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3 Winter Getaway Ideas

November 15, 2022 by dadofdivas Leave a Comment

Are you planning to get away this winter, but are not sure yet what to do? Whether you’re undecided on what to do this winter or just haven’t found the time to decide yet, here are a few ideas to get you started.

A Warm Destination

Looking to escape the cold season? Many people prefer to leave snow and slush behind and head somewhere warm to escape from the winter weather. Some just prefer the beach over a winter wonderland. If you’re looking to go somewhere sunny and warm this winter, there are some great options.

There are many warm destinations that you can visit during the winter. Some of the most popular warm destinations include Florida, Hawaii, and the Caribbean. In Europe, people often visit Tenerife or Cyprus during the winter months. Since these locations are warm year-round, you can visit them any time of the year. Some other locations that are warm from December to February are Australia and South Africa.

A Winter Adventure

There are many ski resorts around the world where you can go skiing, snowboarding, or both. In Europe, the most popular countries to go skiing and snowboarding are France, Switzerland, Italy, and Austria. However, they are available worldwide, from Australia to the United Kingdom. You can find all about skiing destinations from Piste Pro.

If you’re not a fan of winter sports, you can also experience winter adventure in other ways such as ice climbing or snowshoeing. Even those who aren’t interested in these activities will appreciate the gorgeous scenery. There are places throughout the world that look like a true winter paradise. You can choose to stay in a cosy cabin in the wilderness or stay in a luxury resort in the mountains. There are resorts that offer various activities, accommodations, and guided tours.

No matter what you choose to do, it will be an adventure you won’t forget.

Staying in and Relaxing

You may also want to consider just staying in and relaxing or visiting a local resort. Many resorts offer accommodations and activities during the winter months that can be great for a family or a fun getaway. You can go ice skating, see a holiday show, visit the local winery, and much more.

If you would rather just relax for a few days, that is a good option as well. Relaxing at home and spending time with loved ones is often underrated! Although it is not technically a getaway, this tip certainly deserves consideration.

If You Want to Go on a Getaway

If you have decided not to stay in this year, there are a few things to do before you set off. Start by figuring out how much money you can spend on your winter vacation and then map out some ideas for places you’d like to visit. You might want to make a list of things you want to do while on vacation or research some of the top attractions in the area that you might want to visit while you’re there. If you do not like to find things to do when you arrive, you might also want to plan a few activities ahead of time so you have an idea about what you will be doing once you arrive.

Once you decide what type of getaway you want, the next step is to book your flight or train ticket if you haven’t already done so and book your hotel reservations. If you’ll be renting a car when you get to your destination, be sure to make those arrangements as well. Finally, you’ll need to make sure you have all of your travel documents in order (such as your passport) and any necessary immunizations before you go.

Why Scotland Is The Perfect Travel Destination

November 2, 2022 by dadofdivas Leave a Comment

Is there such a thing as the perfect travel destination? What does that include? Well, if there is, Scotland comes pretty close. No matter what it is you could want, Scotland has it on offer. There’s no end to the breathtaking views, interesting architecture, new foods to try, and activities to take part in – so it’s a good destination for people of all interests and backgrounds.

If you’re looking for a destination to visit with your family, there are plenty of ideas as far as family holidays in Scotland go. It’s not all sightseeing, there are many attractions you could visit to pack your vacation full of fun.

Miles and miles of beautiful scenery

If there’s one thing that Scotland has to offer you that no other country does, it’s the Highlands. Sure, there are almost similar views that can be seen elsewhere, but the Highlands has everything you could want to see. They stretch for miles upon miles across most of Scotland and can’t be missed while you’re there, but they open up your vacation for so many activities. Mainly, you won’t want to miss the chance to give photography a chance, because there are going to be a lot of picturesque locations for you to come across.

Exciting cities to explore

Edinburgh, Scotland’s capital has enough experience to fill out your whole vacation. You could start your journey by exploring Edinburgh Castle; a very popular tourist attraction. Not only is it a wonderful piece of history to check out, but it also overlooks the whole city, so it’s a great place to either start or end your journey. You can have a guide show you around, or take an audio tour – which is available to you in eight different languages, perfect for anyone who wants to visit Scotland.

Once-in-a-lifetime hiking experience

Hiking isn’t for everyone, but it’s something that you’ll want to try out if you ever pay Scotland a visit. The Highlands has everything you could want to see. Mountains, lochs, castles, ruins – a lot of country and hills, too. If you don’t spend at least a day getting out there and taking in your surroundings, you would be making a huge mistake. There’s so much nature to surround yourself with, and you’ll never forget the sights you see on the day of your hike. Scotland also has thousands of different hiking trails, so you’ve got a good chance to be the only person on your trail!

Plenty of new food and culture to try

The food and the culture should always be something you aim to experience while you’re visiting any destination. Even if you feel like you wouldn’t like it – you can’t know until you’ve tried it. It’s not going to be easy to get the chance to try it again, especially if you don’t plan on returning to Scotland in the future. There’s so much to do, and if there’s ever been a time to leave your comfort zone, it’s while you’re abroad.

The Top 7 Florida Resorts for Outdoor Lovers

September 30, 2022 by dadofdivas Leave a Comment

The great outdoors provides plenty of opportunities to get your body moving, your mind working, and your blood pumping. If you are planning an upcoming vacation to Florida, you might want to stay in accommodation that offers fun activities that will get your heart racing and adrenaline running.

There is no reason to accept a boring hotel with limited activities in the Sunshine State. Learn about the top seven Florida resorts for outdoor lovers.

Source: Instagram, posted on May 10th, 2022, Westgate Ranch’s official profile.

Westgate River Ranch Resort & Rodeo – River Ranch

You will feel more in love with rural America after a visit to Westgate River Ranch Resort & Rodeo. The luxe dude ranch is jammed with outdoor activities to suit every guest, from pony rides and mini golf to horseback riding and guided hunts.

Westgate River Ranch Resort & Rodeo is bursting with outdoor activities to beat boredom, challenge your skills, and help you maximize every second in a beautiful backdrop. An hour from South Orlando, you will go back in time to the rustic Old West during your stay while enjoying various luxurious modern amenities.

For example, the luxe Conestoga Wagon camping accommodation is inspired by the 18^th-century wagon design used to transfer cargo by oxen or horse. Yet, you can enjoy many comforts of home once you step inside, such as air conditioning and heating, a full bathroom with a walk-in shower, electrical outlets, premium linens, and countertop appliances.

Of course, as an outdoor lover, you will likely want to spend much of your stay outdoors, and you will not be disappointed at this stunning resort. Try the following activities for a fun-filled break:

Airboat rides
Horseback riding
Fishing
Archery
Tennis
Rock climbing
Swamp buggy rides
A trap and skeet range

Also, step out of your glamping tent or wagon to watch the Saturday Night Rodeo at the 1,200-seat Rodeo Arena. You might even want to tackle the skill for yourself on a mechanical bull at the resort.

Source: Instagram, posted on September 13th, 2022, Steinhatchee Landing’s official profile.

Steinhatchee Landing Resort – Steinhatchee

Steinhatchee Landing Resort has charming one- to three-bedroom cottages, providing a private base for fun outdoor pursuits, such as scuba diving, fly-fishing, and canoeing.

Get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life at Steinhatchee Landing Resort. This hidden gem provides one- to three-bedroom cottages and is a short distance from the Gulf of Mexico and Steinhatchee River converge.

Embrace many affordable recreational activities at the enchanting resort, such as scuba diving in Florida Springs, kayaking along the Steinhatchee River, or exploring Gulf Coast State Parks.

Anglers will never want to leave charming Steinhatchee, as it is home to shallow grass flats and an untouched shoreline, providing a safe habitat for many saltwater fish. Also, if you stay at Steinhatchee Landing Resort during summer, you can enjoy some of the best scalloping on the planet along the river.

Source: Instagram, posted on September 23rd, 2022, Margaritaville Hollywood Beach’s official profile.

Margaritaville Hollywood Beach Resort – Hollywood, Florida

Sunny days don’t get much better than riding waves on a surf simulator, paddleboarding outdoors, or cycling along Hollywood Beach Boardwalk. Create fond memories at Margaritaville Hollywood Beach Resort, which offers stylish suites, unique dining experiences, and endless water fun.

If your heart is set on a beachfront break with your loved ones, you will likely remember a vacation at the laidback Margaritaville Hollywood Beach Resort. The little slice of paradise in Hollywood, Florida, exudes family-friendly fun, offering sports activities, nature tours, and unmissable local festivals.

Water fun is a given at this visually stunning resort, as it features two pools, a surf simulator, and canals. Also, you can rent a paddleboard from its 5 O’clock Somewhere Bar & Grill to explore the calming waters of the Intracoastal Waterway, which is across the road.

Those looking for a fun experience on land can cycle, run, or rollerblade up and down the scenic Hollywood Beach Boardwalk, or spend a sunny weekend exploring the popular Yellow Green Farmers’ Market.

Also, Margaritaville Hollywood Beach Resort is a superb pick for those who want to explore many nearby parks between riding waves and lounging in the sunshine, as the resort is a short walk from Charnow Park, West Lake Park, and Hollywood North Beach Park.

Source: Instagram, posted on June 29th, 2022, Hawks Cay Resort’s official profile.

Hawks Cay Resort – Duck Key

You would struggle to find much better than Hawks Cay Resort for South Florida fun. It will be hard to forget swimming with dolphins in the sunshine, enjoying a scenic view while kiteboarding, or fishing on a paddleboard.

Hawks Cay Resort is a tropical paradise in South Florida, offering beautiful resort rooms and cottages to meet many guests’ needs and tastes. Located on Duck Key, a small, secluded island, you and your loved ones can enjoy many outdoor activities along the aquamarine waters, including kiteboarding, paddleboard fishing, kayaking, and swimming with dolphins. The fun isn’t over once you are back on dry land, as you can play tennis on one of many courts or cycle around the resort at your leisure.

Non-stop activities will cause you to build up quite an appetite throughout the day. Satisfy your cravings by visiting one of the six restaurants available at Hawks Cay Resort, such as Sixty-One Prime, Angler and Ale, and Coral Grill.

Source: Instagram, posted on September 22nd, 2022, Cheeca Lodge & Spa’s official profile.

Cheeca Lodge & Spa – Islamorada

Spend every day of your vacation having fun outdoors during a stay at the 214-room Cheeca Lodge & Spa. Pack many fun-filled activities into your itinerary, such as parasailing, fishing, Hobie cat sailing, or guided jet ski tours.

Cheeca Lodge & Spa is a serene oasis in relaxing Islamorada, offering a pretty backdrop of turquoise water and towering palm trees with a cooling breeze. The accommodations are just as magnificent, as it is home to 214 elegant rooms and suites for a luxurious getaway.

Despite its soothing environment, it is a must-pick for outdoor enthusiasts wanting to get their muscles pumping and body moving. When not dining at its first-class restaurants, you can play a round of golf on the 9-hole Jack Nicklaus-designed course, cycle around the resort, or go on a snorkeling tour.

Cheeca Lodge is also based in the sportfishing capital of the world, as you can charter a boat during your stay to catch 500 fish species or cast a line from the resort’s 525-foot pier.

Source: Instagram, posted on July 12th, 2022, South Seas Island Resort’s official profile.

South Seas Island Resort – Captiva Island

Fun and excitement are included in your stay at South Seas Island Resort. You can select from countless outdoor activities at the 330-acre retreat on Captiva Island, such as boating, parasailing, kayaking, and more.

Families, friends, or couples who adore the outdoors will want to return to South Seas Island Resort time and again. The secluded retreat and wildlife nature preserve is home to two-and-a-half miles of white sand beaches on the Florida Gulf Coast.

The elevated rooms, suites, and villas provide a luxury, comfortable environment to help you and your loved ones recover from a busy day of activities at the resort. You will not know where to start when it comes to outdoor pursuits, as you can go:

Banana boating
Wave running
Parasailing
Swimming with turtles or dolphins
Kayaking
Fishing

After you have dried off from the water fun, you can play tennis or pickleball on one of seven courts, go shelling along the beach or enjoy a sunset serenade cruise to watch a Gulf of Mexico sunset.

Source: Instagram, posted on April 10th, 2022, Tarpon Lodge & Restaurant’s official profile.

Tarpon Lodge & Restaurant – Pineland

Passionate paddleboarders, kayakers, and anglers will want to move to Tarpon Lodge & Restaurant in Pineland. Providing a mix of old and new Florida, you will remember every second of your stay at this gorgeous retreat.

Tarpon Lodge & Restaurant in Pineland, South Florida, has it all: history, luxury, and recreation. You will spend every night of your stay in the 1926 lodge, which blends old Florida charm with modern comfort and fun.

Wake up every morning of your vacation in a boathouse or cottage filled with character, providing more privacy and comfort than nearby hotel rooms. After making breakfast and enjoying a hot shower, you can enjoy select from many exciting activities throughout your stay. For example, you will never regret fishing or boating along the backwaters of Pine Island Sound, which is known for spotted sea trout, snook, and redfish. It is an angler’s dream vacation.

Passionate kayakers and paddleboards will be glad they made the journey to the resort, too. You could happily spend every waking moment of your vacation on The Great Calusa Blueway, as it connects 200 miles of inland tributaries with inlets and wetlands. It is an experience you will never forget.

4 Tips When Choosing Travel Accommodation As A Family

January 6, 2021 by dadofdivas 1 Comment

Everyone knows that family travel is the gift that keeps on giving. There’s no limit on the memories you create when traveling as a family, and it gets better every year. In truth, it’s one of the few things you can do with your kids when they’re well into their teens and adult years! Of course, for many of you, that’s a long way away. Instead, we’ll focus on family travel with younger children.

Thus, we arrive at a key topic when planning your trip: where will you stay? Traveling as a family throws up more complications and concerns than traveling alone or as a couple. Therefore, the accommodation options aren’t as diverse as they once were. You have limited places that are suitable, so how do you choose where your family stays? Here are a few major things to consider.

Space

Obviously, you need to find somewhere with enough space for your whole family. Now, this can rule out a few options as they’re simply not convenient. For instance, some hotels in the area might have small rooms or cramped family rooms that just don’t work for you. What if you have a family of 5, 6, or 7?! You can’t possibly stay in the same room, meaning you’d need to pay for multiple rooms in the same hotel. This throws up other concerns, which you’ll see in the next point.

Instead, you have to turn your attention to accommodation options with enough space for your family to feel comfortable. You could consider looking at a house for rent – it will give you more than enough space to enjoy your trip over a few days. Or, you may think about staying at a campsite – again, you have lots of space here as you can rent a static caravan or bring your own tents. Look at your family, think about how much space you need, then seek out suitable options.

Money

Naturally, money is a big part of choosing where to stay. This is why hotels aren’t always the best option for large families. As mentioned above, you may need to book two rooms for your entire family. Instead of paying for one room for a few nights, you now have double the costs! It quickly makes your family holiday far more expensive than it needs to be – and it’s even worse when you consider that you won’t be in the hotel for that much of your trip!

So, work out your budget and find accommodation options that suit it better than others. This will also influence your decision if you want to rent a house or an Airbnb for your trip. Instead of renting a massive villa, you can save money by renting a small apartment.

Safety

Keeping your family safe is of the utmost importance for all parents. Once more, this is why some families don’t like staying in separate rooms in a hotel. For starters, you need to get two rooms as close to one another as you can. If this isn’t possible, your family is split up, so there’s more risk of bad things happening. It’s rare, but what if someone breaks into the room where your kids are sleeping? There are also safety concerns surrounding some Airbnb’s or campsites as there might not be any strict security measures.

Ultimately, it’s up to you to discover all the security measures before choosing your accommodation. A key safety aspect is where the place is situated – is it in a rough part of town or somewhere that’s generally deemed safe?

Trip duration

The final factor is your trip duration. Now, this is pretty critical as it influences the cost of your accommodation. If you’re going away for a weekend, you suddenly have more options than if you’re away for two weeks. Staying in a hotel for two nights is nowhere near as expensive as booking one for two weeks! As such, it could be a more suitable option if you’re on a short trip.

Likewise, some accommodation options have minimum stay times. For example, a lot of campsites or short-term rentals have a 3-night minimum. If you’re not staying for that long, these options are crossed out for you.

All in all, you need to consider all four of these points before choosing where to stay during your trip. Think about how much space your family has, consider how long you’ll be staying, then work on finding the safest options within your budget. It sounds complicated, but you soon narrow down the possibilities and find the best places to stay.

4 Tips for Stress-Free Travel With Kids

June 24, 2020 by dadofdivas Leave a Comment

Every parent knows that traveling as a family can be difficult, particularly when you have young children. However, you shouldn’t let potential challenges discourage you from going on a family vacation and enjoying trips abroad. Fortunately, there are dozens of ways to ensure that your family getaway is relaxing and enjoyable for everyone. With this in mind, here are four tips for stress-free travel with kids:

1. Get kids involved

Getting your kids involved in the planning process is a great way to get them excited about an upcoming vacation and give them a sense of ownership over the trip. It will also help to prepare your kids for what to expect when you go away, meaning they’ll be more likely to be on their best behavior. Sit down as a family and discuss travel plans, such as what destination to visit, where to stay, and what activities to do while you’re on vacation. Try to be flexible and take your kids’ thoughts and opinions into account when making your travel plans.

2. Organize your travel plans

Booking early and being organized with your travel plans is particularly important when you are traveling with kids. Making plans last minute and being spontaneous may work for solo travelers or couples, but this style of travel is not well-suited to families or those traveling with young children. Instead, make your travel arrangements in advance and book your accommodation and transport as a minimum. You should also consider booking things like tours, activities, and even restaurants before you arrive at your destination, as many of these get fully booked in popular tourist areas. If you are traveling by plane, then you can book parking and transfers online. For instance, LaGuardia airport parking offers a secure online booking form where you can reserve your parking spot of choice before traveling. Having travel plans confirmed in advance will avoid any unnecessary stress and hassle during your vacation.

3. Avoid planning too much

Vacations allow you to spend quality time with your family and plan lots of fun activities and experiences. However, you should avoid planning too much when you go away, or you risk your kids becoming tired and frustrated. For that reason, you should try to limit your itinerary to one or two activities a day. Make sure you factor in plenty of leisure time where your kids can relax and take naps. You should also remember to pack a good selection of kid-friendly activities to keep your kids entertained when you’re not doing activities. According to advice on pretravels.com, you can keep kids occupied on their own by packing electronic games, coloring books, and healthy snacks.

4. Practice travel safety

Many parents worry about their kids wandering off or going missing on vacation. You can help to alleviate feelings of anxiety by practicing family travel safety. This should involve providing your kids with your contact information including details of the place where you are staying and choosing a family meeting point in case you get split up. You could also consider giving your kids a GPS tracking device to improve their safety and security while traveling.

Dad Tips: Take Some Me-Time and Study for a Master’s to Boost Your Career

November 11, 2019 by dadofdivas Leave a Comment

Photo by Christian Wiediger on Unsplash

When you’re feeling like burning the candle at both ends hasn’t been working and it’s time to take the foot off the gas, then deciding on some me-time is very healthy. Make sure that you’re doing it for the right reasons though.

During your sabbatical, your time is your own again. You can decide how you wish to invest it. Certainly, there are some interesting educational possibilities. Also, there are other things that you can do to rejuvenate your body or broaden your outlook to life. Taking time for yourself is meaningful because it affords you the opportunity to recharge before embarking on the next phase or stage of what life has to offer.

So, let’s look at a few ways that you can spend your me-time, productively or not.

Go on Vacation for a Month or Longer

Depending on how much time you expect to take off, the first thing on most people’s list is to go on vacation. With Americans, we’re usually restricted to just two weeks a year compared to four or more weeks of vacation in Europe or the UK. This restricts how far we can usually go and for how long too.

Instead, you’re now able to choose an inspiring destination based on desire and not a restrictive amount of time off. A country-hopping trip through Asia is now a distinct possibility. Also, a visit to South or Central America, rather than just down to Cancun for a rushed, expensive long weekend, would allow you to sample different cuisine along the way and soak up plenty of local culture.

If the kids don’t have to be in school, why not take them with you to make some cool memories?

Photo by Kelly Russo on Unsplash

Combine a Trip with New Experiences Too

Going away is your chance to unwind and then broaden your mind by trying new experiences you wouldn’t normally do in your everyday life.

Learning a few words and phrases of a new language to make your travel more enjoyable and easier is certainly a possibility. It doesn’t even need to be done in a constructive manner – picking it up intentionally from local people is effective too.

There’s the chance to volunteer in third-world countries if you feel up to it. However, don’t do it because you feel obligated; the point of the trip is to unwind in new surroundings, not to give yourself another job!

Make a List of Things to Do When Back Home

While away, when your mind returns to thoughts of home, use To-Do list app like Any.DO or another one to note ideas down before you forget them.

You might find yourself interested in local history and want to visit a museum. Alternatively, there are plenty of activities just a drive or train ride away that will make life interesting on the home front.

The list shouldn’t be just chores or the equivalent of tasks you never seem to get to that still must be done someday.

Photo by Muhammad Rizwan on Unsplash

Advancing Your Career

When you feel ready for it, studying for an online lean manufacturing degree can really boost your career potential in the manufacturing field.

Not only will you learn about just-in-time production and learn manufacturing to bring new efficiencies to a role but using Six Sigma in manufacturing with defined problem-solving methodologies will improve your ability to plan and troubleshoot too.

The course is also strong on using analytics and critical thinking to develop greater reliability and maintain quality standards within manufacturing. Having an analytical mind doesn’t hurt at all with this kind of study and subsequent work.

This type of degree course will be of particular interest to employers with differing manufacturing plants that keep having quality control issues that threaten long-term supplier contracts.

Addressing Major Projects at Home

Projects at home that will take longer than a weekend to pursue and complete typically get shoved to one-side or semi-permanently put on the back burner due to having a full-time job. When taking time away from work for an extended period and once reenergized, it’s the perfect time to reconsider some of these deferred home projects:

Kitchen Remodeling

A kitchen remodeling project usually puts most of the kitchen out of action for at least a week or more. Whether you choose to have the experts come in to strip out the old kitchen and install a completely new one or you prefer to do the work yourself, it’s certainly going to be highly disruptive.

Backyard Reimagining

The backyard area may be one that you’ve never liked since moving in. However, limited available time has stymied your ability to do anything about it (or even to consider what you wish to change).

A reimagining can include putting in a patio, a deck or landscaping the garden to break it into manageable spaces with some detailed work gone into the garden to bring it back to life. It’s really up to you to decide what you feel can be done with the space. If you’re unsure, see if you can get the interest of a landscape gardener to create some interesting plans. You can pay them for the planning even if you don’t end up going forward with their team.

Installing Hardwood Flooring Throughout the Home

Taking up the existing carpets and other floors to completely replace it is difficult to do when you’re holding down a full-time job. It’s much easier when you have time on your hands either to do the work yourself or let people in and out of the property who are completing the project on your behalf.

Not having to rush out to work means you can supervise from a distance to make sure everything is up to your expected standards too.

Other Projects

It’s important to not mix a complex or time-consuming project with a series of minor ones that can be completed on a weekend in between two workweeks. Focus your energies on what is really going to move the needle, so when you get back to work, they’re not still waiting to be completed.

By taking a balanced approach to time off work, it’s possible to pace yourself. Spreading out what you wish to change and making new advancements based on career goals is all possible when giving yourself time to recover from possible burnout first.

Enjoying a family vacation to the United Kingdom: top tips

August 30, 2019 by dadofdivas Leave a Comment

If you consider your family to be the adventurous-type or those who love soaking up the history of an old town, then the United Kingdom is the ideal vacation destination for you. With a temperate climate, countless historical sites and endless hiking and walking trails, you won’t be stuck for activities. So, if you’re not keen on spending your summer vacation lazing on the beach in Ibiza, but would prefer to spend some time in historical Europe, here are some top tips.

Find a balance between history and activities

Kids will love finding out about medieval villains and ancient kings and queens, but they only have a finite attention span. After all, kids need to be entertained as well as distracted. While adults could spend all day walking through the Natural History Museum, children might get a little bored after the dinosaurs. Be sure to find a theme park or adventure playground nearby to break up your educational endeavors.

In Sussex, for example, you will find a happy balance between both history and activity. You can visit Battle for walks around the sites of the Battle of Hastings, as well as views of the English countryside. Not too far from that, you will also find Blue Reef Aquarium Hastings – complete with lizard and underwater tunnel exhibits.

Bring the wetsuits

Just because the United Kingdom doesn’t enjoy a Mediterranean climate doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the outdoors. In fact, if you find yourself based along the coast, you should absolutely make the most of potential activities such as swimming, surfing, and paddle-boarding. Truth be told, however, the British sea isn’t exactly balmy in temperature. If you have little ones who are more acclimatized to warmer temperatures, then ensure you either bring or rent wetsuits.

Rent when possible

Family schedules never run according to the time they were originally destined. Children refusing to go to bed, too much time in the bathroom and hectic breakfast times mean that we often find ourselves rushing out of the door at the last minute. It’s for this reason that renting a cottage to stay in will make your trip to the UK much easier. After all, Britain is renowned for its quirky and quaint cottages, which are ideal for basing yourself when you have small children. If you were planning a trip to Sussex and the South Downs, for example, Amberley House Cottage Holidays would be able to find you a place to stay. You can hunt through tons of images and features until you find the place that is right for you and your family.

Don’t be afraid to be spontaneous

Thanks to its dramatic scenery, but mostly tame wildlife, the UK is a cozy country to go exploring in. For example, if you were driving through Scotland’s glens, you would find plenty of brown road markers detailing nearby hikes and monuments. While your children might not be down for climbing a cliff face, you will still find plenty of easy-to-moderate walks to explore – and you might find these by pure accident.

Family vacations are all about balance. It’s about getting up when you want to, exploring, discovering, but providing plenty of downtime to enjoy your well-earned time off. When visiting the United Kingdom, you will quickly learn that you can happily strike a balance between fun and education, as well as adventure and relaxation.

4 Smart Ways to Finance Your Travel Plans

August 25, 2019 by dadofdivas Leave a Comment

Is your wallet restricting your wanderlust? You certainly aren’t alone. Most of us end up setting travel plans aside because we haven’t saved enough. And while saving for travel should definitely be your priority, there are times when sudden or unexpected trips are simply unavoidable.

So what can you do when you have to travel, but don’t have the money for it? Should you take a travel loan or personal line of credit for travel? Are there any other options available, and which is the best one? We’ll answer all these questions for you!

Here are four instant funding options you should explore:

Personal Loan for Travel – Smart travelers often choose this option when they have to travel unexpectedly. Rather than taking money out of your emergency savings or high-yield investment portfolio, using a holiday loan, personal loan or personal line of credit to fund travel expenses helps you keep your finances on track. Of course, you need to make sure you can repay the loan on time, so make room for the EMIs in your monthly budget!
Travel Credit Cards – You could opt for a travel credit card, or use a credit card with an option for converting expenses into EMIs for travel funding. Credit cards allow you anywhere from 20 days to almost two months for repayments, interest-free. If you can convert spends to EMIs, you get even more time for repayment. Travel credit cards, on the other hand, are set up specifically for travel-related expenses, so they may be more competitive than regular credit cards.
Payday Loans – A payday loan is very similar to a personal loan, except that the interest rate is higher, with a shorter repayment period. Payday loans may be approved faster than travel loans and personal loans, so these can be a good option when you need funds urgently. However, you need to make sure you can repay the loan amount quickly, since the tenure for these short-term loans is generally between 3 months to a year.
Travel Operator Financing – Many travel operators partner with banks and NBFCs to offer financing schemes, where you can pay for tickets, stay, meals, sightseeing and other planned or unplanned travel expenses after your trip. Interest rates for these schemes are comparable to rates for personal loans, and repayment may be spread out over 1-5 years. There is typically an upper limit for how much these schemes will cover, though, so keep that in mind.

Remember, dipping into your savings or investments should be your last resort, unless you have set aside a separate fund just for travel. Even if you have saved enough, learn how to travel on a budget. And when you need to make last-minute plans, such as attending a wedding in the family or traveling for medical treatment, take some time to compare prices and select a loan option that really works for you!

Summer Getaways

June 20, 2019 by dadofdivas Leave a Comment

The summer getaway, the time of the year when you can pursue leisure without guilt. It’s your opportunity to go to new places, experience new things, and escape the stresses and strains of the everyday.

Have you booked your summer getaway yet? Or are you more organized and looking for next year’s summer vacation? Here is a selection of fabulous summer getaways that may not have caught your attention before.

San Diego – USA

San Diego is a city in California, south of Los Angeles and just north of the Mexican border. It manages to combine relaxed beach surfer vibes with its Mexican influences to create a welcoming and diverse city. With year-round sunshine and stunning mountain, beach, lake and desert landscapes, San Diego has it all.

San Diego takes its food and wine very seriously. There are over 80 breweries and several vineyards. It’s best to go on an organized San Diego winery tour to sample the local delights and get the most from the experience.

Porto – Portugal

Porto is often overlooked by holiday goers who head to the Algarve or Lisbon for their Portugal retreats; however, Porto is usually a more wallet-friendly option. The historic architecture of Porto is evident at every corner, and you will be blown away by post-card quality scenes that greet you.

Be warned though that Porto is hilly, and while you may enjoy a ramble down to the Cais da Ribeira to catch a view of the iconic Luís I Bridge, you will have to walk back up to your accommodation. Porto is the gateway to the Doura Valley, and it is well worth a boat trip to it – if you can drag yourself away from the beach.

Tallinn – Estonia

Be honest, do you even know where Estonia is? Estonia is a country that is on the coast of the Baltic Sea, nestled between Latvia and Russia – over the sea from Finland. It has more than 1,500 islands and is home to many beaches, forests, and lakes. Tallinn is the capital city of Estonia and has the most stunning preserved Old Town that showcases its rich history – think castles, churches and fortresses, and the remnants of its Soviet Union past.

Not only is Tallinn a stunning historic city to visit, but it also has several beaches that you can visit, although the best beaches will require a car for you to access them. There is currently a foodie revolution taking place in Estonia, with local chefs combining the Nordic influences with the traditional Estonian flavors. Estonia may not be your first idea for a holiday, but it is one place where your budget will not be tested.

Your summer getaway does not have to be with the bucket and spade brigade. It can be your time to explore new places and experiences beyond the average destinations. From the summer vibes of San Diego, the eclectic energy and architecture of Porto and the preserved Old Town of Tallinn, you have plenty to choose from.

Learn While Having Fun: How to Make Your Family Vacation Educational

April 26, 2019 by dadofdivas Leave a Comment

Family vacation time is sacred because it does not only help improve your family’s physical and mental health due to stress relief. It’s also a perfect opportunity for bonding as people connect better when they have to rely on each other in a foreign land. However, you can add more benefits to your family trip by including some educational elements into it. This will be very important for your kids because traveling provides them with experience that will help them succeed in studies and life (Journal of Travel Research). But you’ll need to plan how you can interest them in studying during the vacation.

Get children involved in the planning

The first learning opportunity comes at the planning stage. Get children involved in creating the itinerary as well as budget for your vacation. This will not only be a chance to learn how to do those things but also a help in motivating your children for the trip. They will need to research the country’s main attractions in order to work on an itinerary, so you can easily slip in some lessons on history and culture.

Working on the budget with you is even more important. According to Chris Ceballos from Bright Star Credit Union, learning money management from a young age can help prevent impulse spending in the future. It’s also an essential life skill that one should master as early as possible. Learning through creating vacation budgets will definitely be more fun than creating a grocery budget at home.

Take walking tours through the cities you visit

A walking tour is one of the best methods of learning about a new city and its history. They are even more useful for families with kids because walking through the streets will provide enough of visual input to keep them from getting bored. Anthony Jones from Strawberry Tours also points out that “The best way of learning a city is to walk its streets, breathe its air, and meet its people.” This allows you to immerse yourself into the foreign life around you and observe it from an outsider’s position.

For kids, such observations will be an important lesson. All of us are the same, yet all of our cultures and traditions are different. Therefore, one must always learn where the person comes from and what their culture and traditions are before passing judgment on their behavior. Observing details is another handy skill that can help one in life. You should turn this into a game. For example, observe your tour group and share details over ice cream afterward. Whoever noticed most details about the other tourists wins.

Read together about your destination

Reading to your child, or better yet with your child, is essential for their mental health and intelligence. According to data from the University of Melbourne, reading to children from age 4 provides significant benefits to their cognitive development and helps them develop necessary academic skills.

Reading interesting stories about your destination will do that as well as get the child more excited about the trip. But most importantly, visiting the places you’ve read about can help make children more interested in reading itself.

If your kid looks at a book as if it will bite them any moment, creating positive associations with the activity is a must. To achieve this goal, you should focus on fiction because it’s more exciting and easier to understand for kids. For example, read Harry Potter books before your vacation in London where you will take one of the Harry Potter tours.

The main goal of any vacation is to relax and enjoy yourself. However, traveling presents such a fantastic learning opportunity, you can’t afford to miss it if you want to help your children grow up the best and happiest they can be.