Travel Tips

Planning a Surprise Family Vacation

Submitted by patrick on April 18, 2012 - 9:04pm
Surprise Family Vacation
When you have kids that still love and appreciate you, before they grow up into the heartless, parent-hating, angry teenage phase where they treat you like a mix between a jail warden, the principle in The Breakfast Club, and Freddy Kruger, you should strongly consider taking as many family vacations as possible.   Sure, they will outgrow the phase and become responsible, caring adults (knock on wood) but while they are young it can be easy to align everyone’s schedule for a summer vacation together. Another thing you can do when they’re young is plan a surprise family vacation with an unknown destination. The anticipation of guessing where you are headed increases the excitement when your plane finally lands! Here are some tips to keep in mind when planning one of these extravaganzas: 1) Tell your kids everything except the location: You want them to properly pack, so tell them they need swim trunks, a warm sweater, etc. for the trip. Also, let them know when the plane leaves so they can be prepared. 2) Pick a spot that the whole family will enjoy: If you’re going to surprise everyone, make sure it is somewhere everyone will love. 3) Don’t oversell the vacation: This is important. If you make it sound like you’re going to Paris when you’re just visiting Aunt Gertrude’s cabin, your kids will be disappointed. Make sure to manage expectations so nobody is let down. 4) Don’t hide the vacation forever: Kids are smarter than we give them credit for. Even little kids can piece together clues, like the location on the departure board. If they know they the destination is Orange County, there is no need to blindfold them until you get to Disneyland to maintain the surprise. 5) Have Fun! These times won’t last forever, so make sure to enjoy every last moment. When your kids become teens and are starring at you like you’re Darth Vader, you’ll always have these memories. Last Minute Vacation Deals One of the best ways to plan surprise family vacations is to shop at the last minute. Luckily, Pleasant Vacation offers some of the best bargains and destinations for last minute vacation deals around. Find low prices on Europe, Asia, the Caribbean, or Hawaii vacation that your family will never forget.

Expensive Fuel Prices May Limit Driving Vacations This Summer

Submitted by patrick on March 22, 2012 - 10:29pm
Gas Pump
It seems to happen every year around this time: fuel prices skyrocket out of control. There are many complex reasons why this occurs having to do with financial markets and foreign affairs, but one simple domestic cause is that families are planning cross-country drives for their summer vacations. The influx in expected gas usage is a factor in the rising gas prices, which ironically causes some families to then skip out on their long drives.  It used to be that packing the kids up in the mini-van was the most affordable way for middle class families to have a vacation, especially if camping was involved. This cut down on prices for flights, hotels, and food, while allowing the family members to see locations they might otherwise miss, like the Grand Canyon, Mt. Rushmore, and the world’s largest ball of twine. But do to inflated gasoline costs, this no longer seems reliable. Find Discount Vacation Specials Good news; Pleasant Vacation offers great discount vacations that are affordable for an entire family without extravagant means. Weirdly enough, due to certain circumstances, like the price of crude oil and the ability to find bargain flights online, taking a vacation to Hawaii, the Caribbean, or Mexico can actually be more affordable than the driving alternative. Pleasant Vacation collects the best deals of multiple travel websites and presents them in one website. Most importantly, all of the lowest prices are available in one category: Vacation Specials. Under the “Specials” tab, find terrific discounts on vacations, cruises, and airfare, conveniently located in one central place. Forget the Pump and Take Flight! So while you are planning your family vacation for the summer, don’t waste time searching Middle America for interesting rest stops, visit Pleasant Vacation to find incredible deals on flights and hotels in some of the world’s most exotic locales. Who knows, you might just save a few bucks in the process.   Follow Pleasant Vacation on Twitter for more vacation planning tips @Pleasantvac

Travel Safety Tips

Submitted by patrick on February 21, 2012 - 11:50pm
Travel Lock
When you travel abroad, do you ever account for potential troubles you could face? It’s not to say that traveling overseas is dangerous, but you are adding in unknown elements to your daily routine. Pleasant Vacation wants you to have a safe and fun vacation, so here are some travel safety tips you should follow.   Do not dress like a tourist Criminals will seek out easy targets. If they know you are unfamiliar with the area, well, that’s about as easy as they come. In addition, do not dress like a wealthy tourist. Leave behind expensive jewelry and watches, so you don’t draw attention to yourselves. Do not over-pack Only bring the essentials. The more you take with you, the more you risk losing. If possible, leave behind laptops and other valuable electronics. Also, guard your possessions at all times. The heavier your backpack is, the more likely you will be to set it down, so do not over-pack! What to bring Make sure you bring any essential items that you cannot survive without. That means glasses, medicine, and prescriptions, not iPads. Pack them into your carry-on and secure them with a travel lock. Instead of bringing cash, use traveler checks and one or two major credit cards. This will minimize the damage done if you are robbed. Find a safe storage location for your valuables as soon as you check into the hotel. Know where the US consulate or embassy is located If something REALLY bad happens to you, like all of your possessions get stolen, including your passport, or someone gets physically injured, it is important to know where to turn for help. The U.S. embassy or consulates office can assist you in figuring out everything that has happened and finding a solution, while communicating with people back in the States. They regularly have to help people stuck in foreign hospitals and prisons. Purchase traveler’s insurance This one seems like a waste of money, but like car insurance, it’s better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it. There are excellent bargains on traveler’s insurance out there, and if your family takes yearly trips out of America, this is highly recommended. Learn local laws Familiarize yourself with the laws of the country where you are staying. Ask a travel agent or search the web for important laws in order to avoid a situation. Bonus Safety Precautions Don’t use shortcuts or alleys At night, walk in groups Avoid loud, disturbing conversations Never discuss travel plans in public Avoid scam artists who offer to be your guide or sell you things Beware of thieves and pickpockets working with an accomplice who tries to distract you Vagrant children may be pickpockets Never act lost. Always walk with purpose Learn a few helpful local phrases so you can communicate when necessary Follow Pleasant Vacation on Twitter @Pleasantvac

Last Chance to Enjoy Ski Vacations

Submitted by patrick on February 15, 2012 - 11:43pm
Ski Vacations
The winter season is coming to an end, ushering the way for springtime when the flowers bloom, birds chirp, and newborn life flourishes. What a lovely time…   But it’s not all good. Spring also means that the snow is melting, which signifies the end of ski season! Winter Vacations We covered much of this information in an earlier post about winter vacations, but let me re-emphasize. Pleasant Vacation has amazing vacation specials to some of the best winter resorts in America, including Utah, Denver, and Wyoming. These deals are mostly year round, but the snow is not, so if you want to shred down the slopes once more before the end of ski season, you have to act fast. The best part is: you actually can save a chunk of change by travelling this time of year! Ski resorts only operate during a select few months, so for the last portion of the season they need to make as much money as possible to come out on top. That means lower rates, better deals, and cheaper ski vacations for you! So come check out what bargains you can find at Pleasant Vacation for skiing, snowboarding, and snowmobiling. Spring Vacation Don’t forget that spring vacation is right around the corner! Your fraternity brothers, dorm mates, or college crush might already be planning their getaway, so don’t fall behind. Visit the Vacation Specials section at Pleasant to find the very best deasl we offer to tropical locations like Hawaii, Mexico, and the Caribbean! Follow Pleasant on Twitter @Pleasantvac for more amazing deals

Vacations Destinations: Europe

Submitted by patrick on December 24, 2011 - 2:18am
Eiffel Tower
European vacations are the pinnacle of class, history, and fun! You can tour the continent from Paris to Madrid to London to Berlin and numerous other cities. Europe is full of culture and tradition; you can visit centuries-old landmarks rich with history. But there are also tons of exciting things to do as well! Europe is well renowned for its discotheques and dance halls that stay open all night, playing electro for hours. There are numerous vacation destinations that you will want to visit on your exciting European vacation, so make sure to find cheap flights so you can hit them all up!   Vacation Destinations Want to drink wine in France? Sail a gondola in Italy? Go skiing in the Swedish Alps? Watch Barcelona play a soccer match? How about just lounging on the beaches of Greece? With so many options, it is hard to pick just one. So why not travel between multiple vacation destinations? Pleasant Vacation has tons of choices to many exciting European vacation destinations! You can find travel deals that allow you to fly around the continent, so you don’t have to settle for only one country. That way you can visit Germany, England, Portugal, Spain, and Sweden, all in one delightful voyage. Your European vacation will be an unbelievable experience!   Last Minute Travel Deals If this European vacation is unplanned and off-the-cuff, then consider finding last minute travel deals at Pleasant Vacation. We have some of the best values on the internet, with European vacations that are up to 10% lower than other travel websites. When you want to pack up and fly to an exotic location, pick last minute travel deals from Pleasant Vacation. Check out our Blog for travel advice, vacation destinations, and other fun articles, like this one on holiday vacations. Follow us on Twitter @Pleasantvac

Travel Advice: Luggage Packing Tips

Submitted by patrick on December 6, 2011 - 12:31am
Suitcase
The flight is planned, the destination set, the hotel booked and it seems like all is ready to go. But before you stuff that poncho, almanac, and pair of sunglasses into your luggage, here are some packing tips to help you from bringing the wrong supplies.   Vacation Packing There are two major mistakes that people make when collecting supplies for traveling: over-packing and under-packing. Both of these have consequences, although opposite ones, and this article aims to conquer common vacation packing blunders. Under Packing This one is the more obvious of the two, especially for anyone who has ever realized they forgot to bring their camera, sandals, or, worse, heart medication. The best way to conquer this error is by making a list. Write down the important things you need throughout the week leading up to your vacation, then cross them off after they are packed in your luggage. It is also helpful to divide your list into multiple categories to ensure you don’t forget anything. Some useful categories include clothes, toiletries, essentials (like medicine), free-time activities, toys (if you have kids), and local necessities, like maps. The last common mistake that cause travelers to under-pack occurs when they don’t account for the weather. Sure, Hawaii is usually a tropical paradise, but it does have spurts of rainfall. Check the local weather of your vacation destination to pack the proper clothing. Over Packing To some, this may not seem like such a bad thing. How can being over-prepared by harmful? For starters, it’s actually a safety liability. Nobody expects to get robbed on a vacation, and it isn’t very common, but it can happen. And if it does, you want to minimize the damage. Before you begin luggage packing, ask yourself: Do I really need that? In some cases, like an electric razor or sports coat, the answer will be “yes.” But many times, the items you pack are just taking up space and risking getting stolen. Expensive items like laptops are not necessary, especially if you own a smart phone. Leave them behind and you won’t have to constantly worry if they are getting swiped. Additionally, luggage handlers move thousands or pieces each day and are not always so gently. If you have valuables, consider leaving them behind. If you must take them, stash them in the carry on or ship them to your destination ahead of time. The final reason to pack light, and possibly best, is that it is cheaper! Each extra bag that you check in will require a fee. Some airlines even weigh bags and charge extra if you exceed a pre-determined limit. I once heard from a friend that studied abroad and was charged $50 because his new text books tipped the scale on his return flight. Don’t ruin your cheap vacation with ticky-tack fees. Vacation Package Deals Regardless of your luggage packing theories, at Pleasant Vacation you can find vacation package deals that are incredible. Check out discount vacations and our Travel Blog, like this piece on Australia. Follow us on Twitter for more news and updates @Pleasantvac

Visit the Land Down Under on Australia Vacations

Submitted by patrick on November 29, 2011 - 10:19pm
Kangaroo in Australia
‘Ello, mate!   Do you enjoy beautiful nature, breathtaking cities, swimming in the ocean, and exotic animals? Then Australia vacations are the perfect option for you! Explore the Land Down Under on one of Pleasant Vacation’s awesome vacation packages that are up to 10% cheaper than other travel websites. So book a family vacation for the world’s smallest continent and enjoy all Australia has to offer! Things to Do in Australia The views in Australia are simply unbelievable! No really! You need to take an Australia vacation and see them first-hand to truly appreciate how stunning they are. You will be snapping pictures all day. For one, the Great Barrier Reef is majestic in its sheer magnitude. A spectral rainbow of coral reef and tropical fish provide scuba divers and snorkelers with hours of excitement. The large metropolitan areas of Sydney and Melbourne are rich with cultural activities for the active tourist to explore, including the famous Sydney Opera House. Australia vacations are also great times to take an Outback safari the many national parks with wildlife reserves that host kangaroos, koalas, and wallabies, amongst other indigenous creatures. The plant life is also unique and brilliant as well. Of course, the country is also known for its amazing beaches, which will allow you to tan, swim, surf, fish, or go sailing from the marina. Whether you’re looking to escape the winter or get away from work, you will find relaxation at the premier Australia resorts. Travel Deals Find amazing travel deals at Pleasant Vacation for Australia vacations or numerous other vacation destinations. Keep up with our Travel Blog, with posts like this one on Alaska Cruises. Finally, follow us on Twitter for news and updates @Pleasantvac

Pleasant Vacation Resort Spotlights: Sandals

Submitted by patrick on November 15, 2011 - 12:05am
Sandals Resort
Want a romantic honeymoon vacation? Have you been thinking about taking your girlfriend or boyfriend on the perfect trip? Need to escape from your children? Then Sandals Resorts are the perfect choice for you!  Sandals Resorts Sandals Resorts are catered towards couples and designed with romance in mind. In fact, they do not even permit children or families at the resorts to detract from the sense of peace and relaxation.  With 16 resorts located around the Caribbean, prospective visitors will find a location that will suit their needs, whether celebrating the fresh union with a spouse on a honeymoon, taking a casual trip with a loved one, or just trying to impress a friend you’ve had a crush on. The Sandals resort brand includes Grand Pineapple Resorts, Fowl Cay Resorts, Beaches Resorts, and Private Villas of Ochos Rios. Can you imagine a private room with its own infinity pool?! Well, at some Sandals resorts, this is a reality. You can literally, swim up to your bed. Why? Because Sandals wants you and your loved one to enjoy the most intimate setting imaginable. All Inclusive Vacation Packages The great thing about Sandals resort is that they have all inclusive vacation packages that allow you to leave your wallet in the room. Food, drinks, and amenities are included in the base price, even gratuities are taken care of for you. If you want to relax without worrying about pinching pennies, purchase one of the all inclusive vacation packages that Sandals offers. Honeymoon Vacations Planning a wedding can be exciting, but it can also be stressful. After you’re blissfully wedded, the cake’s been cut, the guests have congaed, and the champagnes been imbibed, the honeymoon becomes more than just a celebration, it becomes a much-needed vacation! So take the honeymoon vacation that you deserve, with honeymoon packages that will cater towards the desires of you and your new husband or wife. Pleasant Vacation Booking with Pleasant Vacation is the best way to find deals on travel- sometimes up to 10% off prices of other travel agencies. With terrific all inclusive vacation packages, you are sure to find the perfect deal to satisfy your urge for adventure at Sandals Resorts Follow Pleasant Vacation on Twitter @Pleasantvac

Vacation Destinations Review: Hawaii

Submitted by patrick on November 8, 2011 - 8:06pm
Big Island
Without a doubt, the best vacation destination in the United States is the Hawaiian Islands. Sure, you could make a case for the landmarks in New York City, the amusement parks in Florida and California, the parties in New Orleans, or the skiing in Denver. But when it comes down to it, nothing beats the fantastic atmosphere of Hawaii vacations. Described below is a breakdown of the main islands for travelers seeking sun, surfing, golfing, and luaus, but still unsure where to visit. Maui The Island of Maui is one of the most popular tourist sites for Hawaii vacations. One of the strongest draws is championship golf courses that utilize the surrounding scenery, like lava flows, waterfalls, stark cliffs, ocean views, and sandy beaches. These can also be observed via hiking, horseback tour, or helicopter ride. Visit Lahaina for great shopping and a wharf where you can book small cruises to see the sunset or go whale watching between October and April each year. Oahu Oahu is the home of Waikiki, one of the finest resort towns in Hawaii. Here you will find shopping, dining, boutiques, and nightlife, all with the Island culture. Waikiki beach is also incredible, allowing travelers to surf, swim, boat, or engage in one of many other water sports. While on Oahu, check out the historical landmark of Pearl Harbor, the remains of the naval base that was attacked by Japan before World War II. Big Island Hawaii’s Big Island rounds out the three most popular vacation destinations in Hawaii. The Big Island features great swimming in lagoons and the Pacific, quaint villas and resorts, and golfing at the Kona Country Club. There are also landmarks like the Parker Ranch, Mauna Kea Summit observatory, Imiloa Astronomy Center of Hawaii, and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.  Hawaii Vacations So why take Hawaii vacations rather than, say, Caribbean vacations? One huge advantage is the lack of language barrier. In Mexico or other foreign countries, you have to deal with questionable English from staff and servers. While this isn’t always horrible, some travelers prefer to have the comfort of their native language. In addition, Hawaii can be safer for family vacations, as there is no risk of revolutions, insurrections, guerilla warfare, kidnapping, or any of the other problems plaguing certain third world countries. Finally, Hawaii vacations are actually quite inexpensive. You will find that searching on Pleasant Vacation for cheap vacations and last minute travel deals makes picking a package that suits your need simple and affordable. Travel Blog For more information on deals, vacation destinations, resort reviews, and everything you need for taking a journey, visit our Travel Blog. Here is a particularly interesting article about selecting where to vacation in winter. For even more news, follow us on Twitter @Pleasantvac

Where to Vacation in Winter?

Submitted by patrick on November 1, 2011 - 11:25pm
So, it’s that time of year again: winter. For some this evokes images of snow-covered landscapes, steamy mugs of hot chocolate, holiday spirit, presents, and huddling round the fire with the family. All I think about is cold. Icy, frigid, freezing, frosty, nasty, unpleasant, cumbersome cold. And I want nothing to do with it.   If you’re lucky enough to live somewhere that receives sun all year, congrats. But for the rest of us, November summons a harsh wind, dropping temperatures, and the eventual snowstorm that slides cars off the road, creates hours of shoveling the driveway, and is just generally awful. Well rest easy under your plug-in blankets: a winter vacation is the perfect thing to get that blood pumping. Why fight the cold, when you can escape it entirely? It may not be the most honorable of approaches, but it works. Winter Vacation So where should you go on your winter vacation? What country is warm this time of year? Is it inappropriate to send gift cards as a present? Well I don’t know the answer to the last one, though I assume it depends on the recipient, but I can help you through the first two questions. Most countries in the southern hemisphere are actually nicer in the winter, thus making a trip down south ideal for kicking back in a hammock sipping a Mai Tai or Piña Colada. So what countries specifically qualify? How about the Caribbean, Mexico, and Hawaii. Vacation Destinations Caribbean vacations are incredible in the winter, because the rest of the year the area is incredibly hot during the summer months and cools down to acceptable temperatures (at least for wimpy, sweaty babies like me) during the winter. Likewise, Mexico vacations in the Gulf of Mexico are also terrific during the winter when temperatures are more moderate and the chance of hurricanes is reduced. Finally, consider Hawaii amongst winter vacation destinations. Hawaii is actually nice year-round, with temperatures in the 80s. But Hawaii vacations are slightly cheaper in the winter than the summer. Whatever vacation destinations you choose for your winter excursion, it has to be better than trudging through the ankle-high snow! Pleasant Vacation Travel Blog If you are looking for more help finding the perfect location for your winter vacations, check out the Pleasant Vacation Travel Blog. We provide advice on where to travel, when to go, and how to find amazing packages. Read this blog about how to plan a cruise. Follow us on Twitter for more updates and deals @Pleasantvac