Whether you dream of taking a long relaxing vacation or a romantic weekend for two, travelling abroad is always a special time in which you can get away from home and take a while to rest and recuperate.

Image courtesy of arvindgroverThe amount of preparation that goes into arranging and getting ready for a holiday is certainly not to be taken lightly; ensuring you have everything that your require for your trip is often quite frustrating due to the fear of forgetting an all important item. It’s certainly worth putting a little extra thought into everything you need for your holiday and ensuring you, your partner or family have everything they need; so with that in mind, let’s take a look at some simple things to consider before you call the cab and head off to the airport!

Vital Items

There are certain items that you must be absolutely sure you have packed before heading to the airport; if one member is without vital items such as a passport or appropriate plane tickets then they cannot board the plane and therefore cannot fly to your chosen destination, so be sure each member has these items. It’s a good idea to have your money exchanged into the appropriate currency before you fly, you may find yourself in a tight spot if you leave yourself with money you can’t use when you come to call a cab.

Travel insurance is not compulsory, but it is highly advisable that you protect yourself and your family by taking some out; medical fees abroad can be surprisingly expensive and paying the much smaller fee for insurance could certainly end up being the lesser of two evils!

Sun-block is vital if you are going for a holiday in the sun; the amount of damage the sun can cause to your skin in such a short period of time is surprising, so pack a high factor sun cream for the young ones and anyone else who is sensitive to the sun.

Be sure to keep your credit/debit card, a list of emergency contacts and a comfortable amount of emergency money (preferably in your home currency so it doesn’t get spent) separate from your wallet or purse at all times, this can be a life saver if your belongings go missing.

Luxuries

Electrical items such as your mobile phone, laptop and mp3 player are not essential, but they are luxuries that we have gotten used to having on a regular basis over the past decade. It’s recommended that you take these items if you have work commitments that you must stay on top of or an important call while you are on vacation. If you are planning on taking a leisurely sports vacation such as a golfing trip then be sure to take golf club sets or other appropriate equipment.

Hair and beauty products are often n essential for those nights out on the town or dining in restaurants; be sure to pack all products that you consider part of your ‘going out kit’.

Clothing

It’s fair to say that if you are going on a Ski holiday then packing shorts and sandals is probably a bad idea; know what clothes and attire is appropriate for your vacation and pack accordingly. If you plan to spend time swimming and sunbathing, pack the appropriate beachwear and beach towels before leaving, this way you can strut your stuff on the beach without having to shop for shorts and swimsuits first!

So there we are; a few simple tips that could save you a world of hassle on your next vacation. Take extra time when packing and travel safe!

Written by Daniel Travis – Brown for Golf 247; head to Twitter and follow Daniel on @DanTravisBrown

 

About Fox Rent A Car:

Fox Rent A Car, your discount car rental company, has been providing excellent customer service along with low rates for rental cars since its founding in 1989. Today, our success in these areas has enabled us to develop into the largest independent car rentals company headquartered in California. You will find Fox Car Rental offices conveniently located at major airports throughout the world.

Travelling alone promises a bewildering gamut of comedy, challenges, and exploits for every brave soul who embarks on this courageous undertaking. The joy of freedom and spirit of adventure come in their greatest grandeur when travelling is performed as a one-man show. In its pure state, travelling alone is akin to walking into the dark abyss of an unknown universe, marching into the gruesome battlefield alongside war-torn veteran soldiers, and flying into outer space amongst cosmonauts and astronauts. Travelling alone can be one heck of a journey. But you still have to be thoroughly prepared in order to enjoy it.

Image courtesy of Sven Ericsson

Planning is the key. There is only one person who ultimately decides the itinerary and pace of the voyage when travelling alone you! To get the perks, discounts and travel incentives, plan ahead of time. Give yourself at least a few months to figure out where you want to go, how you will go there, and what you will do when you are already in the destination of choice. The best time to travel alone is before or after the peak season. It gives you two major advantages first, the rates are way cheaper and second, the places will not be very crowded.

Investigate and assess the holiday destination. A soldier who knows the terrain of the battleground will already be in the winning edge. The same concept applies to travelling alone. Go ahead and ask data from friends, research about the places you plan to visit, read books and magazines. Knowing is already half the battle.

Bring only the most necessary things. A truckload of unnecessary items is the last thing you will ever need when travelling alone. Your motto must be Pack Light. And be sure to have a safe and easily accessible container for your precious travel things and papers such as valid identification cards, passport, airline tickets, credit cards and a little cash. When travelling alone, it is safer to just swipe your cards for major transactions.

Savour and experience the culture of the places you visit. Try out their native delicacies, join their festivities if it is allowed, interact with the locals, learn a few basic words of their language and try to communicate using your newly learned vocabulary.

Always be prepared and take good care of your health. Bring your personal medications and first aid kit just in case of emergencies. And always be mindful of your allergens as you do not want to have an allergic attack on a beautiful cruise.

Surely travelling alone should prove to be a unique and unforgettable experience.

Andy is a writer for Kenwood Travel who specialise in the best luxury Saint Lucia holidays. If you have any advice, please do share below in the comments.

 

About Fox Rent A Car:

Fox Rent A Car, your discount car rental company, has been providing excellent customer service along with low rates for rental cars since its founding in 1989. Today, our success in these areas has enabled us to develop into the largest independent car rentals company headquartered in California. You will find Fox Car Rental offices conveniently located at major airports throughout the world.

Hotel safes may not be as secure as you think.

A recent Gizmodo article has shown that some hotel safes can open without your password!

Image courtesy of Crazy farmer

Most safes have two codes. One is the password that users create. But the second is an override code for the hotels to access the contents of the safe. When a guest forgets their password, hotels can use the override code to help them open the safe.

The problem is that it can be as simple as 000000 or 123456. So other people might be able to guess the override code and access what’s inside.

Manufacturer Nationwide Safes (who doesn’t manufacture this safe), reported to Gizmodo;

The safe shown in the video is not one of our hotel safes. However, most hotel safes, including the one shown in the video, support two user codes: a guest (user) passcode and an override code for use by hotel security. When a guest forgets her code, the safe may be opened by hotel security using the override code.

It is important to note that only the most negligent of hotel operators would leave the override code set to all 0′s, a default code, some other easy to guess code. The override code can (and must for obvious reasons) be changed to something difficult to guess prior to putting the safe into operation.

What should you do if you plan on using the safe?

Try testing for these easy override codes or other common number combinations. There are also other products that are like external locks for hotel safes.

Either way, it’s better to double check and be prepared just in case!

About Fox Rent A Car:

Fox Rent A Car, your discount car rental company, has been providing excellent customer service along with low rates for rental cars since its founding in 1989. Today, our success in these areas has enabled us to develop into the largest independent car rentals company headquartered in California. You will find Fox Car Rental offices conveniently located at major airports throughout the world.

There are thousands of websites out there with travel information.

A lot of them are great… but they’re hard to find.

Here are some of our favorite websites where you can find the best travel bargains.

Image courtesy of Jeffrey Beall

Best Online Budget Information

The best online resources would have to be Budget Travel.

They highlight great travel deals, packages, and have the latest information for savvy travelers.

Budget Travel also has a great community where other people share their personal experiences and tips.

Best Websites to Book a Hotel or Flight

If you’re looking for a great rate, and don’t care specifically about what hotel or flight, then bidding on Priceline and Hotwire can save you tons.

But a little forum called Better Bidding will help you identify what you’re bidding on (based on past results).

Now you’ll be able to tell if it’s worth it… and just how much you’re saving!

Best Auction Site

Sure, you’ve tried Ebay before. It’s great for little stuff or last minute concern tickets.

But did you know you can bid on travel deals? It’s true!

You can get great deals on all inclusive packages for romantic getaways or family vacations.

Best Travel Search Engines

If none of those are of much help, then you should turn your search to the travel search engines that compile all the best rates.

• Kayak
• TravelZoo
• CheapFlights
• Booking Buddy

About Fox Rent A Car:

Fox Rent A Car, your discount car rental company, has been providing excellent customer service along with low rates for rental cars since its founding in 1989. Today, our success in these areas has enabled us to develop into the largest independent car rentals company headquartered in California. You will find Fox Car Rental offices conveniently located at major airports throughout the world.

I feel really lucky to be a little bit familiar with the great city of San Diego from previous visits with family and friends.  So while we are stopping here for the #FoxRoadTrip, I made sure to let my blogger friends know that we absolutely had to stop at one of my favorite places in the world: Mount Soledad Veterans Memorial.

If you follow the winding La Jolla roads up very high to the Soledad Cross, once you arrive your breath will be instantly taken.   This mountain in the sky gives you a 360-degree view of beautiful San Diego and the never-ending Pacific Ocean.  There is a huge cross in the center of the hill which is encircled by walls and walls of granite plaques dedicated to honoring veteran service members of our country.  It’s an overwhelming feeling — the appreciation of the sacrifice made by our soldiers along with the magnificent ocean view.

Although it was quite a chilly and foggy day while we visited, it was still such a gorgeous sight – especially for a Midwestern girl like myself.  I can never get enough mountainous terrain.  I especially love to people-watch those who come to visit the memorial.  Usually tourists pointing and shooting everything they see with their digital cameras, but there are also residents of La Jolla.  Runners, bike-riders, and regular visitors.  It makes me smile because if I ever lived so close to such gorgeous scenery, I would like to think that I wouldn’t take it for granted and instead try to visit often enough to appreciate it.

If you are in San Diego, be sure you make a stop at Mount Soledad.  Photos are worth taking, but mental pictures are the only way to do it any justice.

Mt. Soledad Mission Statement: To enhance and preserve the Mt. Soledad Veterans Memorial honoring veterans who have served our country and to educate the general public about service to our country and the sacrifices that veterans make to preserve the freedoms we enjoy as Americans. (source)

 

About the Author: Amy Schmittauer is currently on a road trip sponsored by Fox Rent A Car.  She is a freelance social media consultant, blogger, and copywriter from Columbus, Ohio.  Her true passion lies with video production and vlogging, originating from the influence of the many inspiring personalities of Youtube. You can find her videos at Savvy Sexy Social for advice on implementing social media for your business, and on Schmittastic for personal experiences and all the footage from the #FoxRoadTrip.

Here are our top 40 Roadtrip songs. Did we miss any?  Let us know in the comments!

1. Around the World – Daft Punk
2. Beautiful Day – U2
3. Blitzkrieg Bop – The Ramones
4. California – Phantom Planet
5. Cruisin’ – Smokey Robinson
6. Electric Avenue – Eddy Grant
7. Free Fallin’ – Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers
8. Get Outta My Dreams, Get Into My Car – Billy Ocean
9. Hotel California – Eagles
10. I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles) – The Proclaimers
11. I’ve Been Everywhere- Johnny Cash
12. Life In the Fast Lane – Eagles
13. Life Is A  Highway- Rascal Flatts
14. Livin’ on a Prayer – Bon Jovi
15. Low Rider – War
16. Magic Carpet Ride- Steppenwolf
17. Mercedes Benz- Janis Joplin
18. Mr. Blue Sky – Electric Light Orchestra
19. Mustang Sally- Wilson Pickett
20. No Particular Place to Go – Chuck Berry
21. On the Road Again- Willie Nelson
22. Panama – Van Halen
23. Paradise by the Dashboard Light- Meatloaf
24. Paradise City – Guns N’ Roses
25. Ramblin’ Man- The Allman Brothers
26. Road Trippin’ – Red Hot Chili Peppers
27. Route 66 – Nat King Cole
28. Runnin’ With the Devil- Van Halen
29. Runnin’ Down a Dream – Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers
30. Running on Empty- Jackson Browne
31. Shakin’- Eddie Money
32. Sister Golden Hair- America
33. Slow Ride – Foghat
34. Start Me Up- Rolling Stones
35. Sweet Hitchhiker- Creedence Clearwater Revival
36. Sweet Home Alabama – Lynyrd Skynyrd
37. Take It Easy – Eagles
38. The Waiting – Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers
39. Walking On Sunshine – Katrina and the Waves
40. Who Wouldn’t Wanna Be Me?- Keith Urban

User Submissions

Have you Ever Seen the Rain – CCR
Submitted by Charly A Hdz Grajales on Facebook

About Fox Rent A Car

Fox Rent A Car, your discount car rental company, has been providing excellent customer service along with low rates for rental cars since its founding in 1989. Today, our success in these areas has enabled us to develop into the largest independent car rentals company headquartered in California. You will find Fox Car Rental offices conveniently located at major airports throughout the world.

Even during winter, there are plenty of kid-friendly activities in Denver besides skiing. From touching dinosaur bones, to making real candy from scratch, Denver has something for every family. While most of these sites are located within Denver, some are spread out, so we encourage you to use a Garmin GPS to punch in the listed addresses. Drive safely!

Dinosaur Ridge

16831 W. Alameda Pkwy
Morrison, CO 80465
303 697-3466
For a one of a kind experience, you can visit Morrison’s Dinosaur Ridge. Here you’ll find actual dinosaur bones from Allosaurus, Apatosaurus and Stegosaurus. You can also do a free self-guided tour and inspect all of the ancient fossils. They have bones over 150 million years old that you can touch, feel and experience!

Hammond’s Candy Factory

5735 N. Washington St.
Denver, CO 80216
303 339-5353
A Denver company since 1920, you can visit and tour Hammond’s Candy Factory to see how everyone’s favorite treat is made, shipped and sold. The “Behind the Scenes” tours even let you help make the candy in their kitchens. You must call and schedule these tours in advance. Regular factory tours are free, but Behind the Scenes tours are $25.00.

Children’s Museum of Denver

2121 Children’s Museum Dr.
Denver, CO 80211
303 433-7444
On the first Tuesday of every month, the Children’s Museum of Denver is free from pm to 8 pm. Meant for younger children (ages 3 – 8), this museum provides an abundance of interactive experiences to help children have fun experimenting and learning. Tickets are $8.00 for Ages 2 – 59, $1.00 for children ages 1, and Free for children under 1 year old.

Denver Museum of Nature & Science

2001 Colorado Blvd.
Denver, CO 80205
303 370-6400
Another Museum combining learning with excitement, the Denver Museum of Nature & Science lets you gain a first-hand experience of Space, Eqypt, dinosaurs, and more! Current exhibits include Egyptian Mummies, Gems and Minerals, Health, North American Indian Cultures, Prehistoric Journey, Space Odyssey, and Wildlife Exhibits. Tickets to the museum are $12.00 for adults and $6.00 for children visitors.

Butterfly Pavilion and Insect Center

6252 W. 104th Ave.
Westminster, CO 80020
720 974-1871
The Butterfly Pavilion and Insect Center is home to over 1200 butterflies, and an array of other creatures including insects and tarantulas. They have five exhibit areas, as well as outdoor gardens and hiking areas. Tickets are $8.50 for adults, $5.50 children (ages 2-12) and Free for children (1 and younger).

Downtown Aquarium

700 Water St.
Denver, CO 80211
303 561-4450
The Downtown Aquarium holds over 500 species, including an interactive Sting Ray touch tank. The exhibits are segregated based on geography and types of species: North America, the desert, Under the Sea, at the Wharf, the Rainforest, Coral Lagoon, Sunken Temple, Shipwreck, and at the Beach. Tickets are $15.50 for adults, $9.99 children (ages 3-11), and Free children (ages 2 – younger).

About Fox Rent A Car

Fox Rent A Car, your discount car rental company, has been providing excellent customer service along with low rates for rental cars since its founding in 1989. Today, our success in these areas has enabled us to develop into the largest independent car rentals company headquartered in California. You will find Fox Car Rental offices conveniently located at major airports throughout the world.

Traveling with families is great because you’re able to share amazing experiences with your closest loved ones. But let’s be honest, it’s not always easy. We here at Fox Rent A Car completely understand. That’s why we’re going to start focusing on trying to make your trips more exciting, and easier. Here are some highlights so far.

1. Keeping your Toddler Quiet on a Flight
2. Skiing Salt Lake City
3. 5 Fun Games for Kids in the Snow
4. How to Save on Your Next Disneyland Vacation
5. 10 Best Fall Activities for the Whole Family
6. Free Museums in San Diego
7. Great National Park Activities for the Whole Family
8. 5 Fun Places for Kids in San Jose
9. 5 Fun Places for Kids in Salt Lake City
10. How to Keep Teenagers Happy on Vacation
11. Free Family Fall Events in Napa Valley
12. September Kids and Family Events in Seattle
13. Animal Parks in San Diego
14. 5 Fun Places for Kids in Phoenix
15. Traveling with Children in Oakland
16. Visiting Salt Lake City with Kids

Do you have any family travel tips you’d like to share? Or do you have any specific articles you’d like to see? Let us know in the comments below!

About Fox Rent A Car

Fox Rent A Car, your discount car rental company, has been providing excellent customer service along with low rates for rental cars since its founding in 1989. Today, our success in these areas has enabled us to develop into the largest independent car rentals company headquartered in California. You will find Fox Car Rental offices conveniently located at major airports throughout the world.

As much as you love your children, there is nothing worse than being in a car with crying, screaming and yelling kids on a long trip. But there is a solution for all parents, grand parents, family members and friends: Car Travel Games! We have prepared a list of the Top 10 Best Car Travel Games for keeping kids entertained on a road trip.

Top 10 Best Car Travel Game #1: Songs

Singing songs on a road trip together is great. Children can learn easily and sing new lyrics, practice new melodies and share their learning adventure with the ones they love! Also sing songs that the kids already know and like to keep them entertained.

Top 10 Best Car Travel Game #2: Puzzles

Bring some puzzles with large pieces. This will keep the kids entertained for a while, if you get lucky they will play it over and over again! Avoid small puzzle pieces though, as you may have to crawl through the car looking for hidden pieces.

Top 10 Best Car Travel Game #3: Regular stops

Even if this is not considered a car game, regular stops will keep your children busy. Let them go to a playground to run around and use up their energy. In the end you will even keep them calm back in the car as they can talk about the adventures they just had, and are tired from running and playing.

Top 10 Best Car Travel Game #4: Books

Bring some nice and new books with pictures and large letters. Let your child read the story and repeat pages using own words. Talk to your kids about the story! This game will definitely take a while and your child can imagine the story. Make sure though that the kid does not suffer from motion sickness, as reading in the car will make it just worse.

Top 10 Best Car Travel Game #5: The License Plate Game

This game may be so old, but on every generation it keeps children happy and entertained. Let your kids find license plates that start with each letter of the alphabet, or that come from all states. You ca easily print out lists that you can complete with them while they are on the watch out for new plates!

Top 10 Best Car Travel Game #6: Travel Toys

Let your kid decide which toy to take on the trip. This way you can make sure that will not pack the wrong one! However, kids love to change their minds to it is better to have some nice and safe toy as a reserve – eventually even wrapped up that the kids can guess and unpack?

Top 10 Best Car Travel Game #7: An activity book

The activity book can combine various games, such as hidden items, words or pictures, drawings, dot-to-dot games, crosswords and so much more. There are actually backseat survivor kits on the market, you may want to take advantage of those!

Top 10 Best Car Travel Game #8: Attractions and sights along the road

Point out some spots that you want your kids to take a close look on while you pass along. Give them a task, such as “how many houses do you count on this road in this village?”, “How many dogs can you see”, “Count the traffic lights” etc. There are so many options for this game – be creative!

Top 10 Best Car Travel Game #9: Tell each other jokes and stories

Road trips can actually be very bonding, especially if it takes a few hours to get to your destination. Tell each other jokes, let your children be creative and talk. Listen and respond to show them that you are interested, interact and be funny!

Top 10 Best Car Travel Game #10: Card games

Play cards with your kids! Being on a trip is the best moment to play cards since you have a lot of time to spend with each other. The kids will be busy and if they get bored, you can easily switch the card game to a different one! It’s also a good moment to teach (or even learn or develop) new card games.

We have left out DVD players and small entertainment equipment on purpose to show the options you have while spending your valuable time with the kids. This trip will be a great adventure for you and the children and definitely an encouragement to go onto another long trip, such as the way back home.

Do you know any other games that you have found to be successful in keeping the kids entertained and calm? Tell us! We want to hear as much as possible from you to grow our list.

About Fox Rent A Car:

Fox Rent A Car, your discount car rental company, has been providing excellent customer service along with low rates for rental cars since its founding in 1989. Today, our success in these areas has enabled us to develop into the largest independent car rentals company headquartered in California. You will find Fox Car Rental offices conveniently located at major airports throughout the world.

No matter where you go, whether you are on vacation or on a business trip, nothing is worse than getting sick in at an unknown place with doctors you don’t know. There are however some good tricks to stay healthy on trips and Fox Rent A Car collected those ones for you. Today, we will give you the 10 best tricks to stay healthy and to avoid a doctor’s visit during your vacation. You see, half of the trick is to be well-prepared!

Healthy Travel Tip 1: Get enough sleep

Sounds obvious, but often travelers don’t get sufficient sleep to keep their body and minds strong and active. Even when you travel over a few time zones, your body will be very confused.

Healthy Travel Tip 2: Prepare your trip

Make sure with your doctor that you are healthy and fit to travel. Get vaccines when needed, prepare for local diseases and pack accordingly.

Healthy Travel Tip 3: Get your medication

Even if you just leave for a few days, pack your medication! You may not get your prescription drugs as quickly as you need them in case of an emergency.

Healthy Travel Tip 4: Pack according to passenger rules

If you travel by plane, make sure you have the most important medication in your hand luggage. Eventually take copies of your prescriptions and a doctor’s confirmation with you.

Healthy Travel Tip 5: Insure yourself properly

No matter whether you stay in the country or travel abroad, you need to get a valid insurance. In a few cases you even must proof your insurance before you can travel abroad. Make sure your insurance covers your plans, especially if you go out adventures and risky sports. Always have the insurance documents with you! Here are some insurance tips, issued by the US Department of State.

Healthy Travel Tip 6: Pack your basic travel pharmacy

Anti-diarrhea, sunscreen (and sunburn lotion), moisturizer, motion sickness, first aid, pain and fever mediation, insect spray, antacid tablets are those things that you must have with you! Tip: take an anti-diarrhea tablet with you onto the airplane, just to be prepared.

Healthy Travel Tip 7: Watch your food and drinks

Drink clean water, eventually avoid tab water and ice (even if it is hot!), and wash fruits and vegetables before eating. Mostly upset stomachs and bad (and even dangerous) diarrhea gets caused by dirty water!

Healthy Travel Tip 8: Wash your hands regularly

It is even more important than at home that you keep your hands clean. Especially when you have touched animals, which you should avoid anyways, make sure your hands are clean!

Healthy Travel Tip 9: Dress accordingly

Dress according to the weather and location. When you ar eat a place with a lot of mosquitoes, wear long sleeves and also regularly cover your body with anti-insect lotion! Wear a hat.

Healthy Travel Tip 10: Don’t get too crazy

Avacation is something special, but you always need to keep on thinking logically and to be aware what your body can do and what not. Thousands of people get hospitalized each day because they injure themselves doing sports their bodies are not prepared to do.

Even if you get sick during or after your trip, make sure you go and see a doctor. If you fall sick at home make sure you inform your doctor about your recent trip that local diseases can get discovered and treated quickly! No matter where you go and what your travel plans are – we wish you a safe trip and want you to get home safely and healthy. You have other tips to stay healthy on vacation? You have fallen sick during a vacation and did not know what to do? Share your stories and advice with us and our readers!

About Fox Rent A Car:

Fox Rent A Car, your discount car rental company, has been providing excellent customer service along with low rates for rental cars since its founding in 1989. Today, our success in these areas has enabled us to develop into the largest independent car rentals company headquartered in California. You will find Fox Car Rental offices conveniently located at major airports throughout the world.