For most of my life I spent Thanksgiving with one family member or another (or all of them), eating a huge turkey dinner, listening to football-related yelling, and navigating the delicate balance between family arguments and peaceful co-existence.  If that sounds familiar, and the thought of spending another holiday like that is truly painful, consider taking a Thanksgiving vacation this year.
And I’m not talking about a vacation to go visit family – I’m talking about a real vacation – for everyone!
I first tried the holiday vacation plan nearly 10 years ago, and while I don’t do it every year, it’s …read more

Food expenses are a major budget consideration when planning your vacation, and while you can’t eliminate the expense, there are lots of things you can do to keep it as low as possible.  Here are some ideas to keep in mind:
Book accommodations that have a kitchen.  Whether it’s staying at a condo, an extended-stay property, or maybe just a room with a coffee maker and refrigerator, these will all presents ways to help you save on food expenses.  With a full kitchen you can stock up on supplies so that you’re not dining out for every meal, while still keeping …read more

Vacation time, whether far away or close to home, should be an escape from the ordinary, a time to see and do different things.  Some of the same old rules from home shouldn’t apply when you’re on vacation!  And that’s especially true with so many people choosing to vacation close to home.
With only a couple of weeks till school starts, there’s still a chance to get in a little special treat before the kiddos have to get back on a schedule!
What can you do, though, with limited time and money, that can still be fun for both the kids and …read more

I’ll be heading off to Las Vegas tomorrow, and exploring the family-friendly side of Sin City.  While the city once promoted itself as a family-friendly destination, it has long since abandoned that idea, and has had great success (and fun) with “what happens in Vegas, stays in 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 …read more

Ah, vacation!  It conjures up all sorts of wonderful day dreams, grabs our attention and “forces” us to spend countless hours doing “research” on the internet at great travel blogs like Flyaway Cafe.    We pick up guidebooks, go to the library, we talk to friends.  Sometimes the planning is a great deal of the fun in arranging vacation plans.  Still, do you always find yourself going to the same old places and doing the same old thing?!
Maybe what you need to do to get out of your rut is to look at vacation through a different lens, and …read more

Miami, the most populous city in Florida, is a large tourist destination.  It is a major urban center, with a heavy emphasis on finance, commerce, music, tourism, the arts, and international trade (it is a deep water port).  You’ll find many corporate headquarters located here, and it is a home port for many cruise lines.

If you haven’t been to Miami, you’ve probably seen it in the movies or on television:  Miami Vice, CSI:  Miami, Top Chef (3rd season), There’s Something About Mary, Wild Things, Marley & Me, The Birdcage, and several James Bond movies.
Or you may be familiar with the …read more

Today’s Back to Basics tips come from Laura McHolm, the co-founder of NorthStar Moving & Storage Co., and who is also an on-site storage and organizational expert. 
As you might expect, she’s got lots of great suggestions, and I loved her ideas to help make the classic family car trip an easy adventure.  I’ve chosen my two favorite tips to share with readers here today:

Pack one backpack that stays in the car. Include your maps, files with your reservation information, first aid kit, camera, tickets, etc.  (Personal note:  this is a good idea for adult travel, too!)
Wrap items …read more