LuggagePoint.com - A Terrific Travel Gear Shopping Site

Tis the season for holiday shopping, and the Traveling Mamas have a great tip for online shopping: LuggagePoint.com. This online luggage shop is teeming with everything travel related and the perfect place to get some shopping out of the way for the traveler in your life.

LuggagePoint offers pages and pages of suitcases, carry-ons, umbrellas, luggage tags, laptop cases, digital accessories and the list goes on. LuggagePoint also features travel tips, a currency converter, and baggage guidelines. LuggagePoint is an eBillme merchant which is sponsoring a Traveling Mamas giveaway tomorrow ($100 to spend as you wish on eBillme - including LuggagePoint.com. Be sure to come back tomorrow and enter!)

In the meantime, here is what the Traveling Mamas have to say about some Luggage Point items:

MountainMama: I’m the plane traveler you always see with her sweater shoved up under her neck, trying to assume a decent position for napping en route. I’ve tried those donut-shaped travel pillows, but they just haven’t worked for me. I either feel like I’m choking (I’m the same girl who doesn’t like to wear turtlenecks), like I’ve got the mumps, or like the bloated Michelin Man. So, I was thrilled to read about the L-shaped JetRest travel pillow on LuggagePoint.com, and even happier when I got to sample it on a recent four-hour flight.

With the JetRest pillow, the weight of your head holds the pillow in place and cushions the side of your face so you can lean to one side without cramping your neck. Indeed, it’s much less obtrusive than those typical round-the-neck pillows, and I felt very comfortable using it in my aisle seat. My husband borrowed it to rest against the plane window comfortably, but it’s designed for any high-back chair. So my kids even shared it while they were watching DVDs in the back of the minivan on the ride home (although there are JetRest pillows sized for kids on LuggagePoint.com, too).

The soft, zippered cotton cover is removable for washing. And you can Velcro it tightly shut for transport in your carry-on. I suppose I’d love it if it could be smushed even smaller (one good thing about those air pillows is that you can inflate them on board and they travel flat), but still, I’d heartily recommend this pillow for a holiday gift. At $29.95, it’s reasonably priced; buy two and you get free shipping from LuggagePoint.com!

CajunMama: I’m the mama that cannot use a rolling carryon bag. I trip people. The world is a safer place when I use a backpack. Now with all these checked back restrictions and extra fees, I’ve been on the lookout for a backpack big enough to hold all my mama items for a long weekend.

The High Sierra Passport 21″ Back Pack fits the bill. This backpack is large enough for a long weekend trip and is small enough to carryon an airplane. The convenient pockets assist with packing and organization. It offers a cell phone pocket, pen pockets, and key fob. It even has a handy water bottle side pocket to place that post-security check bottle of hydration. This bag can be carried as a backpack or converted into a duffel bag. The Passport comes in three coordinated color choices.

The retail price of this bag is $140.00, but LuggagePoint.com carries this bag at a discounted price of $82.50. Now that’s a price this mama can live with. Now, if it this bag would only come in pink….

MudslideMama: I have more carry-ons than I can count. My family has gotten pretty good at taking the no-checked-luggage route for air travel; this saves time upon arrival, since we can avoid the luggage carousel. But there are trips on which we’ve just got to check luggage. It’s unavoidable, for example, on international flights. Also, when we travel during the holidays, we like to have extra space in our suitcases, for the gifts my children accrue from relatives. Those are two reasons why I just love this 29″ Samsonite Hardside Spinner.

This is one tough piece of luggage. The Samsonite Hardside Spinner holds up under the abuse of international baggage handlers and foreign cab drivers that are…less than gentle. At 29 inches, the upright suitcase is big enough to not fall by the wayside, and certainly big enough to fit all those Christmas presents into on top of a vacation’s worth of laundry. It has four wheels that easily spin in all directions, so rushing through the airport and taking tight turns won’t result in a suitcase spill - they don’t call it the Spinner for nothing. This Samsonite is sturdy, no doubt, but at 17 pounds, it’s also really lightweight for its size.

The push-button pull-out handle makes for easy manageability. My 9-year old handled it will minimal effort, at least when it was empty. Best of all, it comes with a TSA-approved travel sentry lock. You know, a lot of us have seen those undercover videos of baggage handlers riffling through suitcases at airports. This lock prevents that airport thievery. Peace of mind while traveling is worth every penny. If you have to check luggage for a big trip, the Samsonite 29″ Hardside Spinner Upright is highly recommended.

DesertMama: My regular suitcase is too big for carry-on, plus I always have a purse and my laptop bag which puts me over the two-item limit. When I saw the Swiss Army Turbin Deluxe 20 inch Pilot Case (in red or black) I knew my days of checked baggage fees were over. I was a little hesitant that it wouldn’t be big enough, after all I like to bring more than a couple pairs of shoes, but here I am in Palm Springs thrilled that I was able to pack everything I needed because of the 2.5-inch expansion option - and the best part is my laptop fits perfectly in the padded computer sleeve.

Savings Tip: eBillme is offering Traveling Mamas readers a $25 rebate if you spend $100 at LuggagePoint. (It’s not too late for holiday shopping.)

Happy Travels and Shopping!

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November 30, 2008 | Filed Under The Cookie Jar, Travel Gear | 2 Comments 

Passports with Purpose

Many of our readers may notice that while the Traveling Mamas enjoy travel, we also take pride in helping others and giving back to the travel community. This holiday season we’ve joined together with Passports with Purpose to help raise money for a gift that gives back.

Passports with Purpose is a joint effort by Seattle area travel bloggers and is led by Beth Whitman, of Wanderlust and Lipstick. These travel bloggers had the idea of raising money for Heifer International, a really cool site that allows donors to purchase cows, water buffalo, and even pigs for communities around the world. Heifer projects around the world help families achieve self-reliance through the gift of livestock and training. Gifts are passed from recipient to recipient until entire communities are transformed.

So what’s in it for you, the reader? Traveling Mamas has put together a basket of goodies (graciously donated by a few sponsors) that is being raffled through Passports with Purpose. These goodies are travel items we believe in, and they can also be found in our holiday gift guide. A $10 donation through First Giving, along with the code GB01 placed in the comment section of your donation, enters your name in the drawing. Be sure to leave your email address so that you can be contacted if you win. Your donation goes towards helping a rural community build and sustain itself.

The Traveling Mamas basket includes:

Funkey Finder - A fashionable way to keep up with your rental key on vacation. $18.95.

Tassi - A crazycool product that keeps your hair neat while putting on makeup or cleansing your face. Packs just right for that special trip. $14.99.

Carson LensPen - This is one of my favorite items. I’ve used it for years to keep my camera lens clean, and it is the size of an ink pen. $12.99.

4 Designer Luggage Tags - Bonjour Fleurette luggage tags retail for $12 each. Total $48.

Eastsport Natural Collection Duffle Bag - $60.

Remember to make your donation through First Giving. Thank you for your continued support.

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November 30, 2008 | Filed Under Travel News | 5 Comments 

Giving Thanks

This post is dedicated to all those Traveling Mamas, from the past and present, that have traveled to settle North America.

The United States has long been a haven for those fleeing political or religious persecution. It is a well-known fact that Native Americans lived in North America long before settlers from Spain, England, France, and all those from the East came to explore, conquer, and live. But today, our country (and this Continent) is a mixture of ethnic, religious, and political backgrounds. We are so fortunate to live in a place where we can be ourselves, where we can go where we want, where we can dream of the family trips we’ll someday experience.

I sometimes travel alone to places, without a family member or a friend. It can be scary to many people, being alone in an unfamiliar place.

When I traveled to Missouri a few weeks ago, my plane landed around midnight in Kansas City. People rushed off the plane, oblivious to those around them, anxious to get to baggage claim. I walked along, just like everyone else, until the automatic doors opened and a cold biting wind hit me. There was an older Black woman wrapped with a bed sheet around her head. She wore house slippers and held her hands out as if begging.

People walked past her as if she wasn’t there.

I stopped to see what she needed, but all she could do was make an unintelligible sound, tears in her tortured eyes as she looked at me. There was a lanyard hanging around her neck with a card she showed to me.

“Hi, my name is XXXX. I am a refugee from Somalia. My destination is Kansas City, Missouri. If there is a problem, please call this number XXXXXXXX.”

No wonder I couldn’t understand her. She was speaking in another language. I called the number listed and was told that someone should be there to pick her up. I motioned to her asking if she had luggage, but all she had was the plastic shopping bag in her hand. I settled her in the waiting area while I retrieved my own bag and thought of the bravery of this Traveling Mama, leaving her country with just the clothing on her back.

As I grabbed my bag and turned around, I watched two young boys ran to the woman and embraced her. Apparently they were her sons that she had blindly sent ahead to a different country to escape the violence and poverty of where they lived, hoping that she would one day see them again. The tears streamed down their faces as they just sat there, embracing. It touched my heart.

The experience made me think of my life and how fortunate my family is. I am thankful to be born in a country where today my children can be raised without fear of where our next meal will come from and where violence is not part of a typical day. What are you thankful for? Be sure to check out TweetsGiving.org.

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November 27, 2008 | Filed Under Eco Travel, Family Travel, Travel News | 9 Comments 

Missouri’s Black History Tour

I was recently invited to attend a Black History tour through Missouri that began in Kansas City and ended in St. Louis. You may be saying to yourself, “Why is a white girl going on a Black history tour?” I’ll tell you why. This post is not meant to offend, but to educate readers to the opportunities out there.

There are many types of travel. There are romantic getaways, family trips, babymoons, mancations, and educational/cultural travel. Cultural tourism is very important. It includes Native American history, various wars throughout the world, the Wild West, and very definitely Black history. We, as Americans, search far and wide to identify with a particular culture. We seek our heritage and our roots. We go on quests to find out who we are. Black history is just as important to US History as much as any other ethnic group or historical event. So I went to seek out the stories of the people, who for so many centuries have been ignored.

I’m a Southern Mama, and live in the heart of Louisiana’s Plantation Country. We are very open about slavery, black history, and the descendants of the people who settled this area, no matter what class they were. The Louisiana Plantation tours celebrate the memory of master craftsmen who built many of the homes and labored in the fields, most of whom were slaves. Missouri is new to this practice, and one woman, Angela DaSilva, has made it her life’s mission to find the hidden histories and forgotten people of the United States.

DaSilva was our tour leader and schooled us in the atrocities that occurred within the slave population. We were even placed on the front steps of the Old St. Louis Courthouse, site of the Dred Scott Case, and we reenacted a slave auction. It was very eye opening. Her passion for this subject, which is also her heritage, conveyed the cruelty of families torn apart, the torture, and many times the deaths. This sad history is not to be forgotten, but many of these same slaves were eventually freed and struggled to seek out better lives. Their legacy can be found in the faces and the places we visit and live today.

For anyone wishing to explore their heritage or to learn more about Black History, take a tour with Angela DaSilva and the National Black Tourism Network, where you won’t just read about it, but you will follow the footsteps of these historical people. The tours include so much, that there is no way I can fit it all into a blog post. My experience can be told through this slide show and in future posts I will highlight some of these places.

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November 26, 2008 | Filed Under Destinations, Travel News | 8 Comments 

Travel Game Holiday Gift for Kids

A few weeks ago in the car, my kids were asking each other crazy questions like, “Would you rather fall from a 50-foot cliff or get his by a bus?” and “Would you rather get attacked by a bear or a shark?” Apparently one of them had picked up this “Would you rather?” game at school. The only rule was that you had to pick one answer, no “neither” responses allowed. (Apparently all the questions had to be on the violent side, too.)

Imagine my surprise when I came across an actual packaged game of the same name. The company Zobmondo!! manufacturers a handful of board and travel games — for age seven to adult — all based on this “Would you rather?” premise.

My kids love the “You Gotta Be Kidding!” card-game version that’s ideal for travel. The game rules call for using included “choice chips” to keep track of how you think other players will vote on lovely questions like:

- Would you rather eat an entire watermelon including the seeds, rind, and everything else or drink a pitcher full of corn dog batter?

- Would you rather cut a baseball field of grass with your teeth or lick up a huge rain puddle?

- Would you rather drink liquid found leaking from a garbage bag or chew on a hairy clump found between the cushions of an old couch?

But we don’t use the voting choice chips, and just giggle (or get grossed out) by asking each other the bizarro questions. Truly, some of these make my stomach turn (naturally the kids think they are hilarious). But to be fair, not all have to do with eating or drinking nasty stuff:

- Would you rather be really smart and really boring or really dumb, but be funny and entertaining?

- Would you rather get a really bad wedgie or 10 minutes of noogies?

- While at the top of Mount Everest, would you rather lose your hat or your goggles?

I highly recommend this card game as a stocking stuffer or birthday gift for kids as young as age 6. The only bummer is that because it retails for such a low price ($4.99) the Zobmondo!! company doesn’t sell it on its website. (It would cost more to package and ship it.) So, look for the card game at Target on one of the “end-caps” of the toy aisle the next time you brave the holiday-shopping crowds!

Or, consider one of the larger board games of the same “Would you rather?” premise that are for sale on the website. The party-game version for adults would make an excellent hostess gift or item to bring to your annual “Yankee Swap” or “surprise gift exchange” this holiday season!

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November 25, 2008 | Filed Under The Cookie Jar, Travel Gear | 2 Comments 

Win a Free Camera Cell Phone - Traveling Mamas Contest Giveaway

The Traveling Mamas are very excited to present our latest contest giveaway, the prize being a children’s camera cell phone!

These camera phones and the Kajeet cell phone service (Traveling Mamas On the Move Approved) are great first cell phones for children because there are very simple to use parental controls for peace of mind, plus the talk, text, pictures, games, and more that kids want. The camera phone in this contest giveaway is a black and deep red Samsung m300 flip phone. It’s very good-looking. It comes with $5 airtime, 4x digital zoom camera, a charger, battery, earbud, and manufacturer’s warranty. Since this is a kid’s camera phone we’re talking about, it also comes with some funky little stickers, picture messaging, and mobile AIM. I opened the box to get a good look and read the information, but needless to say, this is a brand-new cell phone.

I know from experience that a lot of children and young teens are begging their parents for their own cell phones. In their minds, “everybody” except them already has camera phones like this Samsung. If you think your kid is old enough, and responsible enough, to own a cell phone, then have fun trying to win this free phone contest. By the way, there are no activation or early termination fees.

My own children are pretty annoyed that this cell phone giveaway is not for them, but they’ll get over it, someday…When I finally cave, and get them Kajeet cell phone plans of their own! In the meantime, to enter this contest, please leave a comment below describing why this is the right time for your kids (or you, of course!) to get a free new camera phone. The contest giveaway is open until noon on Tuesday, December 2, 2008. No relatives of the Traveling Mamas should enter this contest giveaway, please be over 18 years old, and US residents only (for shipping purposes). The contest winner will be chosen randomly. Good luck!

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November 24, 2008 | Filed Under Family Travel, The Cookie Jar, Travel Gear | 210 Comments 

On the Move Approved - Kajeet Cell Phone Service for Kids and Teens

There comes a time in every child’s life when he (or she) reaches the appropriate age for cell phone ownership. The right age for this monumental rite of passage is somewhat up for grabs: According to my kids, the right age to own a cell phone is either 7 or 9 (which are, in an amazing coincidence, their exact ages). My sense is that a child should be a little older, but clearly, it’s a parental judgment call.

Parents who feel the time is right for their kids’ first cell phone should look into Kajeet cell phone service. Kajeet has partnered with with Samsung, Sanyo, and LG. These camera phones and the Kajeet cell phone service (through Sprint, nationwide) are great first cell phones for children because there are very simple to use parental controls for peace of mind, plus the talk, text, pictures, games, and more that kids want.

Parents giving their kids and teenagers their own cell phones probably worry about issues around personal responsibility. The Kajeet Configurator helps assuage these concerns; the cell phones can be programed to only make and take calls at set times - such as not during class. Parents can find their children’s phone anytime with a GPS Phone Locator, and even set automatic check-ins. Also, there are programmable set amount of people who can call or text message the phone, “pay as you go” plans, and a low access charge for a lot of camera phone capabilities. The rates and fees were planned specifically to be easy to understand and affordable.

Kajeet cell phone service teaches kids responsibility despite our interference (via setting limits for calls and text messaging). It gives our kids and teens the freedom of a personal cell phone, while keeping them safe. Talk and text packages start as little as $4.99 a month, which is far better than my own plan. The pay-as-you-go service really helps older kids and young teens learn to manage their accounts.

The Traveling Mamas know that kids usually think they’re ready to own a camera cell phone before their parents agree. For parents who have decided that their children and teens are mature enough to have their first cell phone, Kajeet is On the Move Approved.

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November 24, 2008 | Filed Under Family Travel, Travel Gear | 1 Comment 

Top Twilight Travel Sites

Stephenie Meyer may have never dreamed that her research visit to the small town of Forks, WA would bring much needed revenue into the travel industry. Her successful Twilight Saga and now the film Twilight has become the focus of the female teen scene (and also a number of mamas) and has renewed the idea of Vampire Tourism that first began with Bram Stoker’s Dracula.

Mamas love movies, books, and their locations. I decided that it was time to read the Twilight Saga before watching this movie, to see what the hype was all about. The books are very engaging and I can understand the appeal it has to teenage girls. Many fans have fallen in love with the fictional characters Edward and Jacob. I spoke briefly with a film critic acquaintance who wished to remain anonymous for copyright reasons. I think he just doesn’t want anyone to know that as a 30 something male, he actually enjoyed the movie. He was surprised that he liked it and recommends it as a date movie that guys can sit through.

Just in case you’ve ever wondered where some of the places mentioned in the books or movie are, I thought it would be nice to help you in your quest for more Twilight in your lives. Here are a few of the top travel spots mentioned in the books or movie that YOU can visit:

Forks, Washington – The town is not fictional, but is actually located on the Olympic Peninsula of Washington State. Here, fans and tourists can find the actual places listed in the series, such as Bella’s House, Forks High School, Forks Police Station, and even take a shopping trip inside of Forks Outfitters. Is the Miller Tree Inn Bed and Breakfast really the setting for the Cullen’s home? It is close enough for many fans, and you can spend the night here also. The Forks Chamber of Commerce offers guided tours, which must be reserved in advanced. They’ll even take visitors to the Quillayute Prairie Cemetery, which serves as the Cullen’s baseball field in the book.

La Push – The unincorporated community of La Push is near Forks, WA and is part of the Quileute Indian Reservation. The fictional Jacob Black lives in La Push and it is here, at First Beach, where Bella and Jacob spend a good deal of time together.

Hoh Rainforest – This rainforest is located in Olympic National Park, a 30 minute drive from Forks, WA. It spans 70 miles, from the glaciers of Mount Olympus to the Pacific Ocean. Rustic cabin lodging is available at Hard Rain Café starting at around $69 per night and campsites are $15 per night.

Port Angeles – La Bella Italia Restaurant is where Bella and Edward (well, maybe just Bella) ate a dish of mushroom ravioli, which was just recently added to the regular menu. Diners can also order a glass of vampire wine and finish the meal off with Twilight cupcakes.

If you plan on exploring the Olympic Peninsula, Nerd’s Eye View offers great suggestions on a quick visit.

Volterra, Italy – This town is located in the Tuscany region of Italy and is home to the fictional Volturi, considered to be the royal family of vampires. This ancient city’s underground is where the Volturi lead unsuspecting tourists to their deaths.

Film Sites - Due to movie industry incentives and overall film budget, the screen adaptation of Twilight was filmed in the Oregon cities of St. Helen’s and Portland. FanTrips.Travel offers guided tours (with lodging and meals) that take fans through the film sites, including the Columbia River Gorge, View Point Inn (where Bella and Edward spend time after the Prom), and the Historic District of St. Helen’s serves as the stand in for Forks, WA. This tour runs between $800-$1000 per person.

This quick video of First Beach in LaPush, WA by striatic gives an idea of the atmosphere Bella and Jacob shared during their discussions on the beach.

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November 22, 2008 | Filed Under Adventure Travel, Destinations, Girlfriend Getaways, Romantic Getaways, Travel News | 8 Comments 

Thanksgiving Travel Disasters Tales

The most popular travel days in the United States are around the Thanksgiving holiday, hence, those dates in late November are among the most stressful. Nevertheless, we load up our cars, board the trains, or grimly prepare to fly to meet family for Thanksgiving, year after year, horror show of travel experience after horror show of travel experience.

Some readers out there are probably familiar with Twittermoms, a fun new site where mamas from across the globe who use Twitter, come together to chat, promote their blogs, and generally have a good Web 2.0 time. We asked members about their worst Thanksgivings. I summed up a few here; but for lack of space, there were many more than I couldn’t list! Some were disasters, some were sad, some were… Well, decide for yourself.

Kipling wrote, “Our worst Thanksgiving nightmare was last year. We live in CT and traveled to PA to my in-laws, and my poor 7-year old got car sick for the whole trip. The 4 1/2 hour drive with no stops turned into over 6 hours with multiple stops, so I called my mother-in law and told her to start serving without us. Then, when we got there, we just walked in and my poor son threw up in the dining room!”

Kidsrtc wrote, “My 15-year old son was living out of state in a treatment center. He had been there for about

You eat WHAT for Thanskgiving?! (Guy Reynolds)

You eat WHAT for Thanksgiving?! (Guy Reynolds)

5 weeks. We were planning to drive out and spend Thanksgiving with him so that we could all be together as a family. Well, when you are at a treatment center you have to earn your privileges and he lost his the day we were going to drive out. We received a phone call from the school not to come. That was the doom and gloom phone call and there we are with NO plans for Thanksgiving, no turkey ordered, no family visiting and we can’t talk to our son.
Luckily, you can order a turkey dinner from Safeway without advance notice, and that is what we did. Kind of sad, BUT with all the extra time on my hands, that was also the weekend that I started my blog.

Jennifer Ditty wrote, “Boyfriend at the time (now husband), and I decided to go to a waffle house in Southern California for Thanksgiving. We got some funky food poisoning and spent the weekend hugging the toilet. We will never ‘go out’ for Turkey Day ever again.”

Connie Brown wrote: “We were suppose to head out to our family beach house but the roads were closing due to flooding. Our in-laws were already at the beach house and told us to come anyways. We ended up in traffic sitting for about 4 hours with our kids in the car before we turned around. When we got back to our house we called out to the beach house to find out it had been hit bad in the storm blowing out all the front windows, leveling several trees on the property and there was no electricity or water…Our in-laws tried to come back from the beach house and meet us in town. It took another 4 hours waiting for them. So we ended up doing Thanksgiving very late in the day and impromtu at our house. While it was the worst we’ve had, it was still great to be together safe and sound.”

SValleydiva wrote: “By far, the worst Thanksgiving I experienced was the first time I flew from San Jose, CA

Flying Over the Thanksgiving Holiday is a Recipe for Disaster (Comic Sailors)

Flying Over the Thanksgiving Holiday is a Recipe for Disaster (Comic Sailors)

out to Pittsburgh, PA to be with my then boyfriend. I had a layover in St. Louis but the fog was so thick that day they had to delay all flights. So I was stuck in the St. Louis airport for like eight hours, AND, I started getting the flu. So, I was stuck there, miserable, and they only thing the air line offered me was a free meal voucher. By the time I got to Pittsburgh I was so worn out and exhausted I didn’t want to be around anyone. And the best part? Well, he was living with his parents so of course I had to meet his entire family.”

From a carsick child to a painful airplane delay, Thanksgiving travel disasters are practically par for the course these days. What they all have in common is the evidenced desire to be with our families for Thanksgiving dinner. Thanksgiving travel nightmares also, eventually, make for pretty good stories to tell, once the initial aggravation wears off. Happy Thanksgiving, everyone - may your travels be easy and fast.

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November 21, 2008 | Filed Under Adventure Travel, Budget Travel, Culinary Travel, Family Travel, Travel News | 2 Comments 

Mama on the Move - Aruba Beach Tennis

Who’s ever heard of beach tennis? Yeah, me either - until today.

Honestly, I was thinking this sport was more like some sort of stuffy game of croquet-slash-lawn tennis than the combo of tennis and beach volleyball that it is. I was trying to picture how the heck a tennis ball could bounce on the sand. Well, it doesn’t.

Beach Tennis Aruba
Beach Tennis Aruba

Instead, beach tennis is played with typical tennis racquets - or specially made beach tennis paddles that remind me of those wooden Kadima paddles. And the depressurized tennis ball doesn’t bounce on the sand. You’ve got to keep it in the air, like a volleyball. Scoring is like tennis, but you’ve got one serve and it’s no-ad points. Doubles are played on a standard beach volleyball court (30 by 60 feet). No shoes allowed. Good looking male players are optional.

Seriously, to watch players who know what they are doing - like the instructors from Beach Tennis Aruba who shared the sport with us at the Aruba Marriott today - is a thing of beauty. Yes, they are incredibly athletic (and good looking) like beach volleyball players, but they are also really passionate about the sport.

The activity is something that all ages can play, and it’s more strenuous than prissy badminton. Within a few minutes of messing around on the court today, I’d dived for a couple of balls and ended up with a scratched knee and sand all over my legs and arms. It’s a game that’s easy to pick up and super fun. Really, you could easily make your own court on any patch of beach or lake sand and a simple volleyball net. Use old racquets you rescued from the basement.

While the game has long been played in Europe, particularly Italy, it’s picking up steam in Australia and the Caribbean (apparently Michael Douglas has been spotted playing Bermuda). I’m guessing its popularity will grow in the United States, and honest to goodness, I wouldn’t be surprised at all if someday it’s an Olympic sport. Hey, if trampoline, BMX and rhythmic dancing can be part of the Olympics - as well as the sand sport of beach volleyball - so can beach tennis.

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November 21, 2008 | Filed Under Destinations | 2 Comments 

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