Group Travel

Group Travel.......or Gettysburg  you decide.

Group travel can be fun, it can also make travel less expensive; but it's not for everyone.  It could have you feeling a bit blurry like the folks in the picture.  Things to consider before you sign up for a group travel:

• Will you have any free time?
• Does everyone in the group want to do the same thing?
• Does noise and chaos bother you?  If so, group travel might not be the best option for you.
• How many meals are included in the group price?
• Is it a walking tour, or a bus type tour?
• Will there be opportunities to take pictures?

Other ways to save money without doing a complete group tour in your travels...check Groupon for the area you're going to.  Sometimes there are good deals in tourist areas for dining and entertainment, as well as lodging.

Maybe a combination of your own vacation with a day or two for a group tour is the way to have quiet and group time.  Fun and relaxation.  It's also a good way to visit someplace you've not been before.

Hubby and I used to do group type vacations, not organized group tours and find as we get older trying to get everyone organized is a bit of a chore.  Who wants what for dinner, who wants to go out vs those who want to stay in; how much money do people in the group want to spend can lead to lost time and uncomfortable situations.  Think about your needs, there's much to consider beyond the price tag.

Pop in Often, remember Menu Mondays for dining tips, Traveling Tips on Thursday, and any day for vacation destinations.

What to do With the Kids

 (A-Z challenge K post)
Bon Bini to Aruba
Not all resorts or vacation destination are a good spot to bring the kids.  When you travel as a family, vs a couple, or adult group; you really need to think about what the kids are going to do when you want to relax and read by the pool or ocean ..or go out in the evening.  It's ok that not everywhere is kid friendly, we adults like our time too.  But, you do yourself, your children and everyone around you a disservice not to know the answer to the question, "What do the Kids Do?"........BEFORE you plan your trip.  This fun picture was taken poolside at Marriott's Surb Club Time Share in Aruba.  Knowing the cost of flights out of the country, I'm always surprised by the number of families with small children doing the beach thing here vs a place closer to home, and cheaper. 

 However, the resort does offer fun activities for kids.  These native type dancers kept the kids entertained for close to hour.  Parents and adults enjoyed watching and taking pictures.  AND...the music was fun too.  However, this isn't a baby sitting service giving adults an hour free and most of the activities scheduled at Marriott Time Shares aren't either.  Most offer choices of indoor and outdoor activities, but parents need to be present.  It does give you an excuse to get them out of the sun for awhile if you sign them up for an activity at The Maze, which all Marriott Time Shares have.  There's face painting, jewelry making, tie-dye shirts, balloon animals, and other craft type projects.  Some activities are free, some require a fee.  The only activity that gives you, the adult time would be movie night.  Most time shares offer a movie night where the kids get popcorn, pizza and watch movies; but check the age for this activity as it's not for the wee ones.

Please also check and be aware that your children can not be in the pool without your supervision at most resorts; so don't plan on sending them out while you read your book on the balcony.  Some resorts have adult only pools, quiet pools, or pools with restricted hours for children.  Don't assume the pool closest to your room/condo/villa will be the one you'll use with your children.  Read the signs at the pool, and or the book available in every room. 

Kids want to have a good time, and so do adults.  Everyone can if they know what's what.  Always give thought to who wants to do what during vacation before hand, a bit of pre-planning make the whole trip so much more enjoyable.

Pop in Often, remember Menu Mondays for dining tips, Traveling Tips on Thursday, and any day for vacation destinations.

(9 start with 1300)

Holiday Travel in Safety

SOS...do you have one?  If not, why not?  Your really should.  You should have one in your home and should take one when you travel.  Particularly in this busy travel holiday season.  What is it...it's a hand crank source to charge your cell phone, and a multi-selection flashlight.

Look at all the adapters you get...they come with the device so you're assured you have the right size to fit your phone, your GPS etc.  You can charge a device while using the device as a flashlight.  It has a bright reliable LED flashlight with even a flasher.

Over loaded at the airport, travel delayed due to winter weather...you don't have to worry about not being able to charge your phone, or get to a plug in crowded conditions.  This little weight device measures 2 x 4 inches and can easily be carried in your purse, your brief case and or carry on luggage.

I purchased 3 of these through my Swag bucks membership and got a great deal.  The deal was a discounted price ...PLUS I earned Swag bucks.  I've given one to my Dad (we have electric going off here all the time due to storms), one to a good friend who had a tree fall on her house during Hurricane Sandy, and have one here which is a routine part of my packing.

Too late to use Swag bucks this year to earn extra money for you and your family; but why not start your account now and work on it throughout the coming year?  You could have a nice nest egg for next years purchases.  I joined Swag bucks on July 30th and have to date earned $155.00 dollars.  I've converted my Swag bucks to Amazon Gift Cards and those have been given to my DD, who has used them to buy books for students in need.  Joining is quick, easy and FREE.  If you join, let me know...happy to help you get started.

Travel safe this holiday season.

Car Travel and Summer Family Vacations

Pack the car and grab the kids and take your family vacation. Yes pack the car, not board the plane. Cars travel is much more suited to a family vacation then plane travel. Something families should consider before they book those expensive plane tickets and spend money that makes the vacation more expensive then it needs to be.

Why car travel over plane travel?

1. It's far more cost effective
2. You can do it on your time table (like traveling around kids nap times)
3. You can stop when you need to for bathroom breaks (not wait til the light goes on that it's ok, while your child moans that he or she has to go, not wait til it's smooth in the air, not wait til 300 ish other passengers make their way to the itty bitty bathroom)
4. You can see interesting things along the way
5. You can play family games and carry on conversations (often not possible on the plane because it's too loud with the motor noise and that off the other 300 ish passengers)
6. You can eat when you need to, not work around flight delays.
7. The kids can move a little, lay down and nap if need be.

Why do so many families opt for plane travel vs car travel?

1. They perceive it's easier and faster.
2. Depending on where you're going it might or might not be faster.
3. Based on what I've seen in my travels....there is NOTHING about it that's easier.

• Kids crying because they don't under security
• Kids crying because they don't understand not being able to eat or go potty when they want
• Kids crying because they don't understand delays
• Kids crying because they don't want to stay buckled
• Kids crying and wining because they don't understand or like that they have to turn off the movies, their games, or their music
• Kids crying because they're just plain worn out from getting up too early, running through the airport, not being able to carry or pull their luggage
• Parents irritable because they kids are wearing them out, and they are stressed
• parents irritable because they can't get all 4 seats together (or even 3, cause they didn't bother to check in ahead of time
• Kids general unhappy because they can't sit that long, and not self entertain

When you travel by car, you can the actual trip, not just the destination part of the vacation.

If you feel you must travel with the young kids by plane............next post. Making plane travel non stressful takes LOTS of work, and preplanning. Do stop back in.

Traveling Memories

I am reminded of travels here and there even when decorating my Christmas Tree. Yes, we're past Christmas and decorations have been put away. But, as I was un-decorating snapped a few photo's of some of my favorite ornaments. Some are newer then others. Some tell you about where we were when I picked them out, others maybe a bit more about me, my habits.......the things I like. A martini glass....I do love Martini's, sometimes I drink a Dirty Martini (thus the olives), other times a LemonDrop. I love making them too, so this ornament is most fitting. Purchased this past summer while vacationing in Park City, Utah. Lots of info about Park City Check it out if you're heading that direction or are looking for an idea of where to do.
Hilton Head Harbor Light House on the left and a fun Christmas Duck on a sailboat from Lake Erie (Ohio) on the right. Lots of posts for both Hilton Head and Ohio. Need information, want ideas of what to see, where to eat? Try these links to get started. There's plenty more, simply type in the words Ohio and or Hilton Head in the blog's search feature.
This is probably self explanatory here...The Fabulous Grand Canyon.
You might have to give this one some thought. P-Town, Provincetown, Mass. This trip was quite some time ago. To date, I've not added any posts from there.
Bison Bison...Colorado from a trip many years ago.
Zion National Park in Utah, what an awesome place.
A Dorey, from Connecticut. Another trip from long ago without representation yet here on the blog.

Doesn't this make you want to explore? So many places to go, so many suitcases to pack. Save yourself some time and do some virtual travel right here on Traveling Suitcase.

Packing Tip

This is a packing tip for my fellow crafters out there. Knitters and crocheters, loomers and sewers. I've often gotten questions regarding what one can carry on, what's the best way to pack crafts etc. Many people read while traveling (probably more by plane then car), many want to knit or crochet or do other crafts. What works? Knitting and crocheting small pieces work well. You don't want to infringe on seatmates space so stay away from larger items, or pack those in your suitcases.

People have asked about carrying on knitting needles. I've reviewed websites of several airlines and don't find them to be restrictive; though most people think they are. I often gotten questions while flying, as I am knitting. People seemed surprised you can do that. I've not had any trouble. I've flown domestically and internationally successfully with knitting. I do suggest you not have your very best needles...just in case they want them to be left behind and always pack a spare in your suitcase.

Carry your knitting/crocheting in a zip lock bag. If anyone questions what you have via the security check, it's easy for them to see it. Also, it keeps your yarn etc clean. You can tuck the edge of your zip lock bag in the seat pocket in front of you to have your yarn pull out easily to work. You can also nab it quickly, if you need to. Patterns? Leave your books at home, they take up space and their heavy. Type or write your pattern on index cards. I recently found these perfect sized coupon holder to file my in. It will keep you organized both at home and on the road.

Enjoy your travels and pack light, it makes things so much easier. Put your zip lock bag and coupon holder/file in a canvas bag under the seat in front of you. Light weight, easy, and you don't need to mess with those awful overheads. If you only need a card or two, you could easily put your card in the zip lock bag and leave your small file at home.

Get organized, both at home and in your travels.

Seeing Beauty when you Travel

Looking through Rose of Sharon Bushes enjoying nature can be almost anywhere you travel.
Rose of Sharon's are an old time flower, that attract birds and bees. Some are white as above, some lavendar and some are a rosey pink.
A large deep red Mallow, in the same family as the above Rose of Sharon's. They get so large sometimes a foot in diameter, they almost don't look real.
Maybe you'll see Lilly's in your travels. They are hundreds of colors, hundreds of varieties, all pretty.
An attempt to be artsy here, shooting through the bush as the wind was blowing.
Some Lilly's hang almost upside down. I'm carefully lifting it up to get the photo for you.

Sometimes travel isn't just about the destination, it's about the travel and what you see, smell along the way. Take time and enjoy it.

Low Mileage Travels

(pretty pink lillies in my backyard, notice the rain drops on the 2nd photo)

Gas isn't cheap, time can be tight, so can money. That doesn't mean you can't travel. It's summer, pack the kids up and head out for a day. Pack a picnic lunch, play in the park, see a lighthouse, visit a museum (always good to get in our of the rain or hot sun), go swimming on the shore, visit the zoo, visit and learn from one of the many historic areas, take a walk, go for a hike, sit by a water fall. All of that exists locally! Right here in Ohio.

Here are 28 adventures with Flat Stanley, something for everyone. Use his guidelines when you visit similar areas in your area. Kids can learn all summer long....so can you!

Check out adventure in the little town where I was born, Urbana, less than an hour from the center of the state.

Dance, watch a sunset, have a picnic, enjoy life music, visit historic parks or landmarks in the parks in the Capital of Columbus

Visit the state's first Capital, Chillicothe, see Log Cabins, fish, go swimming, smell the flowers, go hike, climb the hills, visit and or lunch in haunted areas.

The skies the limit. Ohio is the Mother of all Presidents, there are monuments.

Click on Ohio in the cloud there are 41 posts to give you lots of ideas of places to go, things to see. Enjoy!

Traveling your BackYard

Traveling doesn't have to mean buying a plane ticket or packing the car. Turn on your sound and travel with me around my back yard.

Well, phooey, I can't seem to upload the movie I made for you all. So will post separate pictures. My suggestion is to take the kids around and identify the flowers in your yard. Then go for a walk around the neighborhood and see if they can find the same types of flowers as yours. Let them color a picture, take a photograph, then look up the flower they like best on the computer and learn something about it. That could be a good days activity.




Do math, by counting and adding how many varieties you have, how many of a certain color, add to that what they see when you go for your walk. Do spelling with the names of the flowers (not the scientific names, heck most of us adults can't spell those). Make a word puzzle with the words. Everyday can be an adventure, and a learning opportunity.

The ABC's of Travel

Summer will soon be here and the kids will be out of school, if they're not already. No doubt you'll be thinking about where to take a family vacation...OR, if you're without children at home where to take a non family oriented vacation.

Here's some ideas for you in Alphabetical Style, there's something here for everyone. (all bolded and or colored type are live links, just click to get where you're going)
A
Aruba
Eating and Drinking and Being Happy in Aruba Iguana's in Aruba (the kids will love them)
Claudia's Bar in Aruba (for the adults)
General Information about Aruba

Arizona
Golf in the desert
Marriott's Canyon Villas, great place to stay for adults and or families
Sedona AriZona (teens and adults, not well suited for young children)
Taliesin West, Frank Lloyd Wright (teens or adults best)
Montezuma's Castle (not for young children with the hiking and climbing)
Grand Canyons (can see lots from the car and on over looks so can be family geared if you stay away from the difficult trails)
Desert Botanical Gardens (ok for all in terms of walking, though the kids maybe bored)
Carefree Arizona (can be family oriented, as the beauty can be seen without doing difficult hiking; though the later certainly exists)
Apache Trail Arizona nice for all

B
Breckenridge, Colorado
Historic Main Street Area (appropriate for everyone)

Things for the Girls in Breckenridge (teens and adults)
The Softer side of Breckenridge (for all who appreciate the arts)
Going to the Dogs (for the animal lovers)

Baltimore, Maryland
Ryan's Daughter (cool Pub)
Inner Harbor (fun for all)
Westminster Hall Burial Grounds (adults and teens)

Boston, Mass
Bunker Hill (depends on the age of the child, great history)

Beaufort, South Carolina
What a place for a bathroom break! (all ages)
Historic Episcopal Church and Graveyard (teens and adults)
Luthers best place for lunch and or dinner, and entertainment (day ok for families, later on best for older kids,teens and adults

Brisbane Australia

California
There are 15 posts for California
covering Joshua Tree National Park
Pigeon Point Light House
Alcatraz
Santa Barbara
Muir Woods
San Francisco
Palm Springs Area
Seals on the Beach
Mission San Carolos Borromeo-o de Carmel
Sausalito
Cayucos
Peeble Beach
Big Sur
Golden Gate Bridge
Temecula
General posts about wine country and beaches

Cape Cod, Mass
Cape Cod Lighthouse

Chillicothe, Ohio
Lots of post covering the first capital of the state,
Historic Carlisle Building and Fire,
Knole Log House and Adena,
Masonic Lodge-Haunted Magestic Theatre,
Adena Indian Mound,
Haunted Cross Keys Tavern,
A general overview of Chillicothe.

There's so much more, check the cloud area to see the full listings, I'm sure you'll find something there of interest whether you want a quick day trip or a longer vacation away. Don't find what you think you're interested in, leave me a note and I'll see if I have something on it for you.

AND don't for get the always popular travels of Flat Stanley. Click here for a full listing of his Travels to date. There are 28 adventures, with ideas of things you can do in your day to day with the kids. Learning can and is fun.

Suitcase is Traveling!!

The suitcase has been out and about. Florida for a wedding, Aruba for lots of sun, surf, and R and R. Do stay tuned for pictures of beaches, boats, sunsets and more.

Don't worry be Happy

A wordle post for FUN regarding GROUP Travel

Have you heard of a wordle? I hadn't until a few days ago. Kinda fun, sorta artistic. I plugged in the url of this blog and it picked up on the most recent post (scroll back to read about group travel), and bingo here's what you get. It's black and white unless you choice colors. I choose orange because of the current season of fall leaves and so it then choice colors associated with it. Give it a try, it's fun, it's free, it's easy, and it's fast! No much news for you today regarding travel, but thought you might enjoy some fun. Pop back tomorrow for Friday Fun with Flat Stanley

Group Travel

Group travel has both pluses and minuses. You need to actually think about it before you sign on to a group travel excursions.

Are you a scheduled person? If so, group travel can make you nuts. It's hard to get multiple people ready to go at a specific time and to agree when and where to go.

Are you flexible? If you're flexible group travel may be a breeze for you. If you have one thing in mind and do the opposite you need to ask yourself ahead of time if that will be ok with you. Will it disrupt you and cause you irritation?

Are the folks you plan to travel with like minded? Do they like to do the same sort of things? If not, you could have a problem. If group 1 is active and wants to get up early to exercise; and group 2 wants to sleep in, get up leisurely and take the day as it comes without things being pre-arranged or scheduled. You might have conflicts. Will the early birds be quiet, are they content to do their own thing and leave you be?

Group Travel can save you money. But, it can also actually increase the costs. Are you all sharing equally in the cost of a condo vs each of you paying for your own hotel room? If you're paying for your own hotel room, you need not all have the same accommodations. Example ocean view generally costs more than side or street view. Are you eating out or eating in? If you're eating out, the choice of restaurant can up the cost of your trip. Likewise if you're eating in, are you sharing the costs? Does everyone like to eat the same thing?

Are you a person that likes things neat? If so, going on vacation sharing a house or condo with people who aren't can be an irritant to you. Example: You have a beautiful condo and every night people leave their shoes everywhere, their drink glasses on end tables, personal care items like sun tan lotion on the table. Access your situation, what you like, what your travel partners are likely to be like and decide if ground rules need to discussed before the trip.

If you're at a house or condo and are eating in. Who's doing the cooking, the cleaning up? Are you going to get stuck with it all the time? Is it being shared. Really a good idea to discuss this before hand.

Do you want to do some things by yourself, or with your spouse and not necessarily everything with the group? If so, discuss it before hand. People can get their feelings hurt if they expect all activities to be group activities and you want some time alone.

What time do you like to eat dinner? If you're a 5 o'clock person but traveling with people like myself who like to eat at 7 ish, you have a potential problem.

There is no right, or wrong way to go about this. We all have our routines. The important thing is to discuss things ahead of time.

Here's 2 of the biggest area's that can be a source for discord in a group. Pets and smoking. Pet people tend to think everyone should love their pets they way they do. If you're not a pet person, you probably don't want to travel with people who are or want to bring their pets. Time tables can be an issue here, when and where to stop. Where to eat, what to do with the dog in the car etc. Smoking, if you're a non smoker, chances are you don't want smoke in your hotel room, condo, or beach house. If you have people in the group who are smokers, discuss ahead of time how that's to be handled. Is there a reasonable place outside for them to smoke?

Organize yourself, think about what you want out of vacation, and by all means discuss things BEFORE hand that will give everyone the best possible means of having a wonderful vacation.

Packing Thursday Traveling Tip

Packing, it's been my experience that regardless of where you go, most people over pack. Ask yourself several questions.

1. ..What am I going to be doing (what type of clothes are needed to accomplish this)
2. ..How long am I going to be there
3. ..What's the weather like
4. ..Are there laundry facilities there?

Answering those questions will truly help you.
Example...what am I going to be doing? Going to the beach, you're going to be walking and laying on the beach. What do you need? Sunscreen and bathing suit, and not much more. So, if you're in a hotel where you will eat out every meal, you need clothes for that. Is it fancy? Probably not, most beach places are pretty casual. Shorts, or summer skirts and tops are probably all that's needed. If you're in a condo and will be doing you own cooking, are you going to "dress for dinner"?
How long am I going to be there? Going for a week, you need maybe 2 skirts for evening with different tops, and maybe 2 pair of shorts for variety. A couple of suits so one can be drying while you've got the other one on. What's the weather like? Probably a beach trip is hot (though I took one that wasn't) Sweater sets are great, sleeveless for when it's hot, and a matching sweater if it cools down at night or you get cold in A.C. while dining out. Are there laundry facilities? If so, you can pack lighter and do a laundry mid week.

My suggestion is to lay out what you think you need on the bed, look it over; match sure colors blend so you can mix and match. If not make changes. Then when you satisfied, remove 1 full outfit and hang it back up in your closest. Think back, how many times have you come home and said I didn't need this or that while unpacking?

Pack a slightly larger suitcase then you need for your clothes, you'll have room them for purchases you make while gone. Be they gifts for friends and family or your personal souvenirs. Toss in a bag or two like these. These happen to be what I use grocery shopping, but one or two of these gives you a bag to separate things in your suitcase for the return trip, something to put your beach towel, sunscreen etc. if you're going to the beach or spending time at the hotel pool.

If you're flying, be sure and weigh your suitcase at home. Give yourself room to grow heavier so you're not charged for a heavy bag. Another good purpose of those bags above. You could use one for your carry on if you're over weight. How will you know if you're overweight at the hotel? Does your hotel have a workout room? Most do, so do condo's at resorts. There are scales in a work out room. Weight your bag the night before departure. Don't be caught off guard.

**Still having issues with formatting. Can anyone figure out why the numbers and or dots don't work here when I post on blogger? I see both when I type in draft form, I see both in preview form, I see neither when post is published. The same situation with the few times I've tried to use a linky. No numbers appear???