Buying Cheap Humidors

There are numerous vendors who offer humidors at low prices. Many retail stores have departments that sell humidors of many kinds. Typically though retail stores will offer limited styles of smaller desktop and travel humidors. There are also stores that specialize in humidors and cigars that offer upgraded models of humidors and may even offer specials on cabinet humidors.

However, the prices one may pay at a specialty store will likely be more than what one will find on the Internet for comparable items. The Internet is a great place for researching and purchasing humidors of all styles, brands, and models. There is no limit to what one can find except for where imagination ends.

A quick search of the internet using humidor sale returned hundreds of companies offering low prices on humidors of all kinds from small travel humidors to large cabinet humidors even to humidors designed for jewelry. A search for discount humidors also returned hundreds of companies in the same way that a search for wholesale humidors returned many possibilities.

With access to so many companies selling cheap humidors, the most difficult part to purchasing a humidor today, especially with internet stores, is being able to narrow down one's search and to settle on one particular style of humidor with many costing much less than $100.

In an internet search, one can find a very beautiful rosewood cabinet humidor with a Spanish cedar interior that measures 15"" x 9 3/4"" x 6 3/8"" and will hold up to 120 cigars for a mere $79.99, plus shipping and tax costs. This item typically retails for $199.00. Another deal on the internet was for a cabinet humidor that holds up to 3000 cigars and only costs $599.00. And these are only two examples of such great deals one can find for Cheap Humidors on the internet.

The internet now affords the cigar aficionado the opportunity to research and purchase cheap humidors, offered either through a sale, discount or wholesale offering, from the comfort of their home.

Humidors Info provides detailed information on cigar humidors, travel humidors, and humidor plans. Humidors Info is the sister site of Cigars Web.

[tags]humidors, cigar, travel humidor[/tags]

Sun, Surf And Wine

As Captain Cook traveled north along the east coast in 1770, he made notes in his Captains Diary about a headland, now called Nobby Head. However it wasn't until 1797, while chasing escapees, that Lieutenant John Shortland discovered the Hunter River and also large deposits of coal.

Some four years later, in 1801 convicts began the backbreaking work of mining coal and cutting timber. Slowly, on the back of coal and the construction of the major prison in NSW (with over 1000 convicts) Newcastle begin growing, along with the schools and a flurry of buildings, its population grow to approx 50,000 in 1890.

A major turning point in the towns history come in 1911, when the large steelworks, BHP, chose Newcastle as the its new location due to the abundance of coal. BHP would remain in Newcastle until the company decided to close its doors in 2000, despite record company profits.

Today Newcastle is the second largest city in NSW (250,000 pop) and is growing in popularity with many Australians and foreign tourists. Located around 150km north of Sydney, Newcastle is easily reached by road or rail in only a few hours. There are also regular flights to and from Williamstown, just to the north.

Once here, the wide and diverse choice of activities on offer will have you wondering in amazement. Located on the coast, some of Australia's best beaches can be found only minutes from the CBD. Nobby's and Newcastle Main Beach, famous for hosting the International Surfest Contest, are only a 5-minute stroll from the main shopping and business districts. Continuing south, through the hilly, yet stunning gardens of King Edward Park, you will travel down the long windy slope arriving at Bar Beach. Further south the white sandy beaches of Merewether, Dudley, Redhead and Blacks Beach will greet you. All perfect for working on the tan, catching some waves or cooling of on a hot summers day.

For the non-beach goers, Newcastle Harbor and foreshore offers a variety of restaurants, cafes and park area to sip on a latte, try a Newcastle Ale or just chill out on the grass. For the more energetic, the large look out tower located next to the Brewery gives you a wonderful 360' view of the city and it's vast coastline. Walking over the footbridge, located below the look out, you enter the Hunter Street Mall, full of more shops and cafés.

For the day-trippers, a visit to the famous Hunter Valley Wineries is a great way to check out the internationally renowned wines of the region. Tours can be private or in groups, by old vintage cars or by bus. Whichever way you go, it is recommended that you don't drive, allowing you to fully appreciate the character and flavor of Australia's leading wine makers!

If history is your thing, Newcastle won't disappoint! Downtown in the CBD you'll find the Newcastle Art Gallery, City Museum and Botanical Gardens, along with Fort Scratchley and the Maritime Museum. A little out of the city, is the Wetlands Center and Blackbutt Nature Reserve, both great for short walks, picnics and learning about Australia's natural beauty.

For more info on Newcastle, check out this useful websites:

· Tourism Website - www.newcastletourism.com

· Accommodation - www.newcasltebackpackers.com

· Accommodation - www.backpackersbythebeach.com.au

· Shortland Wetlands – www.wetlands.org.au

· Newcastle Herald Paper - http://www.theherald.com.au

Originally from Newcastle, Australia, Adam now lives and works in South East Asia.

http://snapperphotography.com

http://vietnaminfocus.info

[tags]newcastle, australia, nsw, tourism, travel, history, culture, beach, sun, surf, wine[/tags]

Amsterdam Vacation

It's pretty good to get a background of Amsterdam before spending a vacation there, isn't it? Well, for those who are currently planning or thinking for an Amsterdam vacation, or those who wish to know more about Amsterdam, here are facts below.

Amsterdam is actually a compact and instantly likeable city in Europe. As claimed by many of those who have been there for an Amsterdam vacation, the city is very appealing to look at and pleasing to walk around. It is a city where the parochial and international behaviors meet, and it is where you will feel a welcoming attitude towards visitors. This kind of behavior we known about Amsterdam was said to be shaped by the liberal counterculture it embraces since the last four decades.

Majority of the people of Amsterdam is able to speak English fluently. Some know how to speak German and French, but it is highly considered that if you are an English speaker, it is better to speak in English than in French and German as speaking the two languages is more likely to offend than do anyone a favor.

The layout of the city of Amsterdam is generally determined by a web of canals radiating out from a historical core to loop right round the center. As many of the Amsterdam vacation resources have noted, these planned, seventeenth century extensions to the medieval town make for a distinctly elegant urban environment. This is further shown by the presence of tall gabled house that are reflected in the black green waters of the city. It is then nice to know that many of the Amsterdam vacationers have deemed the city as the city at its most beguiling, that is, a world away from the traffic and noise of a number of many other European city centers. It is these facts actually that made Amsterdam one of Europe's most popular short-haul destinations.

Before your Amsterdam vacation it is interesting to know that there is actually an apparent contradiction to the positive aspects of the city, and this embodies much of the spirit of Amsterdam. Many of those Amsterdam vacationers who have strolled the city for a long time may know that Amsterdam is worldly known as a place where the possession and sale of cannabis are effectively legal, or at least decriminalized. For the most part, people of Amsterdam themselves can't really be bothered with this stuff.

Also, while the city is renowned throughout the world for its tolerance towards all styles of behavior and dress, a primmer with a more mainstream dress sense would be hard to find. And, as many of the Amsterdam vacationers have known, behind the cozy cafes and dreamy canals lurks the suspicion that the Amsterdammers' hearts lie squarely in their wallets, and while the new Amsterdam vacationers see the city as a liberal haven, locals can seem just as indifferent to this as well.

Amsterdam Vacation

Europe Travel blog: Europe Travel Budapest travel blog Budapest

[tags]amsterdam,amsterdam vacation,travel europe[/tags]

Genealogy In Switzerland - A Longenecker Family Search

I recently visited Langnau, Bern, Switzerland and spent two days immersed in all things Langenegger. My wife and I arrived at the Langnau rail station on June 25, 2004, exhausted from a long flight from San Francisco. As we left the train station we were immediately struck by the unique character of this area.

Outside the train station are the remnants of a cobblestone street, now patched by asphalt. Everywhere we looked were beautiful Swiss houses and buildings – many of them hundreds of years old – and all colorfully decorated with pink and red begonias placed in flower boxes below each window. As we found later, the Emmental is also a wonderland of covered bridges, friendly people, church spires with Swiss clocks and chimes, tinkling cow bells – everything you expect Switzerland to be.

As we walked toward our hotel in Bareau we noticed how friendly and courteous the locals are – stopping to allow us to cross the street and smiling as we passed with a friendly "Hallo" or "Guten Morgen." The town is dotted with long stone tanks with well water splashing in at one end and draining out the other. They look something like a stone horse tank. These are available to anyone who wants a cool drink of well water.

After we settled into our room at the Landgasthof Hotel Adler, the owner kindly invited us to a short ride into the countryside where we saw more beautiful houses and pastures. After we returned we asked a few locals in the hotel restaurant about the Langenegger farm and they had a good laugh. Turns out that there are a lot of Langeneggers there and we didn't know the name of the people who lived in the original house that we came to see.

The hills are about 1200 feet above the valley floor and incredibly green with grass and forested areas visible from anywhere in town. Langnau is small – perhaps three or four long blocks across and the hills seem very close. Black and white cows break up the greenery and produce and wonderful tinkling sound as they graze around ringing the bells around their necks. Higher pitched bells worn by sheep and goats blend with the clunk-clunk bong-bong of the cow bells making a delicious backdrop to the scenery. This is the last sound we heard as we drifted off to sleep covered with a feather quilt on our first night in Langnau.

The birds woke us up to wonderfully green world that is Langnau in the summer. We enjoyed a wonderful breakfast of homemade bread and jelly provided by our host, Stephen. We hoped to attend church, but found that our information was incorrect and arrived too early. Instead we started our walking tour of Langnau early. Langnau is a small town and we walked all of the main streets by about noon when we took a break for lunch to share a small cheese tart and an apple pastry from a small shop near the center of town. By that time, the local museum had opened. It is housed in one of the oldest houses in Langnau and is a great opportunity to look around inside one of these magnificent buildings and see all of the fancy joinery done by the builders. It is also a great museum with a number of permanent and rotating exhibits that depict the history of Langnau and its residents.

The museum's docent has lived in Langnau for 70 years and knows the Langenegger name very well. She quickly found a book that contains the Langenegger family crests – one for those in the valley (Langenegg Ey) and one for those up higher in the hills (Langenegg Unter). She also loosely parsed the name into Lange (Long in English – pronounced 'Long' in German too) and negg (hill in English – pronounced 'neck' in German). I haven't been able to confirm the word 'negg' anywhere – but that is what she said. The book also included a statement, "Ulrich, von Langnau, wanderte 1748 nach Pennsylvanien [USA] Aus (Faust 61)" which roughly translates that Ulrich Langenegger immigrated to Pennsylvania in the United States in 1748. This is our ancestor Ulrich Langenegger Sr. The book doesn't give a further source for this information. On the map, the Langenegg Unter is just about a 30 minute hike up the hill from the museum and Langenegg Ey is about a mile down river from Langnau. Since the Unter had been owned by someone other than a Langenegger for many years, we decided to take a closer look at the Ey property in the valley to see if we could at least get a picture of the house and perhaps, if we were really lucky, meet a distant relative.

Margaret and I walked along the river where many of the local people were taking a break from regular life to cool off. We were pleasantly surprised at the number of covered bridges in and around Langnau – all still being used. We even drove over one just outside of Langnau.

Just as we approached the long driveway to the Langenegger house, two women came up from the river and one of them spoke English. She told us that we were in the right place and that the Langenegger family did live here. She offered to escort us to the right house among a group of several houses and buildings located on the property. With a cheery German "Woo hoo" she called out to the people inside and introduced us to my 9th cousin who lives in the house where Ulrich Langenegger Senior was born in 1664 (the same one mentioned in the book that immigrated to Pennsylvania).

Our new-found cousins were gracious and greeted us warmly even though we just showed up on their doorstep after over 250 years without a Christmas card! We had a short conversation about the family and viewed some of the information that they had there. Coincidentally, the couple's sister-in-law next door was in Pennsylvania to attend a Longenecker reunion while we were in Langnau. We exchanged contact information so that we can follow up with them with information we find that might be useful to them. They kindly offered us a cool drink from their well before we took a short walk around the farm to get some photos. The cows were in the barn as it was unseasonably hot that day. Milk from their cows is sold into a coop of local farmers that makes it into cheese. If you are looking for some authentic Langenegger cheese, look for the Emmentaler type as that is what they make there. It is sold in the US as simply Swiss cheese – the type with holes in it. I must admit that it tasted much better in Langnau than in California.

The house is located an easy hike along the river from Langnau and consists of the original house plus some additional houses and outbuildings. I found the house a challenge to photograph by itself. It is a typical Swiss farm house arranged with living quarters and barn under one roof. On one side is an earthen ramp going directly into the attic over the barn that is used to move hay into that area for storage and use during the winter.

The roof is steep by US standards but not as steep as I expected in an area that gets lots of snow. Most roofs in the area are tile and include a series of brackets about six inches high that hold the snow in the winter so that it doesn't all fall down at one time. Some buildings had a simpler system with only one set of brackets near the bottom of the roof that held a four inch pipe running the entire length of the house – apparently for the same purpose as the brackets on other buildings. In addition, this system probably uses the snow to insulate the roof from the cold. Another interesting thing about some roofs and houses – the builders sometimes put their initials and the date of construction on the roof by using different colored tiles. Others painted this information under the eaves or on the face of the building under the eaves.

The Langenegger house is not as fancy as some in town but is large and includes some fancy joinery work that we saw repeated inside the museum, on the covered bridges, and elsewhere in the area. The main structure appears to be large beams carefully joined together at the proper angles so that they get stronger as more weight is put on them – and held together with wooden pegs. On one bridge near town we saw metal strapping that seems to have been added later.

The business of the farm centers around the milk cows. There was a large field of corn planted near the house along with a well-kept garden that seems to grace every house we saw in Switzerland. Along the driveway approach to the farm there are some cherry trees with mostly green fruit just beginning to turn pink in places. The rest of the farm appeared to be in grass. My friend John Garland in Oklahoma would call the fencing "psychological fencing" – not much of a barrier to an animal that wants out. We noticed that a lot of fences appeared to be temporary and electrified so that the cows can be easily moved to fresh grass as needed. We even saw one electric fence hooked up to a solar panel up high in the mountains a long train-ride away from Langnau. Out of respect for the current occupants' time and space, we only stayed briefly.

We returned to our hotel via a path the goes along the river and stopped for a rest in the shade of an old covered bridge. We were exhausted again and happy at getting to meet our distant relatives and to view the old house.

Research: If you are researching this area, no genealogy information is readily available in Langnau. The records office has records from 1886, but doesn't release it without permission of the persons mentioned in the records and the charges to do so are very high. You will have much better luck in Bern where most of the Swiss records are held. There is almost always someone around that speaks English and the records offices are no exception. The records are neither computerized nor indexed – but they are very neatly categorized by location and time frames. You will need to tell them exactly who, where, and when you want to look in order to get the right microfilm. Then it is an old-fashioned search browsing through records written along time ago using unfamiliar styles and letters. Lockers are located outside the office in the hallway and you will have to leave your backpack, purse, etc. there. It's free and secure.

The Archives de I'Etat de Berne is located at Falkenplatz 4, CH-3012 Berne near the main railroad station. It was easy to find the third time I tried. The rail station is large and busy and on several levels. Locate the elevators on one end of the station and take them all the way to the top. If you have trouble, follow the students and the signs to the university in order to find the elevators. Once you are at the top, go toward the campus – the only way you can go really – and pass between two large university-looking buildings. Falkenplatz 4 is the first building on the right after you pass through the campus area. There is a small street stand just across the small park where the students congregate for a cheap and good sandwich – get there early as they run out of sandwiches quickly after noon. The office is open from 8:00 to 12:00 and 1:00 to 5:00 every weekday except Friday when it closes at 4:30. If you want to confirm before going, their phone numbers are 031/633 51 01, fax 031/633 51 02. Copies are one Swiss Frank per page – so take along plenty of cash so that you can get everything you want. You can easily spend 50 franks in one afternoon depending on the records you want. I didn't have time, but you may also want to check out these sources provided by the museum in Langnau . . .

Zivilstands-und Burgerrechtsdienst
Des Kantons Bern
Eigerstrasse 73
3011 Bern
031/633 47 85
Fax: 031/633 47 39

Nieisen Paul-Anthon
Biochstrasse 7
3753 Oberhofen am Thunersee
033/243 24 52

Gene Hall has been working on the family tree for over 25 years and currently is the CEO of FamilyTrackers, Inc. - a World Genealogy Exchange located at http://www.familytrackers.com/
The Landgasthof Hotel Adler mentioned in this article is located at http://www.landgasthof-adler.ch/

This article comes with reprint rights. You are free to reprint and distribute it as you like. All that I ask is that you reprint it in its entirety without any changes including this text and the link above.

[tags]Genealogy, Switzerland, Longenecker, Langenegger, Emmental, Langnau, Travel, Cows, family,[/tags]

Traveling In Mexico Eating Inexpensively In Mexico City

Whether you're planning on teaching English in Mexico or are just traveling in Mexico, you still have to eat, don't you? So here are some of my recommendations for eating out inexpensively in the Historic District of Mexico City.

Café Popular

Address: Avenida Cinco de Mayo 52

Located right next to the Zamora Hotel, one and a half blocks from the zocalo. Economical local meals are featured 24 hours a day priced around 25 pesos. Almost always busy, you may have to wait a few minutes to be seated, but the food is well worth it. A generous platter of sweet, tempting breads, rolls and pastries baked in-house is served along with your meal and you are charged only for the ones you eat. Look for the brown awning with a short line of people waiting outside. That'll be the place.

Café La Blanca

Address: Avenida Cinco de Mayo 40

Another neighborhood spot popular with the locals is just two blocks further along the street from the Café Popular. Larger but with decidedly less atmosphere, the food is nonetheless good although still basic and a bit pricier with entrees in the range of 30 - 40 pesos. The large plate glass windows along the front are prime for people-watching along the heavily-trafficked Cinco de Mayo, especially late afternoons and evenings.

La Casa del Pavo

Address: Motolinia No. 40 Phone: 518 – 4282

A small but unique restaurant a few doors down from the Hotel Lafayette that specializes in turkey (pavo) dishes of all types. Rows of mouth-watering charcoal-roasted turkey drumsticks are displayed in the plate glass window outside and the aroma of fresh roast turkey will drive you just about out of this world. Prices are moderate, entrees range from 20 to 40 pesos. Dishes of other meats are on the menu, although most are the popular pavo ones.

Rosticero Molina Address: Cinco de Mayo and Isabel Catolica

An open-on-all-sides bar-B-que joint on the corner that serves hot roast chicken and , you guessed it – pavo. Entrees here are really inexpensive with a whole roast chicken, side dishes, pickled jalapenos, drinks and condiments (a HUGE stack of soft corn tortillas) for two people selling for a mere $4 (47 pesos) ! Quick and delicious meals can be eaten at the counter downstairs or upstairs at comfortable tables. For a fast and filling lunch this is unquestionably the place. There is another turkey rosticero right around the corner and a few steps down on Isabel Catolica with very similar fare at about the same prices. They almost always play tropical music at supersonic levels so a conversation is out of the question most of the time. Both places close by 8:30 pm or so however, so get there early.

Restaurante Madero Address: Avenida Madera at the corner of Motolinia

A popular lunch-time spot with the locals and famous for its "cabrito al horno" (roast goat meat – that's right, Goat), the Restaurante Madero also has a selection of "mole" (a kind of spicy chocolate sauce) dishes. Lunch prices are especially attractive but getting a table on weekdays is somewhat nip and tuck. It's worth it if you can get though. Maybe, just maybe you'll get lucky.

If You're Feeling a Tad "Homesick" and…

…you've just got to have that "little taste of home", there are a number of fast food franchises in the Historic District as well as throughout Mexico City. Domino's Pizza (tel. 510 – 2122) is on the corner of Motolinia and Cinco de Mayo. Prices are from 65 pesos for a medium-sized pizza with the works to 130 pesos for their largest. Dunkin Donuts is mere steps from the Zocalo in the first block of Madero and has the best real coffee in the area in addition to their honey-dips. McDonalds is in front of the Zocalo on Cinco de Febrero. You can't miss it.

Be sure to check out my other articles in the continuing series: Teaching English in Mexico and Traveling in Mexico. If you would like more information, have questions or comments, the author can be e-mailed at: lynchlarrym@gmail.com

Prof. Larry M. Lynch is an ELT Teacher Trainer, English language learning expert author and university professor in Cali, Colombia. He has published more than 350 articles and academic papers and presented at numerous EFL teacher training and TEFL conferences throughout North America, South America and Europe. For comments, questions, requests, to receive more information or to be added to his free TESOL articles and teaching materials mailing list, e-mail: lynchlarrym@gmail.com

[tags]Mexico, travel, Mexico City, English teaching, inexpensive food[/tags]

A Different Holiday

There are holidays and there are holidays. Some people are happy to go to the same old place every year because they are comfortable there. It is not too dangerous and it can be fun sometimes. Others want to get away to every exotic place they can find and do it all and see it all. Trouble is you are usually doing it all and seeing it all with busloads of other tourists with the same interests. That is ok if you like that sort of thing but what about getting away on your own and doing and seeing something where there is just you and the locals.

Imagine being in an interesting place with a fascinating culture with no other tourists about to clutter the landscape. Imagine how you could really soak up the atmosphere and enjoy the unspoilt culture. Are there any such places still left that are safe to go to. Where there are no major terrorist attacks or major crime waves. Where there are comfortable and cheap hotels to stay in while enjoying a fascinating culture and all on a shoestring budget.

This sounds amazing. Where are we and why havn't we heard of this before. Well once I tell you you better get there quick before everyone else hears about it too. I am talking about Davao City, the southern capital of the amazing Philippines. I only found it because my wife found me and I went there to get married. Now I can't wait to get back there and live permenently as lots of other x-pats have done. Don't worry, you don't see them about much so they don't spoil the landscape.

Davao is an amazing place. It is the largest city in the world in area with a population of about 1.5 mill. It is on the coast of the Davao Gulf and very sheltered so there is no violent weather extremes with the temperature a lovely 30 all year round.

Davao used to be the most lawless city in the Philippines but has had an amazing turn around with the best police force in the country and has been constantly in the top 10 most livable Asian cities. You can even drink the water straight from the tap, buy a large bottle of coke for 20 cents to go with your local bottle of rum, very smooth, for $2.00. MacDonalds will cost you about $1.00 for a meal and the best 5 star restaurant dining only will set you back $10/20 for a top meal.

Hotels there are not expensive and there is heaps to do and see. That is if you can get out of the large shopping centers with their budget prices. Shopping is so much fun when you can get a pair of shoes or a nice shirt for a few dollars. And the best part of course is the local people. Go into a shop there and you are a sir or a maam. Walk the streets and you will bombarded with the local smiles, all wide and genuine. For a people with very little money and basic comforts of life they are always so happy and relaxed and will just love you because you are you and a little bit different. School kids will come up to you on the street and offer a high five. Truckies going past will still call out, 'hey Joe' and wave and make you feel a little special.

There are always the sad things too like the dirty, hungry kids begging for a meal and the same in some adults who are caught short of something and need a loan. They always make it a loan and have the intention to repay it but will never be able to. But just to see a people so happy in their poverty is a treat to enjoy. You will marvel at the tall glass high rise with the lean-to shack alongside. Davao seems to be a modern city built amongst the poverty of the past with both cultures mingling with each other in a fascinating mix of old and new.

Just to cross the street there will have you in stitches as will a taxi ride as there doesn't seem to be any road rules. After three months there I was still fascinated by the travel systems. You will ride a jeepnee and tricycle as well as taxis and a mixture of other home made styles of transport. You will buy your food fresh from the street vendor each day. That very day's catch, fresh and so cheap. You will see beaches of white sand and beaches of black sand. You will come across lots of squatter settlements and see people bathing in a tub in the front yard. There will be cocks tethered there ready for the cock fights on Saturday. There will be a small pig roasting over an open fire in the front yard and lots of dogs roaming around. Scores of little kids with cheeky grins will come up and take your hand and touch it to there forehead, a sign of respect. There is just so much to experience. If you want a holiday with a difference and one you will remember for a long time, check out Davao City Philippines. Might see you there one day..Nick

Nick Young

http://www.cadenville.com

[tags]holiday,davao city,travel,international travel,international holiday[/tags]

Four Great, Downtown Denver Bed And Breakfasts

There are four great B&Bs near the downtown Denver area that are not only fun to stay in but very convenient to everything in the downtown area – museums, the 16th St. Mall, the U.S. Mint, the Colorado State Capitol ... and more.

These four are:

Capitol Hill Mansion Bed and Breakfast
This bed and breakfast offers eight, elegantly-appointed rooms and suites. Some rooms have private balconies, gas fireplaces, and whirlpool tubs. All rooms feature private baths, beautiful antique furnishings, fresh-cut flowers, high speed wireless Internet, cable TV, writing desks, modem-ready phones, in-room refrigerators, irons and ironing boards, and air conditioning. It serves a full gourmet breakfast every morning.
1207 Pennsylvania
800-839-9329

Gregory Inn Bed and Breakfast
The Gregory Inn B&B is in the Historic District at the foot of Lower Downtown (LoDo).All guest rooms have thick, pillowtop king- or queen-size mattresses with down comforters. The rooms also have mosaic tile and marble private baths with showers and jetted whirlpool tubs. There is also a working gas log fireplace in each room, except for Lori's room. They also have digital phones, high-speed wireless DSL Internet connections, and desks, as well as bathrobes, hairdryers and a large-screen, LCD projection TV.
2500 Arapahoe St.
800-925-6570

Queen Anne Bed & Breakfast Inn
Built in 1987, the Queen Anne was the first and largest of the urban bed and breakfast inns in the city. It has 14 rooms, Including 4 gallery suites dedicated to famous artists.

Each room features fresh flowers, chamber music, period antiques, direct dial phones, and private baths. Six of the rooms have special deep tubs, and one has a fireplace. The Inn is air conditioned and there is free parking. There is a hot breakfast every morning (in bed, if desired) and Colorado wines are served in the evening. These wines are even included in the cost of the room.
2147-51 Tremont Place
(800) 432-INNS

Holiday Chalet
The Holiday Chalet has been open and serving travelers for more than 50 years. The Chalet's ten air-conditioned guest rooms are full mini-suites. Each room has an equipped and operational kitchen, as well as a private bath with classic toiletries. Three of the "king-size" suites offer sun rooms and eating areas. Two of the "king-size" suites have fireplaces. Sleeper sofas are available in two of the rooms. All the rooms are designed to accommodate families. There are also TVs and VCRs in each room, and the Chalet has a library of videos. There are data ports in all phones and a Continental Breakfast served every morning in the new "breakfast nook."
1820 East Colfax Avenue
(800) 626-4497

There are other great bed and breakfasts in the Denver metro area. To get information on these other B&Bs, go to http://www.bbonline.com/co/denver.html

To learn more of what you need to know to have the best Denver vacation, just go to Just go to http://www.best-denver-vacation.com

Douglas Hanna has lived in the Denver area for nearly 35 years and is an expert on both Denver and Colorado. He is the author of more than 120 articles on Denver and Internet marketing.

[tags]denver travel, denver vacation, vacation denver colorado, bed and breakfasts, b&bs,[/tags]

Retirees Find House Sitting Opens The Door To A New World

Recent press releases highlighting the travels of retiree house sitters are showing that becoming a senior is not a ticket to boredom, or a sedentary lifestyle. Retirees from around the world are finding house sitting to be the key that opens the door to unique, authentic and free travel to destinations that they had once only dreamed about.

Unfortunately, many retirees do not have the liberty of spending their retirement egg on pleasure items or excursions, such as traveling. Many individuals and couples who live on a fixed income have found that their funds usually only cover the basics of living. After a lifetime of raising families, running businesses and being everything to everyone, retirees are finding there is a way to travel and experience the world on their terms. House sitting is allowing them to connect with home owners who are in need of house sitters. In exchange for a valuable service, retirees are able to enter into new worlds, that would otherwise be closed to them.

Jim and Thelma McSkimming are retirees from New Zealand. This retired couple has only been house sitting for a year. They report that they would not be able to travel to all the places they dreamed of--if it were not for becoming house sitters. The McSkimmings have found that house sitting is the key that enables them to experience different cultures on a new level.

Jim and Thelma McSkimming reports they do not desire to travel as "tourists," and quick visits to some popular areas does not satisfy them. The McSkimmings truly relish immersing themselves into new areas and they enjoy house sitting. House sitting lets them become mock citizens in various countries and gives them an authentic experience.

The McSkimmings had five months to allot for house sitting in the UK, and were thrilled when they were able to find five house sits. "We stayed in a beautiful 200 year-old stone cottage, which was previously a flour mill, in South Wales. We minded pigs, geese, miniature Dexter cattle and two adorable Border Collies," the McSkimmings report. They have also recently had a stay in a Rectory in County Cork, Ireland, where they made friends with an African parrot they were minding. Many house sits involve the care taking of pets. The McSkimmings report that this is a one of the highlights of their stays and it fulfills their love of animals.

The wonderful experience of house sitting is echoed by Brenda Marie Batty. Ms. Batty is a retiree from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Ms. Batty has been a house sitter since 1999. She has visited seven different countries, and reports that her favorite house sits are in Greece, France and Italy. "House sitting gives me the opportunity to travel further afield for a longer period of time--to places I otherwise could not afford to stay in on my retired budget."

Like the McSkimmings, Ms. Batty truly enjoys sinking into the culture and lifestyle of the various areas that she visits. She has found that each country has welcomed her with open arms. On a recent house sit in Greece, she truly felt one with her neighbors. "I even got into white washing steps and walls in Greece . . . I joined in with the island folk who were all in preparation for Easter's arrival. I really felt like a local then! It was lots of fun, too. I enjoy travel on this level, meeting new people and becoming part of their communities."

House sitters are in high demand around the world. Retirees who register as house sitters are among the first sitters looked at by home owners. Home owners know that life experience cannot be replicated. Home owners have confidence in seniors and trust them to watch over and care for their home, possessions and pets.

Many times senior house sitters are asked to come back for return stays. Ms. Batty has had numerous repeat visits. Chances are great that the McSkimmings will also be asked for a repeat stay--as this is their first year and they are just now getting their feet wet and making acquaintances with home owners. Both the McSkimmings and Ms. Batty report that home owners are warm and welcoming. Friendships are easily forged and many home owners keep up with "their" house sitters year round.

Both the McSkimmings and Ms. Batty report that maturity, flexibility and a love for animals are essential to being a good house sitter. However, to make the proper connection with prospective home owners registering with a reputable house sitting site is key. HouseCarers is sitting pretty on top as "the" place to make safe connections. Ms. Batty doesn't hide her enthusiasm or appreciation of Ian White and HouseCarers.com. "Two thumbs up for HouseCarers!"

Becoming a house sitter is a fairly easy process. You can visit HouseCarers.com on the Internet and for a price that is less than an evening meal out, you can register as a house sitter for an entire year. You will be given 30 full lines to describe yourself. You can list multiple locations where you are available to house sit, along with the dates you are available. You can even use the sample ad that is listed on the site to guide you in writing your personal information.

The information you enter is instantly available to prospective home owners who are seeking out a house sitter. At any time you can go in and update your profile, change your destination areas or dates, and all of it is free of charge. When house sits become available in your chosen areas, you will receive notification via email. You will also be notified when you have messages from prospective homeowners in your chosen areas. Your identity and personal information are kept confidential and it is only revealed to a home owner when you are comfortable.

Becoming a house sitter will save you thousands of dollars on travel and accommodations. By making yourself available to a home owner as a house sitter, you are giving them an invaluable service. Home owners can leave their residence knowing they are leaving it in capable hands. House sitters may be asked to perform routine things such as pet care, gardening, or even scheduling a home repair if the need arises. You may be asked to forward mail, relay phone messages or take a pet to a scheduled vet visit. House sits range in duration. Some may be for a week, while others may be for a month, or more. The requirements are minimal when you compare it to what you receive.

House sitting opens the door up to experiences you could not pay for, even if you had the funds to do so. House sitting is enabling individuals to live in seaside beach homes, English country cottages or castles, ski lodges in the snow capped mountains, and even ranches or farms in the country. Can you think of any other service you could give to someone that would allow you to sample grapes from a working vineyard, pick Dutch tulips, or eat authentic cuisine straight from their native homelands with no monetary investment on your end? This can all be yours, and more, as a house sitter.

You simply cannot put a price on the services that a house sitter provides. Home owners are not comfortable leaving their homes empty when they have to travel for an extended time. House sitters are the number one crime deterrent. Criminals can bypass most alarm systems with ease. However, criminals and would be thieves will avoid a home if someone is in residence.

Besides providing the much needed security that a home owner desires, house sitters can also save a home owner much worry over their homes "physical" safety. If a pipe bursts, most home owners would not know until they returned to a deluge of water, and tens of thousands of dollars in repair work. If a fire starts, a home owner could possibly return to find their home a smoking pile of rubble and ashes. By having a house sitter onsite, a home owner can leave knowing that if an emergency arises, there is a sitter onsite who can tackle a burst pipe, call the fire department, or handle a weather emergency.

If you are interested in traveling the world like Jim and Thelma McSkimming or Brenda Marie Batty, you should register with HouseCarers.com. These house sitters have found that retirement doesn't mean an end to an exciting life. If anything, their senior years are bringing them unique and fulfilling experiences. The McSkimming and Ms. Batty have found a way to take hold of their dreams and do all the things they have longed to do. With the support of their family they are globe trotting without making a dent in their retirement funds, and they are enjoying every minute of it.

Copyright © 2005, Ian White

Author Ian White is founder of housecarers.com House Sitting Directory.

Register with Housecarers House sitting directory today. Registration is free for homeowners (and they'll never have to rely on cousin Eddie again.)

[tags]house sitting,house sitters,housesitting,housesitter,house sitter,house minding,retireee travel[/tags]

Vacation Tips

Vacation tips are usually ideas that other people have found helpful. If you are an experienced traveler, you would have some vacation tips that others could benefit from.

Traveling as a single young person, you may have some vacation tips that would benefit other single people. For families with small children, your vacation tips are completely different. When children come into the picture, traveling gets a little more complicated.

Vacation tips for families with children are:

>Make a checklist

>Start planning about a week before traveling regarding what you're taking

>With older children, get them involved; show them where you're going

>Keep positive and don't get stressed out

>Don't forget to pack your things, mom (I learned the hard way)

If you are staying inside the country vacation tips are a little simpler. If you are going on a trip internationally or even taking a cruise, vacation tips are a little more needed. Did you know that you now need a passport to take a cruise? Yes, that law just changed, so that takes a little more planning ahead on your part.

Biggest vacation tips:

>Plan ahead – way ahead of when you want to take a vacation

>Do your research – the internet is full of information.

>Always confirm and reconfirm reservations

>Remember…..have fun and enjoy your vacation

Some more vacation tips…to be able to get the most out of your vacation, plan events or outings before you arrive at you destination. Most places have a web site, and you can book your tours or activities on-line. That saves time, and you also won't have unpleasant surprises if the event is already sold out.

Hannah Mason is a netrepenuer and her website is http://www.worthyourtime.net For more Vacation Tips, Homemaking Tips and Stay-at-Home Job Tips check out the website.

[tags]travel tips,vacation,family,outings,cruise[/tags]

8 Smart Things To Do As A Parent During The Holidays

With the holidays fast approaching, our schedules are getting full, we're stressing about what to buy for whom, and chaos seems to rule. The season can be a magical one for our children, filled with happy memories, or it can be one filled with feelings of emptiness as the adults in their life are 'too busy' to pay them much attention.

It's up to us as parents to make sure that our children don't get 'lost' in the whirlwind of holiday activities—being swept along on trips and through malls, without any warmth, closeness, or meaning that they can relate to. Here are eight things you can do to help get through the holidays with your relationship with your child—as well as your sanity—intact:

1. If you'll be traveling over the river and through the woods this holiday with small children, being prepared is your best defense against having a chaotic trip that you vow never to make again. Each child should have their own bag (tote bags are best) or box (a plastic one with a snap-on lid is great). Allow them to put their favorite books inside, then add paper, crayons, pipe cleaners, a sticker book, crossword or word search puzzle books, and any other small artsy items your children would enjoy. A clipboard is a great way to give them the nice, hard surface they'll need for drawing, and it can keep the papers in order as well. Buy a ream of multi-purpose paper from an office supply store and you're guaranteed not to run out, and it will be a lot cheaper than buying those little pads at WalMart. Crayons do best in a Ziploc bag since the boxes they come in usually only last to the city limits before they get torn apart. If your kids are particularly fussy, you might want to create a schedule and distribute these items on an hourly basis so they have new activities to look forward to.

2. While traveling, especially in the car, it can be very tempting to load the kids up with toys, books, movies, and video games to keep them quiet and occupied all day. But if yours is like most families, with two working parents and kids at school all day, the time spent in the car can be precious family time. Use at least some of it to get reacquainted with each other. Talk about what's going on in everyone's lives, what they're looking forward to, their dreams, their friends, their interests. You may discover something you never knew before! And the more you know about each other, the closer you'll be and the better you can help your children through this struggle called childhood.

3. Consider not having a 'traditional' Thanksgiving meal this year, with its huge and unending portions and the stress of getting everything on the table at the 'right' time. Spend the day instead at a homeless shelter or soup kitchen serving families, and children, who don't have the option of a huge spread of delectables this year. Children are naturals at wanting to serve others, and seeing children their own ages living a life very different than their own can be an eye- and heart-opening experience they will always remember. Then go 'low key' with turkey sandwiches, fun finger foods, and maybe a special punch on Friday or even Saturday at home by the fire.

4. If yours is the house where everyone will be congregating this year, don't stress yourself out by trying to do everything yourself and everything 'perfectly.' This is where children feel the most left out during the holidays. It may take a little more time to sit down with your kids and ask for their input on the menu and decorations for the house, but they'll love feeling like they played a part in making it special for everyone. Put a few non-traditional foods on the menu so they feel that the meal is for them, too, and not completely geared toward adult tastes. Have them make placecards to put on the table. Let them choose the music (from a pre-censored list you make up). Station the children at the front door to greet your guests and take their coats. Have a few topics of conversation ready to bring up at the table that specifically include the children, so the adults don't monopolize the airtime. The more involved they are and the more personally they get to interact with the guests, the more enjoyable and memorable the day will be for the younger crowd.

5. Instead of racing all over town, or even all over the Internet, looking for that 'perfect' something to give the people on your list, try something even more personal, more meaningful, and more fun: either buy or, better yet make, a beautiful card, perhaps with a photo of you and the recipient having a great time together (the older the better!) and write inside an offer to do something with or for them. For grandparents, promising a delivered, home-cooked meal and a night of watching home movies together could be much more thrilling than opening a box with yet another coffee mug warmer. For shut-ins on your list, your children or you entire family could promise an afternoon of reading to them or even putting on a little song-and-dance performance right in their room. Other ideas for friends or relatives could be to: clean out their garage for them; cook some casseroles to stash in their freezer for a busy week coming up; babysit their children or take their children for a weekend so young parents can put a little romance back in their marriage…the list could go on and on. To some this may sound like a 'cop out', but to the recipients it could very likely be the most meaningful, personal, and loving gift they've ever gotten.

6. Take some time during the winter break from school to reconnect with your children. Schedule at least one night—maybe an entire day—to spend just hanging out at the house, picking on finger foods, listening to music, and talking. Talk about anything that interests them: a book they read, how much they think they 'hate' science class, hobbies or sports they enjoy, their friends and extracurricular activities. Really talk about them—don't just mention them or let the kids off with a mumbled 'yeah, it's OK' type of response. Set the casual atmosphere with music and food so the time is relaxing, not structured or formal. Sit on the floor in front of a fire. Have hot chocolate. If they're hesitant to open up to you, open up to them. Talk about what you liked, or 'hated', when you were their age. Once they realize that you used to be a kid, too, it may help them 'relate' and get the ball rolling for a closer relationship.

7. If you've never done it before, taking time to sit down and talk about everyone's hopes and plans for the coming year can be a valuable, if not eye-opening, exercise for the family. It may take more than one session to brainstorm things each person wants to accomplish and figuring out what needs to be done, scheduled, acquired, or happen to meet that goal. Conflicting goals can be worked out ahead of time in a calm and practical way, rather than letting chaos and bickering ensue when schedules collide later. And, as the experts say, the vast majority of people who have written their goals down actually achieve them. This exercise can help your family negotiate the coming year with a well-guided purpose, and be a very valuable skill and habit to instill in your children as well.

8. You may not feel like an award-winning parent, but you have figured out a lot of neat 'tricks of the trade' that have helped in sticky situations or solved an everyday problem you faced in your family. Don't keep all your valuable 'nuggets' of parental gold to yourself—in the spirit of giving, share your success with other parents. One way to do that is by visiting www.SmartestThing.com and submitting your success story or advice to be used in a new book titled "The Smartest Thing I Ever Did™…as a Parent" which will be published next year. Not only will you help other parents who have found themselves in the same situations, but you'll receive recognition with a byline and bio (and if you own a business, you can pick up some free national exposure by including your web address). "Give and you shall receive!" What could be better?

Kathryn Marion is the creator of the new book series due out in 2007 called The Smartest Thing I Ever Did…™ She is seeking contributions of success stories and advice for the first six titles: …as a Parent, …for My Marriage, …for My Career, …with My Money, …for Myself, and …for My Business. Visit www.SmartestThing.com for complete details and to make contributions online. All contributions published will include a byline and author bio (which may include a website and/or email address, giving contributors valuable national exposure). She is also the author of Success in the 'Real World', a book dedicated to helping new graduates succeed in their new life in the 'real world' of work and independent living, which was distributed to almost 1.7 million students last year (available by visiting www.EducationForReality.com).

[tags]parent,parents,children,kids,holidays,christmas,thanksgiving,travel,gifts,gift-giving,relationship[/tags]

They Never Even Saw Our Faces (and They Only Heard Our Voices Once!)

There are two categories of writing that occupy our time and interest here at the beach on the Aegean Sea Coast of Turkey. The first is "the fiction category," which we hope will make us rich someday...

This year, our fiction slot has been filled by Habibullah at the Ottoman Court, a crime series set in the court of Süleyman the Magnificent, the mid-16th Century Ottoman Turkish Sultan. Habibullah, the eccentric detective hero, is a foreign-language translator for the Sultan's Imperial Council.

However, we also dedicate a portion of our writing lives to non-fiction, which helps, now and then, to pay for our harmless extravagances. The non-fiction category includes travel brochure and language-related writing in English, or Turkish, or both. My wife, Perihan -- who, besides being joint creator, leads me, sometimes forcibly, through the more thorny thickets of Turkish -- is my collaborator in this work.

With an eye towards drumming up more non-fiction business (and in hopes of finding a publisher for our own Turkish Language Guide and books), we developed and sponsor the MSNBC award-winning "The Learning Practical Turkish" website. The LPT website is intended for language lovers who like their lessons with a little bit of sugar, to help make the medicine go down.

Just before we embarked on a three-month U.S. vacation in 1998, the website paid off when Lonely Planet Publications contacted us to collaborate on a Turkish Language Phrasebook.

Lonely Planet Publications, you ask? LP, as it's fondly known, publishes tourist guides and language phrasebooks for most of the countries you or I would ever care to visit -- and some we wouldn't. And LP Guides and Phrasebooks are, well, jazzy. They even warn you of 'problems' you may encounter. For example, the LP Guide to Turkey warns the traveler to beware of obnoxious carpet hucksters near the Selçuk bus station during the height of the summer tourist season. Now, we live 25 minutes from Selçuk, and, by God, it's true: those hucksters are nuisances. Whenever we have to go to Selçuk during the summer tourist season, we give that location a wide berth!

Anyway, Sally Steward, the Lonely Planet's Publishing Manager in Australia at the time, visited our website in April '98 and left us an enticing e-mail message.

Dear Webmaster, I am looking for a suitably qualified author or team of authors to work on a new edition of our popular Turkish phrasebook. Please get back to me as soon as possible and we can discuss the details of our project. Regards, Sally Steward

Well, we were tickled. We'd been fans of the LP Guide to Turkey since we first saw it. (A dear friend had even favorably reviewed it on our website long before Sally ever contacted us). But, alas, after we had responded enthusiastically to Sally's message, LP's business plan changed and the deal fell through. So, a little disappointed -- but humbly gratified at having been considered in the first place by such a prestigious publishing house -- we went our separate ways.

Then, quite unexpectedly, 15 days before our U.S. vacation departure date, Sally contacted us again by e-mail, and the deal was back on! But, how were we going to manage a book and a vacation across 3 continents, at the same time...?

[Click following to see what happened next, during The Summer of '98.]

Jim and (co-author) Perihan Masters are a husband and wife team, living on the Aegean Coast of Turkey just 50 miles south of Izmir. Jim was born in Shanghai, China -- of American military parentage. Peri was born on the Black Sea coast of Turkey near Trabzon, of Turkish military parentage...Enticed by a Financial Times advertisement, Jim joined a NATO sponsored enterprise in Ankara in 1974 where he met the beautiful and brainy Perihan, a rising young Turkish banking executive. Settled now in the heart of what was once the ancient Ionian Empire -- the couple live an idyllic life by the sea.. writing, drawing and painting, teaching English, and providing computing service support to local businesses. They also sponsor the MSNBC award-winning Learning Practical Turkish Website which has built an enthusiastic international following of devoted Turkophiles and inquisitive language students of all ages.

[tags]wrting, book, language book, on the road, while traveling, remote location writing, travel[/tags]

Visit Alpine, Arizona

Create your own Arizona day trip experience!

Whether you wish to plan a trip to see nature and wildlife, learn about the history of the southwest or just want to get away from it all Arizona has a variety of places to see and things to do that will interest any recreational adventurer.

Day trips make a refreshing break from the chaos of the daily routine. They can also be cheap, since many of the areas are distant from the city.

Arizona features a surprising range of terrain that includes desert, grassy lowlands and vegetated mountain regions. The climate found across the state also shows much variety. And you don't have to travel far to appreciate this assortment of scenery. In the summer you can take a break in the cool, nearby hills, while the lower lying areas are more popular in the winter months.

Alpine is in Apache County which is in the eastern most part of Arizona. Located due east of Scottsdale-Phoenix it is only 6 miles from the border with New Mexico. You can get there by taking U.S. Highway 180 and U.S. Highway 191.

The town is nestled among the gentle pines of Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest. The San Francisco River also begins its winding path toward the pacific coast near Alpine.

The land is at a very high elevation. The climate is continental steppe and highland so that plant life is rich what one expects to see along mountains. The distinctive mountains stand out boldly against the surrounding lower elevations. Wildlife includes elk and mountain lion. The area is mostly geared toward year around outdoor recreation.

Wildlife preservation is a passion here. There are many animal habitats here, of which the Southwestern Willow Flycatcher Habitat (an endangered species of bird) is just one example

Alpine is also designated a Biotic Community. This means that interdependent natural resources, such as soil, water, climate, topical features, flora and fauna are all linked, resulting in unique life zones from sea level deserts to Arctic tundra.

Alpine is, in a word, a naturalist's paradise.

The earliest settlers put up their first log cabins about 1876. The first settlement was named Fort Bush. Mormon settlers came to this area to build a community and the name was changed to Alpine because some thought the mountains surrounding the town looked like the Alps. In 1953 a historic Fort Bush Monument was erected to honor the early pioneers.

There is one attraction in town that will be a real hit with golfers. The Alpine Country Club offers 18 holes of golf set amongst the pines. An outdoor attractions: high altitude golf (should assist duffers with their loft and distance), Luna Lake. Luna Lake Wildlife Area is a wildlife refuge. Bald and golden eagles live here as do swans and geese.

The Coronado Trail Scenic Byway provides viewers gorgeous landscapes.

As you might guess, hiking, back packing and pack animal, camping, hunting, fishing and sightseeing are popular here.

The many winter cabin and chalet style flats highlight the focus on fall and winter recreation. There is plenty of bed and breakfast lodging available for those not so eager to rough it in the wilderness.

The higher elevations make skiing and backpacking popular; and for the winter sportsman there is even an Iditarod in January.

The area is popular for conventions as well. Many car, motorcycle and other groups hold events at this location. Accommodations are priced so that Alpine's popularity will likely continue.

See which features of this community appeal to you the most.

History, nature, and memorable experiences are all a part of what Arizona offers those who live, work, and visit. So consider the things this area has to offer the next time you take off to discover Arizona

R. Steven Thomas Yacono is a legal scholar, educator and writer who has traveled extensively over the course past decade. From Beijing to Barstow and Xiamen to Sedona, his journeys have provided a wealth of experiences about fascinating people and places to share with interested readers. You can find out more about Arizona at http://www.arizonan.com; and to plan your next trip visit http://www.on-holiday.com Your comments are welcomed. Please direct correspondence to R. Steven Thomas Yacono at aztreking@hotmail.com

[tags]arizona, travel, vacation, day trip, history, scenery, southwest, wildlife, phoenix, scottsdale[/tags]

How To Have A (Relatively) Stress Free Car Journey With Your Kids

One of the joys of being a parent is taking your children on a day out and seeing their eyes light up as you pull into the car park at your destination. But there is one thing that may taint the rosy memories of your day out – the stress of the car journey there. And I don't mean the stress caused by spending half an hour stuck in road works, or the annoyance caused by your incompetent Sat Nav system. Read on for advice on how to prevent, or at least delay, the words every parent dreads on a car journey – "are we nearly there yet?"

Make frequent stops

If the journey is going to be a couple of hours or more try to stop every hour. It doesn't have to be for long, even 10 minutes will suffice. Giving the children the opportunity to get out and stretch their legs will make them far less restless when they are travelling.

Bring Snacks

Bring plenty food and drink, both for you and your children. If everyone is eating at regular intervals the mood in the car is going to be far happier.

Bring Toys

Activities such as colouring or drawing should keep your children entertained for a while, but bring a separate pack of crayons or pencils for each child to avoid inevitable arguments. Books are also great if you want some peace and quiet on the journey, although they are best avoided if your child suffers from travel sickness.

Nursery rhyme CDs are popular with parents for car journeys, but your older child may not appreciate hearing their younger sibling's favourite CD over and over and over again (or vice versa). You'll probably find hearing '5 Little Ducks Went Swimming One Day' twenty times tests your patience too, so consider taking a storybook CD instead.

Pack a rucksack with an assortment of favourite toys. Avoid anything with small parts as these may get lost down the back of the seat. For long journeys, keep some of the toys in the boot and bring them out once the kids are starting to tire of the selection. It will help keep their interest for a little longer, and if you rotate the selection of toys every time you make a stop it will also keep the back seat from disappearing under a pile of clutter.

Play Games

Let's face it, even the best behaved child isn't going to sit quietly with a colouring in book for the entire journey so look into fun games you can play with the kids while you are driving. For example 'Who am I?' where players have to guess which celebrity you are by asking a series of yes or no questions. Games that get your children look out of the window are good too, as shifting their focus outside the car can help prevent or ease travel sickness. Try back seat bingo, where everyone has a list of objects you might see outside – for example, a bus, a tree, a tractor – and have to look out for and mark off each of these items. The first person to cross all items off their list is the winner.

Bring a Blanket

If it is going to be a long journey, your children are young or you'll be returning late in the day, bring a blanket, or maybe even pillows. Children often become tired during car journeys and a blanket will make them more comfortable and more likely to settle for a nap.

Bring Medicine

You don't need to bring the entire medicine cabinet, and the chances are you aren't going to need whatever you do bring, but it's worth taking the basics. Headaches are unpredictable so it's always worth bringing the Calpol. Children are often susceptible to travel sickness so it may be worth taking a few remedies just in case.

Most of all just remember to relax and enjoy! There's no reason why the only enjoyable part of your day out should be what you do at the destination.

Happy motoring!

Angela is a mum of one and webmistress of UK Days Out . Find a great day out in your area by visiting www.uk-days-out.co.uk

[tags]kids, travel, car journeys[/tags]