Dear Travel Guru,
My husband and I are planning a much needed "Spa Vacation" this winter. We just found out we are expecting our first baby in the summer, and we want to go away and relax before our lives are happily, but chaotically changed.
We are looking at a couple different places now, but I am wondering if you have any spa vacation travel tips to share--and any travel trips for flying while pregnant.
Thank you very much!
Sincerely,
Stacy A.
Dear Stacy,
Congratulations on your upcoming addition. What exciting news! And certainly a spa vacation sounds like the perfect way to celebrate and relax with your hubby.
A spa vacation can calm and sooth your mind, body and soul--and you can find good spas and hotels in almost all price ranges. The only down-side is that you have near endless possibilities, from the upscale hotel in your town, to the beautiful beach resorts in Aruba.
The first thing to consider is your budget. This will determine if you will be going away, or staying local. Next you can decide what is important to you in terms of spa services. Many spas now offer pre-natal massage, which is a great option for you. Other services include pedicures, mud baths, yoga, and salon services.
Remember that saunas and whirlpools are probably out while you are pregnant. When in doubt, ask your doctor.
Relaxation is key, so investigate your spa options online, get reviews and check with the International SPA Association (ISPA) for photos and information on spas around the world. You can even narrow your search by choosing "medical spas," "beach spas," "weight loss spas,"etc. based on your preferences. Think about execise options, nutritional analysis, atmosphere, and types of services.
The most important thing is to enjoy your spa vacation and that you find that tranquility that you are looking for before the baby arrives.
As far as air travel while pregnant goes, the first thing to do is check with your doctor to make sure they feel that you are healthy enough to travel. There is minimal risk when flying when pregnant, but it is always important to address your specific situation with your doctor.
Most airlines do not put any restriction on flying until you are in your last month or so... mostly because they are not prepared to deliver your new bundle of joy in the aisle of business class on the flight from New York to LA! You think it is tough to fly normally--you definetly do not want to do it while having contractions every two minutes.
So as long you as you are cleared to fly, you should know a few things first. You will want to leave plenty of time to travel and in-between flights. It will be harder to dash between terminals while pregnant! And don't be afraid to ask for a ride from the airport staff in those cool little electric carts. That is what they are there for!
On the plane, you should try to get a seat with extra leg room. It is important to avoid getting blood clots, so get up and walk, and wear support stockings (like "travelsox" Travel Socks). Drink plenty of water on the plane to avoid dehyration and remember that this is supposed to be a relaxing vacation, so bring the travel pillow and blanket, (try the Dreamsack Airline Comfort Travel Set) the headphones and music player, and anything that will make you more comfortable while traveling.
Congratulations again and enjoy a wonderful travel and vacation experience--you deserve it!
The Travel Guru
www.protravelgear.com
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.
Showing posts with label winter. Show all posts
Showing posts with label winter. Show all posts
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Winter Travel Trips
Dear Travel Guru,
For the holidays, my family and I are taking a road trip from Charlotte, NC to Pittsburgh PA to see my in-laws and my husband's cousins.
I grew up in Southern California, went to collage in Texas, and we now live in Charlotte. I have really never driven in the snow and I am nervous. My husband will be doing half the driving, but I want to be prepared, both for driving myself, and any emergencies that we might have. Do you have any winter driving travel tips?
Caroline K. Charlotte, NC
Dear Caroline,
Driving long distances, especially in "winter weather" conditions can be quite tricky, most especially if you are unfamiliar with the way your car will react on ice and snow. If you find that you have to drive during adverse conditions, please consider the following winter travel tips:
1. Know the route and pay attention to the weather. A couple years ago I was traveling from New York to Charlotte in February and got caught in a huge storm. We had chosen to go one way because it would be "faster." Instead, we ended up spending 2 extra days in the car! If we had been paying attention to the weather report, we would have seen the storm coming up the East coast and chosen the more Western way, avoided the storm, and gotten to our destination 2 days sooner! Check the Web, the TV and the Department of Transportation road-condition hotlines and consult them every few hours while you’re on the road.
2. Drink plenty of water. With all that rain and snow, it may seem unlikely that you could get dehydrated, but as little as a 1-2 percent loss of body weight can lead to fatigue and reduced alertness. And you need to be as alert as possible to drive in the rain, snow and ice. Bring plenty of water, and remember to drink it! And as an added bonus, all the water might cause you to take more rest-area breaks, which can help you stay alert and allow you to stretch your legs.
3. Eat enough food. In the winter we crave hearty foods: meats, stews, etc. That is because during the winter your body needs more nourishment than it does on a warm summer day. So bring sandwiches, and high-energy foods such as nuts and granola mix. Remember to pack enough for a whole extra day in the car just in case!
4. Pack a winter travel safety box. In your winter safety box, besides a first aid kit, include a blanket, ice scraper, small shovel, and cat litter for traction. You will also want in the car a cell phone, matches, flashlight, "fix-a-flat" and can of lock de-icer.
5. Take it slow. You will need to drive more slowly when the road conditions are bad -- perhaps up to 50% slower-- but don't go too slow, you will need to be moving fast enough to get through the tough snow, and not cause a hazard to the other drivers on the road. When in doubt, pull over and go for a coffee or lunch break and wait until the storm passes over. Better late and safe!
6. Know the car. It is best when driving through the winter weather to be familiar with the vehicle. This is not the time to be driving a friend's vehicle and not know how the car usually handles, and where the windshield wipers are!
7. Know how to recover from skids. On an icy road it is natural to hit the breaks if you start to skid... but be careful. Know if your vehicle has traction control, because the best response may be to break hard OR pump the breaks OR lay off the breaks and gently steer into the direction you want the front of your vehicle to go and don’t touch your to! This is a skill that takes time to learn, and goes to knowing the car!
8. Check the tires. Cold weather reduces tire pressure, so check and fill frequently if needed. Your tire tread depth should be at least an 8th inch, and an investment in good snow tires with lugs may be the best bet if you will be traveling in bad winter weather.
9. Take the rest stop. Winter travel is exhausting and requires you to be alert. Stop frequently to recharge, get food and water and switch drivers often.
10. If you get stuck, stay in your vehicle. If you end up stranded off the road during a storm, it is best to stay with the vehicle as long as you are off to the side, and out of the way of oncoming traffic. Recent tragedies have occurred when a motorist has walked away from their car and gotten lost in the freezing temps. The car will provide shelter and some warmth, and give rescuers something large to find along the road. Make sure your exhaust pipe in clear if you get caught in a drift though, carbon monoxide poisoning can be very dangerous.
Being prepared is key, and you are well on your way, since you are thinking about your winter travel now. Take it easy - bring a bunch of snacks and a safety box -- and you will have a great, and hopefully uneventful drive.
Best of luck!
THE Travel Guru
For the holidays, my family and I are taking a road trip from Charlotte, NC to Pittsburgh PA to see my in-laws and my husband's cousins.
I grew up in Southern California, went to collage in Texas, and we now live in Charlotte. I have really never driven in the snow and I am nervous. My husband will be doing half the driving, but I want to be prepared, both for driving myself, and any emergencies that we might have. Do you have any winter driving travel tips?
Caroline K. Charlotte, NC
Dear Caroline,
Driving long distances, especially in "winter weather" conditions can be quite tricky, most especially if you are unfamiliar with the way your car will react on ice and snow. If you find that you have to drive during adverse conditions, please consider the following winter travel tips:
1. Know the route and pay attention to the weather. A couple years ago I was traveling from New York to Charlotte in February and got caught in a huge storm. We had chosen to go one way because it would be "faster." Instead, we ended up spending 2 extra days in the car! If we had been paying attention to the weather report, we would have seen the storm coming up the East coast and chosen the more Western way, avoided the storm, and gotten to our destination 2 days sooner! Check the Web, the TV and the Department of Transportation road-condition hotlines and consult them every few hours while you’re on the road.
2. Drink plenty of water. With all that rain and snow, it may seem unlikely that you could get dehydrated, but as little as a 1-2 percent loss of body weight can lead to fatigue and reduced alertness. And you need to be as alert as possible to drive in the rain, snow and ice. Bring plenty of water, and remember to drink it! And as an added bonus, all the water might cause you to take more rest-area breaks, which can help you stay alert and allow you to stretch your legs.
3. Eat enough food. In the winter we crave hearty foods: meats, stews, etc. That is because during the winter your body needs more nourishment than it does on a warm summer day. So bring sandwiches, and high-energy foods such as nuts and granola mix. Remember to pack enough for a whole extra day in the car just in case!
4. Pack a winter travel safety box. In your winter safety box, besides a first aid kit, include a blanket, ice scraper, small shovel, and cat litter for traction. You will also want in the car a cell phone, matches, flashlight, "fix-a-flat" and can of lock de-icer.
5. Take it slow. You will need to drive more slowly when the road conditions are bad -- perhaps up to 50% slower-- but don't go too slow, you will need to be moving fast enough to get through the tough snow, and not cause a hazard to the other drivers on the road. When in doubt, pull over and go for a coffee or lunch break and wait until the storm passes over. Better late and safe!
6. Know the car. It is best when driving through the winter weather to be familiar with the vehicle. This is not the time to be driving a friend's vehicle and not know how the car usually handles, and where the windshield wipers are!
7. Know how to recover from skids. On an icy road it is natural to hit the breaks if you start to skid... but be careful. Know if your vehicle has traction control, because the best response may be to break hard OR pump the breaks OR lay off the breaks and gently steer into the direction you want the front of your vehicle to go and don’t touch your to! This is a skill that takes time to learn, and goes to knowing the car!
8. Check the tires. Cold weather reduces tire pressure, so check and fill frequently if needed. Your tire tread depth should be at least an 8th inch, and an investment in good snow tires with lugs may be the best bet if you will be traveling in bad winter weather.
9. Take the rest stop. Winter travel is exhausting and requires you to be alert. Stop frequently to recharge, get food and water and switch drivers often.
10. If you get stuck, stay in your vehicle. If you end up stranded off the road during a storm, it is best to stay with the vehicle as long as you are off to the side, and out of the way of oncoming traffic. Recent tragedies have occurred when a motorist has walked away from their car and gotten lost in the freezing temps. The car will provide shelter and some warmth, and give rescuers something large to find along the road. Make sure your exhaust pipe in clear if you get caught in a drift though, carbon monoxide poisoning can be very dangerous.
Being prepared is key, and you are well on your way, since you are thinking about your winter travel now. Take it easy - bring a bunch of snacks and a safety box -- and you will have a great, and hopefully uneventful drive.
Best of luck!
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.
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