Today’s travel concern: “I have kids.”

Some people pack a bag and pick up for a weekend getaway. Others plan grandiose around-the-world travels that keep them on the road for weeks or months at a time. Still others take extended boating, biking, hiking or road trips that require dedication, skill, patience and flexibility.

This all sounds great for those who can pick up and go, devote hours on the road or are able to embark on a more adventurous trip. For some reason, though, people with children often find the idea of taking even a “normal” week-long summer vacation quite daunting.

Traveling with kids doesn’t have to be a major ordeal, and, in fact, those who travel frequently with children often say that it is among the most rewarding things they do as a family. The bottom line? Having children doesn’t have to stop you from traveling. In fact, I’ve encountered several families who do so and can’t imagine not traveling with their children.

This is not to say that traveling with children—as a single parent, with a spouse or in a larger group—is going to mirror that backpacking trip you took through Asia as a college student or will be as elegant and luxurious as the honeymoon you took in the Caribbean. Traveling with kids requires a different kind of mindset, one that encompasses flexibility, patience, a slower pace, adaptability, trust, creativity and an open mind, but parents who have taken their kids on the road will be quick to say that it’s completely worth it.

So … why travel with kids?

The easy answer is because YOU CAN. More specifically:

• Children adapt easily. They don’t see language differences or skin color as a barrier. Kids of all walks of life will inevitably find something in common, regardless of where in the world they are.
• They learn responsibility. By putting children in charge of tracking mileage on a road trip or their own small carry-on bag on an airplane ride, they feel important and learn to rely on their ability to make decisions.
• Learning languages at a young age is easier. Children are better able to pick up a foreign language without laboring over the subject agreement and verb conjugation. In our ever-growing global world, immersing kids in a foreign language at a young age is not only easier for them, it’s the smart thing to do.
• Travel builds self-confidence, open mindedness and understanding. It is easy for children to become isolated in a comfortable world that revolves around their friends and school. Introducing kids to different living conditions, lifestyles and traditions helps expand their worldview to include something beyond their backyard.
• It provides context and is educational. Perusing children’s versions of Homer or The Iliad while wondering among Greek ruins and checking out the English countryside while reading Harry Potter means a lot more than reading them in a closed-up bedroom. Learning about volcanoes or traditional Native American practices will leave a lasting impression if combined with a hike on a volcano or visit to a Native American village.
• Action is better than sedentary living. Too many children grow up with the television and their video games. When they travel, they live in a three-dimensional world and they stay active.

Here is the secret to traveling with kids: Traveling with kids requires a different travel style. Again, flexibility, patience and a go-with-the-flow attitude will greatly enhance any travel experiences you have with kids. To get you in that mindset, here are a handful of tips for traveling with children:

• Don’t jam your schedule with activities. Kids need down time, nap time and playtime, so make sure you carve out some schedule-free hours to accommodate those needs. Find a balance for both your travel desires and their desires by visiting a museum or a site in the morning, then spending the afternoon at a pool, playground or park.
• Pack new toys, books or movies. In addition to some classic favorites, it doesn’t hurt to buy a few new dollar store toys that can be pulled out at a moment’s notice for those last few hours of a long flight or as rewards to good behavior.
• Take breaks. On long road trips, take time to stop for lunch, bathroom breaks and to stretch and run around. A couple minutes of fresh air can go a long way for a couple hours of peaceful driving.
• Maintain a familiar routine. Even though you’re in an unfamiliar environment, maintain some routine practices such as reading a book before bed and turning off the lights at a normal time.
• Eat breakfast in. Kids are hungry in the morning, so even if you’d like to go out for breakfast, make sure you have some bagels or dry cereal and juice boxes on hand to tide over any morning whining.
• Maintain health. Germs are bound to be abundant wherever you travel, so make sure everyone in the family washes their hands frequently. Carry ample supplies of children’s Tylenol, a thermometer and any other medications your child may need, and address illnesses as they arise.
• Involve them in decision making. Your kids can take part in planning the trip, especially if they’re aware of what you’re doing and where you’re going. Read books and watch movies about your intended destination before you leave, and ask them what they’d like to see once you arrive. If you’re traveling as a large family, make sure everyone gets to do at least one thing they’d like to do on the trip.

If you’re beginning to think that traveling with your small ones may actually be an option then now is the time to start planning your next trip because it’s never too early to expose your children to the world beyond their front door. There are a lot of details to be considered when getting ready to hit the road with your kids, but the good news is that someone else has already done all the things you want to do.

Check out the extensive list of resources noted below, all of which are written and maintained by traveling parents. Among these sites you will find product and place reviews, how-to tips, best-of suggestions, packing lists, information on where to find family travel deals and much more.

Resources for traveling with kids:

• Have Baby Will Travel – Corinne McDermott provides an online guide for traveling with children, including tips and information, trip reviews, packing lists and family travel deals.
• Location Independent Parents – Managed and written by three enterprising mothers, this site provides information for parents who not only want to travel with their children but work from anywhere on the planet.
• Travel Mamas – A community of men and women who not only want to survive travel with their kids but also want to love exploring the world with their families.
• Delicious Baby – A frequent traveler with three young children, Debbie shares news and information that impacts traveling families.
• Ciao Bambino! – This site provides trusted and reliable accommodation recommendations written by and for parents.
• WhyGo Family – Comprehensive guide on where to stay, eat and play as well as recommendations on travel gear, guides and insurance.
• trekaroo – Reviews of kid-friendly hotels, activities, and travel tips for family fun.
• Kickass Adventuring with Kids – Part lifestyle blog, part travel blog, part inner dialogue, this site chronicles AJ and Mickie’s experience of raising three boys, sometimes doing things the hard way and most of the time loving the payoff.
• Traveling Mamas – Created by several mothers, this site provides tips on great and not-so-hot places to visit and information on how to plan the best family vacation.
• Wandermom – This site provides resources for independent family travel.
• SoulTravelers3 – Two parents and their child left for an epic odyssey in 2006, which they say is an open-ended, years-long slow trip around the world as a family adventure, unschool, spiritual journey and lifestyle. This is their story.

If you’ve traveled with children in the past, what suggestions do you have for other parents who would like to do so? What other resources do you use when planning family trips? Please share your thoughts in the comments below.

If you liked this post, you might also enjoy:

• 6 Questions with a Traveling Family
• Why People Don’t Travel, Part 1: Fear of Going Solo
• Why People Don’t Travel, Part 2: Lack of Money

Photos courtesy of woodleywonderworks, clappstar and paulhami.

Today’s travel concern: “I don’t have the money to travel.”

Perhaps you’d like to cuddle with your honey in a romantic destination such as Paris. Or maybe you’d finally like to take your family to the happiest place on Earth to spend a week with Mickey Mouse and the rest of the Disney gang. Or this could be the perfect year to cash in your banked weeks of vacation for a trip through Asia.

At some point in time, we all need a vacation or yearn for a few weeks of unrestrained travel. The problem, of course, is that—regardless of where you want to go or for how long—it’s going to cost money. But that doesn’t mean it’s impossible to get away for a weekend with your significant other or mix and mingle with the seven dwarfs.

In fact, travel can be affordable.

There are two ways to do this:

1. Make a conscious effort to save money so that you can travel.
2. Find discounts and more affordable travel options to make travel less expensive.

You might not be able to pack up and leave tomorrow, but if you make travel a priority today, then you’ll be ticking off some of those places on your bucket list before too long. Here are some things you can do to make more frequent travel more affordable in your life:

• Avoid air travel. Airline tickets can bump up the bill very quickly, especially if you have a large family. Meanwhile, the price of gas has stayed relatively steady and affordable. If you want to travel but don’t want to spend your hard-earned money paying for baggage fees and airline taxes, take a road trip. You might be surprised what you find between the large cities where flights land.
• Use coupons. Get in touch with the tourism bureau for your intended destination before you arrive or stop by the office once you arrive for a browse through the brochures and complimentary magazines, many of which have coupons and discounts for accommodations, dining and activities.
• Cook your own food. If you stay in a hostel, condo or long-term hotel, you will probably have access to a kitchen. Use it to your advantage by cooking several meals in your accommodations rather than eating out. Shopping at the local grocery store or market is also a fantastic way to experience the local culture. Bread, wine and cheese for a picnic lunch, anyone?
• Travel in the off season. Places are more crowded when they’re bathed in good weather. National Parks are packed in the summertime and the Caribbean is a mecca in winter. Many people have no choice but to travel when the kids have a break from school, but if you can finagle your travel schedule so you travel even one week into the fringe season, you can save a lot of money. Generally, travel in February, March, September and October are good bets for at least semi-decent weather and cheaper prices. London may be covered in snow in the winter and some of the museum hours may be shortened, but you won’t have to wait in line or fight for your spot in the crowd.
• Do the math. Don’t just jump at the opportunity to get the fourth night free on a four-night stay when it’s actually in your interest to go with a deal offering 30% off each night’s stay. Every company wants your business and they all have some way to lure you through the door. But you don’t have to passively accept discounts without doing your research to see if you could actually get a better deal somewhere else just by doing some simple computations.
• Fly on off days. Everyone wants to travel on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Save hundreds of dollars by booking your airline travel and accommodations for the middle of the week.
• Meet locals. Some of the most meaningful travel experiences can be the least expensive. Hang out in the local cafe. Start a conversation with someone waiting for the bus. Ask someone local what she recommends you see and do. Not only do the people who live somewhere know the secrets for the best and least expensive eateries and attractions, but they may also be willing to show you around town. If you’re really lucky, you may be invited over for dinner … cheap and a true cultural experience!
• Use public transportation or walk. Another great way to experience the place you are visiting cheaply is to ditch the rental car. Get to know a place by walking or hopping on a bus, subway, bike or rickshaw.
• Bundle up. Fees and costs, that is. In most cases—though not always—if you know you want to book multiple components of a trip, it may be cheaper to book everything (flight, rental car, hotel) together. If you know you’ll be taking the train to multiple countries in Europe, for example, get a Eurail pass. I would advise pricing out everything individually before buying in bulk to ensure you’re actually getting a good deal, but if you know you want everything that is being bundled, this has the potential to be a great money saver.
• Bring your own snacks. Avoid shoveling out the big bucks for a bag of peanuts on the plane. Pack your own snacks and save a few bucks.
• Use Skype. Avoid paying roaming charges. Instead, stay in touch with your loved ones using Skype, a free online video phone that can be accessed using an iPhone application or via any computer where this program is installed.
• Ask. Hotels want you to sleep. Restaurants want you to eat. Activities vendors want you to play. Ask for discounts wherever you go. Perhaps the hotel can throw in a complimentary breakfast or you can get free access for children if the adults in the party pay to do something. The worse that can happen is you’ll be told no.
• Pack light. Avoid paying extra baggage fees by packing light and carrying everything on your flight. Packing light when you take a road trip is also a good idea because excessive weight can put more pressure on your car’s tires, forcing you to use more gasoline.
• Find free WiFi. Many hotels charge an outrageous fee for using WiFi while many cafes and coffee shops offer it for free. Search around for the best deal before logging in online.
• Flash a student ID. Many places offer a discount for students, so don’t forget to pack your student ID if you’re still in school.
• Get free food. Look for restaurants that offer Kids Eat Free deals and take advantage of complimentary breakfasts offered by hotels. I’ve been known to make sandwiches for lunch and grab a few extra pieces of fruit at complimentary breakfast buffets, which has saved me a lot of money on food.
• Visit free or severely discounted attractions. Beaches and parks are often free to visit. So are many markets, street festivals and local museums. Look beyond the big tourist attractions for cheaper alternatives. Many museums and larger attractions also offer “off” days or times that have less expensive entry fees.
• Travel on the borders. Think about the popular destinations you’d like to visit. Now consider traveling to their next door neighbors. Just because there is a line drawn on a map doesn’t mean there is a drastic change in culture, climate or geography—though there might be a drastic change in price. Considering Costa Rica? Try Honduras. Interested in Fiji? Book a flight to Micronesia instead. Visit Cambodia instead of Thailand.
• Extend your stay. If you’ve been sent somewhere for a business trip or conference, tack on a few extra days of personal time to check out the sites and take advantage of the pre-paid plane tickets.
• Blend in. If you make an attempt to speak the language and dress like the locals, you are less likely to be called out as a tourist and thus less likely to be overcharged.
• Sign up for miles. Use a credit card that earns you miles every time you shop anywhere and always sign up for the free mileage programs offered by the airlines. There are so many conglomerations in the flight industry now that partnerships between the airlines can get you just about anywhere in the world, regardless of where you flew or what airline you flew on to earn your miles.
• Sleep cheap. Hostels aren’t just for 20-something party goers anymore. If you don’t mind sharing a room with strangers and walking down the hall to the bathroom, this is one of the least expensive lodging options you’ll find. Couchsurfing, another relatively new fad, allows you to crash in someone’s home for the night, often for the low price of doing the dishes or being conversational over a meal. And many bed and breakfasts, motels and hotels run specials as well. Actively seek out discounts and make contact before you go to ask about or negotiate discounted stays. You might also want to consider signing up for a home swap, especially if you live in a place that many consider desirable for vacation stays.
• Be flexible. If you don’t mind where or when you go, there are a number of vendors that offer last-minute flight and vacation package deals. I receive emails from Travelzoo, TripAdvisor and Kayak every week that show the best flight, accommodation and package specials for the week and though I disregard most of the deals, some have encouraged me to research further. On a similar note, if you’re willing to be bumped from your flights, you can earn cash and flight miles for the inconvenience, which you can use for future travel.

Are you ready to pack your bags?

If you’re committed to doing some work so that you can afford future travels, there are numerous sites around the web that can offer discounted hotel stays, flights, cruises and car rentals. Always read the fine print before handing over your credit card, and read reviews about discounted services from those who have used them. Below are links to a few websites that are lauded by the travel writing and blogging community. I’ve offered my opinion on the ones that I have personally used.

• HostelWorld and HostelBookers – Peruse ratings and book lodgings at either of these sites. Both sites also offer free travel guides and other information about your desired destination.
• Airfare Watchdog – This site allows you to receive alerts when there are discounted flights available to and from selected cities. You can also sign up to receive a list of airfare prices to all cities in the United States and Canada. The one big downfall of this site is that searching for and receiving updates on cheap international flights is difficult.
• FareCompare Flyer Talk – Just to give you an idea of how much you’re really paying for airfare, this site provides a breakdown of the price per mile ticket cost.
• HomeExchange – Though there is a membership fee associated with this site, if you take advantage of a home swap and split the cost of the membership fee with everyone staying in the house, this can turn out to be a very cost-efficient way to pay for lodging when you travel.
• Kayak Buzz – Search for the lowest fares around the world using this site. Minimal search criteria required. I love this site for its flexibility in simply looking for the cheapest tickets to just about anywhere. If you aren’t set on a specific place or time to travel, definitely check this site out.
• Destination Coupons – There are countless websites offering coupons, and this is just one example covering some of the most popular destinations around the world. To find discounts where you’re going, Google your destination name and “discounts” or “coupons.”
• Lonely Planet Thorn Tree Forum – I intentionally sent this link to the “Travel on a Shoestring” conversation on the Lonely Planet Thorn Tree but there are several conversations taking place on this forum about best travel practices, especially as they relate to budget travel.
• Hotwire – Compare prices on hotels, flights, cruise and car rentals, and bundle up different components to create a discounted vacation package. This site also offers last-minute getaway deals and allows you to compare its prices with others found across the web.

How do you make travel affordable? Please share your money-saving suggestions and any resources you recommend in the comments area below.

If you liked this post, you might also enjoy:

• Why People Don’t Travel: Fear of Going Solo
• 6 Questions with a Traveling Family
• 8 Tips for Shopping Success at REI Garage Sales
  

Today’s travel concern: “I don’t like to travel alone.”

Happy couples walk along the beach in the Caribbean. Families with young children line up for the rides at Disney World. Fathers hike the trails in the national parks with their sons. Mothers and daughters step away for spa retreats.

So what about everyone out there who doesn’t have a travel partner? Can you travel solo?

The short answer is absolutely.

I usually travel with another person, but the few times I have traveled on my own have been personally gratifying, fun and liberating. One of my first solo experiences was a summer on my own in Washington, D.C., where I discovered the only thing standing between me and what I wanted to do for the day was a single ride on the subway. This past summer I ventured to Burning Man alone. Upon arriving, I felt frustrated and irritated about being at one of the world’s biggest festivals by myself. At the sake of sounding a bit cheesy, I can safely say that by the end of the week, I had grown into an entirely different person.

Lots of people travel by themselves … and many people prefer it that way. There are pros and cons of traveling solo, but some of the most popular reasons why people choose to go it alone include:

• Having complete control over your travels. When you are on your own, you get to decide where you’re going to go, what you’re going to do and how long you want to stay someplace before moving on.
• Meeting other people. Solo travelers often report that it’s easier to meet other travelers than it is when traveling with a partner. If you’re backpacking, there are frequently others hanging out solo at the hostel who would be more than happy to hit the town with you.
• Trying things you wouldn’t have otherwise. Instead of feeling confined by what your travel partner wants to do, you make all the choices. Perhaps you have the urge to bungee jump in New Zealand when you’d normally keep your feet on the ground. No need to ask your travel buddy … the only person who has to approve is you.
• Traveling spontaneously. Tired of your present destination? Then pick up and go. There’s nothing stopping you.
• Personal growth. People said you couldn’t do it. Maybe you didn’t even know if you could do it. But one thing is for sure … when you return from your first venture on your own, you will be a changed person, and most likely for the better.

Still not convinced? If you want to travel and you have no choice but to do it alone, there are other options that ensure you don’t really have go solo. Here are a few suggestions:

• Join a tour group. There are travel groups designed with all kinds of interests in mind. There are tour groups designed for women, students and specifically for solo travelers. Toss a few words about what you’re looking for into Google, and you’re sure to find the ideal group for your travel needs. The start of any travel tour can be a bit awkward as people get to know each other, but you’ll warm up to each other fast enough, and chances are you’ll leave with some new life-long friends.
• Volunteer. Sign up for a volunteer vacation and you’ll not only experience a new place and culture but you’ll make a difference too. These types of vacations last anywhere from a week to a couple years and range from working with children to grooming hiking trails. On these trips, you’ll be working side by side with other passionate people—both fellow travelers and locals from the area.
• Couchsurf. Explore the world by staying in people’s homes along the way. Though I’ve never personally couchsurfed, I know plenty of people who have, very few have walked away with a negative experience and most will tell you that couchsurfing is not just about sleeping on someone’s couch. Many hosts are excited to show their travelers around the city, and some travelers even get to attend family gatherings and local festivities with their host—experiences they wouldn’t have had if they’d stayed elsewhere.

And if you’re ready to give solo travel a go, I recommend you check out the websites and blogs below. If there’s one thing for certain, you certainly aren’t alone in your desire to travel …

Resources for the Solo Traveler:

• Solo Traveler – This comprehensive site is rich in ideas and tips compiled by solo travelers of all ages across the world. It consists of tips on how to travel alone as well as inspiring stories of people who have traveled solo. Check out the post about 50 safety tips for solo travelers for some creative tips on staying on your toes. And for another great read, check out Janice’s eBook, “Glad You’re Not Here: A Solo Traveler’s Manifesto.”
• Solo Friendly – Gray is primarily a U.S. traveler, and she writes extensively about traveling solo at Walt Disney World and in Las Vegas. Her blog is a personal account of traveling on her own, and she frequently notes how solo patrons are treated by wait staff in restaurants and whether certain places are friendly and affordable for people traveling alone.
• BootsnAll Solo Travel Guide – A collection of solo travel tips and articles from one of the best resources online for independent travel.
• Journeywoman – Evelyn has created this website specifically for women travelers, but she has a whole section dedicated to women traveling on their own.
• TripAdvisor Solo Travel Forum – Find a travel companion. Ask questions about your intended destination. Get travel ideas from others like you who are out to see the world on their own. This forum space is visited and commented upon frequently and is a great place to find others who have traveled solo as well as those who would like to.
• Velvet Escape – Keith is a frequent solo traveler and contributor to the Solo Traveler blog noted above. On his personal travel blog, he occasionally provides tips and ideas for solo travelers in his Lone Traveller section.

If you liked this post, you might also enjoy:

• 6 Questions with an Around-the-World Traveler
• Road Trip Vibrations
• Burning Man: A Life-Changing, Magical Experience