Family Trip Deals

A big THANK YOU

If you can’t travel today to do the typical Memorial Day things such as visiting family gravesites, you might want to take a look at findagrave.com to see if your family is there or to add them to the site. My daughter Abigail is there, and it’s a very interesting site to check out.

Have a wonderful Holiday, and thank you to those who have sacrificed so much.

memorial day, sacrifice, gravesites, find a grave

Next week I’m going to Utah to interview for a job teaching at a junior high there. I have decided to take my children with me and make it a mini vacation. Luckily I have friends in the area and the trip won’t cost much other than food or gas.

The trick is that I have a children ranging in age from 5 to 12 who will be traveling with me in my little Dodge Stratus. I am trying to figure out ideas to keep them entertained. Since space is at a premium, my ideas are as follows:

* Begin with a clean car so the children have the most room possible

* Take a small cooler that will fit under the feet of the youngest child. Fill it with partially frozen water bottles and healthy snacks such as grapes and frozen gogurts.

* Allow each child to take a small backpack filled with toys, coloring crayons, books and notebooks.

* Allow each child to take a small pillow and blanket

* In the trunk, pack a bag with an emergency kit including fix-a-flat, jumper cables, oil and a tool kit.

* In the trunk, pack a bag with 4 outfits for each kid, swimming suits, sunscreen and toiletries to last four days.

I am still trying to think of everything. I want the kids to get a realistic idea of what it would mean to move all the way down there so we know whether they can handle a trip back and forth to Montana at least once a month to spend time with their dad and grandparents.I also want it to be a fun little vacation for them to celebrate being out of school for the summer!

Happy Travels!

traveling with children, family vacation, Utah, Montana, Dodge Stratus

Vegas Summer Sale - 2 Nights on the Strip with Air from $221
Includes FREE extras and offers at select resorts - book by 5/28

Expedia.com     Fly to New Zealand + FREE Island Stop from $798 R/T
Add a stay in Fiji or the Cook Island at no extra charge
Air New Zealand     Hotel Deals in 40 Cities for Less Than $40/Night
Stay in Chicago, Las Vegas, Orange County, more
Priceline     $256 & up - London in Late Summer & Fall
Fly each way from 9 U.S. cities on top-rated airline
Virgin Atlantic Airways     Oceanview on 7-Night Alaska Summer Cruise - $599
Sail on an upscale ship over the Fourth of July holiday
America’s Vacation Center     $39 & up - New York Fares in Summer & Fall
Deals to/from top U.S., Mexico, and Caribbean cities
JetBlue Airways     $100 OFF 5-Night Disney World Vacations, Includes Air
Pick from over a dozen resorts and stay through summer
Orbitz.com     $99 Specials at 4 Upscale Maine Resorts
Up to 50% OFF stays through June - book by 5/25
Maine Spring Vacations     South of France Summer Vacation with Air - $1185
Visit three cities during the peak season - includes rental car
EuropeanDestinations.com     Car Rentals from $8/Day at Airport Locations
Valid at most major U.S. cities across the nation
CarRentals.com     $298* & up - Vail/Eagle, Colorado from 50+ Cities, R/T
Fly for less to this upscale destination through 11/14
American Airlines     $30 Gas Rebate on 2-Night Summer Bookings
Book a hotel stay and get a refund to your credit card
Hotels.com     Hawaii 1-Bedroom Condo Near Waikiki Beach - $139-$149
Includes full kitchen and sleeps up to five people
BookIt.com     $793 & up - Africa & Middle East Flights this Fall, R/T
Includes Cairo, Tel Aviv, Tangier, and Marrakesh
Iberia.com     Last Minute Weekend Hotel Deals from $59/Night
Choose from 4-star properties nationwide
Hotwire.com     Last Minute Summer Travel Deals to Hawaii from $199*
Fly to Honolulu, Kona, and Maui from West Coast cities
Aloha Airlines     Phoenix Resorts & Hotels from $51/Night
Renowned properties heavily discounted this off-season
Travelocity.com     Nagoya, Japan Fares from $370* Each Way
Fly from cities across the U.S. through summer
United Airlines     Memorial Weekend Deals and Getaways from $49
Discounts on hotel, vacation, cruise, packages, and more
SideStep     9-Night “Highlights of Asia” Vacation & Air - $1189
Stay three nights in Hong Kong, Singapore, and Bangkok
Escapes Unlimited    

Didn’t find the deal you were looking for? Visit our travel deals section for hundreds more airline, hotel, vacation, cruise, car rental, and ticket deals that are updated daily by our editors!

Round-Trip Flights From $83+
Ain’t no cure for the summertime blues? Yeah, right! A vacation is all you
need to get your summer on. Right now, major airlines are offering incredible
round-trip fares within the continental U.S. starting at just $83+. So take
your pick of cool deals to warm places today.

+Terms & Conditions:
Travel is valid through November 2, 2007. There is no minimum or maximum stay restriction. Fares require a 14-day advance purchase. Travel is valid on Tuesday’s and Wednesday’s. Tickets are nonrefundable and nontransferable. Changes to your ticket may be made if you meet the restrictions of the new fare and pay applicable fees plus any fare difference. Changes must be made before your flight departs. When you cancel your ticket prior to departure time, the ticket will be valid for one year from the date of issue on an unused ticket or one year from travel origination on a partially used ticket. If you do not cancel your flight before departure time, the ticket has no value. Fares do not include a $3.40 Federal Excise Tax which will be imposed on each flight segment in the passenger’s ticketed itinerary. A flight segment is defined as a takeoff and a landing. Fares do not include Passenger Facility Charge(s) of up to $18.00, depending on itinerary or September 11th Security Fee of up to $10 per round-trip. These taxes and fees are the responsibility of the passenger and must be paid at the time the ticket is purchased. Fares and rules are subject to change without notice. Seats are limited. Fares may not be available on all flights. Other restrictions may apply.

+some taxes & additional fees apply

May 28: Memorial Day is observed nationwide with parades and other events. The National Memorial Day Parade in Washington, D.C., is among the largest.

Seattle (WA), May 24–June 17: Seattle International Film Festival

Coming Soon
Chicago (IL), June 1–3: Chicago Gospel Music Festival; June 9–10: Ribfest Chicago

Honolulu (HI), June 11: King Kamehameha Day Celebration

New York City, June 9–10: Big Apple Barbecue Block Party in Madison Square Park; June 11: Taste of Times Square

Orlando (FL), June 1–24: Star Wars Weekends at Disney MGM Studios

San Antonio (TX), June 8–10: Texas Folklife Festival

San Francisco (CA), June 10: The Haight Ashbury Street Fair, one of the oldest street fairs in the United States

Steamboat Springs (CO), June 8–10: Yampa River Festival

Snowmass Village (CO), June 8–10: Chili Pepper and Brew Fest

Telluride (CO), June 2–3: Balloon Festival

Multiple venues in Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky; June 17–23: Coaster enthusiasts sample 22 rides in four parks as part of Coaster Con 30.

Washington (DC), thru June: Shakespeare in Washington

In the Headlines…
From Cheapflights.com’s daily travel news and other sources:

• Virgin America Airlines is approved to fly in U.S.
• Save now, save later with jetBlue $50 flight discount promotion
• AirTran discounts seats to/from three top markets
• United to cut capacity on domestic flights
• Seattle-Tacoma airport expands real-time flight information; adds mobile device notification
• American Airlines adds New York/JFK to
St. Kitts and Nevis service
• US Airways axes some Pittsburgh flights
• Disney to launch video-on-demand cable travel channel
• IRS scores higher than airlines in consumer satisfaction survey

The Lighter Side of Travel
• Fourth Amendment Luggage Tape Sends a Message to TSA Security Screeners
• Detailed Google Map Helps Visitors Navigate All of Disney World’s Attractions and More

Trip Planning & Destinations
• Low-Season Caribbean Getaways Offer Savings + Bonuses, Upgrades
• Rising Travel Costs Alter Summer Travel Plans
• Some Foreign Destinations Let You Stretch Your Travel Budget
• Empty Flight Cancellations: Urban Legend or Corporate Cost-Cutting Strategy?
• New Hawaiian Airlines Service Lets Travelers Jump-Start Trip With In-Flight Activities Bookings
• L.A. Crime Scene Tour Offers Glimpse Into City’s Dark Side
• Drink in Style at South Beach’s Hotel Bars
• ‘TV Land’ Getaways: How to Get Seats for Your Favorite Shows
• Air Quality in America’s National Parks Is Worsening

I get a weekly newsletter from a company called SideStep that advertises many travel vacation specials. I post some of them here, but thought I’d include the entire email today since all of the specials seemed so great!

Memorial Weekend Deals and Getaways from $49
Whether you’re looking to relax at the beach, head for the mountains, or visit a big city, we’ve found just the deals for you. More…

$98* & up - Summer Flights between 70+ Cities, R/T
Great fares to destinations throughout the U.S., book by 5/17
American Airlines

6-Night Ireland B&B Vacation with Air - $744
Choose from over 1700 properties all over the country
CIE Tours

Newest Las Vegas Strip Resort from $119/Night
Bonus: $40 resort credit, 20% OFF golf, 2-for-1 spa admission Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino

Mexico & Latin America Summer Fare Sale from $159
Mother’s month special valid through September - book by 5/31
Mexicana.com

Luxury Beachfront Hawaii Resort from $289 ($50 OFF)
Special seasonal rates at Oahu’s finest spa and golf resort
JW Marriott Ihilani Resort & Spa

$203* & up - Canada Flights thru August, R/T - book by 5/17
Visit Calgary, Halifax, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, Vancouver
American Airlines

Seattle on Sale - Stays at Top Hotels from $112/Night
Great deals for stays in the Pacific Northwest through 6/17
Hotels.com

$499* & up - Sydney on Sale from Across the U.S.
Visit Australia’s most popular city this summer for less
United Airlines

Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort - $86/Night (40% OFF)
Save on 4-star stays in the heart of Ocean Walk Village through May
DiscountHotels.com

Flights Throughout the U.S. from $83 R/T
Low fares to Chicago, San Diego, Florida, more
Travelocity.com

Top Palm Springs Resorts on Sale from $71/Night
Save 25% on 3+night stays - Includes city/celebrity tour
Expedia.com

Sale Extended! Summer Flights to London from $319
Includes two FREE hotel nights - book by 5/24
British Airways

$45 & Up - Discount Tickets to MAMMA MIA! in Las Vegas
SAVE $30 to the smash hit ABBA musical at Mandalay Bay
MAMMA MIA! in Las Vegas

Four Great Orlando Hotels: Advance Rates From $74
Get the best spring and summer rates with advanced purchase
Marriott

7-Night Upscale Caribbean Cruise over Thanksgiving - $759
Sail to Jamaica, Grand Cayman, Mexico - oceanview $100 more
America’s Vacation Center

$69 - All-Inclusive Cancun Resort Through Summer (50% OFF)
FREE oceanview upgrade and massages - kids stay and eat FREE
BookIt.com

Rentals Cars as Low as $13.95/Day
Deep discounts on weekday and weekend rentals
Hotwire.com

$39 & up - San Francisco Introductory Fares on Southwest
Fly each way across to destinations across the country
Southwest.com

Complete 8-Night Latin America Tour with Air - $1815
Explore four top cities in one affordable package
LatinDestinations.com

SideStep, Memorial Weekend, Las Vegas Strip, Resort, Star Wood, Hawaii Beach Resort, Uruguay, Buenos Aries, Argentina, San Francisco, cheap rental cars, Cancun Resort, Chicago, San Diego, Florida, Hilton Daytona Beach, Orlando, Marriott, Mandalay Bay, Nevada

There is a great book written by Tim Leffel titled: Make Your Travel Dollars Worth a Fortune: The Contrarian Traveler’s Guide to Getting More for Less. You can buy it on amazon.com, or perhaps even check it out at your local libary.

Book Description:

Not another collection of checklists or tips on coupons or promotions, this practical guide teaches travelers — novice or seasoned — how to take advantage of travel opportunities by avoiding the typical tourist mentality. Author Tim Leffel shows readers how to bypass the traps that drive up expenses and find the best value, whether as a young backpacker or a wealthy retiree. Drawing on his own extensive experience (including three yearlong trips around the globe as well as his experience as an industry insider), the author also covers what steps to take and what resources to use to save money on travel and how to travel better — or more often — on a smaller budget. A dozen other notable travel writers and subject matter experts contribute sidebars on specific ways to save.

Never hurts to be well-read and educated to prepare for your family vacation!

Tim Leffel, travel money, amazon.com, small budget, travel writer

This Summer, take the Family to the Caribbean or Mexico from $559*!

KIDS STAY & EAT FREE

At prices like these, everyone can enjoy a 5- or 7-night summer vacation at their favorite all inclusive resort. All packages include air, meals, drinks, activities, travel insurance, transfers & more!

Book By May 21! Availability is limited!

EXCLUSIVE SAVINGS

*All prices are per person, based on adult double occupancy.
All packages include airfare, hotel, meals, beverages, activities, gratuities, travel insurance & transfers.

See the site HERE to sign up!

Carribean, Mexico, cheap luxury vacation, family vacation

I got this in an email from my sister-in-law Barbara who is quite the traveling woman!

If you are ever on the Oregon Coast camping or know someone who is going, tell them Beverly Beach State Park is just beautiful! We were in section F and we had some sunshine…you walk under the freeway to the beach and there is a creek and walking trail all along one side of the campground. We had a family of raccoons visit us and some squirrels…I was sitting in our 2 seater folding chair that has a drink holder in the middle and i heard this scritching sound and this little squirrel climbed up on the drink holder and looked at me…he was less than 6″ from my hand! So we fed him peanuts all weekend… We barbecued a tuna we bought on the wharf.

She said that the taste of tuna barbecued fresh is amazing and not at all what landlocked folks such as myself have ever tasted. I looked at some pictures of the place in question (one of which is posted above), and it truly looks like a small paradise.

Enjoy!

Beverly Beach State Park, Oregon, camping, barbecued tuna, wharf, family travel

Please, folks, don’t drug your kids before traveling with them. There are a lot of tips out there, some of which are on this site, and it’s not necessary! Don’t get them in the “habit”, so to speak, of needing to be drugged to handle anything stressful!

Thanks!

benedryl, family travel, drugging kids, stress, bad habits

 

Make More Dreams Come True™

FloridaKiss.com

#1 Dream Homes Rent a home with a pool for less! BEST HOMES – BEST PRICES – BEST SERVICE! The closest vacation homes to Disney! Call today! 407-396-2233
All Florida Villas Great family vacation time in a home-from-home villa. Extra special rates for our 3- to 6-bedroom pool homes are a value for your money. 866-203-2840
All Star Vacation Homes Free rental car or $100 worth of gas or grocery gift cards with a 7-night stay in a private pool vacation home. 800-326-8614
Barefoot’n in The Keys It’s all about the Fun. Kids stay for free. Fully furnished condos with kitchens, near Disney. Call today. KISS rates from $59 plus tax per night. 800-634-3119
The Villas at Seven Dwarfs Lane New town homes resort, 5 miles to Disney. 2, 3, and 4 bedrooms for the price of a hotel room - from $109 a night. 800-527-2262
VIP Management Group, Inc. 20% discount off our 2007 nightly rates with mention of this ad. 407-870-2242
Walt Disney World Good Neighbor® Hotels Stay in a Kissimmee area Walt Disney World Good Neighbor® Hotel with special package rates that include hotel accommodations and Disney theme park tickets! 407-WDW-7777
Wet ‘n Wild - Orlando Experience more multi-passenger tube rides than any other waterpark in Orlando at Wet ‘n Wild, voted America’s #1 waterpark! Save $2 off admission when you present this coupon. PLU # 913. 407-351-1800
Dollar Rent A Car Check out our great specials, starting at just $19 a day or $133 a week for an Economy car.  Expires 6/19/07.  We have an award-winning fleet of Chrysler vehicles.  Check out all of our specials!
Request your new 2007 Book of Dreams vacation planner!

 

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(1925 E. Irlo Bronson Memorial Hwy., Kissimmee, FL 34744). All rights reserved.

For questions, technical or otherwise, please contact us
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Totem Bight

If you’re visiting Ketchikan in southeastern Alaska, a region rich in Native American heritage and home to the world’s largest collection of totem poles, be sure to stop by Totem Bight State Historical Park. The park has 15 restored totem poles and an elaborately painted clan house. Interpretive signs explain the meaning and symbolism of the poles as you tour the park. Admission is free.

(Photo: Grant Dougall, iStockphoto)

Grant Dougal, Alaska, Native American, totem pole, clan house, Ketchikan, Southereastern Alaska

Sinkyone Wilderness

Along the coast of Northern California, the Pacific Coast Highway swings inland for a bit in between Fort Bragg and Eureka, leaving a substantial swath of shoreline unseen by most coastal travelers. This “Lost Coast,” of which Sinkyone Wilderness State Park is a part, promises visitors who arrive by back roads a chance to experience the kind of untamed beaches and uninhabited land that have long since disappeared from much of California’s coast. Camping in the park is $10 per night at first-come, first-served sites, or $3 per night in the backcountry.

(Photo: Marvin Sperlin, iStockphoto)

Northern California, Pacific Coast Highway, Fort Bragg, Eureka, Lost Coast, Sinkyone Wilderness State Park, Camping