapes need a milder climate to truly do well). Mudslide Dad and I shared a bottle of Castle Creek Winery Cabernet Sauvignon with our steak and ribs. And yes, we spotted several couples from our Adventures by Disney tour doing the same. We toasted each other, enjoyed a well-prepared and hearty, western meal, and watched the sun slowly, slowly set. As the nocturnal desert fauna began to stir, all those parents at the Cowboy Grill seemed to feel the romance of the place. An evening stroll, holding hands, completed the mood. We all knew that the next day would be a fun family adventure; white water rafting down that very same Colorado River we were watching sparkle under emerging stars. Tomorrow, the air would be filled with the sounds of children laughing, screaming, and splashing water on us. But for now – for this one romantic evening – we took the time to simply enjoy each other.

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October 25, 2008 | Filed Under Adventure Travel, Culinary Travel, Destinations, Romantic Getaways | 9 Comments 

Interview with a Traveling GrandMama: Carol White

After Phil and Carol White returned home in 2001 from a year-long RV adventure throughout the United States, they were bombarded by questions: “How’d you do it?” and “How much did it cost?” and “How did you figure your route?”

They wrote Live Your Road Trip Dream: Travel for a year for the cost of staying at home to answer those queries, and recently published an updated and expanded edition to add details for traveling and working families, with information on taking a sabbatical from your job, working on the road and “road schooling” for kids.

The Mamas have “met” loads of road-tripping families, like SoulTravelers3 and the James Family, who are traveling the world with their kids, so I know this is a do-able adventure. While traveling via RV for a year to various parts of the U.S. (or across the planet on a round-the-world ticket) absolutely appeals to me, personally, I can sooner envision my family taking six months off from our lives in Colorado to go set up base camp somewhere else — likely a Spanish-speaking country — and enroll our children in local schools, taking weekend trips throughout the local area.

I had some specific questions for Carol White, the grandmother of nine, about this prospect:

1. How realistic is it, really, for a family of four, with two school-age kids to either road trip or relocate for six months to a year?

I think it is very realistic. That is why I added some information into my new edition to give families some additional tools to encourage them to make it happen for yourself. You have all the same issues and needs to figure out as the first edition — but you have the added dilemma of how to continue to educate your kids and how to make money on the road. The schooling part is relatively straight forward with local schools, if you relocate, or home-schooling online options abounding. For most families, the biggest issue is continuing their job-life while they are away.

2. What if the adults’ jobs are location-dependent? What’s your advice on asking your boss for a sabbatical?

More people than you might imagine have negotiated sabbaticals, time-off, telecommuting options, and more as ways to stay connected and in the work force. The key to asking for a sabbatical (there is actually a whole book about this called Six Months Off) is making it a win-win for both your employer and you. You have to put yourself in their shoes and have your plan in place as to how this can work and why they should do it before you ever float the idea with your boss. The better your plan, the more likely you’ll get to go. If you own your own business, you are in control. Depending upon what the business is, you may be able to take it on the road, have someone (a “key” person”) run it with some help from you via telecommuting or find another solution. It is all about how badly do you want to make this happen?

3. Is there a good age for children to take an extended road trip?

I think until they are in about the 8th or 9th grade it is all good. More teachers are receptive to helping you put together a plan and more districts have options for these sorts of non-traditional learning situations. Some locations that I am really in favor of visiting won’t have the same impact at age 6 to 8 as they would at 8 to 10 — I’m thinking of Williamsburg, Jamestown, Plymouth, etc. The kids need a certain base on which to build these experiences. If you are taking them younger, you need to prep them with simple stories.

We took a mixed-age (4 to 12) group of grandkids to see where Lewis and Clark wintered near Astoria, Oregon: Fort Clatsop. We rode an old-fashioned steam train to the coast and I read them a simple, colorful storybook of the Lewis & Clark Expedition. Even the littlest child “got it” when we were there. The park rangers were wonderful at helping the kids understand those pioneer days. As the kids get older, fewer things impress them and you have to work harder to keep them engaged.

4. What mistakes did you make on your road trip?

We made no mistakes on our year-long road trip! Ha – if you think that is true, then don’t go! That is part of life. Our trip really ran quite smoothly except for getting in a car crash with an uninsured driver in Minneapolis and breaking my ankle in Wisconsin (everyone thought we’d be headed home…) and flying home for 10 days when my Mom was diagnosed with breast cancer. So life does go on and you just handle things like you would if you were home. But as far as day to day “mistakes” — it is all part of the adventure — you get lost, you can’t stay where you thought you would, the restaurant wasn’t all that great — just normal things that add to the experience.

The biggest thing we did right was not to book ANYTHING ahead — we just let our journey unfold in front of us and we never faced a situation of not having a place to sleep (another good reason for choosing an RV). That is our major piece of advice: Don’t try to book your trip ahead – have a general itinerary, but let each day unfold or you will feel like you are on a forced march to your next destination — you’ll be disappointed and ready to go home the first time that you have to unravel a bunch of plans because something delayed you along the way.

5. What was your hands-down favorite place to visit on your American road trip?

The National Parks in Southern Utah — Bryce, Arches, Canyonlands, Zion and more — you just can’t believe what nature has formed in that beautiful, unreal area of our country.

6. Where’s your next trip?

We’re headed to Vietnam and Thailand in January and in Mar ch and April we’ll be in Kauai, Hawaii, bonding with our newest grandchild, Arlo.

7. Any final advice?

If you want to do something like this totally for yourself and your family, the most important thing is to set the date to leave and start working towards it. You will be surprised how everything will start falling in place and before you know it, you too will be on your adventure of a lifetime.

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October 24, 2008 | Filed Under Mama Interviews, The Cookie Jar | 4 Comments 

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