Remember the days when you could throw a few things in a suitcase and hop on a plane? Now that you are a parent, things are more complicated. Flying with a baby or toddler is not for the faint of heart or the unprepared. But, with careful planning, you can make your next airplane ride smooth sailing.

Tips for air travel with a baby:

Check with your pediatrician to make sure your baby does not have an ear infection
before leaving on a trip. One of the most common causes for a crying baby on a
flight is ear pain.

Give your baby something to suck on during take off and landing to relieve ear
pressure. (breast, bottle or pacifier)

Traveling at night or during nap time increases the odds that your baby will sleep
during the flight. Make sure you also have along their favorite blanket or snuggle
toy.

Most parents find it worth it to buy a seat for their baby and bring along a car seat.
Most airlines only charge half price for a child under 2. Not only is it safer, but you
will have more room.

Covering the car seat with a blanket (draped like a bird cage) can block out the light
and help your baby fall asleep more easily.

Travel non stop if at all possible.

Prepare for the unexpected. Remember to bring plastic bags to seal poopy diapers
in and extra wipes for messy diapers which are no easy feat to change on a plane!
Extra clothes for baby and mom are also helpful.

A bag of Cheerios goes a long way. If you need to bring a meal, be sure to pack
disposable feeding supplies.

Pack plenty of small, light weight toys for entertainment. Suction toys that can
adhere to the tray are especially good.

Use an umbrella stroller or stroller in which the car seat snaps onto the wheels.
Strollers can be checked at the gate just before stepping on the plane

Look into renting large items such as pack and plays or high chairs rather than
taking them with you on a flight. Call Baby’s Away at 800-571-0077 for more
information.

Tips for air travel with a toddler:

Give yourself plenty of time to get to the airport and terminal. Your toddler picks up
on your stress and will likely react in a manner that will bring you even more stress.

Let your child do something active before you leave for the airport. Wearing them
out physically increases the chances of them sitting still or sleeping on the flight.

Bubbles are a good distraction while waiting for the plane to arrive.

Request bulkhead seating. There is more room here and your toddler can play on
the floor if necessary.

Take your car seat! Not only is it the safest place for a child to be, but your child is
used to being confined to a car seat. They are more likely to stay content being
confined in their familiar seat and are more likely to fall asleep there than in a
strange place.

Pack comfort items such as a blanket or stuffed animal in an accessible place.

Letting a child drink out of a sippy cup or suck on a pacifier helps relieve air
pressure during take off and landing. Many moms also swear by using an
antihistamine to relieve the air pressure. Be careful though, about 10% of kids have
the opposite reaction to the drowsiness an antihistamine usually produces. If your
child is in that 10% and gets “wired” from the antihistamine, it can be a long trip!

Using a backpack to carry supplies and your purse frees your hands for other tasks.

Bring lots of single size snacks. Bring them out every 30 minutes or when they
become restless. Things with lots of little pieces such as Cheerios or Goldfish last
longer.

If you are potty training your child, be sure to request an aisle seat and insist that
your child wear a pull up. This is not the place for an accident!

A laptop or portable DVD player with headphones can distract a toddler for quite a
long time.

Bring a yard or two of 1/4 inch elastic. Tie one end to your wrist and the other end
to a toy. This way you can “reel” it in when your toddler throws it instead of
spending the whole trip searching under your neighbor’s seat. You can also create
other games with the elastic that your child will enjoy. Be sure to supervise to
reduce the risk of choking.

Pack plenty of new toys or toys and books your child hasn’t seen in awhile. Keep
them small and inexpensive and wrap them if you want to add to the excitement.

Toddler favorites for the plane: cups with ice in them, play dough with a plastic
knife, puppets, colored paper clips for making chains & bracelets, big, fat crayons &
a coloring book, travel Magna doodle, velcro (which can be attached to anything
small and lightweight) and a piece of felt to stick it to and stickers.

Tags: airplane, baby, car seat, Cheerios, Goldfish, moms, pack, play dough, toddler, toys, travelairplane, baby, car seat, Cheerios, Goldfish, moms, pack, play dough, toddler, toys, travel

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As you probably know, the Internet is a highly valuable research tool. However, many travelers do not consider using the Internet to book their next vacation, and thus often miss out on timesavings not to mention truly great bargains.

In this article we’ll take a look at how the Internet can help you to plan and book the perfect vacation.

If you haven’t already figured out exactly where you want to go, you might want to visit Yahoo! Travel. This excellent resource provides information about popular destinations based on category, for example ‘Best Beaches’, ‘Top Romantic Getaways’ or ‘Top Singles Destinations’. Yahoo! Travel also features a list of the most popular vacation destinations along with things to do and see for each one.

If you are looking for a vacation tailored around your own personal interests, you should spend some time consulting the Yahoo! Travel Interest Guides. The top destinations are selected for each interest, so choosing a vacation that is perfectly suited to your interests should be a fast and simple task.

Once you have selected a destination then it’s time to start planning how to get there!

Locate and book the best value travel

Whether you decide to go by plane, train or automobile, finding cost effective travel is the first step to planning a great trip. Many Internet resources allow you to search multiple travel providers and directly compare services and prices.

Traveling by car

If you plan to travel by car, then the first step should be a visit to Map Quest for directions. This valuable website will allow to you obtain detailed driving directions to your destination, including total distance and estimated driving time.

If you intend to rent a car make sure you compare prices at different auto rental sites. For example, Car Rental Express provides an excellent resource that compares rental prices from multiple major auto rental companies. Many sites will allow you to directly compare rental prices from most of the leading auto rental companies. Make sure that you spend some time examining the different company regulations governing auto rental that often differ from state to state (minimum driver age, area restrictions, etc).

When possible, taking your own car can save you a fair amount of money. However, it’s extremely important to ensure your vehicle is ready for a long distance trip. Having your car break down during your trip is not fun, especially if you are looking to experience the perfect vacation!

Traveling by plane

Traveling by car is great for shorter distances; however traveling by plane will allow you to reach your destination much faster. Nowadays, there is so much online competition for short, inland flights that you can most often find some outstanding prices, especially if you book a little in advance. In addition, most of the major airlines offer special ‘Internet Only’ deals and rates.

If your travel arrangements are flexible, then Priceline.com offers some extraordinary bargains. Basically, you simply specify the maximum amount you are willing to pay for a particular flight, and if the amount is accepted by the airline your flight is immediately booked. This is a great system that can provide you with huge savingsthat would be totally impossible if it wasn’t for the Internet!

Traveling by train

Although often overlooked, traveling by train can be a highly cost effective and convenient method of travel. You can quickly and easily research the various choices to your chosen destination by going to Amtrak. Check out the ‘Hot Deals’ section on the Amtrak website for some great Internet offers.

Or for a one of a kind travel experience, you may want to consider taking a scenic route on a luxury train. Many luxury train travel packages offer meals and accommodation on the way to your final destination. Check out the links below to find out more information about luxury train travel.

Going on a cruise

Cruise trips can offer an exciting alternative to conventional vacations. After unpacking your belongings, you can relax while the ship takes you from destination to destination. There is typically a wide variety of nightlife; entertainment and activities to keep you busy and most major cruise ships offer a broad range of cuisine to appeal to most culinary preferences. Cruises typically offer low amounts of hassle - simply book your ticket, board the boat and get ready to relax.

Additionally, many cruises are all inclusive - the price of your ticket includes meals and activities.

If you are interested in going on a cruise start at VacationsToGo.com. This is a useful resource for locating last minute and bargain cruises. For many people, a cruise can be the perfect vacation!

Find the perfect accommodation

Locating the ideal vacation accommodation is perhaps the most important part of planning the perfect vacation. Multiple options will most likely be available depending on where you plan to visit.

If you were planning to visit within striking distance of a town or city and for a short period of time, then a hotel or condo would be the most appropriate choice.

Otherwise a rental home, villa or townhouse can offer a high level of comfort and convenience. The great advantage of this type of accommodation is the kitchen/laundry facilities that can help save money, especially if you are vacationing for a week or more.

If you want great value without having to make your own reservations and travel arrangements then a complete vacation package can offer great savings and convenience. A package typically includes flights, hotel rooms, rental cars and can also include meals and tickets for popular activities.

Although often overlooked, home exchanges can offer a great value for money vacation, with the added bonus of having someone looking after your home while you are away! Often cars are also exchanged as part of the process.

Before finalizing your reservation, it’s a good idea to check out reader reviews of your chosen accommodation at www.tripadvisor.com. This is a highly valuable resource in determining suitability and comfort and allows you to help avoid any hidden problems.

When you are ready to choose, browse through some of the accommodation links below and compare prices. If you are planning to stay in a hotel, make sure that you check the website to ensure that they have all the amenities you require (fitness center, internet access, restaurant, etc). Lastly, don’t forget to book early as hotels/homes often become booked rapidly.

Find out what to do and where to gobefore you get there!

Hopefully by now you have planned your travel arrangements and booked a great place to stay, however there is still one important factor to consider

Finding out as much as you as possible about your chosen destination before you get there will help ensure that you are able to have fun upon arrival. By pre-selecting some activities to do or places to visit, you’ll be able to save time and enjoy your vacation immediately, even if you are among those travelers who prefer to just relax and explore your destination once you get there.

A great starting point for learning more about your destination is www.citytown.info. This database consists of links to the official websites of most major towns in the United States. Most of the official town websites contain sections for tourists, including things to see and do, places to visit, where to eat, etc

The SLGN Directory (www.statelocalgov.net) is the easiest method for locating official tourist information corresponding to your chosen destination. Simply select the appropriate state to gain access to a list of official town/city guides and state directories.

You should also explore the World Travel Guide website at www.wtgonline.com, which provides a plethora of data for thousands of worldwide destinations. Attractions, airports, tours, images and brochures are covered along with many other useful travel resources. The World Travel Guide is an excellent tool for helping to plan the perfect vacation.

Although less tourist-oriented, www.city-data.com still remains a valuable resource for researching information about your chosen town or city.

As previously mentioned, www.tripadvisor.com is also a highly useful resource for learning about a destination through submitted user reviews, articles and comments. Spend some time browsing the site and you will be able to find out exactly what other people who visited the area enjoyed.

An excellent resource for obtaining a categorized list of activities around your chosen destination is www.infohub.com. InfoHub contains an immense list of specialist activities, from football tours to museum visits and is very useful for planning the perfect vacation based on around you or your family’s interests.

If you are willing to spend a little extra then a professional tourist guide can be extremely helpful in making sure you get the most out of your vacation. A good guide will help tailor the trip based on your personal interests while allowing you to connect with the locals. For personal safety reasons; a tourist guide is highly recommended if you are traveling to exotic destinations. You can obtain information on how to hire a tourist guide by navigating to www.wwguides.com.

Tags: airplane reservatins, Amtrak, car rentals, cruises, hotels, packages, trains, travel, vacationsairplane reservatins, Amtrak, car rentals, cruises, hotels, packages, trains, travel, vacations

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It is the end of an era in Thailand. Political changes occur rapidly in SE Asia. Nowhere is that more evident than inside the Land of Smiles. In the wake of the John Karr / JonBenet Ramsey fiasco, Thailand has tightened restrictions on Tourism Visas and stymied the lives of tens of thousands of travelers. Officials claim the two are not connected.

For many years now, backpackers have flocked to Thailand. It’s tropical climate, gentle citizens, inviting beaches and ease of travel beckon youthful exuberance. Over time, many of us have matured to suitcases and still less-stylish travelers followed suit.

During these Golden Years of Thai travel visitors form 39 countries could enter the Kingdom of Thailand for thirty days without obtaining a visa before their arrival. Those staying on longer would simply make a border run, cross out of the country and return, often within minutes. Whish! Stamp! Boom! They had another thirty days.

Currently details of the new regulations are as clear as mud in an unlit cave. It appears starting October 1, 2006, travelers such as myself will be able to make a maximum of two border runs. We receive thirty days on arrival. Then, we receive thirty days each for the two reentries. After that we may not enter Thailand again for ninety days. In other words, after ninety days in, we must leave for ninety days. Whish! Stamp! Stamp! Out!

The tourism industry will suffer! From taxi drivers and guest houses, to massage schools and laundry services, the impact will be felt. I imagine a Tuk Tuk driver will look up this January and think, “Hey, where’d everybody go?” I like to believe the cumulative economic loss will be more than the Kingdom fathoms and policies will loosen again over time. I also still hang a Christmas stocking up for myself.

Alongside Thais, how are long-term travelers being affected by the changes? If you think the inconvenience to individuals is negligible, consider the following. Here are some examples.

Donald Wood - UK
“My sister and her family were to spend February in Thailand with me. They have canceled their trip. Why? Because, I’ll be out for ninety days by then.”

Kelly Laidlaw - USA
“I paid for a one month TEFL Course and two months ‘volunteer’ teacher training on Samui next year. That’s three months total. I lose days from each 30 day allotment, because I have to do my visa border runs on weekend (to not miss class). This is what I’m left with. I leap into Thailand the day before class starts and sprint for Samui. Then, I fly out the day after I finish teaching/graduate. Perhaps a prospective school can interview me in the Tuk Tuk on the way to the airport.”

Claude DeVosjoli - France
“I had many plans for my six months- sure to travel, but more. I’m always doing something. Mahout training, an expansive meditation experience, maybe I learn to cook Thai. And, there’s trekking, Muay Thai courses There’s so much to do here. Now I can do only half. Half lose my francs. It’s so hard to choose.”

Barry Anderson - Australia
“Funny thing is Burma (a.k.a. Myanmar) lost business because of the Thai regs. I wanted to hop over there bouts for a week mid-November. Can’t now. That would use up one of my precious two visa runs early. Don’t wanna torch thirteen days I figure.”

Kathy Taylor - Canada
“I sold my home to come to SE Asia for a couple years. The thinking was I would maintain a small apartment in Chiang Mai, take some classes, travel around a bit and have a place to nest and write in between. Now when I travel to other countries it will go lock, stock and barrel, along with my tourism dollars for many months.”

Alan McLawrie - UK
“I’m currently taking classes to learn to speak Thai. I’ll miss the third level now. Of course, I’ll be off in Vietnam not able to practice what I just learned anyway. Also, I volunteer at a dog rescue and will miss the pups. I’m financially independent, yet too young to meet the 50 year old requirement for a Retirement Visa here. Officials actually said this new law will stop bad people and not hurt good people. Well, if financially successful, charitable volunteers who study their culture are bad guys, send me to the front of the line.”

Anita Kroll - USA
“This change is a bit of a pickle for me. I have a three month course this spring. So, in December when my 90 is up, I have to leave Thailand for almost four months, not three. I’ll need the whole next lot of ninety days to cover my class time. The course starts in late April and I’m out in December. I wish there had been more notice before the government changed things, though in retrospect I did not have to pay in advance.”

As you see there are dozens of ways Thailand’s new policies will cause little inconveniences. But, how little are they? You see, I am Anita. I am Alan. I am Kathy, Barry, Kelly, Donald and even Claude DeVosjoli. All these issues occurred for just one peaceful gal who simply loves Thailand. What else do these issues have in common? That’s easy. They take money away (Whish!) from the Kingdom of Thailand and its citizens.

Tags: asia, book, changes, guides, lonely planet, Nola Kelsey, SE, Thailand, tourism, travel, visa, visasasia, book, changes, guides, lonely planet, Nola Kelsey, SE, Thailand, tourism, travel, visa, visas

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