Rules of the Road with Kids Aboard

Make it your child's vacation. Plan around their schedule. Adults usually like doing kids things more than kids like doing adult things.

Plan with your child, from the vacation idea itself, to transportation, route, restaurants, hotel, and so forth.

Your normal routine, while traveling, is probably going to have to get altered a bit. Everyone needs some down time, nap time, and quiet time. In fact, if you can keep the times very similar to your normal ones at home, you'd be much better off.

Give your child responsibilities during the trip and the drive there. He can research the area, as well as help with map directions and reading.

Ask the hotel, or look through the information you can find about the hotel, about the accommodations, dining, and special children's services.

Bring along familiar items from home such as a child's blanket, a nightlight, or a stuffed animal. In fact, it's best if your child could decide on what to take that he really wants.

Build anticipation and excitement, prepare the kids by announcing a special point of interest in the near future, or a special restaurant where you will have supper.

Interesting tips for when traveling: rotate seats every so often, always wear seatbelts (even when not mandatory), inform everyone of your plans and changes to them, make and try to stick to a driving schedule.

Before you go you can also: Make your own passports, postcards, or even a travel certificate for each child.

Take along a box or backpack with some goodies and toys for the kids. Include inside such things as: maps/guidebooks, stationary/postcards, disposable camera/film, timer for games, stickers, pens/crayons, photo album, notebooks, paper, glue sticks, washable markers, dice, books or sing-along music on tape or cd, brainteaser books, pillow, sunglasses, hat, favourite toy or stuffed animal, hole punch for postcards, travel alarm clock, sweatshirt, first-aid kit.

On long car rides, the whole family can participate in license plate games, such as spelling words in found plates, or license plate bingo.

An old car ride game is "Next!" Everyone looks straight ahead, and guess the colour of the next vehicle to pass, as well as the style of vehicle (motorcycle, bus, truck, convertible). for each correct answer, you get 1 point for colour, and 3 points for style.

Tongue twisters, which have to probably be written down in the first place, are also great ideas for fun and laughs.

Games you can play on paper including paper versions of such classics like Battleship, word search, Scrabble, connect the dots, finish the drawing (draw a line first, then finish it into whatever that line reminds you of).

You can keep a journal, either daily on paper, a recorded one on tape, one with photographs, drawings, or postcards, one with souvenirs or samples such as leaves, or even an interesting video diary.

Exercising while traveling, or while at the rest stops or overnight stays, is a very important thing to do. You can play games with jumpropes, sidewalk chalk games or drawings, and stretching and moving around your various body parts.

Of course, if you decide to rent a car or hotel room, make sure to do that first at www.kingarthur.myttn.com where you can get some of the best rates available online!

Year-round Family Fun at Ski Resorts

Ski slopes and resorts have such beautiful and varied facilities that they make excellent family vacations in spring, summer, autumn, and winter.

When the powder has melted and the temperature risen, many ski resorts gear up for their second season. The fact that more ski areas are keeping their doors open in summer and autumn means that you can book a chalet or lodge at very reasonable rates and participate in a wide range of warm-weather, outdoor activities. You'll also find organized children's activities, health clubs, golf and tennis programs, hiking, river rafting, and even outdoor concerts for a 20 to 50% discount from winter rates!

These same resorts also cater to families when the snow is falling, but at higher rates. Steamboat, Colorado, however, often lets children 12 and under ski, sleep, and rent equipment free of charge, with one paying adult. At Purgatory, Colorado, kids 12 and under ski free with parents any day of the week. At Okemo Mountain Ski Resort in Ludlow, Vermont, kids 12 and under stay free in a condo, and those 6 and under also ski free!

For more ski location ideas, go on over to www.kingarthur.myttn.com today!

Kids on Board, Part G

As if you don't have enough ideas for games during a long auto drive, here are a few more:

Going global. Get a compilation of music from around the world and play a little from each country. Perhaps everyone can guess where the song is from.

Leave it to Mother Nature. There are some very pleasant, calming nature recordings available. Try that for a short time instead of music. It should bring at least a couple moments of quiet and sanity back to the car!

Before the trip, you can create a countdown calendar. Or during the trip, you can have locations and time times you expect to be there, maybe even on a map.

What's in common? Think of two things that have something in common and announce the two chosen items. The others take guesses at what the object is.

For the other car ride game ideas, check out my previous Kids on Board sections. And for travel ideas, check out www.kingarthur.myttn.com where you can even find car rental rates that are less than many others I've seen!

Kids on Board, Part F

J-Day. Choose a letter and tell all the names you can that begin with that letter. For an added twist, use animals or foods that begin with that letter.

Double your fun. Search road signs and license plates with double letters. For each sign or plate you see, you get a point.

Name that colour. Name a crayon colour, then go around the car riders and make the name interesting, such as candy apple red or ocean blue.

Relatively speaking. Choose one word and keep it a secret. Alternatively, write out various words individually on slips of paper and randomly choose a paper. Tell your carpoolers five words that are related to you secret word. For example, for "chocolate" you could say "brown, sticky, candy, bar, and melts". The first played to guess your word gets to choose the next word. You could give each person a guess after each clue, if you want.

Word of the week. Each day in the car, choose a word that nobody else knows and tell what it means. Go around the car giving a sentence with that new word.

Name that tune. You can give clues, point values, progressively harder songs, and a speed round even!

Sound machine. Making silly noises is something kids often greatly enjoy doing. Sing a song using only a certain noise, not words. Everyone will surely be laughing!

A grand band. Make a sound-making instrument to play int he car, or use something simple like your lips, hands, or fingers.

While I work on the last, and final, part of this series, why not get some great travel ideas, and deals, over at www.kingarthur.myttn.com today?

Kids on Board, Part E

I Spy is a perfect game for all in the car to play. You can even make it more difficult by picking things like cats, balloons, and such.

I Know a Hero. Kids have many heroes, both real and fictional. One child begins with "I have a hero who..." then describes something about that hero. Everyone takes a turn guessing. Whoever gets it right gets to choose the next hero.

Paper Bag Presto. Hide an item in a paper bag and pass it around. Each person tries to guess what it is by shaking it and feeling it through the bag. Use tricky items like soap or a ball of yarn at times.

Mystery Box. Take a box filled with something special and tie it closed. Pass it around to each person who gets to ask one question about it. If he knows what the item is, he wins. Otherwise the game stops until either another trip, or a certain length of time has passed.

Scrambled Town. Have the kids rearrange the letters in the name of a street, town, building, river, or other landmark. The one who uses the most letters wins.

Tongue twisters are also great fun for kids of all ages. Perhaps they can even make up their own!

For more game ideas, stay tuned.

For travel ideas, go on over to www.kingarthur.myttn.com today!

Kids on Board, Part D

Lucky Numbers. Each person gets a number. The goal is to find the license plates without your number on it. If your number is 5, then any plate without a 5 gets you a point. The person with the most points at the end is the winner.

Birthday Bingo. Everybody loves his birthday, and this game focuses on that date. Each person gets their birthday in numbers, either 1-7-86 or 01-07-86. Search on license plates for those digits or combinations of digits in order. Whoever finds their correct numerical birthday wins.

10 Points. Find license plates that add up to ten. If you do, you score 10 points. The person with the most number of points at the end wins!

Who or What Am I? choose a person or a thing. Give one hint, and have one person guess. Give another hint, and have a second person guess. Once someone guesses, start with a different person and the winner gets to choose the person and give the hints.

There are so many more ideas I've discovered coming up. Perhaps you can think of some more. And while you're creating the games, why not be sure to rent that car and hotel over at www.kingarthur.myttn.com today!

Kids on Board, Part C

My own map. At home, give kids paper and pencil to draw out a map of your route, adding street signs and landmarks as they come to them. They can compare their maps with a real one that you brought along too.

True friends. Talk about what a true friend really is. Imagine the greatest friend on earth. What do real friends do for you? How do they help you? How can you be a true friend to others? Tell what you can do with your friends. Who is your best friend and why?

Quotation of the day. Bring along a copy of a quotation book. Every day read a quotation or two and discuss what it means and how it applies to each person. Search for quotations at home and in school and discuss those too.

I see, you see. One person says what he sees. The next person says what he sees. They go back and forth quickly, but cannot repeat anything that has been said already.

20 questions. Or Animal, vegetable, mineral. It's always interesting!

All grown up. Imagine what it would be like if you were all grown up. What would be your occupation? Where would you live? What kind of family would you have? What kind of clothes would you wear to work? What would you like as birthday presents?

Repeat after me. Say a sequence of numbers or words (related or not) that are out of order. Each person repeats the sequence back to you and scores a point each time it's right. Then you continue by adding on more and more to the sequence.

Road sign addition. Add up the numbers on a road sign that you see. Find out which person has the highest-totaling numbers.

I can't wait to type up more ideas for traveling in cars with kids. Of course, many of these events can be done in trains, planes, and boats as well. And you can book all of them at www.kingarthur.myttn.com today!

Kids on Board, Part B

As I just finished watching Game 6 of the World Series, I found it interesting that my next suggestion for keeping kinds entertained during car trips is called Doubles and Triples. You have to keep your eyes on the ball, or specifically the license plates. Look for plates that include double or triple letters or numbers, such as AAA123 or AGU111. Whenever you see a set of matching letters or numbers, you score a point for each letter. You can also look for plates that have consecutive letters or numbers, again like AAA123 or now let's try ABC930.

One things that all children have with them is their imaginations. Challenging children's imaginations teaches them to solve problems, create exciting solutions, and ultimately entertain themselves.

Time flies. Time flies when you're having fun, so put your children's minds to work and decide what would happen if time really could fly. Give each child a chance to decide what they would like to go in slow motion, fast forward, and pause. To when would they go backwards in time, and to when would they go forwards?

My favourite things. Each passenger, or child, gets to take turns naming his favourite person, food, thing to do, clothes, toy, and so on. Explain why that is your favourite. This should get everyone excited enough, and may even last the entire length of your trip!

I'm special because. Build everyone's self-confidence and awareness of their special qualities by giving each person a chance to say something that is special about themselves and special about someone else.

Making up jokes and punchlines is always fun, and kids think mostly everything is funny.

Best friends. Each person gets to tell who he would like to have as a best friend and why.

As if that wasn't enough to whet your appetite for family travel, you might want to consider booking that rental car and hotel over at www.kingarthur.myttn.com today! And the kids can help!

Kids on Board, Part A

Are we there yet? How much farther do we have to go? I'm tired of sitting in the car. I'm hungry. When are we going to be there? Are we there yet?

No matter how old your children are, once they're in the car, they all will want to know "Are we there yet?"

There are positive things you can do to teach a child how to travel in a car successfully.

Quiet on the set! Pretend you're filming a movie about a carpool, and everyone is a star. Let everyone talk, and then you say, "Quiet on the set!" and everyone gets silent. Being silent will become a habit, don't complain!

Chain gang. Make a paper chain before your trip and have your child remove a ring after every so many minutes. Alternatively, give them strips of paper and have them make the paper chain. When you arrive, your child can count how long it took by the number of chains attached or removed.

Knock, knock. They're always fun to make up, and remember ones you've heard before.

A to Z, What do you see? Search for something that starts with the next letter of the alphabet.

There are lots more ideas, alphabetical or otherwise. And there are lots of cars that you can rent, and hotels at which you can stay, over at www.kingarthur.myttn.com !

How to Have the Best Time, and Make Sure Others Have the Best Time, on a Cruise (Cruise Etiquette)

On my last cruise, Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas, I wrote down such a detailed evaluation that I was able to give RC Corporate my comments on each event and activity in which I participated. What I seem to have neglected, however, is to get everyone's name, and maybe country/state, which would help the company know about whom I was writing.

First things first. There are a LOT of people onboard. You just have to accept that there are crowds and masses of people all over the place at times. Some events are more popular than others, and some are actually less popular and less crowded. One of the first things you'll notice is when you go to your first evening meal in the main dining room. You will probably be sitting with some strangers. You might not be able to move to another table, so you will have to get used to that. And, most likely, you will develop a nice friendship with your table mates. You can talk about the events you did that day, and those that you are planning that night. You can talk about the food and certain places to see onboard and on land. It will help a lot of people if you were to be nice to your table mates and include them in many of your conversations.

Another point which I noticed on this last cruise was that many people took videos and flash photographs of performances. For safety(flashes can temporarily blind dancers) and copyright(infringement) reasons, you really aren't supposed to. And sometimes you would end up getting in people's way to photograph something, too. And, if you can't see the show, there isn't much point of going. Is there?

Since there are so many people in certain places at certain times, you really have to be aware of your surroundings. Don't block passageways or push people over to get by. And when you see someone, such as in the elevator, at least smile and say, "Hello," which is the the most basic, common, and internationally well-known form of normal, human courtesy.

There are so many events onboard, you really should take advantage of as many as you can. Granted, some do start at 7am, such as stretching class in the gym, but many of them are so fulfilling and rewarding. And you will get to meet even more of your fellow passengers and wonderful crew and staff members. But only if you go. And, if you do go to that stretching class, you might actually return for, besides the usual workouts, some wonderful, and highly educational seminars there too.

And don't forget that many cruise ships are sailing on Sundays, which means they just might offer a religious service or recorded video sermon. That will fulfill you too.

If you're going to a show, don't arrive late. Some of the shows are only 15-30 minutes long to begin with. And certainly don't stand around in the aisles or rows when you do go in, especially late because it’s impossible to see through people.

There are so many musical events, groups, and performances all over the ship, you will have to find at least one style or group that you prefer. And make sure to frequent them and report in your evaluations that you enjoyed them so much. In fact, make sure to report all the good that you can remember in your evaluation. There really DO get read, and taken VERY seriously.

The Captain's Reception is always well-attended. Sometimes too well-attended. But it's nice to get to see the captain and officers and to mingle with them, with the customary champagne in hand. Of course, you don't have to drink if you don't want to.

Note, despite news reports of violence and terrible natural events such as earthquakes and hurricanes, the ports are relatively safe and secure, and most likely not well-damaged. I wouldn't advise going off on your own, of course, but even a small group should be fine.

When the ship does stop in port, even if you've been there before, I still suggest getting off the boat and onto dry land, even if it's for only an hour or so. You can go to a nearby beach or browse the shops at port, and get a wonderful photograph of your ship there, too.

You can always come back onboard early, and there are events going on onboard even while in port. At one of my early returns in port, i opted for a line dance lesson, for example.

Even during events, especially many of the major performances onboard, you get the opportunity to observe things other than the actual performance. You can people-watch the audience before and after, which is often entertaining in itself. But during slow, or uninteresting, parts of the show itself, you can always focus on the very talents that created such amazing sets, scenery, props, and definitely the costumes. Many of them are absolutely amazing!

Of course, if you don't like something, you can always leave early and go to one event or group that you liked before. They do enjoy repeat customers! And you'll likely even end up making new friends with other regulars as well as the performers themselves.

Sometimes the port itself, of the nearby area, isn't all that great. You can always return back to the ship early, since they still have those events going on. And there is still lots of food, and this time lots of room and space, and almost no lines!

Have backup plans available, too. Sometimes events are cancelled for one reason or another, so you should always have some other event to go to, or you can just go back to your room. And order room service, why not?

As I continue to go through my comments, I always seemed to make suggestions on how something could have been made better. The cruise lines really do appreciate the extra help in making their cruises, and cruise events, even more successful. So, by all means, write down your constructive suggestions in your comments.

Despite cruise lines having the reputation of causing people to gain weight with all of that really good food, or usually really good food, there is no rule anywhere that you have to gain anything at all. In fact, this last time, I actually managed to lose a pound while onboard. There is probably a wonderful gym (which is incidentally quite full at the beginning, but quite empty at the end), a jogging track, dancing events, and other move-making activities onboard. If nothing more, with all of the motion of the ocean going on, you will at least be able to work on your balance as you walk from the bow all the way back to the stern.

Of course, you don't always have to stay active either. You can just sit down and watch some really good shows and performances as well. I stress the term "sit down" because, for some reason, some people like to arrive late to a 15-minute special performance and stand in the aisles and rows.

Another tip I learned from cruising is that you really do want to get involved. You can interact with your fellow passengers, of course, but have fun and interact with the staff and crew as well. They work incredibly long and hard, and a friendly smile will really help them.

While you are being spoiled, sometimes it's nice to take advantage of it all. Stay in your room for one of your meals, perhaps breakfast on the balcony. You can get room service any time of day or night, and before midnight it's free! And there are many other free options onboard, such as the traditional shuffleboard, which I believe should be played at least once per cruise to really keep the nostalgia going. Many ships even offer golfing, rock climbing, and some great pools and water slides. You can really take advantage of them all, plus have lots of time for ship photographs, if you return early from your port stay.

Keep working on your daily routine activities. The gym won't be open much longer! In fact, by the end of the cruise, it's almost empty, so there's really no reason to not go back there.

Another thing you might want to do is take photographs, videos (when allowed), and notes, especially for demonstrations and the like. There is an awful lot to remember sometimes! Incidentally, the notes are also great for remembering people and events which were either good or bad for when it comes time to comment.

And when it does come time to comment, please do it. Give as much detail, names and events, as possible for each comment. And don't be completely generic for everything. Surely everything wasn't excellent, nor was it all horrendous. You can even include suggestions for how to make things better. Or why you liked something or someone so much.

All in all, the most important point I can make about having a good time is just to do it. Enjoy yourself. Oh, and make sure to book it first, at the best cruise place online, www.kingarthur.myttn.com today!

Shopping in London

London is still one of the most lively shopping cities in the world. Within just a few minutes' walk, you can find both vast department stores, with glittering window displays, and tiny cluttered rooms where one customer fills almost the entire shop. All over London there are plenty of places tucked away down side streets, as well as markets for antiques, crafts, food, and clothing.

In central London, most shops open 9-10am and close 5-6pm, with some closing earlier on Saturdays. Those open until 7 or 8 is on Thursdays on Oxford Street and the West End, on Wednesdays in Knightsbridge and Chelsea, and every day in Covent Garden.

Most stores accept credit cards, but John Lewis and Marks & Spencer, as well as street vendors and small shops, do not. And traveler's checks are also accepted, but they would be worth more if they were in British sterling.

VAT, of value-added-tax of 17 1/2% is added to everything except books, food, and children's clothes. Fortunately for consumers, it's usually included in the price. Take your passport into the shop when you're shopping and fill out the form to have the VAT returned to you. You give a copy of it to Customs when you leave.

Biannual sales are in January/February and June/July when stores mark things down considerably. In fact, in world-famous Harrods Department Store, lines start forming outside well before the store even opens!

Harrods actually has 300 departments and around 4,000 on staff. The food hall is exquisite and famous for it. Harvey Nichols has designer brand high fashion, and its food hall is one of the most stylish in London.

So, now that you're familiar with London shopping, why not head on over to www.kingarthur.myttn.com and book a vacation to there!

Cruising on Your Own Boat, Part 4

What about cruising is unhealthy?

Outdoor life, vigorous lifestyle, freedom, ocean air, the beach, the sun and sunlight, fish, swimming, and cruising (at 7 miles per hour). Nothing bad in the bunch! With moderation regarding the sun, of course. Sure, you can get a cold, but the number of close contacts with the landlubbers is considerably less than in your typical office. Injury is the bigger risk. Make sure the hatch is open before coming up the stairway. Be extra cautious around the stove. Wear shoes on deck. And the biggest one? Hold on, hold on, hold on!

Watch the sun, though. Since you'll be on the water most of the time, there won't be much opportunity for shade, so get in the shade when you can, and definitely always keep up on your sunscreen and lip balm. Even wear long sleeves sometimes. They do make lightweight, breathable long sleeve shirts, you know. And long pants as well. Also, make sure to use whatever awnings you have onboard, as well. They will cast must more shade, which is why they're there in the first place! Another problem you might come across is windburn. To avoid that, make sure to frequently use moisturizer on your face.

Cruising on your own boat with children can be quite an adventure in itself. They have a tendency to dash to the rails, but you must protect them by tethering them with a well-fitting safety harness. Life jackets are best in tender boats, and when the water is especially rough. If you have small children, you should also fence the deck with secured netting, which will also keep in their toys.

Perhaps you are interesting in cruising on a larger boat. Well, let's get it first booked at www.kingarthur.myttn.com today!

Cruising on Your Own Boat, Part 3

Now you have to figure out what to take, and where to put it all in your seriously limited space.

If you're going to warm climates, your clothes would take up much less space, fortunately. You really should takes only clothes that are washable, wrinkle-free, not delicates. Cotton is good. with ventilation and all, but it can mildew and it doesn't wash well in salt water. Nylon is warm during the day, but great at night, and it's very washable. Polyester blends don't wrinkle or shrink so easily. Wool is very warm, but don't get it wet! Going barefoot on the ship, and on the beach, is quite popular, so you really don't need all that many shoes. Perhaps a pair with a rubber sole for when you're on the deck.

Only two pairs of sheets is really necessary, and only one set for guest bedding. You don't have to worry about special plastic dinnerware, either, because, as long as you keep your dishes secured, you shouldn't be breaking any of them. Stainless steel silverware is best for washing in salt water. And, certainly, you want to bring along a pressure cooker.

One thing you will have to get used to onboard is NOT hanging up most of your clothes. Their constant swinging in a closet would wear them out very quickly. However, for things you either must hang, or hide in a hanging position out of the way, please use only smooth plastic hangers only.

Fresh foods can be either canned or bottled ahead of time, or they can be prepared so they don't grow rotten too quickly. Some foods can also be dehydrated, or purchased in supermarkets already dehydrated.

For more ideas on cruising on your own boat, check back to some of my previous blogs. And for ideas on cruising on large cruise ships, and other vacation options, check out www.kingarthur.myttn.com

Cruising on Your Own Boat, Part 2

When a boat is underway, someone has to be responsible for getting the boat safely to the next destination. When to depart, what route to take, and what sails to set. Must pay attention to the weather, the boat's location, and avoid danger. You have to be decisive, not demanding. Anyways, if you go cruising, go as an equal and make the most of the experience.

Everyone's rights onboard: You have the right to sail on a safe boat. You have the right to essential equipment in working order. You have the right to expect the captain to be competent and knowledgeable. You have the right to sail on only tranquil seas. And you have the right to be dry, rested, and well-fed.

Space onboard is limited, but it can still be quite comfortable. Ventilation is one key issue for true boat comfort. You must have two ventilators, one for taking dry air in, and the other for pushing moist air out. Good lighting and shades/covers are also something that must be taken into serious consideration. Light colours really make the small space look considerably larger, and busy patters are torturous on the eye when the boat is in motion. For fabrics themselves, though, your best options are preshrunk cotton, synthetic, or a mix of synthetic and natural fibers.

And then there's the issue of water, actual drinkable fresh water. You'd be surprised what you can do with saltwater instead of fresh, though, such as toilet water and dish water. Footpumps for sink water, and handheld spickets for shower water, are both great options to look into. For hot water, you can heat some on the stove, the old-fashioned way, or using a deck-mounted day tank painted black and plumbed into the galley. You just have to refill it every other day. You can also catch some rain via catchments or route all of the deck water into the tanks.

To learn more about cruising, on a massive cruise liner, go on over to www.kingarthur.myttn.com

Cruising on Your Own Boat, Part 1

Rather than trying to make time, and get to a distant location hundreds of miles away, start off slowly to get your body used to the rhythm of the boat and it's incredible rocking. You don't have to rush to get anywhere, because you're already there, on your boat!

You will likely meet many other boaters on your trip, so make the most of it. And it makes the get togethers, although infrequent, a lot more interesting. You will probably meet all kinds of people from all over the world!

And, since you're on your own boat, you're also on your own time schedule. You can stay for just a few hours, or as long as a few months. You will need money only for food and souvenirs. Never for lodging, too!

As far as storms are concerned, well, it's all in a day's work. Take them seriously, sure, but don't let them worry you. Even the worst storm out there won't blow off the roof, or blow out your windows. Besides, the natural rain water will help to fill up your reserves!

And, once you get used to it, you will not so much mind the lack of electricity all the time. However, the hardest thing for people to get used to is the smaller-sized refrigerator. And the severe lack of space, but you're not on your own boat for spaciousness, you're on for adventure and to see various places!

And, definitely, never forget he sunscreen. You will probably be like most of the rest of the boaters eventually, and go inside at the hottest part of the day, anyways.

For physical dangers, most boating accidents are from alcohol, powerboats, or just plain stupidity. And not a whole lot of boats sink, either.

If you're in port, you're never alone. There are always people around who can help, or at least call for help, if you need it. Besides, boaters tend to be a lot friendlier than, say, the people down the street from you.

Cruising, especially on a sailboat, often makes you return home healthier than when you left. The air is also cleaner; swimming is excellent for your muscles; jogging is much harder on beaches; and there is no stress from traffic or your job!

What is there to do, though, when you get bored? With good weather, ports come alive with people all over the place socializing, shuffleboarding, sightseeing, and shopping. If you're staying onboard, you can read, listen to music, sunbathe, work on your crafts, bake, do artwork, study a specific interest, learn a foreign language, keep a journal, learn to play an instrument, and of course do boat maintenance.

Cruising on your own ship is quite an adventure, and I hope to continue sharing that adventure throughout the next few blogs. If you prefer cruising on the big liners, however, make sure to book it at www.kingarthur.myttn.com

Preventing Jet Lag

Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothes
Exercise and eat well before the flight
Sleep well before the flight
Before boarding, or just after, set your watch to the destination's time
Try to sleep on the plane if you are arriving before 2pm
Drink 8-12oz. water every hour during and after the flight
Walk around the plane cabin at least every other hour
Use earphones or earplugs to block out unwanted noises
If possible, eat on the plane at your destination's mealtimes
Help your body adapt by going to sleep at your local time
After arrival, get as much sunlight as possible
Eat a high-protein meal to stay awake, or a high-carbohydrate meal to sleep
Eat snacks throughout the day to adjust to the time change
Take a mid-day nap, no longer than an hour, if you need to
Don't drink much caffeine
Start your mornings with a nice walk, or low-impact exercise

Of course, you will need to book that multi-time zone flight first, and at www.kingarthur.myttn.com today!

Are We There Yet? Part V

Sometimes you need other alternative vacation ideas, especially if you are a single parent, or have an only child. Why not go on a vacation with another family? The kids can be off playing among themselves, and the parents can be off doing their own thing. (Which is why family cruising is so popular!) The issues that arise, though, is where do all the kids sleep? Perhaps in the same room if they behave, but in separate rooms if they tend to get too rambunctious. Also, you need to decide ahead of time who pays for what, if everything is split evenly down the middle, or what. Of course, you do want at least a little time alone with your own family, too.

If you decide to trek up the mountains for a family ski vacation, you might want to remember a few things. Let them perfect their own skills a little bit more each season and at their own pace. Skiing is sometimes rather expensive, so do take advantage of ski lessons, and perhaps consider a smaller skiing destination or lodge. Of course, check if there are any family rates available.

Perhaps you are opting for a theme park, maybe one with fuzzy characters. Certainly book a character breakfast (they're not cheap!) if your child wants to see and hug many of them. Of course, if your child doesn't want to hug any or gets scared, you shouldn't force him, either. They'll grow a little next year for it, perhaps. Can't force them to go on a certain ride, either. If you have more than one child, you might have to alternate between rides for each of them. Maybe you can even find one all 3 of you together could enjoy.

National parks have ranger-led hikes and discoveries for kids. The secret to enjoying a national park is to slow down and take it easy. There is no need, really, to rush. Book your vacations to the most popular national parks well in advance, a year ahead of time, if you can.

So, now that you know some great family travel ideas and tips, make sure to book that family vacation, or get ideas for future trips, at www.kingarthur.myttn.com today!

Are We There Yet? Part IV

Many families can't, or won't, stay home during holidays. Your family is expecting you, or your vacation lodging has been booked many months ago. And now you finally have time off work! One secret, which is probably the most obvious, but often the least followed, is to travel on days that AREN'T the peak travel days. Be prepared for delays and long waiting times. Kids, especially, need something to keep their little minds occupied for longer periods of time. You can even read books to them, or they can read to themselves or you! Now would also be a good time to tell stories of your childhood holiday events. And, please, don't have the kids wait all day for the main meal, but instead give them a snack a couple of house before the meal, which would probably end early for them so they can play before dessert.

Mixing work and play, especially with kids in tow, is never easy, but it's sometimes necessary. Actually, business trips are often quite good for the kids. They get to see their parents in different lights, and get to see and sometimes participate in the adult world, which is itself a big deal to them. Of course, you would have to make sure that your children are able to attend. Perhaps one parent would be able to sit with them while the other goes to a meeting, or you and your spouse can share babysitting while the other does a part of the reception. Alternatively, you can always bring along a sitter, or use the hotel's children's facilities and sitting services if they are offered.

Traveling as a single parent, or as the only parent with your child, is often an event of its own caliber. These such travelings often produce a stronger bond between the two of you. Also, make sure your child does keep in contact with the other parent, so your child doesn't feel guilty about having a good time.

Traveling as a step-family is another story altogether. You have to figure out who stays in what bed/room with whom. You also have to make time for the child to spend with his natural parent. Try new activities and visit new places as a group, and sometimes go back to the usual activities as the separated parts of the family.

There are lots more to talk about when it comes with traveling with your family. Keep your eyes posted for the next issue. While you're waiting, though, head on over to www.kingarthur.myttn.com to get some great family vacation ideas!

Are We There Yet? Part III

By now, you must be quite excited about traveling with the family. Bear with me as I have come across a few more great ideas from Eileen Ogintz's book "Are We There Yet?"

Traveling with toddlers can be an adventure in itself for everyone. You just need to slow down (at times when they're not running off), and see things from their perspective, instead of expecting them to see everything from your, adult, perspective. They need a lot of time to play, and often it's the same ride or toy over and over and over again. And especially keep an eye on them around the hotel pool at all times!

Disabled travelers can take comfort in knowing that numerous places are now very accessible and that they can often travel in the best of style.

Don't let rain ruin your vacation by not having a plan that you are forced to stick to. Be open to sudden, unexpected surprises during your entire itinerary. Bring along some cards or games for the family to play at down times. You can always do indoor events like the malls, restaurants, and arcades. And teenagers, well, they usually end up doing whatever they want, anyways. Who knows? They might want to hang around with the family now that they're on vacation!

Why do kids, and also adults, get sick on vacation? It's often because they don't get enough sleep, eat the proper foods, breath clean air (airplane culprits), or stay away from people who insist on traveling while still ill or have colds. Of course, they can also get hurt or cut, too. Check with your hotel if there are local hospitals or emergency rooms, if an incident arises. Make sure to take all of your, and your children's medicines with you, as well as their related generic prescriptions just in case. If you or your child has a special condition, such as asthma, before your trip, try to find a specialist in your vacation area, just in case. Babies aren't best in the Caribbean, because of the possibility that their young bodies might not be strong enough to fight the tropical diseases, or weather conditions. Everyone needs to drink a lot of water in the Caribbean!

It only gets better. Keep on the lookout for more great family travel tips! And make sure to book that family vacation only at www.kingarthur.myttn.com today!

Are We There Yet? Part II

When traveling with children, especially during meal times, you must remember that kids usually don't care about "atmosphere/ambiance" as much as they care for their food served quickly and in a familiar fashion. And, when they're done, they would prefer to get up and leave instead of sticking around for a pianist's entertainment or a floor show. What to do. Well, you can have a picnic, cook in your own room if it's permitted, or even have a sitter for your younger kids while you take the older ones out for a more formal dinner.

Now that you're filled up, another thing to consider is educational travel. You can take your children out of school for your family vacation, especially if you bring along their homework, which had better get done now what all of that extra time and that relaxed attitude. Travel, itself, is educational. Journal writing, postcard sorting, math (souvenirs and restaurants), geography (maps), children's, art, history, and science museums, and zoos are all wonderful things to do and places to see that could be education for your children. For the whole family, really.

Now I've arrived at the part of the book entitled "Stresses and Strains." The first part, and what a strain it is, is about traveling while pregnant. You can do mostly anything up to about your sixth month, but you still have to plan your vacation very carefully. You will certainly require more rest/free time and a more relaxed-paced schedule. Take along some extra pillows, especially for those terribly uncomfortable seats you'll almost surely encounter. By the way, some cruise lines and airlines might not let you board if you are over six months pregnant.

Taking the baby, post-pregnancy, is another story, however. Just remember that traveling with an infant isn't like traveling with your new spouse. Taking your parent to babysit the child isn't always a given, either, remember. They do have lives of their own, too. Here's something I never knew: pediatricians recommend NOT using sunscreen on children under 6 months, just shade. Also, it's best to have a suite or connecting rooms, because a small, quaint inn or bed and breakfast room will not give the baby enough room quietness to nap.

It's quite an event to travel, and even more so with children, but it's always rewarding in one way or another!

So, when you're ready to book that vacation, pre- or post-baby, make sure to do it at www.kingarthur.myttn.com first!

Are We There Yet? Part I

I've found this great book from Eileen Ogintz, and I just had to share some of the great ideas I got from it!

Some people book their next vacation, which is a repeat of the current one, while they are still on their vacation. It's always great to plan as far ahead as possible. You can even involve the kids by having them send away for the information, as well as help plan out the map directions, hotels, and restaurants.

Your kids can help you pack, or at least pick out the clothes, by putting them and their toys and whatnots on their bed or in a box from which you would transfer them to their suitcases. Then they can't complain about what they're taking! And, while you're thinking about clothes, make sure to have laundry facilities nearby your hotel or room. Travel toys and games, travel books, and travel bags are all necessities when traveling with the children.

Surprise items, wrapped or unwrapped, in a grab bag sort of thing, is a great diversion now and then from the long monotony of a long drive, flight, or trek. Always include, outside of the grab bag, water bottles, and snacks that aren't sticky or sugary, although lollipops are good options, especially when used as silencers!

Airplanes are certainly really good places to have snacks, grab bags, books, and other things I've mentioned. And, especially if you have younger kids, bring a change of clothes in their carry on in case they spill something. And, believe it or not, many kids do fly alone. They usually sit near the front with their toys and the staff look after them, and often the adults around even play games with them too. Younger kids can't make connections, and all kids must have someone meet them at the arrival airport.

42 Cruise Port Options

1-Antigua
2-Argentina
3-Aruba
4-Bahamas
5-Bahrain
6-Barbados
7-Belize
8-Bonaire
9-Brazil
10-British Virgin Islands
11-Cayman Islands
12-China
13-Columbia
14-Costa Rica
15-Curacao
16-Cyprus
17-Dominica
18-Dominican Republic
19-Egypt
20-Florida
21-Greece
22-Grenada
23-Haiti, private area
24-Honduras
25-Jamaica
26-Malaysia
27-Malta
28-Mexico
29-New Zealand
30-Oman
31-Panama
32-Puerto Rico
33-St. Kitts
34-St. Lucia
35-St. Thomas
36-St. Maarten
37-Thailand
38-Tunisia
39-United Arab Emirates, Dubai
40-Uruguay
41-Venezuela
42-Vietnam

With so many amazing options, why not book that cruise right now at www.kingarthur.myttn.com? You'll be glad you did!

Family Travel Hints, Part E

Another important part of your family vacation is one that is often neglected or forgotten. You really should plan for at least one religious activity somewhere in your itinerary. You could attend a religious service, have a family devotional time, pray, and listen to sermon recordings and/or religious music.

Each person in the group should also have his own watch, so that someone is always keeping an eye on the clock. You would need to know when to leave, return, and when to meet up at a designated location.

A personal trip diary or scrapbook is another think you should consider for each child. Included could be daily entries, sketches and doodles, or a collection of shells, rocks, and even postcards.

Every vacation can be a complete learning experience. Before you leave, you can research the location, such as its history and people. During it, you can visit tourist information centers, and local people, vendors, and workers. After it, you can read up some of the materials you've collected during that exciting vacation.

Here's another little thought that never occurred to me. Why not take a friend of your child's along? Especially if your child is an only child, or if there is a great difference between ages of your children. Perhaps your child's usual babysitter or nanny would be a welcome, and sometimes necessary, guest.

When you return from the trip, or at the end of the day when you review the day's events, let your child take the lead in the conversation sometimes. In fact, some things children consider important or memorable are parts you just might have forgotten or thought of as unimportant.

There is so much to do before, during, and after a vacation with your family. I hope these past 5 entries really gave you some ideas. I'm already starting to use some in planning my next one. And I'll be doing that planning over at www.kingarthur.myttn.com !

Family Travel Hints, Part D

As your family travels together, it might be interesting to talk about famous travelers or traveling events, such as Columbus, or the Apollo missions. Read up on them before the trip, or have the kids read about them beforehand. You can also follow, talk about, or research famous routes, such as the infamous Route 66. Perhaps you can even take a new form of transportation, such as a riverboat or train.

Also, when you're traveling, sit in different seats each time, so you get a different view, perspective, and in the case of front passenger seating, the assignment of looking at the map and for road and exit signs.

Map reading and giving and receiving directions is very important when traveling, as well. If you have the directions written out, someone in the back seat can say it while someone else in the back can read the map while the front passenger can look for the signs.

Sometimes things get broken or cracked during vacations, so it's best to take with you a repair kit that could include: glue, spot remover, shoelaces, sewing kit, tape, Swiss Army knife (only in your checked baggage, of course), compass, extra keys, and a car emergency kit.

Traveling at night is a common option that many people use, but before you decide to drive at night, you must figure out if your children can sleep in the car at night and if both parents can see and drive well at night. Someone who suffers from motion sickness usually does fairly well at night.

Also, make sure to make reservations, for everything from the flights, to the hotels, to the car rentals, to the restaurants, especially during busy seasons.

In fact, a great place to reserve the hotel, flight, and car rental at the same time is over at www.kingarthur.myttn.com . Do it before it's too late!

Family Travel Hints, Part C

As you drive along the highways, do prepared to stop frequently. In fact, the younger the children with you, the more frequently you will have to stop. Always stop when someone: needs to use a rest room, is getting motion sickness (Walk around a bit, and focus on distant objects to help you recover.), gets very frightened or senses personal danger (even if it's as simple as crossing a stream), asks you to slow down, or expresses interest in taking a moment to enjoy an aspect of beauty (You may have missed it yourself otherwise.).

Each day, find something to laugh about. Of course, don't laugh at a family member or friend, although that is acceptable if that person is laughing at himself. Don't laugh at things that are crude or rude.

Include in your luggage a small bag or suitcase that is devoted to all things fun. Include in it such things as joke books, a lengthy storybook, a ball, a Frisbee, marbles, jacks, a yo-yo, colouring books and crayons, and a few magazines. You can even keep the contents a secret, and open it only once in a while during your vacation to come up with a fun surprise.

A vacation is a wonderful time to reinforce family memories and historical experiences. Stories about, or from, grandparents give a great insight into the past. In fact, so would stories about yourself, about your child's earlier years, or even previous events as a family.

Play some music that each family member likes for an equal amount of time, say 20 minutes. If the family wants to hear more of that kind, of course, by all means play more. You can always sing along!

Verbal travel game options include "I Spy", "A to Z" (look for words beginning with the next letter, or have a running theme such as animals), and "License Plates" (see how many different states you can find).

Puppets, handmade or professional, even such things as simple as socks or airplane sickness bags, are tremendous distractions, especially for younger children.

Of course, there are many other ideas on what to do on vacations, but before you even figure out what to do, you first have to figure out where to go! Head on over to www.kingarthur.myttn.com and let's see to where you first get to take that vacation!

Family Travel Hints, Part B

As much as you can, build some type of action into your family vacation. You don't necessarily have to be active while your child is. Let them play on the monkey bars, the water park, the trampoline, or even just running down the dock and back.

En route to your destination while driving, make restroom, gasoline, and meal breaks time to exercise and stretch.

Adults tend to focus more on the things to do, schedules to keep, and lists to check off. Kids, on the other hand, more enjoys doing the activity rather than mastering or completing it.

After an event, or at the end of the day, talk about the experiences as a sort of debriefing. Ask what was seen and done. Ask what was liked best. Even ask imaginative questions, such as "Would you like to live in a place like that?"

Nothing goes completely right all the time, so you have to use the conflicts as opportunities. You have to establish rules (such as kids can have input, but parents make the final decision), take a time out for a few minutes before a rational debate. You can always debrief this incident later, too!

Don't forget to bring your manners with you too. Even in new situations, such as a formal dinner event, classical concert, or theatrical performance, be sure to prepare your child for the new experience, and inform him how to act and behave. And, certainly, treat your hotel room as if it were your own home, not leaving messes all over the place.

Safety precautions could include a meeting location in case someone gets lost, holding hands to stay together, and the phone number of your hotel.

Take along a few family items, such as favourite music, photographs, pillow/blanket, or night light.

Since traveling together as a family unit is often more constraining than it usually is at home, make sure to give everyone a little space and privacy when it's necessary.

So, when you're ready to go on an exciting family vacation, make sure to book it as a family, and find all the information you will need at www.kingarthur.myttn.com !

Family Travel Hints, Part A

Stay on a Schedule

Stay as close to your normal sleeping and waking hours as possible. It might only be going from 7:00am to 5:30am, but that will make everyone react differently. Take some time at the end of your day's activities to wind down, not go straight to bed. Nap times are also important, especially if they are a part of your child's normal routine.

Child-made Decisions

Give your child reasonable choices to make throughout your vacation. Perhaps the option of swimming or playing in the park. Also, your child will really enjoy picking out, or at least having some say in picking out, your actual vacation destination, such as a campground, beach, or city.

Personal Travel Bags

They can be used for souvenirs, memorabilia, snacks, toys, books, sunglasses, or other personal items. Whatever kind of bag it s, it should have a closure so nothing can fall out. Pack it early, for sure.

Limiting Daily Activities

Just a couple of unusual events per day should be sufficient.

Stay Within Your Budget

Set daily limits on what you will spend, but if you happen to go over one day, be sure to cut back that much on the next day's activities. Never promise to your children an event or destination, because you might not be able to fulfill that promise due to cost concerns. Here's a good thought: put aside some extra money for emergencies, but if you don't use it, have one last surprise fling on your last day or night!

Phone Home

Every few days, check with the house sitter and answering machine. Call your office and friends, when you feel the need, too.

Something For Everyone

You don't have to do all activities as a group, but each family member should have something special as an event of his own. Split up and do something each portion of the group would like, if you have to.

Don't Over-expect

Instead, downplay and understate the vacation. Don't say it's going to be awful, of course, but don't say it will be the best one ever, either. Even make fun of the dud event of the vacation, the one that just didn't turn out right, or well, at all.

Make sure to book your exciting travel at www.kingarthur.myttn.com today!

Oasis of the Seas, an Evaluation

In the order of Royal Caribbean's Guest Satisfaction Survey, here are my grades for various parts and functions of the ship and it's related shipboard lifestyle.

Dining Rooms
Food, overall, 90
Selection, 83
Service, 83


Windjammer Marketplace, buffet
Food, overall, 84
Selection, 89
Service, 86
Other complimentary restaurants/eateries not listed in the survey, 88

Specialty Dining
Chops Grille, 88
Giovanni's Table, 85

Accommodations
Stateroom Attendant, 82
Stateroom Accommodations, 84
Stateroom Cleanliness, 94
Room Service, 74
Ship Overall Appearance, 85
Ship Overall Cleanliness, 80


Entertainment/Activities
Cruise Director and Staff, 76
Ice Show, 88
Live Music, 80
Disco, 74
Hairspray, 91
Come Fly With Me, 86
Splish Splash Aqua Show, 82
Oasis of Dreams Aqua Show, 86
Activities, overall, 82
Quality of Activities, 78
Variety of Activities, 79
Sports Deck, 85

General
Guest Services Staff, 83
Itinerary/Ports of Call, western Caribbean, 85
Labadee Staff Friendliness, 77
Photographer's Service, 80
Shops Onboard Service, 82
Shops Onboard Merchandise, 83
Art Actually, 81
Fitness Center Experience, 88
Interactive TV, 78
Pier Check In Experience, 88
Pier Check In Friendliness, 86

Now, for the most important figures:
Dining Experience, overall, 78
Helpfulness of Personnel, 80
Friendless of Personnel, 83
Value for Price Paid, 85 (If we all say that it was bad, would we get it for a few hundred dollars cheaper? ;))

Overall Vacation Experience, 80

Extreme State Facts

First State: Delaware, which became a state on December 7, 1787
Most Recent State: Hawaii, admitted in 1959
Most Populous State: California, 33,871,648 people (2000 US census)
Least Populous State: Wyoming, 493,782 people (2000 US census)
Biggest City in the USA: New York, New York, with over 7,000,000 people
Birthplaces of the Most Presidents: 8 Presidents born in Virginia (William Henry Harrison, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, James Monroe, John Tyler, Zachary Taylor, George Washington, and Woodrow Wilson) and 7 Presidents born in Ohio (Ulysses Simpson Grant, Rutherford Birchard Hayes, James Abram Garfield, Benjamin Harrison, William McKinley, William Howard Taft, and Warren Gamaliel Harding).
State with the Most Bordering States: Missouri with 8 bordering states (Arkansas, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Tennessee) and Tennessee with 8 bordering states (Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Virginia)
Longest State Names (commonly used name): Massachusetts, North Carolina, South Carolina
Longest Official State Name: The State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations.
Shortest State Names: Iowa, Ohio, Utah
Biggest State (Area): Alaska: 656,425 square miles
Smallest State (Area): Rhode Island, 1,545 square miles
State that is Farthest North: Alaska
State that is Farthest South: Hawaii
State that is Farthest East: Maine (although some of Alaska's Aleutian Islands cross the 180-degree longitude line, and are technically farther east than the other US states).
State that is Farthest West: Alaska
Geographic Center of the Contiguous USA: Smith County, Kansas
Geographic Center of the Entire USA (all 50 states): South Dakota
Highest Point: Mount McKinley, Alaska, 20,300 ft (6,194 m) above sea level
Lowest Point: Death Valley, California, 282 feet (86 m) below sea level [this is the lowest point in the Western Hemisphere]
Longest River: Missouri River (it is a tributary of the Mississippi River and is 2,540 miles long)
River with the Biggest Volume of Water: Mississippi River (2,348 miles (3,778 km) long)
Biggest Lake: Lake Superior with an area of 31,820 square miles (82,414 sq km)
Biggest Island: The Island of Hawaii, with an area of 4,038 square miles (10,459 sq km)
Tallest Waterfall: Ribbon Falls in California, with a height of 1,612 feet (491 m)
Waterfall with the Greatest Volume of Water: Niagara Falls in New York
Coldest City: International Falls, Minnesota, with a mean temperature of 36.4 degrees F.
Snowiest City: Blue Canyon, California, with 240.8 inches of snow each year.
Hottest Temperature in the USA: California (134 degrees F at Greenland Ranch on July 10, 1913)
Coldest Temperature in the USA: Alaska (-80 Degrees F on January 23, 1971, at Prospect Creek)
Most Snow in 24 Hours: Colorado, 76 inches (192.5 cm) fell in one day at Silver Lake, Colorado
Most Rain Each Year: Hawaii, 460 inches (1168 cm) fall on Mt. Waialeale, Kauai, Hawaii, each year
Biggest Hailstone: Kansas, the largest hailstone in the US was 44.5 cm (17.5") in circumference. It fell in Coffeyville, Kansas.
Strongest Wind: Mt. Washington, New Hampshire, where gusts of 231 mph (372 kph) have been recorded.

Cruising With Kids on Alternative Ships

Rivers have an allure all their own. Whether winding through farmlands and pastures, or cutting a bold swath through town, rivers connect directly to the heartland of a nation, revealing the soil of its cities and the charm of the countries. River trips, including steamboat, barges, and yacht cruises are alternatives for families searching for cruise vacations. No matter what vessel or itinerary you choose for your trip, the river is just as important as any port. River-watching is a time-honoured sport. The waters change with the light, the width of the channel, and the green of the banks. Like other water vacations, river cruises come in all sizes. Steamboats range from authentic midsize vessels to small reproductions, to big, brassy, modernized ships. For full pampering, you can book a deluxe vessel where sophisticated service and meals are as important as the guests.

And when you're ready to book that river cruise, make sure to book it at www.kingarthur.myttn.com first! I look forward to seeing you in the river-laden cities of the world!

Cruising With Kids on Windjammers

Windjammers follow the winds and anchor in small harbors off coastal islands. Although all vessels are equipped with modern navigation equipment and radios, windjammers are powered by the wind. You don't have to navigate, rig the masts, or swab the decks, but you can help if you want to!

Who should go on a windjammer? Don't expect the comforts of Cunard, but do expect camaraderie, a reasonably-priced vacation, and the ability to get to ports smaller than the large cruise ships can go to. Also, don't look for deck chairs, but instead just sit anywhere you find a spot, even if it's on the deck itself. It's all part of the windjammer experience. Cabins are small, and headroom is often lower than usual, but you can't expect a lot of room on normal cruise ships, either! Definitely pack light, though!

So, what is there? The allure that has drawn sailors and explorers for centuries--the feel of the salt spray, the stars at night, the thrill of being under full sail, the friendliness of being in a small group of only 25 to 40, and the allure of sailing 19th-century style.

Make sure to book your next exciting cruise vacation at www.kingarthur.myttn.com!

Cruising With Kids in Hawaii and Alaska

Hawaii

No tour of Hawaii is complete without a visit to the Big Island of Hawaii. This is the Hawaii of legendary volcanoes and landscapes of lava-striped earth. Mount Kilauea is still active and sends hot red lava streaming across roadsides. Also available on island are snorkeling, lush tropical gardens, and wonderful waterfalls.

Your children will never be bored on Maui. Kids love the snorkeling and the mountain-side cycling and the beaches while adults usually prefer the golf, spas, and scenic drives.

Oahu and its famous Waikiki Beach is not only the most populated, it's also the most popular and the most historic, complete with the U. S. S. Arizona Memorial, Submarine Memorial Park, and Bishop Museum, which showcases Hawaii's history.

Alaska

A cruise to Alaska treats you to glacial ice fields, pristine lakes, and panoramas of snow-capped mountains. Whether you hop aboard a float plane for for a bird's-eye-view of Misty Fjords National Monument, or take a raft along narrow inlets and coastal waterways, Alaska's expansive landscape impresses.

Warning, though. If your children like swimming, it would be much better to opt for a cruise that includes a heated swimming pool, as the Alaskan waters are definitely too cold for much frolicking. And make sure to bring rain gear and warm clothes, even in the summer.

Now that your Hawaiian and Alaskan interests have been piqued, let's get your family's cruise booked at www.kingarthur.myttn.com today!

Cruising With Kids in Mexico

A cruise offers families a wonderful way to sample some of Mexico's best resort towns, and in some cases, the real country beyond the resorts. A number of western Caribbean itineraries feature stops in Playa del Carmen, on the Yucatan mainland, as well as Cancun, Cozumel, and other exotic ports.

The Mexican Riviera, also known as the Gold Coast, or at least Mexico's western coastline, include resort cities such as Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan, Puerto Vallarta, and Acapulco.

Many cruise ships sell bottled water to take on shore because the Mexican sun is so hot and often dry, and especially children need to stay hydrated. Even canned soda is better than nothing, in this case. Just skip the local ice.

I hope that was enough to whet your whistle for a great Mexican cruise with your wonderful children! Now, make sure to book that very, and most exciting, cruise at www.kingarthur.myttn.com today!

Cruising With Kids in the Caribbean

The Caribbean offers families the perfect tropical setting for a great vacation--miles of white sand beaches, coral reefs for snorkeling, a gentle climate, and warm, crystal clear waters.

Children who cruise the Caribbean with their parents also learn that all the islands are not alike. Cruising the Caribbean offers an ideal introduction to the islands because a cruise allows children and parents to sample a variety of destinations while learning about each island's unique characteristics.

So, when you're ready to cruise the exotic Caribbean with your children in tow, make sure to book that cruise at www.kingarthur.myttn.com first!

Cruising With Kids: Kids' Program Registration Forms

There should be a registration form for each child on each ship, and there usually are. If not, please ask for one. The forms shouldn't be only the usual name, age, parents' names, and room number, though. Actually, you're more than welcome to add any additional information in writing, especially if your child is too young or too shy to tell the counselors themselves.

Writing down the extra information is actually very important, because with the large number of children, the staff would likely not remember every detail of every child. Besides, the counselor you register with might not be your child's counselor during the cruise.

Here are some ideas about what to add to the kids' program registration form:

A-The names and signatures of the only adults and/or siblings who are allowed to sign your child into and out of the program

B-Food and drug allergies and preferences

C-Child's nickname, which probably most children prefer, rather than the formal full first and last, and often middle, name

D-List names of special items, such as bathroom terms and other situations. Also, if the child's teddy bear has a name, it's good to let the counselor know what the name is, so at least they know who the child is talking about, and they will likely allow the stuffed animal into the group room.

So, now that that's settled, make sure to book that cruise at www.kingarthur.myttn.com first, then register for the amazingly exciting children's programs onboard!

Cruising With Kids: Cabins, Curfews, Keys, and Freedom

One thing young children relish about a cruise is the freedom. Often, in the relatively safe environment of a ship, parents allow their kids more freedom than they have at home. Some children join and leave the activities program on their own, freely moving about the ship. While your children treasure this privilege, it can make it hard for you to find them and vice versa. First, if appropriate, give each child his or her own cabin key. Then, keep a note pad in a designated, central location in the cabin (perhaps on top of the bureau) on which each family member--parents included--specifies his or her intended shipboard location and expected return time. That way your child can simply read "in aerobics class at the gym until 3 p. m." and easily reach you, and you can find your child too. Admittedly this, like most things, may be harder to do with a teen, but that's what curfews are for.

Always establish times to be in the cabin to dress for supper, get ready for shore excursions and stops, and go to sleep. This eliminates many frantic searches and much worry.

So, when you're ready to embark for the tropical lands, or better yet when you're ready to book your fabulously exciting family cruise vacation, make sure to do that at www.kingarthur.myttn.com first.

I look forward to seeing you in the tropical beaches of the world!

Cruising With Kids: Assessing Children's Programs

When choosing a children's program, or a cruise that includes a children's program, there are a few items you really should consider to ensure that your little ones will indeed have a good, big time.

Frequency

Not all ship's children's programs run on every cruise. Make sure that the program operates for the sailing you booked. Some cruise lines even offer the children's program only when a minimum number of children are booked!

Ages

Make sure that the children's program is at the appropriate age level for your child. Although the major cruise lines, and the best programs, have enough counselors to separate the ages, some still group the younger ones with the older ones. And then it's not so much fun anymore.

Hours

Some ships have blocks of time or only intermittently scheduled activities. Such are best for teenagers who want to do other things or just hang out during the day. If a young cruiser encounters a 3 1/2 hour empty time block, however, he will certainly become bored, and then it's back to you babysitting again. As far as evening hours are concerned, though without a program, you will either need a babysitter (for an extra charge, of course), or take your children to the evening entertainments, or return straight to your cabin after supper.

Facilities

Most ships do have designated children's areas, and this is for everyone's benefit. The children know where to go. The parents know where there kids are. And the teenagers can get away from both the little kids and the parents.

Staff

Enough staff workers means enough age-appropriate divisions and activities.

Safety

Areas for small children should have gates so they can't get out, and so unwanted people can't get in. There should also be a sign-in and a sign-out procedure.

Port Hours

Some children's programs are working when the ship is in port, but other children's programs are not. You might have to take them along on your shore excursions, or leave them on the ship with their newly-found friends.

When you're ready to book that exciting cruise for your children, and yourself, make sure to do that at www.kingarthur.myttn.com!

Provisions for a 7-day Midsize Cruise Ship

• 24,236 pounds of beef
• 5,040 pounds of lamb
• 7,216 pounds of pork
• 4,600 pounds of veal
• 1,680 pounds of sausage
• 10,211 pounds of chicken
• 3,156 pounds of turkey
• 13,851 pounds of fish
• 350 pounds of crab
• 2,100 pounds of lobster
• 25,736 pounds of fresh vegetables
• 15,150 pounds of potatoes
• 20,003 pounds of fresh fruit
• 3,260 gallons of milk
• 1,976 quarts of cream
• 600 gallons of ice cream
• 9,235 dozen eggs
• 5,750 pounds of sugar
• 3,800 pounds of rice
• 1,750 pounds of cereal
• 450 pounds of jelly
• 2,458 pounds of coffee
• 1,936 pounds of cookies
• 2,450 tea bags
• 120 pounds of herbs and spices
• 3,400 bottles of assorted wines
• 200 bottles of champagne
• 200 bottles of gin
• 290 bottles of vodka
• 350 bottles of whiskey
• 150 bottles of rum
• 45 bottles of sherry
• 600 bottles of assorted liqueurs
• 10,100 bottles/cans of beer

Fortunately for everyone, you don't have to sleep among such incredible provisions!

Book your next cruise, and partake of some of these provisions, at www.kingarthur.myttn.com today!

Traveling Solo 7: Rewards of Traveling Solo

Although there are challenges when traveling by yourself, such as dining alone, advance research, and more careful planning, traveling alone really says nothing about your except that you are independent and adventurous. Actually, rather than felling sorry for you, many people will actually be jealous about your spirit of freedom.

Travel partners can cause great friction due to different interests of each person, and different stamina levels of each person, or even different patience levels of each person.

Solo travel, however, means you can tailor the vacation to your own tastes, energies, and timetable. You co go where you want, when you want, and do what you want.

Being alone, you can try different things, different foods, different activities.

Actually, traveling alone does help your competence, assurance, and independence.

There are so many other reasons why you should consider traveling, even if it's alone. And why not just do it, and discover for yourself some of your own favourite reasons for traveling alone! Just make sure to first book it at www.kingarthur.myttn.com.

Traveling Solo 6: Safety in Travel

When you are traveling alone, safety in hotel rooms is a concern. Ask for a room near the elevator, not at the end of a hallway. Ask for someone at the front desk to accompany you to your room, especially if you are in a larger hotel. The employee would then go into the room first and check the bathroom, behind the curtains, and on the balcony. Make sure there is a lock on your balcony door, and a peephole and chain on your room door, as well. Rather than posting your maid service requested card on your door, which announces you are not in for everyone to see, call the housekeeping department instead.

Use that door peephole whenever anyone arrives, and if you don't recognize the person, call the front desk for identification and verification. Don't directly accept anything, but instead have it left at the front desk. When in the elevator alone, stand next to the floor button panel and push the next button if something is strange in that elevator. Close the curtains and put a light on if you expect to arrive after dark. Ask the hotel staff to identify bad parts of town on your travel map. Don't keep all of your money and identification with you together in the same place. Have keys and payment/cash ready before they are immediately needed. Don't let a stranger touch you or any of your belongings.

So, now that you know some of the tricks to safely traveling when traveling alone, make sure to book that solo vacation at www.kingarthur.myttn.com!

Traveling Solo 5: Four Favourite Single Cities

Amsterdam

The seventeenth century mingles in quite well with the modern shops, boutiques, and restaurants of contemporary Amsterdam. Everything from Rembrandt to "red lights" abound in this Northern European city. Fortunately, the size of the city is relatively small, so you really only need to walk most places.

Montreal

At least you don't need to learn French, for there are so many English-speaking people in Quebec. Their local subways are great, and clean! You can go on a self-guided tour, and even scout out their local museums for more Rembrandts. Plus, there are lots of stores, and great French restaurants, most of which take American dollars!

Paris

Sure, France isn't known for being American-friendly, but Paris seems to do quite well in accepting American tourists, including those who are solos. Many people even speak English to help you, although don't count on the local taxi drivers to. Trains and buses are numerous, and inexpensive. And, of course, Paris has so many museums all around the city to help in your artistic appreciation endeavors.

New York City

In this thriving metropolis, you can find something for everyone of every age. Bus and subway routes might be a little confusing, but Manhattan, at least, is divided up into grid-like streets and avenues, and in a very orderly fashion. You can easily walk almost anywhere!

SO, now that your taste buds have been whetted, let's get you booked for your next wonderful vacation in one of these wonderful solo-friendly cities at www.kingarthur.myttn.com today!

Traveling Solo 4: The Singles Scene

With the number of single travelers growing so rapidly, it is only natural that enterprising folks will find ways to serve them. Here are some of the possibilities for single travelers of all ages.

Newsletters/Web Sites

Connecting: Solo Travel News, cstn.org, annual Single-Friendly Travel Directory
Solodining.com
travelchums.com
Travel Companion Exchange, travelcompanions.com

Trips for Singles

There are tours designed especially for singles, the the number of companies offering single trips is increasing every year.

The Single Gourmet
Cruise Tours
Backroads
The World Outdoors
Windjammer Barefoot Cruises
Nike Amherst Tennis Camp
Outdoor Adventure River Specialists, Inc.
Seascape Sailing Party, Ltd.

Young Singles can use Contiki Holidays, contiki.com

Resorts lovers might enjoy Club Med (Bahamas, Bora Bora, Turks and Caicos, Cancun)

SuperClubs/Breezes

Le Sport, St. Lucia

Sure, you can go to the websites of these companies, and do everything yourself, including the worries and problems. Or, you can go to www.kingarthur.com for some of the best deals imaginable, and if you can't find anything there, my contact information is always available too!

Traveling Solo 3: Join a Tour

Tours and tour packages relieves you of the chores of getting around on your own, choosing hotels, deciding where to eat, and planning sightseeing. And you don't have to keep track of your luggage! Tour buses have very nice seats and extra large windows, and are a very good deal financially.

On the down side, however, you cannot set your own schedule or veer from the set plans very much. Breakfast, and departure, are often set a little earlier than most people are really used to. You don't have to participate in everything, of course, but you do have to be ready on the bus when it's time to depart! Also, due to space constraints, smaller, boutique-style restaurants and events are not part of the tour. After all, you can't really fit 50 people in a place that holds only 30.

General Tour Operators

Globus/Cosmos. Littleton, CO
Mayflower Tours. Downer's Grove, IL
Maupintour. Summerlin, NV
Trafalgar Tours. Long Island City, NY
Tauck World Discovery. Norwalk, CT
Abercrombie & Kent International, Inc. Oak Brook, IL

When you're ready to book that solo group tour, make sure to do it at www.kingarthur.myttn.com, and feel free to contact me if you can't find what you're looking for!

Traveling Solo 2: Spa Vacation

Because spas provide a you-centered vacation, that is dedicated to making you look and feel better, they are perfect for solo travelers and a large number of guests choose to come alone. Don't confuse a spa vacation with the spa facilities at a hotel, though. The hotels provide some wonderful services, but the vacation provides you with a lifestyle. The vacations sometimes even provide cooking demonstrations!

Usually, a spa day begins with a brisk, pre-breakfast walk. Daily exercises, which are often you choice of, rather than everyone does it all, include aerobics, body conditioning, yoga, and stretching. Most spas also include water-based workouts and muscle-building training. Between workouts come the massages, whirlpools, saunas, steam baths, facials, hydrotherapy, and herbal wraps. Evenings include special speakers, how-to training, and tips on establishing good health habits at home.

Spas range from weekly rates of $2,000 on up to $7,000. And, seeing how truly beneficial they are, it really is recommended that you do stay for at least a week.

Rancho La Puerta, Tecate, Baja Mexico, MEXICO (guests are actually met at no charge at the San Diego Airport.

Canyon Ranch Health Resort, Tuscon, Arizona.

Canyon Ranch in the Berkshires, Lenox, Massachusetts.

New Age Health Spa, Neversink, New York.

The Golden Door, Escondido, California.

Cal-a-Vie, Vista, California.

Green Valley Spa and Resort, St. George, Utah.

Lake Austin Spa Resort, Austin, Texas.

The Oaks at Ojai, Ojai, California.

The Palms at Palm Springs, Palm Springs, California.

Jimmy Lesage's New Life Hiking Spa, Killington, Vermont.

Red Mountain Spa, St. George, Utah.

The Spa at Grand Lake, Lebanon, Connecticut.

Rio Caliente Hot Springs Spa and Nature Resort, Guadalajara, MEXICO.

Ixtapan Hotel and Spa, Ixtapan de la Sal, MEXICO.

So, when it's time to get that TRULY relaxing and motivating vacation started, make sure to book it at www.kingarthur.myttn.com first! And, if you can't find what you're looking for, my contact information is right there too!

Traveling Solo 1: Sports Camps

It's easy to get to know others when you are learning new techniques together. Which sports are offered? Almost any that you can name! For getting the most enjoyment out of your sports camp vacation, make sure to break in your new sneakers before you go on that vacation, bring along a lot of sun protection, and start an exercise routine at home, at least a month before your vacation.

Tennis-Total Tennis Saugerties, NY, Swarthmore Tennis Camp Swarthmore, PA, Nike Amherst Tennis Camp Amherst, MA, Van der Meer Tennis Sweet Briar, VA, Topnotch at Stowe Resort and Spa Stowe, VT, John Newcombe Tennis Ranch New Braunfels, TX, Ramye Tennis School Oweneboro, KY, New England Tennis Holidays North Conway, NH, Kilington Tennis at Cortina Inn and Resort Killington, VT, Gardiner's Resort Carmel Valley, CA, Inn at Manitou Ontario, CANADA, Gunterman Tennis Schools Manchester Center, VT.

Golf-The Original Golf School Mt. Snow, VT, Golf Digest Schools Trumbull, CT, Craft-Zavichas Golf School Pueblo, CO, John Jacob's Golf Schools Scottsdale, AZ.

Horseback Riding-Tanque Verde Ranch Tuscon, AZ, Vista Verde Ranch Steamboat Springs, CO, Lazy Hills Guest Ranch Ingram, TX.

Baseball-All-Star Adventures Hallendale Beach, FL, Randy Hundley's Fantasy Baseball Camps Palatine, IL, Los Angeles Dodger Adult Baseball Camp Vero Beach, FL, New York Yankees Fantasy Camp Tampa, FL.

Sailing-Steve and Doris Colgate's Offshore Sailing School Ft. Myers, FL, Annapolis Sailing School Annapolis, MD.

Scuba Diving-Bonaire Government Tourist Office, Cayman Islands Department of Tourism

Fly-Fishing-Orvis Fly-fishing Schools Manchester, VT

Kayak/Canoe/Rafting-Nantahala Outdoor Ctr. Bryson City, NC, Dvorak's Whitewater Paddling Seminars Nathrop, CO.

Downhill Skiing-just about every ski lodge has lessons

Cross-country Skiing-again, most every ski lodge has lessons, most prominently in Jackson, NH

Mountain Climbing-Colorado Mountain School Estes Park, CO

Whether you want to paddle, climb, ski, sail, fish, throw, hit, or whatever, make sure to book your vacations at www.kingarthur.myttn.com first, and if you can't find what you are looking for there, I have even included my contact information for you right there too!

International Tipping

Africa/Middle East

Dubai-10% mandatory tip added by the government to hotels, restaurants, and bars. Parking valets and porters get $2.50 or so.

Egypt-included in restaurants. $1-2/day for housekeeper. $1/bag for porter. $10-20 for concierge for the best service. Cabs 10-15%. Guides $20/person/day.

Israel-included in restaurants. 40-80c for concierge. $2.40/bag for porters. $1.20-2.40/day for housekeeper. 10-15% for taxis. $3-3.75 for driver guides.

Jordan-5-10% for waiter. $1.50/bag for porter. $1.50/night for housekeeper. 10-15% for taxis. $30/person/day for tour guides. $30/day for a private driver.

Morocco-may be included in restaurants, otherwise 10%. $2/bag for porter. $10 for the concierge at the beginning of your vacation. $5/day for housekeeper. $15/day for private drivers and tour guides.

South Africa-10-15% for waiter. $1/bag for the porter. $1/night for housekeeper. $3-5 for the concierge. taxis and private drivers 10%. tour guides $10/person/day.

Central and South America

Argentina-10% for waiters. 20 pesos for the porter. round up for taxis. 10% for drivers. 30-60 pesos for a full day guide.

Brazil-tip included at restaurants. $2/bag for porter and per day for housekeeper. no tip for the concierge. $20-50 for private driver's or tour guide's full day of service.

Costa Rica-tip is included at restaurants. 50 cents-$1/bag for porter. $1/day for housekeeper. tip cabs if you have luggage. tour guides should get $5-10/day for each person.

Mexico-10-15% in restaurants. 10-20 pesos/bag for porter. 20-50 pesos/night for housekeeper. 50-150 pesos for the concierge. 100-200 pesos/full day for each person on a tour.

Peru-10-15% for waiters. 50 cents/bag for porter. $2-5/night for the housekeeper. tip the concierge only for special favours. cabs don't get tips, but private drivers get 10-15% and guides get $2/person per day.

Asia and the Pacific

Australia/New Zealand-10-15% in restaurants. $1/bag for the porter. $10-20 for the concierge. $1-5/day for the housekeeper, the more money, the messier you are. 10% for cab drivers. $50/person/day for a private guide, but $5-10 for a bus tour guide. $20/day for a private driver.

Cambodia-$1 per diner for the waiter. $1-2/bag for the porter. everything else is included at the hotel. $1 for taxis. $2/hour for private drivers. $10-20/day for tour guides. $2 bills are very special and lucky to the Cambodian people.

China-tipping is not usually done, or at least not in front of people.

India-15% in restaurants. $1/bag for the porter. $5/night for the housekeeper. $1-2/day for a car and driver.

Japan-another non-tipping in front of people country.

Thailand-$1/diner for a waiter. $1-2/bag for the porter. everything else should be included with your hotel bill. $1 for taxis. $2/hour for private drivers. $10-20/person/day for tour guides. Like Cambodia, $2 bills are highly prized.

Europe

France-10% in coins for restaurants is what the locals do, but it's not required. 1 euro/bag for the porter. 1-2 euros for the housekeeper. 10-15 euros for a restaurant reservation by the concierge (half paid when you get to the hotel and half at the end). 25-50 euros/person/day for the tour guide. 1-2 euros for taxis.

Germany-10-15% for waiters and bartenders. 3 euros/bag for the porter. 5 euros/night for the housekeeper. 20 euros for a helpful concierge. 10% for taxis. 15% for private drivers. 20 euros/half day or 50 euros/full day for private tours.

Greece-for restaurants, round up to the nearest 5 euros. 1 euro/bag for porters. $1/day for the housekeeper. round up to the nearest euro for taxis. 20 euros/day for private drivers. 2-5 euros/person for group tours. 20 euros for personal tours.

Italy-10% for restaurants, but no more. 5 euros for porters. 1-2 euros/night for the housekeeper. round up for taxis. 15-20% for a private tour. and, despite what is assumed a custom, you do not tip the gondolier.

Russia-10% for the waiter, directly, and not left on the table. $3-5 for porters. $2-3/night for housekeepers. $10-20 for a concierge's good service. 10% for cabs. $20-30/full day for private drivers. $35-45/full day for private guides.

Scandinavia-Either it's included in the bill, or it's not done at all.

Turkey-10% for waiters, but in cash. $2/bag for porters. $10 for a very helpful concierge. Round up for taxis. $25/day for private drivers. $5-10/day/person for tour guides, but $20 for private tour guides.

United Kingdom-10-15% for restaurants, if it's not already included. 1-2 pounds/bag for the porter. 1-2 pounds for the housekeeper. no more than 10% for taxis and for guides and private drivers.

Now that that's out of the way, let's get you booked at www.kingarthur.myttn.com today for the start of your most exciting vacation ever!

Traveling With Relatives

The biggest reason for traveling with relatives is the opportunity to bring an extended family closer together. It's an opportune time for grandchildren to spend time with their grandparents. It's even a way to show how much you love and care about your parents and/or other relatives.

There are, of course, disadvantages of vacationing with your relatives too. For one, you lose your privacy, especially if your family gathering is large. There is also more preparation and time needed for planning and getting to that vacation destination. Sensitive, touchy, or shaky relationships are also not helped by a group vacation together.

When planning on traveling with relatives, you must find out what kind of travelers they are. Do they expect and often go on extravagant luxury, or would a simple stay at a Best Western suffice?

As always, when traveling with other people, you must figure out who is going to pay for what.

Health limitations for your relatives much also be paid attention to. How much walking is required on the trip? What is the altitude (for those who have trouble breathing)? Will the weather be very wet or very hot or very cold? Will a range of food options be available?

You must also look into possible activities and assignments for everyone on your trip. Don't leave anyone out, well, except for the babies and toddlers.

Now that you know how to survive traveling with others, let's first get you booked at www.kingarthur.myttn.com for the vacation of your life!

Traveling With Children

The benefits of traveling with children would include such things as being able to reconnect with them if you are unable to see them for a while; it's an incredible learning experience for the children in areas such as society, culture, language, art, geography, and general lives abroad; and traveling with others' kids would give your kids some people closer to their own age to relate to.

Disadvantages would include the extra time required for the kids to get ready, the extra cost for taking them, and the extra responsibility for caring for them, especially if the kids are not your own.

When traveling with an infant, pack as much as you can in your checked baggage. Of course, you can always drive if the location is only a few hours away.

Make sure the hotel you choose has space for your children, as well as accommodations to keep them from climbing up the wall.

Toddlers are best suited for such places as cruises, the day-care-center next door to the hotel, and picnics instead of five-star dining. Sometimes you'll also have to explain to them that they just can't take all of their toys, but will instead be returning home to them. Also, it's a good idea to at least attempt to organize your day before it arrives, so the little ones don't get too confused.

Taking school-aged kids is often an adventure. Let them pick the restaurant now and then, but don't get stuck with hamburgers only. Let them pack for themselves, but make sure to check what they have before you get to the airport with a package full of toys. They can even help you plan your vacation with ideas on destination, transportation, and hotel.

Vacationing with teens is another story altogether. They usually require more adventure and excitement. Sometimes you have to let them go off on their own too, but make sure there is contact abilities and money and protections in place.

Traveling with other people's kids is sometimes similar, but you must be sure that you have much more control and oversight over them and their activities. When traveling with kids of divorced parents, make sure to get the permission of both parents. Before you go, make sure you know the kids' medical histories, allergies, food preferences, normal bed times, movies they're allowed to see, and religious observances such as praying before meals. You must also set ground rules and assign responsibilities for not only your own children, but also for your accompanying children. Like traveling with friends, you much also decide prior to the trip who will pay for what.

Of course, the first thing to do when planning on traveling with children is to book that vacation at www.kingarthur.myttn.com .

Traveling With Your Friends

One of the main advantages of traveling with friends is conversation. Before the vacation, while waiting for the airplane to depart, during, such as in a restaurant or during an excursion, and after, through memories and reminisces.

Disadvantage, however, would include such things as a lack a privacy, lack of timeliness due to late friends, and an inability to have time alone.

When planning a vacation with friends, you must first compare budgets. You can figure whatever daily spending amount that would be acceptable for each of you, but do make that amount known at the beginning. You will have much too much difficulties traveling with someone who is going to spend too much, or too little, compared to you.

Are your personalities and habits compatible? Sometimes your differences can be endearing and stimulating, but at other times they can be frustrating and more pronounced.

For best results when traveling with friends, remember these tips: Have one person make all of the reservations; form the sleeping arrangements before you get to the hotel; dining options are always interesting, especially with people's unique dietary requirements; and you don't have to do everything together, of course, but you should share the driving.

The first thing before going on that vacation with your friends is to book it at www.kingarthur.myttn.com . I look forward to seeing you, and your friends, on the beaches of the world!

Traveling With Your Boss

Whenever you travel with your boss, you have a special opportunity to get to know each other better. The rapport that you build with him will likely carry over to your job, and you won't be forgotten when the opportunity for a promotion comes up. You can also use traveling time together to discuss the company's direction and your place in its future.

The disadvantages of traveling with your boss is that you will be stuck with him throughout the flight and the meeting meals with the clientele. You also might get spoiled, because traveling with the boss often means first class flights and expensive hotels. You'd be let down next time.

To make things better, and save a little money while you're at it, you can share a room to cut half of those expenses. You can stay a day or two longer to get those cheap airfare rates. You can even drive to save on airfare altogether. However, many companies request that you give them back the airline miles that you accrued during you business vacations.

To save some time, you might want to opt for an overnight flight, which would save your most productive hours for the light of day, although in this case, it's best if you are able to sleep overnight on the plane. Sometimes business takes longer than the usual 8 hours, so you have to be ready and willing to spend 10-12 hours working sometimes, too.

No matter where your business vacation takes you, and no matter what personal plans you may have, business meetings and meals always have the priority.

Other tips you should remember when traveling with the boss? Don't be late. Don't check baggage. Don't gossip about the office. Don't ask for a raise while traveling. And do dress appropriately.

Of course, if your boss is having you make the reservations, make sure to book your business vacation at www.kingarthur.myttn.com first!

Traveling On Your Honeymoon

Unlike other vacation plans, a honeymoon takes on a life of its own even before you get to the destination. You have so many ideas in your head how things will be done, how things will look, and how things will work out. Only when you get there will you realize that you probably have overplanned some of your vacation.

It's often the husband who is the less romantic of the two, and as a result the wife has to find some way to still enjoy herself, but also to coax him a little into having some romantic time with her too.

How to make the most of your honeymoon? Don't have a long flight after your wedding reception. Stay near the airport if the flight is early in the morning. If you like different things, make some time for each other them, even if it's a few days for one thing and a few days for another.

Romance isn't about location or weather, but instead it's about your point of view.

To prevent many mishaps on your honeymoon try these: Have enough money, in different forms. Ex-spouses are sometimes a bigger part of a marriage than they seem to be. Don't take your past emotional baggage along with you on your honeymoon. Parents who come from long distances just for the wedding do not have to join you on your honeymoon, but they should also not be ignored. Be very careful when bringing one or both spouse's children. They could be a welcome addition to the family, but not necessarily to the honeymoon.

Delayed honeymoons are sometimes necessary, but they can be just as good as the more traditional and timely ones.

No matter what you plan for your honeymoon, make sure to book as much as you can at www.kingarthur.myttn.com before anything else!