TopDawg Travel

Archive for the ‘Travel Advice’ Category

Vegetables for picking ©Carlanne McCrystal

So often we think we need to save up our vacation time and go “somewhere”.  So we either never go anywhere or we wait for that two or three weeks of vacation time to accumulate.  Then off we go to a foreign land, a remote island in the Pacific, the grand tour of Europe (i.e., 14 cities in 5 countries in 14 days), or languish in our own backyard, doing chores and wondering what happened to the “grand vacation”.

Since our family no longer accrues “vacation” days, or “sick” days or PTO (personal time off) days, we are learning to take the long weekend and turn it into mini-vacations.  One might wonder about a travel agent/travel advisor/travel consultant who does not take every opportunity to go on those so-called “free” trips that the industry is so noted for.

There are several reasons:

• Those trips are not “free”.  Usually air fares are not covered and if they are, there are still the fees the airlines insist upon charging (whether baggage fees, food and drinks on the plane, Wi-Fi, entertainment,etc.), the cost of meals not included, tips to housekeeping and busboys, and always something you do not expect.
• Those trips take time away from the family.
• These trips are not “vacations” – they are work and hard work at that.  On the “fams”, you are expected to see hotels, destinations, properties, events and restaurants.  You are up early in the morning, walking shoes on the feet and notepads and cameras in hand as you head out to view as many as 10 hotels and numerous restaurants and facilities.  It can be exhausting as you tumble into bed late in the evening, knowing you have to get up and do it again the next day. (My other half used to think I was going on a vacation till he went with me a couple of times and now says he would just as soon stay home with the dog as to go trek around at a hectic and exhausting pace with me.)

So as a family, we have become committed to finding the really interesting three- and four-day trips that we can do by car or train or even bus.  In order for the TopDawg to go along, it means a car trip.  If he stays home, public transportation is a viable alternative.  We just did a three day trip to Portland, OR by Amtrak Cascades.  A very relaxing way to get to Portland. Instead of the I-5 hassles, we sat back, drank our tea and coffee and surfed the Internet via the free Wi-Fi on the Cascades train.  Watching the cars streaming down I-5 towards Portland made me very happy to be on board a train.

Look around and see what is within a comfortable travel distance from your home and start thinking about those lovely two, three and four day weekends and what you can do to unwind and relax without waiting for the vacation/PTO/sick days to accumulate!

Here are some links to articles about Fall Activity related trips from around the country that might interest you…..

Autumn Apple Tours in Southernmost Illinois

Experiencing Santa Fe in the Fall

Two Chicago Area Farms Features Mazes and Pumpkins

Fall Fruit Picking at Battleview Orchards, Freehold NJ

Kalaloch Cabin

Last year, many Twilight fans made the pilgrimage to the Olympic National Park and Forest to view the sites that mark the milestones in Bella and Edward’s romance in the Twilight Saga. In conjunction with the release of Eclipse, which hits theaters June 30,  Kalaloch Lodge is expanding its popular lodging package through October 30, 2010….read more….

Glympse on Android phone

If you have a smart phone, whether an Android, an iPhone or a Windows Mobile cellphone, you can easily, quickly and safely let your loved ones know where you are and when you will get where you are going by downloading and using “Glympse”.  As more and more of the traveling public are exasperated with the hassles of flying, this Fourth of July is shaping up to be one of the busiest road traveling holidays of the year….read more…

Seattle’s 2010 Maritime Festival includes world’s biggest tugboat races, a workboat parade, chowder cook-off and a lot more free family fun. The Festival is sponsored by the Seattle Propeller Club, in cooperation with the Port of Seattle. Read More…….

Leave the guidebook behind and allow the experienced staff at Aston Waikiki Beach Hotel (formerly ResortQuest Waikiki Beach Hotel) to coordinate an itinerary that encompasses the best of Oahu’s accommodations, meals, transportation and attractions. The hotel’s new Discover Oahu Package is specifically designed to take the stress out of planning an adventure-filled vacation for two while offering great value and experiences for your Hawaii vacation.Leave the guidebook behind and allow the experienced staff at Aston Waikiki Beach Hotel (formerly ResortQuest Waikiki Beach Hotel) to coordinate an itinerary that encompasses the best of Oahu’s accommodations, meals, transportation and attractions. The hotel’s new Discover Oahu Package is specifically designed to take the stress out of planning an adventure-filled vacation for two while offering great value and experiences for your Hawaii vacation…..read more