Wee Ones Like to Travel, Too 11.20.10

Just because you have children doesn't mean you can never vacation again or have to pack up the tent and go camping. Of course, I'm not opposed to camping. I did it all the time as a kid, but nothing beats a good old fashioned family vacation. One where you don't have to do all the work and take freezing showers for a week. Sure, traveling with more than two can be hard on your wallet, but you can save on things to make it more manageable. There's also plenty of things you can do to keep your kids occupied in between "entertainment".

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So, you want to go on a real vacation, but don't think you can afford it with your whole family? Well, you're wrong. Your first step is to pick a destination and your second is to start a vacation savings account. If you can set aside a bit of money each month, it makes it much easier to deal with the cost of a trip of any size, because you can chip away at it all year long. Below are some ways to save that can allow you to stay longer than a few days at your vacation and make the airfare worthwhile.

• Rent an apartment, house or condo. This is always a great option, but especially if you are traveling as a family, because it offers many advantages like cheaper rates than a hotel if you stay a week or more,  more space for everyone to stretch out in, a kitchen to save on your dining budget and more privacy than most hotels offer. Here are some ones to check out.

• Visit a city that offers a pass card where you can visit many attractions for one low price. Here are just a few awesome ones. You buy one card for each person in your party (some even include transportation options) and then you skip the box-office queues at each location and just present your city pass as a ticket.

CityPASS is available in 11 cities

• If a city is safe to drive in, renting a car might end up being less expensive than public transportation in some cases. Do your homework, because in some cities, it would just be more cost-effective to drive your family around than to get multi-day bus/subway passes.
• Does your family love the beach? Instead of heading to the ocean, look into lakeside locations. They almost always have just as nice a beach and many of the same watersports, but at a fraction of the cost.
• Can your kids miss a few days of school? Travel in the Fall, Winter or Spring. Summer rates for everything can be double the price (or more), because that's when families can travel.
• Rent strollers and other baby equipment at your destination. They are available all over the world and can be much less than having to check through your personal ones and risk them getting damaged by baggage handlers. One of the best websites that has links to rental locations is Babies Travel Lite.
• Don't overpack. If you need diapers and formula, buy them at your destination. You don't need to spend an extra $15+ for each bag that needs to be checked through. Carry only what you need for the flight, plus a bit extra in case in case of delays. If you'll be traveling somewhere that might not have convenient stores nearby, you can also use Babies Travel Lite to to send "baby care packages" wherever you are.
• Children under the age of 2 fly for free if you aren't opposed to them sitting in your lap the whole flight. Probably not so doable on a trip across the Atlantic, but not too bad on a flight that's only a few hours long. 
• Don't order off the kids' menu in restaurants. They are almost always overpriced and have a very limited (and repetitive) selection. Choose an entrée that you and your child can share. Not only will there be no waste that way (as can often happen when one is faced with another bowl of mac and cheese or pizza) but there will be a wider selection for them that normally includes a vegetable of some sort. Add a salad if it turns out that the one plate isn't enough.
• If you choose to stay in a hotel or resort, stay in ones where kids eat free. Almost all places offer kids STAY free, so it's not really a good deal. Kids can eat you out of house and home, so that's really the bargain you want to look for. If an all-inclusive is in the cards, find ones where kids stay, eat and play free. You'll be surprised how much that will save you over the course of the week.
• Stock up on snacks. Kids always want to eat when it isn't snack time and can get super cranky if they don't get something in their tummy pretty fast. Vacation is no different than at home. Bring snacks on all your outings to tide them over until it's time to actually sit down and have real food.

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Keep your kids from freaking out and making you wish you never took a trip in the first place. Bring games and toys to keep them occupied. Not only will a few games keep you all sane and having fun, but it will keep your kids from going wild and bothering others around you on planes, in amusement parks and other places.


Fluxx 2.0 is one of my favorite games. It can be played by those aged 8 and over. It's the card game of ever-changing rules, so no matter how many times you play it, it will never be the same game twice. There are several different versions of the game, besides Zombie Fluxx (shown) and they can be used separately or as one big deck. The object of the game is the be the first to reach whatever the "goal" is, but since there are many goals and everyone wants to win, the goal will continue to change throughout the game. You may have 3 cards or 12 cards in your hand at any time, because the rules will continue to change as well. A game can last 5 minutes or 30 minutes, but it will always be a blast. We take this game with us everywhere. We play it on the plane, in our room, at the laundromat. Anywhere there's a flat surface!





Another game I always throw in the travel bag. Keep in mind that we have no kids and still find these games super fun. If your child can add, spell simple words and match pictures, they can play this game! Games go fairly quick (between 5-10 minutes each), so you can use this card game to fill any time lull. As with all Cranium games, it's educational without you realizing it. The cards are also plastic, so they are spill- and slobber-resistant. You know, just in case.









Klutz always makes excellent activity games for kids...and us big kids who like to make finger puppets and tissue paper and pipe cleaner flowers. If you'll be traveling by car, plane or train, the Backseat Survival Kit is a must to include in your child's travel bag. It has enough games and activities to keep them busy for hours...and has a handy zipper pouch for accessories and markers that all come with it.

Are you on Twitter? Me too! Follow Shereentrvlschp for awesome text-sized budget-travel tips and deals. I tweet multiple times each day, just like I post on Facebook. Over 1,400 followers and counting! I'm cooking up another giveaway for when we reach 2,000 followers, so start following now to get in on that. Stay tuned for more details.

Little people have short legs that get restless while sitting with their feet dangling for any amount of time. I hate nothing more than having to sit on a flight with someone kicking my seat the entire time. And please don't give me attitude when I ask you nicely to get your child to stop doing it. If I could, I would sit behind you and make your flight miserable just to show you how it feels, but I can't and I'd like for us all to get along and have a nice ride to wherever we're going. One way to combat restless dangly legs is to give them something to put their feet on...which is not the seat back. The Skyrest Travel Pillow is great for this. It is inflatable, so it takes up almost no space in your carry-on, and it's just the right height for tiny feet. You can remove the cover, too, so it doesn't get dirty from shoes or the cabin floor.

The Mysteries of The 3-1-1 11.17.10

Some people are hassled by this post 9-11 TSA rule. If you ask me, it’s quite a blessing in disguise, as it is just step one in not overpacking. You see that little bag and wonder how much you can fit in it. Then you see your carry-on and think the same thing! The bigger suitcases collect dust in the closet, because as great as they are, you already paid money for them, so why pay MORE money to check them when you fly. I would rather invest in a rockin’ $300 carry-on bag than spend half that on a suitcase that needs to travel under the plane at $15-40 each flight. You’ll never pay more for that carry-on, but you’ll pay EVERY time you use your suitcase, just because you want to take a couple extra pairs of shoes and full-size toiletries. Keep in mind that just because it is convenient to have someone whisk your bag away and swipe your credit card, you could have used that money elsewhere on your trip and you still have to lug that monster around when you get off at your destination. Think about what fun that’ll be on the off-chance the lift is out of order.

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What IS a 3-1-1 bag? Due to liquid regulations on all flights, you must contain all your liquid, gels and pastes to 3oz each in a 1-quart bag and only one is allowed per traveler. ALL your liquids must be able to fit in this bag, including shampoo, hairspray, toothpaste, hand cream, mascara, lip gloss and anything else that isn’t solid. If it doesn’t fit, you can’t take it. And if it’s over 3oz, you also can’t take it. Anything that doesn’t fit in or conform to 3-1-1 regulations will be confiscated by security.

If you look in the travel products aisles of stores, you can find a pack of 10 “airplane” zip-top bags. These are nice and handy to have extras, just in case.  I recommend investing in a Zipper pouch that conforms to rules and also is heavy-duty, like the Travelon toiletry bag that comes with travel-sized toiletry bottles and jars for your makeup and hair care products. While I don’t really use those, the price of the bag itself is reasonable and will last you several vacations…or more if you don’t overstuff it. It features a flat bottom, which makes it easier to pack more bottles into and to use when you get to your destination, because it stands upright. The nice zipper is a good deterrent for spills. Several times I’ve had something gush out into the bag to find everything in it covered in goo, but never has it come out of the bag to glop up any of my other stuff.

In the travel products aisle, and also in your Travelon bag, you can find reusable plastic bottles and containers for travel. Since they are specifically for travel, they are capped at 3oz and come in different colors and styles to suit your needs. They are great for hairspray, gel, shampoo and conditioner.

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If you’d rather just buy travel sizes of your favorite products, most stores carry them. If they don’t, you can check one of my favorite resources: Minimus.biz. They are one-stop shopping for all things travel-size. You can pick up toothpaste, shampoos and conditioners (including salon brands), cold medication, travel blankets, drink mixes, condiments, snacks and more! And you can get free shipping with a minimum order of $25. If you can’t find it on Minimus, you either don’t need it or you can’t find it anywhere. They have many spa-worthy beauty products now, too, like face masks and foot scrub.

Be prepared for security…please. No one wants to stand behind you with their stuff, ready to zip through the line, when they see you’re wearing your jacket and shoes and no 3-1-1 bag and no bin. They know it’s still in your carry-on and you will take an extra 10 minutes and hold up the whole line. We’re all in this together, so please try to be as prepared as possible when you get through security. Everyone already hates it, so don’t make them hate you, too. Here are some simple rules to follow to be as efficient as possible through security.

• Have your 3-1-1 bag packed BEFORE you get into the security line.  Also, don’t start digging for it when you get to the front of the line. Make sure it’s accessible, so you can just pull it out and pop it in a bin.
• Take a bin and put your purse (or wallet, keys and other pocket gems you carry around), shoes, 3-1-1 bag and jacket in it, if you’re carrying one. If you can wear slip-on shoes, this goes much faster when you’re through security. 
• If you’re traveling with a laptop, it needs its own bin, and you need to send that through separately.
• Push your carry-on, wheels or bottom first, onto the conveyor belt either before or after your bin(s). People don’t want to touch your stuff, so make sure it gets on the belt to be pulled through before you walk through the metal detector.
• Wait for your bin(s) and bag and take them to the end of the line to pack up and put your shoes back on. Don’t hold up the line right outside of the x-ray machine while you’re lacing up your knee-high boots.

Looking for a deal this week? Well, you’re in luck. There are many to be had out there, especially if you can book last-minute.  

• Book a 1-bedroom villa in the Williamsburg area of Virginia by November 24 and get the amazing rate of just $59/night. With prices like that, you can totally afford a visit to Colonial Williamsburg and Busch Gardens. Rates good through February 2011 and includes weekends! Each villa has a full/partial kitchen, which can save you even more on your vacation. For just $20 more, you can upgrade to a 2-bedroom/2-bath villa...in case you are traveling as a family.
• Cruise Alaska in the Spring from just $1,199 per person. 7-night cruise, plus 3 hotel nights, a scenic rail trip and a tour of Denali National Park. You'll sail from Anchorage on the Celebrity Millennium and visit ports in Ketchikan, Icy Straight, Juneau, Skagway and Hubbard Glacier. Book by November 22.
• Spend 10 nights in Amazing Egypt! From $1,699 per person, your trip includes international round-trip airfare to Cairo, intra-Egypt flights, 6 nights in 4- and 5-star accommodations, 4-night cruise down the Nile, many meals and an English-speaking tour guide. Book by December 1 to get this rate and save $600 off competitive packages.
• Is Vegas calling? Save 50% off rates at Treasure Island and spend just $40 per night! Book by November 24 for stays through January 3 and enjoy everything that Las Vegas and Treasure Island has to offer, including Pan-Asian restaurant Khotan.
• What about wine? Spend some time in Northern California's Sonoma County for just $99/night at the Sheraton in Petaluma. Spend your extra money on a wine tour and some bottles to take home with you. Book by December 8 for travel through March 15 and get these rates, plus a room upgrade to a deluxe marina view room, including weekends AND holidays! 

Our Twitter following is growing every day! Follow shereentrvlschp on Twitter, too! Same fun tips and deals, but in “carry-on” size! I’m working on a giveaway for one lucky follower when we reach 2,000. Until then, stay tuned or join us on Facebook, too! Better odds, with more prizes and less members.

You can find even more budget-travel tips from me on my guest posts on the following blogs:

And soon: 

My Itchy Travel Feet

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It’s Warm In The Southern Hemisphere 11.13.10

That’s right. Fall and winter for us “Northerners” is spring and summer for those below the Equator. That means now is the ideal time to escape the chilly weather and pack shorts and other warm-weather clothes for a trip to somewhere where the sun shining is not an optical illusion. There’s nothing I hate more than having to go outside with a knit cap on and sunglasses. Good thing we don’t have many cold, sunny days in Oregon, but they still happen. Let’s talk about some of your winter choices for summer weather. Just think: the smaller the clothes you need, the less packing space you use!

The Caribbean is always beautiful. Let Carnival take you on a cruise from $169 and up. Book by November 14 for onboard credits. Other incentives include: 20% off with early booking, stateroom upgrade, reduced airfare from Europe, 10% off shore excursions (though you can usually book these yourself and save much more) and percent off for military personnel and family. Look at these amazing deals and book quickly to take advantage of them.

Princess Cruises also has a wonderful Caribbean sale. 7 nights from Ft. Lauderdale, you’ll dock in Princess Cays (Bahamas), St. Maarten, St. Thomas and Grand Turk. For only $519 per person aboard the Ruby Princess for an inside cabin, $619 for an outside cabin and $739 for a balcony cabin. Enjoy fine dining, nightly shows, daily entertainment and more.  Sale ends Monday at midnight. (Voyage Prive is invitation only. If you're not a member, become one HERE.)

I challenge all my readers to help us to make it to 500 page members by December 15! Join me on Facebook and get even more travel deals and money-saving tips! We even have a great giveaway going, which every member is eligible to win. “Like” Shereen Travels Cheap and get entered instantly! You do not have to be a US resident to win, so sign up and tell all your friends. See the Promos tab on the page for more details.

Princess Cruises would like to take you to Brazil, too! Take a 14-night cruise down the Amazon for less than $100 a day per person! Spend Christmas and New Years in South America. You’ll depart from Ft. Lauderdale and stop at nine ports of call, including St. Lucia, Trinidad and Tobago, Santarem and Manaus. With 10 dining options, a casino, caberet lounge and multiple bars, you’ll never be bored. (If you aren't a member of Voyage Prive, click HERE for an invitation.)

Looking for a bit more adventure? How about a Kenyan Safari? Save 34% off regular prices and take a 10 night safari inKenya from as little as $4,579 per person. There are prices for both east coast and west coast travelers. Visit amazing locations like Nairobi, Masai Mara and Amboseli National Park and stay in breathtaking accommodations, many of which are situated in the heart of wildlife. This is truly one to cross off your “bucket-list”. (Not a member of Voyage Prive? Click HERE.)

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Take a 6-night escorted tour of Machu Picchu in Peru from just $999 per person, including RT international aifare, intra-Peru flights, 3-star accommodations, daily breakfast, transfers, tours and more. You’ll spend 3 nights in Cuzco and another 3 nights in Lima, with a full-day tour of Machu Picchu and a guided tour of Lima. Book by November 23.

For something a little less expensive, I recommend Ecuador. It’s on the Equator, which means the weather is nice all year. While it’s not always super cheap to get there, it’s amazingly affordable to stay, eat and play there. We went several years ago and stayed in Quito for 5 nights, another 2 nights in Otavalo in a mountain lodge and 1 night in Mindo in an eco-lodge in the cloud forest. While the lodges were a bit spendy, the cost for all of our accommodations were still about the cost of a mid-range hotel anywhere in America. We would have saved $300, if we had spent the whole time in Quito, and still spent less than $300 on those accommodations.

Food was delicious and super cheap compared to anywhere we’ve ever traveled. In fact, we saved so much on our trip that we bought Christmas presents for everyone back home and also treated ourselves to a set of matching wedding bands. If you’re looking for jewelry of any kind, you’ll find a gazillion shops in Quito and the perfect piece just for you. Prices are probably ¼ of what you would find elsewhere and everything is stamped if it’s authentic. On top of that, the shop owners are super nice, even if you are not so good with your Spanish. Most do not accept credit cards though, so you might have to make a trip to the ATM.

Follow shereentrvlschp on Twitter for a bite-size version of my travel deals, updates and budget tips! We have almost 1,400 followers and counting! I’m thinking of something special to do when we hit 2,000. In the meantime, be eligible for my current giveaway by also joining me on Facebook.

• So, you have your winter escape planned out and need to start packing? Don’t forget that even though it’s warm where you’re going, it’ll still be cold at home. Wear a pair of jeans or warm pants and a fleece or sweater over a t-shirt to the airport, so you have something to wear on the way home that won’t cause you to ask  “OMG, what was I thinking!?” when the pilot tells you it’s 38 degrees in your hometown. This happened to me on a trip to Arizona. I came back to 58 degree weather and was wearing a halter top and shorts, because in Phoenix it was 113.
• Aside from flip-flops, which pack anywhere and I don’t consider shoes, take two pair of shoes per person. I like to wear my walking shoes on the plane, because they are heavier and take up more room. Then I throw in a pair of nicer shoes that I can wear out to dinner, but are still comfortable should I want to sightsee in them or go out dancing.
• Pack neutrals! I tend to like neutral bottoms and then I can wear almost anything on top, but if you’d rather pack neutral tops, go for it! Make sure all your neutrals are in the same color palette, like tans/browns or grays/blacks, that way you can pack shoes that match with everything and eliminate unnecessary overpacking.
• Make a packing list. Seriously, this is the most important part of packing. It keeps you from adding extra items you don’t really need and then keeping track of everything you take with you. Once it’s all checked off and packed, put your list in with your other important travel papers. That way, when you’re headed back home, you know you have everything with you. (Adding anything you bought along the way to it is also really helpful with filling out those customs forms.)

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For more packing help, see my article on the CRAVE blog: Pack Lighter. Look Great. Save Money. 

You can find more travel advice on the Shereen Travels Cheap blog’s previous entries and also on my guest posts elsewhere:

TheSavalots – The Little (Hotel Search) Engines That Could [Hotel search engines that can save you money and offer incentives for current and   future travel.]

DoHop – What’s For Dinner? [Saving money on your food budget      anywhere you travel.]

Jetsetera – London For Less (So You Can Buy More Shoes!) [You can travel to London and not spend an arm and a leg.]

CheapLikeMeBlog - How to Be A Frugal Foodie on Vacation [More ways to save on your food budget while traveling.]

And soon on: My Itchy Travel Feet and Ebates

I found a great article on Gadling for those of you looking for a suitable, inexpensive extra bag for when you need some extra room for your vacation purchases.