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Archive for November, 2006

Family Travel Gear To Make Your Life Easier

Thursday, November 9th, 2006

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Would you like to keep your kids as happy as this going on a trip by car or plane? OK, well maybe not as cheesy (have you ever seen a sister and brother smile at each other like that?), but you get the picture. Family OnBoard is a great website to help you find tools and travel ideas for your kids.

To keep your kids occupied on long trips, travel games are available like travel bingo, sudoku puzzles and traveling music/CD’s for the car. (although, I must say, I might have my limits with that!).

For a car trip, get a handy car organizer, a travel tray for the car seat (great for eating, writing or coloring!) or a Critter Pillow for when you are begging them to take a nap.

I have seen this Tote a Tot before, and I wish I had known about it when my son was younger. It is the ideal way to get both the car seat on the plane, give your child a fun ride, and keep your arms free!

Finally, they have two pages of Family Bargain Items that are on clearance. Check in to see what deals you can snag!

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United Airlines Fare Sale

Wednesday, November 8th, 2006

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United Airlines has been having some pretty incredible fares lately. (It makes you want to start humming George Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue” when I say “United”, doesn’t it?) I just got a wonderful fare for my son and me to go to Disney World from Sacramento to Orlando for just about $200 round trip. I had to play with the dates somewhat, but I got a terrific deal.

You can do the same! If you tinker with their website online, you may find some excellent deals from your city, particularly if you depart and return on a Tuesday, Wednesday or Saturday. For example, fly between San Francisco, CA and Charlotte, NC for only $79 each way! That is spectacular.

To search for that particular fare, do the following:

1. Click here to book online directly with United.
2. Enter your cities (San Francisco - SFO, Charlotte - CLT). Select your departure and return dates.
3. Click the “Check” button.
4. Fares will be listed roundtrip, and include all taxes and fees.

They also have some excellent deals from Oakland, CA to Orlando, FL for only $99 each way. In fact, I initially starting searching that city of departure since I thought it was discounted much more than Sacramento, CA. However, to depart from Sacramento, CA to Orlando only cost a bit more. So be persistent, and you might find a fare that makes you extremely happy!

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Hurry, fares this inexpensive have limited availability, and your dates may be gone soon.

Disney Deals for December and Spring!

Wednesday, November 8th, 2006

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Travelzoo has some great deals for Disney!

Stay at Disney Resort hotel! For many dates in January and February, get 5 Day Magic Your Way Package (including 5 day park passes and accomodations in a Disney Value Resort hotel.) Rates are as low as $377 per adult, $221 per junior (10-17) and $182 per child (3-9). Click here for more information and make sure to book by December 16.

Also available for select dates from December to June 2007 is a package at the Grovesnor Hotel in Walt Disney World Village and Airline Tickets for 4 people from select cities to Orlando. This is available for only $1043, including all taxes. Click here for more details on this great vacation.

Finally, get 6 nights hotel at a Disney Resort Property, 7 day Park Hopper ticket, airport transfers and all taxes for as low as $322 per adult in select January, February and March dates. Upgraded hotels are available for a bit more. Click here for more details.

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New AirTran Sale. Hurry!

Tuesday, November 7th, 2006

AirTran has announced a systemwide sale that covers close to 2,000 routes. The sale is good for travel into 2007 with discounts on many of its most popular routes. These must be booked by November 9.

The following are some of the lowest fares available on popular routes nationwide (one-way and based on availability):

Chicago - Minneapolis … $29
Boston - Philadelphia … $39
Baltimore - Boston … $44
Akron - New York City (LaGuardia) … $49
Charlotte - Atlanta … $49
New York City - Newport News, Va. … $54
Dallas - Chicago … $59
Memphis - Atlanta … $59
Chicago - Charlotte … $59
Atlanta - Miami … $69
Newburgh, NY - Ft. Lauderdale … $69 (starts Jan. 11)
Richmond, Va.- Orlando … $69
Ft. Myers - Washington D.C. … $79
Milwaukee - Orlando … $79
Atlanta - New Orleans … $79
Atlanta - New York City (LaGuardia) … $89
Kansas City - Grand Bahama Island … $89

Click here to book your flight online or for more information.

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Can You Imagine A Better Vacation: Nanny Included!

Tuesday, November 7th, 2006

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The Franklyn D. Resort in Jamica is the Caribbean’s only all-inclusive family resort that gives you a full-time Vacation Nanny as part of your package! Indulge in a friendly, carefree, relaxing all inclusive family vacation in Jamaica - doing as much or as little as you wish. Indulge in scuba, snorkeling, tennis and golf. Get a chance to get a exercise in the workout center. Your holidays will feature all your favorite activities; all the food and drinks you want - day and night; shopping on site at the Gift Shop, the Jamaican Craft Shop or Duty Free, and regular shopping trips to Ocho Rios.

But let’s get back to the important part (I mean, other than the free booze): the vacation nanny!

Here’s what the resort has to say about the “included” nanny:

Your Vacation Nanny is highly-trained and is on hand from 9:00 to 4:40 to take the worry out of your holiday. If you need her in the evenings, she is available for the low rate of $4/hour. Warm, attentive and friendly, she respects your privacy and will be there only when needed. Should parents need time alone to relax, or to go shopping, scuba diving or to participate in all the other activities, your Vacation Nanny will care for your children by taking them to the pool or beach, the playground, for a walk, or to any of the many games, crafts and activities offered every day. Vacation Nannies also are happy to bathe and dress your children, as well as make sure they’re fed at mealtimes. In addition, they will make sure your fridge is fully stocked with items of your choice before your return to your suite — which they will always keep neat and tidy.

Special occasions are also an opportunity to lean on the nannies. They are delighted to act as your ‘vacation assistant’ by organizing special events like family reunions, dinner parties, and birthday and anniversary celebrations.

Our guests’ appreciation for our Vacation Nannies is reflected in the numerous letters of commendation sent by guests each week. In your Jamaican home away from home, there’s no better way to spend an all-inclusive holiday than by sharing with someone who will develop a caring bond with your children, keep your Caribbean home clean and tidy, and also make sure that your holidays have a special touch.

Click here for up to the minute special offers for FDR Resort. Many of the offers include a free bonus night with the purchase of a minimum number of nights.

Did I mention you get a nanny?

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Traveling With Kids: Part IV

Monday, November 6th, 2006

This is Part 4 in a Series of 4. For Part I: Packing, click here. For Part II: Traveling By Plane, click here. For Part III: Traveling On The Road, click here.

PART IV: SNACKS IDEAS FOR TRAVEL

It’s not just the car that needs fuel. Here are some tide-overs contributed by parents who learned from experience. A number of folks recommended the new flat plastic insulated bags with handles (a bit like closable shopping bags) that can be found at warehouse stores like Sam’s Club or Costco or supermarkets. They can be used for both hot and cold items and are very handy.

1. HEALTHY SNACKS
* Before we hit the road, I let my kids make their own Chex mix, without nuts. I also travel with Nutri-Grain bars, crackers (Cheez-Its, Sesame Twigs, Triscuits, etc.), raisins, grapes, Sun Chips, Gorilla Munch (an organic cereal similar to Kix), celery sticks w/peanut butter and raisins for protein to combat sluggishness from riding in the car, and bananas! — ladydst83

* A mix of rice and wheat Chex cereal with some pretzels added — I give this to my grandson when we are on the road. — wikiscogg

* Popcorn, esp. the low-fat kind — sprinkle some Parmesan cheese on it for more flavor. — nickel76nicky

* My kids chow these down: Cut up whole-wheat flour pita bread into pieces. Brush on olive oil, bake for about 12-15 minutes, remove and sprinkle with garlic powder and shredded cheese. Continue baking until crispy. — dkjones27

2. FREEZE ‘EM FIRST Make mini banana-nut bread loaves, freeze, then thaw in morning and slice for snack; great with peanut butter and slice of banana on top … Mix fruit or jam into yogurt and freeze in small, snack-sized Ziploc bags for frozen yogurt on the go. Cut a hole in the end of the bag for easy access/eating…. Make a batch of pudding and add coconut, nuts, marshmallows, crushed cookies, or sprinkles. Pour into molds. Freeze several hours until firm (stays nice as it thaws!) — nickel76nicky

3. PITA POCKETS Stuff them with things not normally in a sandwich — pizza-type cheese and pepperoni, thick chili and cheese, veggies, hot dogs — and heat. Also, tortilla roll-ups may be fixed ahead and kept warm. If the fillings are messy, wrap in waxed or parchment paper. Then put them them in your warm cooler. — BAlieceHall

4. SALAD (YES, SALAD!) I either put it in a small bowl and the kids can put dressing on it, or in a to-go cup so they have “shaker salad.” I bought little Tupperware-type containers from WalMart that are square with a small round center, with its own lid. I’ll put veggies and dip in one and cheese and crackers in the other. The kids really like it. — photomomof2

5. HEARTIER FINGER FOOD Homemade sweet potato fries, chicken tenders, fish sticks, corn dogs on a wooden skewer, hashbrown patties from the store, wrapped in wax paper. A favorite: mini meatloaves stuffed with mashed potatoes — it’s not hard to do in a muffin pan. — nickel76nicky

6. CUT-UP APPLES A little orange juice will keep them from turning brown. –mom2curty

7. DON’T FORGET THE DRINKS Take plenty of water! Fill plastic water bottles 2/3 up and freeze; then put in a small cooler instead of ice to keep foods cool. When they melt, you have nice cold water on hand. Juice boxes also freeze up well; just pack in anything that needs to stay chilled around them. — nickel76nicky

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Traveling With Kids: Part III

Monday, November 6th, 2006

This is Part 3 in a Series of 4. For Part I: Packing, click here. For Part II: Traveling By Plane, click here.

PART III: ON THE ROAD

Ideas for making those car trips memorable in the very best way, contributed by parents who learned from experience.

1. WINDOW AS CANVAS If you don’t mind wiping the windows, let the kids use dry-erase markers to color pictures. My kids love to play tic-tac-toe. A baby wipe clears it up fast — makes the kids great travelers. — allkellyp

2. FOR VERY YOUNG ONES This is how we survived a long car trip with our 4-year-old son and high-energy toddler daughter:
* We picked up two clipboards at the dollar store to draw on. We tore pages out of coloring books and brought plain white paper. I let them use crayons - not as messy as markers.
* I brought along some favorite lost and forgotten figurines I’d dug out of the bottom of the toy box. It was fun and quiet. — mufasasmistress

3. TAPES & ZIPLOCS We have had success with lap desks for coloring, individual snacks for each child packed in their own Ziploc snack bags, and lots of sing-along tapes. — Rebekah

4. WIRED FOR PLAY We borrowed a small tv/vcr and hooked it up in our van so the kids could watch movies. They each brought headphones and tapes or CDs they liked. I got a couple of books on tape for my youngest that he really liked to listen to. The oldest brought cards that he played with whoever was sitting in the back with him at the time. I also packed a Frisbee, ball and gloves, and some bubbles in an easy-to-get-to place, so when we stopped at a rest area we could all get a little exercise. — Juanese

5. BOOKS & ACTIVITY BAGS First we make a trip to the library and each kid picks out a couple of books for the ride. Our two kids (8 & 10) each have an activity bag that straps onto the seat in front of them. They are stocked with their papers for drawing, activity books, and colored pencils (crayons melt in hot cars). We have a family activity bag with small magnetic games like checkers, Chinese checkers, etc. — heybambi

6. MODEL MAGIC We take a couple of packages of multi-colored pipe cleaners and several packages of Crayola Model Magic. I love Model Magic. It sticks to itself but not to the interior of the car or the kids’ clothes, it doesn’t blend unless the kids make it blend, the kids make their creations and we clean out the van each evening and then they start again. Any little crumbles can just be brushed out or vacuumed away. I used to distribute the pipe cleaners to avoid arguements but now they can handle it themselves and are quiet for long lengths of time. — Tammy

7. NIGHTTIME TRAVEL Even if it is a baby toy, kids have fun with ANYTHING that lights up. Our dollar store has neon glow bracelets and sticks (the kind you’d purchase at an amusement park or nighttime parade) that kids can connect and make bracelets or necklaces out of. Glow-in-the-dark star stickers are fun to get out too. Have them use their mini-flashlights on them to get them to shine. They can stick them above their seat in the car (if they are big enough), or you can have them do it before it gets dark when stopping for gasoline or something quick. — mufasasmistress

8. TRAVEL JOURNALS Our sons, now 9 and 6, have travel journals I started for them in a 3-prong folder. I print off info — state bird, state flag, state capital — on the states we will be vacationing in (and also driving through) from state Web sites. I also print out coloring pages from free Web sites on subjects having to do with those states (a moose for Maine, seashells for the beach). And to stop the dreaded “Are we there yet?” I print out a map of our route and highlight the roads, marking off the parts as we complete them. I then take all of the printables, add a few sheets of lined paper, and start each new section of the journal with “Our Trip to … Summer 2003.” Then the kids add what time we left, where we stopped, what we saw on the way, etc. They now have a collection of memories in one folder of all our trips. — msipley

9. TRAVEL BINGO I’ve seen auto bingo boards for sale, but I just make them myself and get the kids to help out. — terpntime

10. SMALL SURPRISES My sister, who used to travel a lot with her military family, prepared small gifts along the way to keep the children occupied. She would wrap them and tell her boys they would receive a gift if they were behaved until the next stop. — terpntime

11. CAR LICENSE GAME Play the car license game with them. Older kids can identify the states, and younger ones can look for the different oolors. — Emily

12. MAD LIBS We just finished a trip with a 6- and 8-year-old. The big hit of the trip was Mad Libs. The kids took turns filling in the answers and loved reading the funny stories. — 40sporty

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Traveling With Kids: Part II

Monday, November 6th, 2006

This is Post number 2 in a Series of 4. For Post I: Packing, please click here.

TRAVELING BY AIR

Ideas for making airborne travel less of a bumpy ride, from the FamilyFun message boards.

1. AIRPORT CARSEAT/STROLLER Traveling with a toddler and all the necessities can be overwhelming. It is hard to take both a carseat and a stroller, yet what do you do with the toddler, who is way too heavy to carry through a busy airport, along with the carseat? SOLUTION: I purchased a small metal luggage/package carrier, the kind that folds up with two wheels, and a package of bungee cords. I place the carseat on the metal fold-out piece of the carrier and SECURELY attach the carseat to the carrier with the bungee cords. I then place my toddler in the carseat and secure him in, as if he were going to ride in the car. I can pull the luggage carrier through the airport with carseat and toddler securely attached. After boarding the plane, I just fold up the carrier and place it in the overhead bin and place my little carseated guy in the plane seat. Sure beats dragging all the stuff around the airport and, most of all, carrying my heavy toddler. — flyingmom

2. PIPE CLEANERS We get lots of mileage out of a big bag of colorful pipe cleaners. Both my kids make different things out of them; the little one practices his colors and counting with them. Add some large beads and you’re set. We use them on planes mostly. The kids make things for the passengers and everyone seems happy. — becksh

3. EAR SAVERS For take-off and landing try to give a toddler a sippy cup or bottle or even pacifier. The sucking action works like chewing gum for older kids and adults. — Stay-at-Home Mom

4. SNACKS & QUIET TOYS Take along some of your child’s favorite snacks … Cheerios, graham crackers, small juice boxes … and lots of baby wipes. Keep small toys that are not very noisy available for the child to play with during the flight. If the flight time is during nap, try to keep that schedule. The doctor who delivered my son actually suggested a dose of Benadryl 2 hours before flight. (Realize that we were taking a 4 1/2-month-old from Illinois to Puerto Rico for our new duty station; my son flew 8 times before he was a year old!) — terpntime

5. TOYS BY THE HOUR I go to the dollar store for little things for them to play with, then wrap them up and give the kids their own backpacks with the presents inside. They can open one every hour. If you have a longish layover, find out if the airport has a playground (many do now). I also get toys for the airport (those little remote-control cars for $10, a ball that attaches to your wrist and comes back after you throw it, little $5 electronic games from WalMart, etc.) — Rebekah

6. STRETCHING ROOM If the flight isn’t crowded, be sure to ask for a seat assignment with an empty seat next to you so the child can sit there after take-off and have a little more room than just on your lap. If you purchased a ticket for the child, take the carseat along to use — he can see out the window better while on it. If not, be sure to send the seat through with the luggage so you will have it when you arrive. If you have a layover, let the child run, either in the airport or on the plane. Last trip several moms and tots stayed to run up and down the aisles as we waited the few minutes, and the stretch did them good. — Laura

7. SURPRISES & JUICE BOXES New toys that appear out of your bag do wonders. I went to the dollar store before my flight and stocked up for my 2-year-old. Don’t forget juice boxes — beverage service can be lacking! — Bazj30

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Traveling With Kids: Part I

Monday, November 6th, 2006

Traveling with children can be a challenge, particularly in the preparation and road/air travel phase. I will be posting a series of several posts today which includes Tips for Packing, Traveling By Air, Traveling On The Road, and Snack Ideas. These are brought to you courtesy of the Family Fun Message Boards.

Part I: Tips for Packing


PACKING

A little planning and organization can smooth the way, as these ideas from the FamilyFun message boards attest.

1. EXTRA BAG Make sure you pack a small empty duffle into one of your bigger suitcases for all of the souvenirs you’ll be bringing back. — A Stay-at-Home Mom

2. THREE-DAY BAG One difficulty traveling with a family making one-night stops is the luggage. If each person has his own suitcase, you end up taking ALL the baggage into the hotel each night. SOLUTION: Pack a “three-day bag,” into which each traveler contributes three days’ worth of clothes. This way you only have to take in ONE suitcase. Then, three days later, you take in a different suitcase! This works great for long road trips. And you can make “two-day bags” or whatever suits your needs. (Special note: I do not see this working for teenagers, but for my 2-year-olds and my neighbor’s 4-year-old and 3-year-old, it works out great!) — C_Ogg

3. BATHROOM BAG Our family has what we call our “Bathroom Bag,” an overnight case that we all use. We put things like toothbrushes, paste, shampoo, hairbrushes, makeup, medicine, etc., in Ziploc bags that go into the overnight case, which even has room for a hairdryer and curling iron, so my grandaughter was happy to stay with us this summer when we went to Disney — nothing had to be left behind. — katyfay

4. DON’T FORGET THE TABLECLOTH! Pack an outdoor tablecloth and clothespins. It folds easily and takes very little space in your luggage, plus it has many uses. If a motel has not-so-great blinds or curtains, clip the tablecloth over the window to block out the early-morning sunshine. It’s also nice to spread out on the floor in case the kids want to play and it isn’t too clean. Also, if you eat in the room, use it protect the furniture (or comforters) from spills and stains. — BAlieceHall

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Blog Carnival

Monday, November 6th, 2006

Check out the Carnival of Family Life, where this trip blog, Family Trip Deals, is featured!

Relax at Bodega Bay in California

Sunday, November 5th, 2006

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California is such a great location to go this time of year. The weather is still beautiful, and the tourist season is over. If you are looking for a great getaway to relax, take in a round of golf and let the children run on the beach, here is a great offer.

Located just over an hour north of San Francisco, the Bodega Bay Lodge and Spa offers the best of the Sonoma wine country and a coastal resort. This fall, stay at this oceanfront AAA 4-Diamond resort for just $129 per night, Sunday through Thursday. This offer is good until November 15. Weekends are just $20 more.

These rooms are regularly $230 per night, and on top of it, they’re also adding over $100 in extras:

* A deluxe room with an ocean view, private balcony and fireplace
* Complimentary bottle of wine at check-in
* 2 complimentary desserts at the Lodge’s award-winning Duck Club Restaurant (w/purchase of 2 entrees)
* 2-for-1 flight of wines at Gourmet Au Bay wine bar
* $15 OFF greens fees (reg. $45-$90) at the top-rated Bodega Harbour Golf Links, designed by Robert Trent Jones, Jr.
* 10% OFF horseback riding on the beach at Chanslor Ranch (2 person min.)

Blackout Dates: Nov. 3-4, 10-11

For more hotel information and to book:

Click here or call the Bodega Bay Lodge and Spa between 8:30AM and 5:30PM PST at 866-241-1496 and ask for the “Autumn Getaway.� You must book by Nov. 10.

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Chicago Travel with Family

Saturday, November 4th, 2006

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Have plans to do some Christmas shopping in Chicago and want to take the family along? Here are some family friendly ideas for things to do in Chicago!

(1) Take the family to one of the best aquariums in the world, Shedd Aquarium. Visit their website at www.sheddaquarium.com.

(2) Navy Pier has all types of shops, restaurants, special events and a giant ferris wheel. Be sure to check out their website at www.navypier.com for the special events schedule. It looks like Santa and Mrs. Claus will be making an arrival on November 25!

(3) Experience the pageantry, horsemanship and romance of the Middle Ages in a European-style castle. Feast on an four course meal that you eat entirely with your hands while you watch sword fights! Go to the Medieval Times website for more information and show times.

(4) Take a Haunted Tour of Chicago where mom and dad get a bit of history about the city and kids can learn of the ghost that spook the town! Visit the Chicago Hauntings website for more information and prices.

(5) Take a speedboat ride on the Chicago Lakefront. Departing from Navy Pier, the 30 minute ride is the best way to see Chicago from the lake. (and the coolest for the kids) Visit www.seadogcruises.com for more information!

(6) Make sure to check Bidding for Travel for the best prices to bid on priceline.com in Chicago. Get a luxury hotel room for next to nothing, especially for the weekend.

(7) Go to the Chicago Children’s Museum. They currently have an Alice in Wonderland and Gingerbread Fantasy Factory special exhibit. The first Monday of every month is free!

(8) Visit a skyscraper! Take the children up on the Sears Tower skydeck. Click here for more information and pricing. You can also try the Hancock Building Observatory.

(9) Finally, let the kids run and play for free. Find the nearest park to your area at the Chicago Park District’s website.

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Looking for Some Holiday Season Memories in the Midwest?

Saturday, November 4th, 2006

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Don’t bother to check with your local meteorologist for winter weather forecasts this year. At Great Wolf Lodge in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, weather prognosticating requires no advanced degree: Always 84 degrees in the indoor waterparks.

This prediction is especially appealing considering December marks the start of the annual holiday tradition, Snowland. The resort is transformed into a winter wonderland of magical decorations and activities, happy holiday gift-making in the Cub Club, and real snow in the Grand Lobby.

You can enjoy all of the following with the kids: Story Time with Rowdy the Reindeer, Secret Santa Station, Polar Bear Race, Holiday Carol Sing-Along, Santa’s Arrival & Tree-Lighting, Door Decorating Contest, Writing Depot, and the Grand Lobby Snow Show!

And, of course, time alone as a family.

This offer is valid from December 2 through December 26. The package includes:

Suites starting at $129
Four waterpark passes for your entire stay
Four passes to Wiley’s Woods

Use promo code SNOWLAND when booking.

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Get Bargain Alerts Sent To You!

Saturday, November 4th, 2006

Stay alert to the latest travel bargains!

To get updates sent to you on a bi-weekly basis of posts made to this website, please sign up for my email updates. On the right hand side of the screen, under the profile section, you can enter your email address. Just be sure to confirm the email sent to your inbox that you registered, and you will begin getting regular emails from this site!

Thanks for signing up!

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A Trip to Maui…and an iPod, too!

Friday, November 3rd, 2006

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Pleasant Holidays has just reduced a 3-night Maui vacation with air from Los Angeles or San Francisco to $449 per person. The first 50 online bookings will also receive a FREE iPod shuffle.

Airfare to Maui usually costs that much by itself. You must book by November 26.

This package includes:

- Roundtrip airfare on United Airlines from LAX or SFO
- Departures between January 8-March 5, usually one of the most expensive times to fly to Hawaii
- 3 nights at the ASTON Maui Lu Hotel
- Fresh flower lei greeting

You can also customize your vacation by adding additional nights or upgrading your hotel. The lowest prices are for Monday departures, but you can depart on any other day for slightly more.

Click here to link to Pleasant Holidays and offer details.

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About Family Trip Deals

Family Trip Deals offers advice on making traveling with your children easier and more economical. We research airline deals, vacation packages, kid-friendly vacations along with a healthy dose of personal experience to help you with your family adventures.

Family Trip Deals Author(s)

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