Dubrovnik Map

Have you ever been in Croatia? If your answer is no, you should turn it into a yes as fast as you can: spend your vacation in Croatia.
Croatia owns Europe’s most beautiful coastline which has escaped as if by a miracle of the overdevelopment that happened to numerous other Mediterranean holiday destinations. Zagreb, Split, Hvar, Dubrovnik are only a few parts of Croatia where you can have an unforgettable good time. Croatia is located in Southern Central Europe with a coastline of 1,777 kilometres. It owns 1,185 islands and 66 of them are inhabited. Croatia is surrounded by Slovenia in the north, Italy in the west and the independent countries of the former Yugoslavia, Bosnia-Hercegovina and Montenegro in the east and south. Dubrovnik offers one-day trips to Montenegro and Bosnia-Hercegovina. Croatia’s coastline is on the Adriatic Sea, which is one of the cleanest seas in the Mediterranean and it is wonderfully warm. The mediterranean climate will put you into real holiday mood.
The sea and the great climate are not the only reasons why you should spend your vacation in Croatia. Other reasons might be numerous hidden treasures of untouched nature or three thousand years of history which is waiting to be discovered. Croatia is also the perfect place if you want to make your vacation being an adventure full of passion.
Discover the beauty of the authentic Mediterranean, the open-minded hospitality, high quality of service and great apartments and hotels like the hotels hotels of Dubrovnik will make your holiday unforgetable! It will be a great experience.

This is not only our oppinion, the well-known American magazine National Geographic Adventure proclaimed Croatia as one of the top destinations in the world for 2006. The journalists of the magazine voted Croatia and Kornati Archipelago in first place, in front of Patagonia in Argentina and the Gobi Desert in Mongolia on the list of destinations that “ must be visited in the next years”.
And at the end, here is the interesting category – Did you know…?-

So when you put your tie before a business meeting or a theatre performance, or when you write with your ball point pen, do you ever think of Croatia? Probably not. Why should you? I will tell you why.

- Did you know that your tie is a direct descendant of the very same cravat that Croatian soldiers used to tie around their necks in the 17th century. This is what not only the French encyclopedia tells us.

- And the ball-pen you write with, was invented by the Croatian engineer
Slavoljub Penkala. He developed the first ball point and the first fountain
pen in 1906.

- Did you know that the smallest town in the world is Hum in Istria?
Did you know that Agatha Christie spent her honeymoon in Dubrovnik hotels and that Marco Polo, the famous explorer was born in 1254 on the island of Korcula, where still people live who bear the same family name.
Visit Croatia and you will have memories for a liftime!

Wer gerne reist, weiss wie wichtig Reiseplanung ist. Natuerlich kann man auch spontan reisen, heute seine Reloz Koffer packen und morgen am Reisezielort sein (wir empfehlen waermstens Dubrovnik), aber meistens kommt es dann zu zahlreichen aergerlichen Problemen (nicht dass es mit phantastischer Reiseplanung Ihrerseits immer problemlos ablaeuft, wie man alle 2 Wochen in einer der zahlreichen Doku-Serien zu hoeren und sehen bekommt, wenn mal wieder jemand erzaehlt, wie er 10 Tage in einem 5* Sterne Hotel gebucht hat, und dann in einem Gebaeude landet, dessen Besitzer auf seiner Webseite vergessen hat zu erwaehnen, dass er die 5* Sterne vor dem ersten Weltkrieg bekommen hat. Oder man bucht 4 Wochen, fliegt, kommt gut gelaunt und voller Vorfreude am Ziel an und die guten Koffer sind verschwunden, mitsamt den gesamten Habseligkeiten).
Wollen Sie nicht Problemchen vermeiden wie: 1)man hat vergessen das Lieblingsshirt einzupacken, weil es in der Schmutzwaesche verstaut war – 2) die ganze Kleidung ist zerknittert, weil man seinen Hartschalenkoffer nicht finden konnte, obwohl man haette schwoeren koennen, dass er unterm Bett verstaut ist, man stattdessen eine Reisetasche genommen hat, in die man alles quaetschen musste – 3) weil so kurzfristig nichts mehr frei ist in den, dem Strand naheliegenden Apartments, muss man nun taeglich 20km Fussweg bestreiten – 4)… – 5)… und und und.
Also , im Vorraus planen, dann klappt’s auch mit dem Hartschalenkoffer:-)
Viel Spass im Urlaub!

The Old Town of Dubrovnik is the easiest place to find in this city, it represents Dubrovnik itself. It doesn`t matter where you are located, in whatever part of the town, any five star or one star hotel
you are in, any apartment or little room, everything is connected to the Old Town. Every road and every bus or your feet will lead you there. You’ll always end up in Pile, a place outside the City Walls that gives an introduction to the ancient open stage of the old city. Crossing the beautiful stone bridge above a hidden park full of trees and passing the great “Pile gate” will take you inside.

STRADUN :
Stradun is the core of the Old Town. The word comes from theVenetian word “stradone” which means “big street”. It is the center of the town and it is the meeting place of locals and visitors. When you walk down this big street, you will see a lot of people who work in restaurants and offer you the menu
every 20-30 meters, but don’t get discouraged, you will eventually find an adequate meal in one of numerous choices. The summer season is the hot spot for everyone, even the renaissance ladies and gentlemen who walk across Stradun are smiling to everyone. Their renaissance costumes are perfect for taking photos. Sitting in one of the numerous cafés just at Stradun gives a privileged view to the very center of happenings.

THE ONOFRIO FOUNTAIN :
Two Fountains of Onofrio are placed at the beginning and the end of Stradun.
The first one, at the beginning, is the big one with stone masks throwing water out of their mouth. Dubrovnik was one of few european cities that had spring water. This was a very rare diamond in those days. It is safe to drink the water from the fountain, it is not known that anybody ever got poisoned.
It is a real refreshment during hot summer days and after eventfully hours and it’s free, what more can someone want!

VIEW AT THE CITY WALLS :
The City Walls have protected Dubrovnik throughout its whole history and they never collapsed because of diplomatic appointment of Dubrovnik’s citizens, treating every country equally and finding solutions to avoid aggressive conflicts by turning them into reasonable outcomes. The variety of cultures in Dubrovnik is obvious in synagogue and orthodox church, along with Christian churches, monasteries, cloisters and an amazing cathedral.
To walk across the walls is an exceedingly great experience and an exercise as well because you have about 45 minutes of walking and sightseeing. The view from the walls is very beautiful and streches to horizon. You can see little islet of Lokrum, the entire scenery of the Old Town and the surrounding hill. A tour across the walls is a perfect opportunity to discover some secrets of this town, maybe those secrets nobody has discovered unti now… Every single rock is full of history.
Walls are open every day, from early morning till early evening in the summer and spring time. Of course, you can pay a visit during any season.

THE MARKET :
After 45 minutes of sightseeing you will be very thirsty and a perfect place to satisfy the thirst is to go to the famous market. At the end of Stradun, a small street at the right side leads to Gunduliæ Square where the market is.
When you reach it, you will notice the scene made of high statue of a famous croatian poet Ivan Gunduliæ, and under him the benches full of fruits, vegetables, special dry figs, aromatic oils, home made cheese and liquers and various products with old tradition. Behind the benches there are lovely
characters, very kind to everybody who visits their market. A homelike atmosphere indeed…

When you get to know the Old Town for the first time you will feel how vivid it still is, knowing that everything there is hundreds of years old but it still lives even today in its full glory.
When your tour through the Old Town comes to an end, we suggest the next step:visiting other places. What about island hopping and places out of Dubrovnik. Old Port is the starting point in visiting islands of Dubrovnik as well as places near Dubrovnik with numerous stories to be heard.

Choosing a honeymoon destination can often be cause for discomposure, but there are a lot of options for the honeymooning couple on a budget, especially if you start to plan early enough.
A beautiful country for your honeymoon in Europe can be Croatia. There are amazing places like Dubrovnik, Makarska Riviera, numerous islands.
Your honeymoon in Croatia will reveal to you a country full of historic cities, a lively cultural life, beautiful beaches and picturesque landscapes. There are fascinating Medieval and Roman remains to be explored, alongside modern cafés, restaurants, bars, museums and boutiques in the cities.

Croatia is one of the most magical and wonderful honeymoon destinations, where hundreds of recently married couples choose to spend their honeymoon, because of all the amazing things it offers and that often go unnoticed to the general eye.
The capital Zagreb has countless attractions, including the Museum Mimara, which is very famous and one of the best art galleries in Europe. The most impressive sight in Zagreb is definitely the neo-gothic St Stephen’s Cathedral, which incorporates some elements of the original Medieval structure.
If you would like to have a relaxed time in picturesque surroundings, choose

Dubrovnik or the town of Rovinj in the northwest of the country. Rovinj is surrounded by wooded hills and has an archipelago of 13 verdant islands and its excellent aquarium is over a century old. The town is dominated by its Baroque cathedral you should visit.
Also very nice: Split, on the Adriatic coast. It is an exuberant city with numerous attractions and a huge offer of activities. The massive Diocletian Palace is one of the finest Roman ruins in the world.

Founded over 13 centuries ago, Dubrovnik is enclosed by intact city walls which are probably the finest in the world. The highlight of the city is definitely a visit to the old town and a walk on the walls, which are completely walkable. The old town, called “Stari Grad” on Croatian, features cobbled streets, marble-paved squares, musems, churches, palaces and convents all built with light-coloured stone. And it is a short ferry trip from Dubrovnik to Lokrum Island, a beautiful national park. You can also make
wonderful Honeymoon Mediterranean Cruises, starting in Dubrovnik.

What Are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Honeymoon Cruises?
The advantages of honeymoon cruises are that every couple is there for the same thing: an incredible and unforgettable time with their new spouse. There are some wonderful trips starting on the beautiful Adriatic coast of Dubrovnik for example. Since you all aim for the same memorable time you will find that your privacy will be respected, the activities will be mainly focused on couples, and you will have personnel attending for every of your needs to ensure a perfect honeymoon. The downside of it is that you are unavoidably all still on the same ship together and will never completely gain private time except when you are inside your cabin – where most newlyweds spend a lot of their time anyway. You might also have to eat meals in groups, which will leave you little room to have an intimate dinner. Of course, you have the possibility to eat in a seperated restaurant, where you can have this intimate dinner, but you`ll have to pay for this, because it is not a part of the all-inclusive service. And you should keep in mind though, you might dock at a couple of different locales and this will give you some ample time to explore alone, maybe even finding a secluded spot on a sunny beach.

Conclusion
Croatia is facing the future confident that the many attractions of the country will seduce visitors far and wide. It is certainly an unforgettable place to spend your honeymoon.

This is not about a trip around the world, full of action and unbelievable stories. It is about wonderful experiences – collected in recent years – which are also worthy of mention.

I travel with my wife around Croatia since 1974. Our priorities are Istria and the coast between Dubrovnik and Porec.

We started with camping-trips and we had only a tent at the beginning.We had a lot of fun at this time. Later, we changed our tent to a caravan and had also a beautiful time.
So we spent a low-budget holiday with our children every year for 3-4 weeks.
Settled weather, clear water, good price-performance ratio, affordable camping grounds, offered by the former Yugoslavia during these years.
Especially the beautiful beaches were very clean and inviting.

From the early eighties, we started to travel by a sailing-ship along the Dalmatian coast and the unique world of islands. It was so amazing! We travelled with some friends and it was unforgettable. The nature, the ocean, the beaches, I have never seen such a beauty before.
Beautiful coves, picturesque old towns and villages – sometimes with colorful markets and always
friendly people. The sailing trips became slightly longer, our experiences greater and we`ve made new discoveries every year.

The unspeakable war forced us unfortunately to change the destination.
During those years of war the Lago Maggiore became our sail area.

But the love to Croatia remained, even during the years of wartime and so we started to travel through Croatia again. Dubrovnik became our main destination.
We still travel each year for two months until now and we enjoy our holidays every time like the first time.
We found a very nice place near Dubrovnik with a very nice pansion where we stay 2 weeks every year.
The owners were so friendly and open-minded, that they treated us like a part of their family after a few days.
They plant fruits, olives and wine, like the most people in Croatia do and because we`ve become a part of the family, we help them sometimes in the wine-cellars or on their field.
This was a great experience to help them and we loved the wine-tasting in the evening(smile).

We also became a part of all celebrations like anniversaries, birthdays … but sometimes we just relax, sitting in front of the house with some neighbors, enjoying a beautiful sunset.
Sometimes we charter a boat and travel with friends.

But many things have changed in Croatia until now. Some places are not that aboriginal anymore, but the country became more cultivated.
This is especially true for old coastal towns, which have become famous tourist centers.
This change has its price of course. Croatia has adjusted to the other Mediterranean prices.
And this especially bears on food and accommodation.

But it is still worthy to spend your vacation in Croatia
The accommodations there are clean and modern arranged and friendliness is usually guaranteed.

The highway A1 Zagreb-Split (expansions to Dubrovnik are in progress) makes traveling much easier- but we recommend to take the old Jadran Magistrale because the view is amazing. The curvaceous way requires a careful drive and needs little more time (Rjeka – Dubrovnik about 800 km), especially if you want to visit the many picturesque old villages and towns along the route, but view is worth the trouble.

Dubrovnik has also some small, hidden beaches – some of them have nice beach bars where fishermen offer their fresh fishing for delicous meals.

The tourist resorts don`t offer only beautiful beaches , where you can swim and relax, they offer
a lot of sports and other activities.
We tried tennis, mountain biking, horseback and donkey riding, canoeing and we made a
sightseeing flight.

Young people or people who are young-at-heart, like we are, can amuse themselves in a variety of dance clubs or nightclubs.

Conclusion: Croatia is a beautiful country with hospitable people. Whether on land or water, a travel to Croatia brings a lot of fun and unforgettable experiences. Oh, I forgot to mention that the food is fantastic.
We hope you will have a good time like we had and still have..

Whether you’re embarking on a water vacation or a family vacation, it’s going to be a special time we’ve taken, we tend to remember them best with photos. Here’s some ideas to enhance your vacation as well as your memories of them.

LOCATION PREPARATION

Since you know where you’re going (that’s a minimum requirement), doesn’t it make sense to check out the location before you get there? Create a list of attractions, accommodations, special points of interest, amusement areas, shopping, etc. A good source to help you do this is the “Places and Travel section” of msn.com.

Next, figure out the photo opps for each appropriate venue. Anyone can take a “so-so” photograph of the kids at an amusement park. But wouldn’t you rather capture a WOW masterpiece that could be hung over the mantle?

Whether you’re going on a family gathering or a skiing vacation, check out the books written about the destination and highlight the best photo opportunities BEFORE YOU GET THERE.

If you’re taking a hiking vacation to a more remote area, scout out the national parks in the area. The great thing about national parks is that the scenery is so breathtaking, that an average picture looks outstanding… just because of the location. Do an Internet search for possible photos at the National Park Service or simply do a Google search on the location. Phenomenal shots will present themselves all over the place!

PHOTOGRAPHY PREPARATION

Here’s a typical scenario… you’re up at the crack of dawn (OK, not realistic for many of us, including me, but go with me here) and you’re just pulling into the most scenic overlook for 400 miles as the sun is starting to break the horizon.

You instinctively stop the car, grab your camera and your tripod, and look for the optimum location to set up. There’s just one tiny little problem… You Didn’t Take Your Tripod on this family vacation. Rather than smack yourself on the forehead, why not plan for these things now, by constructing a list BEFORE you leave?

Your list should include AT LEAST the following:

Tripod
Do I need to repeat – BRING YOUR TRIPOD? It doesn’t take up much room, and it allows you to capture entirely new categories of pictures that wouldn’t be possible without one

Memory
Bring all the memory you have. But don’t stop there; also pack your portable storage devices if you have any.

Flash
If your camera has a hot shoe, bring your external flash, and any additional equipment that can be used to help with bounce flash. Also, don’t forget to use it during the daytime to make your pictures really come alive.

Shutter Release Cable
Remember your external shutter release cable for those long exposures. How else are you going to get that “angel-hair” look of the waterfalls without camera-shake ruining the photo?

Remember the Basics
Don’t forget the basics like: batteries, battery charger, camera bag, and additional lenses and filters (if applicable on your camera).

User Manual
And just in case you need it, bring the manuals for your equipment. It’s only when you start to use things that you realize you forgot how!

Finally, don’t get so wrapped up in taking the perfect picture that you don’t enjoy the trip. And, remember to use the tripod so that you’ll be in at least some of the shots.

When it comes to skiing and winter sports, Europe has more than its fair share of amazing resorts. From the greatly priced, to the more than reasonable, Europe has it all, and has so much to offer any skier. If youve never been to Europe on a skiing holiday, or if youre looking to expand your experience, youll find something that catches your eye without too much research, and you might just end up joining the legions of skiing fans that wouldnt go anywhere else in the world for their vacation.

Great European Skiing Destinations
On mainland Europe, you have such a varied selection. From the world famous French skiing resorts to Austria, Switzerland and the tiny principality of Andorra, youve got such a wide range of skiing to choose from. France is known the world over as the true home of skiing, and the French really know how to do a quality vacation. With naturally amazing resources, and scenery that can take your breath away, France is an ideal location for a skiing trip. Why not try the Courchevel resort, which has four different ski resorts within one, providing the perfect blend of quality and affordability in a skiing trip. From the grossly overpriced 1850 resort, the playground of Europes film stars and playboys, to the seemingly remote 1350 at the bottom of the hill, you have so much to choose from in Europes finest skiing country. With the kids or with your friends, France is truly a destination that will make for a memorable skiing vacation.

Skiing Destinations
Or how about some of the Italian resorts? Italy, famous for being the cheaper way to ski, also benefits from a diverse range of resorts, like the tiny Alba resort, as well as some larger, more sizeable areas to ski. Famous for passion and a depth of culture, Italy is the ideal place to take a skiing break in Europe, and the weathers good too! Or how about Italys neighbor, Croatia ? A rising European nation, youll find a Croatian holiday outrageously good value for money, not to mention top quality. From the international standard ski resorts to their world class restaurants, Croatia is certainly a country on the up, and its skiing facilities can only improve as more and more tourists flock to their slopes each year. Additionally, Bulgaria is an excellent skiing destination to take the kids. With open arms, you will be welcomed by the Bulgarian people, who are more than eager to tell you about their rich and deep past, and welcome you as part of their future. In these expanding and developing European nations, you will come to appreciate the value of tourism, and the quality of treatment and service they are prepared to offer for your investment.

Travel Resources
How about Austria for your skiing trip? When we think of skiing, we often imagine the Alpine ideal, with breathtaking scenery and fresh, clean air. Well, it simply doesnt come much better than Austria, and if youre looking for a skiing destination that has it all, why not try Austria for that touch of class with your skiing. Or why not pop over to Switzerland for their Alps experience? Skiing the alps in the home of chocolate and cuckoo clocks, you will be amazed at how picturesque this modern nation has managed to be, whilst still becoming a world leader in financial industry.

Most travelers know that some of the best bargains are in the off-season, when poorer weather or the start of school makes vacationers scarce.

So when do you travel to get the best deals? That depends. Peak season varies from region to region. Summer airfares to popular maintain areas, parts of Canada, and Europe can be high. But summertime travel to warm weather destinations…Florida, the Southwest, parts of Mexico, and the Caribbean…can be a bargain. If heat isn’t a big deal to you, why not take advantage of lower costs? Summer in the United States is winter in Australia and the Galapagos Islands (as well as a lot of other places), so travel deals are available. Yet you can see and do many of the same things as in the peak season.

Midweek stays at resorts are often less costly than weekends; but city hotels that cater to business travelers have high rates during the week and bargains on weekends. The best airfares often require a Saturday night stay unless it’s a local hop. You’ll sometimes find better domestic fares in the middle of the week or during off-hours on weekdays (late at night, early in the morning). Weekend flights almost always cost more. Here’s the catch: If you have to take off two days of work in order to get a midweek flight or book a midweek resort stay, and you lose either pay or vacation time, what have really saved? You’ll need to consider those factors as well.

SEASONAL SAVINGS
When it comes to lodging, consider the “shoulder” season..the time between peak and low travel periods. If you book a stay early in shoulder season, you can get a deal and probably still have the benefits of the same weather and opportunities available during peak season.

But sometimes programs are not available in shoulder season. At many guest ranches, for example, families can cut costs in June and September, but there may not be a supervised children’s program or as many children to make friends with. If you have older kids who would be out riding with you anyway, this is an excellent time to visit a guest ranch, as it’s often less children’s program so you could get in adults-only time, the money you save by traveling during the off-season may not make up for that loss.

YEAR-ROUND BARGAINS
Keep in mind that deals can be had at almost any time of year and that bargaining skills are not just for use in foreign marketplaces. At many hotels it’s standard practice to quote callers the highest rate first. Reservationists are often told not to volunteer deals unless specifically asked about them. To get a better deal after a rate is quoted, ask if there’s a better price available. There usually is. If you’ve seen a special deal in a newspaper or flyer, you should mention it. Ask about discounts for group members. You’re likely to have the best luck bargaining with reservationist at the hotel itself as opposed to those at a nationwide number, but try both. If no one will offer a deal, find a different hotel. You can almost guarantee that your costs will come down if you negotiate. After booking your stay, check periodically to see if new deals have come up in newspaper travel sections. Ask your travel agent to continue checking airfares in case of special promotions. But don’t obsess about it. Vacation is all about letting go and being laid-back. At this point in time you might also consider.

TRIP INSURANCE
Did you know in advance the last time your child got sick? Probably not. And it’s a sure bet you won’t know the next time either. In the everything-that-can-wrong-will-go-wrong scenario, picture your child breaking out with chicken pox the day before you’re scheduled to leave. And then there’s the possibility of lost or delayed luggage, theft of baggage or important documents, and medical mergencies en route. These delays it’s hard to tell which airlines have come out of bankruptcy and which are just filing. The same is true of tour operators. So what happens when the company you shcedule with goes belly up? You’re out of luck unless you purchased travel insurance (some credit cards include travel coverage, too, so check yours). Most curise lines, tour operators, and many outfitters will either offer a specific insurance pachage in their information kits or be able to suggest one. Travel agents can do the same thing for you. You will not get your best deal from those vending machines at the airport, so try to arrange for insurance when booking your trip.

Of course, some unforseen problems are not covered by travel insurance, such as your boss’s deciding at the last minute that this is a bad time for you to be away. Read the fine print so you know exactly what you’re buying and what it covers.

Check with your travel agent, cruise line, tour operator, or outfitter for refund policies. Some offer no refunds. Others give refunds on a timeline the closer to the trip date you cancel, the less money you’ll get back. Find out what the refund policy is before you decide to sign up. At this point in time you might also consider.

TIPPING
Paying gratuities is usually a voluntary gesture that’s based on performance and service. Many people who work in the travel industry depend on tips as a major part of their compensation. Tour guides, for example, make a decent living only if they make decent tips. If you travel with a guide in a city, on a river, on a walking or beking tour you should tip unless the service is not notably poor.

Some tips, however, are built into the pricing structure and are included on your bill. There are ranches with mandatory tips for wranglers and other staff, and there are retaurants that automatically add a gratuity to food bills. And with some types of travel–cruise ships, for example–tipping falls just short of mandatory. Exactly what’s expected will usually be spelled out in the brochures.

It’s a good idea to check guidebooks and consulates about attitudes towards tipping in foreign countries; what we mean as a than-you might be taken as an insult in some cultures. And it’s important to note that some resort have a policy of no tipping. When in doubt, always ak. Have you considered.

Are we there yet?” “Mom, he’s touching me!” “Well, she’s looking at me!” “Are we there YET?” “I’ve gotta go!” “Aren’t we THERE YET?”

It’s phrases like these that drive fear into a parent’s heart, and make you wonder why you ever thought taking a family vacation was going to be “fun!”

So what is a parent to do? Traveling with kids doesn’t have to be a bad experience. Instead of deciding to leave the kids home for the next “family” vacation, relax! You can make traveling with the kids an enjoyable and stress-free experience by following these simple tips:

1. When possible, travel at night and let the kids sleep. But be cautious, because it’s easy to get tired. If you find yourself getting sleepy, roll down the windows, play music, or better yet, find a safe place to pull over and take a 20 minute nap.

2. Plan your trip during the day with stops about every 90 minutes. By planning ahead, and using travel planning software, online trip planning sites or travel associations, you can find — and stop at — kid-friendly places such as parks with playgrounds, historic monuments or view areas where everyone can get out and walk around for a few minutes. Giving the kids even a 15 minute break will give them a chance to “get the wiggles out” and work off some energy.

3. Bring along some sing-along music. Although your kids may groan at first when you start singing, they’ll soon join in, especially if the songs are either well-known, absurd or “gross.” Think of your own childhood favorites, or camp songs. Singing can really help to pass the time, and creates happy memories later on. To help cut costs, you can even record your own CDs? If the kids don’t know the words, create sing-along books for everyone by typing them in your Word processing program and printing them out.

4. Create a goodie-bag. Good ideas are travel toys and games, bubbles, inexpensive art books and pencils, even the latest in collectible cards or action figures. (To save money, look for seasonal sales or buy something every payday.) To cut down on arguments about sharing, you can set a time limit for playing with each game, before everyone has to switch. Individual presents can be wrapped or not, and given out at whatever schedule fits your needs and your kids’ boredom levels. You can even choose particular games for particular stops, such as bubbles, Frisbees or small balls, which will encourage running off energy.

5. Bring along individual “quiet time” activities. These could include an art box (keep the supplies inside an inexpensive plastic shoe box), postcards or writing paper, or even a journal given to each child at the beginning of the trip. Encourage them to write letters, or record their thoughts and feelings. You can also bring along hand-held games, or inexpensive CD players and earphones, so that everyone can listen to the music or books of their choice. Depending on the space you’ve got and the length of time you’ll be gone, each child could have their own box or backpack, to keep their things organized and accessible.

6. If your trip is going to include a lot of sightseeing, pack a backpack with sweaters, hats, swimsuits (if in season), extra socks and even towels, in case anyone gets wet — accidentally or on purpose. Keep the backpack in your trunk, so you can just grab it and go. Most kids, if given the chance when near water, will really enjoy getting wet, and it saves on the wear and tear of your vehicle if you plan ahead. Also be sure to pack extra water and travel snacks such as energy bars, nuts or travel mix. You can add to your child’s enjoyment if you also include things such as a magnifying glass, binoculars, a disposable camera and their own travel map.

7. Include a “kid’s activity” at least once every day. This may be something as simple as going for ice cream after visiting a museum, or going to a water or amusement park. There are often lots of great free or inexpensive activities in most places in the States. To find them, you can check ahead of time with local Chambers of Commerce, on city Websites, or with your travel agent. To help keep the expenses down, don’t forget to check for “two for one” coupons, or discount tickets that are often available at local fast food restaurants or in local papers. Also, many family style restaurants offer a “kids eat free” night, which could be a special treat.

8. Don’t forget about the travel games you probably played as a child. There is “Letter Bingo” where you look at road signs and billboard ads to find the letters of the alphabet, or “License Plate Alphabet” where you go through the alphabet in order. You can also create easy bingo sheets that you print out with clip art of common sites you’ll see on your trip. Your kids will be more inclined to play along if they know that your parents used to play the exact games with you. (Grandparents are SO much cooler than parents are…)

9. Let your kids help to navigate, narrate and create information about your trip. There are so many great resources online these days that can help you make your trip even better. Letting your kids get involved helps to make it more enjoyable for them. For example, let one child be the “trip navigator” each day. They have the responsibility of looking at the map, and making sure that the right exits are taken, or how much farther to each destination point. (If you really want to get creative, the navigator could wear a special hat or badge; the narrator could have a “press badge” or carry a reporter’s notebook, etc.) Older children can create written entries into a journal or even in a Blog, talking about the daily activities and sights. Another option is to bring along an inexpensive tape recorder, and let each child record their impressions of the different places you see or things you do. Younger children can draw pictures, or use a disposable camera.

10. Start collecting postcards. Postcards are inexpensive, and your kids will enjoy getting to send them to their friends or other family members. Postcards are also a great addition to your family photo album after the trip. You can cut them up, or even write about specific experiences on the backs of them, to help everyone remember what you did and where you went.

11. Create a scrap book at the end of each trip, using the postcards and pictures the kids took. Letting them help to decorate and put the journal together is a fun after-the-trip activity.

12. Above all, give yourself a break. There is no such thing as a “perfect” family vacation. Inevitably there will be things forgotten, things broken or other “unexpected” problems.

By planning ahead, and making every effort to get your kids involved in the trip, and giving the things to do to keep them occupied and interested, there will be less stress and everyone will have a better time. Have a great trip!