Tuesday Travel Tip 24

Rather than stretch to stay at a posh room in a basic hotel, why don’t you pay to stay at a basic room in a more upmarket hotel (if the prices are comparable). Rooms are pretty bog-standard (bed, bathroom, desk, TV) but the hotel facilities differ dependant on star rating…. which you can access, even from a basic room.

Tuesday Travel Tip 23

Consider the weight of your suitcase now weight restrictions for checked luggage exist on most air-lines. Older suitcases may weigh more, trade it in for a super-lightweight model to allow more allowance for essentials (and of course, those holiday purchases).

Tuesday Travel Tip 22

When travelling with children, pack things which are familiar to them at bed-time such as pillow case, duvet cover (if you have no room for the duvet and pillow) as well as their cuddly toy.

The lovely Maryam and her thoughts on travelling with a infant…

Just popping on to share a link to a fabulous, insightful and reassuring post from the lovely Maryam on her blog Pamplemousse 1983…. I met Maryam through a mutual friend a few years back and love her blog for its creativity, truthfulness and her insights on life (& being a new Mum).

Check out her tips for travelling with an infant….

Maryams bio:-

My name is Maryam and I am a former elementary art teacher turned stay at home mom to baby Margaux.  I live in Dallas, Texas with my husband, baby and two doggies, Marzipan and Spock.   

I wish she lived closer and we could meet for a pot of tea and cakes. When I fly into Dallas next month I’ll give her a wave from the plane…..

 

New Year travel dreaming….

As the decorations are stowed and the biscuits are being finished off (at a scarily rapid speed), my thoughts turn to travel plans and dreams in 2012. Placing these in my trusty Filofax gives me some-thing concrete to review and look forward to as we pass through these gloomy grey months into Spring (can you tell that I am not a winter person?).

So here it goes:-

New Orleans (work), Chicago (work), France x2 (family), Berlin (week-end away with hubbie), Italy (solo trip to see a close friend)… would love a trip to Washington DC before the year out but it is election year so would rather wait until all the chaos calms down, perhaps December would be best? Sure other opportunities will come up although spontaneity and long-haul trips are out of the window now I have little people (I refuse to be away longer than 4 nights).

Taken with iPhone (edited with Instagram)

 

My other aim of the year is to continue with my frequent flyer travel hacking quest. I currently have 130K in my British Airways Executive Club account but know that I could enhance this total even further (have got lazy in the last few years since having the twins). Will be useful for family holidays (their new European Reward Flight Saver makes the use of miles for short-haul rather appealing) and solo upgrades (got to love a fully flat bed!).

The internet is bursting with ‘word of the year’ posts but I am moving to a phrase of the year (greedy I know). Loving the 2012 Nike Campaign of ‘Make it Count‘…. and hope to apply that to all aspects of my life in the next 12 months.

Wishing you all a wonderful 2012 full of health, laughter and sparkles….

Eleven years ago I had just moved to America. Moving on the 28th November was not the best idea… I missed home, especially at Christmas. As I browsed the stores, filling up my new apartment with essentials, I would burst into tears when ‘Driving home for Christmas’ and ‘Lonely at Christmas” came on the speakers (where was Rudolf the Red Nose Reindeer when I needed him?!). This year I am at home, with my hubbie, twiglets and family but Christmas 2000 reminds me to be grateful, present and appreciative of the day to day in our (chaotic!) house.

Is there some-one near you that needs reaching out to this Christmas? Some-one who would appreciate a friendly phone-call, SKYPE call or a face-to-face visit. Whilst Christmas is a season of celebration for so many, it can be a difficult time for many too….

Globe bauble - gifted from a friend (taken with iPhone, edited with ShakeitPhoto)

Tuesday Travel Tip 21

As many of us prefer for our winter road-trips to visit family and friends, check-out the essentials on your car. Have you enough petrol, oil, washer fluid, de-icer? Do you have a warning triangle and green vest in the boot? Emergency numbers to call on-hand for breakdown and assistance.

Wishing you safe and fun travels as we approach the Christmas week….