Travelogger

Traveling with Grandkids (Part 2)


grandparents and kids in car
Start with short trips
Before going on a multi-day trip, it would be a good idea to first conduct a test run. A day trip to the museum or a theme park would be good. You can also go to a neighboring city for a day. The idea is for you to bond with your grandchildren and see how being together (alone, without the parents) is going to work.

Involve the children in planning
This idea is suggested not only for grandparent and grandchildren trips but for family trips in general. Considering the children’s input towards the travel plans will not only ensure that you …

Wearing Your Baby, Part 1


Last week, I wrote about my youngest daughter’s favorite things, and among them was her baby sling. I must admit, it’s become a favorite not just for baby, but also for mom and dad as well. It’s part of our travel necessities, even for a simple trip to the mall. For readers who have infants or are expecting, I seriously suggest that you study the benefits of babywearing.

Babywearing is the term used for carrying your baby in a sling or a baby carrier. I know most parents already have a baby stroller or carriage, but a baby sling can be more convenient and useful than a baby stroller. It’s less bulky, more compact and lighter …

Traveling with Grandkids


grandparents grandchildren
Did you know that multigenerational travel is one of the fastest growing trends in the word of travel and leisure? Nowadays, more and more seniors are continuing to lead active lives. They play sports, they live independently, and they want to travel with their grandchildren.

From the other end of the spectrum, it is not surprising that children actually express a strong desire to travel with their grandparents also. Why wouldn’t they? Grandparents are known to be fun and indulging when it comes to their grandkids! I wouldn’t have minded going on a trip with my grandfather when I was a kid…

Anyhow, are you a grandparent …

Baby Love


My younger daughter just turned one last week. She went from a small, fragile bundle constantly being carried to an active, running toddler who can’t sit still for a moment. Where does the time go? In honor of her birthday, I decided to share her favorite things, of course, related in some way to traveling. (Please humor me a bit even if the traveling just means a trip to the store!)

Of all the places she’s been to, I’d have to say that my baby’s favorite vacation spot so far is the beach. I think all kids love the beach, with the combination of sand they can play with, the water to tickle their footsies and …

The Day of the Dead


It’s the 1st of November, and in some countries, this date and the next (November 2) hold particular importance. November 1 is usually celebrated as All Saint’s Day, while November 2 is All Soul’s Day. Places in Latin America, the United States, Europe, Asia and Africa, especially the countries that are predominantly Catholic, consider this date as a public holiday. In most cases, this date celebrates the lives of the deceased, people honor their deceased loved ones by visiting cemeteries and churches. Though this day is associated with the dead, it is rarely somber or grim. Rather, most places celebrate it as a festival, with music, food and prayers. One famous …

Flying Solo: Patience is a Must (Part 3)


mom driving children
Another very common utterance from children when on vacation is:

I’m bored.
Other variations may include “I’m tired.” or “I’m hungry.” Said once or twice, it is not a problem – after all, children do really get bored, tired, or hungry. We cannot expect them not to feel these things and not to express their feeling as well! Then again, hearing these things over and over again just might get on your nerves, especially if you are flying solo.

So what do you do?

Again, we should go back to the initial stages of a family vacation – the planning. Involve the kids in the planning. Let them have their say as …

Tips On Taking Care Of Your Baggage, Part 2


To continue my last post, here are additional tips on taking care of your baggage, as well as some tips to help you claim the full value of your baggage in case it does get lost.

5. When checking in your bags, make sure that each bag is properly tagged, showing your destination and flight. Don’t forget to get your bag tag stubs with the UPC bar code. If you have electronic tickets, these tags may just be stapled to a copy of your itinerary; treat these as important travel documents, since these act as your receipts as well.
6. When booking a connecting flight, double-check if the airlines will be the ones to …

Tips On Taking Care Of Your Baggage, Part 1


Losing your baggage can be nerve-wracking, stressful, and expensive to boot! Although you can attempt to reclaim your losses with your insurance and the airline’s liability, most claims will rarely match the true value of your possessions, especially if there are lost belongings with sentimental value for you. It can also ruin a well-planned vacation, especially if you have kids along. Even if you’re not vain, imagine trying to survive in an unfamiliar city with only one set of clothes! Although losing your baggage may be out of your hands, there are still ways to reduce the chances of your luggage getting lost.

1. Make your bags as distinct as possible. It …

Flying Solo: Tips for Single Parents


Having to take a trip with a child may not be that easy. It can be complicated enough with both parents present – imagine how hard it can be with only one parent around! Single parents already have their share of stress. Here are some tips that can help ease “traveling pains” with your kid (or kids for that matter).

Team up with other single parents
Deal with the difficulty of having to handle children on your own. I am sure that there other single parents in your circle of friends. Why not plan a vacation together and address different needs while you are at it? Traveling with another single parent with children can help you …

Share Your Story!


Remember that interesting dinner in China?

Or the time when Uncle Jack discovered that old barn?

Or that unplanned stop in Havana?

Well, whatever story you have under your sleeve, now is the time to pull it out and share it with everyone! This fall, Traveling Stories Magazine is hosting a travel writing contest for all those with wonderful and interesting stories to tell. The objective of TSM is to encourage travelers to write about their experiences and perhaps, serve as inspiration to others.

The prize at stake is a featured link on the TSM Web site and $125 (courtesy of the travel company, On the Beach Holidays) which will be sent through PayPal. Winners will be chosen by …