Vacation Planning | Details on Vacation Planning

Summertime is a very big time of year for vacations. The last thing on people’s minds when they are vacationing on a cruise ship, an island, a beach or wherever your travels take you, is what is going on at home. Well, you should at least take care of your home before you leave to prevent a bad situation to come home to.

For anybody who has had their house robbed they know that it is not a pleasant thing. Trust me, I have been there. So, in lieu of the situation I want to pass along some tips that everyone should follow to safeguard from some potential disasters. One of the times your home is most vulnerable is when it is left empty for an extended period of time. Darkened windows, unretrieved mail or newspapers and closed windows in hotter weather all advertise an empty house to a potential burglar. Here are a couple of ideas to consider.

1. Have a housesitter. A friend or family member who you trust to stay at your house while you are gone is a great way to fool burglars.

2. If you can’t get a housesitter then have a neighbor check on your apartment or home while you are gone. Have them turn on some lights or the tv and radio to give the illusion of life.

3. Keep a radio or tv on a timer if nothing else fails. TV noise would immediately give the illusion of somebody being home.

4. A BIG MUST—Make sure whomever is watching your home knows how to work all the alarms in the house and knows the code to turn it on or off. They should also know who to call in case of a problem.

5. Unless there is going to be a housesitter, you must have your mail stopped. Even if it is for a couple of days. A stack of mail is a dead giveaway to a burglar. Also have a neighbor keep an eye out for packages that may be delivered too. Have them pick them up and hold them for you.

6. Make sure you have your garden and plants watered to make it seem like there is some kind of life. Especially if your garden is usually spectacular.

7. Apartment users—Check your lease. Many landlords require that you notify them if your apartment is going to be left empty for any period of time. This is so they can enter in case of an emergency. With a housesitter this is not necessary.

This is just a few tips to get your through the summer and enjoy it.

As a marriage and family counselor, I give out a wide variety of counsel to families and an even wider variety of suggestions for ways to reprioritize their family life above other things. I was recently meeting with a family that is in the middle of a huge family crisis. Many things are going wrong and they are far from being whole and healed, but one of my first suggestions to them surprised them almost as much as it surprised me. I suggested that they plan a beach vacation as soon as possible and that they get away as an entire family.

Quite honestly, I had never suggested to clients that they get away on a beach vacation before. In fact, it had never entered my mind until that day just how important it is that families have time together away from the normal routines of life. I have had the privilege of vacationing with my husband and children yearly for as long as I can remember, yet for some reason I had never thought to suggest this remedy to others. I guess I was perhaps assuming that all families took time for beach vacations.

The reason I suggested that this particular family get away on a beach vacation was that one of their most serious issues hinged on the fact that the father of the family, loving as he was, was a workaholic. He spent nearly eighty hours working each week and hence his wife and children felt very neglected by him. He was under the impression that they were thankful for his provision, which they were, but even more than provision his loved ones wanted his attention and affection. So I suggested that he take two weeks off from work and that the entire family of six go on a beach vacation.

A beach vacation is great because it gets you away from the routines of life. There is no need to talk on cell phones, check emails, or be running here and there every evening to attend meetings or events. A beach vacation is the perfect getaway for couples and families that need to relax and be undistracted in time together. They can spend days on end simply enjoying the beach, the water, and lazy time together. There is perhaps nothing as therapeutic for a family than extended time together. This family took my advice and scheduled a beach vacation to Mexico just weeks after our appointment. They returned from their two week beach vacation and were full of laughter and a sense of reconnection. They told me that they planned to take a two week beach vacation each year because of how great it had been for them.

Have you ever thought about going on safari? When you say the words “African Safari” what comes to mind?

The thought of trailing through the bush in pith helmets with insects incessantly buzzing around provides an image of hard work rather than a relaxing vacation. Fortunately safaris are no longer about traipsing around under the blazing sun in the ever elusive hunt for at least one of the Big Five. Today South African safaris are synonymous with luxury, comfort, astounding wildlife, relaxation and oddly enough cosmetic surgery (but that’s a whole other kind of article).

South African Safari

South Africa’s parks and game reserves are teeming with wildlife; you will see everything from Elephants to Ant Lions. Safari drives allow you to explore the parks in the comfort of 4×4’s driven by experienced game rangers. No longer do you have to concern yourselves with the thought of outdoor ablutions or a lack of electricity. Today all you need to do is sit back, relax and let the power of nature envelop you.

Luxury safari’s are extremely popular amongst visitors to South Africa, the thrill of the wild is effortlessly combined with 5 star guest lodges and amazing entertainment. You really do get the best of both worlds with a holiday option such as this.

A day in the life

On a typical summers morning safari enthusiasts arise from their heavenly beds at approximately 5am for morning tea out on the terrace overlooking the magnificent expanse of raw natural beauty laid out in front of them. After tea the early morning game drive sets off stopping for refreshments about half way through. At this time of morning the park is beginning to come to life after a peaceful night. The sun rises overhead whilst antelope and zebra gallop across the plains. It is a good time of day for game viewing as it is relatively cool in the morning and the animals seem to be more active.

Once guests have returned to the lodge a hearty breakfast is served after which they have the option to chose how they will spend the next few hours until lunch. Whether you prefer to spend your time taking an adventurous safari walk with one of the parks rangers, an aromatherapy massage or simply sitting on the terrace reading your hours will be filled and extremely fulfilling. The culinary skills of the chefs at these luxury safari lodges are acclaimed; meal times are a time to enjoy both international as well as local delights. Lunch is usually served outside after which guests can spend sometime enjoying the lodge’s facilities. As it usually gets very hot at this time of day guests spend quite a bit of time near the swimming pools rather than in the bush tracking game. Most luxury lodges have an impressive array of facilities such as fully equipped gymnasiums, tennis courts, spas, saunas, gift shops and a bar.

Sunset cocktails are the perfect way to kick of the evening game drive. The park has once again cooled down and the animals are more active. At sunset the waterholes are teeming with various animal species. It is not uncommon to see wildebeest and giraffes drinking next to elephants. You may even be lucky enough to see a lioness and her cubs cooling down after a hot African day. As it gets darker the nocturnal animals begin to surface from their day of slumber. A spot lit night drive is a truly amazing experience; it is also that much more thrilling being in the middle of the wild at night when the sounds of the bush are intense. After returning from the night drive guests sit down to dinner. It is usually not just a meal but an entire evening of festivities and entertainment. Apart from the gastronomic delights that keep coming course for course there is usually live entertainment at dinner. Whether it be traditional dancers, singing or drumming; dinner is transformed from a necessity to a celebration each night of your safari adventure.

If you are looking for a truly unforgettable holiday experience in South Africa, a luxurious safari is a must. Besides the excitement of game viewing activities, you’ll be able to rest, rejuvenate and return to the real world with a new appreciation of nature’s spectacular beauty.

National Geographic magazine recently released a top ten list of the best travel spots in the world. The list was based on aesthetic appeal, cultural integrity, environmental conditions, condition of historic structures and tourism management. Here is the list they chose, along with some general information about each and why you might want to consider the area for your next travel vacation.

1) Norwegian Fjords: One of the great wonders of the world, the tall peaks of Norway plunge down into watery canals that are one of the trademarks of Norway. There is no other scenery like it on earth, and combined with the Old World rustic appeal of the country there is no better vacation destination. Tourists can explore the region themselves and plan their own trip, which can include every single activity you could imagine, from fishing to hiking, sailing to sight-seeing. You could also take advantage of one of the many travel agencies both local and international who offer planned trips to this region, which includes cruise options as well as land based opportunities.

2) Cape Breton Island, Canada: Cape Breton Island is in Eastern Canada, just off the coast of Nova Scotia. The island offers a unique blend of Gaelic, French, and English cultures. The area is famous for its folk music and cheap, fresh seafood as well as turn of the century style and beautiful scenery. Explore the Island yourself or go through an established travel agency!

3) South Island, New Zealand: The South Island of New Zealand offers highly diversified opportunities for the traditional and eco-tourist alike. The Island encompasses a wide range of ecosystems, from ocean to mountains and everything in between. The landscape offers incredible diversity in vacation opportunities, including kayaking, surfing, caving, and other recreational activities. The Island is separated form the rest of New Zealand by the spectacular Southern Alps, and the isolation has allowed the culture to evolve in relative isolation, bringing a unique blend into the modern day with the right touch of polite hospitality.

4) Torres del Paine, Chile: Another unique blend of mountain and coast, the Torres Del Paine offers a huge amount of diversity to the traveler. The area includes several National Parks, and tourists can have once-in-a-lifetime experiences in watching the yearly migration of the humpback whale in the oceans bordering the area. The are is devoted to tourism, and there are several nationally developed services that specialize in accommodating foreigners with maximum convenience and comfort.

5) Tasmania, Australia: Another island vacation, the remote province of Tasmania offers a incredibly and unique vacation experience, which is really saying something when you consider it is a part of one of the most uniquely biodiverse countries in the world. Tasmania offers every type of tourist attraction possible, and its ecological niche is even more specialized than the Australian mainland. If you are on an extended travel vacation, the province is only a short ferry ride away from the rest of the country.

Everyone needs a break, and vacations should be fun, but you still need to prepare properly in order to be safe, healthy and to get the most out of the experience. You need to think about what you should take with you, and the requirements of your chosen destination.

If you’re traveling abroad, don’t leave it until the last minute to check if your passport is valid! Also, certain countries may also require you to have a visa. The relevant Embassy, or your travel agent can advise you on this. Insurance is also an important consideration, and should include cover against your luggage being lost or your cash being stolen etc. Make sure you’ve got adequate Medical Insurance, and that must include any extra cover you may need for injuries sustained on the ski slopes or any extreme sports. You also need to check what vaccinations are needed, if any, for your destination and this needs to be done well in advance. There are likely to be stricter requirements for remote or rural areas than in city locations.

Traveling in your own country is of course simpler, but you still need to ensure that you have enough medicine or any prescription drugs you are currently taking with you, for the trip. If going abroad with these, carry a Doctor’s note with them, and store in the original labeled bottle or packet.

Many people are reckless, when it comes to exposure to the sun. Have plenty sun block with you, with special thought as to the correct protection for babies and children in your party. Take sunglasses and sun hats.

Whether your journey involves a long car trip, or flying, we all know there can be frustrating delays and things don’t always go according to plan. Pack plenty things to keep the young ones entertained; games for the little ones and music downloads for the teenagers.

Finally, packing can be a dark art, but the simple rule is having lots of layers with you, even the hottest places can be chilly in the evening. Take that blockbuster book you’ve been saving, and enjoy yourself, safe in the knowledge, that you are organized!

Most of us have an idyllic paradise fantasy island, we’d love to visit, and going on vacation to the Caribbean will fulfill that fantasy. There are various islands to choose from, including the well known Jamaica, Barbados the Bahamas And Trinidad, and you could concentrate on one or explore more of them and island hop by boat. You could organize the trip yourself, but it may be beneficial for first time visitors to book through a specialist Caribbean travel agent, who will have extensive knowledge of what each island has to offer.

You can expect temperatures between 75 and 85F during both summer and winter, but late night and early in the morning are often chillier. The whole year tends to be humid, with its share of bugs, and its generally advised not to visit in the fall when mosquitoes are much in evidence. There is a variety of accommodation on the islands, including luxury hotels, private villas, and villa resorts. You can charter a yacht or book yourself on a cruise ship. If you want a more inexpensive choice, there are also apartments and guesthouses. If you have sufficient sailing experience, you could captain your own yacht, whether a motor or by sail, or you could hire one with a crew, With beautiful, palm fringed golden beaches and turquoise water, it’s tempting just to sunbathe with a pina colade.

If you want to be more active, there’s plenty to do, and some hotels specialize in different activities. Most of the larger sized islands have golf courses, the superior ones run by the better hotels or villa resorts. Look out for package deals, which include golf in the price. The Caribbean is a favorite haunt for scuba divers. The majority of islands have dive shops, and it’s easy to organize. If you’re a novice, there is tuition available. You can even arrange to stay somewhere near to one of the dive shops. Coral reefs, caves and shipwrecks make it an unforgettable experience.

The Caribbean experience wouldn’t be fulfilled, unless you’ve danced the calypso in a carnival, and it’s a good idea to time your trip for at least one of these. The Caribbean has worked to raise its standard of cuisine for the international tourist, and you can expect excellent food, especially the locally caught, fresh fish.