Family Travel
Welcome to the November 18, 2009 edition of the Carnival of Cities, where we find out about goings-on in cities and towns across the world, all in a single blog post. Thanks very much to Glennia at the Silent I who hosted the previous edition.
I’m happy to consider hosts for upcoming Carnival editions in December, January and February.
If you’d like to host the Carnival on your blog, please email me at Sheila “at” sheilascarborough “dot” com.
Off we go….
Cities in
I took a 50 state series hiatus there for awhile, but we’re back!
Until we run out of states, I’ll be posting about family-friendly vacation ideas, attractions and events in each one of the US states, taking input mostly from Twitter and Facebook.
Yes, I know how to search for travel ideas on a destination or attraction Web site, but a tweet or a Facebook Wall recommendation is a much more engaging and public way to spread the word.
Please don’t email suggestions
Are you braving the busiest travel days in the US in the next few weeks?
That’s right, it’s the Thanksgiving holiday, so have some Tums (or your antacid of choice.)
If you insist on flying, remember that the airline experience these days is often similar to the worst bus trip you’ve ever taken. I’m sorry to be such a cynic, but it’s me against them when it comes to incredibly unpleasant US air travel.
Consider these survival tips:
*** Drive rather than fly if you can,
While blasting north through Oklahoma enroute a speaking engagement, I saw on my map that I was passing through tiny El Reno, OK (located on historic Route 66.)
The town has three different places listed in one of my favorite references, Jane and Michael Stern’s Roadfood.
I couldn’t find Jobe’s and Sid’s was closed, but by golly I found Johnnie’s Grill so I stopped for their famous onion burger.
I adore onions. My kids aren’t really into them. Since this was a
Y’all know I can be pretty tight-fisted, right? I’ll happily spend money when it makes sense to do so, and for things and experiences that are special, but when it comes to transportation and hotels, I’m okay with your basic clean versions.
I simply want to get back and forth and have a decent night’s sleep and shower while I’m there. My best experiences are usually OFF the aircraft and OUTSIDE of the hotel.
So, while living in Europe, my family and
Things are a bit slow here in the BlogOPlex as I bounce from the Association for Women in Communications (AWC) conference right now in Seattle (hashtag #awc100 if you want to follow on Twitter) and the upcoming Oklahoma Governor’s Conference on Tourism (#OTIA) in Tulsa, where I’m giving a luncheon keynote and workshop on Monday, October 19.
I did have time to run down to Seattle’s Pike Place Market with good friend, fellow travel blogger and ukulele maestro Pam Mandel. For
Hunting for travel deals? Don’t forget these Web sites
We’re so used to using search engines like Google or the new Bing Travel to look for travel deals (and metasearch engines like Kayak or Travelocity to book trips) that it’s easy to forget one “old school” way to do it….
The visitor’s Web sites that belong to the destination where you’re going.
For example, this fall [Read more]
Family travel in Ohio: the 50 state series
Every Tuesday (or Wednesday if Twitter crashes, which it did late yesterday as I was compiling this post) until we run out of states, I plan to post about family-friendly vacation ideas, attractions and events in each one of the US states, taking input mostly from Twitter and Facebook.
Yes, I know how to search for [Read more]
Driving backroads beats the tar out of the Interstate
Those who drive long stretches of most US Interstate highways know that, while you’ll get there faster and there might be some good places to pull off, it will be a mostly boring trip.
Fast, efficient, but boring.
If you decide to jump off on a backroad (see William Least Heat-Moon’s Blue Highways) for at least part [Read more]
Family Travel in Tennessee: the 50 state series
Every Tuesday until we run out of states, I plan to post about family-friendly vacation ideas, attractions and events in each one of the US states, taking input mostly from Twitter and Facebook.
Yes, I know how to search for travel ideas on a destination or attraction Web site, but a tweet or a Facebook Wall [Read more]
Tips roundup for the Netherlands
I recently had a request on my Facebook page for Netherlands vacation travel tips with kids….
“I came across your bio randomly as I was trying to plan a trip to the Netherlands at the end of August. I have three kids–16,12, and 8.
What kind of suggestions can you offer me for my travel plans? Any [Read more]
Why your family should consider travel insurance: a cautionary tale
When does it make sense to buy travel insurance?
Vacation packages and cruises are often expensive, nonrefundable deals. If some crisis occurs, or you or someone in your family gets sick, you will often find it difficult or impossible to get your money back. A travel insurance policy can give you peace of mind before the [Read more]
Hotel deals to help your travel budget
Planning on some summer day trips with the kids? Turn at least one of them into an overnighter with a free night at one of the Intercontinental Hotels properties.
Guests can earn a free night by registering at http://www.GetAFreeNight.com and staying two nights at any Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express, InterContinental, Crowne Plaza, Hotel Indigo, Staybridge [Read more]
Cheapest travel destinations? Here’s your guidebook
When my Perceptive Travel blog editor Tim Leffel sent me a review copy of his guidebook The World’s Cheapest Destinations: 21 Countries Where Your Money Is Worth A Fortune, I was a bit skeptical.
It’s not geared specifically to family travel, and even though Tim’s an experienced Dad as well as a terrific travel writer, I [Read more]
Travel tech tips on NPR (featuring me!)
Austin-based tech journalist Omar Gallaga mentioned me during today’s edition of the National Public Radio (NPR) All Things Considered program All Tech Considered.
Still awaiting my close-up….
The topic is Tech in Travel (here’s a link to the full travel-related NPR broadcast.)
*** The first part of the segment talks about integrating mobile into travel; using cell phones [Read more]
Welcome to The Family Travel Logue, your one-stop guide to family travel.
Whatever you need for your upcoming family trip, you will find it here. We have information about how to find cheap flights for families, where to stay with your kids once you get to where you are going, and ideas on what you can do with children on your vacation or holiday. This is the guide for both big and small families who love to travel!
