The Vacation Gals entreat the airlines and the FAA not to allow lap children.  The fares are cheap these days, but the costs add up.  Still, think about these issues before keeping your infant on your lap for your next flight.

Italy Mondo strike a chord near and dear to my heart, Italian food.

PlanetEye Traveler – Green Travel is talking about holiday travel.  Already!

Eyeflare has a nice primer on how to capture silhouettes in your travel photos.  Here’s one of the tips – turn off your flash!

Uncornered Market, making its first appearance in my list of favorites, lists the 7 habits of highly effective travelers.  How many can you count as yours?

Travel Savvy Mom, another first timer on my favorite list, tells why spending more money for an executive floor room can actually save you money.  I agree, and try to take that option whenever possible.

Intelligent Travel teases us once again with a very strange hotel, this one in a sewer pipe.

PlanetEye Traveler – London tell s the story of a neighborhood about to be demolished.  Residents of the building have put up portraits on the windows, a reminder of the real people who are impacted by this decision.

Cockpit Chronicles at Gadling attempts to help us understand why waiting in line on the runway is inevitable.

Travellious has some cool travel gear.  And besides that, Kelly is heading off to Italy.  (See Italy Mondo post above. . . again!)

LA Times lists some over-the-top promotions that hotels are trying.  Are you tempted by any of them?  The promotion that I want?  FREE internet access!

Seattle PI reminds me that there are hostels here in Seattle.

That’s it for this week.  Please stop by and say hi to this great group of travel bloggers – and tell them you read about them at Flyaway Cafe.

Post from: Fly Away Cafe

So I settled in for a good read.

Unfortunately, I didn’t make it past more than a handful before I began scratching my head.  OK, I remember that Lonely Planet is published in Australia, so maybe things are a bit different down under.  Still, they sell a lot of guides to a lot of people that aren’t in Australia, so there should be a broad perspective.

I kept reading.  OK, they tackle issues about packing, health and medical issues, and school quite nicely.  Pretty good stuff about preparing your little one and yourself for traveling.

But honestly, after that I pulled up short at the Transport Section, specifically by Air.  And the light bulb over my head came on.  AHA!  I know now why so many people on my flights are so ill equipped to travel with children – they must have read this guide and taken all the bad information and advice to heart!  Because this section reads like it was written by someone who hasn’t traveled since the 1970’s, or haven’t flown on a US airline in the past 10 years.

Here are a few of the gems you’ll find:

• Almost all airlines have children’s activity packs on board medium-to-long-haul flights which will complement the toys and activities you’ve brought.
• Plus, many airlines now have good audio and visual entertainment for children so they can plug into the children’s audio channel and also watch the kids’ movies or shows.
• Special children’s meals and activity packs are usually available
• Nappies and baby food are available for infants
• On most long haul flights, airlines will carry emergency supplies of nappies and, upon request, can provide jars of baby food.
• Car seat information that varied from having to buy a seat for it, not being able to use it for take off and landing, and paying a child’s fare for the seat.
• All airlines carry a number of bassinets or sky cots on long-distance flights.
• Some airlines insist that you wear an infant restraint belt to keep your infant in
• Most airlines will heat up bottles and also provide baby food, upon request.

And unfortunately, that’s where my enthusiasm for the guidebook petered out.  Although the remaining sections of the book dealt with specific types of vacation plans, and specific suggestions based on a variety of destinations, the errors in the initial part of the book made me hesitant about how much credibility to give it.

While some international carriers offer a few more amenities than US carriers, with the move to ala carte ticket pricing, the extras have gone away.  That includes things like activity packs and special meals.  On an international flight they might be available on some airlines, but to raise that expectation to the level of almost all or most is a true disservice to a parent.

The same goes for nappies.  At one time we may have had ONE diaper, but it’s long since gone away.  Other Flight Attendant friends say that maybe there will be one, but certainly a parent should count on it.

Baby food and bottle warmers.  I have never had baby food stocked on a flight for the 20+ years that I’ve been flying.  No one else seems to remember it either.  One friend said that she thought Emirates and/or Singapore might carry it, but no one that I talked to has actually seen it.  Ditto for the bottle warmer.  I’ve never seen one.  And we don’t have microwaves either.  If someone needs to warm a bottle, we try to put some hot water into a barf bag along with the bottle and get it to warm up that way.  Maybe some of the Asian or European airlines have these features, but with so much code sharing going on, and with so much of the audience for this book being US-based, the books leads you to conclude things that simply aren’t accurate.

Let me clear up a few other things –

Sky cots are available on some transatlantic and transpacific flights.  Check with the airlines in advance.

Inflight entertainment may be available, but it may or may not be child friendly.  Be prepared to censor.  And pay.

Child’s fares are rarely available any longer, except as part of a package where the hotel and air fare are priced in combination.  If you want a guaranteed seat for a car seat, you’ll need to buy a ticket.  If the plane isn’t full, you will likely be allowed to bring on your car seat and put it in an unoccupied seat at no charge.  This applies for infants under the age of 2.  Infants may be strapped into the car seat for take off and landing, a far safer place for them to be than on a parent’s lap.

I’ve never seen an infant restraint belt, although I hear they exist.  Policies on their use will vary from airline to airline, but a parent should not be surprised if they are not allowed.

I really tried not to be too ethno-centric about this book.  But when it’s priced for US sales, I expect it to address issues for the US traveler.  And when it comes to air travel, it fails. . . miserably.

When I raised my concern to the Lonely Planet people who sent me the book for review, but questions were answered with a disinterested we’ll let the editors know.  I’ve waited to post my review to allow plenty of time for a further response.  It’s been long enough, and I’ve heard nothing back.

I know there are lots of other books about traveling with kids that have been written, so I’ve lined up another one to review.  I’m hoping that will lead parents in the right direction.

I cannot recommend the Lonely Planet’s Travel with Children based on these errors and/or misinformation.  I give it a 2 star rating, and that’s solely based on the country-specific suggestions that make up the second half of the book.

The book is available from Lonely Planet ($19.99), Amazon ($14.39), or from your local book store.

Photo credit:  Amazon

Post from: Fly Away Cafe

The Fountains at Bellagio, Las Vegas

With so many families wishing to vacation close to home this year, and often trying to find a destination that keeps both adults and kids satisfied, Las Vegas seems to be cropping up as destination that’s starting to appeal to families once again.

Las Vegas offers bargains galore, on food and accommodations, has shows suitable for all ages, and hotels that sport some pretty great pool areas.    Although Las Vegas will never shed it’s well-deserved party reputation, and I enjoy the city for a weekend getaway, there are lots of families and adults who want to take advantage of the many amenities the city has to offer, while bypassing the more  risque activities.

That’s my mission for the next few days.  To spot out what’s G-Rated in Sin City.

I already have a pretty decent list to choose from, along with a couple of shows, but if you have some favorite all age-appropriate Las Vegas spots, please leave me a comment with your suggestions.

Photo credit:  The Fountains of Bellagio courtesy of MGM Mirage

Post from: Fly Away Cafe

Check out Family Car Games, created by a family of four to help your family pass the time with instructions for 100 different games.  You can play the games in the car, on a long flight, or while waiting at the airport.  Or waiting anywhere for that matter.

I downloaded the app ($1.99) to check it out.  And hey – I like games, too!  There seemed to be a nice variety, hitting on a number of different themes, from words games to story telling to singing.  I recognized the names of some (so there are so classic car games here), but there were lots of titles that I didn’t recognize.  They claim that no additional equipment is needed, but I’d recommend a notepad and pen as many of them involve counting or keeping track.

You can select a game by various searches (name, degree of difficulty) or at random (a shaker/spinner much like is on Urban Spoon), and you have the ability to bookmark your favorites so you can play them again and again.  Each game is tagged with a degree of difficulty to help you choose age appropriate activity.

It looks like a lot of fun, and next time I’m spending time with a youngster, I’ll give it a more thorough testing out.  For $1.99, though, you can’t go wrong!

Download via iTunes or directly from your iPhone or iTouch.

Photo credit:  Family Car Games

Post from: Fly Away Cafe

First of all, this is both a coffee table book, oversized and full of beautiful photos, as well as a practical road travel book, with entries by state giving you the where and why of what you should see. 

I started my review looking at what they had to saw about Washington, the state that I’m the most familiar with.  Washington has 23 entries, a respectable number for a state that has as much rural area as it does urban.  The expected places were there, in the San Juan’s, Olympic Peninsula, and much in the central part of the state.  While I take issue with Olympic Sculpture Park being classified as off the beaten path (it’s downtown for criminey sake!), it was a fair representation of nature, quirky, and charming.

Still, the book was off to a pretty good start!

Next, it’s time to call in some friends and have them take a look at the states that they’re familiar with.  It was a good way to get additional opinions and reviews, and we sat around having a class of wine playing the “have you been there?” game as we looked through the book.  We looked at Oregon, California, Nevada, Colorado, Arizona, Texas, Louisiana, Ohio, and Massachusetts.  The consensus was a big  THUMBS UP, and that there was a good job of indentifying the hidden gems of nature, science, art, culture, and the unexpected.

The book has 50 chapters, one for each state, with a total listing of over 1,000 sites.  That’s a whole lot of road tripping to do!  You’ll find lots of color photographs, detailed maps, vital details and information, and links to the attraction’s website.  Attractions come complete with a legend of visitor information (camping, swimming, hiking sightseeing, etc.),  and this year three new icons were included – pet-friendly, accessible, and wi-fi compatible.  I liked the “Did You Know” and Seasonal Events sidebars, as they packed in a little more personality about each of the states.

This book isn’t going to make it to my bookshelf; it’s one that I’m going to keep handy for regular reference.  In fact, I got a bunch of ideas for a road trip, along with spots that show great promise for future blog posts.  And I can just refer to that wi-fi compatible icon, and I’m all set!  It’s a great planner for an affordable family road trip.

Pick up a copy of Off the Beaten Path at your local bookstore.  It is also available through Amazon ($19.80).

Photo credit:  Amazon

Post from: Fly Away Cafe

Lucy the Elephant, a couple miles south of Atlantic City in Margate, New Jersey, is one of those quirky attractions that I’ve heard a lot about, but haven’t managed to see yet.

Lucy is a six story, 90 ton elephant made of wood and tin sheeting, and was erected in 1881 to attract tourism and development to the south Atlantic City area.  While architecturally unique at its time, she was only the first of several zoomorphic (elephant-shaped) buildings.  Zoomorphic architecture is apparently extinct, and Lucy is the only one to still exist. 

Lucy has been a restaurant, office building, and a tavern, before being moved, refurbished and designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1976.  Yep, that’s right – this elephant is a historical landmark!

You can find Lucy at 9200 Atlantic Avenue, in Margate, New Jersey.  I’m hoping to get back to Atlantic City in the next few months, and visiting Lucy is on my to-do list.  Why?  Cause she’s just too quirky to pass up!

NOTE:  Interestingly, Lucy has tusks – found only in male Asian elephants – so feel free to draw whatever transgender elephant conclusions you wish.

Photo credit:  Flickr (head shot); (full elephant)

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Post from: Fly Away Cafe

There are a number of cities that can fill those specifications, blending lots of fun things to do with a quality cultural experience.  If you can’t enjoy spending time in these US locations (in alphabetical order), you’re just not trying to have a good vacation!

Here are my Top 7 cities for educational and cultural family travel:

1. Boston:  History tops the chart in this city, with the Freedom Trail, a number of historical sites like Bunker Hill, museums, Harvard, MIT (and lots of other great schools), great architecture, shopping along the posh Newbury Street, and the always sold-out Red Sox at Fenway Park.  You can get along reasonably well with public transportation, but with a car you can venture a little further out to Salem and some of the smaller fishing towns.
2. Chicago:  The Windy City may have been home to stockyards, but it now posts some pretty wonderful museums, including the world renowned Art Institute of Chicago.  You’ll also find lots of entertainment, including music, the performing arts, the family atmosphere of Navy Pier, Second City comedy, great architecture, the Shedd Aquarium, fabulous shopping along the Magnificent Mile, and the history of baseball at Wrigley Field.
3. Los Angeles & Vicinity:  Best advice, get a car, as this is one spread out area, and public transportation is woefully inadequate.  From the Disney and theme park influences of Orange County, to the beaches of Santa Monica and Malibu, there much to do and see if this performing capital of the west coast.  Museums, art, television, the Adler Observatory, and lots of specialized educational institutions, add to making this a fun AND educational destination.
4. New York City:  Those who live in Manhattan claim that it’s the center of the universe with its business and entertainment focus.  You’ll find interesting architecture, old and new, and many iconic attractions.  The skyline is one of the most recognizable in the world.  World famous theaters and performances, world famous shopping, museums, and an interesting international community.  Plus the park, fabulous food, and the vibrancy of being in a city of this size.  You can get around easily using public transportation, even if you venture out into the other boroughs.
5. Orlando: Of course there’s a strong Disney presence, along with a multitude of other theme parks, but Orlando offers lots more.  Many of the theme parks offer educational programs, and young artists will love the performing classes.  You’re going to need a car to get around in this spread out city, and besides, you’ll want to drive out to the beaches (where you’ll find surfing), as well as to enjoy the attractions of the Space Coast.
6. Philadelphia:  Much of the history of the colonial times can be found in this city known as the Birthplace of America.  Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, and the Constitutional Center help us learn where our country has come from and how we have evolved.  Great museums and art.  The city is walkable, and with a decent train system that you can take out to the Lancaster in the Amish country.  With a car you can expand your travels to Valley Forge. 
7. Washington DC:  The seat of our federal government, with the White House, the Capitol and the Supreme Court.  Lots of monuments, museums (many have free admission), art, performing arts, and the culture of an international community.  Many attractions are reachable via public transportation, but if you do have a car, venturing out to Mount Vernon, Baltimore, Bethesda, and some of the outlying areas are an easy day trip.

Reservations in many of these cities are getting hard to come by, but if it’s too late for this summer, keep these in mind for one of those other (and seemingly endless) school vacations.

Photo credit: SXC

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Post from: Fly Away Cafe

It’s easy to understand how you feel when you’re traveling for business, but when it’s finally time to take the family on a vacation, it’s time to get your mind in a different space and make it fun for everyone.  Especially for the kids — who can all too easily pick up on any negative travel vibe.

Whether you’re traveling with the family, or sending the kids on a trip of their own, they are going to need something to do for those hours they are buckled into an airplane seat. 

So how about some good old fashioned games?  No whistles, no bells, no video screen.  Just some cards, mental and visual stimulation, and family interaction. 

Flying Rubberneckers is card game that you can use to make the plane trip fun, encouraging kids to look at the world around.  It’ll help pass the time, keep them occupied, and maybe even learn a thing or two.  The game consists of 70 cards, and is appropriate for reading levels for ages 4-8.  It retails for $12.95.

Additional Rubbernecker cards are available for car trips.

Get out of your grumpy travel blahs, and help the kids have the plane trip of their life!

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Post from: Fly Away Cafe

Bringing a stroller with you when you travel allows you to get kids through the airport with minimum fuss.  It can keep the kids in one place and most allow you to stow a bit of “stuff” on it as well.

But since strollers frequently don’t fit in airplane overheads (depends on the specific aircraft and stroller type), and even if they do, they take up a lot of room, most strollers aren’t brought onboard as it is just one more thing to lug down the aisle.

What happens to the strollers?  Most are “gate checked.”  This is jargon for checking something directly at the departure gate (usually right at the aircraft door), rather than at the ticket counter.  This means that you can keep the kiddies in their stroller right up to the time you walk aboard the plane.

However, “gate checked” does not necessarily mean that you will be able to recover the stroller on the jetway when you get off the plane.  Most bags that are gate checked are sent to baggage claim.

If you want to get your stroller on the jetway upon arrival at your destination, you need to confirm that your airline offers a “claim at gate” option.  Most do, although not all.  And this option is not available for international flights into and out of the U.S.

Remember –

Gate check – you can check the bag at the gate

Claim at gate – you can claim the bag at the gate

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Post from: Fly Away Cafe

That’s what happens when you turn professional ice-sculptors loose on a huge block of ice. 

You can see the process, as well as the results, at the World Ice Art Championships in Fairbanks Alaska, February 27th ““ March 25th.   

The process all starts the same way, with large square blocks of solid ice.  The results are as varied as they are spectacular, and represent the efforts of over 100 sculptors from around the world.  By March 10th, all competition will be completed, with the sculptures lighted and on display.

To give you an idea of how much ice we’re talking about, teams (one or two persons) in the Single Block Classic competition starts with a 3 x 5 x 8 foot block of ice, weighing in at approximately 7,800 pounds.  In the Multi-Block event, teams of 4 persons each start with 10 blocks of ice measuring 4 x 4 x 3 feet, with each block weighting around 3,000.  That’s 30,000 pounds of ice! 

The Ice Park is now open from 10 am to 10 pm daily, and the Single Block competition is complete and on display.  You will also see an ice tribute to Susan Butcher, the famous Alaska dog musher and four-time winner of the Iditarod sled Dog Race. 

Admission to the Ice Park is $8 for adults, $4 for youth ages 6-12, and free for children 5 and under.  A season pass is available for $25 for adults and $10 for youth.

Depending on when you visit the Ice Park, you’ll see various stages of the competition or the completion of sculptures.  You can find a full schedule here, but I wouldn’t get caught up in scheduling the “best” time to go.  I’ve been through the Park during the championships many times over the years, and it doesn’t really matter when you go ““ there’s always something amazing being created.  Although the weather in Fairbanks this time of year drops to ridiculously low temperatures at night, if you are able, dress warm, button up, and go through the exhibit at night.  The lighting of the sculptures and park make for truly dramatic displays.

For those who are unable to visit the Ice Park to see these beautiful creations, enjoy the Web Cams and get a look at some great ice sculptures.

Photo credit:  Ice Alaska

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Post from: Fly Away Cafe