Family Travel Experts

Tips

Welcome to family travel Tips & Products. Here you'll find everything you need to know about the traveling with kids but were too exhausted to ask. Load up on A+ travel tips, like how to amuse kids during a five-hour car ride, tricks for taming frizz on a (humid) Caribbean vacation, and secrets for sliding through airport security sans snags. Need to know which tfamily travel products are worth the money? We've got it covered. Don't find what you need here? Ask a Traveling Mom for help and we'll track it down.

How to Plan Your Family Summer Vacation

Details: Published on Sunday, May 19, 2013 22:30; Written by Disabled TravelingMom

Right around Memorial Day, families start to think about and plan their summer vacation. For some it’s easy. They go to the same destination every year. For others, it’s an adventure – where should we go, how to get there and what to do while we’re there?

Plan your Summer Vacation Destination

Decide on a budget – this will help narrow down your picks
What does your family like to do – consider the times your family still talks about, the photos of everyone smiling, what the kids tell you they wish they could do
Listen to family and friends – what were the places they raved about?
Research – read travel blog reviews, check travel sites and visit Convention and Visitor websites

Plan your Summer Vacation Mode of Transportation

The cost - use a travel cost calculator
Consider all family members – if your daughter gets car sick, driving may not be feasible, or if you have a fear of flying, that may be out of the question
The shortest route – use online sites such as MapQuest to find the best travel route, use your GPS or apps

Plan your Summer Vacation Activities

Search - Look over the hotel, city and CVB websites to find fun things to do
Create a list – double the number of vacation days to find the number of activities (be sure to include indoor events in case of rain)
Vote - ask each family member to vote on their favorites
Decide - parents then choose one activity per vacation day based on budget and votes (explain that some choices may not happen)
Must Do List - Another option is to go with the “must do” activities that your family has been dreaming about
Even if you are not traveling away from home, create your own staycation by visiting attractions close to home

How do you plan your family summer vacation?

20 Secrets to Successful Summer Travel with Autism

Details: Published on Thursday, May 16, 2013 22:04; Written by Autism TravelingMom

After many trips with my autistic son, I have picked up some “tricks of the trade” - what to ask and expect at all stages of the vacation, how to prevent and quell public meltdowns, how to survive staff errors and scheduling mishaps, all while maintaining an educational and fun environment for our children. Since summer is fast approaching I thought I would share 20 of my best secrets that can make your next trip with your autistic child the best one yet!

Stress-Free Travel is Right Under Your Nose

Details: Published on Monday, May 13, 2013 17:25; Written by History Buff TravelingMom

Air travel can be stressful nowadays with long lines, flight delays and cramped seating. Add luggage, children, strollers and even pets to the mix and you have a veritable powder keg of stress. How can you make travel the relaxing experience it should be? Bring along your favorite essential oils to relieve tension, settle your stomach and promote relaxation.

I never thought about incorporating essential oils into my travel routine until I attended a travel event sponsored by Organic Spa Magazine. When the folks at Lotus Wei sprayed me with Quiet Mind, a mist of clove, citrus and geranium scents, I immediately felt a sense of calm come over me.

Making Travel Possible: JetBlue Wings for Autism Program

Details: Published on Monday, May 13, 2013 01:35; Written by Autism TravelingMom

“Isn’t this the best flight ever?” an adorable, six-year old with pig tails asks me. I smile in agreement.

The little girl is here with her family and brother from the Inland Empire, which is an hour east of Los Angeles, and the flight she is referring to isn’t really a flight at all. The plane engine is on, the take- off is announced and the safety drill is rehearsed, all while staying on the ground.

The kids on board don’t even seem to notice, as they are busy checking out the leather seats, playing with the light button overhead, or watching SpongeBob on the personal screen in front of them. So what’s going on? You may ask.