Tag: transportation

Keep up to Date with the Weather During Holiday Travel

Keep up to Date with the Weather During Holiday Travel

It is very important that you keep yourself aware of the weather for holiday travel. During the colder times of the year many parts of the world experience heavy snowstorms and even blizzards. You need to be aware of what is unfolding on the path you will be taking to your holiday destination. This will allow you to be very prepared for it and have a safe journey.

To ensure you pack the right clothing, pay attention to the weather in the days before you pack. Your local news channel may not be of assistance if you are travel a long way for the holidays. The internet is the best source of information for finding up to date weather that will span the course of your holiday travel. You can also contact someone where you are traveling to and have them keep an eye on their local weather reports for you.

If you are taking a flight, train, or bus to get to your destination you will want to find out what their policies are for delays due to the weather. If the weather is questionable before you leave to the terminal you will want to call first. There is no point of you sitting there instead of in the comfort of you home if the transportation has been delayed by several hours or canceled due to the weather.

Pay close attention to when the flight will be rescheduled so you can adjust your plans. Too many people show up at the airport hoping for the best and then end up spending countless hours will nothing to do. One reason why people do this is the fear of not being able to drive to the airport due to the bad weather. You will have to decide if that is something you are willing to risk or if you are going to hang out at the airport and see what happens.

If it is warm when you leave home but it will be significantly chilly where you arrive, make sure you carry on a jacket with you. Pay attention to your shoes as well because you dont want to be slipping or risk falling down out there. Your body wont be able to handle the quick change in temperature so make sure you are prepared for what you will find. Likewise, if you are traveling from a cold climate to a warm one for the holidays make sure you dress in layers so you can stay comfortable upon arrival.

For those driving to their holiday destination, paying attention to the weather reports is also important. You will be amazed at how many people drive from a location where there is no snow and then panic when they are having to drive in it with bumper to bumper cars all along the interstate.

Tune in to local weather channels on the radio to find out about any road closures, detours, or accidents. It is a good idea to have an alternate route printed out just in case these things occur. If you find the weather has become too severe for safe travel you need to be responsible and get a hotel room until conditions improve.

Make sure your vehicle is equipped with all the features it needs to handle the changes in the weather. You should have a good heater with defrost options and an air conditioner that will help you to stay cool. Your windshield wipers and hazard lights also need to be working. If you have any issues with these various features you need to fix them before you engage in holiday travel or rent another vehicle for the trip.

As a holiday traveler, it is your responsibility to keep up to date with the weather. While it can significantly affect the plans you had for the holidays there is nothing you can do about it. Fighting with Mother Nature is a losing battle that you dont want to be on the other side of. Being prepared for the weather can mean the difference between a safe holiday trip and one that is full of regrets later on.

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Holiday Travel by Train

More and more people are turning to Amtrak as a reliable way to travel for the holidays. After the terrorist attacks of 09/11/01, airport security has become increasingly difficult to get through. As a result most airports have long lines and delays taking place around the holidays because they dont want to become lax even when it is busy.

Traveling with children for the holidays can be stressful, especially if you are traveling with them alone. Keeping them entertained in a car for the trip is often a two person job so one can drive and one can play games or offer snacks to keep everyone in the vehicle happy for the duration of the trip.

Airplanes are very cramped and most people dont do well with children roaming the isles or crying during the flight. For younger children, the amount of pressure that can build in their ears on an airplane is very painful. Being stuck on a runway for hours will definitely make children uncomfortable and these delays often happen around the holidays. If you have ever tried to change diapers in the small airplane bathrooms you will know that it isnt an easy feat to accomplish.

Amtrak is very family oriented so this may be the best mode of transportation for your holiday travel. The cars are roomy and you are able to get up and walk around freely. There is plenty of scenery along the railway routes too for you to enjoy.

If you are be going on a long trip for the holidays, Amtrak offers sleeping cars of various sizes. This is a great way for your children to have the room they need to take a nap and to play. Most of the family sleeping cars offer enough space for two adults and two children comfortably.

You will find great holiday travel deals on Amtrak when you reserve a sleep car as well. Many times you will get coupons for free meals offered in the dining car. This is an expense you will have to cover on your own otherwise so it helps offset the cost of the sleep car.

Make sure you make reservations for Amtrak early though. They tickets often sell out quickly for holiday travel and they have a limited number of sleeping cars. You dont want to be stuck without one or have to accept one that is too small for comfort because you waited too long to make your reservation.

Most train stations are very well set up and you can even leave your car there when you board the Amtrak for free. Most airports charge you by the day to leave your vehicle behind and that is an expense that quickly adds up. You can either have your family or friends pick you up at the train station for your destination or choose alternate modes of transportation. There will likely be rental cars at the terminal or you can take a taxi cab.

You can go online to find out the various destinations that Amtrak travels to. If they dont go to your exact location but within 100 miles you may want to consider having someone pick you up there or to rent a car to go the rest of the way. Amtrak is affordable and much more comfortable than taking an airplane or traveling all that way in a car.

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Holiday Cruises

Cruise ships are becoming more popular for holidays than ever due to the amount of entertainment they offer. Many people have always had the belief that a holiday cruise is more than they can afford. Yet the prices are quite reasonable and you can choose various amenities the cruise ship offers as well as the location. This is a great way for the entire family to share the holidays without anyone having to plan the activities, cook the food, or make enough room for everyone.

Make sure you book your holiday cruise early though as they sell out fast. If you have a large number of people in your party you dont want any of them to get left out. You can get the best prices and choose the cabin size you want too by booking your holiday cruise early. You will be responsible for your own transportation to the port so make sure you consider that in your price as well.

If you decide to take a holiday cruise for Christmas you will find everything is decorated with the theme. There will even be a Santa Claus to greet children on the cruise ship. You can bet the lines will be much shorter than those in your local department stores. Some of the most popular holiday cruises are those by Disney that include a trip to Disneyland or Disney World. If you are looking for a white Christmas then you may want to travel to Alaska or Antarctica. For a warmer Christmas you may want a cruise to the Caribbean.

In order to get the most enjoyment out of a holiday cruise, find out the various activities that are offered. Make sure there is plenty for everyone in your group to enjoy. If you find a particular cruise offers too many activities that you wont take part in you need to look for another cruise that is more compatible with your hobbies and lifestyle.

The internet is a great place to compare prices for various holiday cruises and you can take a look at the different pictures too. Knowing the exact layout of the cruise ship and what your cabin will look like can help to relieve the anxiety associated with it. This will also help to build the excitement for all who will be traveling with you. Simply e-mail them with the information so that they can look at it too.

Your local travel agent will also have plenty of brochures you can pick up for free to explore the options for holiday cruises. They can help you plan the trip that you want for the very best price if you arent able to do it yourself. This is a great option if there are several parties going on the holiday cruise and they want to each pay separately. They can ensure everyone gets rooms by each other and take care of other such details to make the holiday cruise even more of a success.

In order to ensure everyone enjoys the holiday cruise, let those attending has a say in where you will go and the type of cruise you will have. The price may be a factor for some of the people involved so make sure you try to find something moderately priced. There are holiday cruise ships specifically for adults as well as those designed for families.

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