Family Travel Archives - Unique Journeys LLC

Top 5 Tips for Traveling with Pets

Oct 31, 2022

Top 5 Tips for Traveling with Pets

Traveling with pets can be fun and joyful but also difficult and challenging. We know the excitement of sharing your travel experiences with your furry friends, though, and that is why today we have prepared our list with the top 5 tips for traveling with pets!

Know Your Pets and Make Sure They are Ready for The Trip

By far, the most important thing to consider when planning a pet-friendly holiday is whether your animal is actually ready for the challenge. For example, if you have a new small puppy, it might be too early to take them on vacation. Moreover, you should always consider your itinerary and activities and ensure that you have enough time to spend with your pet. Sometimes it is best to know your pet’s personality and know if they would be better left home and safe.

Get your Paperwork Ready

Once you are past the first step and you are sure that the holiday you are planning is suitable for your pet, you should start working on getting their paperwork ready. If you do not have previous experience traveling with your furry friends, you might quickly discover that special travel documents take a while to collect. Ensure that your pet has a travel passport, as well as all necessary health certificates signed by their vet. Always check your destination’s vaccination requirements and the airline’s boarding procedure.

Choose the Best Travel Crate for Your Pet

One of the most important elements to remember is the comfort and safety of your pets during the actual travel phase. It might be heartbreaking, but this means having a confined space, such as a travel crate. Try to experiment with crates before your trip to ensure you have the correct size. There is no need to overdo it, but it is also a good idea to add a toy or two in the crate, which will provide your furry friend comfort and relief if needed.

Pack all the necessary supplies

Besides the travel crate and their favorite toys, your pet would benefit from having the most common and necessary supplies you use even at home. A leash with identification tags, some food, fresh water, and comfortable bedding are some of the items worth having on your packing list. It might seem excessive at first, but these supplies will help you massively to prepare for a stress-free pet-friendly vacation!

Find the Correct Accommodation

Last but not least, one of the top 5 tips for traveling with pets is ensuring they are as comfortable as possible and feel safe and at home even while away. Finding the correct accommodation, which is not only pet-friendly but will also provide additional perks for your furry friends, is a great way to do so. Make sure to go above and beyond for your pets, and do not just count on the pet policy listed on the website. Give your accommodation a call, and double confirm the expectations, and requirements, but also any benefits they might offer!

Now that you have our top 5 tips for traveling with pets, do you think you are ready to start planning your next pet-friendly vacation?

You may be considering taking a cruise; here is a must-read article on avoiding river cruise booking mistakes. For the best river cruise experience, you will want to contact Nancy at Unique Journeys. She will assist you in finding the perfect cruise experience where you will create memories for a lifetime. You are welcome to find additional information at AMA Waterways regarding the luxury river cruise experience.

Best Ways to Take Photos When Traveling

Sep 30, 2022

Below you will find the best ways to take photos when traveling:

One of the best souvenirs you can bring home after a vacation is all the amazing memories you have made. But to capture these moments and be able to reminisce on them longer, you might also want to take some high-quality photos! Keep reading, as today we are sharing the best ways to take better photos when traveling if you want photos to last a lifetime!

Use the Golden Hour

We bet you have already heard the term “Golden Hour,” often used by professional photographers. If you are still unsure what it is, though, keep reading, as it is one of the best ways to take amazing photos when traveling. The few hours after sunrise and before sunset are known as “golden hour” or “magic hour” and provide the perfect lighting and softness for the dreamy photos you might have been dreaming of! Waking up early to catch the sunrise also means beating the tourist crowds and exploring your destination without additional disruptions and flocks of people!

Invest in a Good Camera /Phone

Nowadays, phones are pretty good at taking photos; however, if you want to step up your travel photography game, you might want to invest in a good, high-quality digital camera. While many popular brands might seem a bit too expensive if you are just getting started, SONY is an excellent choice if you have a tighter budget and are just an amateur. Many of their cameras are also smaller in size and lightweight, which will make them easier to carry around when traveling! Do not forget to spend some time studying your new camera, checking the instructions, and getting yourself familiarized with the settings!

As great of quality as cell phones are today, if yours has a high-resolution lens, this might be all you need. Just be sure you know how to use it and carry extra battery packs.

Bring a Tripod

If you have already invested in a high-quality digital camera and are still wondering what other ways to take better photos when traveling, we have the answer for you – bring a tripod. Many tourists try to stay away from buying and carrying a tripod as it can bulky and heavy; however, there are now multiple smaller and more portable options as well. If you are still unsure if a tripod is worth the investment, you can try borrowing one from a friend or renting it out. Once you start using it, you will immediately notice the massive difference it will make to the quality and sharpness of your travel photos!

Practice and Experiment

There is no doubt that one of the best ways to take better photos when traveling is to go out there, practice, and experiment. Photography is a form of art, so you cannot expect to nail it down immediately. Even still, though, this does not mean you should not be trying and giving it your best. If you want to dive into the world of photography, you might even want to take a class; however, we strongly suggest just trying different scenes, angles, lighting, etc. Do not be afraid to take random shots because you never know what magic moment you might have captured!

Do not Forget about Editing

Last but not least, you should remember that sometimes just taking a photo when traveling might not be enough. When you are back home, and you look at your shots on the computer, you will notice all the little imperfections or lighting issues. That is why it is worth learning a thing or two about editing. Being able to adjust the light and removing small objects are some of the most used editing techniques you should know. Check out Adobe Lightroom, one of the most popular and easy-to-use editing software to help your travel photos look even more dreamy!

Now that you have our list of the five best ways to take photos when traveling, are you ready to head out and capture some memories?

You may be considering taking a cruise, here is a must-read article on avoiding river cruise booking mistakes. For the best river cruise experience, you will want to contact Nancy at Unique Journeys. She will assist you in finding the perfect cruise experience where you will create memories for a lifetime. You are welcome to find additional information at AMA Waterways regarding the luxury river cruise experience.

Top 5 Reasons you Deserve a Luxury Vacation

May 21, 2022

Here are just 5 of the top reasons you deserve a luxury vacation.

Have you been dreaming of the ultimate vacation with all services included which normally you would be not willing to pay for? Yes, this is the luxury vacation of your dreams. And if you are still unsure if you should book it or not, keep reading as we are sharing our top 5 reasons you deserve a luxury vacation! Don’t miss the link at the bottom that will help you have the perfect river cruise.

No Planning Needed

One of the main reasons why it is worth booking a luxury vacation is that there is a lot less planning needed. You can go directly to your favorite travel agent, give your dates and start packing. If you are pressured by time or planning a family trip with multiple members and you do not want the stress of researching and booking it all yourselves, it might be time to look at a luxury vacation, which has it all planned out and scheduled for you. Everything you need to do is show up and have the time of your life!

Unwind and De-stress

Unfortunately, stress has become an inevitable part of our daily lives. And the reality is that every now and then we need to stop for a moment and take a break! There is no better reason why you should book that luxury vacation than trying to unwind, relax and escape the daily routine. Imagine going on a luxury river cruise and sunbathing on the deck with a cocktail in your hand at 2 pm on a Wednesday afternoon, instead of joining a conference call. We cannot think of any other better reason to treat yourselves to a luxury vacation! Can you?

Create Memories with your Family

Regardless of if you have children or not, there is nothing better than taking a family holiday to a faraway destination. It might have been a while since you spent some quality time together with your closest ones. Well, let me tell you – one of the best ways to reconnect with one another is by booking that special luxury vacation! Especially for those of you who have small children – now is the time to devote more time and try new activities with them. Go on that trip without any limitations and just create memories, which you will cherish long after you have gone back home!

You are Celebrating

One of the top 5 reasons why you deserve a luxury vacation is an upcoming celebration. Maybe it is a wedding anniversary or your significant other’s birthday. Either way, this is a good time to treat yourselves to a special opulent holiday including additional services and packages that you were never allowed to spend money on before!

You Deserve to Splurge

Last but definitely not least stop looking for reasons why you should go on that luxury vacation. Remember you deserve it! You work hard every day and sometimes it just comes a time when you should focus on yourselves and finally treat yourselves! You Deserve to Splurge on that Luxury Vacation!

Our top 5 reasons why you deserve a luxury vacation should have been enough to convince you that it is time to pack your bags and just go!

How to Travel more Eco-friendly

Mar 24, 2022

Were you wondering How to Travel more Eco-friendly?

Are you wondering how to travel more Eco-friendly? The topic of being more sustainable travelers has been gaining massive popularity for the past few years. Many believe that it is far too challenging and costly to become a sustainably-conscious traveler – Wrong! Keep reading as we are sharing 6 very simple and easy ways how to travel more Eco-friendly, which you can start implementing straight away!

Bring your Own Water Bottle

One of the easiest ways to travel more Eco-friendly is as simple as bringing your own water bottle. From going on a road trip to America’s Best National Parks to heading to the airport for an extended weekend getaway, you will find numerous water fountains that you can freely use to fill up your own water bottle!

Use Environmentally Friendly Transportation

We just mentioned going on a road trip through the USA and boarding a flight, but both of these can harm the environment significantly with their CO2 emissions. If you are looking for environmentally airlines look for airlines that have implemented more sustainable policies and use biofuel instead! United Airlines, KLM, Lufthansa are examples of such! If you do not have your own electric vehicle, it might be interesting looking at renting one for your trip – this can also be a fun way to test it out and maybe consider buying one later!

Book a sustainable Accommodation

From luxurious tree houses to organic farmhouses, the list is endless once you start researching. If you are wondering how, you can become a more environmentally conscious traveler, you should definitely look at booking a more sustainable accommodation.

Support the Local Economy

By far our favorite way how to travel more Eco-friendly is supporting the local economy. Instead of choosing a large hotel chain, pick a small Eco-conscious guesthouse. Instead of choosing international tour operators, dive deeper and find small local guides. Not only are you not supporting mass tourism, but you are also getting to experience your destination from a lot more authentic perspective!

Eliminate Plastic

We fully realize that eliminating plastic might be easier said than done. You do not need to jump straight into “no more plastic” mode, but you can start making small changes not only to your travel habits but your overall daily routine to becoming more environmentally friendly by using less plastic. Some of the easiest ways are bringing your own re-usable shopping bag, glass food containers, and re-usable make-up removing cloths!

Unplug your Appliances

It is not just about your destination, but also what you are leaving behind when thinking how to travel more Eco-friendly! You are heading on a trip, so you are not going to be home for at least a few days. Why not go ahead and unplug your electric appliances then! It takes just a minute, but it helps significantly as no energy will be sent to it. A nice bonus is that you will be saving on your electric bill!

Now that you have our list of these 6 extremely easy and simple ways how to travel more Eco-friendly do you still think it is difficult and costly? We are sure that you are ready to implement at least one of these on your next trip. Even if it is just one, you know that you are contributing, and we are all hopefully slowly making a step towards traveling in a more environmentally-conscious way!

IT’S TIME FOR THE FAMILY VACATION

Feb 23, 2022

It’s time for the family vacation. I know we have all had a hard time these past few months, but I think it will be doubly important to resume the family vacation and spend time enjoying being together not in a restricted atmosphere. It’s a stressful time and it’s true for children as well as adults. Travel is not only enriching, it gets you away from your every-day routine so that you can concentrate on having fun as a family. As a travel counselor I can take the stress out of planning the details so you all you have to do is relax and enjoy your time away.

Disney has been at the top of many bucket lists for years for families with children. There are rides for all levels, a variety of shows, restaurants from casual to more formal. Add to that the character meals and you can please just about anyone.

However, all that variety comes with a price. Disney has raised prices most years, so that the average cost for lodging, food, and tickets for a three-night stay is around $300 a person.

If your family would like to spend time together, there are alternatives to Disney that will be just as memorable:

HAWAII:

You first thought of course is Waikiki, but even on Oahu, there is more to the island than the beach. In Honolulu you can visit The Arizona, where World War II started and next door, you can visit the MISSOURI, and see where the war officially ended.

A Family Vacation can be inspiration too

It’s important to bring history to life in addition to having fun on your family vacation

After you have done the educational visits, you can be off to the Honolulu Zoo, the Waikiki Aquarium and the Pacific Aviation Museum.

How about climbing Diamond Head, where the view from the top is fantastic, and the hike down is easier.

Outdoor activities are a great part of a family vacation

Take a hike and this is your reward.

Most visitors stop there, but If you have more time to spend on Oahu, you can check out the North Shore with its famous pipeline and watch surfers “catch the waves”. Also on this side of the island is Kualoa Ranch. Here you can a great time riding horseback, kayaking or taking a tour of various sites where movies have been filmed.

Of course, there are other islands to visit such as Mauai and Kawai, each with it’s own personality. Combine one or two islands gives you a greater understanding of what makes Hawaii a great place to visit with your family.

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA:

This is a city made for families. Of course, there is the world-famous San Diego Zoo, but you shouldn’t miss the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, where you can get up close and personal with the animals. Take the kids to La Jolla Cove where sea lions and other wildlife abound. You can rent snorkeling gear, bikes, paddle boards. With the the comfortable California weather, you won’t lack for things to do.

THE GRAND CANYON:

Here is a place that just can’t be described to do it justice. You have to experience it in person. It’s not just a place to stand on the rim and look into the canyon, but a place where kids can take part in the park’s ranger programs to learn about the canyon’s history, take part in exciting activities and earn badges. As a family you can ride bikes on the canyon rim, go for scenic hikes and even take the famous mule rides. This can really be an all-inclusive family vacation.

Take a ride on the wild side with these iconic Grand Canyon donkeys.

MYRTLE BEACH, S. CAROLINA:

Myrtle Beach has a 60-mile stretch of white sand beach. There you can swim, build sand castles and just soak up the sun.

Once you have had your fill of that, try the arcade on the boardwalk, the mini golf courses and the Sky Wheel, which offers great views of the beach.

If you want the amusement park experience, you can visit WorldWorks. It’s known as the amusement park for the mind. There are over 100 hands-on exhibits and an indoor rope course.

PARK CITY, UTAH:

Ready for a winter vacation? Skiing is paramount here, but even when you aren’t on the slopes, you can still have fun as a family. You can take art classes, learn pottery or drawing. There are also ranges of accommodations from hotels to condos with multiple bedrooms and kitchens.

ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI:

St. Louis isn’t just flyover country. The Gateway to the West is home to a world-class FREE Zoo. The Art Museum, also in Forest Park up the hill from the zoo, is also free. How about a 630’ high stainless steel arch? There’s a great new museum and a ride to the top with great views over the city.

If you want to set your kids free in a one-of-a-kind museum, then you should head to The City Museum. The creation of Bob Cassilly; it’s a kids paradise with slides, rope climbing, and much more.

Your kids will have the time of their lives exploring the City Museum and what great photo opportunities for you.

In the summer, there is Grant’s Farm where you can see animal shows, feed animals in the petting zoo, meet the world-famous Clydesdales and have a meal in the stable courtyard. The adults can have up to two of Anheuser Busch’s finest.

What's a family vacation without getting up close and personal with animals

The world-famous Clydesdales are just waiting for your visit

You are spending more time with your family, so now is the time to start planning your next adventure. Time to dream and plan your family vacation; giving everyone something to look forward to. Getting everyone involved makes it even more special. Once you have done your research and want to begin the process of putting your plans in motion, contact me at:

Nancy Luechtefeld, CTC

Unique Journeys LLC

9787 Radio Drive

St. Louis, MO 63123

Ph: 314/644-8691

Email: nancy@unique-journeys.com

Website: www.unique-journeys.com