Tag Archives: Travel Tips

Traveling with a Toddler

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My son in the cockpit with the USA3000 Airlines captain.

My son in the cockpit with the USA3000 Airlines captain.

Since I work so much, and have that “mommy guilt” complex, when I go away I always take my son. Honestly, since so many of the resorts have great kids clubs that he loves, it is truly a vacation for all of us.  Here are my top travel tips for traveling with a little one.

  1. The airplane ride. If you plan to bring a car seat on the plane ensure it is FAA approved. It says it on the seat. Otherwise they will take it from you as you get on the plane and / or put it in the overhead bin.
  2. Entertainment. I am amazed when I look around the plane and see unruly children who have nothing to entertain them. My son, since he pays for a seat, is entitled to a carry on. We always bring a backpack of items to amuse him on a flight and the ride to the hotel. I invested in a small DVD player. We also bring an assortment of small books, crayons, coloring books, small trucks or action figures travel well.
  3. We bring small juice boxes (keep an eye on the ounces to get thru security) but we bring the small “Juicy Juice” boxes and if they are for a toddler (4 and under) they get through security just fine. Also some small snacks that the child is familiar with.
  4. I also always bring lollypops. The sucking motion helps their ears while landing. I usually bring ring pops because they are also entertaining. I give it to my son about a half an hour before we land. Now he knows when he gets ring pop, we are almost there. Continue reading →

MY TOP 10 TRAVEL TIPS!

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As I get ready to depart for my next adventure to Riviera Maya, Mexico I wanted to point out my Top 10 Travel Tips for a successful Apple Vacation. So, after you are booked and ready to go… make sure you:

  1. Check your passports! You are NOT going anywhere without a valid (not expired) passport that is also in good shape. If you jumped in the pool with it in your back pocket on your last vacation and it is now warped or pages are missing, this could be a problem.  Make sure it is valid and make sure it is in good shape.
  2. Check your travel documents. When you receive your travel documents go over all details and make sure it is the flight you were told, hotel you planned and number of nights you requested. If you advised your travel agent you wanted Dreams Cancun and they booked you into Dreams Riviera, this is all much easier to take care of before you depart.
  3. Pack what you need and be smart about it. Don’t use an overweight suitcase. Every   suitcase is weighed when you check in. If you go over your allowance, you will be charged. Check with your specific airline on the weight limitations.  Don’t over pack! And a word to the wise… don’t bring Grandmom’s irreplaceable diamond ring. If you lose it in the ocean, that’s what you’ll remember from your vacation, not the great time you had.
  4. Lock your suitcase with an FAA approved lock. You can get them for about $10.00 at any major drugstore chain.
  5. Don’t be late! Allow for extra time to get to the airport, go thru security and arrive at the gate. Leave early…especially if there is inclement weather. You’ll never regret leaving early, you may regret being late! Start your vacation on the right foot.
  6. Bring all medicine and valuables in your carry on. I always have a small strategic carry – on with my tickets, valuables and medication as well as whatever it is I need on the airplane AND for my first few hours in resort. Magazine, I-Pod, bathing suite and small travel size suntan lotion are all in there so I can hit the ground running on my vacation!
  7. Bring small bills. An extra tip for service well done is always a nice gesture and if you buy something, you will be given change in their currency. I always bring lots of $5’s and $1’s with me on vacation for tipping and small purchases.
  8. Don’t forget your sunscreen! The sun in Mexico & the Caribbean is very, very strong. Do not let sunburn ruin your vacation. Check expiration dates on your products and use generously.  My suggestion is it to apply even before you walk out of your hotel room.
  9. If something does not meet your expectations upon arrival, for example if you booked and ocean view and you have a tropical view, then speak up. Apple Vacations has resort representatives who are there to help you. Don’t wait until you come home to complain.  Speak up so they can fix the situation while you are there.
  10. Go with the flow. If your dinner reservation is 10 minutes late or the flight is booked and you are across the aisle from your travel party, don’t let it ruin your vacation.  My final tip is to have a good time!

Final Thoughts & Tips on Panama!

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  • 14Airport expansion — in anticipation of the upcoming growth, the airport is adding an additional 6 gates slated to be done by the end of next year and another runway and additional gates to be done in 2012.
  • It is a relatively short flight (even with a connection) to the US. Nonstop flights from the east coast are approx 4 ½ hours.
  • The official currency used is the US dollar. Easy and convenient – you know exactly what you are spending. There are ATMs everywhere in the city and in small neighboring towns. Things are relatively inexpensive to purchase in comparison to similar items in the United States.
  • Everything is within close proximity — the canal, the Caribbean, the Pacific, the city, all are within a 1–2 hour or less drive.
  • There are a lot of available excursions. You can swim in the Caribbean, drive 1 hour and swim in the Pacific.
  • This is not just a beach destination, not just an “eco” destination and not just a city destination— it is the combination of all three. Vacationers are likely to participate in multiple excursions. They are going to want to go to the city to eat, to shop, to see the canal etc. as well as go to the beach and rainforest.
  • Because the USA reigned over the area for so long, everything is U.S. standards, including the water which is safe to drink from the tap just about anywhere
  • Much like Puerto Vallarta, Panama is known for its restaurants and dining. The food is wonderful — tons of fusion restaurants (because of the mix of cultures), excellent seafood, Panamanian, Japanese, Italian, and steakhouses as well as familiar chains for Americans that have to see KFC, McDonalds and Pizza Hut to feel comfortable!
    • canal

    Panama Canal

  • Native Panamanian food is much like Puerto Rican — but not at all spicy.
  • The hotel food on average was on par with the resorts in Punta Cana and Mexico, more along the lines of a Jamaican All Inclusive.
  • Many US brands of food and liquor that are familiar to Americans are a daily staple in Panama.
  • There are plenty of places to shop! Malls and upscale stores as well as the usual local artisan stalls selling local goods.
  • There is very little language barrier — all the hotel/restaurant employees, as well as the average Panamanian, speak English.
  • The people are warm, open and very friendly much like Dominicans and Mexicans.
  • I felt safe & very comfortable walking around the city on my own.
  • Large, full service casinos on similar to those found in Nassau and Aruba.
  • Panama is a world-class fishing destination specializing in marlin, tuna, wahoo and swordfish.
  • Golf — 3 championship courses including the Summit Golf and Resort, an 18 hole course located on the east bank of the Panama Canal and designed by Jeffery Myers. The Coronado Golf and Beach Resort, an 18 hole course designed by Tom Fazio and located about 1 hour outside the city and lastly the Costa Blanca Golf & Villas located at the Decameron on Playa Blanca that is lit allowing you to play both day and night.

Dreams Palm Beach — A Gem of a property!!!

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Dreams Palm Beach is only 15 minutes from the airport, this 500-room property has a MUCH smaller feel. The resort features five a la carte restaurants (one of those, the Bordeaux, being adults only), the Coco Cafe where you can get just about anything you’d be able to get at a Starbucks, 3 beautiful pools, a stunning beach with tons of shade and lounge chairs, an Explorer’s Club for ages 3–13, a 2-story Teen Core Zone for ages 14–17 and a beautiful spa.

The Preferred Club offers private check in, private lounge, a la carte breakfast and lunch, free Internet access and a private lounge.  Continue reading →

A Friendly Face in a Faraway Place

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On the flight down to Cancun, I heard the woman behind me say at least 10 times that she was worried about getting to the hotel. She was booked through Apple Vacations and the person in the aisle next to her reassured her that if she looked for the flowered shirts she would be fine. To prove how easy it was I took out my FLIP video camera after we cleared immigration.

I wanted to show everyone, who may go on an Apple Vacation to Cancun or Riviera Maya what to (and what not to) look for.

I travel often enough and know what to expect. For those who do not I thought this may be helpful. Continue reading →