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When it comes to life skills, there is only so much that academic learning could teach a child.

This is simply because, in an academic setting, students are to learn about worldly knowledge, experiences, and differences through the interpretation of someone else.

While that “someone else” is always a highly respected entity that can transport them through experiences through their words, the actual benefits of the learned knowledge can only be obtained through real-world experience.

How Traveling Can Complement Academic Learning

Traveling is considered as one of the best learning experiences that one can benefit from. Instead of only seeing the world through someone else’s perspective, travels allow children to obtain firsthand experiences of their own. This way, they are able to form their own opinion towards a variety of aspects that they have only read or seen pictures about.

That is why taking regular vacations whenever your family can afford them is known as a wholesome practice. It helps your children learn about different places, different cultures, and different experiences all around the world. And that lets them compare their own experience to what they may have learned at school about the same subject.  

As a result, your children are able to grow with a deep respect for global history, a more empathized view of the people around the world, and an immense appreciation of how far we have all come as a species.

Making the Most Out of Free Time

Seeing the educational benefits of traveling, most families chose to go this route whenever they have free time. This free time could come in the form of a summer break, or a gap year where older children may have had to miss school for a good reason.

If your teenage child, sibling or loved one is currently enjoying some free time, then taking an education tour to one of the following places may prove to make great use of that leisure time.

Ecuador

As a country that allows you access to the magnificent Amazon, the stunning Andean highlands and the popular Galapagos Islands, Ecuador holds a promise of diverse experiences that are bound to educate anyone who visits the place. From wildlife to culture, and from food to locales, you and your family could enjoy a wide variety of experiences together. This provides you with some much needed bonding time while also learning new things along the way.

South Africa

Did you know that South Africa is one of the most biodiverse countries in the world? With rhinos, lions, leopards, cheetahs, and cape buffalos, the country is home to some of the world’s most sought after species. With plenty of cultural and entertainment options to boot, South Africa can provide an amazing family vacation with an abundance of educating experiences.

France

France is one of those places that have a rich history in old-world culture and a magnificent roster in modern arts. Whether it is literature, movies, gastronomy or fashion, you can learn an immense amount of knowledge that could be career or life changing especially for the young members of your family. Whether you are exploring the wine region in Bordeaux with your significant other or taking a road trip through stunning Marseilles, it can prove to be an immersive, memorable and educational trip for all of your family.

How long has it been since you took your last vacation? It may be time to plan one ASAP. Vacations are not only nice, they are actually essential to your physical and mental well-being and can positively impact your productivity in other areas of your life.

It doesn’t have to be the fanciest vacation ever, and there are ways to save money. For example, I bet you didn’t know that as a mom, you qualify for things such as Avis Rental Car Coupons. Don’t forget to ask for that car seat for baby

Best Destinations

As of this writing, hurricanes have really changed things. A lot of amazing family destinations in the Caribbean are currently being repaired due to extensive damage from the winds and water.

But fortunately, the world is a big place, and two excellent suggestions for vacations for new mommies that have managed to escape are the Mexican Riviera and, of course, Disney World. A little known fact is that Mexico as a country has just about the most mature and well-developed tourism industries that you will find anywhere. And Disney World is in and of itself a major institution that also won’t let you down when it comes to customer services. Both destinations offer various price-points, so pick one that is right for baby and for you.

Another option is Punta Cana, which is all-inclusive, family-friendly, beautiful, great beaches and very stress free. It’s also chock full of activities all day long for every possible age group.

Just as an aside, when the areas that have been affected by the hurricanes re-open to the public, it would be a nice gesture to think about vacationing their soon after, as they are going to need your support.

Places To Avoid

Don’t go anywhere too exotic, or where getting there and back in and of itself is difficult. Travelling with babies is hard enough already! Especially, try to avoid flights over six hours long, as these can be incredibly taxing.

Unless you’re a real lumberjack type, it’s also probably a good idea to avoid camping trips, at least until baby is school age, at which point they can actually appreciate it. Camping means there are certain chores to be done, and if the baby is too young, it’s all on you.

This also goes for big cities like NYC, Tokyo, Mexico City, Hong Kong etc. where it’s almost impossible to get around in a car for whatever reason. Taking a baby around public transportation in an unfamiliar city is just about anybody’s definition of purgatory.

Out of all the very many USA and world tourist destinations, one of the most surprisingly satisfying are the Utah vacations. People are always thinking about places like California, Nevada, and Florida when it comes to US tourism, but the truth is that, for the distingushed traveller, Utah offers so much more that you might not have thought about.

Here are some of the reasons we think that you should focus on Utah as a potential domestic vacation destination.

Ease Of Travel:

Utah is actually so accessible from just about anywhere else in the USA. There are direct flights in from the majority of the US’s bigger airports, and even if you wind up having to change planes, the layover is usually very short, as are both flights. It’s very possible to, say, eat breakfast at home and be eating a timely lunch in your Utah spot.

Amenities:

Utah’s tourism scene is very mature and knows how to cater to you. From ski-in bars and restaurants sporting some of the best locavore gastronomy, to 7300+ hectares of some of the worlds best skiing on Park City mountain, to 5 incredible natural parks packed with some of the best scenery human eyes have ever seen and topping if off with the creature comforts to make you experience it all in the best of style, Utah delivers on every level.

Please don’t think that Utah is only for skiers either. Utah is a 12 months a year delight for people who like all sorts of activities and all sorts of weather. Summer time just means that instead of skiing the focus shifts to rock climing, hiking, and spelunking. As a matter of fact, it could be said that Utah is not properly experienced until it has been experienced both in the warm and cold weather!

Activities:

We haven’t even yet mentioned the tons of other activities available in Utah. These include but are not limited to:

-Mountain biking, considered by many to be the world’s best.

-Scenic driving, this is practically free, and an incredibly good option. You get mountains, forest, and desert right next to each other.

-White-water rafting, also considered to be among the world’s best spots for this pastime.

-Tons of landmarks to see, including the Bonneville Salt Flats, the San Rafael Swell, Lake Powell,and Monument Valley (since Monument Valley is on Navajo land, a guide is required). Don’t be afraid to get a new pair of glasses online before vacation so you can take in the sights to the fullest.

A great way to see all this stuff is to find a place offering Utah RV rentals and save on accommodations. It’s also very convenient to see Utah this way at your own pace and schedule.

Camping:

 

Any camping enthusiast who hasn’t yet done Utah is really missing out on something. Once again, you have your choice of time of year and climate, and of many amazing scenarios to catch the clearest night skies you will ever see. Utah is a very camping-friendly state, with tons of campgrounds chock full of amenities, and very affordable camping fees. Whether you like to pitch a tipi or roll in in your luxury RV, Utah is just made for you to camp out in it!

Sundance Film Festivals:

This may be a newer film festival compared to other famous ones, but that doesn’t mean it’s not established or mature. Any film lover needs to go here and experience this incredible vibe. One if its unique features are the Q&A sessions after watching the films, with the director and often one or more of the main cast members present. If you love film at all, please do yourself the favor and go to this.

It’s Clean And Safe:

Utah is clean party because the population is not very dense at all and has tons of unspoiled lands. But its also clean because the people take things like being clean very seriously. It’s also very safe for the same reason.

Let’s be honest, many US tourist destinations are fun and wild and have great gastronomy and nightlife and many other amenities, but you have to watch your back at every step of the way and can never just let your hair down. It’s not even necessary to name names, because they are many, and we all know which ones they are.

In Utah, it’s just about as safe as any human environment gets. Nobody is going to clone your credit card, nobody is going to pickpocket or bother you in any way. It’s just stress-free vacationing, the way it should be.

Utah is More Diverse Than You Think:

Utah is also a very tolerant place. Despite its reputation as a bastion of social conservatism, the fact is that the local population are very tolerant of diversity in creeds and cultures. For example, one of the world’s biggest Hindu festivals actually takes place each year in salt lake city, with foreigners and locals, Hindus and people of other religions participating happily.

In fact the attitude that you are welcome to express yourself as long as it doesn’t interfere with public safety or cause a danger is very much alive in Utah. We would even go so far as to say that public perception of Utah is based largely on misunderstanding born out of fear and mistrust.

At any rate, all you have to do is go for yourself and see for yourself that things are not as they appear in the news. Which is something we hope people who read this article will seriously consider doing in the near future. We hope that you have your Utah experience to tell everybody about very soon so others will hear about how underrated and in many ways incredible this state is.

People are drawn to the full-time RV lifestyle for different reasons. Many of the younger generations on the road today are there because they want to get back to a simple way of living. Others want to travel full-time. Still, even more people do it because it’s much more affordable than a traditional “sticks and bricks” lifestyle. For most RVers, it’s a combination of the three. No matter the reason, everyone could use a little extra cash on the road, right?

Campgrounds tend to be a runaway expense. At the end of a long day of driving, the last thing you want to do is search around for a cheap campsite. So, what do you do? You pull over at the nearest one and let your wallet take the hit. If you do this too often, it’s going to start impacting your budget – significantly. So, we’ve put together this article to help you find affordable campsites before you call it a day.

A Quick Note About Finding Cheap RVs

We know that a lot of our followers are people who are exploring the full-time lifestyle and might be in the early stages of planning. You might want to know what life is really like in an RV before you commit, or maybe RVing is a dream of yours that you hope to achieve someday. It’s a big commitment, both financially and mentally, so it’s important that you try it out before you make the leap.

For this reason, renting an RV through a peer-to-peer site like RVshare is an excellent starting point. It’s also a good option if you want to test different types and models of RV before you buy one. Either way, you’ll find some of the most affordable rental rates around. Plus, you’ll get to work directly with the owner of the RV, which is great if you have lots of questions or want to hear their RV stories.

Cheap Campgrounds – You Know They Exist, but How Do You Find Them?

Affordable campgrounds are getting fewer and farther between these days (thanks, inflation!). If you’re new to the RV life, finding a nearby campground for an affordable rate might seem like a hassle or even an impossibility. Luckily, there are still a few remaining strongholds for cheap camping in the U.S.:

  • Depending on location, some National Parks and State Parks still offer low rates for dispersed camping sites. Of course, popular parks and those in high-traffic locations are going to cost more. It might be worth it to you, though, if you want to wake up to beautiful views in one of the country’s most cherished places. On average, you can expect camping costs to range from $10 per night to $40 per night, depending on location. Allstays is a database of more than 29,000 campgrounds throughout the United States, including National and State Parks.
  • Boondocking is a wonderful way to camp cheaply or even for free! Technically, you could pull over just about anywhere and stay for the night for free, but that’s not exactly the safest way to go about it. Instead, look for places where boondocking is common, or places that are designated for boondockers. Boondockers Welcome is a website with a map of hosted drycamping spots throughout the U.S. and Canada. You’ll need to pay a fee to join, but at $25 for the year, it pays for itself in just one night of camping!
  • You can also find free or cheap camping on public lands throughout the country. These areas are owned by entities like the Bureau of Land Management and the Fish and Fish and Wildlife Management, which vary by state. The geniuses over at Technomadia made an app that includes a map and contact information for public lands in the United States. Once you find a spot, you’ll need to call the agency that owns it to find out fees, rules, and other pertinent information.
  • Finally, you might want to consider signing up for a discounted camping service, like Passport America or Good Sam Club. You’ll get discounts on qualifying campsites – in some cases, up to 50% off the normal rate! Good Sam Club offers additional perks, like discounts on gas and camping gear.

A Few More Tips for Saving Money While Camping

There are a lot of fluctuating expenses that come with living in (or renting) an RV. It seems like no matter how much you plan your budget; something will always pop up that you didn’t anticipate. Therefore, it’s important to leave some extra wiggle room in your budget. By following these tips, you might be able to free up some extra funds:

  • The second biggest expense aside from campgrounds is gas! Now, while you can’t do much about the cumulative cost of gas, you can save a few pennies here and there by going to the cheapest gas stations. GasBuddy helps you find the lowest gas prices in any given area – just enter your location and viola!
  • Another way to cut back on gas costs is by planning your route using an app like Roadtrippers. It’ll show you the best routes to your destination, along with some interesting places to stop on the way. It also estimates mileage and gas costs so you can make sure you stay on track.
  • Food, of course, is another major expense when you’re on the road. People find that they tend to eat how they would at home, whether you like to dine out a lot or cook at home. Keep in mind that cooking meals yourself and prepping food ahead of time can save you money on food, electricity, and propane. So, you might want to check out these camper-friendly meal ideas.

Stop Spending and Start Traveling!

Saving money is important to every family, whether you live in an RV or a house. And while living in an RV can cut costs of living almost in half, it too can get expensive if you don’t plan out your budget correctly. Hopefully, we’ve given you a strong foundation of resources to help you find cheap campsites and save money while traveling. If we’ve missed any hot tips or ideas, please share them in the comments!

It’s that time of year when temperatures plummet and we’re faced with weather warnings of heavy snow and icy roads. With so much going on throughout December in the lead up to Christmas, it’s easy to forget about road safety. It’s during this time that we should take extra care when driving and ensure that our cars are in excellent condition to avoid a breakdown on the side of the road. Here are a few things to remember before you set of on your journey.

Check your tyres

Before any long car journey in the winter, it’s important that you regularly check your tyre pressure and for any punctures. Make sure your tyres have the right tread depth. The legal minimum is 1.6mm but safety experts say that it’s best to have at least 3mm. Another thing to remember is to check your spare tyre. The last thing you want is to have to pull over to change a bust tyre only to find out your spare is bust too. If you think your tyres are a bit worn then there are places like www.tyreplus.co.uk that can help you pick out the right tyres for your vehicle and if you are unable to go to one of their fitting locations, they will come out to you.

Check your vehicle’s liquids

Ensure your vehicle’s oil is topped up as it could start causing problems with the engine if it’s not. This is quite a common problem as people tend to overlook it. Other liquids you need to remember for your car journey are brake fluid, engine coolant and screen wash. During the winter weather conditions it’s vital that you have clear visibility of the road, so always make sure you have the right amount of screen wash.

Take extras emergency supplies

This seems like quite an obvious thing to remember but you’d be surprised how many people forget. Take an extra supply of water, snacks, flask with hot beverages and blankets with you so if you do get held up on your journey you have a good stock of essential items to keep you going. Remember to take the vital supplies too, such as ice-scraper, torch, phone and charger and a first aid kit. If you’ve checked your car thoroughly then it’s very unlikely you will breakdown but it’s better to be safe than sorry. If you are travelling with children it’s best to take some travel games with you to keep them busy.

Remember to carry out these three simple safety checks the next time you are setting off on a long car journey and have a safe trip.

It can be fun traveling to exotic locations and immersing ourselves in a culture and country we have entirely no knowledge about. Trying something new can be exhilarating. The whole idea of walking into unknown waters may be scary for some and exhilarating for others; and this is true, to an extent.

Traveling to exotic locations is fun, and it does bring out in us a delightful experience. It shows there is so much more to life than our little bubbles. And for those who would like to break out of her bubble but don’t want to travel outside the country then there is no other place to be had then Las Vegas.

Okay, maybe that is not true.

America offers so much to it;’s residents and tourist that there can be said to be something in almost every state. Which is why America is unique. But for those American residences who would love to travel and experience a place that is exciting but don’t want the jump straight into leaving their country; Las Vegas is the place to go.

Las Vegas. The gambling, the casinos, the live entertainment. The easy cash. The place to get a married in a heartbeat. The area considered by many to be the modern day Sodom and Gomorrah.

Whatever it’s reputation to some, there is no doubt that Las Vegas also is genuinely one of the fascinating places to visit in America. Las Vegas offers a wide array of shows, and entertainment t be had, and for the who are curious, the live shows are right to die for.

Heck, Las Vegas isn’t restricted solely to casinos and gambling and to other things which we will not discuss “What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.”

But aside from these Las Vegas offer a wide array of shows all that range from Magic, to live music to show that are all the rave.

Las Vegas is fun, and it will surely give you the courage to step out of your comfort zone more and more and maybe even better to try and leave the country and see more of the world.

“The City of Sin” will be a blessing in disguise it will show you there is much to this world. Is it a panacea for those who are scared to leave their country no.

But it is a good starting place and heck you gain courage all while having fun.