Car Travel with Children

Dear Travel Gear Guru –

Our five-year-old Grandson is coming to stay with us for a week while his parents vacation in the Bahamas. We don’t see him often and we’re really excited, but we’re concerned about the car trip. We’ll be picking him up in Albany and driving him to our home in Baltimore and we don’t have one of those in-car video systems, like my son has. Do you think we need to rent one?

Jacob’s Grandma in Baltimore, MD.

Dear Jacob’s Grandma –

Why not take this as an opportunity to bond with your grandson and give him special experiences he’ll remember as an adult! Although a 330 mile trip is a long time to keep a five-year-old entertained, if you come prepared, it can be fun.

Be sure to pack the following “young traveler” gear:

§ Plenty of healthy snacks (fruit, pretzels, trail mix and crackers are good choices, as are Grandma’s homemade goodies!)

§ An ice chest with waters and juices

§ Books on CD (check with his folks to discover your grandson’s interests and then talk to the local librarian for recommendations your grandson would enjoy)

§ Children’s Music on CD (Raffi has some great kids’ music that even adults find entertaining!)

§ An activity box loaded with fun kids’ items from your local dollar store. They might include paper, coloring books, crayons, pencils or markers, small animals, vehicles and action figures, mini doodle boards, magic ink coloring books, board books and so on.

§ Don’t forget the great games like I Spy and the one where you track different state’s license plates on the cars that drive by!

At ProTravelGear.com we offer a Kids Car Organizer by High Road ($22.85), a great travel tool that’ll make your grandson feel like a “big kid”. It’s part toy box, part snack bar, part game table and it fastens securely in place with a seat belt. Your grandson will love being able to organize his own gear!

Have him bring his favorite toy or stuffed animal and blanket with him in the car. Don’t forget a travel pillow, so that when he falls asleep (very likely on this length trip) he won’t awake with a sore neck. Pro Travel Gear offers a Junior Kid's Travel Pillow by Bucky for only $17.95.

Make the journey part of his exciting stay at Grandma’s and Grandpa’s, and enjoy!

The Travel Guru

At ProTravelGear.com, we are dedicated to providing you the best travel shopping experience possible, now even better with free shipping on all orders*. We proudly carry the industry's most recognized brands, like Patagonia, Ex Officio, Eagle Creek, Plane Quiet, and many others. We also offer new gift ideas, expert advice, and resources for trip planning.

PRO TRAVEL TIP: China Adoption, Avoiding Jet Lag

Dear Travel Gear Guru –

I’m the woman from Rochester who is flying to China to adopt a new daughter and I’m writing again because I could use some more advice. I just found out our trip there and back will take over 20 hours each way (if we’re lucky)! I’ve been to Europe before and know how badly I react to jet lag. I’m really worried about how I’ll deal with a 20+ hour trip, especially with a new baby! I’m not much for medicines, so I really need your recommendations again!

Ann S., Rochester, NY

Dear Ann –

We’re always glad to hear from you! Don’t worry, you’ll be so excited about your new daughter that you’ll rise above the jet lag, but there are definitely things you can do to combat it.

Before I get to the question about jet lag, I wanted to mention Families with Children from China, a wonderful organization for families just like yours. They have many local chapters throughout the U.S. and around the world, as well as a super website. On their site, you’ll find an enormous amount of information about every aspect of the adoption process, along with information about travel to and within China and you don’t need to be a member to access the information. One of the reasons I mention this is that the organization has put together an extensive list of gear to pack that you should find extremely helpful.

Now, on to the question of jet lag! It will be helpful for you to read a previous post “Pro Travel Tip: Avoiding Jet Lag” where we outline all of the steps you can take to avoid and alleviate jet lag. And you’ll be happy to know that ProTravelGear offers a number of Homeopathic Jet Lag Relief Remedies made from all-natural products that will help you combat jet lag and will sidestep your concerns about medicinal jet lag products.

Ann, happy travels and please write any time!

The Travel Guru

At ProTravelGear.com, we are dedicated to providing you the best travel shopping experience possible, now even better with free shipping on all orders*. We proudly carry the industry's most recognized brands, like Patagonia, Ex Officio, Eagle Creek, Plane Quiet, and many others. We also offer new gift ideas, expert advice, and resources for trip planning.

PRO TRAVEL TIP: Wrinkle-free traveling

Dear Travel Guru –

My husband travels on business a lot and when he’s flying, he travels in casual clothes, but once he gets to his destination, it’s all suits and ties. Because he can be on the road for more than a week at a time, he brings at least 5 or 6 ties with him in case they get stained.

Right now, he carefully rolls his ties up and stores them in his shoes for the plane trip and then “steams the smell out” in the bathroom while he showers! This grosses me out, but he says he can’t find another way to avoid ties that look like the plane ran over them. Surely there must be some other solution!

Cheryl N., Chicago, IL


Dear Cheryl,

Your note made me laugh out loud because I have several friends who used to do the exact same thing!

Now I bet I’ve got you wondering whether this is a trick taught in Boy Scouts, or whether it’s one of those beloved traditions passed on from fraternity brother to fraternity brother. I think I’ll keep you guessing!

Anyway, yes, I do have a better solution than the “steam the smell out” method of keeping ties smooth. ProTravelGear.com offers the Original Tie Caddy with a patented winding mechanism so your husband can store his ties in the 4 ¼” x 2 ¼” clear plastic cylinders, confident that they’ll come out looking as if they’ve just been slipped off a store tie rack.

By the way, a good method of making sure suits stay wrinkle-free is to leave them in their original dry cleaning bags for travel. They take up a little more room, but the trapped air provides cushioning to prevent wrinkles.

Cheryl, thanks for the laugh!

The Travel Guru

At ProTravelGear.com, we are dedicated to providing you the best travel shopping experience possible, now even better with free shipping on all orders*. We proudly carry the industry's most recognized brands, like Patagonia, Ex Officio, Eagle Creek, Plane Quiet, and many others. We also offer new gift ideas, expert advice, and resources for trip planning.

PRO TRAVEL TIP: Dealing with Separation Anxiety When Parent Travels

Dear Travel Gear Guru –

I’m the Mom of a 3-year-old and, due to a promotion, my new job will take me out of town on overnight travel for the first time since Becca was born. We have an Au Pair who lives with us, and I really trust her with Becca, but I’m so upset at the thought of leaving my little daughter. I’m trying not to let it show, because I don’t want her to get more upset than necessary, but I’m really anxious! Can you offer some suggestions?

Carolynn W., Atlanta, GA.

Dear Carolynn –

Congratulations on your promotion! While you must be delighted at the reason for your travels, it’s understandable that you’d be upset about leaving your daughter and family. Although she’s only three, it’s important that you be honest with Becca about your absence, stressing that it’s for your job. Sometimes young children get the misperception that the parent has gone away because they were naughty. Through honesty, you can ensure this idea never even enters Becca’s head!

Here are some ideas that work well with young children:

-->Give Becca her own family photo album to look at, sleep with, etc.

-->Include her in the packing process. Leave something meaningful of yours with her and let her give you something small of hers “to take care of until I get back,” to reassure her of your return. Make a ritual of exchanging treasures when you get back.

-->Record a message with a bedtime story or song for every night that you’ll be away, to be played before bedtime.

-->Set “an appointment” each day to call your family and stick to it, no matter what you are doing. Even in the middle of a busy meeting, you can excuse yourself to go to the ladies’ room and make a quick phone call.

-->Bring back a small item to give your daughter upon your return, not as an apology for being away, but as a symbol that you were thinking about her during your trip (this is great for husbands and Au Pairs too, by the way!).

Carolynn, you’ll enjoy your travels more once you and your family develop meaningful activities and rituals that ease the separation.

The Travel Guru

At ProTravelGear.com, we are dedicated to providing you the best travel shopping experience possible, now even better with free shipping on all orders*. We proudly carry the industry's most recognized brands, like Patagonia, Ex Officio, Eagle Creek, Plane Quiet, and many others. We also offer new gift ideas, expert advice, and resources for trip planning.

PRO TRAVEL TIP: Protective Bed Linens

Dear Travel Gear Guru –

Last summer, my twin ten-year-old daughters went away to riding camp for two weeks. When they returned, we discovered that they both had raging cases of head lice! I had to cut their beautiful long hair and it took several weeks to get rid of the nasty little critters.

Now, they’re scheduled to attend a week-long retreat at a Girl Scout Lodge later this year, and while I don’t want to deprive them of the adventure, I’m frantic thinking that we could run into this again! How can we protect against disaster striking a second time?!

Marsha T., Stroudsburg, PA


Dear Marsha –

After an episode like that, I can certainly understand your concern, but there are definitely ways to protect against head lice infestation!

Lice cannot jump or fly, but they are extremely contagious and have tiny claws that allow them to adhere firmly to hair strands if there is head-to-head contact or if personal items are shared. Remind your daughters never to use anyone else’s combs, brushes or hair accessories. They should also never wear or even try on anyone else’s hat or riding helmet. We also recommend that your daughters bring separate pillows and bed linens for use at the retreat.

Rather than risk bringing their pillows, which may pick up the smells of the lodge, consider ProTravelGear.com’s comfy Luxurious Down Alternative Travel Pillow by Cocoon with a nylon shell and synthetic down fill, for under $20.

Pair the pillow with a Coolmax Travel Sheet by Cocoon for $39.95 and your daughters will be all set! The Coolmax Travel Sheet features a pillow pocket, Velcro-secured side opening and a roomy boxed foot section. They’re made out of specially woven cotton fabric to be lightweight, durable and easy to wash. If it’s chilly, your daughters can simply add a blanket over the travel sheet or slip it inside a sleeping bag for total comfort.

We’re sure your daughters’ next outing won’t be the headache it was for all three of you the last time!

The Travel Guru

At ProTravelGear.com, we are dedicated to providing you the best travel shopping experience possible, now even better with free shipping on all orders*. We proudly carry the industry's most recognized brands, like Patagonia, Ex Officio, Eagle Creek, Plane Quiet, and many others. We also offer new gift ideas, expert advice, and resources for trip planning.

TRAVEL SAFETY: Traveling with Cash

Dear Travel Gear Guru –

My husband and I are traveling to China next month to adopt and bring home a baby girl. We’re so excited to finally be getting our new daughter, but also worried because our adoption agency has recommended that we take most of the money in cash rather than travelers’ checks. We’ve never traveled with so much cash before and the idea is pretty scary. Any suggestions?

Ann S., Rochester, NY

Dear Ann –

Congratulations to you and your husband! Having waited so long for this event – I understand from friends that the wait is about two years now – it’s important that you feel secure to focus on your daughter and not on the safety of the cash you are transporting.

When you must carry a lot of cash, for any reason, don’t store it all in one place. You and your husband should split the cash, and stow it in a number of separate locations, and always with you. Never leave the cash in unattended bags or in your hotel room when you are out. If you stay at the White Swan Hotel in Guangzhou to finalize your adoption, you may have access to the use of a safe deposit box, but many hotels in China will not offer this amenity.

To alleviate stress about traveling with so much cash, you and your husband might each consider selecting one or two security products offered by ProTravelGear.com:

§ TravelSafe Locking Travel Safe by Pacsafe – This compact travel safe is slash-proof, weather resistant and easy to use, ensuring peace of mind while you sleep. Under $40.

§ Eagle Creek All Terrain Travel Money Belt – Carry your cash in the zippered compartment hidden within this one size fits all money belt. Under $14.

§ Eagle Creek UnderCover Deluxe Security Belt – This pouch, which fits up to a 42” waist, can be hidden beneath clothing and secures money, passports and other valuable documents. Under $14.

§ The Eagle Creek Undercover Neck Pouch - Not only can you stow cash, but this pouch also provides safe storage for your passport, airline tickets and other valuables. Under $14.

§ Eagle Creek UnderCover Travel Leg Stash – Hide cash and other documents in this clever travel accessory, worn just above the ankle. The Coolmax backing makes it comfortable in all climates. Under $15.

Safe travels and warmest wishes to you, your husband on the adoption of your new daughter!

The Travel Guru

Reference
http://www.protravelgear.com/store/security

At ProTravelGear.com, we are dedicated to providing you the best travel shopping experience possible, now even better with free shipping on all orders*. We proudly carry the industry's most recognized brands, like Patagonia, Ex Officio, Eagle Creek, Plane Quiet, and many others. We also offer new gift ideas, expert advice, and resources for trip planning.

PRO TRAVEL TIP: Totes for Meeting Planners

Dear Travel Gear Guru –

My girlfriend is a meeting planner for a trade association, so she travels a lot. I’m looking for a birthday gift for her, and I notice that each time she travels on business, she complains about her bag. It’s big with few inside pockets, so she ends up using clear zip lock bags inside her tote. Even then, she can’t find what she’s looking for.

I think she needs a bag that’s large, can be used as a tote or a purse, and has lots of pockets to hold her planning book, purse, makeup, camera, airline tickets, passport, etc. She carries more gear onto the plane than the average traveler because she’s always afraid if her luggage gets delayed or lost, she won’t be able to run her meetings. What would you suggest?

Ted L., Branson, MO.


Dear Ted –

Do I have some great suggestions for you! I went to my female friends who are meeting planners to ask what they’d recommend and here are some of their favorite ProTravelGear.com choices:

Carryall Travel Tote by Ellington – This elegant “workhorse” of a bag features 4 exterior pockets and a front bungee cord, 2 full width pockets with magnetic snaps, a zip mesh pocket, pen slots and a hideable luggage handle for $89.95.

Large In Flight Tote by Ellington – Lots of pockets for a wallet, travel guide, a good book, camera, cell phone, sunglasses, water, compact or any other gear your girlfriend can think of! - $73.85

Catalina Travel Pack Backpack by Ellington – This hands-free travel bag is a great choice for meeting planners because of the spacious storage and numerous compartments that will hold just about anything. - $ 54.85

Baggalini Messenger Bag – This popular hands-free option fits across the body and features multiple pockets that will carry everything from a magazine or important documents to sunglasses for a post-event beach day! - $39.95

I am sure that one of these totes will delight your girlfriend and solve her problem of traveling with the many items needed by meeting planners.

The Travel Guru


References:
http://www.protravelgear.com/store/carry-on_tote_and_messenger_bags/carryall_travel_tote_by_ellington.cfm
http://www.protravelgear.com/store/carry-on_tote_and_messenger_bags/in_flight_tote_by_ellington_large.cfm
http://www.protravelgear.com/store/carry-on_tote_and_messenger_bags/catalina_travel_pack_backpack_by_ellington.cfmhttp://www.protravelgear.com/store/carry-on_tote_and_messenger_bags/baggallini_messenger_bag.cfm

At ProTravelGear.com, we are dedicated to providing you the best travel shopping experience possible, now even better with free shipping on all orders*. We proudly carry the industry's most recognized brands, like Patagonia, Ex Officio, Eagle Creek, Plane Quiet, and many others. We also offer new gift ideas, expert advice, and resources for trip planning.

AIRLINE TRAVEL: Roomier Seating

Dear Travel Gear Guru –

I am a large man and, as a result, I try to avoid traveling by plane whenever possible.
When I do fly, I try to get a bulkhead or emergency aisle seat and just suffer with a seat belt that is uncomfortably snug.

I’m writing because my daughter is getting married in California this May, and a train won’t work, since we live in Pennsylvania. I checked ticket prices and business class is out of the question. But I can’t even imagine the discomfort I’ll feel after a 6 ½ hour flight. I’m afraid that instead of walking my daughter down the aisle, she’ll have to carry me! What’s a Santa look-alike to do?

Gary T., Philadelphia, PA.


Dear Gary –

In this day and age, when U.S. residents are getting both taller and broader, I really wonder at many airlines’ wisdom in shrinking the roominess of seats and legroom. On some short-distance flights, the width of seats can be as narrow as 16.2” with a pitch (amount of legroom) of only 31” – less than comfortable for all but the most petite of us!

Below are a number of ways you can improve your chances of having a roomier seat when traveling by plane:

§ Look for a 767 airplane model and ask for the aisle seat in the center section. The middle aisle seats fill last and because of the 2-3-2 configuration of the seats, the airline has to be 86% full before the airline begins filling the middle seats. As an alternate, a 777 with a 3-3-3 layout must be 67% full before the middle seats start filling.

§ Visit http://www.seatguru.com/ by Tripadvisor to research airplane layouts on most airlines to discover which seating is more spacious and what amenities are provided.

§ At ProTravelGear.com, we offer three different models of Airline Seat Belt Extenders that work on all major airlines. These extenders are constructed using the same high quality material and FAA standards as airline seat belts, and they add from 22”-28” of extra comfort (depending on the model) for only $48.95.

Follow these suggestions, and I bet you’ll be skipping rather than walking your daughter down the aisle!

The Travel Guru

At ProTravelGear.com, we are dedicated to providing you the best travel shopping experience possible, now even better with free shipping on all orders*. We proudly carry the industry's most recognized brands, like Patagonia, Ex Officio, Eagle Creek, Plane Quiet, and many others. We also offer new gift ideas, expert advice, and resources for trip planning.