California Whitewater Rafting with Kids

Most kids will be thrilled to go on a whitewater rafting trip or adventure, and it’s a terrific opportunity for a family vacation or get-together. You’ll need to pack a few extra items to make sure the trip is fun and safe for everyone involved, and kids will need to dress appropriately for both water and on-shore activities.

Rafting with kids also requires a few extra safety precautions and considerations, and you may need to contact the outfitter to find out about extra amenities, safety protocol, and rafting lessons for your kids’ first experience. Here are some other key things to keep in mind as you plan your adventure:

Activities for Kids
Many whitewater rafting trip packages offer a number of activities beyond the river. From camping on the riverfront to hiking across the wilderness, kids can take part in a variety of fun and exciting outdoor activities as part of their experience. If your kids have special needs, you’ll need to make sure they will be all right with any activities, games, or adventures scheduled along with the trip.

Types of Trips Available
Beginner’s whitewater rafting trips are usually perfect for kids, as these contain milder waterways and rapids. Review the different options available; there are many wonderful and exciting beginners’ trips in Northern California, and these offer unique views, attractive camping sites, and adventurous rivers to watch the area’s wildlife and scenic landscapes. You’ll need to find a whitewater rafting trip that is simple, fun, and not too challenging; the South Fork American is one of the most appropriate whitewater rafting adventures for beginners, and is a great choice for kids of all ages.

Length of the Trip
Not all kids will enjoy an entire day or overnight trip for their first whitewater rafting adventure, so you may want to consider just a half-day trip instead. Many outfitters offer a wide range of packages and trip options, and you can still enjoy some of the best trips with just a half-day course. Consider different options depending on your kids’ skill level, age, and general interest.

Rafting Company or Outfitter Protocol
Find out what the rafting company allows and doesn’t allow for your trip. Some outfitters will provide all rafting gear and food for your entire trip, and others will offer facilities and camping equipment for your trip. You’ll need to let them know how many kids will be joining you on the trip so that they can accommodate accordingly. If the outfitter is providing food and snacks, make sure they are aware of any dietary restrictions or allergies so that you have the right type of food on hand throughout the trip.

Packing Comfortable Clothing
Kids need to wear comfortable clothing that’s appropriate for their trip and rafting experience. They’ll need clothes that can be worn on the raft, and also the right clothing for any camping and nature trails that will be a part of the trip.

Sandals, light shoes, and swimsuits work well for kids as they go on the water; then they’ll need to layer for any hiking or camping activities on the shore. Pack these in a backpack or tote that’s waterproof, so your kids can travel with exactly what they need.

Sleeping Bags and Camping Gear
If your whitewater rafting trips will last longer than a day, make sure you’ve packed along the right sized sleeping bags and camping gear. These can be stored in waterproof bags, and need to be kept separate from all dry clothing in case they do get wet along the trip. Make sure the kids have plenty of snacks – granola bars, non-perishable foods, and a few pieces of candy – to keep up their energy level until meal time.

Appropriate Shelter
Whitewater rafting trips that extend overnight need to include appropriate shelter and facilities for a good night’s rest. This is not negotiable. This is especially important if you’re sending kids off on a rafting adventure on their own; still, you’ll need to plan for an appropriate camping spot that is safe and secure. Plan ahead by reviewing guides and maps from your outfitter, and get recommendations from experienced whitewater rafters in the area to find out where to set up camp.

5 Tips For a Complete Vacation With the Pet

On several occasions when I decided not to travel with my beloved Jack-the-Ripper, (ahem, that's my most loyal and beloved pet dog, who bears no involvement in the infamous London controversies), I missed him dearly. At other times, he'd gleefully give me company, wherever my toes took me to. Those were the best of my travel experiences. With kids, honey and the two juniors, it's a perfect getaway package for me.

But before taking the pet aboard on the flight, I consider 5 things to be of utmost importance:

1. Take him to a veterenarian and check if he's in a perfect condition to travel. I don't want to take the risks of flea, heartworm and other stuff.

2. Pack his favorite toys, food and the LEASH.

3. Get a special, I always go for the fancier ones, identification tag for him, and write my contact details so that, in case we're separated, I could be contacted.

4. Have him micro-chipped. It's totally harmless and cheap.

5. Make prior and proper arrangements with the airlines for transfer and subsequent pick-up.

5 Things We Carry While Traveling With Kids

Their questions never seem to end, but they are cute and lovable. Still, while on travel, sometimes kids get unmanageable, especially if they're hyperactive. But there are a few essential things that can help save a lot of mess while traveling with kids. Here goes my top 5 -

1. Just like me, they are nuts about music. Hence, their i-pods are a must. I make sure to load 'em with their favorite tracks, so they don't get bored.

2. Games, toys, joke books and stuff? That's a YES. We let them choose their own things and allow them to manage their tiny backpack. It's fun. On proper management of their stuff, I'd reward them with something special on return.

3. Book kid friendly hotels and resorts, where there are plenty of activities to keep them busy.

4. While eating out, we make sure that the restaurants have a kid friendly menu. Stomach problems can be a pill, and we always want to avoid it.

5. Pack healthy kid food such as fruits, fruit juice cans, pretzels, cheese and stuff...the usual home menu. That's the best!

Las Vegas for the Family

Who doesn't want to take a fall vacation. But with so many options open, it becomes a task to narrow down our choices and hit the nail on its head! If you're cooking up weird ideas, stop for a while and consider what I have to say. Please! Las Vegas might not be on your list, but I have a great Vegas idea.

True, Vegas is synymous with uninhibited hedonic indulgence, however, it could be a treat for the kids this December.

With the National Rodeo Finals getting underway from December 6-15, the whole family will have fun experiencing professional rodeo at its sublime heights! Vegas is never this much of a cowboy heaven as it is during this time. If you don't believe me, check it yourself- all the roping, riding, bucking, racing and wrestling at the Thomas and Mack Center will assault your senses.

South East Asia Travel Files: Thailand Spotlight

Imagine, the South East Asia bug finally sneaking into your living room. It has already done several rounds at my place. Consider visiting Thailand. Going on a vacation to Thailand is not a fancy anymore. With cheap web fares at travel sites like CheapOair, Kayak, Cheapflights and others, we can easily hook up a good deal.

But the question remains. When to visit? Is there a best time? There might be some difference of opinions, but the finally it's your call, meaning your interests decides the season. Usually, Thailand experiences three main seasons- the hot and humid, the wet and the cold.

If you're into trekking, you'll most definitely want to avoid the period from March to June, i.e the hot season. This is also the time when hotel rates soar sky high.

If you want to save money, travel during the wet season, i.e July to November. The heat and humidity is ruthless, which is enough reason why hotels are empty and price drop is the order of the day. You don't mind taking five showers a day to save extra bucks. do you?

The cold season? Like everywhere else, in Thailand too, winter sneaks in December and lasts until February. Hell freezes over around this time. This is only Thailand! There's plenty of snowfall and ice-skating is what you'll be doing all day. Be sure to pack your winter jackets, boots, gloves and scarves. I just bought a halloween scarve, which I'm planning to use in Thailand this winter!

One Stop Resource for Travel Tips Worldwide

Howdy (as wordpress says)! I just happened upon some cool budget travel tips for destinations worldwide. It's not only for Caribbean or Africa. Cheapoair's budget travel tips page has nuggets and suggestions for visitors to far away places like India and the whole of Asia. From the main page one can navigate to any destination for which you might need tips for. We can read 'em before heading out, which will go a long way in enhancing our experiences.

Travel Tips

Is it Safe out There? Security at the Hotel

I bet lugagge theft at hotel is a major pill for all of us. Sometimes, when we check-in at some obscure hotel devoid of in-room safes, electronic doorlocks and stuff, it keeps us worrried about our belongings all day long.

How to check whether a hotel is secure or not? Peer review is by far the best choice, but when you're the first among peers to visit, you might be at a loss. The first thing to do here is NOT to book a hotel where non-guests keep walking up and down the halls.

Next, always inspect the room carefully before agreeing to it. Check out if the locks so weak as to give way. Locks, they must be sturdy! Plus, the door must have a good latch from inside. You can't compromise here. Windows are barred or lockable? Is there multiple entrances to the room? If yes, just avoid.

Finally, the thing you might overlook are peep-holes. Yes! There might be peep-holes in the walls and in the windows. I've found many naughty hotels with special peep-hole rooms customized for female guests and couples! If you find a hole after you've boked, do one thing. Stuff that hole up with paper, or the chewing gum! Yes, I'm chewing, so, it came to my mind.