VIA Rail boosts famed transcontinental train's appeal, accessibility

Last fall VIA Rail Canada announced a $19.5 million program for the reconfiguration of 12 of the stylish stainless steel passenger cars used on its western transcontinental train, the Canadian, to increase its accessibility and market appeal. The work is being funded from the $407 million allocated for passenger rail improvements under the Government of Canada’s Economic Action Plan.According to Steve Del Bosco, Chief, Marketing and Sales for VIA Rail, work is on track on the complete redesign and rebuilding of VIA’s eight Chateau sleeping cars and four Park sleeper-dome-lounge cars with project completion slated for 2011. “The work involved in the modernization and major upgrading of this classic rolling stock is extensive but well worth it,” Del Bosco explained. “This investment will enable the Canadian to attract the growing clientele who are seeking more upscale travel experiences.”

The eight Chateau sleeping cars will be reconfigured with an all-new arrangement of six upscale cabins designed to accommodate up to three passengers each.Each sleeping cabin will be completely self-contained and will include an en-suite washroom plus a separate shower. The new cabins will also feature wood paneling, sofa seating, a widescreen television and controls to enable passengers to raise or lower the beds whenever they desire.  This elegant new design promises to position the Canadian at the forefront of new chic travel experiences available to discerning travelers.

“This program will also substantially increase the train’s accessibility for travelers with special needs,” explained Del Bosco.  The four existing Park car bedrooms will be replaced by two large upscale cabins.  One will be identical to those in the rebuilt Chateau sleeping cars. The other will be an extra-large, fully-accessible cabin. It will provide separate, fully-accessible washroom and shower facilities. Each Park car will also feature an onboard wheelchair lift.

“The Canadian, as a living legend, will continue to offer thousands of travelers from around the world the ultimate in safe, stylish and sustainable rail travel as it has done for more than a half-century,” said Del Bosco. More information on the Capital Investment program is available at viarail.ca.

www.newscanada.com

Tags: Canadian, Chateau sleeping cars, rail travel, The Canadian, VIA Rail Canada

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Summer is the perfect time to hit the road and discover new back roads in your state or drive cross-country. A summer road trip is a great opportunity for those once-in-a-lifetime experiences and a great way to make memories with your friends and family. A little planning and preparation will make your road trip even better. Here are some tips that can be essential to summer road trip success.

Plan your route. One of the most exciting parts of a summer road trip is the planning stage. By getting everyone involved, you can ensure that everyone gets to visit the stops they want to see along the way. The most important part of planning your summer road trip is mapping out your route. Numerous online resources can help you plan your pit stops along the way. If you’re looking to see places off the beaten path, try one of the scenic byways listed on www.byways.org or if you like to visit more oddball attractions, try www.roadsideamerica.com. State tourism websites are also a great place to find summer road trip ideas and most offer online tools to help you plan your trip.

Book reservations for your accommodations. If you’re not able to stay with friends and family along your route, it is recommended you make hotel or campground reservations in advance. Also, research what each company’s policy is for late check-ins or canceled reservations in case you get delayed by weather or road construction.

Perform maintenance on your vehicle. Have your vehicle, RV or travel trailer well inspected and serviced before you leave. Check fluid levels, belts, fans, hoses, filters, tires and brakes. Make sure your spare tire is usable and if you’ll be traveling over a lot of rough, gravel roads consider taking along more than one spare tire.

Pack the vehicle for safety and fun. While a summer road trip can be a lot of fun, there will also be times when being in the vehicle for several hours together could get tiresome. To ensure everyone stays in good spirits, pack a few items for entertainment and travel-friendly snacks like pretzels, animal crackers, raisins, cereal, fruit, granola bars and trail mix. Stop at grocery stores along the way and stock up on bottled drinks, sandwich supplies and ice.

Keep trip expenses in check. Fuel for your vehicle will be one of your biggest expenses during your summer road trip, but there are a few things you can do to reduce costs. You could bring one or more friends or family members with you and split the cost of the fuel or visit www.gasbuddy.com to find the lowest fuel prices available in each area you visit. You can even get prices sent to your iPhone or other mobile device as you travel.

If you are driving a pickup on your big summer adventure, you can see immediate gas mileage improvement by installing a truck bed cover on your pickup. A truck bed cover, also known as a tonneau cover, will reduce drag, making your vehicle more aerodynamic at high speeds. One affordable and high-quality option is the Access Roll-Up Cover, manufactured by Agri-Cover, Inc., a North Dakota truck accessory company. Made of heavy-duty, double coated vinyl, the roll-up cover installs quickly and easily with a clamp-on installation and is designed specifically to fit your truck. Since the roll-up cover is lockable, it will also protect your gear while traveling. When not in use, the cover can be rolled up behind the cab and never has to be removed when hauling larger items or a travel trailer.

By making these preparations ahead of time, you’ll ensure that your unforgettable adventure won’t be ruined by setbacks along the way. For more information on the Access Roll-Up Cover and to find out how much gas money you could save on your next summer road trip, visit www.accesscover.com or call (888) 309-0643.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Tags: road trip, road trips, summer road trip

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Bed and breakfast accommodation is a popular choice in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Lucky for us, Niagara-on-the-Lake really does cling to long-held traditions. A visit here is such a sumptuous step back in time.

The Victorian centre of town is a prim and pretty village with a wide main street – and where little brick cottages with front gates and gas lamps are historically preserved. It is indeed so much like a British countryside hamlet, the residents now play the perfect host to a summer-long, internationally acclaimed theatre festival, dedicated to Irish playwright, George Bernard Shaw.

Learn the history of Upper Canada's first capital in a horse-drawn caleche.

From the Falls, cycle the easy 20 kilometres along the magnificent Niagara Parkway and spend the rest of the day strolling, experiencing, touching and tasting another place and time. Walk or ride along shady streets with Regency-style inns and shops and along laneways of chimney-pot cottages, so many with rose bushes spilling over their front-garden walls. All along Queen Street, countless pubs and chemists, bakeries and sweet shops keep us occupied with everything from ice cream to teatime to pub food. Window-shopping is exquisite. Simply stroll and admire the fine bone china, the tartan kilts, cashmere cardigans and coats, as well as hardy Scottish woollens just for starters.

Niagara-on-the-Lake could very well keep you here for days. Come as well for the viticulture, the art, photography, theatre, colonial history, boating, for the exquisite food and the old world hospitality. If you’ve never stayed at a B&B, this might be just the right place to try it.

There are more than 180 properties of this kind in the region, as well as cottage rentals, and most are represented by the Niagara-on-the-Lake Bed & Breakfast Association.

Overnight experiences will range from post-modern to an authentic atmosphere of the 1800s. Each B&B features amenities one would expect from a top-tier hotel, but with personalized service. A typical stay generally excels in value-added courtesies, including personal attention on the finest details and insider tips on where to go and what to do. .

Donna Vieira, owner of the Globetrotters B&B/Gallery, and also the marketing chair for the Niagara-on-the-Lake Bed & Breakfast Association, explains why this accommodation is so popular:

“To be a member of our association, the B&B and cottage owners must maintain high standards. Our guests check in as strangers and often leave as loyal friends who return every year. Return guests and referrals are very important to the business, so not only are you going to be treated well, but in the majority of instances, you are also going to experience an amazing breakfast. After all, we are surrounded by farmland and fruit orchards and we want visitors to experience all Niagara has to offer.”

Niagara is a busy place between June and September, so try to make your plans early. More information, including a full listing of B&B and cottage accommodation, is available online at www.niagarabedandbreakfasts.com, or by calling 1-866-855-0123.

www.newscanada.com

Tags: Niagara, Niagara Falls, Niagara-on-the-Lake

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Your next family vacation doesn't have to break the bank.

Whether hitting the road, taking to the skies or staying close to home this summer, being a budget-wise traveler is easy when you keep a few tips and smart strategies in mind.

Leverage your rewards programs

No doubt you probably have signed up in the past for a hotel loyalty or frequent traveler program or a credit card that earns rewards. Check all these programs before booking travel or hitting the road. Hotel programs usually require staying in certain properties and some airlines allow miles to be converted for hotel stays. These can be great deals if you know exactly what you’re looking for, but cash-equivalent perks like the Cashback Bonus program from Discover offer the most flexibility.

If you have a Discover card, you can get 5 percent “cash-back” on hotel bookings from July through September. Julie Loeger, a spokesperson for Discover, says the company times this deal and other cash back rewards during the season when customers are most likely to benefit.

“Cardmembers get 5 percent cashback for their summer purchases made at restaurants, gas stations, movie theatres, theme parks and hotels,” she says.

Save at the pump
Gas prices are projected to increase again this summer. To save money, drivers are best off by doing a bit of research before buying.

Web sites like MSNAutos.com and GasBuddy.com can help you navigate to the nearest bargains; a quick search can find gas stations less than a mile apart with 30 cents per gallon price difference, saving fuel and time. In-car navigation systems, like the Sirius Travel Link in Ford models, often have the ability to list gas stations by price and location on the in-dash screen. It’s estimated that filling up for less every time could result in more than $200 saved each year.

Drivers can also save by maximizing deals offered by hotels and local tourist organizations. The convention and visitor’s bureau at your destination may have fuel-related specials for stays lasting longer than a weekend. And, many hotels offer special gas promotions for guests arriving by car – typically a voucher or gift card – so ask your hotel or inn if they have any offers when making reservations.

Low-budget luxury lodging
During the recession, hotels were hit especially hard. To lure back customers, many properties are renovating and refurbishing rooms to like-new condition to attract vacationers. Many also are offering amazing discounts, but it’s essential for consumers to know where to look and what to ask for to reap the most savings.

Deals are plentiful and, thanks to the Internet, are easier than ever to find. Websites like Kayak.com gather prices from a variety of online travel agencies and provide a range of options and price levels. Sign up for weekly e-mails from sites like TravelZoo.com to get information on unpublished deals and package upgrades for maximum savings.

Once at your hotel, be sure to ask about any specials or offers. These usually range from complimentary breakfast, discounted museum passes, or turn-down service. Remember, it doesn’t hurt to ask!

Staycations still offer value, fun
A great getaway doesn’t require going across the country; excitement and adventure can be found within the range of a single tank of gas. For instance, Six Flags Theme Parks have partnered with Discover to give cardmembers budget-savvy benefits like discounted tickets during select months, Discover-branded family meal packages at as much as fifty percent savings and exclusive “After Hours” perks. Using a Discover card in the park for purchases – food, souvenirs, snacks – will save cardmembers 5 percent instantly.

Roller coasters aren’t for everyone but that doesn’t mean you can’t have an adventure outdoors. Take a trip back in time by creating your own drive-in movie theatre. Home projectors are now available in affordable, portable versions that attach to laptops and iPods. Use a clean white sheet hung against a large flat space in your backyard for the screen. Make a big bowl of popcorn, lay out a blanket and cue up your favorite film for memorable movie experiences and affordable fun all summer long.

These are just a few savvy tips to make the most of your budget and summer. Start planning early and research your options for the savings. But most importantly, remember to get out and have fun.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Tags: Budget travel, budget vacations, savvy tips

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By following a few pieces of advice, you can make your next vacation relaxing and affordable - and a blast for your whole family.

If you’ve watched any of the “Vacation” movies, you’ve seen what can go wrong on a family vacation. While hilarity is the end result of the mishaps in the movies, certain blunders aren’t as funny in real life. Therefore, it’s important to ensure that you and your children will remember your trip for the right reasons.

By following a few pieces of advice, you can make your next vacation relaxing and affordable – and a blast for your whole family. Try these tips courtesy of website Offers.com, which specializes in aggregating the best money-saving offers for consumers and has a section dedicated specifically to travel coupons and discounts.

Score free meals. When you’re feeding a whole family, costs add up quickly. Look for hotels that offer a free breakfast so you can save on one meal each day. Many hotels now offer oatmeal, waffles, eggs and other, more kid-friendly selections, in addition to the traditional coffee and pastries. To save on other meals, it might be wise to find a hotel room with a refrigerator so you can stock up on sandwich meat and snacks.

Find kid-friendly travel. Search for travel discounts where kids fly free or for a reduced rate. In addition, especially if you have younger children who aren’t used to flying, you might want to look for airlines that offer in-flight entertainment options like child-friendly movies. If you’re driving, consider renting a vehicle with built-in child seats or entertainment options like a DVD player.

Choose a resort with more. Many all-inclusive resorts are especially tailored to families with children of all ages, so if your children are farther apart in age, this may be a good option. Many family-friendly resorts cater to children, tweens and teens alike with age-appropriate activities such as story time, sports and game rooms. Some also offer kids’ camps so mom and dad can enjoy a little alone time.

Have a plan. It’s especially important when you are traveling with children to go over your plan ahead of time and make them aware of it, so they know what to expect. It’s also a chance to get them excited about your vacation. By sitting down and finding out the things each family member would like to do during your trip, you’ll ensure everyone comes home happy. Many of your destinations may offer free travel guides that can aid in planning, which can also be found at Offers.com/travel.

Travel light. Instead of cramming a stroller into your car, consider renting a stroller at the attractions you plan on visiting. When booking a hotel room, check to see if they have cribs available for your younger children. By eliminating extra items from your load, you’ll keep your sanity.

Take advantage of coupons and deals. Since many destinations are competing for your dollar, there are plenty of deals and travel coupons to be had. When looking at booking flights or accommodations, or even restaurants once you are on the road, check for money-saving offers online before purchasing. Same goes for theme parks or other attractions you plan to visit. The easiest and fastest way to find offers is to visit a website like Offers.com, whose staff does the work for you by compiling easy-to-navigate, easy-to-search and verified and updated travel specials for you to peruse. You never know, you might even find a deal that allows you to explore an opportunity you hadn’t yet thought of.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Tags: family travel fun

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Caribbean

Sizzling hot beaches, cool delicious fruity drinks and the brightest blue turquoise waters will have you quickly planning your next trip to the Caribbean.

And if you can’t decide on just one destination, you can cover several while on a Celebrity Cruise.

The Caribbean has multiple highlights to entice tourists. Honduras, St. Maarten, and Costa Maya, Mexico are just some of the many enticing Caribbean destinations tourists love to discover by land and by sea.

Roatan, Honduras:
This island has something for every cruise vacation. The white sand with palm trees providing spots of shade is perfect for the beach lover, while the water can keep any sports enthusiast busy with fishing, snorkeling and some of the best scuba diving opportunities in the world, with a fringing coral reef and bountiful marine life. This island 35 miles north of Honduras has it all, including shopping for island crafts, horseback riding and exploring the tropical scenery.

Philipsburg, St. Maarten:
Combine a little bit of Creole, with a little bit of boardwalk and another little bit of shopping and you’ve got Philipsburg – a small town that likes to boast of its four parallel streets and mile-long stature. While the island of St. Maarten isn’t large, it is full of many activities a family can do while visiting. For example, hiking, biking, windsurfing and kayaking are popular, as are diving, boating and snorkeling. Just make sure you have your international knowledge ready, because the island is only 37 square miles large, but is divided between French and Dutch rule.

Costa Maya, Mexico:
Getting into the tropical jungle and exploring ancient ruins, bird species, monkeys and beautiful tropical flowers is what you can expect with a visit to Costa Maya. Make sure your visit includes a stop at the Sian Ka’an (translated into “where the sky is born”) Biosphere Reserve, which is a 1.3 million-acre preserve where you can observe the native species of the jungle in their natural habitat. Another recommended stop is to take a guided tour of the Chacchoben ruins, which have only been open to the public for a few years. This area of Mexico was destroyed by Hurricane Dean in 2007, but has since rebuilt.

One way to explore these unique Caribbean destinations – and many others – is on Celebrity Cruises’ award-winning Celebrity Solstice, now sailing year round to both eastern and western Caribbean destinations. While onboard, you can experience activities to suit your interests, whether it’s sampling wines from around the world, learning a new language or putting for par on a bed of real, growing grass. It’s all part of their new brand platform, “Designed for you.”

The cuisine onboard Celebrity Solstice was also a key element to the design of the ultimate experience for guests.

“The culinary offerings onboard Celebrity Solstice put our guests in an immersive, tantalizing environment, like the Grand Epernay Dining Room with the only two-story glass wine tower at sea and gorgeous ocean views. The impeccable service and enticing food in our specialty restaurants take diners to faraway places, from a tour of the Far East at Silk Harvest restaurant to the hills of Italy at Tuscan Grille,” says Celebrity’s president and CEO Dan Hanrahan. “All of our onboard experiences are designed to provide our guests with colorful memories that they will remember long after they disembark.”

For an idyllic Caribbean vacation, consider the exotic destinations of St. Maarten, Honduras or Costa Maya, while enjoying a seven-night cruise on Celebrity Solstice. Visit www.celebritycruises.com for more information.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Tags: Costa Maya, Honduras, Mexico, Philipsburg, Roatan, St. Maarten

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A new South Carolina State Farmers Market opens in June 2010, providing a great stop on the way to the beach or anywhere else in the Palmetto State.

Located in the centre of the state just outside the capital city of Columbia, the 173-acre site sits just off Interstate 26 near its intersection with Interstate 77.

While prepared foods will be available, seasonal produce will be a highlight of the market, which will serve as an ideal spot for travelers to pick up such favourites as local peaches (South Carolina grows more than any state besides California), collards, tomatoes, okra, pecans, peanuts and more.

Retail and wholesale vendors will have their own permanent heated and cooled spots for selling agricultural products from South Carolina and beyond, and the S.C. Department of Agriculture will provide a large farmers’ shed for state farmers to sell their in-season produce.

Adding to the one-of-a-kind nature of the new State Farmers Market will be a 400-seat outdoor amphitheatre, 150-seat demonstration kitchen, specialty food shops and restaurants. An RV park also will be provided.

The state agriculture department also is relocating its laboratory facilities to the new market, which also will include a conference centre.

More information is at www.scstatefarmersmarket.com. The S.C. State Farmers Market also is on Twitter (@scstatefarmersmarket) and on Facebook.

The new farmers market replaces an older facility several miles away, in the shadow of big Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, one of the landmarks easily spotted from the freeway by passing travelers. The University of South Carolina has new plans for that site.

www.newscanada.com

Tags: Columbia, SC, South Carolina, South Carolina farmers market

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(ARA) – A vacation may be the last thing on your mind as the holidays draw near this year, but contrary to popular belief the holiday season is a great time to take a break. Pre-holiday season deals sweeten the appeal of a weekend getaway to decompress from the stresses of a busy fall and winter season.

“While airfares and hotel rates do rise on and immediately surrounding major holidays, the weeks leading up to those times can yield amazing deals and wonderful opportunities to escape the hectic pace of the holiday season,” says Brad Dean, president and chief executive officer for the Myrtle Beach Area Convention and Visitor’s Bureau.

Still not convinced now is the time for a quick getaway? Consider these facts:

Getting There

Airports will be crowded and frustrating as soon as the holidays arrive. Yet airfares are lower and airports are less crowded in the weeks leading up to peak holiday season. You’re much more likely to score a good deal on airfare – and a less stressful airport experience – if you travel pre-holiday.

Driving trips are also easier before the holiday. Come Thanksgiving or Christmas, everyone will be visiting family and friends to celebrate. Highways are less likely to be clogged with traffic in advance of the holidays. To make the most of your weekend getaway, choose a driving destination that’s easily accessible and offers the most “bang for your buck.” Myrtle Beach, S.C., for example is a popular driving destination from many parts of the eastern seaboard and Midwest.

Hotel Deals

Hotel prices typically increase a day or two before a holiday – rates may even double over Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s. However, hotels are relatively empty and inspired to offer better deals in the weeks leading up to the holidays. In fact, rates can be reduced to more than half the cost of a room during peek summer season. You can find great package deals if you travel before the holidays, especially to affordable locations that are in their “off” seasons. Many beach resorts and hotels offer all-inclusive packages with admission to local attractions and many feature heated indoor swimming pools and even indoor waterparks.

Cool Prices on Hot Attractions

Attraction tickets that might seem pricey during high season will likely be more appealingly priced during the pre-holiday, “off season.” Some outdoor attractions in more temperate climes, such as Myrtle Beach will stay open through the holidays, as will shows, indoor attractions and sites. Plus, you won’t have to fight the “peak season” crowds or lines at year-round attractions like popular museums and aquariums.

A Taste of the Holidays without the Expense

What commercial venture in the United States doesn’t stretch the holidays? With Halloween items appearing on store shelves in early September, is it any surprise that resort attractions will don their holiday décor and feature holiday-themed events and shows long before the actual dates arrive?

It’s possible to get into the holiday spirit and enjoy themed shows, attractions and activities when you travel before the holidays. For example, the Myrtle Beach area offers everything from live holiday shows to candlelit gardens with carolers, Christmas tree festivals to holiday markets.

To learn more about a pre-holiday getaway to Myrtle Beach, go to www.visitmyrtlebeach.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Tags: Myrtle Beach, pre-holiday getaway, pre-holiday vacations

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(ARA) – Every fall, many families pack up the car to travel to see fall foliage. Cooler temperatures and vivid colors make fall the perfect time to get outside and enjoy nature. Most regions have an area known for a vivid display of fall foliage, so families don’t have to travel too far to enjoy autumn colors.

This fall, keep these tips in mind to get the most enjoyment from your fall foliage excursion:

* Research specific regions.

Many private and public parks offer trails for visitors, as well as camping accommodations and the opportunity to rent off-road vehicles or other recreational products. Be sure to ask for trail maps of the area to get the lay of the land and determine the appropriate trails for your family’s experience level.

While flexibility is key to seeing the best colors, if you plan to camp or are visiting an area popular for fall foliage viewing, it is always best to check camping or hotel availability.

* Prepare for the weather.

Be sure to stay tuned to local news weather forecasts, Internet sites or contact the local tourism bureau to help predict the best time to plan your trip. Most foliage starts to change colors from mid- to late September and can last through the first part of November.

* Be part of the action.

Why stay stuck in the car or on foot to experience fall foliage? Riding down trails on an all terrain vehicle can give your family a whole new perspective on fall colors. The new two-passenger machines, like the Polaris Sportsman Touring and Polaris X2, give you the opportunity to share the views with the family.

As part of preparing for your trip, it is also important that your ATVs are in good working order so you can fully enjoy your trip without unforeseen pit stops. Have your machine serviced at a local dealership or change the oil, clean the air filter, check tire air pressure, and examine the brakes, all electrical wiring and bodywork to ensure nothing has come loose. It is also a good idea to carry a tire patch kit in case of a puncture from a rock or stump, and extra gas so you can fill up on the go.

Also be sure to pack all appropriate ATV safety gear including helmets, goggles, gloves, long-sleeved shirts, pants and boots for all members of the family to ensure a fun and safe adventure to experience the wonders of nature.

Courtesy of ARA Content

Tags: ATV, fall foliage, fall foliage excursions, trails

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(ARA) – Families that play together stay together – at least that’s the common wisdom. Even in tough economic times, family vacations are worth the money, Americans agree.

In a national study by Expedia.com, 94 percent of Americans agreed it was worth it to take a family vacation. Why? Because they help build memories that last a lifetime and reinforce family bonds. Nearly 85 percent of those surveyed think the time they spend together as a family is what makes a trip special. The good news is, travel costs have dropped significantly in the last year, making family vacations the most affordable they’ve been in years.

This year, rather than forgoing a vacation altogether, many people are staying closer to home and taking shorter trips. Whether you have a day, weekend or an entire week to get away, trips within driving distance can be fun and help save money. In fact, good old-fashioned road trips haven’t gone out of style. Most people (seven in 10) still enjoy them because they like making stops at family-friendly attractions and seeing interesting sights along the way.

Travel expert Lee Woodruff says online resources like Expedia.com are a great way to help plan a great family vacation on a small budget.

“Expedia has a brand new tool called Drive Getaway. You plug in where you are in the country, how far you want to go on a tank of gas or less and they’ll come up with all kinds of ideas and places that you can go with the kids for one, two, three nights, whatever it may be,” Woodruff says.

Some other tips for getting the most out of your family vacation:

Take advantage of last minute deals – More than a quarter of Americans (27 percent) who have been on family vacations feel a spontaneous trip is more fun for their family than one planned well in advance of the vacation date. The good news is there’s still time to take advantage of great vacation savings. Snap up dramatically discounted hotel rooms in top cities and beaches at Expedia.com’s last minute deals page.

Revisit the past – Many of our fondest memories come from family trips. Revisiting favorite destinations that you remember as a child can be a great way to spend time off with your family. Nearly two in three (64 percent) parents who enjoyed family vacations while growing up have taken their own families to destinations they visited as a child. “Sharing a trip from your childhood is a special way to connect with the entire family and relive the memories you created in the past,” says Woodruff.

Don’t over schedule – “Remember, this is a vacation! Don’t over schedule. One activity or site a day is plenty,” advises Woodruff. Trips to larger attractions can be alternated with inexpensive or free activities like picnics in nearby parks to help families stick to their travel budgets.

Involve the whole family –“Whatever you decide, be sure to get the kids involved in the planning. They’ll be more cooperative and have a lot more fun if they feel they have a say,” says Woodruff. Cruises can be a great option for family vacations. They offer activities that are fun for everyone and help families stick to their travel budgets since most cruises are all-inclusive.

Think off season – Booking travel during off-peak travel times can help maximize travel budgets. “While more than half of Americans like to take family vacations during summer, booking travel in the fall after Labor Day weekend can be just as enjoyable. Planning travel for off-peak times also allows travelers to take advantage of travel deals and smaller crowds,” says Woodruff. Booking air and hotel together is another way to save money regardless of when you plan on traveling throughout the year. Travelers can save more than $200 per trip when they book their airfare and hotel together.

The average American who has taken a family vacation at some point in their lives admits it has been five years since they had a truly great trip with their loved ones. There’s no better time than the present to hit the road and have some fun making memories with family and loved ones.

For more information about travel deals and destinations visit www.expedia.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Tags: Drive Getaway

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