Are we there yet? Are we there yet? How often have we heard, or said, that en route to a vacation destination? True, the anticipation of getting to a favorite holiday spot - be it a beach, amusement park, or ski resort - is always strong, but many times one must wonder if the impatience is spurred on by a lack of comfort while traveling.

For all holiday travelers, whether by bus, car, or plane, part of the fun of any trip should involve the actual trek. When you're cramped in a plane seat or stuffed in a packed minivan, however, necessity and expedience sometimes give way to comfort, and it is no wonder we feel tired after a long journey - even when we haven't done anything strenuous!

There are ways to stay comfortable while on the road, which in turn can help you feel more energized and ready to enjoy your vacation once you arrive at your intended stop. Here are a few tips to generate that relaxed feeling:

For plane travelers: Particularly if you are flying coach, and happen to be larger than the space provided you, you may think it would be difficult to be comfortable. If you take a few precautions, however, you may be able to increase your relaxation level as you fly. Always dress comfortably where possible - loosely-fitting clothing befitting the season. If you are on a long flight and wish to nap, be sure to bring along ear plugs and a night mask to help block sound and light, and a neck pillow for good posture.

Whenever possible, get up from your seat and stand in the aisle to help your circulation. If possible, invest in a seat cushion that offers alternating air pressure inflation, to assist your body's ability to relax as you sit. Such a cushion is also beneficial while driving.

For car travelers: Even if you are on a tight itinerary, don't sacrifice your comfort for good timing. When you need to stop for the restroom, do so. Take a few minutes afterward to stretch and walk around, get the blood flowing again. As you drive or ride, be sure to maintain proper sitting. If you like having the radio on, keep the volume at a manageable level.

Listen to your body as you travel, and do what you can to make the journey easier. Traveling should never be a chore.

Labels: travel

If we had to pick any city on the Eastern seaboard for a relaxing weekend getaway, hands down we will select Charleston, South Carolina every time. Nestled against the shore of the Atlantic Ocean, situated almost dead center on the state's coastline border, Charleston is great little town rich in antebellum history, colorful architecture, and fine lowcountry cuisine. The downtown area provides visitors with many opportunities to enjoy individual or guided walking tours, taking in the beauty of a city immortalized as Rhett Butler's home and a true survivor of the Civil War.

Here follows just a brief primer of personal favorites - from food to fun to relaxation. Once in the city be sure to pick up a downtown map, as you will need it to wind through the many mews and avenues that conceal delightful hidden treasures.

Where to Stay

Staying in the downtown area is a must, as it allows for maximum walking time and close-up enjoyment of Charleston. As you compare prices on Internet travel sites and searches, you may find rates fluctuate according to the season. The Spoleto Festival, held annually in the early summer, tends to bring large crowds, so it is important to book early if you plan to soak up the sun. Otherwise, here are a few favorite accommodations which offer the location and amenities to guarantee a relaxing weekend:

• The Ansonborough Inn - 21 Hasell St, Charleston, SC 29401
• Planters Inn - 112 N Market St, Charleston, SC 29401
• Fulton Lane Inn - 202 King St, Charleston, SC 29401

What to See

The more often you visit Charleston, the more acquainted you will become with the names of the short streets that bisect the downtown area - Market, Meeting, King and Queen. Along the way you are certain to enjoy some of the most beautiful homes in the South, preserved antebellum structures that hearken back to another time, and the delightful pastels of Rainbow Row, a series of eye-catching townhomes situated along the battery. The Market Street outdoor market offers a bounty of local and regional goods, from delicious preserves to the intricate palm weavings of the Gullah women. Here are just a few favorite sites to see in and around the city as well.

• The Citadel - the famed military school allows visitors to stroll the grounds and witness the weekly afternoon parades
• Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum - Location on Charleston Harbor, visitors can explore the USS Yorktown and take in Charleston's storied military history
• Fort Sumter National Monument - The scene of struggle between Confederate and Union forces, visitors may take a ferry from Patriot's Point to tour this preserved war monument
• Charleston Walking Tour - One of the best ways to know the city is with a guided tour. Various themes apply, from spooky twilight ghost walks to a lively pub crawl, knowledgeable and friendly guides further enhance your visit

For a weekend fling or an extended vacation, Charleston is one spot on the map to visit. Family friendly and a romantic backdrop for honeymoons, this city is full of Southern charm.

Labels: charleston, travel, vacation

The prospect of traveling to a foreign country for a holiday is always excited, yet one should never let the minor details get in the way of having a good time. Considerations like type of plugs to use in outlets, keeping necessary paperwork current, and what to pack and what to leave behind are hopefully decided well in advance, so you can relax and enjoy this experience. Most of all, one should consider how to handle finances while away.

Currency exchange can be a tricky business, particularly in this day of the wavering dollar value as it relates to the foreign markets. Oftentimes when traveling, friends strive to hang onto American dollars to make transactions easier for them. Especially when traveling to Canada, Mexico, Jamaica, and other Caribbean islands where the American dollar is valued, some may find it simpler to negotiate purchases with merchants who will accept American cash. One advantage to this is that no extra fees are taken as they would be were you to withdraw foreign money from an ATM machine, and if you are a good judge on the value of souvenirs you may not feel as though you are being cheated.

However, not every foreign country is as accommodating. In Europe and Asia, you may find some places will not accept a Lincoln for that pint of ale or bag of chips. It becomes inevitable then that you must exchange your cash and keep track of its worth.

The question arises then, where to exchange the money? Is it more economical to obtain necessary cash in the US, or try a bank in a foreign country? Are hotels a better source, or specialized exchange offices? The answer is not always simple to pin down, as the fluctuation of the dollar varies too much. The simplest solution one can offer is to constantly study the exchange rate of the country you plan to visit. For the few weeks before you leave the country, check the daily rates online to determine how much your American dollar will be worth on foreign soil.

Determine how much ready cash you think you will need for your trip, though it is prudent not to carry more than a few hundred dollars regardless of where you go. Travelers checks, though rarely seen or advertised these days, are always handy to have in the event of loss or theft, whereas cash is more difficult to reclaim in such a situation. Once arrived, exchange a small amount at the airport immediately for incidentals (a newspaper, drink, or transportation fare), then inquire with your hotel's concierge about nearby exchange offices and banks. Compare the current rates and make your decision from there.

Depending upon where you travel, most ATMs will accept American bank and debit cards. Look for matching symbols and look for machines associated with banks. Ultimately you may pay an exchange fee, and bank machines may be easier to negotiate. Keep track of everything you buy, and don't forget to enjoy yourself as you shop.

Labels: currency, travel

With today's heightened security in airports, it is perfectly natural to want to have your luggage with you when you travel. You want to be certain everything you packed for your business trip or vacation arrives intact, and vigilance can guarantee that. For extended trips, however, travelers are likely to pack more, ultimately forcing them to check in some of their luggage.

It is important, therefore, to pack efficiently and smartly any bags that must be checked up front. Whether flying on a weekend trip or an extended stay overseas, know what is necessary to take and what is not as essential.

Clothing: Consider the trip, the places you plan to visit and the length of your absence from home. How many changes of clothing are necessary, and what types of clothing can you expect to wear? Sometimes, you might find you have packed too much for a trip, resulting in wrinkled clothing upon arrival. Or, you might find you have packed too many formal items for a trip that didn't require it.

Before you open your suitcase, determine exactly what is on the itinerary. Consult weather reports for your destination and, if possible, research attractions and restaurants for any dress requirements. If you are headed to an all-inclusive Caribbean resort, you might find all you need is your swimsuit and one nice outfit! Check with your hotel in advance, too, to determine what laundry services are available or nearby. You may be able to pack half as much if you have such access.

Accessories: Do you really need to pack an iron? Can you live a few weeks without your laptop? Despite the gadgetry designed to make our lives easier, it is not difficult to find that too many gadgets on a short trip will prove to be aggravating. Thankfully, as hotels evolve even the "economy" accommodations offer enough amenities so travelers need not pack everything and the kitchen sink. Coffee makers, irons, hair dryers, and other home necessities are made available, though it is always a good idea to check with your hotel to see what is offered and what is not. For those traveling overseas, if you need to take electrical appliances, make sure you have the proper adapters so the plugs will fit.

Personal Grooming: When we forget things like soap and shampoos, those little bottles at the hotel are a blessing, yet you might not feel there is enough to suit your needs. Does this mean you should pack economy size bottles of everything? While the large bottles are nice, they are not always necessary for a trip, and sometimes those bottles can prove dangerous. Packed with clothing, there is always the risk of damage, and opening your suitcase to find every outfit soaked with mouthwash and smelling minty fresh.

Determine what essentials you need to pack - shampoo, makeup, toothpaste, etc. - and pack in a suitcase with a separate compartment. Medium size plastic bottles, no more than ten fluid ounces, is a good gauge. Make sure the bottles are not completely filled, in the event of temperature changes in cargo that may cause the plastic to expand or burst. Better yet, pack all bottles in an extra plastic bag to help ensure protection from leaks.

Knowing what to pack and how much is beneficial to your enjoying a vacation. The less encumbered you are by luggage, the less worry of damage, theft, or loss.

Labels: luggage, travel

With today's heightened security in airports, it is perfectly natural to want to have your luggage with you when you travel. You want to be certain everything you packed for your business trip or vacation arrives intact, and vigilance can guarantee that. For extended trips, however, travelers are likely to pack more, ultimately forcing them to check in some of their luggage.

It is important, therefore, to know what to keep with you at all times when you travel, and how to pack a case that must be loaded into a plane's cargo until you arrive at your destination. In the event your luggage should be lost, it is necessary to keep the most important items with you at all times.

Identification: Your passport, your driver's license, any and all picture ID cards should remain on your person. When you pass through airport security you will be required to have identification ready for inspection, and it is important that is stays with you and is not packed away in a case that won't be readily at your disposal. If you are traveling abroad and are using a passport, be sure to make copies of the identification page in the event your passport is lost or stolen. Keep one copy with a relative or friend at home, and keep extra copies with you in different places so you will have one ready if needed.

Insurance cards are also necessary to have on you, in the event of a medical emergency or accident (especially if you are renting a car for your trip).

Money: This includes paper, traveler's checks, and credit cards. In this age of electronic transfer, you might not think it necessary to carry traveler's checks, but they are good to have if you are going abroad. Always remember the possibility that foreign ATMs might not accept American bank cards, same with certain stores and restaurants. A short supply of paper currency (no more than a hundred dollars) is good to have also for immediate money exchange once you reach your destination.

It always helps, too, to have a few dollar bills handy for tipping. Keep a few dollars in your pocket to pass over to a clerk or valet when needed. This prevents you from having to dig in your purse or wallet in a crowd.

Itinerary: Know where you need to go quickly. Have a small map, itinerary, or direction sheet with you to expedite the arrival at your hotel. Whether traveling domestically or overseas, you want to appear confident and inconspicuous so as not to catch the eye of any possible scam artists who prey upon out-of-towners. If you are unsure of where you need to be, seek assistance at the first information booth immediately.

Keeping the most important of information with you at all times can make your trip easier in emergencies. Physical items like clothes and sundries can be replaced, but if your identity is taken it will lead to greater problems in the long run. Be vigilant, and be safe.

Look for Part Two of this article, Packing for A Trip

Labels: luggage, travel

See Suffolk in comfort, enjoy a driving tour on your very own FlowCushion, the alternating air pressure travel cushion.

Her name means, literally, "territory of the southern people," and it is quite fitting since in Southeastern Virginia, Suffolk lies south of Norfolk. Situated approximately twenty miles from Norfolk and nearly an hour and a half from Richmond, Suffolk is attractive to Virginia residents for its distance from the more populous areas of Hampton Roads. In recent years, too, many major industries have come to set up large offices in Suffolk, among them Unilever and Target. However, this does not detract from the rural charm of this growing city, and it is certainly one place anybody visiting southern Virginia should see.

Where other areas of Hampton Roads offer excitement at the shore and historical interest with Colonial-era curiosities, Suffolk's attractions are unique and as equally interesting. Suffolk is a haven for the outdoors-bound with opportunities for fishing, camping, golf, and hiking. Part of the Great Dismal Swamp lies in Suffolk, close to the North Carolina border, and here visitors may explore the over 100,000 acres of natural wildlife refuge. Boating is permissible year round, and deer hunting is permissible during the season.

Cycling enthusiasts will want to visit Suffolk in the fall for the Great Peanut Tour. Many people know that Suffolk is home to Planters Peanuts - the original Planters Peanut Center is still open to visitors and sells all sort of delicious peanut treats - and the Peanut Ride is just one way people in southern Virginia celebrate Suffolk's heritage. Each year, thousands of cyclists embark on a series of rides over Suffolk and neighboring towns, fueled by a love of the sport and the energy of a few peanuts!

Even more popular is the annual Peanut Festival, a weekend long fair celebrating the best of Suffolk. Thousands of visitors descend upon the fairground each year to sample local fare and enjoy top music acts. The Peanut Festival is one of the top fairs held annually in Virginia, and is a must-see if you are visiting in the fall.

Peanuts made Suffolk famous, but the city's natural beauty and offerings for outdoor recreation make Suffolk a place to visit any time of year.

Labels: suffolk, travel, vacation, virginia

When visitors come to the Southeastern part of Virginia for vacation, the itinerary is pretty much set with trips to Williamsburg to soak up our nation's Colonial heritage, then on to Virginia Beach to soak up the sun. Maybe there will be time to shop in Norfolk or watch the ships cross the bay to Newport News, but you plans don't necessarily have to end there. A side trip to Surry offers visitors an unspoiled view of rustic Virginia, hearkening back to centuries of tradition and hospitality.

Surry County sits on the opposite end of the James River from the Jamestown Settlement and James City County. If you are coming to Surry from the Williamsburg/Jamestown area, you will have to take the Jamestown/Scotland Ferry, a short 15-minute ride to the other side of State Road 31. Once on the road, you have the opportunity to explore landmarks than span nearly five hundred years of American history, from when Captain John Smith walked the land to the early twentieth century and the construction of the county courthouse.

Here are just a few attractions to highlight your trip to Surry:

Bacon's Castle - Not a castle in the storybook sense, this building offers the visitor a chance to see one of the oldest examples of Jacobean architecture in the country. The house's moniker is derived from Nathaniel Bacon, the notorious Jamestown settler who incited the rebellion that also bears his name. Visitors can learn more about that infamous time in early American history at the source.

Smith's Fort Plantation - This land has a storied history, with tracts endowed to John Rolfe when he married Pocahontas. There also remain on the property ruins of a fort constructed by Captain Smith in the early seventeenth century. The brick home open to guests has been standing since 1751.

Surrey House Restaurant - After a day of pleasant countryside driving and sightseeing, Surry House Restaurant is a must. The menu is traditional, pure Virginia, featuring salty ham, cream of peanut soup, and delicious apple fritters that have to be split!

Step back into time with a side trip to Surry County on your next trip through Virginia. The serenity of the countryside and the hospitality of her people is time well spent.

Labels: surry, travel, vacation, virginia

A trip to Williamsburg is an opportunity to step back in time and experience the growth of our nation. As the former home and haunting grounds of America's forefathers, and home to one of the oldest colleges in the nation, Williamsburg is a town rich in Colonial pride and heritage. It is no surprise that thousands of visitors to Virginia take the time to stop off Interstate 64 to spend a day or two exploring the attractions, shops, and restaurants.

Though the historical aspects of Williamsburg are a big draw, there is more the town than its outward appearance as a living textbook. Here are just five reasons why Williamsburg is a frequent stop in my leisurely travels, and why you should consider a visit as well.

Colonial Williamsburg - Carefully preserved for centuries, the shops and homes of the colonial district's main thoroughfare give the town that rustic, anachronistic atmosphere. When the road turns to cobblestone you know you have stepped into another era, and a large cast of reenactment players in period dress present daily life as it was lived way back when. Visitors can visit a working blacksmith shop, sample handmade soaps and sundries, and tour the state's original governor's mansion. What is particularly charming about Colonial Williamsburg is, although there are souvenirs to be had, the district doesn't have a tourist trap feel to it. It is an enjoyable place to see.

Busch Gardens Europe - Many visitors are surprised to know that Williamsburg is host to as large a theme park as Busch Gardens. While it doesn't receive the media attention its sister park in Tampa does, Busch Gardens Europe is equally, if not more appealing. Spine twisting roller coasters wrap around the various sections of the park, each representing a different European nationality. For authentic German fare, the Festhaus offers a daily fest with live entertainment. Be warned, though, that Busch Gardens is a seasonal park, open in the Spring through Halloween, when the gates stay open late into the night for some spooky fun.

The Trellis - If have seen the PBS show "Death By Chocolate," then you know that The Trellis is where the mayhem originates. Regarded as one of the best restaurants in the state, The Trellis offers delicious seasonal menus ranging from exotic salads and gourmet hamburgers to savory meats with seasonal vegetables. If you can save room for dessert, be sure to split the Death by Chocolate with your table - each slice of this decadent cake weighs a full pound!

Waller Mill Park - Nestled outside the colonial area is this nearly three-thousand acre park, filled with hiking and biking trails, a 300-acre lake for fishing and canoing, and vast play and picnic fields, perfect for a large party or family reunion. Waller Mill makes for an excellent getaway when the stress of work and traffic become too much.

Pierce's Pitt BBQ - There's no mistake with the spelling. The original sign maker purposely spelled Pitt with two T's, and the name stuck. But you don't have to be a champion speller to enjoy some of the best barbecue pork and chicken in the Mid-Atlantic. Enjoy it with a pint of slaw and beans on the outside picnic tables, but be sure to come early. Pierce's can get busy around lunchtime, but people are willing to wait a long as thirty minutes for a JC's Special sandwich and fries.

History, cuisine, and excitement define Williamsburg as a unique and favored destination. For a summer getaway, Williamsburg offers a variety of fun options for anyone looking for a bit of everything in a vacation.

Labels: travel, vacation, virginia, williamsburg

Having lived in Jacksonville most of my life, I can remember a time when the speed limits on the roads were not as high as they are now. It seemed it always took forever to get somewhere when on vacation, even via the interstate. Fortunately, the turn of the century brings more technology to the road trip, and anybody in the Jacksonville area looking for a quick getaway will be happy to know that the city is not so large that you can't go anywhere for a day.

So if you have a weekend free and are looking for a change of scenery, a day trip around North or Central Florida provides the fun and relaxation you want. You won't have to spend too much time in the car, and there is always something to look forward to, coming and going. Here are just a few suggestions for your itineraries:

St. Augustine: Depending on where you are in Jacksonville, you're looking at a minimum of forty-five minutes to an hour to get to the nation's oldest city. Here you can tour the historic Castillo de San Marcos, which guarded this part of the new world from sea-faring invaders, then enjoy a stroll through the historical district and enjoy the eclectic shops, boutiques and restaurants. The secluded beach areas also provide serenity that stays with you on the trip home.

Gainesville: Contrary to popular belief, there's more to this town than the Florida Gators. Gainesville's historic downtown offers a great opportunity for leisurely lunches and antiques browsing. Nature lovers can take in the lush Kanapaha Botanical Gardens or Marjorie Kinnan Rawling State Park for an intimate nature walk. Depending on where you are in Jacksonville, getting to Gainesville may take a mere one to one and a half hours on I-75.

Amelia Island: For the adventurer, Amelia Island is the perfect North Florida getaway. Kayaking, nature walks, fishing, and exploration of historic Fort Clinch are just a few of the activities that await you here. Afterwards you can enjoy some of the best seafood on the east coast as you watch the sun set over the Atlantic Ocean. Amelia Island is less than two hours from most parts of Jacksonville, and some parts are so compact you may not need your car for most of the day.

Nature and history, fine dining and romantic scenery are yours for the price of a short drive from Jacksonville. Take a weekend and enjoy a neighboring town for a refreshing and exciting mini-vacation.

Labels: amelia island, florida, gainesville, jacksonville, travel, vacation

Labels: driving, outer banks, travel, vacation