Country Roads - Take You Home on Your Next #Vacation

Have you ever wanted to go on a Road Trip?  Well it is not to late to start planning. a fantastic Vacation that will spark the interest of every family member.    Many people don't know where to start and this is where I can help you.

Get out an Atlas or your computer and plot out an area that you would love to explore.  It always help if you have some land marks, points of Interest, Lakes or National Park and Monuments.  The US is so filled with National Treasures that you will find a Nation Park in almost every state. Some people are taking trips and doing Genealogy and studying some family History.  There are lots of Road Trips that will allow you to do some Winery Tours, Cave or Caverns exploration, State or National Parks, checking out lighthouses.  What Interests YOU and just expand on it. 

One sample of a Great Road trip is to plan on attending a Family Reunion, but you can always include some sites of interest along the way.  To have a Great Road Trip there are just a few helpful hints.  Country Roads Take you home to where your Family Ancestors came from.  Secondary Roads offer a chance to get off those Freeways and start seeing what this country is all about.

Road Trips Tips:

1.  Rent a Car.  This will allow unlimited mileage and these vehicles are well maintained for less mechanical problems

2.  Get an updated Road Atlas, don't use a 20 year old Atlas as there will be some New Roads that have been created

3.  Drive a long distance on your first day of your trip,.  Most families aren't use to driving long hours, but if you do it mostly over a two day period then you will have more time to see the sites

4.  Always have your passport along with you.  You Can Not drive into Canada or Mexico without one.  You will be very disappointed if you are going along and then you find out for example that you would like to explore the back side of Glacier National Park, and you realize it is in CANADA. Be prepared to make some changes in your route.

5.  Hotels.  This is my best advise.  Be sure to know what discounts that you qualify for and when planning a route, estimate where you might need to stop for the night.  Call ahead around 12:00 noon - 2:00 pm.  Having an advanced reservation will allow you to get the best rate, plus you will find availability.  We found that when you are traveling across country and you come to a Large Cross Roads out in the middle of NO WHERE Hotels will be FULL.

6.  Cell Phones, First Aide Kits, extra Blankets and pillows.  If you have two drivers it is very helpful to have some comforts of home to get some sleep before you have another driving shift. (don't forget those chargers, Computers and traveling apps to help you get the driving times between Major Cities.

7.  Site Seeing is a personal thing so I will have to leave that up to your imagination.  We enjoy the National Parks as they provide learning experiences for the kids, magnificent beauty for the Camera Buffs and some amazing learning centers to become educated on wild life and wild flowers native to the area.

These are just a few tips I, as a Travel Agent would like to provide for that Road Trip that you put off until now.  Happy and Safe Travels.

Jeanne Felix, Travel Agent
Hearts on the Go Travel,
Division of Cordially Yours Travel
California registered Seller of Travel #1013939-40
http://www.travelatheart.com
http://www.facebook.com/travelagentjeannefelix

#Vacation Doesn't Mean You Have to #Travel Far - Enjoy Your Own Neighborhood - Enjoy NATIONAL PARK WEEK FREE

Lots of people spend so much time planning and saving money for a future Fascinating #Vacation to an Exotic Island or go visiting a new Country.  I have found some of best experiences of Traveling right here in my own State.  California offers so much beauty and you can go from the Pacific Ocean to the Beautiful Sierra Mount Destinations in a matter of hours.  Your own backyard can be a new playground.

Vacation is described as time away from the ordinary conditions, something new or refreshing to allow some personal time to regroup.  Recharging your love of life is a common feature of Vacation.  TAKE CHARGE OF YOUR LIFE AND VACATION NOW.  Take you favorite dog out for a walk in your neighborhood and get some fresh air and exercise.  Most people are active running from here to there without having a plan or direction.  Don't worry, it's not to late to Just Get Outside and Enjoy what there is to See.

I bet if you GOOGLE things to do in your own city or location you will discover "Lots of  New Things to Do, See and Explore. I know that this week there are plenty of things to do and experience in the National Parks around the USA.  Discover where you can visit by visiting the following website provided by the National Park Service  http://www.nps.gov/findapark/feefreeparks.htm  The National Parks offer so variety and family fun. Plan to visit a NATIONAL PARK THIS WEEK FREE.... April 22 - April 26, 2013.  Start planning and just do it.

I visit local lakes and city parks that are absolutely Free.  Please take some quality time with your favorite family and friends and just enjoy your own VACATION in Your Local NEIGHBORHOOD.  Visit the local Chamber of Commerce and find what is available in your own town or state to explore.  California has some great information that they provide visitors.Take advantage of the free maps that are available to you by just visiting the local Chamber of Commerce.

Time is Ticking and you still have time to make today tomorrow's memories.  Remember you build memories everyday and why not take some precious time out to #Vacation in Your Own Neighborhood.  Flowers, Creeks and Lakes await your visit and why not take advantage of the Great Weather.

WHAT IS THERE TO DO ON MY #VACATION? Explore, Picnics, National Parks just to start.

Wow I think lots of people ask this questions:  "What is there to do on my Vacation" .  My first thought is that we are talking about someone who hasn't traveled much and needs a little help to spark their imagination.   Take one day to gather you travel brochures and travel guides and then start hitting the road and take some qualifty Family Time with your Favorite Family.  The time you spend with your family and friends is so precious, make your vacation a memory worth remembering.  Plan, Explore, Enjoy and Repeat until you are smiling. 

First things first.  Determine where you are traveling and how you are getting around.  Example:  Just arriving in Maui or Kona Hawaii you will realize that you MUST RENT A CAR.  Your condo or hotel will be quite a distance from the airport.  Reminder, if you are staying at a RESORT there are shuttels, but not all resorts offer Supper Shuttels to their property.  If you have rented a car you are 1/2 way to choosing how to best get around an island.  Picking up reference books and local guides will be the other 1/2 way to see the island.

I let my clients know that there are many National Parks no matter where you travel in the USA.  The National Parks in Hawaii can be found at this following link  http://www.nps.gov/state/hi/list.htm?program=parks  Don't let your Vacation just be staying on the Hotel or Resort Property.  Get out and Explore to make the best of your vacation.  If you want to see what is happening in the Hawaiian Islands  If you are visiting the Hawaiian Island example Island of Hawaii "Big Island"  please check out this website:  http://www.gohawaii.com/big-island  You will be surprised how you will fill up your days of your vacation and wished you had booked at least 10 days to explore everything there is to see.

If you are exploring a foreign destination example Europe be sure to check travel advisories with US Department of State.   http://travel.state.gov/travel/travel_1744.html.  Don't forget you will need a passport and you can find the information regarding passports at the following site:  http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html  Make sure your passport is valid for at least 9 months after your return date of Travel.  This is my personal recommendation.  The Government requires that it be valid for 6 months after your return date.  Some countries require a Visa.  You can find all the A-Z's information about VISA's at the following website http://travel.state.gov/visa/visa_1750.html .

 

Enjoy Life As We Don't Get a Repeat Performance.