Business executives often travel frequently and are always prepared to leave for far-off destinations on a moment’s notice. They’ve got the program down. Bags are packed in a jiffy and the seasoned traveler leaves home confident that essentials and nice-to-haves are not left behind. Have you ever taken a trip under hasty circumstances, only to find you’ve forgotten half of what you really need? Experience is a great teacher, so check out these tips from the pros and smooth out the wrinkles of last minute travel.

If you’re traveling by car, transportation issues are simplified. Check your oil, water and tires, including your spare. Fill up on your way out of town. If possible, drive at night. There’s less traffic so you’ll encounter fewer traffic problems. If you’re traveling through or to a major metropolitan area, plan your arrival to miss the heavy commute hours. This can save you a few frustrating hours stuck in stalled traffic.

Traveling by air? Last minute travel by air can be costly if you book by conventional methods. If you have even a day or two prior to departure, the very first task on your agenda is a quick and diligent search of your local papers and online resources such as craigslist, auction sites and E-bay.  Google is also worth a shot. Just type, ‘air tickets for sale’ followed by your destination airport. You just may get lucky and find a great deal.

Now to packing: before you start tossing things willy-nilly into your bag, take a few minutes to jot down what you need to do and bring. This little trick may sound silly, but you’ll be surprised to find how helpful it is to organize on paper beforehand. Be sure to include a ‘before leaving’ category with tasks and errands such as stopping your mail and newspaper, returning library books or arranging for pet care. People who frequently make last minute travel trips keep such a list handy at all times. If you have medicines you need every day, get them on your list. Organize your clothing choices so you can mix and match most items. Plan to wear bulky items, such as an overcoat or boots.

Whenever possible, stick with a carryon. You’ll save time and hassles, both at check-in and your destination. Rolling your clothing saves space and reduces wrinkling. Upon arrival, hang dresses, pants and shirts in a steamy bathroom for 20 minutes. You won’t even need to iron.

Travel restrictions on baggage items change so frequently and are quite precise on items like shampoo and lotion. Just one additional ounce of shampoo or the wrong type of container results in confiscation.  Avoid this problem by buying these items when you arrive.

So don’t get in a tizzy over a last minute travel situation. Be thoughtful in your planning and stay organized. The worst case is then having to pay full price on your air ticket!

Have you ever met a person who passes judgment on something based on hearsay rather than their own experiences? I have to admit that I have experienced this many times during my career in social work. I am not trying to say that only people with mental health issues make these kinds of rash decisions or opinions; however it is quite common amongst this population. They convince themselves that something is bad so that they do not have to take the risk of trying something new. It is quite a challenge to get them to change their opinions.

I found myself doing a similar thing with my son. He is in his third year of college. He announced that he want to go on a Florida spring break. My initial response was absolutely not. I have heard stories and have seen pictures of the parties, drinking nudity and drug use that occurs during the spring breaks. I told him that this was only asking to get into trouble and that he did not want to get caught doing some illegal activity that would block him from going on to law school or from getting a good job. I heard Florida spring break and I reacted without letting him finish about what he wanted to do. He had brought this up on the telephone. He said we could discuss this more when he came home for the weekend. I told my husband that our son wanted to go on a Florida spring break and that I was totally against it. I wanted to want him in advance so that we would both be giving our son the same message when he came home for the weekend. My husband asked me several questions regarding what part of Florida he wanted to go to and who he was going with and where they would be staying. As my husband asked these questions I realized that I had not given our son a chance to fill in any details. I heard the words spring break and automatically jumped to conclusions and through out an opinion based on media coverage alone. I in fact was doing the same thing that I work with clients on not doing. My husband suggested that we hear what our son had to say about the arrangements and then make a decision.

When our son arrived home I immediately apologized for cutting him off and jumping to conclusions. I know that he is a responsible kid and he does have firm goals for his future. He shared that he wanted to go to a friend’s family condominium for the week. The friend and his parents would be there. This sounded like a great opportunity for him to relax and to have some fun. I cannot believe how quick I was to react without having detailed information.

If there is ever a time for excess, it is college spring break. If I showed you my college spring break pictures, you would not believe your eyes. We spent so much time partying there that we all did things that we probably would rather not think about. Nonetheless, spring break college was a good time, and next year we will do it even better.

There are many different destinations for college spring break, and all of them have their advantages. Some people like to take college spring breaks in local hot-spots. They will go down to the nearest big city, rent a hotel room with a few friends, and live it up for the duration. In my opinion, although it is nice to be able to check out the local scene at your leisure, it is even better to go somewhere far away and get away from the stresses of studying. International college spring break trips are the real classic way of doing it. I think next year we are going to go to college spring break in Cancun. Cancun is one of the biggest spring break college destinations in the whole entire world. Men and women from all over the country, and even Canada, go down there to live it up.

Of course, there are many other college spring break locations. I have a friend who wanted to get away for spring break for college, but was not a party sort of guy. He had been involved in a steady relationship for about two years, and is already pretty settled. He likes to have a drink or two now and then and to go dancing, but he really didn’t feel the need to indulge in the college spring breaks scene.

That is why he took his college spring break in Europe. He actually was able to arrange to get a few extra weeks off so that he could travel for a solid month and a half! He finished all of his coursework early, packed up his bags, and with his girlfriend, went off to walk across Ireland. He said it was one of the best college spring breaks you had ever had – if not the best. A few years before, of course, he had partied with us and had a good time, but I think this was more his speed. Instead of letting himself fall into the college spring break trap of doing what everyone else was doing, he decided to do it his own way.

Doing special things for one’s children seems to be a common theme for most parents. We want to provide our children with the best education we can afford as well as activities to make them happy. To me a big part of a child’s education happens outside of the classroom. The life lessons that they learn through spending time with grandparents and other relatives as well as traveling create memories that make them more interesting people and also well-rounded adults. Participation in community-based organizations is also important to insure the child realizes the importance of being involved in the lives of others.

My husband and I would take many camping trips with our children during the summer months. We also saved money so we could do a large vacation trip every other year. When our children were ten and twelve we decided that we should make a trip to Disney World Orlando. My husband and I had been there together shortly after we were married. On that trip we noticed many people pushing strollers or having small children clinging to them or crying because they were too small to go on some of the attractions. We commented at that time on why parents would put themselves through this. The children were not at an age that they would remember that they had been at Disney World Orlando accept through photographs that they would see. Also having to put up with the unhappy children all day was not a good experience for the parents. On that trip we agreed that if we had children we would wait until they were old enough to remember the trip and to participate in the different rides and other attractions that had a height restriction.

When we told our sons that we were going to Disney World Orlando they were very excited. Several of their friends had gone so they had heard about the different things to see and do. We wanted to make sure that we were not rushing through each of the theme parks to see them so we saved enough money and vacation time to spend eight days. The theme parks are so wonderful that you could spend eight days in one park alone, but we did manage to go to each park and then on the last day we had a do over day, where each of the boys could pick one ride or adventure that they wanted to redo. We had a wonderful time. The boys were at the perfect age to enjoy the trip. They were young enough that they stayed with us and did not want to venture off by themselves; and they were old enough to have patience for waiting in line for the attractions. We had a great trip to Disney World Orlando.

Although my family has always loved to go to Florida in the summer, we never went on Florida package vacations while I was a kid. Our approach to family vacations in Florida was pretty simple and pretty old school. We would simply drive until we found a motel that looked good, check in, and take it from there. Sometimes, we would find a place with reasonable rent and location and have a good time there. But just as often, we would be stuck in some flea bag motel, miles and miles from the beach with nothing to do.

That is why, as an adult, I am so careful to travel smart and plan everything out. By finding the best Florida vacation packages, I can ensure that I get the most bang for my buck. Florida vacation villas and rental properties that I had thought would be beyond my means are actually quite reasonably priced for the flexible traveler. Of course, it can mean making some sacrifices, such as traveling on the off season or being willing to go without a lot of notice. Even so, it still makes more sense than staying in a motor inn.

There are a lot of different ways to go about finding a Florida vacation package. One of the most popular nowadays is to go on the Internet and see what comes up on Google. This is a good approach, and often you can find some excellent vacation deals. Just as often, however, it makes sense to go out and talk to a travel agent. Travel agencies are still alive and well, and a lot of them have the best connections. Sometimes, a new Florida resort hotel which does not have a lot of business yet will start to hand out special deals through an agency. Other times, an off-season place will have a lot of rooms to get rid of for cut rate prices. You never know what Florida vacation packages are going to come your way. You just have to look and see what is there.

One of the best Florida vacation packages I ever had was last year. I had never gone to Disneyworld, and had always sort of wanted to go. Now that I have a daughter of my own, I thought it was time to try it out as a destination. It was an absolute blast – for me as much as for her. When she gets a little bit older, we are definitely going to go back there again.

If you’ve never had the opportunity to take a California vacation, put it on your list of places that you must see in the near future. California is simply an entirely different world. There are parts of the state that will absolutely amaze you and you’ll find yourself wondering if you’re even on the same planet. And yet other parts of the state will make you want to head back to your hometown as quickly as possible. California vacations are quite popular for people of all ages. No matter what you’re hoping to do, you can find something in California.

If you have children, planning your California vacation could have some incredibly fun days for your family. Make a stop for a day or two at Disney and let the kids live a day in the life of their fairytales. They’ll be so happy that they won’t mind what the rest of your vacation will entail.

Stop in San Francisco to see the legendary island of Alcatraz. After you take the tour of the old jail, you’ll be thankful that you never had to spend time behind the bars. Look across the bay and see the Golden Gate Bridge. Walk around the docks and see the seals basking in the sun. Drive along the coastal lines of San Francisco and enjoy the breathtaking views.

No California vacation is complete without a visit to the famous city of Los Angeles. Walk down Rodeo Drive and peek in the windows of all of the glamorous stores that are practically unaffordable. Do some research ahead of time and see where the celebrities do their shopping and dine in the evenings. You might just get lucky and have some sightings of someone famous. Get your photo taken in front of your favorite celebrities star on the walk of fame. And of course, you need to buy some cheesy souvenirs in the dozens of little shops.

California vacations have tons of different sights to choose from. You can head in almost any direction of the state and find something to do. There are so many points of interest simply waiting to be explored. When you’re planning your California vacation, be sure to find some routes from one site to the next that will allow you to either view the coast or the beautiful mountainsides. Of course, finding hotels is always simple with all of the travel sites that are available online. There are some hotels that will have rates within your budget and others that will force you to pick your jaw up off of the floor. Of course, only you know what your budget is for your California vacation, so stay within your means. But, don’t compromise on what you want to see and do. A lot of the sites that you may want to visit are very affordable and will be something you’ll remember for a lifetime.

Spring Break Cabo San Lucas

Spring break comes but once a year, usually occurring the third or fourth week of March, or the first week of April. This is the time of year when all those living things (including us!), dormant through winter months, begin to rejuvenate from increased sunlight and warmer temperatures. This is a time for everyone, not just students, to take a break away from their normal responsibilities and have fun! Some even go so far as to lose all their inhibitions (we’ve all seen those “Girls Gone Wild” ads!)!! Spring break is really a time to get outside again, to let the wind blow in your face, to re-energize you body and spirit with life again! What better place is there than spring break Cabo San Lucas?

When it comes to spring break, there are many Mexican destinations to choose from, but Cabo San Lucas is one that’s at the top of the list. Visited by many tourists throughout the year, Cabo San Lucas is especially popular during the spring break season. This Mexican resort community is located at the very southern tip of the Baja California Sur peninsula, at the end of the eighteen mile stretch of coastline along the tourist corridor beginning at San Jose del Cabo. The peninsula is bordered by the Pacific Ocean on the west and the Sea of Cortez on the east. Spring break Cabo San Lucas is the destination for deep sea fishing, snorkeling, scuba diving, and whale watching. Experience fine dining and luxurious ambiance on ocean side patios, where gourmet chefs prepare seafood dishes with a Mexican flare. Good food and drink is in abundance at popular venues and resorts throughout the corridor.

Cabo San Lucas is a world-class resort destination, known for its fun atmosphere and unparalleled local beauty. Spring break Cabo San Lucas also has some of the hottest night life in the western hemisphere too. The online spring break resource, www.mexicospringbreak.com, features some of the more popular night spots including Squid Roe, the Giggling Marlin, Carlos and Charlie’s, and the world famous Cabo Wabo. The entire bar scene is packed into a four square block strip making it easy to hop from club to club. Also be sure to check out www.loscabosguide.com for spring break Cabo San Lucas general information, including beaches, luxury resorts, golf courses, and what to in Cabo San Lucas, San Jose del Cabo, and other surrounding areas in Baja California Sur, Mexico.

DISCOVER THE MAGICAL WORLD OF TRAVEL WEBSITES

You’ve heard of the armchair traveler? Rare is the person who loves travel and can make it a full time occupation. Although there are such lucky individuals, most of us must be satisfied with the yearly vacation. However, you can be a savvy armchair traveler who waits patiently, using the time between now and vacation time to learn all about your chosen destination. When you finally book your ticket, you’ve assembled an in-depth wealth of knowledge that makes your trip much more satisfying and memorable.

Travel websites are treasure chests of cultural insight and practical information - the starting point for your journey. There are millions of travel websites with various perspectives. Some are geared to an audience of travelers who prefer convenient all-inclusive packages, while others focus on particular regions of the world. Still others cater to history buffs or foodies. One thing that can be said of travel websites in general is that there is indeed something for every taste and style of traveler. Your job is to search out those which specialize in the aspects of travel that excite you.

Remember, the informed traveler garners fuller memories, that keep for a lifetime. Make a point of looking into what you can learn about the culture, cuisine, history and language of your destination. There are other practical issues, such as local customs, points of etiquette and transportation that are also worth your investigation. As for sightseeing, look beyond the famous sights - find out about those lesser known but truly fabulous sights the locals frequent. Travel forums and message boards are good resources.

Most travel websites offer free newsletters that show up in your email on a regular basis. Some travel websites are destination-specific, so look for these as well. A typical newsletter keeps you abreast of the latest ticket bargains, travel tips, must-see sights and links to travel resources and freebies you’d probably have trouble digging up on your own. You’ll find feature articles on a variety of topics, such as accounts of unusual adventures of fellow travelers, travel guide reviews and tips on packing to sail smoothly through customs. Travel newsletters provide loads of interesting material to enhance your trip experience.

So get comfy in your armchair, get online and begin your virtual trip. When the big day comes, you’ll be ready to fully enjoy each day, with a knockout itinerary. Armchair travel is a delightful hobby for the real traveler, just waiting for departure!

Have you ever noticed that when you are vacationing you have a much different experience based on how you are with? My girlfriend and I love to go to Las Vegas together. We have taking this trip many times together over the years. When we do we are never approached by vendors as we are walking on the strip. In fact I did not know that vendors approached people on the strip until I took a trip to Vegas with my husband. The very first evening we were walking from our hotel to go out for dinner we were approached by a man who asked up if we wanted free tickets to one of four shows. He said all we needed to do was sit through a ninety minute no obligation presentation about vacation properties. We decided we could use a break from gambling and the show tickets were worth quite a bit of money.

We went to the presentation which featured different vacation weeks and sights to purchase. The one that seemed the most interesting to us was the Orlando time shares. We liked going there and new that this would be an easy place to trade. We had looked at different Orlando time shares on the Internet when we were looking to book a vacation last year. They looked like they were nice accommodations and also were a great location to visit the theme parks from. Based on the presentation we went to we were willing to book a vacation at the Orlando time shares for a week in February. By booking the trip we received not only the show tickets for one of the best shows in Vegas but we were also given a complimentary week as a different time share of our choice for four people that needed to be used in an eighteen month period. This complimentary vacation could be booked in Vegas, Mexico or several other popular destinations. The trip would be staying at a time share so that you would know what the time share in this other location looked like. We did not have to make any decisions on when or where we would take this complementary trip. We thought it would be fun to talk to one couple that we enjoy traveling with to see if they would be interested in joining us and where they would like to go.

The Orlando time shares were absolutely beautiful. The room was more like a small apartment featuring a wonderful soak tub next to the bed and a spacious living room area as well as a bar and kitchenette. My husband and I laughed that this timeshare space was actually bigger than our first apartment had been. We are still deciding if we want to purchase the timeshare. The investment is not that much and there are many places that you can trade for.

I’ve always enjoyed renting cabins in the Smoky Mountains. You see, I used to spend a lot of time there as a kid. My mother and father were both from Tennessee and, although they had left years before, they still missed it from time to time. They actually owned a Smoky Mountain cabin together with my father’s brother. It was a rustic little place with only two bedrooms and a small kitchen, but it was home away from home for us. The view was out of this world, and the solitude and quiet was something that we did not get to experience during the rest of the year in the city where we lived.

Eventually, we had to part with that smoky mountain cabin.  It was just too difficult to accommodate two families in the same two room cabin, and besides the whole thing was kind of rustic and falling apart. I was a little worried when my parents finally sold off the smoky mountain cabin. I figured that would be the end of our vacations. In reality, it was more like the beginning.

Every year after that we would rent smoky mountain cabins. It was really nice, because they were in much better condition than the little rustic shed that we had stayed in formerly. We got to try out different areas of the Smoky Mountains, so every year was a new adventure. In some ways I missed having a place I could come back to year after year, but I have to admit it was nice to always have fresh terrain to explore!

Having kids of my own, I have not had the chance to take many vacations recently, but that has finally changed. My daughter is just getting to the age where she can take a Smoky Mountain cabin vacation. This year, we are pulling out all the stops. We are renting a pretty luxurious cabin for a whole week in the Smoky Mountains. I can’t wait. I’m thinking that if it is as much fun as I remember, we might actually buy cabin of our own now. My wife and I have been saving up for a vacation home for a while, and a Smoky Mountain log cabin seems like the perfect investment. After all, buying real estate is almost always a win-win situation. Whether you hang onto it and rent it, or sell it off for a profit, you will still do well.