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Travel and Discount Shopping at Midniteshopper.com
by Tiger Direct
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This page contains answers to common questions along with some secrets, tips and tricks that we have found useful.
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 | Figure out your budget and stick to it. |
| If traveling with children, be sure you have snacks for the flight or ride and plenty to do. A lot of people now rent DVD players so that the kids can watch a movie. It sure makes a 4-hour plane ride much more pleasant! |
| Remember the new security levels at the airports are strict, so plan for the delays and you won't start your vacation frustrated and angry. |
| Schedule your time so that you are not too tired or bored (a good rule of thumb is not more than 2 two-hour adventures in a day. |
| If you have children, schedule so that they will still get their naps and bedtimes; nothing is worse than having to deal with a cranky child in the museum you've always wanted to see. |
| Select the accommodation style that you will be most happy and comfortable with, within your price range. Sometimes it's just fun to camp! |
| Schedule your trip in the off-seasons if you can, especially if traveling south. Try to avoid the temperature extremes. |
| Eat at local pubs and restaurants. Skip the fast food, you can visit fast food restaurants at home. |
| Always remember to ask for a discount, especially if you belong to AAA or are a senior. Most places won't remind you of their discount policies, so ask! You could save a lot of money. |
What should I pack?Packing and Scheduling suggestions:
| Ask friends and relatives you know how much they pack for your kind of trip |
| Try to pack clothes in colors that mix and match (iron-free). |
| Use space bags to compact your clothes. They work great at making things just a little smaller and easier to pack. Plus you can then use one of the space bags as your laundry bag or for wet bathing suits. |
| Pack clothes that will allow you to dress in layers. You never know what the weather may do. |
| Pack your suitcase with everything you want to take. Then haul it around the house or neighborhood (okay, you might look funny, but who cares!). You will probably discover that you should pack a little lighter. |
| Schedule your trip for your best time of day. If you are a morning person, leave in the morning. |
| Make sure that you have a backup plan in case it rains or one of your destinations is closed. It's always fun to take a 'me' day and relax in the hotel or swimming pool. Be sure to go with the flow, don't get too stressed out if not everything goes according to your original plan. |
| When
traveling with children, bring crayons! It is the best way to keep kids busy, and
crayons weigh almost nothing. And don't forget favorite blankets,
animals, or lullabies... it
will be a long trip without them. |
Where can I find good travel books?We happen to have a list of the most popular travel books here on our site. Just click here to get to our bookstore. You can also search for any book you'd like in the search box at the bottom of that page
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How
and why should I find a good travel agent?Great question! We just happen to have an article on this very subject written by one of our contributing CTC travel agents. Just click here to go to the article and find out all about it.
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What are
some of the best places for families?
Hands down... the DISNEY CRUISE!!!! The DisneyFamily Cruise
is the one place where the entire family can have a great time, no matter what age, and still spend time together. I took my kids on the Disney Cruise last fall, it was absolutely the best vacation we've had. My children are 3 and 4 so it is hard to find a place to go where they will have fun and we get some time to just relax.
The Disney Cruiseline has taken out the traditional Casino and replaced it with two HUGE playgrounds for the kids. The kids clubs are great, even my shy 3 year old had a great time and by the 3rd day, did not want to come back to the cabin (even on her birthday). The counselors are wonderful and there are many many visits from the Disney Characters (and scheduled autograph sessions too).
The best part for us is that we knew the kids were having a great time in their play groups for a couple of hours a day (or more if you want) and we got some time just to ourselves to swim, sun, and go to the SPA (which, by the way, is wonderful!). My husband spent time at the ESPN Sports area watching football and eating nachos, while I went to the spa's Rainforest to relax. The food was wonderful (and yes, they really do have peanut butter and jelly sandwiches available at any time!) and the staff was just great. They really know how to take care of the kids (and the parents too!). By the end of the cruise we all felt relaxed, happy, and satisfied... it was worth the money (by the way, we can help you find the cheapest way to get on the Disney Cruises, it will be on our next "Secrets Newsletter", so sign up now).
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What
are some of the best deals for seniors?Some of the best vacations for seniors seem to be the most expensive vacations. But, believe us, it doesn't have to be that way. There are many discounts available to 'older' citizens--everything from AARP to AAA and hundreds of special rates in between. For more tips for seniors, check out our contributed article to find out exactly what is out there for you. There will be many more secrets and tips coming for senior (and single) travelers in the future.
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Traveling with children is a huge worry for all parents. How to keep them busy and happy is one of the biggest concerns there is. We've seen so many melt-downs (especially in the confined space of an airplane), it can break your heart (not to mention your ears). Kids need to be distracted. Keep young children busy with small hand-held toys and books, snacks, and playing games. Older children don't require as much hands-on work, they are usually pretty happy with a game-boy or a good book, or talking to other travelers. Bring snacks for any age child as airlines don't provide much anymore.
Though there are many votes against doing this, the BEST distraction for your traveling child is a video. Movies can take 2 hours of airplane or car travel and make it seem like it flew by. You can get those portable DVD players now for under $175 and rent movies from DVD Avenue, or better yet download a few movies to your laptop (if you have one). Click here for the latest 99cent downloadable Movielink deals! Both ways allow you to keep the movie for your entire trip without worrying about late charges. You can also use our Amazon link and buy low price movies. I've found that my children love the newness of a downloaded movie that they have not seen. I have to take my laptop everywhere I go anyway, so it’s easy to make them happy at the same time. In fact, we make it a special surprise before every trip, and it keeps them wondering... what will mom bring this time? Always chose age-appropriate movies and always make sure the movies work BEFORE you leave on the trip.
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MyTravelSecrets.Com is a trademark of MyTravelSecrets.com. All other products mentioned are registered trademarks of their respective companies. NOTE: My Travel Secrets.com provides information and tips on travel. All links to travel deals are supplied by other operators and we shall not be held liable for any damage, injury, or loss in resulting from vendor services. As always in travel, prices are subject to change, so it is usually to your benefit to act quickly to secure a great deal before it is gone. My Travel Secrets.com will not be liable or responsible for any transactions performed on partner websites. MyTravelsecrets.com is affiliated with Midniteshopper.com at www.midniteshopper.com.
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