Travel & Tourism Archives - Page 5 of 9

ThermalStrike Heated Luggage: A Solution to a Traveler’s Nasty Problem

April 22, 2013 by The Mom Jen 48 Comments

I’ll be on and off a plane 4 times in the next few months. That also means I’ll be sleeping in a hotel, unpacking and repacking luggage. Something I never have experienced during our travels is bed bugs. It gives me the shivers just thinking about those two little words, but they do exist. Those little critters are found in hotel rooms and can get into your suitcase and clothing and can travel home with you just to spread to your own bed. Disgusting right?!

ThermalStrike has come up with a brilliant travel solution to this problem, heated luggage! Thin infrared heating technology is activated by plugging the luggage into a standard outlet (cord included). A green light is lit during the treatment process and once the inner core reaches lethal temperatures, bed bugs die! Smart, simple, chemical free, non-toxic, and stress-free.

Check out how easy it is in my video*:

Before you leave a potentially infested location, treat your luggage and allow the core temperature to reach 140 degrees(approximately 2.5 hours). Once the maximum temperature is reached, the sensors within the luggage shut off automatically! Pack and distribute suitcase evenly, zipping compartments for complete treatment effectiveness.

Things to Remove before Treatment

Chocolate, bottled liquids
electronics
medicine
cosmetics
media (cds/dvds)
Aerosol cans, oily rags, other combustible products

Not only is is a smart product, it’s durable, light weight, and has 4 pivoting wheels (360 degrees) that make moving it through the airport or anywhere practically effortless, as well as making it easy for kids to maneuver!

Plenty of room to pack for a 3 day trip!TSA approved locks protect your belongings but allows for necessary airport screenings!

The 20″ luggage sells for $349 while the 24″ is $300, $709 when you buy the pair. If you’ve dealt with this problem, learn more about ThermalStrike Heated Luggage at http://www.thermalstrike.com/.

I received product to facilitate this review. All opinions are 100% my own. *Correction: my video states the heating element is behind the inner pocket, I misspoke, it is actually the core thermometer.

Travel Tips 101: A Guide to Explore Lanzarote’s Stunning Beaches, Wildlife and Scenery

March 18, 2013 by The Mom Jen 5 Comments

Lanzarote, the fourth largest island of the Canary Islands archipelago, is a beachlover’s paradise. Located 125km off the northwest coast of Africa, Lanzarote’s subtropical climate is perfect for the beach with long, hot summers and warm winters. The island also contains a number of world class beaches with glittering sands and perfect blue waters. Apart from the beaches, Lanzarote also contains a number of natural attractions and exciting activities to enjoy.

This article will give a brief introduction to the island of Lanzarote as well as information about its sights and attractions.

Lanzarote

Lanzarote is a small island with a population of only 139,000 people. Around three quarters of the people living on Lanzarote are Spanish making Spanish the most widely spoken language on the island.

Much like the other Canary Islands, Lanzarote has a volcanic origin. It is believed that the island was formed more than 15 million years ago following a volcanic eruption in the area. This eruption also led to hundreds of volcanoes being formed on Lanzarote, more than 300 of which have survived to the present day. Fortunately, all of the volcanoes on the island have been classified as dormant meaning the chances of an eruption occurring is close to zero.

Beaches

Lanzarote contains dozens of world class beaches that are perfect for enjoying a beach holiday. Since the island is rather small, all of Lanzarote’s beaches are easily accessible by car. Arranging a car rental in Lanzarote is the easiest way to reach Lanzarote’s many beaches.

Three of the best beaches in Lanzarote are Famara, Papagayo, and Las Conchas.

Famara

Famara, located on the northwestern coast of Lanzarote, is one of the quietest beaches on the island. Away from many of the resorts, bars, and restaurants, Famara is the perfect place to find a solitary stretch of sand for some private sunbathing.

Adventure activities like surfing, hang gliding, and kiteboarding are also on offer in Famara. A smattering of bars and restaurants can be found in the nearby town of La Caleta de Famara, too.

Famara is better suited for day trips.

Papagayo

Papagayo, located on the southern part of the island, is widely believed to the most beautiful beach on Lanzarote.

Papagayo’s beach is made up of sparkling white sands that are perfect for sunbathing. The waters surrounding the beach are also remarkably clear making Papagayo a great spot for snorkelling. A number of excellent bars and restaurants can also be found on the beach itself.

Papagayo is also surrounded by hotels and resorts making it a great location to spend a few days enjoying the beach.

Las Conchas

Las Conchas, a quiet beach located on the small island of ‘La Grociosa’ found towards the north of Lanzarote, is one of Lanzarote’s best kept secrets. Reaching the island is easy with regular boats running between the small northern port town of Orzola and La Crociosa.

Las Conchas itself is stunning with fine, golden sands and clear blue waters. There are also some restaurants and bars on the beach and a diving centre that runs regular diving trips into the surrounding waters.

Las Conchas is better suited for day trips.

Natural Attractions

Timanfaya National Park is one of the most impressive places in Lanzarote. Formed in the 1730s following a volcanic eruption, Timanfaya is stunning to behold. Its unique combination of volcanic landscapes, varied flora, and wide variety of fauna is unlike any other place on Earth. Guided walks and trips through the National Park are run daily from the visitors centre located towards the north of the park.

Other standout natural attractions in Lanzarote include Mirador del Rio, a raised lookout towards the north of the island with stunning views over the island, and Green’s Cave, a massive underground cave featuring dozens of caverns and tunnels formed hundreds of years ago by an underground lava river.

Museums

Lanzarote’s capital, Arrecife, contains a number of museums telling the history of the island and its people. Here, visitors can learn more about Lanzarote’s rich and storied past.

Other standout museums include the ‘whales and dolphins museum’ in Puerto Calera, a museum that teaches about the dolphins and whales that live in the waters surrounding Lanzarote, and the Agricola Museum, a museum that shows what life used to be like for Lanzarote’s first settles.

Cuisine

The local cuisine of Lanzarote is heavily influenced by Spanish cuisine. Standout dishes include mojo, a special Canarian sauce that comes in a variety of different flavours, and papas arrugadas, potatoes that are cooked in salt water and peeled dry. Spanish favourites like Paella are usually served at local restaurants, too.

Unfortunately, local Canarian cuisine can be difficult to find inside the restaurants located in resorts and hotels. These restaurants prefer to focus on food from other parts of the world.

If you wish to sample the local cuisine, two recommended restaurants are ‘La Era’ in the town of Yaiza and the restaurant in the ‘Castillo de San Jose’ museum in Arrecife.

In conclusion, explore Lanzarote for the perfect beach holiday. The island is home to dozens of world class beaches, the sun shines on most days, and temperatures are warm all year round. The island’s many natural attractions and museums are also interesting and exciting to see. Make sure to follow the advice given in this article to make the most of your future trips to Lanzarote.

Special guest post provided to Jen is on a Journey.

Travel Comfortably with Dramamine

March 5, 2013 by The Mom Jen Leave a Comment

We love to travel as a family, but something we’ve dealt with since I married my husband is motion sickness. Since he was a child, my husband has suffered from the problem. There were many car rides that ended up pulling over or included a bucket in the packing list to aid him in vomiting. To this day, he has to drive, or if he is a passenger, he cannot fall asleep in the car.

If my husband is a car passenger, flying in a plane or train or on a boat, or is riding on rides at a theme park, Dramamine® is his sidekick. My son has realized that reading or playing electronics on long car rides doesn’t make him nauseous but actually dizzy and leaves him with a headache, my oldest daughter has gotten nauseous on boats as well. Luckily there is something for them now as well!

Dramamine®, the leading brand of motion sickness relief for adults, is has expanded its line to include Dramamine® for Kids. Dramamine® for Kids treats motion sickness symptoms on the spot, relieving nausea, dizziness and vomiting and, when taken prior to travel, prevents motion sickness before it happens. Moms trust Dramamine®, believe it is safe, and feel comfortable giving it to their kids. For adults, Dramamine® Less Drowsy prevents motion sickness symptoms for up to 24 hours with less drowsiness and only one tablet.

Motion sickness is a problem for both adults and kids alike. According to an Omnibus Survey in June 2011, 34% of households with children ages 2-12, have a child with motion sickness. This is three times the rate for adult motion sickness (11% of households). Motion sickness is most prevalent in cars, followed by airplanes and boats. Typical symptoms are nausea, dizziness, and vomiting. Dramamine® for Kids comes in a safety travel case with 8 chewable tablets with a great-tasting grape flavor.

When this limo came to take 13 of us wine tasting, my husband had to take a Dramamine® Less Drowsy tablet. Riding backwards (or sideways) has thrown him off before, but this way he didn’t fall asleep as the original has done in the past.

Dramamine® is available in Chewable, Less Drowsy, Kids and Original formulas and has a Suggested Retail Price of $4.99. For more information on Dramamine® for Kids, Dramamine® Less Drowsy and other Dramamine® products, visit www.dramamine.com.

Product sent to facilitate review. All opinions our own.

Steamboat Springs, Colorado: The Porches of Steamboat

February 15, 2013 by The Mom Jen 2 Comments

The Porches of Steamboat in Colorado offers 4 and 5 bedroom luxury homes that range from 3,000 to 5,000 square feet. This really is the only place to stay with a group, the homes sleep between 8- 14 people.

The only place in Steamboat where you can get a luxury home with all the amenities you could ever want. They have a great year round outdoor pool, a couple of hot tubs as well as an exquisite club house.

The club house has a kid’s game room, pool table, and so much more for you and your family to enjoy! The private shuttle service allows for everyone in your group to relax, they will take you to and from the ski area as well as everywhere in town.

At the slopes there is a complimentary valet tent so you can store your skis , snowboards and poles, no need to haul them back and forth with you. The concierge can help you book every detail of your trip. See the reviews on trip advisor, #2 in specialty lodging in Steamboat!!

For a stay this winter visit The Porches http://www.theporches.com/discovercolorado. Or call 866-992-0600

Carson City, Nevada: Recreational Travel & Baseball Tournaments

October 12, 2012 by The Mom Jen 4 Comments

Last month my family traveled to Carson City, Nevada for my son’s baseball tournament. Being on a traveling team does send us to various parts of the state, and in this case out of state. Our son thoroughly enjoys playing baseball, the rest of us enjoy the ability to take a road trip often to new places.

Carson City is a drive of about 5-6 hours from home. Having been there before, we have a good idea of the area and where we can find our necessities while away.

The ball games are played at Centennial Park, just out of town a bit. The fields all surround a central snack bar that serves all the best sporting event fare along with a few choices of beer if you will. There is plenty of free parking around the park and each tournament sponsor may charge an entrance fee while players and coaches are always free. Bonus for families with young spectator siblings, a fully covered playground with views of two of the four fields so parents and grandparents can stay tuned into the games. During the late summer, temperatures can get into the 90’s and 100’s, coolers are allowed with your own drinks and eats, and don’t forget chairs, umbrellas, and spritzer bottles for cool down.

There are plenty of restaurants that will satisfy both your culinary desires as well as keep your pocket book in check. Our family favorite that we visit each trip is Red’s 395, just down the street from hotels, casinos, and the historical Capitol area. This fun place has décor that will keep you busy admiring, as well as a magician and various showmen pleasing the youngest of your group. The wait is never too long and the night we took the team, parents, and siblings (group of 30) the wait and service was spot on! Menu items range from chicken to steak to pizza and all will fill you up, please your palate, and if you’re brave leave you asking for dessert! There is a fabulous kid’s meal menu too!

Even though we enjoy dining out and eating at the park, there are some times when we just need healthy alternative. Luckily close by we can find a Walmart store that offers the full grocery store. Here we stocked up on whole fruit, snack platters, water bottles, and the option to buy any toiletries or necessities of home we may have forgotten. When away it’s always nice to have creature comforts available when needed.

If the baseball games are not enough excitement for you, take the family over to Gold Dust West Resort for some 10 pin bowling games. Boasting a full snack bar, bar, arcade, and bowling alley, kids and parents alike can hang out and relax with another bonding activity. For those 21 and over and who like to test their luck, a casino is just next door with table gaming and slot machines that may reward you nicely! Let’s not forget to mention that same resort has a pool and hot tub for guests for pre- or post- game fun and relaxation.