If possible, do not travel during hazardous winter weather

These 7 tips that will help parents travel with kids more easily, whether it’s an hour flight across the county or a week-long journey abroad.

Travelling Tips For Parents With Kids: Travelling with a child can seem like a challenging task, yet experts claim that it can greatly enhance development. Travel, it is said, can broaden a child’s perspective, allowing them to become more understanding of other cultures and more adaptable to changing circumstances. Even if it gets simpler the more you do it, travelling with kids always presents some difficulties. Unpredictable schedules, lengthy packing lists, and irritable kids are just a few of the difficulties you could face. Here are a few travel tips to make it simpler for parents who are trying to travel with their kids for the first time or even all over again.

1. Recognise The Hassle And Be Patient

It is important to maintain mental readiness for unforeseen bathroom breaks, unneeded yelps, extra bags, and the odour of baby food. And more crucially, you must accept that while travelling with children, something will undoubtedly go wrong. Maintaining your cool is crucial while dealing with children, especially if they are demanding your attention.

2. Pack Smartly, Don’t Overpack

Packing becomes a major hassle when taking a toddler on a trip. Baby food, diapers, toys, medications, milk bottles, etc. must all be remembered. Pack clothes that will work in any weather or environment. Bring a few spare clothes in case you need to change after mishaps or spills while travelling. While it’s clear that these products are essential, try not to overpack since you can easily pick them up when you get there.

3. Ask And Avail Child Discounts

Not everyone feels confident approaching unknown establishments and requesting discounts. Nevertheless, effective travel isn’t complete without a few crafty techniques. Many eateries, amusement parks, and attractions provide a special “kid discount” that allows you to make considerable financial savings.

• Discount on transportation including flights, buses and trains
• Discount on the entry tickets, game zones, restaurants etc
• Discount on travel tours

4. Me Time is Equally Important

Parents lose their freedom and ability to care for themselves after restless nights and exhausting days. Avoid letting this occur when you are on vacation and make an effort to treat yourself with the respect and time you deserve. The idea is to find ways to keep the kids occupied while you enjoy some ‘Me Time.’

5. Create The Itinerary Before Hand

One of the most important lessons is to create an itinerary that works for everyone in the family, not just the kid. First of all, pick vacation spots and activities that the whole family will love. Older kids will feel more connected and enthusiastic about your trip if you give them some influence on where you go and what you do.

6. Advance Booking Goes a Long Way

When you get somewhere new, you should head straight to your accommodation, drop down your baggage, and, if required, give the kids some time to rest. This is especially true if you’ve travelled a distance to get there. You can reserve accommodations, flights, as well as private and public transportation, and tickets for museums, theme parks, and other attractions in advance.

7. Carry Snacks For Your Kids

You can never predict when the interval between meals will lengthen. It can be a flight that is delayed, unforeseen traffic on the way to your accommodation, or a tour that goes a little longer than intended. Kids always get hungry at the worst possible times, like when there isn’t a store nearby or you’ve just started a long trip, etc. Additionally, remember to fill up those drink bottles every day so you don’t have to keep buying bottled water.

Internationally, you’ll still need a passport. But for flights within the United States, there are other solutions.

After a night out in Chicago, Traci Fox woke up to discover that her wallet was missing. And she panicked.

“I was supposed to fly home to Delaware two days later,” says Fox, a college professor.

Afraid she wouldn’t be allowed on the plane, Fox phoned her father, who overnighted her passport.

“The next morning, my passport and credit card arrived, plus $40 my father threw in,” she says. “I got on the plane just fine.”

There it is, one of the most enduring post-9/11 air-travel myths: If you don’t have a driver’s license or passport, you can’t fly. And although that’s certainly true for international trips, where you need a passport to cross a border, it’s not that way for domestic flights.

If you lost your ID, you’ll probably freak out, much like Fox did. But the good news is that you can still travel. And in the remote chance that you can’t, there are still options.

Can you fly without an ID?

If you show up at the airport without a driver’s license or passport, you may still be able to board your flight, according to the Transportation Security Administration.

TSA accepts several forms of ID, including a passport or a passport card; a trusted traveler card, such as Global Entry or Nexus; and a Defense Department ID. Also on TSA’s approved list: tribal IDs, foreign passports, Veteran Health Identification cards and even Merchant Mariner credentials.

If you don’t have any of the accepted IDs, you’ll be asked to show two alternative forms of ID. One of them must show your name and identifying information, such as a photo, address, phone number or Social Security number, according to TSA.

If you don’t have any acceptable alternate form of ID, a TSA employee will ask you to complete an identity verification process by filling out a TSA Form 415, also known as a Certification of Identity form. It asks for your full name, current address, signature and date. TSA uses that information to verify your identity.

If TSA can verify your identity through alternate IDs or a Form 415, you will be allowed to enter the screening checkpoint. But you may also receive a pat-down and a more thorough screening of your property, according to TSA.

What if you’re not let through security?

Even if you’re turned away at the security screening area, you still have options. Most airlines have an unofficial “flat tire” rule, which allows you to get rebooked on the next available flight at no extra charge. The rule, which gets its name from passengers who miss a flight because of a flat tire, could also apply to a lost ID. It would give you more time to find an acceptable ID and continue your journey. If TSA won’t allow you through security because of a lost ID, be sure to mention the flat tire rule to your airline agent when you return to the counter to get rebooked.

Options for travelers who have lost their IDs

There may be a new way to handle a lost ID: Three states — Arizona, Maryland and Colorado — now allow you to use digital IDs on your Apple devices such as iPhones or Apple Watch via the Apple Wallet app. At least two other states, Florida and Louisiana, have a digital ID option for driver’s licenses. And more states are in the process of adding digital ID choices, including Connecticut, Ohio and Utah.

TSA accepts mobile drivers’ licenses in some airports, including Baltimore, Dallas and Las Vegas, but their use is limited to travelers who are enrolled in TSA PreCheck and opted in to using a digital ID.

“With that said, we strongly encourage travelers to have their actual physical driver’s license with them, in case there is an additional need to verify someone’s identity,” adds TSA spokeswoman Lisa Farbstein.

A photo of your ID doesn’t count. Laura Ericson, a travel planner from Baltimore who specializes in group trips, left her ID at home before a recent flight. She had digital copies of her license and passport, as well as social media apps with photos of her on her phone.

“But the TSA agent would not take anything from my phone,” she remembers. “She asked if I had anything printed with my name on it in my luggage, such as mail. I ended up finding a prescription bottle and a rental car reservation with my name, which she accepted.”

TSA escorted her to a screening area, where she received a pat-down. Agents screened every item in her bag for explosives, which took an extra 30 minutes. But she made her flight.

The agency’s latest face-recognition technology, described by The Washington Post’s Geoffrey A. Fowler in a recent story, would not allow you to bypass the system, at least for now. Its new face scanners compare the image on your ID to your face, so they don’t work without an ID.

Can you check into a hotel or rent a car without an ID?

Even if you board the plane, you might have some trouble checking into your hotel or renting a car when you arrive. Many properties require both a valid government ID and the original credit card used to make the booking to check in.

But there are ways around that, too.

Some chain hotels have fully automated check-in processes. If you’re a member of the hotel’s loyalty program, you can check in without an ID, using a confirmation number or the company’s app. Similarly, being a member of a car rental company’s loyalty program means your driver’s license and credit card are stored in its system, so there’s no need to show your license to anyone. If you have a digital license, you can legally drive the car.

“If you don’t have an ID to check into your hotel, give the hotel front desk a call,” says Lauren LaBar, a travel and experience lead at the travel app Upaway. “Hotels are typically flexible in allowing alternative forms of identification for check-in, especially for prepaid and prebooked stays.”

I’ve seen hotel receptionists quickly dismiss ID requirements as I fumbled for my passport during check-in. I can recall only one case in three decades of consumer advocacy where someone was turned away at a hotel because they didn’t have the right ID. Technically, they didn’t have the original credit card used to book the reservation. I negotiated an apology and a full refund for their hotel stay, so if it happens to you, you know whom to call.

The future of ID requirements

If you travel outside of the United States, it doesn’t take long before you see that there’s a better way. Passports and IDs are easy to damage or lose. Some countries are working on electronic versions, as I reported recently.

When I traveled from Cyprus to Israel this fall, a kiosk in Tel Aviv scanned my U.S. passport, and I passed through customs without even talking to an agent. Israel runs its threat assessments before you show up at the airport, allowing you to avoid the security hassle of domestic air travel. It was the easiest trip through customs ever — and in a country with a reputation for super-strict security.

It’s been a turbulent couple of years for travelers. So, once again, nothing makes us happier than having our next trip to look forward to. Whether you’re traveling to learn something new, giving back in a meaningful way or simply immersing yourself in the beauty of the world, here are 10 travel ideas we’re excited about for 2023.

1. Stays in low impact huts surrounded by nature

Thanks to improved solar technology, modern waterless toilets and small-but-luxurious, easy-to-assemble kit houses, off-grid living has gotten a whole lot better in recent years. The upshot? You can now book accommodation in the middle of a forest or field, bringing you even closer to incredible natural landscapes – and wildlife. Many of these remote huts, cabins and pods are both rustic and aesthetic. From bubble domes in Ireland to glass pods in New Zealand and tree houses in Norway, book an escape in 2023 that will allow you to really disconnect from the world – and everyone else.

2. Learning more on an Indigenous-led tour

A new year brings a new opportunity for a truly transformative travel experience: learning firsthand from Indigenous peoples. Not only will you enrich your understanding of places you visit, a First Nations guide can enlarge your worldview and help you see the land, the sky and human history from a new perspective From the northern reaches of Canada to the outback of Australia, the variety of tours catering to travelers hungry for deeper knowledge and connection continues to grow. In 2023, you can learn from centuries-old wisdom passed through the generations by story and song while traveling by river canoe in Canada, or go “Camping with Custodians” in Western Australia at an Aboriginal community campground featuring tours from the keepers of the world’s oldest continuous culture.

3. Traveling Europe by train

Not since Richard Linklater’s Before Sunset hit cinemas in 2004 has European train travel been so romantic. The benefits of getting around by train are well documented – you land in the middle of a city, there are no baggage delays and (of course) train travel has a lower environmental impact than air travel. (In fact, France recently banned flights between cities connected by train in 2.5 hours or less.) The best reason to plan a train adventure in Europe? It’s a toss-up between the rolling views by day or the romance of a sleeper carriage by night. The new GoldenPass Express through Switzerland has just added carriages with large two-part windows in all three classes for dramatic mountain, forest and river vistas. Sleeper trains, meanwhile, are having a revival, with new overnight routes just added and more on the way.

4. Setting sail with wind power

Another “no-fly” development that makes us happy to travel: getting there by sailboat. The innovative, environmentally conscious transport group SailLink has been testing a transport route between Europe and England that relies on the power of the wind and makes sailing accessible to the general public. After a successful trial in 2022 that proved there is indeed a market for low-impact travel alternatives, plans are afoot to launch a daily service between the British mainland and the north coast of France in spring 2023. Passengers can also bring their own bikes on these Channel crossings to continue their sustainable journey after disembarking. Which turns a zero-emissions trip into a real possibility.

5. Seeing near-extinct animals making a comeback

Thanks to impressive action by local communities, vulnerable animal species are making a comeback in various pockets of the world. In the Caribbean, the tiny Union Island gecko (each about the size of a paper clip) has almost doubled its population in four years, from 10,000 to 18,000. That’s thanks to the hard work of St Vincent and the Grenadines’ residents, government and local conservation groups such as Flora & Fauna International and Re:wild, who joined forces to put a stop to the poaching of this rare gem–like lizard. At the other end of the size spectrum, European bison are roaming free in Romania’s southern Carpathian Mountains again as part of a partnership between WWF Romania and Rewilding Europe. African cheetahs have been brought to India after the local Asiatic population was declared extinct in 1952. And in the USA, plans to reintroduce grizzly bears to North Cascades National Park are back on the agenda.

6. Making regenerative travel your goal

Could your next trip also have a positive long-lasting impact on the globe? Beyond the mission to “do no harm,” travelers are seeking opportunities to make things better. On a trip with Global Himalayan Expedition (GHE), trekkers in India and Nepal install solar technology in remote villages, bringing clean energy for lights and hot water. A portion of expedition fees pays for capital costs such as hardware and transportation, and these solar micro-grids are then owned and run by the community. In Madagascar, you can volunteer time planting trees with Planeterra’s Soa Zara on its “energy tree” project. Helping locals plant trees for firewood thus protecting pre-existing forests, which are also the habitat for endangered lemurs: could a 2023 trip deliver more than just wonderful memories?

7. Going on solar-powered safaris

Chobe Game Lodge launched the first “e-safaris” – with solar-powered boats and electric vehicles – in Botswana a decade ago. Now, electric-powered safaris are coming to other Southern African countries. In Sabi Sands Game Reserve, bordering Kruger National Park, the exclusive Cheetah Plains lodge has converted its vehicle fleet to electric, charged via solar panels. In Kenya, Lewa Wildlife camp and Emboo River Camp run solar-powered safaris with vehicles retrofitted by Kenya-based Swedish start-up Roam. The switch to electric is not just good for the environment. It has changed the experience of wildlife viewing by cutting out noise and pollution, allowing visitors to quietly creep up on wildlife and enjoy proper conversations while traveling together.

8. Discovering how to live more sustainably

Another travel experience that makes us happy is learning how to live sustainably from those who have done it – and applying that knowledge back home. Take Soil and Sea, a permaculture farm in Portugal’s incredible Azores archipelago that runs one- or two-week retreats with courses covering everything from getting into solar power and food waste reduction to composting and regenerative farming. Combine this with surfing and socializing, and you’ve got a holiday that will nourish the mind, body and soul. In Australia, the farm-based cooking school One Table Farm also hosts sustainability-based farm tours with tips on keeping chickens, making kefir (a fermented milk drink) and sourcing higher-welfare food from supermarkets. And in Wales, the Centre for Alternative Technology offers short residential courses on organic gardening, bee keeping and building a tiny house, with accommodation nearby.

9. Taking a swimming adventure holiday

Why not take your love affair with wild swimming to the next level in 2023 with a swimming holiday? Get booking in January if you want to swim between Sweden and Finland at the Swimac (Swim the Arctic Circle) race in July. On this 3000m (9840ft) swim, you’ll be crossing the Arctic Circle and swimming between time zones. Registrations also open in January for the 35th Bosphorus Cross-Continental Swimming Race in Turkey. Held in August, entrants swim 6.5km (4 miles) across the Bosporus strait from the European to Asian side of Istanbul. For something less competitive, check out tours with SwimTrek. You may find yourself swimming in the wild fjords of Oman with dolphins, or circumnavigating karst islands in the emerald green waters of Vietnam this time next year.

10. Relaxing completely on an all-inclusive break

Years of tumultuous political and social change – not to mention the cost-of-living crisis hitting many of us – have made a sure thing even more appealing than ever. That’s why an all-inclusive holiday is looking a lot more attractive in 2023. Knowing how much money you need makes managing a budget a lot simpler, and you lose all the time-sucking stress spent comparing flights, accommodation, transfers, tours and entertainment options. All-inclusives are no longer the preserve of the bargain fly-and-flop vacationer. Top-notch accommodations from St Lucia’s luxury East Winds to the Marriot Bonvoy collection offer all-inclusive deals. And British Airways offers attractive all-inclusive holidays around the Mediterranean for different budgets. Select your criteria – then let someone else make it all happen. You deserve a break.

Craving long winding roads, favorite songs on loop, travel buddies, wind in your hair? You’ve got the road trip fever, bestie! Better handle it right away. But ugh! Packing. What to wear on a road trip? If you find yourself asking this again, here’s a bit of help. Just the basics, because the new rule in fashion is “You do

The three Cs of what to wear on a long road trip

Remember the three Cs – Comfy, Casual, Chic. If you start thinking about an outfit idea at any point in this blog, make sure the three Cs of what to wear on a road trip check out. Now, summon all your inner strength and Marie Kondo your travel bag. Cause living out of a suitcase is all about limited options. So, what to keep and what to leave – here are your road trip style essentials.

Keep: T-shirts and tank tops

They don’t take up a lot of space in your bag; comfy for summer car rides and great for layering in cold temps. Love prints and logos? Go ahead, but throw in a few plain tees or tanks in neutral colors too. You never know what happens on a long journey. If you need to dial down the casual a bit, a plain white or black t-shirt will come in handy to wear with slacks and a blazer.

Leave: Everything tight and itchy

The fit of your clothing has to be just perfect for a road trip. Don’t start picturing baggy shorts and frumpy sweaters yet! It’s more like worn-in denims and shoes. Shoe bites from a new pair or the waistband cutting into your skin – oh! The end of day agony! Remember that you’ll be sitting around for hours, and any clothing that can turn your car ride into torture should be left at home or saved for a no-drive day.

Keep: A light cardigan or sweatshirt

Even when the sun promises to follow you all the way to your destination and back home. Why? Have you checked out the weather lately! The sun is no longer qualified to make such promises. Courtesy: Global warming. Also, you have to factor in air conditioning, especially if you get chilly before everyone else. Some of the roadside restaurants and rest stops will have their ACs on full blast in peak summers.

Leave: Pointy heels and flip flops

Okay, the flip-flops can go in your bag for some light walking but not for the car ride, especially if you are driving. The stilettoes – you don’t think they are uncomfortable? Respect! If you must carry heels – for a cute date or a night out – go for wedges or block heels. But pack them away till you reach your hotel or rental. No slip-ons or loose footwear that makes it difficult to control the pedals while driving.

Keep: Hats, socks, and sunglasses

A beanie for fall/winter and a summer hat or cap for spring/summer. Wind in your hair and arms in the air is all dreamy till you try to brush out your hair after the car ride. Scarves work too – you can cover your head and still look chic. A few pairs of socks need to go into your travel bag. The car’s floor vents could freeze your toes when they are out of the shoe. The sunglasses make a style statement and keep the glare out too.

Leave: Too many accessories

First of all, it’s hard organizing and packing all your chains, earrings, watches, hairpins, bags, etc. – especially the jewelry. So, when in doubt, go for one or two versatile pieces. Like a chain that can double up as a quick bracelet or a sling bag with detachable straps. If you are planning to go souvenir shopping, leave room for new accessories in your travel pack. That means what’s at home stays home.

Good news! Here are a few more things you can pack for your road trip:

• A denim jacket – pair well with anything for a cool Instagram #OOTD post and keeps you comfy too.
• Low-maintenance styles. Wrinkle-resistant fabrics like wool or synthetics. (Does not apply to tees and tank tops for the car ride.)
• Leggings or draw-string pants. Buttons, buckles, and belts can be uncomfortable for long hours of sitting.
• Gloves, boots, and raincoat/poncho – in case the weather plays spoilsport.
• A denim or flannel button-up shirt – totally cool and warm too.
• Maxi dress or a long skirt – easy, breezy, and great to cuddle up in.
• An LBD, for those day-to-night style transformations, dress-up or dress-down – the versatility of a little black dress is unparalleled.
• Pick your silhouette and fabric. It’s just got to be a black dress.

More Tips on what to wear on a road trip

Two simple rules for what to wear on a road trip

Dress and pack for when and where you are going: You know it’s going to get warmer as you get closer to your destination? Switch to shorts instead of jeans. Planning to take a dip in the sea en-route? Wear your bathing suit under your car outfit. Expecting a mid-day hike or walk around the shops, slip into comfortable sneakers.

Layering is the golden rule of travel fashion: Changing in restrooms or on the side of the road is such a hassle, especially when you have to pull something over your head. Zip-up sweatshirts or vests, button-down shirts, cardigans, jackets, and coats are road-trip essentials for this reason. Layer up in easy pieces to stay comfortable at all times.

Remember, these are only guidelines. Don’t forget to just ‘be you’ – road trips are all about enjoying the journey. Don’t stress the small stuff! Stay ready to stop and enjoy the view. Strike a pose and keep that #Roadtrip #OOTD looks moving on your socials. And if you are looking to take a break from driving, find parking near you right here.