MommaJ http://www.trifter.com//MommaJ. New posts by MommaJ Vacationing with Toddlers http://www.trifter.com/Practical-Travel/Travel-with-Kids/Vacationing-with-Toddlers.166489 You may be trying to decide where to go on vacation and how to have adult fun while the toddlers enjoy themselves. You don't really want to go to a children's theme park the toddlers probably won't remember anyway, but what else can you do with toddlers?

How do you vacation with toddlers and still have a vacation for yourself? Try a vacation adventure. Decide what you want to do and what to do as a family. Pick somewhere you have never been before but have an interest in seeing. Once you have chosen what you would like to do, research the area. Find a hotel close to a town. There's a reason you want to be close to a city. First, you may want to be near a grocery store or pharmacy and secondly you may be able to find things the toddlers would like to do such as parks, playgrounds, and libraries.

After deciding where you want to go find attractions you want to see and make a list. List them in the order that you want to do or see them. If you run out of time or the toddlers get bored and want to do something else you won't be too disappointed since you got to see some of the things you wanted to see most.

Whether traveling by car or by plane keep a few toys and snacks handy. If you travel by car take games, DVD player and DVDs, lots of drawing paper and pens, and ear plugs for hubby. If you fly you may want to devote a carry-on to some small items.

Tips for Traveling with Toddlers

  1. Packing

    When vacationing with toddlers, remember to pack the items that will entertain the children until you get to your destination where they are easily accessible and to play with while you are there. Pack appropriate clothing for your destinations and shoes for the occasions. Go light on the packing. With your research you should have found a nearby store or pharmacy for any small items you might have forgotten. Also for all the medicines for headaches, tummy aches, bug bites, sunburns, all the little things that could happen the store will be there.

  2. Money

    Don't forget your credit card for the "just in case" emergencies with any vacation, especially when taking toddler. If you are trying to stay within a budget get a prepaid credit card.

  3. Things to Do

    While vacationing with your toddlers make sure you make a list of what is most important for you to see. Then allow time to let the toddlers do something to have fun as part of their vacation.

  4. Shopping and Playgrounds

    If you are taking your toddler on vacation you should have done your research and found nearby stores and playgrounds for the evenings or just for a day to rest. Remember, vacationing with your toddlers may not be much of a vacation for you so keep the days easy and fun and have a day to do nothing.

Enjoy your vacation.

]]> Sun, 13 Jul 2008 01:49:05 PST Shuttle Service From the Airport http://www.trifter.com/Practical-Travel/Tips/Shuttle-Service-From-the-Airport.166365 Any seasoned tourist traveler will tell you you can always find a ride at an airport from either cabs or shuttle services. There are a couple of problems with getting a service after you get to the airport. If a lot of other people have the same idea you're going to be waiting. The services might not take you if they feel you have too much baggage. Shuttle services usually only go to one destination. They might not drop you off at your exact location. They drop you off in the general area so they can take as many people as they can to the same area. A taxi or cab service will go exactly where you want but may cost more and you will want to have exact cash plus a tip for the taxi/cab fare.

Instead of stressing over whether or not you will be able to find a ride and stressing about having the fare, plan ahead. When you are looking for hotels ask the hotel if they have a shuttle service. If they don't have shuttle service they will probably be able to suggest local services.

Most tourist hotels have a shuttle service. Some services are free but you will want to ask first. Be sure to find out where the service will park, and what time they will be there.

Another problem you may want to clear up in advance is how many bags you will be bringing and how many bags can the shuttle hold. Some shuttle services only offer one bag and one carry on per passenger. If you are on an extended stay luggage may be an issue for the shuttle service, so ask first.

After you make your arrangements finish packing and enjoy your flight. Don't forget to take a tip for the driver.

Questions to ask about shuttle services:

  1. Will your shuttle service pick us up and go to the hotel or will we have to sit on the shuttle and wait for more passengers? Shuttle services make money when they are full and may not want to pick up just your party unless the shuttle service is from the hotel you are staying at.
  2. How much does the shuttle service cost? If the hotel offers a shuttle service it may be free. If the shuttle service is an outside business they may either charge a flat rate or so much per mile. You will want to ask before you agree to the service.
  3. Where will our party meet the shuttle service? If the shuttle service is only picking up your party it might meet you at pickup. They may drive around until they see you and if this is the way they work it you might want to bring a sign with your name on it. Most shuttle services stop in the parking area of the pick-up area. You have to go out and look for the vehicle. This is probably the most stressful part of your vacation so you may want to ask if the shuttle driver will have a cell phone and if you can call to let the driver which door you will be coming out of.
  4. How many bags can the shuttle hold and is my party limited to a certain number of bags? The shuttle service may have a limit on how many bags each person can bring. You may want to find out if you are going to be restricted to a certain amount of luggage. If you are going on an extended stay this may be a problem so let the shuttle service know the situation.
  5. Will you need to bring car seats for the shuttle service? If you ask this question the shuttle service may already have car seats so you wouldn't necessarily have to have the seats for the ride to the hotel. However if you are going to need car seats while you are on your trip so you will be bringing them anyway, let the shuttle service know you will be bringing car seats.
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