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Travel fun

Home Tag Travel fun

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.

Family Vacation Fun

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.

Kids exploring at the City Museum

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

 

Top 5 Travel Apps

Top 5 Travel Apps

Aug 14, 2021

You will want to download these Top 5 Travel Apps.

Not only has the travel industry changed considerably in the last few years, but so are our habits when it comes to planning and organizing our holidays. If you would like to fully maximize your time and make sure that you can easily start planning your trip from your phone, keep reading as we are sharing the top 5 travel apps that you need!

 

SkyScanner

One of the top 5 travel apps Skyscanner is definitely the best platform to search for cheap and affordable flights. Their app is user-friendly, easy to use and it is worth having if you would like to have quick access to the best flight deals to your dream destination. Make sure to click the notification button if you would like to receive alerts as soon as there are any price changes to the flights you are looking to book.

 

HotelTonight

For all spontaneous travelers, HotelTonight is one of the top 5 best travel apps that you need to have! Just enter your location and the app will give you all last-minute discounted rates on hotels in your area. You can look for everything from luxurious boutique hotels to small guest houses and your reservation takes just a few minutes to complete. With friendly and professional 24/7 customer support, HotelTonight is an app you need to have on your phone!

 

Trail Wallet

If you are traveling on a budget, you definitely want to download the Trail Wallet app. You can easily set up your budget for the day and all you would have to do after is enter your expenses. The app even has a new feature, where you can just take a photo of your receipt and it will automatically track it for you. Not only is the app available offline, but it also has close to 220 currencies, which makes it one of the top 5 travel apps that you need and can easily use anywhere in the world!

 

CityMapper

Once you reach your destination, one of the most difficult tasks is to navigate your way around. That is why having CityMapper on your phone is a huge convenience. Within the app, you can find public transportation options in all major cities in Europe, USA, Asia and Australia. Just enter your start and end location and the app will give you all possible transport options with prices, duration and detailed information on your route!

 

AllTrails

AllTrails is one of the top 5 travel apps, especially for those of you who prefer nature’s peace and quiet! With a total of 200,000 curated paths, the app is the perfect option to find trails near you. If you are concerned about not having service, it is a good idea to upgrade to the pro version as you would be able to download offline maps, which you can easily follow even when you do not have service. Another benefit of the pro version is that percentage of every membership is used to protect our Planet!

 

Bonus Tip

Before heading on your next holiday, do not forget to scan all your personal documents, such as passport, driving license, visas, etc., and add them to your Google Drive! This is an easy way to ensure that you will have access to any identification document at any time in case something happens. This is such an easy way to be prepared for the unexpected, but it is often neglected by tourists.

 

Are you ready to download these top 5 travel apps that you need to book and organize your travel plans? Install them now and enjoy a hassle-free vacation!

 

We are in a different world today than we were last year and for this reason, it is more important than ever to depend on the knowledge and expertise of a travel agent.  I am committed to making sure you have the most up-to-date information available to make your vacation what you have dreamed it to be.  We have all waited to be able to travel and now is the time to savor the joy of travel with friends and family.  To that end, I have created several articles with tips to help you with the decision-making process.

Here is a must-read article on avoiding river cruise booking mistakes.  Contact me at Unique Journeys.  I 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.

 

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  • Nancy Luechtefeld
  • Unique Journeys, LLC
  • (314) 644-8691
  • nancy@unique-journeys.com

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Nancy is Proud to be a:

Certified by The Travel Institute
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Collette Tours Expert
AMA Waterways Expert
Holland America Expert – Platinum Status
Viking River Cruise Specialist
Scenic Cruise Specialist

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Caribbean
Europe
and other locations.

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