• The favorite things everyone likes to do
• The favorite things the children like to do
• The favorite things everyone likes to do together
• Any new skills or subjects you would like the children to learn
• Any activity you would like to get a holiday from

The next step would be to put together a summer activity checklist. Some great ideas to do with the family are:

• Go camping
• Hiking or riding bicycles on a trail
• Visiting a state or national park
• Set up an outdoor pool
• Do simple cooking
• Go for picnics
• Go stargazing after sunset
• Learn how to fish

Planning for Summer Fun

Even a small task involving kids will usually require some planning at some point in time. It’s just that for summertime, everything gets more amplified. Keeping kids busy is no small task. Therefore, whether you plan on going somewhere for a vacation or stay home, you will need to put together a to-do list. If you are planning on staying home, then one idea is to map out what everybody will do on each day of the week.

The first thing you will need is a calendar. On each day, write what you plan on doing. You could even create a calendar from scratch and mark off each activity for each day of the week. You could involve children in this and turn it into an activity. For example, Mondays will be book reading day, Tuesdays will be for small field trips, Wednesdays could be water-based activities in the backyard, and so on. If there’s a trip in the plans, preparing kids by having them involved in getting ready for the trip by going shopping for summer shorts or a new backpack and letting them pack it is a great way to involve them while getting them mentally prepared for travel.

Learn Something New

Summertime doesn’t always have to be about having fun. It can also be a great time to introduce children to new ideas and experiences. For example, have you had the wish for your child to be bilingual? Then you could look into finding a tutor. You could even ask around the neighborhood to see if any other parents are also interested. If they are, you could do a group session with other kids to help bring costs down.

What about cooking? Most people take for granted that children are not at all interested in something like cooking food. This couldn’t be farther from the truth. Kids generally love the idea of creating something. Not just with building blocks or clay but cooking also. With cooking, there is the added thrill of making something you can eat. Of course, you don’t need to make a seven-course meal. It can be something simple like making chocolate-chip cookies.

Summer Camps and Specialty Camps

Summer camps have been around for a long time, and most people don’t need an introduction to it. However, specialty camps are relatively newer, especially those with a lot of different and exciting activities. The variety of options can be overwhelming for some children. These can include, but not limited to rock climbing, fishing, camping, archery, introduction to martial arts, horseback riding, and even fencing.

The thing to do is shop around and look into each camp and discuss with the child or children what they would be interested in. Many parents notice that whenever children go to a summer camp of any kind, they come back with a more mature disposition on life. It is never too early to instill a sense of independence in children.

Start Things Early

If you are price conscious and would like to give your child a fun-filled summer, and if it involves going away from home, then the key to getting good deals is by starting as soon as possible. The truth is, it is never too early to make reservations. This is true of almost anything, but especially hotels, theme parks, summer camps, airlines, and rental cars. If you plan early, then you are guaranteed to have some summer fun for the family at bargain prices.

What are some of the most important tips to remember if you’re traveling over 60 years old? We have gathered them right below – so read on and find out more.

Try to find a non-stop flight

Getting on and off a plane and then on and off plane again can be tiresome, confusing and stressful – you really don’t need that if you are a senior citizen. There may be situations where there’s nothing much you can do, but overall, it is still a better idea to try and search for flights that go directly to your destination. They may end up being more expensive, but it’s worth it.

Try to find a mid-morning flight

Traveling at night or very early in the morning is not a good idea if you are over 60 – it can be way too tiresome and it can use your energy on something that’s just not worth it. Again, this may not be completely possible in all cases, but it’s good putting it as a priority if you can.

Understand the (non-existence of) senior discounts

A lot of air lines claim to offer senior discounts, when, in fact, this is quite untrue. So, yes, of course, look up senior discounts when booking a flight, but don’t get too hung up on it and don’t rely on it too much – there’s a fairly big chance there’s no actual senior discount.

Choose a cruise

There’s a very big reason cruises are very popular with senior citizens: they’re just easier from pretty much every point of view under the Sun. Once on the boat, the attractions will just “come to you”. Moreover, traveling by cruises is luxurious and it feels like real pampering, as opposed to the agitation of traveling by just about anything else, which can be a bit stressful if you are a senior citizen.

Plan the activities lightly

Traveling as a senior citizen also means that you’re less likely to be able to see everything you want to see by just going from one attraction to the other on the same day. In most cases, you will want to book one attraction before noon, and then just offer yourself time for relaxation and rest. That’s OK though – this is a great way to travel if you really want to savor what a place has to offer.

Remember: just because you’re over 60, it really doesn’t mean you shouldn’t travel, there are last minute all inclusive vacation available if you happen to have made the last minute decision to travel. On the contrary! Enjoy every minute of your life and go where you always wanted to go! Spend your retirement living the DREAM and doing the things you always wanted to do!

Road trip checklist

Deciding on the destinations you want to visit and what to pack, make up some of the best parts of the trip; but before anything, you need to make sure the vehicle you’ll be travelling in is capable of making the long journey ahead. Checking the condition of the vehicle is essential overall; but it’s important to pay extra attention to the condition of the tyres. If the vehicles tyres haven’t been replaced for a while then it’s best to be on the safe side and have them changed. Places like Kwik Fit allow you to buy tyres online, instead of going to a local garage. By purchasing them online, you can research what tyres are best for the route you’ll be taking.

Pack the essentials

If you’re in need of anything whilst you’re away, it’s more than likely you’ll be able to stop off at a local shop and stock up. Service stations and independent stores can sometimes be expensive so it may be best to take as much food and water as possible, so the trip is more cost effective. With long periods of time being spent on the road, taking things to keep the passengers on board entertained, will make the journey go quicker. The most important item to remember is a satnav; after all, you need to know where you’re going. Most modern day smart phones have a built in satnav so this may also be an option, just remember to take a phone charger.

Make the most of your trip

It’s important to spend as much time researching and planning your trip as possible. In order to make the most of your trip, think about exactly where you want to go and what you want to see. The last thing you want is to miss some of the places you wanted to explore because you hadn’t planned the trip well enough. You may not get the chance to explore Europe by road again so make sure you do and see as much as possible. If you’re planning on staying in hotels throughout your trip, make sure they’re booked in advance to avoid being turned away or paying extortionate prices.

A road trip is one of the best ways to explore Europe. It gives you an added sense of freedom which a package holiday may not. With through planning and research, it’s sure to provide you with a holiday of a life time.

TyrePlus have recently polled 1,000 people across the UK to test their tyre knowledge and it turns out, we aren’t so clued up with one in ten respondents openly admitting to getting into a vehicle with tyres that don’t meet the legal requirements. So, how do we know when our tyres need replacing?

Identifying worn tyres

One clear sign that it is time to change those worn tyres is identifying an insufficient tread depth and this can be done by placing a 20p between the tread and if it is safely secured your tread should be sufficient. If you don’t feel comfortable testing yourself, then look for an expert.

The legal minimum tread depth in the UK is 1.6mm

Another important factor in tyre maintenance is tyre pressure, sometimes it is obvious to see if your tyre is deflating but other times it can be unexpected, and surprisingly 52% polled said they have changed a car tyre themselves – a great skill to have. At times, a tyre may deflate for obvious reasons and the most effective way to avoid this is to always remain vigilant.

Only check tyre pressure when tyres are cold

Summer Tyre Checks

Before taking to the road for your summer trip, there are some checks that should be made. Here’s your checklist:

• Check tyres are inflated correctly
• Check tread depth isn’t close to minimum requirements
• Check oil and coolant before the journey
• Check windscreen washer levels and top up if necessary
• Check you have a spare wheel and ensure it is in good condition
• Check indicators and lights are in working order
• Have you got your emergency kit prepared, in case you need it
• Check your insurance is in order

So, bringing in dogs and hiking, there appears to be a new trend that is emerging for walkers, who love exploring the great outdoors with their four-legged companion, and it’s clear that microbreweries are making their way to more remote locations, as they emerge and become more popular in the UK.

Langdale in the Lake District has been labelled by walkers and residents as the ‘best beer garden in the world’ and it’s leading the way for walkers who want to taste a great beer, whilst taking their dogs to the best dog friendly pubs around, turning a traditional pub crawl into a more adventurous one.

With Flogas, specialists in LPG gas tank installation for pubs in remote locations off-grid, we explore how to navigate the Lake District with your canine friend as well as stopping for a few tasty beers along the way.

Taking the long route: Enjoy the walk and beer
To start with, we recommend you climb the pyramid-shaped mountain that is Bowfell, the sixth highest mountain in the Lake District and one of the most popular. From there, you can continue along Crinkle Crags to Cold Pike and then end up at Pike O’Blisco, which will lead you back down to the bottom of the valley again. When you’ve reach the bottom, it’s time to take your companion to the best dog-friendly pubs in the area.

The New Dungeon Ghyll
The first pub you’ll come to will be the New Dungeon Ghyll, offering real ales and craft beers such as Westmorland Gold, a Golden Ale brewed by Barnsgate, a local brewery in the heart of the Lake District; there will also be a dog bowl waiting in the Walker’s Bar for when they get thirsty as well.

Sticklebarn
After Dungeon Ghyll, you can re-fuel again at Sticklebarn, which doesn’t take long to walk to. It’s a National Trust pub, the Sticklebarn ensures that all its meals are prepared freshly on the premises, whilst stocking real ales on top, alongside speciality bottled beers.

The pub is perfect for dogs, whether they clean or muddy They provide dog towels, dog bowls, doggy treats and they even provide a special dog menu for when you’re quenching your thirst on a pint of real ale.

Wainwrights Inn
This is a 40 minute walk from Sticklebarn, down the valley. It’s another dog friend pub that serves Coniston, a local brewery based in Cumbria. A recommended pint would be the Coniston Bluebird Bitter, which is an exceedingly pale beer that has a hint of colour.

The beer is balanced with a biscuity malt, the strong hopes provide this beer with an orange fruit aroma that balances the flavour; a perfect example of how locally brewed ales from microbreweries come to life in local pubs across your hike!

With having 8 pubs to benefit from the microbrewery phenomenon, it’s easy to see the new trend that has emerged within the region. There are over 30 microbreweries creating the best of what the Lakeland region has to offer in terms of ales. The pubs across the Lakes are benefitting from being dog friendly, as well as serving the most unique beers and flavours available.

Be sure to get out there and follow your own trail today, but make sure you stop off at every pub along the way to get a true taste of what the Lake District has to offer.

If so, there’s something important you need to know: renting an entire RV is not at all the same thing as renting an ordinary car. Everything from the rates to the special deposits to the parking and more are all going to be different.

Needless to say, renting an RV for the first time is going to be an adventure, and there are different things that you will need to keep in mind.

Here are the top five tips for renting your very first RV in Austin:

Tip #1 – Don’t Overpay Your Daily Fee

You’re going to pay more for renting an RV than you are for a car no matter what, but that doesn’t mean you have to pay more than you need to.

According to Outdoorsy, the cost for an average RV rental is $174 a day, so you shouldn’t need to pay anymore than that.

The only times the typical price may be higher than that figure is during what is called ‘peak season,’ or when everybody is traveling and the demand is higher. Peak season is typically during the warm summer months of July and August.

Something else to keep in mind is that it’s possible for an RV renter to charge per mile you travel in the RV, in addition to your daily fee.

Tip #2 – Choose The Right RV For Your Use

There are many different types of RVs, and each with their own unique purpose. The largest type of RV is called a Class A motorhome, and it provides the most room and storage space.

Another option is a Class C, which is simply the van of a cab attached to a motorhome.  Class C motorhomes have less space and storage area than a Class A, but they still usually have a kitchen, restroom, living room, and bedroom.

Finally, you could also go with a travel trailer, that you would need to hook up to the back of a truck.

Tip #3 – You’ll Need To Pay Special Deposits

Renting an RV means you’re going to need to pay some special deposits that you wouldn’t have to with a car. For example, when you call or e-mail the rental place to reserve an RV to rend, you’ll need to pay an upfront fee to keep the RV reserved. This fee is added onto the overall cost of the rental.

You’ll also have to pay a security deposit, much like you would need to when renting an apartment. As with paying security deposits when renting apartments, this security deposit is fully refundable assuming that you return the RV undamaged once your trip has concluded.

Tip #4 – Save Up For Gas

As you can tell, there are multiple expenses that come with renting an RV, but there’s one more you need to be aware of too: gasoline.

The gas mileage of vehicles in general has certainly improved within recent years, with several SUV’s even scoring around thirty miles per gallon or more on the highway.

However, the same cannot be said about RV’s, where you are unlikely to get much better than ten miles a gallon. Since fuel will be such a significant expense, you will need to remember to incorporate it into your overall budget.

Tip #5 – Practice Driving Before You Leave

If this is truly your first time renting an RV, you don’t want your actual trip to be the first time driving it. You need to get a feel for it beforehand so you’ll have an easier job to do when the time comes to leave.

A good idea will be to rent it a day ahead of time before you’re scheduled to disembark on your trip, and besides packing and preparing for the trip, you can also spend part of that day driving your rented RV to get plenty of practice with it.

Making turns on tight corners, going through tunnels, driving up hills, and parking in parking lots are the specific areas that you will want to spend your time practicing on.

Renting Your First RV

While there are going to be other things to keep in mind when renting your first RV, these are some the most important to remember when you first stop by the renter’s office.

An Exclusive Getaway

The British Virgin Islands have been a magnet for the wealthy since it opened to tourism in the 1960s. And because it attracts a high level of clientele, you can expect a high degree of luxury. You’ll find everything from resorts and vacation rentals to fine-dining, beach-side bars and world-class spa services. Picture waking up each morning as the gentle sea laps against the shore outside your bungalow. Or having super-attentive staff taking care of any little need. And after relaxing and getting some R&R, you never know who you might bump into when you’re out and about.

There Aren’t Many Tourists

Ask any holidaymaker where they took their vacation and some will reply Barbados, the Bahamas or the Dominican Republic. And with a thriving tourist industry and regular flights to Europe, the United States and Canada, why not? But how many do you know that have been to the British Virgin Islands? Not many. Most tourists end up spending the day as part of a cruise. But the islands feel deserted later in the day. And if you stay on one of the less popular islands, you’ll have the place to yourself. In today’s world, most of us crave to have the chance to enjoy a tropical paradise to ourselves. And you’ll find it in the British Virgin Islands.

The Chance to Go Island Hopping

The British Virgin Islands sit inside an archipelago consisting of approximately 40 islands. About half of these are inhabited and have a decent tourist infrastructure. If you want to explore more of the islands, regular ferry services pass between the different places. Nothing can be better for visitors than having the chance to explore more of this tropical wonderland. Just make sure you have an idea of what the schedules are like before you go island hopping!

The Beaches

While it’s a given that the Caribbean boasts some of the most beautiful stretches of coastline in the world, the British Virgin Islands offer something different. The biggest highlight compared to the rest of the nearby island nations is that you’ll practically have the beach to yourself. Head down to the sand in Jamaica or Antigua, and you’ll find it full of tourists. But not here. After following a short trail to the sections of beach separated by boulders on Virgin Gorda, you’ll probably be the only person there. If seclusion is what you crave, you’re sure to find it here.

The British Virgin Islands are the Safest in the Caribbean

Sadly, the Caribbean has a poor reputation for safety. In some of the islands, tourists miss out on the chance to go exploring the full beauty because of concerns about crime. Some hotels discourage their guests from leaving the resort unless they’re on a guided tour. Not only does this give the sense of feeling unsafe but it also reduces your overall travel experience. But this isn’t the case in the British Virgin Islands. Regardless of which island you’re staying on, you won’t need to worry about safety. If you want to sit on the beach in the evening, no problem. And when you stroll through the towns and interact with the locals, there won’t be any threats or concerns to worry about.

Diving and Snorkelling

If you get in the warm shallow waters on almost any beach in the British Virgin Islands, you’ll find thousands of colourful fish swimming just below the surface. Snorkelling through the crystal clear waters and over the vibrant coral is a must on any trip to this paradise. But there are also dive sites that few people have had the privilege to witness. Any diving enthusiasts will be able to have an exceptional experience in the waters of the British Virgin Islands. Why not bring your own snorkelling equipment and go for a swim in the sea near the beach? Or you can join more extended trips with professional divers out to secret diving spots.

The Climate

It doesn’t matter what time of the year you visit the British Virgin Islands, you’re almost sure to have good weather. With the subtropical climate, temperatures rare gets higher than low 30s. And it doesn’t get cold either. Tourists will be comfortable wearing t-shirts and shorts during the day and a light sweater at the most in the late evenings. According to holidaymakers, the climate is perfect. It’s not too hot or chilly.

Defines the Word Laid-Back

As with the rest of its island nation neighbours, the locals live an ultra-relaxed lifestyle. Everyone is informal and chilled out offering a refreshing break from the day-to-day stress back at home. The locals are warm, polite and hospitable to all the tourists. And you’ll find their attitude and approach to life somewhat infectious.

A Dream Holiday

Not only will you find beaches, snorkelling, diving and exclusivity in the British Virgin Islands but you’ll also enjoy a laid-back holiday in a perfect climate. Anyone who wants a slice of paradise without the crowds and to enjoy their vacation at the highest degree of luxury will instantly fall in love with the small Caribbean Island nation.

Of course, traveling doesn’t come with just positive sides – and there are some things you might want to prepare for in advance. Sure, you don’t want to think the worst could happen – but it’s always best to be prepared and to prevent bad situations, rather than try to completely resolve them.

On this note, you should always have a mini first aid kit with you, regardless of where you are traveling. Accidents can happen, blisters from all the walking can happen, and headaches can happen – so why not be prepared to face these annoyances with your own first aid kit?

What are the absolute essentials that should go in this travel first aid kit? We have some tips for you – so read on and find out more.

Band Aids, crepe bandages, gauze, and surgical tape

If you get a small injury while traveling, these items will be a true life-saver. Band aids can be used for very small injuries, crepe bandages and surgical tape can be used for larger injuries, while gauze will help you in a variety of situations (e.g. you can use it to apply pressure to a wound). If you’re wondering what type of gauze is best to pack away while traveling, our advice is to buy the individually wrapped square shaped ones (they tend to be more practical in a variety of situations)

Basic medication

Of course, there might be pharmacies where you go – but it’s probably best to get your own medication from back home. Aside from ibuprofen which can be used to handle a wide range of pains, you might also want to pack loperamide-based tablets as well. These are used in case of diarrhea, but keep in mind you should only use them when you have a bus to catch or have to get on a plane. Other than that, this sickness should be treated by leaving everything run through your system and drinking plenty of water to replace the lost hydration in your body.

Creams

Antihistamine and antibacterial creams should also not miss from your first aid kit. The first can be used when you are bitten by insects of all kinds. In most cases, these situations are just plain and simply annoying, rather than actually dangerous – but an antihistamine cream can help you ease the irritation and the annoyance.

As for bacterial creams, they can be really good if you get a small injury – using this type of cream will help you keep bacteria away from you and keep your wound clean and safe.

Remember, plenty of things can go wrong while traveling – but this should never stop you from doing it! Take everything with a pinch of salt and use your common sense to avoid unnecessarily nasty situations and all will be fine!

So, what are the best money saving tips to keep in mind for your next overseas trip? We’ve gathered them right below – read on if you want to find out more.

Book your flights the smart way

This is one of the first and foremost important things to do when you want to save money on your overseas trip. Booking at the right time and for the right dates can save you tons and tons of money. Keep in mind though: not all airlines work the same way, and while some may drop prices for bookings made well in advance, others might do the same for last-minute flights. Keep an eye on the prices and notice the pattern – it is quite likely the company will use the same pattern in the future as well. You can also access the sites from different IP addresses to find more savings as some sites charge differently depending on your location.  For those unfamiliar with IP technology, you can find out how to hide your IP address with a VPN

Use travel miles

Using a credit card with travel miles associated to it may not seem like that big of a deal – but it is. One dollar here, two dollars there – and before you know it, you’ve saved $100 or more on your plane ticket. It’s not a lot – but it’s enough to buy your loved ones nice souvenirs from your travel destination, right?

Be open minded about accommodation

You really don’t need the 5-star hotel. Sure, it’s nice to do the whole luxury travel thing – but, years from now, you will most likely remember more of the ambiance of a location and the food and the people you met, rather than the bed where you slept.

So it’s probably best for your finances to open your mind to new accommodation options. The most popular one at the moment is AirBNB – basically, just “normal people” renting out rooms or entire apartments/ houses for less than what you would pay for at a hotel. AirBNB will allow you to see each host’s ratings and they are also allowed to see your rating – so things are pretty safe (and many people are actually very happy with this type of accommodation).

Another option is couch surfing. On a typical couch surfing site, you will find different users ready to let you live with them for free, in exchange for a room when they visit your country. Same as with AirBNB, this is a review-based system, so things are kept pretty safely. As always, use your common sense and don’t couch surf with hosts that don’t have any kind of review, don’t leave valuables at home when you are out and about, and generally don’t give up too much personal information either.

Yes, traveling overseas on a lower budget CAN be done – and it SHOULD be done if this is what you dream. Get down to planning and your dream trip will come true!

However, it is also important that you do this the right way and stay healthy while traveling. What are some of the essential tips to keep in mind when it comes to this? We have gathered them right below – continue reading if you want to learn more about it.

Use your common sense

This is quite vague, but in general, use your common sense when traveling – and especially when traveling to places with a completely different culture and cuisine.

Yes, part of why you should travel is experiencing the foods of each place you see. It’s just such an amazing introspection into the way people there live and even how they see life!

At the same time, you should probably stay away from foods that are completely foreign to you and you should make sure that if you try, a minimum of sanitary precautions are taken in prepping that food.

Not doing this means you not only risk not experiencing all the other awesome things that place has to offer, but it can lead to serious health risks as well – so it’s probably best to really use your common sense when it comes to foods, drinks, the places where you stay the night, and so on.

Walk

This may seem like a very basic tip – but walking the places you travel can be one of the best ways to maintain your physical activity levels at maximum. Renting a car, taking an UBER or using the public transportation may all seem fun and nice, but the harsh truth is that walking is the cheapest way to do it. And it’s the healthiest way too.

…And if walking is just not something you like, try biking. Most large cities in the world have places where you can rent a bike and just cycle your way around town. What a nice, fun way to experience the best that place has to offer!

Take medicine with you

You may think your usual headache reliever and your usual cough pills are available everywhere in the world – and while the basic substances behind them MAY be everywhere else, it is not always the case that you will have access to them, or that you will be able to actually get along with the pharmacists and get what you actually need.

Going back to the common sense tip, it’s probably best if you just pack your own basic medicine with you. Some things are not allowed during airport checks – but as long as you don’t pack industrial amounts of any kind of pills and stick to the very basics, you will be more than fine.

Enjoy your travels and don’t stress out over anything – this is an experience you really need to absorb into your body! Be happy with it!