Travel by Air
Should I Pack a Carry On?
We recommend a carry on with enough essentials to get you through a couple days in case your luggage gets lost. Use backpacks that fit under your seat for easy storage and access. These are good for carrying toys, travel documents, and reading material. Bring empty water bottles and fill them past security and snacks to help you get through your flight.
When is the Best Time to Make Reservations?
If you are flexible, plan to travel on a weekday. Tuesdays and Saturdays may reward you with lower prices and less crowds. Saturdays flights tend to be less crowded making seat selection easier. Reserve your seat early so you can have a good selection to choose from. An aisle seat allows easy access to the bathroom and ability to move about the cabin. Make sure all information is correct. Airlines may change your seating and flight times without your knowledge, so check on a regular basis. Pay the extra money if you can afford it and reserve a nonstop or direct flight if possible. This will save you time and extra unnecessary connections.
Travel Healthy
What about Medical Coverage while on Vacation ?
It is advisable to have medical and dental check-ups before your trip. This way you are aware of problems and to find out about medicines you might need to take along. You may also want to check what your health insurance will pay for if you see a doctor while you're in another country. Carry enough of your regular medicines in their original containers, along with extra prescriptions for them. Also bring your eyewear prescriptions. Wearing a medical information bracelet if needed may save a life, and take along a first-aid kit. If you need any immunizations or vaccinations, see your doctor at least 6 weeks before you leave. Some vaccines don't reach the highest protection until about 6 weeks after you get the shots.
Is Safety an Issue while on Vacation?
Try to avoid taking overcrowded transportation where contact with others is unavoidable. Countries outside North America tend to be more causual when it comes to safety. Wear a helmet if you'll be riding a motorcycle and use your seat belt when riding in vehicles. Try to avoid driving at night or in unfamiliar areas without local help and directions. If you're going to a country with an increased risk of mosquito-borne disease, you may want to protect yourself against insects.
Travel outside the USA
What Documentation for Children are Required?
Many countries require documentary evidence of the traveling adults' relationship to the child and permission of the parent or legal guardian before they will allow the child to cross the border. Single parents, grandparents, or guardians traveling with children often need proof of custody or notarized letters from the other parent authorizing travel. These requirements are in addition to passport or proof of citizenship requirements.
What Documentation do I need for Travel?
Travelers within the Western Hemisphere, including U.S. and Canadian citizens, are required to hold a valid passport or other accepted form of documentation when entering or departing the United States. When planning international travel, please ensure that you are in possession of all required documention. Acquiring official travel documents is time-consuming, so allow sufficient time to do this well in advance of your travel plans. Many countries also require that your passport be valid at least 6 months or longer beyond the final date of your trip. If your passport does not meet the validity date requirements, you will need to apply for a new one. Click Here to find Links for documentation.
Travel with Kids & Pets
What can you do to help make the Trip Less Stressful?
Have you ever heard the saying about how time flys when you are having Fun. Playing games in the car or on the trip can help to shorten the commute. Hunt for different license plate numbers, see who can find the most out of state license plates, or who can find the most models of cars. Bring along games or toys to help shorten the ride, but avoid items with lots of small pieces. You might also consider small prizes or presents at regular intervals along the trip. Find FREE travel game downloads at
Moms Mini Van.
New toys often receive the most interest and will help keep your child occupied. If your children are old enough, give them a map of their own. Have them keep track of your progress by making them the navigator. Buy some new interesting audio books for a story time or new DVD's while on the trip.
When and where else can you get the entire family together without distractions? Take advantage of this time together and have a family talk or meeting.
Looking for fun ideas for kids this summer? Look to Crayola for all the arts & crafts materials to inspire creativity in your children
What does the American Human Society have to say about Travel with Pets?
1. Properly identify pets with ID tags and microchips— Make sure your pets have ID and current rabies tags and are microchipped. To be extra cautious, give your pets an additional tag with the address and phone number of where you will be staying for the duration of the trip, in case they get lost after you arrive.
2. Train pets to travel in their crates— Whether you're heading to your holiday destination by plane, train or automobile, getting your pets used to their crates will make the entire traveling experience less stressful. Even when away from home, pets still view their crates as a safe haven from stressful situations.
3. With a crate, size does matter— Crates should be large enough for pets to stand and turn around in comfortably. Remember to keep water inside the crate or allow for breaks every three hours so that your pets can drink and stretch.
4. Never leave your pets unattended— Just as you would never leave a child unattended, never leave your pets alone in a car.
5. Be prepared— Take your pets' health records with you, just in case they need to see a veterinarian during your trip. Be sure to ask your veterinarian if she recommends heartworm prevention or treatment for fleas or ticks for the area in which you are traveling. Keep pet dishes in your car, as well as extra water and pet food, in case of car trouble or bad weather.
6. To fly or not to fly— As a rule, puppies and kittens, sick animals, animals in heat, and frail or pregnant animals should not travel by air. If a pet is too large to fly in the cabin with you, perhaps a stay at a boarding kennel would be a safer choice. You should also plan ahead because many airlines have restrictions regarding pets, and your pets may need a health certificate to fly.
7. Visit your veterinarian— Your vet may prescribe a sedative to help reduce your pet's stress level while traveling. However, sedatives are not always safe for pets so be sure to give your vet the details of how your pet will be traveling and how long the trip will take.
8. Boarding is an option— If your pets are too large to fly in the cabin with you, or if a long car ride might be too stressful for them, boarding your pets at a kennel may be a safer choice. Or you could hire a licensed pet sitter to take care of your pets in the comfort of your own home.
9. Try to keep pets on the same "schedule"— Stop when you would normally let your pets out at home and at feeding times.
10. Plan lodging ahead— Research your route, make reservations and carry a list of pet-friendly lodging along the way. Also, ask for a room on the ground floor so it is easier to walk your pets. Don't let your pets stay in the car.
Travel Light
What do I need to Pack?
Do some research about your destination and know what is appropriate at dinner or visiting a Cathedral. Even go as far as to check the weather forecast and plan accordingly. You do not want to bring heavy jackets on a summer trip to the Caribbean. Pack only what you will use.
You may want to visualize how to make it smaller and downsize. Bring only one bottle of all-purpose lotion instead of multiple lotions for hands, face and body. Choose a regular toothbrush or razor over electric models. Many items can be purchase globally and often easily, saving packing room in your luggage.
How do I pack Everything?
Iron everything before placing it in your luggage. If it goes in crisp and clean, odds are more in its favor of coming out the same. Button all buttons and zip all zippers. The better the fold, the fewer the creases. All garments can be folded in many different ways, “ T-shirts, jeans, skirts and sports coats can be rolled up and strategically positioned or stuffed in luggage, and help fill those smaller areas in your luggage. Place the items to be worn first on the top. This will prevent digging around the suitcase for a specific item while disrupting the rest. Packing loosely wastes precious space, so compress clothing as much as possible. Eliminate wasted space, such as the insides of shoes, which are perfect for socks or underwear. Pack in clear plastic bags (preferably zip lock), divided items like underwear, t-shirts, shorts etc. before packing in your suitcase or backpack. One plastic bag for each type of clothing. When you unpack your bag you just take out a series of bags and you can see immediately what you want. As you use clothing the bags can be used to store dirty laundry as well.
Travel Lodging
Do I need a Back Up Plan for Waking Up?
It is wise to carry your own little alarm clock to catch an early morning flight or early sightseeing trip. Do not depend solely on the hotel's alarm/wake up call service. A little preparedness is worth not missing a flight out the next morning.
What should I know About my Stay?
It is important to know the area you are staying at. When you check into your hotel, ask at the reception desk to give you a business card with the hotel's name, address and telephone number. This will come in handy in case you get lost or forget the name of your hotel. You will want to know what attractions, places to eat are nearby so you can plan for local transportation.
Travel Security Tips
Copies Copies Copies!
Make photocopies of each and every travel document that you have. Driver’s License, itinerary, passport, etc. Give one set to a travel companion and keep one set on you, separate from the originals. This is in case your originals are lost or stolen.
What Steps Should I take for Credit Card Security?
Take your major credit cards, such as, Visa, Master Card and American Express. You won't have to risk your safety by carrying and displaying large amounts of cash. If you lose your card, most credit cards have a low maximum liability limit if you quickly report the card as lost. Credit cards may get you a better exchange rate than changing money to spend yourself. Many times your card will offer an extra guarantee or warranty when you purchase items with your card, but you'll want to read the fine print for exceptions. Many locations require a credit card and will not accept a debit card, so they may have limited use on your travel. Leave all your local store credit cards in a secure location at home, as there will be no need to carry them with you. Notify your credit card bank, especially when leaving the country for card security purposes.