When traveling with the family it is important to find family friendly sites to hitch up overnight.  The kids can go a little stir crazy if they don’t have some social outlet.  There are many RV parks and campgrounds that are family friendly and offer amenities for entertaining the children, and therefore attract many families. RV travel is quite the social outlet for some families. When you settle into these campgrounds, it is not uncommon to meet other families whom you form lifelong friendships with.  This is a great way for the kids to have some time to play with other kids and for the parents to swap ideas about entertainment in the area and exchange other RV travel ideas.

RV travel is also very popular with retirees. After retirement, many couples choose to sell everything they own and live in their RV’s and travel the country full time.  There are Senior RV clubs that offer social gatherings all over the U.S. and Canada for those who are full time travelers, as well as the weekend warriors. It is believed by many that RV-ing is the best way to see the country and a great way for empty nesters and retirees to reconnect with their spouses, after the hustle and bustle of raising a family and working 9-5 is behind you.

While RV-ing you may chose to “camp out” in campgrounds or off the beaten path somewhere secluded.  This decision may be easy for some that don’t like to “rough it”.  RV travel incorporates a few more conveniences than traditional camping. So many people find it fun and interesting.

You can plan a theme for your trip, like antique collecting, or touring the historic sites in the northeast, or all about the Wild West and rodeos.  There are unlimited possibilities when planning an RV excursion.  Let the road and your imagination be your guide.

First you must decide if your pet has the right temperament to handle your travel schedule.Does your pet travel well in the car?  Will your pet behave well in the hotel in your absence?  Does he or she suffer from separation anxiety.  Is your pet healthy enough to survive the trip?  Some ailing or elderly dogs are best left at home in the care of a relative, petsitter, or in a kennel? Check with your veterinarian before making any decision to travel with your pet.

Some airlines will allow a well behaved small dog to travel in an appropriate sized kennel under your seat, while others will only allow pets to travel with the other cargo. If you chose to travel by air, look into the airline  and their possible restrictions before you make any further arrangements. If your pet is used to a crate or kennel and does not struggle during normal transportation (car rides, to the vet) then he or she will probably fare well on this journey.

Once you have mad the decision to travel with your pet, you should also learn what the hotels requirements are for your pet’s stay.  Some hotels require mandatory babysitting, meaning your pet can never be left alone in the hotel room.  These babysitters are a good idea to provide companionship for your pet in your absence, however, they can cost about $50 an hour.  Be clear on the hotel’s policy before you arrive to avoid any expensive surprises.

A few more general tips to consider when you decide to take your beloved pet along, whether you travel by car or plane. Be certain your pet has proper identification with a current tag or a microchip. A microchip is preferred because obviously, the  possibility of  losing the tag. A travel ID tag is also a good idea for your pet. This will identify the location  where you will be staying, including your cell phone number so you can be reached immediately. Grooming before the trip is a must, as well as packing your pet’s favorite food, toys, and dishes to make him or her feel more comfortable. Be sure to have all current shot and health records available when crossing state or international borders. Also be sure to check with your Vet. Regarding your location and any particular insects or disease to be aware of and treated for.

Keep a close eye on your pet’s well being during your trip.  Monitor him or her for any difference in mood, appetite, or any other physical changes.  Contact a local veterinarian as soon as you notice anything unusual about your pet’s behavior or condition.

There is a wealth of information available from your vet and other travel resources regarding travel with pets. Do plenty of research before planning to avoid any surprises that can make or break your vacation.

Many of us get caught up in every day life and begin to take our significant others for granted.  If you feel this may be the case then plan a getaway for just the two of you.  First you must pick a date that is convenient for both of you to totally break away.  No work, no kids, no responsibilities of every day life to spoil the romance. This getaway should be entirely about the two of you. If possible leave all cell phones and laptops at home.

Plan your time and activities around being relaxed and pampered.  Most better hotels will provide a very private relaxing location as well as some little extras upon request.  If your budget only allows for one night at the hotel, make the most of it by requesting the latest possible checkout spending time at the pool or spa before and after your checkout time.  If there is a hot tub or sauna, plan some time enjoying that as well. Whenever possible take advantage of the complimentary breakfast to save a little money as well.

If budget is not a big factor in your planning, visit a spa resort.  You can partake in a couple’s massage in your room or possibly on the rooftop or balcony. Any spa services for two are a great idea for romance and relaxation. Room service is a must wherever possible, but an evening out in a fine dining establishment with drinks and dancing is sure to turn up the romance too. If you are not able to find a spa resort, check with the concierge for a possible massage therapist that will travel to your location. Beach weekends are also always a great way to relax and rekindle a romance that may be lost.

Whether your budget allows for one night away or a week of endless romance, the planning should revolve completely around romance and relaxation. No matter what your budget there is always room for romance.  Whatever you decide, be certain that the priority is time alone together to relax and talk and revive a relationship that was starting to feel a bit tired.

Depending on your location, there are probably many one tank trips you can take with your family. Do some research and find out what’s around you, within driving distance.  Even if it involves a night in a hotel, it’s still more affordable than a plane trip and a week at a hotel, meals…etc.  On a staycation you can also enjoy local things that were always out of your budget.  Again, without  the major travel costs, you can afford these little splurges, like eating at fabulous local restaurants, and taking in local theater.

Vacations are a great tiime for families to regroup after a hectic season and get to know eachother again.  Staycation-road-trips are a good way to do this.  Reconnect with you kids and enjoy local family activities together. There are probably numerous sightseeing opportunities that are overlooked due to busy schedules. Exploring your surroundings together will create just as many memories as visiting the mouse in Florida.

Be certain, no matter what you plan for your staycation travels, that you  DO NOT just stay at home.  When you are at home with unlimited free time, it is easy to fall into the trap of completing all the little projects that don’t get done throughout the year.  Leave the house daily as if you were out of town.  The cluttered closets, the piles of laundry, the dirty grout lines will all have to wait.  Don’t let the daily chores ruin your vacation, because you chose to make it a staycation. Plan your daily activities in advance the way you would on any other vacation.

There are parks and picnics and museums and history all around you.  Enjoy your local resources and most of all enjoy some relaxation with your family.

I’ve learned a lot through my travels and learned how to handle the inevitable bumps in the road that will arise when toting small children. First, don’t plan sightseeing for every single minute of every day. If you are in a new area, try to pick out the most important features that must be seen and do those first. Be sure they are interesting for the kids as well as the adults. We all know, when the little ones are bored is when they get into trouble.

Bring plenty of comforts from home. A jar of peanut butter goes a long way when traveling with kids. Some exotic locations may not have the hot dogs and nuggets that our kids are used to. Be sure you have the staple PB&J available for meals. Comfort food is important to little ones as well. Pack their favorite pillow case and a few toys too. Video games are a great distraction for car or airplane rides. A $20 investment in a new/used game will invaluable when traveling.

Include the kids in the planning. Let them see some of the activities available and let them chose which ones they are most interested in. They will be so excited about their “day”. This will truly go a long way during the entire stay. The anticipation alone is enough to make their sightseeing selection the best in their eyes.

Some families chose to travel with a babysitter. This seems to be a win-win situation for all involved. The babysitter gets to go on vacation and see and do some new and exciting things, the kids are excited to have their favorite babysitter along on the trip and the parents can have a little adult time to have a meal or see some sights that would be uninteresting to the kids. A young, trusted babysitter will not cost too much. If you give her the trip and agree on a flat rate for the entire vacation, it will not cost too much for the added peace of mind you will have.

Try to remember that when traveling with youngsters, they will be out of their element. Bringing a few comforts from home and looking at the entertainment through their eyes are key to a well planned memorable family vacation.

Since most women love to travel and we ALL occasionally need to get away, why not start planning a fun girls’ getaway with a couple of your friends or family. There doesn’t need to be a special occasion for a fun trip with ‘the girls’. No occasion at all can be the best reason to celebrate and take a little breather. It may just include a long weekend or three or four days, and needs to be relaxing and/or exciting, but definitely guilt-free.

This kind of small, female group travel is one of the hottest trends today and most resorts and hotels across the country are aware of it. You can find package deals almost everywhere, almost any time of the year. Promotional packages can include spa treatments of every kind, chocolates and champagne or gourmet dinners, tickets to the theater or other special events. They can include cooking lessons, dancing lessons, horseback riding or rock climbing — it will all depend on when and where you decide to go and with whom.

One drawback of the pre-planned getaway package is that the perks of the package have to appeal to all the women in your group. If they don’t, then the price of the package will not be worth it. You should be careful when you choose a promotional deal because sometimes the price of an all-inclusive package is just not worth the sum of its parts. You may have much better luck planning your time away by purchasing a la carte items to entertain yourselves.

While in those fun planning stages, the girlfriends can determine if they want to get away to be pampered or go hiking, be in the sun by the pool or go snow skiing, or just try something they have never tried before. (I’m always for being pampered and relaxing because I‘m practically an expert at it.)

Once your interests and activities have been narrowed down and your destination chosen, research some of the points of interest in the area. Contact the local chamber of commerce or visitors’ bureau. Check to see if there are any specials or discounts available at the hotels or resorts that look interesting in the area.

Pull in all those discount offers you can. Are you senior citizens? Does someone in your group have frequent flyer miles to share? Are any of you AAA members? All the breaks you can get in prices can be spent elsewhere on your trip (or not spent at all).

If you can plan six or nine months ahead (or more), you can all start saving towards the big event. Every pay period, each of you can set aside a certain amount. You may want to consider putting it all into an interest-bearing account. If you plan the financial end of it ahead of time, none of you will feel the squeeze when it comes down to booking the event(s) and coming up with the deposit money.

Whatever you do, where ever you go, allow yourselves enough time in your schedule to regroup and reconnect and enjoy those relationships. And remember, you are not abandoning your loved ones and your responsibilities. You are taking a well-deserved mental health break. You are not only entitled to some “Me” time, you owe it to yourselves (and your families) to leave the stress behind for just a little while. You will emerge a better mom or wife or sister or girlfriend for it. Have fun! Wish I were going.

Gilroy, in southern Santa Clara County, California is, of course, the location for the famous Gilroy Garlic Festival, an annual event that has transformed this little town into the Garlic Capital of the World. Millions and millions and millions of pounds of garlic are produced every year in this lovely farming area. Though garlic is not the only thing grown in Gilroy, it really put Gilroy on the map — so to speak. (Among many other varieties of produce, Gilroy produces a considerable amount of mushrooms too, another favorite of mine.)

Each year, since 1979, the garlic festival has been held and has been a fundraiser for local charities. Individual groups and charities also run booths at the festival, raising additional funds for their causes. Held the last full weekend in July (the last Friday, Saturday and Sunday), it is one of the largest food festivals held in the United States and considered by most to be the best garlic festival in the world.

Like most festivals, there is always something for everyone in the family — from food to entertainment to shopping. For the children, there is a world of fun activities waiting, including rides, face painting, bouncy houses, games, magic, arts and crafts. For the rest of the crowd, there is garlic inspired food of every imaginable kind. Yes, it is true there is even garlic ice cream. There are garlic recipe contests and cook-offs, celebrity cooking demonstrations, live entertainment, arts and crafts and so much, much more, even appearances by Miss Gilroy Garlic and her court. One of the highlights are the fun promotional products that the booths give out, love collecting that garlic swag! Even if you are not a fellow lover of this pungent bulb, there is plenty of food and fun for you too.

Um, now about that garlic ice cream, I am told the samples are free and free is for me; however, the basil and garlic stuffed sea scallops wrapped in prosciutto and served with a citrus beurre blanc sauce (one of the 2008 recipe/cook-off winners) has me absolutely drooling.

Garlic, in all its gastronomic glory, is also very good for you and has been used medicinally for thousands of years. It is claimed to help prevent heart disease, including atherosclerosis, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and cancer. Now if I can get help fighting off all those things with a few bowls of Garlic Seafood Soup, count me in.

Now if all this information has not convinced you to put this festival on your “bucket list”, then consider the following:

Garlic is known to repel mosquitoes and ticks. They despise or are overwhelmed by the scent of garlic and exposure to a high level of the toxins found in garlic can be deadly to them. So if garlic keeps away the mosquitoes and ticks, it goes without saying that it would make a suitable repellant against those other frightening, blood-sucking creatures of the night — VAMPIRES!

So go to the Gilroy Garlic Festival, stock up on lots and lots of garlic, and you can take it with you on your next trip to Transylvania. Oh, be sure to tell Vlad I spoke well of him.

If you have not visited southern Italy, especially on the Adriatic coast, then Puglia could be the trip for you. A vacation spent in “trulli” accommodations will ‘truly’ be an experience like none other.

These gleaming whitewashed houses are the most curious looking rounded structures I have ever seen. They are built of stone (whitewashed yearly), with gray stone, cone-shaped roofs. If you see trulli from a reasonable distance, they may look like stone tents scattered across the countryside. In villages where there is a heavy concentration of trulli houses, you might swear it is some kind of mythical fairytale land and expect to find gnomes busily scurrying about hoarding their treasures.

Though the origin of these oddly shaped stone structures may not ’truly’ be known, it is said to have taken place thousands of years ago in the Middle Ages. At this time, anyone who built a dwelling on the king’s land was taxed so heavily that none could afford it. In order to avoid the unfair taxes, these early tax evaders built the teepee shaped structures of dry, un-mortared stones. Upon learning of any upcoming visit from the tax collector, the structures were dismantled and scattered. After the tax man had gone, the dwellings were rapidly re-erected and life continued.

To my knowledge, Puglia is the only place in the world where these trulli houses exist. Today, however, they are permanent structures, fortified with stucco. The cone shape usually still comprises the common area, with the interiors usually being sparsely decorated. With the exception of the bathroom door, the other rooms (bedrooms) are separated by colorful and interesting curtains (though this may not be true of trulli rental apartments or villas).

The climate in Puglia is fairly warm with its summer lasting from Easter until October. In addition to these amazing housing structures, the beauty of the Adriatic coast is unparalleled. The crystal clear turquoise waters are accessible for swimming as well as fishing and other water sports, and uncrowded beaches for sunning can be also found all along this stretch of the coastline, making Puglia a perfect destination for summer travel.

In the whole of Puglia, accommodations range from modest trulli rentals to trulli villas complete with pool, to a bed and breakfast arrangement or five-star hotel. You can choose to stay in the hillside towns or the seaside villages and the entire area is considered a true bargain compared to the rest of Italy. The people of this region are known for their always pleasant and welcoming spirit and their incredible generosity. In spite of its rustic simplicity, Puglia has something to offer every travel budget — from the lowest to the highest — with the most humble to the most luxurious accommodations.

Consider some vacation time in this region of Italy that is still relatively unknown to the tourist trade. Get off the beaten path of tourist-trodden Venice and Rome and give Puglia a try. The largest producer of olive oil in all of Italy (and before long destined to become a mecca for tourists), Puglia promises to not disappoint you. Benvenuto! A presto!

So here is what I know personally. In the mid-1800s, the property was used as a Coast Guard station while the British ruled Ireland. Then in 1914, it became a convent for the Sisters of Mercy who taught primary school for the village of Ballycastle and later lace making and music. In 1960s, a new school was built in the village of Ballycastle and the property subsequently was sold the Whelan family who then operated it as a small, family-run hotel for many, many years.

When the branch of the Whelans who had continued to run the hotel decided to sell it, fate intervened. The lovely Frances Kelly, who had lived in Ballycastle as a young girl and had worked at Stella Maris alongside her sisters after it had become a hotel, returned to Ireland for another visit after having pursued her education in culinary arts in the United States. When Frances learned that the property was up for sale, she and her husband, Terrence McSweeney, purchased the property, and began renovations on this unique property to the point that it is today — a beautiful and luxurious environment for a choice clientele who could appreciate the tranquility that West Mayo has to offer.

Today, Stella Maris is a member of Ireland’s Blue Book of Country Houses and Restaurants, as well as Historic Hotels of Europe. It also has been named one of Ireland’s Top 100 Restaurants, with it‘s many home-grown vegetables and herbs and local fishes and lamb, and, of course, Frances overseeing every detail of the modern Irish dinner specialties.

Situated very close (40-minute drive) to both the Enniscrone and the Carne/Belmullet golf courses, two of the finest links in all of Ireland, this meticulously restored structure provides the perfect lodgings for the golf enthusiast. With its 100-foot glassed conservatory, the views of Bunatrahir Bay will comfort and delight you. There is both fresh and salt water fishing, bird watching, hiking and biking all available in this area, as well as strolls to the famous Downpatrick Head. One version of the story of Downpatrick Head is that it is where St. Patrick cut off the head of a giant serpent, dividing the Head from the mainland and driving all snakes from Ireland.

And now I am there, if only in my imagination, and I swear I can almost feel the wind on my face and the sound of the birds and crashing waves. Is it my imagination, but as I look out upon that vast Atlantic, do I almost see the roundish curvature of the earth…?