Trips With Tots

One Golden Rule; Plan Ahead

If the thought of taking your toddler on holiday fills you with dread, think again. With careful preparation, it can be a rewarding experience..

1. Avoid environments that are too hot, too cold or too wet. The ideal temperature for a toddler is tepid. If you are not sure where to go, remember that playing on the beach is a favourite activity for most toddlers.
2. Young children invariably get bored during long journeys. Fill the day before with activity so they're more likely to sleep.
3. Consider travel by train-toddlers' favourite type of transport.
4. If flying, choose a departure time that fits in with normal sleeping patterns.
5. Don't count on an airline to feed toddlers to their tease. Pack food.
6. Toddlers can be fussy about the place they sleep-take their own bedding or a pillow. And bring a favourite cuddly toy.
7. Consider going with another family so you can share childcare.

http://www.amazon.com/Have-Toddler-Travel-Sarah-Tucker/dp/0340819960

Maps Off The Beaten Path

Tried of traipsing around the usual tourist attractions?
A Green Map of a distant city, or even a nearby neighbourhood, can show you the links between cultural sites and the natural environment.

Compiled by local residents using software provided by the Green Map System, the maps highlight everything from bicycle paths to bird watching platforms in cities from Jakarta to New York.

The slick Singapore map reveals just how many green, open spaces the city-state has. Even the less professionally produced maps are a great insight into what resident find important.

Most of the maps can be downloaded at http://greenmap.org
click on "store". Individual maps cost $5, including shipping. Some maps can also be found at tourist information kiosks.

How to pack a Suitcase

Many of us over pack for our holidays- 40 per cent of women admit taking too many shoes, for instance. Some ideas to let you squeeze more in and help them arrive in good shape:

Place Heaviest Items.
Such as shoes and denim, at the bottom.

Leave dresses
in dry cleaning bags and fold them at the waist. If packing more than one, pile them up and fold.

Turn suit jackets
inside out and fold in half along the body. Fold suit trousers along the crease.

Avoid coloured tissue paper.
If the luggage gets damp, colours could run.

Roll knits
rather than folding them. Takes up less room and avoids wrinkles. Ditto for cotton items and ties.

Zip-lock bags
work well for T-shirts and jumpers. Press out the air and seal.

Put beauty products
into small bottles. You can always leave them behind.

Fill handbags
with socks and underwear. It saves space and keeps their shape.

Vanessa Friedman - http://www.rd.com/

CAPTURING THE MAGIC

Professional Tips For Memorable Holiday Pics:


Plan Ahead

Imagine shots you might want to take. Will you need a wide-angle lens?
Should you set out with a change of clothes or rock-hopping footwear in a spare bag?
Knowledge inspires creativity, so do some research on your locale.

Time The Light

Early Morning gives a warm, golden light. For the bright, contrasting light in the middle of the day, use a wide-angle or telephoto lens. When the sun is vertical, create graphic images by using shadows. Try trees, lattice work on a wall or a human form.

Weather Equals light

Learn how to read a weather map. When travelling for pictures of the mountains, choose an overcast day. The light will then be distributed evenly for your pictures of waterfalls, forests and plants. Have some sense of the seasons if the vegetation is to be part of your photographs. Travel in spring to capture splendid wildflowers and wildlife.

Helen Chryssides - http://www.rd.com/

Tips for the Physically Challenged Traveller

1. If flying with a wheelchair, ensure that your batteries operate on gel. If you wheelchair has a "wet cell" battery, it will have to be disconnected, taken out of the chair and placed in a special container.

2. Have your chair serviced one or two weeks before you leave.

3. Talk to your travel agent about these needs:

• Is the resort or cruise ship wheelchair accessible?
• Is your room and washroom large enough to accommodate a wheelchair?
• What electric cal current dose your resort or cruise ship use? if 220 volts is required, make sure this will be provided.
• Ensure you have transportation from the airport to your destination, and back.
  

4. Before travelling overseas, phone the consulate or embassy of any countries you will be visiting. They may be able to supply information on appropriate local medical and transportation services.

Jaq Le Blang0-in the Toronto Star http://www.rd.com/

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