Home Articles Posted by Izy Berry (Page 63)
,
4 Fabulous Tips for Your First Ski Trip in Meribel as a Couple
Choosing to take a ski trip as a couple is an exciting, yet sometimes daunting process. Not only do you need to deal with the confusion that booking a ski trip often brings, but you have to make sure everything goes well so that your significant other is suitably impressed.
Meribel is a perfect destination for couples to take their first ski trip. This beautiful little town in the French Alps is extremely romantic and offers some of the best skiing opportunities in the region. Couples will love the personal feel of the area- Meribel is split into several villages that are built into the side of the mountain, which makes it feel much more intimate than a typical ski resort town. With that in mind, here are 4 great tips for couples taking their first skiing trip in Meribel.
- Keep costs down and turn up the romance
Saving money has never been so sexy. By keeping an eye on your spending you can not only save some pennies towards your next ski trip to Meribel, but you can create some very romantic situations too.
Food costs in Meribel can shock even the most generous of spenders- think 8 euros for a drink. Some people report that it’s easy to spend over 500 euros in a week per person if you don’t watch your spending carefully. Why not try making your own picnic and finding a scenic spot to eat? For a couple, this is both intimate and romantic. It beats fighting the crowds for a pricey table for lunch, at least!
To save on airfare, consider driving to Meribel. For those based in Europe, it’s easy to take a trip to Meribel in your car. A long drive as a couple always leads to deep and meaningful conversations, and can be a great way to encourage open communication and romance in a relationship. Plus, you can save on costs by bringing your own food and equipment in the car with you as well.
Just being in beautiful Meribel is romance enough, so you don’t have to spend additional money on other activities if you don’t want to. Consider taking a walk through the village, or up in the mountains. Spend your evenings resting in front of the fire, or make fancy hot chocolates from the comfort of your chalet kitchen. Being away on a skiing holiday with your significant other is a very romantic experience that brings couples closer. Just think: you’re far from home in a cute cabin or chalet and you’ll need lots of cuddles to keep warm in the cold weather.
- Choose a cute chalet
Although you’ll both be itching to get out onto the slopes, it’s nice for a couple to have somewhere special to come back to at the end of the day. Look for Meribel chalets that have been designed with couples in mind. There are a few features for couples to look for in a chalet that would make a ski holiday particularly special.
A log burning fire- is there any better way to finish a long day of skiing than snuggling in front of the fire with your significant other? Kick off your snow boots, grab some wine and enjoy a cosy night in.
When people think of ski chalets, they always think of wood, wood and more wood. Finding a traditional chalet in Meribel for your romantic break will make your trip stand out as an authentic and special one.
As Meribel is spread up the mountain, there are some more secluded chalets dotted around the area. A couple will love that their chalet is set back from the main street. There will be less noise, less people and an atmosphere that leads you to feel like you’re in your own little bubble up in the mountains. Could anything else be more romantic?
Chalets are the perfect accommodation option: they’re warm, cosy and they’re situated in the middle of some breath-taking scenery. Find a chalet that takes advantage of this with an incredible view of the mountains, and you can wake up together every morning with one of the best views in the world. It would be a shame to visit Meribel and not be in awe of this picturesque place.
Although being with your significant other will make any skiing trip fun, choosing special accommodation will make your first experience skiing one to remember.
http://www.freeimages.com/photo/ski-2-1531222
- Select your slopes wisely
When skiing in Meribel as a couple, you should consider which slopes you’re going to tackle carefully. One of you may be more experienced at skiing, or at least more adventurous. Skiing as a couple should be equally as fun for both parties, and it wouldn’t be fair if one person was bored, or the other be put in a dangerous position.
Make a plan before you head up to the slopes so you both know what you’re getting into. If one person is more nervous, why doesn’t the other one take the opportunity to show how caring and thoughtful they are by helping them out a bit?
If there’s a big difference in your abilities, decide whether it’s best to have some time apart so you can both enjoy Meribel’s slopes? You can always meet up later and have a hot chocolate in a cosy café.
Better yet, why not switch to a different activity that you’re both novices at? Try snowboarding, or ski biking! Doing something different together can be a fun learning experience for a couple.
- Don’t let your fun be confined to your holiday
Skiing is such an exciting pastime, and your trip to Meribel will likely be a very special experience for the both of you. With that in mind, it seems a shame to limit your fun to the week or so that you’ll spend away in Meribel.
Why not take some skiing lessons before you go? You’ll feel much more confident when the time comes to head to the slopes, and you might be able to tackle longer and more interesting mountains. Not only that, but you’ll be able to enjoy the anticipation and build up to your trip as a couple by taking lessons together. This tip works especially well if both of you are novices, though it could alleviate some of the issues outlined in tip number 3 if one of you is less confident.
Taking any class together is a great way to bond, but ski lessons in particular are fun. You’re taking yourselves out of your comfort zone (and probably enjoying a lot of laughs in the process) and putting trust in each other as you learn. With all these lessons, your ski trip to Meribel will go without a hitch, and you’ll be able to enjoy your time together on the slopes so much more than you thought.
With these tips, your first skiing trip to Meribel as a couple certainly won’t be your last. It’s the kind of destination that you’ll want to return to together again and again. The quaint atmosphere, many sweet cafes and bars and incredible skiing opportunities make it the perfect destination in the Alps for a couple’s getaway.
,
3 Holiday Health tips Everyone Should Know
Whether you’re planning a relaxing beach holiday or you’re gearing up for a city break, it’s important to make sure you’re properly prepared for your next trip – and this includes looking after your health. To help ensure medical woes don’t ruin your getaway, here are three holiday health tips everyone should know.
1. It pays to be sensible about sex
People tend to let their guard down when they’re away from home, and this can result in them being a little lax when it comes to sex. Whether you’re hoping for a holiday romance or not, it’s always a good idea to take condoms with you to protect you from STIs just in case you do meet someone.
If you’re travelling with your partner and you use birth control, don’t forget to take it with you. You might also want to pack a morning after pill in case your regular method of contraception fails. You can order emergency contraception online from trusted sources, and knowing that you have this with you can give you added peace of mind.
2. You should research travel vaccinations well in advance
Depending on where you’re going, you might need vaccinations to protect you from potentially serious diseases. You can get jabs to reduce the risk of contracting anything from polio, tetanus and diphtheria to typhoid, hepatitis B, rabies and yellow fever. If you’re heading to a place where there’s a risk of diseases like this, it’s essential that you visit a travel clinic – and don’t leave booking an appointment to the last minute. It’s recommended that you visit a clinic at least two months before you set off on your trip because certain vaccinations have to be given well in advance.
3. Basic food and water hygiene can stop you getting sick
There might be lots of enticing foods to sample on your adventures, but you’ll need to follow some basic food and drink hygiene rules if you want to avoid travellers’ diarrhoea. Bear in mind that if you consume contaminated food or water, your trip might be spoiled by a nasty bout of sickness. If you’re going to a country with poor sanitation, don’t drink tap water unless it’s been treated. Don’t even brush your teeth with it. Use bottled or boiled water instead. It’s also important to avoid drinks served with ice.
When it comes to eating in these countries, steer clear of salads, uncooked vegetables and fruits unless they have been washed in safe water. Also, don’t tuck into cooked or fresh food that’s been allowed to stand at room temperature if you’re staying somewhere warm. No matter how delicious they may look, it’s also wise to avoid dairy products and raw or undercooked seafood and shellfish.
Paying attention to tips like these should ensure you can enjoy your holidays without health concerns getting in the way.
,
Trading for Freedom: Taking the Job On the Go
For many people, some major factors holding them back from traveling are being unable to get off work and the lack of income that would result from an unpaid vacation. As much as vacation should be about relaxing, those on a budget can still hear the cha-ching! among ocean waves or mountains or the sites of another country. One of the benefits of being a full-time trader is being location independent. Not every job has this luxury like trading does, so I make sure to take advantage of it as much as I can.
I am a day trader. I only trade for a few hours a each day and do not hold my trades overnight. The stock market opens at 9:30AM in New York, so wherever I am, all I have to do is be up 30-60 minutes before the opening bell to scan the news and set the list of stocks I am going to watch. When the market opens, I trade for just a couple of hours, taking advantage of the hottest time of the market’s day—the morning. A few trades and a few hours later, I’m free to do whatever else is on my agenda. If you’re looking for best shares to buy uk, you can check out this link for more info.
I have powerful Lenovo Y50 laptops that fit in my backpack along with a portable ASUS monitor that is light and connects through a USB port. My travel setup for trading gives me mobility so I can trade wherever I want as long as there is a decent internet connection. Being my own boss means I can go on vacation more often without taking time off from work. I can take trips to Las Vegas or California at a moment’s notice, or go somewhere to stay for a while. I was in Italy in the summer for almost a month and could trade for most of the time I was there. I got to explore a new country and culture while making money!
Being a trader means being your own boss and being responsible for your successes and failures. I wasn’t always a profitable trader. I was working at an architecture firm in New York City, getting tired of the 9-to-5 mentality when I decided to move back home. I soon started researching trading and how I might be able to manage my own mutual fund investments that had done nothing but lose value up until that point. I lost a lot of money during my first 18 months of trial and error, but I learned so much from those months that I was able to turn it all around, and I haven’t looked back once in all the years that followed.
The limitations of the job as a trader come from only yourself, through your own skill and comfort levels. Like being a professional athlete, trading is one of the most merit-driven professions out there—so it can sometimes be very stressful. But once you are realizing consistent profits, you begin to be able to truly enjoy the benefits.
You might ask why I would want to work on vacation in the first place, and the reason is simple: I love what I do. Once I adopted the right trading strategies and started making money consistently from trading, I’ve never wanted to miss a market opening. Trading isn’t something you have to sit around and do all day. Most professional traders focus on trading the first couple of hours, and then work another job for another source of income, or take off to spend time for themselves or with their family. I’ve taken up teaching, so I have plenty of time left after trading that I can devote to my trading courses and to my students.
Freedom like this is hard to come by. The possibility of making money is always a great motivator—but the freedom, in my opinion, is just as important. All we really have in life is time, so why not spend it the way we want?
Ross Cameron is a full-time day trader and owner of Warrior Trading. Click here to read his inspiring journey from debt to success.
,
Traveling in Tulsa? Keep the Car Accidents at Bay By Staying Away From These Intersections
The holidays are upon us, and that means delicious Christmas cookies, buying last-minute presents, and traveling to visit family. While it may be great to see your loved ones, there are some things about traveling that can be exceptionally frustrating — namely travel delays, traffic, and slick roads.
Tulsa, in particular, has some dangerous driving conditions to be aware of this winter. Unfortunately, last year there were 1,647 accidents at Tulsa’s 25 most dangerous intersections. So in order to stay safe while spreading holiday cheer in Tulsa, here are the intersections you’ll want to avoid if at all possible.
71st Street
On the whole, 71st Street is one of the city’s more dangerous ones. Considering the fact that five out of the 25 top intersections for accidents citywide are on 71st Street, try to steer clear of this thoroughfare if you can.
71st and Mingo Road
There is an accident every other day at this intersection. This isn’t all that surprising, as traffic from Union High School, the Mall, and the hospital all converge here. All in all, in 2015, Tulsa police handled 94 car accidents at 71st and Mingo.
31st Street to 91st Street
There are problem areas all over Highway 169, but especially near these two streets. More than 50 accidents happened at each of these junctions last year, so when you are driving on the highway, take every extra precaution to stay safe.
Broken Arrow Expressway and Memorial
Of all the dangerous spots in Tulsa, this intersection, where the on ramps and off ramps converge, is where most accidents happen in the entire city. A total of 121 accidents took place in this area in 2015.
It can be difficult to avoid all the problem areas, especially while you are traveling around the city to visit your friends and family during this season of parties and get-togethers, but if you take a little extra time, make sure to pay attention to road conditions, and drive defensively, you’ll have a much better chance of making it to and from your destinations — without putting a damper on your holiday fun!
,
Bored? Check out Stargames Casino
While we all like a break, unfortunately many people will find that they’ll get a little bored over the holidays. There are many fun things you can do to keep yourself entertained over the break, and playing online with Stargames is a great way to make the hours pass quickly, while potentially also winning some money.
Stargames was established in 2002, and offers members a fun, reliable, high-quality and secure gaming platform and environment. One of the things that makes Stargames stand out from other similar websites it that players can expect to have only the most popular and best games currently offered on the internet to choose from.
For those who like excitement, check out the fun tournaments and play against real opponents. The more participants you’re playing against, the higher the jackpot you can win.
Another big reason to try Stargames is because you can try the many games offered on the site before you play for money. This gives you the chance to get work on your technique on the site and improve your skills before you bet, allowing you a better chance at making some money.
There are continual updates to the games, and when you play on this site you’ll notice that the site is constantly striving for the best possible functionality, meaning you’ll have an easy, problem-free experience while playing on the site.
It’s also quick to get into the games, and the pages are almost instantly loaded and opened, with all pertinent information just a click away if it’s not already on your current page.
For those who like to choose game sites with a welcome bonus, you’re in luck with Stargames casino.
After you’ve completed the registration process and deposited some money into your account, Stargames will offer you a match bonus. This is 100% and valid up to 100 Euro on your first deposit. To get this bonus, you need to pay the number of games based on the value of the bonus- meaning the total bonus amount before you can actually withdraw any of your winnings.
Real money players also benefit from a variety of promotional offers, including a loyalty program which gives you bonus money monthly.
Some of the games include American Poker 2, Blackjack and Joker Wild, including many other games, with variations and the classic versions. With the live casino, you’ll see all of the action via your webcam, and you can play live blackjack, live baccarat or live roulette.
Many people play these games online due to the social element, and there are a variety of fun games you can choose from, including Bingo.
For those who are hoping to make real money, you can use your money and have the chance to win money every time you play. And for visitors to the site who want to try it out, you can use Stars, which is the virtual currency on Stargames casino. You can also earn stars by completing different activities on the site, and you can even use them to play against real money.
,
Offbeat Things To Do in Queensland
When you’re headed to the state Where Australia Shines, you know that the beaches are going to be beautiful, the greeneries are going to be lush, and you’ll never run out of exciting events to go to. While there are so many fun tourist-y things to do around QLD, sometimes you just want to do something a little unique, maybe even a little weird. I know I do. When you’re on holiday at Queensland and you’re craving for a more offbeat experience, here are a few places you can go.
Balls, Bumpers and Bopping Heads
These three B’s are sure to give you a rootin’ tootin’ time as you bring out the kid in you at the RACV Royal Pines Resort.
Image by Time Out
Start with the bumper balls to get that blood pumping as you face off with some of your best mates or family to see who will be the last bumper standing. You’re going to be wearing a force-field-like bumper ball and the start to, quite literally, bump every other bumper you can see and fight ‘til you’re the last man standing. Make sure that someone’s there to take videos because watching yourself move around in a ball makes for a pretty hilarious souvenir. At the very least, it makes for an interesting Facebook or Twitter post.
Image by Time Out
After breaking a sweat in the bumper balls, it’s time to step up the ball game and slip inside on of these awesome Ozbobbles. Defy physics and walk on water as you make your best hamster in a ball impression. There’s a bit of a learning curve before you can move gracefully in the giant hamster ball, but part of the fun is slipping, sliding, and being silly on water!
Video by Jason Moran via YouTube
Ever wanted to be in a music video? Here’s your chance to make that dream come true while making your friends and family giggle. When it’s your turn in queue, choose from one from hundreds of songs, put on your green suits, sit in front of the camera, and make as many of your craziest facial expressions as possible as you “boy” your head to the music! From there, all the cool special effects guys will edit your heads to be larger than life and place them into the body of a dancer, band member, or celebrity. Once the music stops, you instantly get a DVD of your very own music video. Don’t forget to upload to YouTube and Facebook and when you make heaps of money from that awesome viral video, please don’t forget me.
There’s loads more fun to be had in the RACV Royal Pines Resort! If you’re headed there straight from the airport, just drive your car hire through the M1 from Gold Coast Hwy and Tugun Currumbin Rd, then follow the highway to Nielsens Rd Overpass in Highland Park. From there you can take exit 73. From Nielsens, turn left to Birmingham Rd, continue to Ross St and on to State Route 4 in Benowa where you’ll find the resort on your right
Visit one of the world’s wettest towns — during the wet season
Tully gives a whole new meaning to the common phrase “It’s going to be wet today” because when it comes to rain, London has nothing on this Sugar town in the Cassowary Coast. It doesn’t rain every day in Tully but when it does, it all comes down in buckets. Of course, you can visit Tully during any other season as it truly is a lovely place. But if you’re going to get weird and crazy, you might as well go all out!
Image by the Australian Traveler
Head to Tully during the rainy season and you’ll end up experiencing a downpour so torrential you’d think Noah’s Ark would pop up any minute. If you want to see just how high the water can get, check out this local attraction called the Golden Gumboot. This giant boot is basically a town trophy for being the wettest town of Australia. It stands at 7.9 metres (25.9 ft) which represents the record rainfall for Tully in the 1950’s. A word of caution, though: you might just get cut off on the road if the Bruce Highway is flooded.
Image by couriermail.com.au
If you’re wondering what else you can do in Tully apart from visiting a big old boot, here are some of the tourist and local favourites you can do. Of course, it’ll take a little more courage and a whole lot of crazy since you’ll be doing these during monsoon season:
- Climb the Golden Gumboot. Have a friend snap a photo once you’re on top.
- Go on a 3 hour climb in the lushly forested Mt Tyson.
- Have a picnic and a swim at Alligators Nest. Don’t worry, it’s named after the boy scout group “The Alligators”. You won’t actually be swimming in an alligator’s nest.
- Bargain hunt at the Tully Markets. Big discounts during the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of each month!
- Learn about the town’s history and walk through the Tully Heritage Trail.
Any other season and you’d probably want to try White Water Rafting on the Tully River or kayaking along Banyan Creek. Since you’ll be going sometime around November through April (monsoon season), you might want to hold off on doing so. While you can go weird and crazy, you’d want a healthy dose of safety during your trip!
Image by The Travel Tart
Feed a big fish then Feast on one!
It’s one thing to have amazing seafood in a great restaurant, it’s another thing to feed the seafood before feasting on its fishy brethren. Okay, that escalated quickly. While it sounds a little morose, it’s actually quite an experience to see George the Grouper go on a feeding frenzy over his favourite tuna frame. If you want to see this 250kg groper in action, head down to On the Inlet around 5PM. This lucky fellow attracts quite the crowd just before the dinner service.
Image by discoverqueensland
When this is all done, pick a spot on the open dining deck over water and feast on a few gastronomic delights. From fresh chilled prawns, to a delicately delicious coral trout (THIS IS A MUST TRY), to an incredible medley of calamari, haloumi, and ciabatta, to an impressive selection of wine, beer, and cocktails; your tastebuds will thank you with all the yummy dishes and treats.
Video by sepcreek via Youtube
,
Luxury Travel Destinations for Business Executives
You’ve worked hard in life – you went to school and earned your online bachelors in business, you’ve been busy working your way up the ladder, and now you work as a high-powered business executive. With that said there is no-one more deserving of a break than you. When it comes to the top luxury travel destinations for business executives, there are a few spots that always seem to pop up.
French Polynesia
When it comes to the most luxury travel destinations in the world it’s hard to find a list that doesn’t have French Polynesia at the top. Of course, this is Tahiti, and even the name sounds luxurious and glamorous. It’s very common to find celebrities vacationing here and anyone with a large budget to spend. Typical accommodations are your own bungalow perched right on the water so you can jump off the deck into the crystal clear waters.
Bermuda
Now maybe you want your vacation to be all about the sun, surf, and sand. If that’s the case then Bermuda will fit the bill nicely. This island is known for its luxurious and secluded accommodation options, making it popular with celebrities, athletes, and those who just want a quiet escape. The laid back island atmosphere is perfect for unwinding. If you happen to live on the east coast of the United States, this destination is very close, which means you could even escape for just a couple of days if that’s all you have available.
The Dolomites
If you are into outdoor adventure, beautiful scenery, and luxurious accommodations, then the Dolomites in the Italian Alps are an absolute must-see destination. As far as location goes, the Dolomites are a couple hours’ outside of Venice, so it can even be an add-on to an Italian vacation. The area is known for its swanky hotels and resorts, many of which offer incredible spa services. You can enjoy hiking, bicycling, and skiing, depending on which season you visit.
The Douro Valley
Also in Europe is the Douro Valley, which is in Portugal. While this used to be largely unknown to tourists, in the recent years it has increased in popularity. This area is known for its untouched beautiful natural scenery, old historic ports, and the fact it is wine region. You will be able to take in a large variety of sites while sampling some incredible vintages. There are cruises along the Douro River, which have become a convenient and luxurious way to explore the area.
This is also a great add-on that you can include with other European destinations and make a whole European tour out of it.
Luxury Travel is what You Want It to Be
Luxury travel is one of those finer things in life that allows you to discover destinations and locations that are often not as heavily toured and visited. It doesn’t matter if you want to just relax and not have to lift a finger, or you’re looking to explore and be adventurous, there are a number of great destinations around the world for you to choose from. Even if you have only just earned your online business degree and are just looking for a way to celebrate, these destinations can be perfect.
,
How to fight boredom these holidays
While the holidays are a fun time, they can also often be a boring experience, as we try to stay busy while we’re not at work. Boredom is nothing to be ashamed of, and even though we may wish to be doing something else while we’re at work, often once we’re at home with nothing else to do, it can be difficult to figure out exactly how we should fill our time.
Here are some ways to fight boredom these holidays:
Play online
There are many different online gambling sites, and one of the best is Betway. This online casino offers up to 250 Euros of free gambling, and has almost 2 million people registered and playing on its site. Licensed in Germany, Belgium, UK, Spain, and Malta, Betway has an attractive website and high-quality games, saving you from boredom and allowing you to win money online, even while you’re at home and out of the cold.
Get active
It can be hard to convince yourself to be active when it’s cold outside, but this is just when you need to be working hard to make sure those holiday pounds don’t stick. With Christmas and New Years involving lots of food and alcohol, if you’re not the type to workout, now is the time to start.
If you haven’t worked out for a while, even a daily walk can help get you started, and you’ll find that you’ll feel better, be less inclined to overeat, and begin considering other ways that you could stay fit. For those who are more used to exercise, consider doing some HIT if you really want to burn off those Christmas calories, go for a run, or do some strength training so you can get lean and toned over the holidays.
Often while we’re working it can be easy to let our diet and exercise slide since we don’t have much time, but if you’re the type to blame work for your lack of willpower, you’ve got no excuse over the holiday season, and you’ll set up great habits for when you’re back at work.
Get social
Sure, you’re likely to see friends and family over Christmas and New Years, but when the weather is terrible it can be easy to stay inside out of the cold and avoid social situations. If you’re someone who would rather watch Netflix then go out on the town, you’re not alone, and staying in has become the new going out. Consider inviting some friends around so you can all watch the latest episode of your favourite show together, order some food, and have a few drinks- that way you can be social without even needing to leave the house.
Another good option is to convince a friend to workout with you. That way you’ll be more likely to go to the gym since someone else is waiting, and you’ll also find it way more fun to workout with a buddy.
,
Why you should travel to Durban
When people think of South Africa, they usually picture safaris, or maybe a trip to Cape Town, Durban, the third largest city in South Africa, is often overlooked in favour of Cape Town, however there is still plenty to see and do here, especially after the major makeover the city had leading up to the World Cup in 2010.
The waterfront area has undergone a renewal, and this waterfront promenade will eventually be extended down the south coast, while the downtown area of the city is bursting with interesting art deco architecture and grand colonial buildings.
For those who love the beach you can’t do much better, and this city is also home to the largest concentration of those of Indian descent outside of India. This gives the city an Asian feel, and you’ll find the streets and marketplaces here are replete with the scents, sounds, and sights of India.
Here are some reasons why you should travel to Durban:
The Warmth
The city has a subtropical climate, giving Durban pleasant weather year-round. Even during the winter months, when many parts of South Africa see low temperatures, Durban enjoys warmth, and visitors can get a tan on the beach and swim in the ocean. You’ll also find that there’s not much rain here, even during the winter from May to September.
The Beach
The Golden Mile is a 6km stretch of golden sand, which also has a paved promenade running from the Suncoast casino, all the way to Ushaka. The revamping has made it a great place to enjoy the beachfront, and many people will stroll, roller skate, jog, and cycle along the promenade every day. For those with kids, the Golden Mile features plenty of public pools and playgrounds, and for adults, you’ll find many different bars and restaurants to enjoy.
The Diversity
South African has been called the Rainbow Nation, due to the diversity of the people. And Durban is the country’s most multicultural city, with a mix of African, post colonial, Indian and Zulu influences. You’ll also find excellent food here from all over the world (particularly excellent Indian food), and many different expats and tourists as well.
The Entertainment
There’s plenty to do in Durban, and whether you’re visiting with kids, friends, or your significant other you’ll find that you certainly won’t be bored. Check out the Hare Krishna Temple of Understanding, which is a spiritual, calm temple with a food court, and you can even visit on Sundays to enjoy a feast with the Monks.
The Botanical Garden was started back in 1849, and you’ll find trees and plants that are more than 250 years old. For those who like soccer, check out Moses Mabhida Stadium, where you can find tickets to a soccer match if you’re lucky, and head up in the Sky Car for excellent views.
The Accommodation
Durban offers a wealth of different options for those needing a place to stay, and accommodation in Durban also won’t break the bank. Whether you’re looking for a five-star hotel, an apartment, or a hostel, you’ll find it all in this interesting city.
,
Car holidays with young children
So, this is it and you’re finally on your way – your long-awaited holiday has arrived. You and your family are bursting at the seams to get on with your trip and start making memories. Standing in your way between here and there, though, is the beast otherwise known as the car ride. We’ve probably all heard the old saying, “Getting there is half the battle”, but for those traveling with young children, it may feel more accurate to ponder “getting there” as the whole battle. Everyone is excited, emotions are soaring – the kids, probably restless in expectation, seem to tire of the trip faster than you can get out of your own neighborhood.
So, what’s a family to do when facing hours in the car? How do you get to where you’re going without ‘losing it’ along the way?
Here are a few parent-tested and approved tips to get you going in the right direction:
Get started early
If you can get a few hours of your trip under your belt before the kids are up and moving, it will be better for all involved. If your child is not the kind to fall back asleep, this might not be the best method for you. Otherwise, this is a worthwhile consideration. Who knows, by the time the kids are awake and asking for breakfast, you could be halfway there.
Make things comfortable
If you are planning a getaway in the middle of the night, make sure to take pillows and blankets along for the ride. If you are not planning to leave until later in the day, having these on standby can still help to keep the peace – after all, who doesn’t like to create a makeshift fort during their travels?
Pack for success
If it’s packed well, your travel bag could become your new best friend. A beloved doll, coloring books and crayons, a favorite book, or anything else you see your little one reaching for on a daily basis should go in this bag.
Food
This is a big one for most families. Food can pass the time and even bring a moment of peace among siblings, so make sure that their favorite treats are on board before you head out of the door. You might want to be frugal with the beverages, though, as this could add quite a few unexpected stops to your already long journey.
Electronics
These get a category of their own. While you might not want to ease your child’s boredom with screen time, it can be a helpful way to divert their attention for a while. If you’re looking to keep screen time under control but are met with tantrums when their time is up, try granting your child access to their electronics for a set time before planned stops on your journey. Taking a break from both the car and electronics can make the transition to self-entertainment easier.
Bouncer
While it’s wonderful to have a bouncer with you once you’ve arrived at your destination, it can also be helpful at rest stops. The adjustable baby bouncer is particularly valuable because it folds easily for storage when not in use and also enables your baby to come to table-level when you all stop for a quick bite to eat. This allows your little one to rest comfortably in their own chair. And you won’t have to worry about what germs may or may not be on that high chair standing next to the garbage can in the corner.
Car games
Car games really can be the masters of distraction. There’s the radio game, where you hit scan and guess the name of the song and the musical artist – one point for each – before the radio changes channels. There’s also the alphabet game, where, starting with the letter ‘A’, you each race to find a sign with your corresponding letter. The first one to reach and complete the letter ‘Z’ wins the game. Another favorite is the story game, where one person starts to tell a story and then passes it along for the next person to continue, and so on. This one is usually good for a few laughs.
Car holidays with young children can be quite challenging, but they don’t have to stress you out. With some planning, patience and flexibility, you might find that these car journeys can make the best memories, too.
