Vacation Archives - Unique Journeys LLC

Traveling with Toddlers Tips

May 5, 2023

Traveling with toddlers can be challenging. Especially with cramped airplane seating and busy waiting areas, this makes it difficult. Proper preparation and planning are essential to reduce stress and ensure a worry-free travel day. Here are some strategies for flying and traveling with toddlers, including tips from flight attendants:

Remember to RELAX and ENJOY

Schedule an early morning departure.
This is especially helpful when traveling with toddlers or young children who may be tired and want to nap.
Save your mileage upgrades for trips without toddlers. Traveling in first class with kids can be more stressful than it’s worth.
Prepare your kids for what to expect. Children do better when they know what to expect, so consider showing them a video that shows them the entire flight experience. Click here for some videos on YouTube.
Avoid aisle seats for kids. Aisle seats can be dangerous for toddlers as the food and beverage cart can reach them, leading to spills and burns. Consider seating your child by the window or in the middle seat instead.
Dress in layers and avoid shoes with laces. Whether you’re dealing with in-flight heat and air conditioning or changing climates, be prepared for changing temperatures when traveling with a toddler.
Bring surprises. A wrapped new toy can be a great way to keep your toddler entertained during the flight. Kids love to unwrap presents; a new toy can be a fun distraction.
Be mindful of germs. Wipe down surfaces when flying with toddlers, and avoid sending them to the bathroom without shoes. The bathroom floor is known to be a breeding ground for germs, and the plane’s movements can cause spills and puddles.
Opt for a compact stroller and consider a kid’s harness. Navigating an airport without a stroller is not always possible, but swapping your standard stroller for an umbrella one can make a difference. Gate-checking the stroller is also recommended. A kid harness can provide added safety and peace of mind for multiple young travelers.
Prepare for airport security. Make sure items that need to be removed during security are easily accessible. Keep in mind that snacks may require extra scrutiny during the screening process.
Pack essentials without overdoing them. Flight attendants advise parents to pack enough essentials for the flight but not to overpack and burden themselves. Avoid expecting food on the plane that interests children; instead, bring enough low-sugar snacks, diapers, wipes, and sanitizers.
Create a packing list based on necessity. A comprehensive packing list should include comfort items like pacifiers, sanitation supplies, headphones, art supplies, and low-sugar snacks. Avoid overpacking by being mindful of what is truly necessary.
Address air pressure concerns. If your child has had recent ear infections or colds, consult with a doctor before flying. To address air pressure discomfort, provide enough water for the flight and encourage your child to drink during takeoff and landing. This swallowing motion can help alleviate pressure and provide hydration.
Don’t hesitate to use Pull-Ups. Even if your child is potty-trained, Pull-Ups can be helpful when flying with a toddler or young child. They can help reduce the stress of rushing to the bathroom or dealing with an in-seat accident.
Show gratitude to flight attendants. Flight attendants appreciate a small gratuity when dealing with toddlers. Bringing some chocolates from the airport and handing them over during boarding can go a long way. This gesture is especially appreciated during the holidays when flight attendants may be away from their families. It can also lead to better service and even a free drink.
Keep your cool. Some passengers may not appreciate traveling with children, but as long as you’re making an effort, you have most people on your side. Don’t let negative comments get to you; focus on doing your best.
Choose an airline with family-friendly amenities. Look for airlines that cater to families by offering kid-friendly perks such as a wide selection of TV shows and movies, kid-sized headphones, and snacks. Consider airlines with family lounges or airports with play areas for children to burn off some energy during layovers.

CONSIDER ALL THE MEMORIES YOU ARE CREATING

We would love to help you plan your next vacation. Our passion for travel is River Cruises.
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.

Reasons Why to Use a Travel Agent

Apr 5, 2023

Reasons below on why to use a travel Agent. Booking your vacations through a travel agent has many advantages. It is like having a best friend plan your vacation.

Here are some potential benefits of using a travel agent to book your vacation:

Expertise and Knowledge:

Travel agents have extensive knowledge and expertise in the travel industry, including destinations, accommodations, transportation, and activities. They can provide valuable insights and recommendations based on their experience and expertise.

Personalized Service:

Travel agents can provide personalized service, taking into account your specific needs, preferences, and budget. They can tailor your itinerary to ensure you get the most out of your trip. Many times they can get you into places the public doesn’t typically have access to.

Time-saving:

Planning a vacation can be time-consuming and overwhelming, but travel agents can handle all the details, from flights and accommodations to activities and tours. This can save you time and reduce the stress of planning a trip. Remember they know things behind the scenes to enhance your trip.

Exclusive Access and Discounts:

Travel agents have access to exclusive deals, discounts, and promotions that may not be available to the general public. They can also help you find the best value for your money.

Support and Assistance:

If any issues arise before or during your trip, travel agents can provide support and assistance, such as rebooking flights or finding alternative accommodations. They can also provide guidance on travel insurance and visa requirements.

Peace of Mind:

Booking through a travel agent can provide peace of mind, knowing that you have a professional handling all the details of your vacation. This can be especially valuable for complex or multi-destination trips.

Tips for working with a Travel Agent:

When you are planning to work with a travel agent, here are some tips to help you get the most out of your experience:

Be clear about your needs and preferences: To ensure your travel agent can provide personalized service, be clear about your needs, preferences, and budget. This will help them tailor your itinerary to your specific requirements.

Communicate regularly:

Regular communication is essential when working with a travel agent. Keep them informed of any changes in your travel plans, and make sure you understand all the details of your itinerary before you depart.

Ask questions:

Don’t be afraid to ask your travel agent questions about your itinerary or any concerns you may have. They are there to help you, and they will be happy to provide guidance and advice.

Be open to suggestions:

Travel agents have extensive knowledge and expertise in the travel industry, so be open to their suggestions and recommendations. They may be able to offer insights and options you haven’t considered. Even suggestions your friends didn’t experience because they were not aware of some of the local things.

Be realistic:

While travel agents can provide a lot of value, they can’t work miracles. Be realistic about your budget and expectations and understand that there may be limitations to what your travel agent can do.

Confirm all details:

Before you depart, confirm all the details of your itinerary, including flight times, hotel reservations, and transportation arrangements. This will help ensure everything goes smoothly during your trip.

By following these tips, you can help ensure a positive experience when working with a travel agent and get the most out of your next vacation.

Staying Healthy While Traveling

Jan 14, 2023

Tips for Staying Healthy While Traveling

After years of staying home in isolation, we are seeing an increase in the number of individuals ready to travel. If there is one thing that the last 2 years have taught us, that is the importance of staying healthy while traveling. Regardless of if you are planning a short road trip or flying internationally, there are several important elements to keep in mind before heading on your dream vacation to ensure a healthy and smooth travel experience. Keep reading to learn our 5 top tips on staying healthy while traveling!

Stay Hydrated

The amount of water that you drink is one of the main ways to stay healthy while traveling. It is suggested that when you are on the road, you should consume 8 ounces of water per hour! If you are flying or planning on enjoying some alcoholic beverages, the intake should increase by another 1 – 2 ounces. Make sure to bring your own water bottle everywhere you go – yes, even when going to the beach! If you have trouble keeping track, a good idea is to also add a reminder notification on your phone to drink water every hour! You would be surprised how well it works!

Get Enough Sleep

The second reason why our immune system tends to weaken when traveling is the lack of enough sleep. Many of us get anxious and nervous a few days before leaving for a trip worrying if we have planned it all. Once you have reached your dream destination, on the other hand, it is highly likely for individuals to get hyperactive and overly excited to do as much as possible. All of this results in skimping on sleep and slowly starting to feel rundown. Do not forget to take rest and breaks and plan to sleep at least 7 hours per night. If you are crossing multiple time zones, try to adjust your body a few days before leaving too!

Bring Your Own Medications

Many travelers tend to create packing lists with all the essential clothes and shoes they will need. Oftentimes, however, medications are forgotten and left behind! Do not make the same mistake, though! From a first-aid kit to some basic multivitamins, having your own medications is a crucial element for staying healthy while traveling. Make sure to add Acetaminophen and Ibuprofen as fever and pain relievers. Herbal supplements rich in minerals and vitamins will also help keep your immune system intact.

Wash Your Hands

We bet that you have heard this too many enough times already! The pandemic from the past 2 years, however, has proven the importance of practicing good hygiene. Traveling exposes our bodies to thousands of bacteria and germs per hour. The best way to fight these is to wash our hands regularly. Do not forget to pack hand sanitizer and some wet wipes as well. Make sure to use these before eating and avoid touching your face as much as possible. Wearing a mask might be a thing of the past now; however, if you want to ensure staying healthy while traveling, we strongly suggest having a mask on, especially at highly crowded places such as airports, buses, trains, etc.

Check Your Immunization Record

Last but definitely not least, we would like to stress the importance of your immunization record. Often, individuals do not consider either the vaccines required for their travels or how up-to-date their immunization passport is. Start by researching the requirements of your destination. Especially if you are traveling to a tropical region – check for any potential diseases. Countries are still dynamically changing their entry conditions – so make sure also to check if you need to be vaccinated for COVID-19 or not. Do not hesitate to contact your doctor and check your immunization record with them. There is no better way to stay healthy while traveling than through prevention!

You should no longer be wondering how to stay healthy while traveling. As long as you follow this relatively simple but extremely vital sequence of steps to prepare for your trip, you should have a healthy and smooth holiday. If you still have concerns, though, you should definitely consult with your primary care provider.

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.

5 Tips How to Save Money For Your Next Vacation

Mar 5, 2021

5 Tips How to Save Money For Your Next Vacation

Are you dreaming of heading on your next vacation, but struggling as you do not have the funds for it? We have all been there because let’s be fair traveling can be an investment, although it is worth every penny for the experience and memories.

There are a few amazingly simple and realistic ways how you can get the money that you need and that is why today we are sharing the 5 tips on how to save money for your next vacation. Keep reading and you will be surprised how easy it is!

Start early and tell your travel agent what you are looking for so they can monitor sales and specials.

The more information you give them, the better they are able to help you. They may be able to show you alternatives that will be just as good and may save you money. They can also let you know the best time of year to go to certain destinations in order to get the best price, such as spring and fall shoulder seasons. Experience counts.

Set a Budget and Stick to It

Step one of saving money for your next vacation is not just setting a budget, but also making sure that you stick to it. One of the best ways to get started is creating a spreadsheet with different categories, which you are spending money on each month. Make sure that you add every single dollar that you spend to the relevant category and you will quickly notice how much of your salary goes into unnecessary purchases. It would be great if you can first track your spending for two or three months. Once you have a good idea of this, you can proceed to the next step, which is calculating the budget for each category by eliminating the small purchases you are making every month like buying a coffee on your way to work.

These are relatively small, but when combined they add quite a lot to your overall spending for the month. When you finally have your budget set, make sure that you keep tracking every purchase you are making. The best idea is to subtract them from the final budget for a particular category and once you reach the 0, make sure to mark it in red. Having the large red cell should be a good reminder that you are aiming to save money for your next vacation!

Create a Savings Account dedicated for Travel

After you have your budget set, you can proceed to stage 2 of how to save money for your next vacation. Go to your bank and create a savings account, which is completely dedicated for your travels. Be strict with yourself and make sure that even if you need additional money during the month, this will be a bank account you will not dip into. You should also make sure that at the beginning of each month, once you get your salary you transfer some funds from your main account to your savings account.

Start small and plan well with only transferring the amount you can afford. The idea is not to have the full amount you need for your next vacation immediately. This is a long-term tip how to save money and once you have a good understanding of how much money you can put aside each month, you can make these transfers automatic.

Cancel any Non-Essential Subscriptions

We bet that you have at least a few subscriptions that are either non-essential or you can certainly live without. A lot of times, people would get a subscription or even just a trial that would then result into a monthly subscription without even having the need for. It would be great if you can get your latest bank statements and go through every single transaction that has been made, as this is the best way to find out how much money you are paying throughout the month for different subscriptions. Be savage and cancel everything, which is non-essential. If you are having doubts and thinking how convenient it is to get meals delivered straight to your home, think about how much better you will feel when you are sunbathing on the beach and sipping on a delicious cocktail, instead!

Eat at Home

Once you have started tracking your monthly purchases, you will notice how much money you are spending on eating out. It is inevitable because most people think that cooking at home is very time-consuming and it is much easier to grab some food on your way home. The results from eating at home and even creating lunch boxes for work, however, can be noticed very soon after you have made this a habit. One of the best ways to get motivated to eat at home more often is to track how much money you have been able to save in the first month after you have started this habit using your budget spreadsheet. Then transfer this additionally saved amount straight into your saving accounts dedicated to your travels. You will be surprised how fast it will start growing.

Sell any Unused Items

Last but definitely not least, on our list of the 5 tips on how to save money for your next vacation, we will talk about selling any unused items. We all have them and if you start decluttering your house, you will quickly find out how many items you have that you are either not using or you have completely forgotten about. We bet that you will find kitchen gadgets still in their boxes somewhere in your attic or clothes hanging in your closet still having the tag on. These are great items that you can go ahead and sell. Nowadays, there are many different platforms and apps you can use to organize and plan your sales. This is a great tip not only to earn some money but also to clean your house!

Which of the above-mentioned 5 tips on how to save money for your next vacation will you try first?

If you are perusing river cruises to make a perfect choice, here is a must-read article on avoiding river cruise booking mistakes. For the best river cruise experience, you will want to contact expert 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.