I’ve located another site that compares all sorts of travel rates and deals. It’s called BookingBuddy. It allows visitors to put in information on the travel they want to do and then choose which sites they want searched for pricing (there’s more than 140 according to the website).There is an option to check recently made searches. A free weekly newsletter is available as well that offers the latest deals.

Here’s another website I found out about. It’s the 360 Travel Guide. The site describes itself as offering virtual tours and travel guides. I can’t say that I completely agree with their description. The site offers what I would call 360 degree photos. You can click on the picture and orient your view to any angle you like. While it’s neat, to consider it a tour I’d actually want to be shown more than the view from one spot. I was really disappointed that there weren’t actual little tour videos on there. You know, something a few minutes long walking through an area, building or attraction. There are also travel blogs available on the site, as well as some travel guides offering calendars of events in certain areas. I think this site has the potential to be really good, but that it isn’t quite there yet.

A website that I recently found out about is Road Trip America. Some of the features the site offers include destination suggestions, maps, motel guides, interesting sites, car games and a fuel cost calculator. They offer lots of tips and hints, as well as links to recommended books sorted by category that travelers might find helpful. My favorite part of the site is the the Funny Signs section, where you can look at lots of funny road signs and even submit ones that you’ve seen. You can have fun visiting this website even if you’re not planning a road trip.

Whether you’re driving across country, taking a train to the Midwest or going on a domestic flight, if you’ve got an illness you need to be prepared no matter where you are. Here’s a few tips for long domestic journeys if you take medications.
Before beginning a long journey check the label on how to store meds. Be aware if meds need to be kept cool, shaded or kept cold before storing them in a bag for a long flight, drive or rides.
Be prepared for delays, no matter how you’re traveling. People always think of flights getting delayed, but road trips can also get delayed for extreme weather. The best way to be prepared is to keep your medications in a carryon or purse.
Be familiar with your medical coverage, and what to do if an emergency arises while you’re traveling.
Store your medication in the original labeled containers. Bring a few more than you need in case of delay or a decision to extend the trip.
Check with your pharmacist about what foods, if any, may have an effect on your prescription. We all tend to indulge a little more when traveling when it comes to foods and beverages.
That’s the tips my family uses. If you have any to share I’d love to hear them.

The time has come for me to plan our annual summer vacation. Typically we go camping in upstate New York for one week, traveling at the same time as my parents. We pull a tiny travel trailer behind my truck up to the Finger Lakes region of upstate New York. While there we camp at the Watkins Glen KOA. This year I’m considering extending our vacation on one end, as well as not taking the travel trailer up. That’s because I want to buy a larger trailer. If I do this, I’ll need to get a hotel room near the racetrack and campground for part of the time. I took a look in the Finger Lakes Tourism site to see what other activities are going on in the area while we’re up there besides the Nascar race, in case there was something in a particular area we wanted to see. Ideally wherever we stay will be in the Watkins Glen - Corning - Elmira area.

There was one occasion that I had to find a hotel room in this area for a trip my husband and father took. Their needs were simple, all that was required was a clean, safe, affordable room for the night. I booked a room at the Knights Inn in Horseheads. That was three years ago and it didn’t end well. When they checked in the door on the room didn’t lock, the television couldn’t be turned on and the toilet was clogged. They had to go back out to the office and request another room, which in the end didn’t turn out to be much better. After they finally got the room problem solved they were hungry. Unfortunately there were no restaurants nearby so they had to have snacks from the vending machine for dinner.

This time around I’m being more careful with my search for a room. After all, the whole family will be in the room and I wouldn’t want anything less than clean and safe for my family. But the accommodations I make will need to fit some other needs we have. I’m bringing my laptop, so I want high speed internet. We like the ability to be able to watch tv in our room. We should be located near a restaurant, or the hotel we stay in should have one. We prefer to be able to have coffee in the morning before we hit the road. I’ve found two that look like they fit our needs and will be our best choices.

EconoLodge, Elmira

This hotel is in an area we’re familiar with and it’s about 20 minutes away from the racetrack and camping ground. My parents have actually stayed at this hotel and said it was very clean. It’s near the mall that my Mom goes to every year, a Walmart, a grocery store and a number of restaurants and attractions. It offers high speed internet, free breakfast and free coffee. I notice that the rooms have been remodeled and now include microwaves and refrigerators, which are terrific for a traveling family.

Super 8 Motel, Ithaca

This hotel is about 30 minutes away from the racetrack and campground. It has free high speed internet and free continental breakfast. It’s near a number of restaurants and attractions. I notice from the pictures displayed that their rooms look like they’re a decent size and they have a free fitness center for guests. It looks like these rooms were just renovated in 2005, so they’re probably in decent shape.

I think everyone will be happy with one of these selections, particularly my hubby and father after the last experience. In case you’re wondering how I found these hotels, I searched on a great site called Hotels Combined. This site can search many hotel reservation websites to find you the best price for rooms in cities all around the world. I looked on the page for cities in New York, and then checked the pages for the cities in the area that we stay in. You can see what I mean by visiting http://www.hotelscombined.com/State/New_York.htm.

Take a look on the Hotels Combined site and see what lodgings are available where you’re going. Their search engine is sure to find you lodging that fits all of your needs and your budget. Happy travels!

I always recommend people travel with disposable toilet seat covers and a small package of wipes. The seat covers are particularly for those who have bad legs or knees, or if they have children. There are some people that have a hard time hovering. The wipes are because sometimes there is just no toilet paper where you are. These items are inexpensive and you can keep them in your glove box, travel bag or purse. You can buy low count packages of them in department stores and drug stores, and they can be bought online. I always keep a package of each in the pocket in the side of my truck door.

Contest 4 Moms!

Contest 4 Moms has won the February contest on Home and Vacation.

Each contestant’s entries were placed into the list randomizer on random.org and Contests 4 Moms was drawn as the winner by random selection. I’m posting a picture of the screenshot that shows then entries, and of course the winner is on the top of the list.

The prize is credit to purchase one of ten downloadable games sold by Big Fish Games. The game titles are related to the theme of home or vacation. The game will be your choice of the following:
Big City Adventure Sydney Australia
Around the World in Eighty Days
Dream Day First Home
Mystery in London
Big City Adventure San Francisco
Dream Day Honeymoon
Hawaiian Explorer Pearl Harbor
Rome Curse of the Necklace
Build A Lot
Venice Mystery

Congratulations! You didn’t leave an email address so you could be contacted. Please email me your email address so I can send you your free game coupon code. If I don’t hear back with 72 hours I’ll need to award the prize to the #2 spot. Thanks to all who participated.

 

We had a big stateroom on board. Actually it was huge. We had a deluxe stateroom with verandah that quite comfortable slept four of us. Our stateroom was on the very back of the boat. We had a queen size bed, a single wall pull down bed and a single convertible sofabed. The closet was a really big walk in closet that my son ended up using as a sort of a playroom where he could drive his little cars all over the place. We had our own private verandah. There was a television with remote, a refrigerator, safe and hair dryer. The furniture was made of warm real wood. I found the linens on board to be of nice quality, not that thin, rough stuff you find at the $39.99 motel right off the highway. Housekeeping came twice a day. We had a lovely woman who would make up the room in the morning and turn down the beds at night. We often saw her in the corridor working in other rooms and she always greeted us cheerfully and spent a few minutes speaking with us. When she turned down the beds, she’d always leave something for us, like animals made of folded towels. No shortage of soaps, shampoos or lotions. It seemed like every time I turned around something we’d opened had been replaced with an unopened one. We were very pleased with our stateroom, and would book the same one again if possible.

This travel tip comes from a lawyer and was recently shared with me.

Place the contents of your wallet on a photocopy machine. Do both sides of your license, credit card, etc. You will know what you had in your wallet and all of the account numbers and phone numbers to call and
cancel. Keep the photocopy in a safe place. Also keep a photocopy of your passport when traveling here or abroad. The reason for this is that the key to cancelling lost or stolen credit cards immediately is having the necessary information to do so. If your credit cards are stolen, file a police report immediately where your cards were stolen. This will help you to prove to any credit providers that you were diligent. You may also consider calling the three national credit reporting organizations place a fraud alert on your name and social.
1.) Equifax: 1-800-525-6285
2.) Experian (formerly TRW): 1-888-397-3742
3.) Trans Union: 1-800-680-7289
4.) Social Security Administration (fraud line): 1-800-269-0271

Today I reviewed My Road, one of fellow postie Karen’s blogs.

In My Road, the main focus of Karen’s writing is travel, both near and far from home. She relates many of her posts to her own family and life experiences, which makes them more personal and nice to read.

The blog is currently on a two column white theme. The header reflects a road, making it a great combination with the title of her blog. I clicked eleven times to get from the top of the home page to the bottom. I’d really like to see the pages, archives and categories moved a little higher up in the sidebar, if possible, to make it easier for the viewers.

When I read Karen’s posts I feel like I know her. She writes as though she is writing to a friend. Her posts have original content and nice substance, and reflect that she’s put both time and thought into them. She does include some pictures but with the white background could even use a few more. She could consider using a picture every so many posts to give a nice balance.

I’ve added Karen to my reader because of the friendly feel. Go visit her blog and you’ll see what I mean. And when you’re there, please tell her that valmg sent you.