Travel Done Right

Do You Have a Packing Problem?

Have you ever paid an excess baggage fee, left your passport at home or cleaned up a messy shampoo spill in your suitcase? If you've encountered any of these packing crises, chances are your suitcase-stuffing strategy could use a little work!

Warning Sign No. 1: A Wrinkled Wardrobe.

Stick to wrinkle-free clothing rather than ordinary cottons and linens, which are prone to creases. Before your trip, lay your clothes out ahead of time to make sure you have everything you need -- but don't actually put them into your bag until shortly before you're ready to depart. That way you'll minimize the time they spend scrunched up in your suitcase. On the other end of your trip, be sure to hang up your clothes as soon as you arrive in your hotel.

Warning Sign No. 2: Damaged Goods.

It may seem obvious, but it bears repeating: Never put breakable items into your checked luggage. Instead, wrap the items carefully in newspaper, bubble wrap and/or clothing and stow them in your carry-on bag. Smaller items can be slipped inside a shoe and cushioned with a balled-up pair of socks.

If you're buying a fragile item that's too big to fit into your carry-on, have the merchant ship it home for you. Stores that frequently handle tourist purchases are pros at packing their goods for shipping -- and you'll often be able to insure your item and receive compensation if it's damaged en route.

Warning Sign No. 3: Too Much Baggage.

Start at the source: your suitcase. If you often find yourself edging toward your airline's weight limits, it may be worth purchasing a lightweight bag to give you a few extra pounds to work with. Do your homework to prevent packing unnecessary items. If the weather forecast calls for nothing but sunshine, leave the umbrella at home. Pack clothes that can do double duty -- like black shoes that are comfortable enough for sightseeing but dressy enough for dinner, or a shirt that can be worn twice with different accessories.

Warning Sign No. 4: Pre-Trip Panic.

Don't wait to start packing until the day -- or the hour! -- before your trip. Instead, begin making a list of items you think you'll need about a week prior to departure. Starting early will give you time to go shopping for any items you may be missing. Mentally walk through your trip itinerary, putting aside each day's outfit and identifying any accessories or equipment you'll need for the day's activities. As each item goes into your suitcase, check it off your list.

You Can't Buy Happiness..

Studies show that money spent on travel 

makes you happier than money spent on material goods!

Halloween Vacation Travel

Happy October! The hot temperatures of summer are behind us, the leaves are falling from the trees and harvest time is happening all across the country. If you’re planning on traveling during the season change, you’ll want to take in some of the Halloween traditions in your vacay town!

 

 

Here are our tips for Halloween vacation travel:

Packing

Make sure to pack your costumes! But be careful. You don’t get your costume wrinkled and ruined before you even wear it. Be conscientious about what props you bring with you. If you’re going on a plane, plastic weapons, bombs or any type of “threatening” prop are not allowed in your carry-on. Any explosive-looking items should be left at home! The TSA will treat even a plastic bomb as unsafe and possibly explosive, even if they’re in your checked-baggage.

Ghost Tours & Haunted Houses

Once you choose your destination, find some spooky places to get horrified! Almost every town has some sort of fear-inducing tour or hayride to get your adrenaline spiked. Most ghost tours have a toned-down version for the kids earlier in the day too!


Town Festivals & Parades

Most towns also host a festival day too! If you’re in a condo area, you’ll especially want to find a cool place for your kids to grab some candy on the big day. Businesses in towns usually have sweets out and welcome the faces of dressed up little ones.


Afterdark Fun

Bar-culture tends to love afterdark activities on Halloween! The local hot spots are sure to having some extra fun planned for their patrons from mysterious-cocktails to dance parties.

Des Moines Art Center

The Des Moines Art Center is an art museum with an extensive collection of paintings, sculpture, modern art and mixed media. It was established in 1948 in Des Moines, Iowa.

A large main gallery rotates through several exhibitions throughout the year, most of which are featured from one to three months at a time. These shows include solo shows by internationally recognized artists, traveling shows from other institutions, and group shows organized around a theme.

The rest of the museum space highlights the permanent collections in various ways, including small spaces for short-term print and photography shows, a video gallery, and long-term installations organized both chronologically and thematically. Included on the grounds are outdoor sculptures and a rose garden. An external reflecting pool is surrounded on all sides by the museum.

Learn more about this must-see local attraction right here!

Did You Know?

Did you know that Vacations lower your risk of heart disease?

 

Now you really have no reason not to take that trip you've been dreaming of! 

 

 

 Learn all about the effects of travel on your heart right here. 

Fun and Fit Travel Tips!

Make morning time your activity time. The weather will probably be friendlier, your energy levels higher and your agenda emptier than later in the day.

Reacquaint yourself with sunrises and sunsets. A walk at dawn or dusk is rejuvenation defined. Try to make this a daily ritual of life away from home, and you will guarantee yourself both physical and spiritual replenishment.

Get into the water as much as you can. Don't allow yourself to spend all your time sitting in front of the water. Whether it is the ocean, a swimming pool or a tree-lined lake, make sure you get into the water for swimming or games or even walking. Merely standing in waist-high water is a good workout, thanks to the action of the water.

Fly a stunt kite. If there's a good wind blowing, buy a stunt kite and take it to the beach or other large open space. These kites can be easily assembled, then taken apart, making them perfect for traveling. You'll give your upper body a great workout as you struggle to control the kite. You may also have to run or walk to keep the kite in the air - or chase it down once it plummets to the earth.

Get out of the car every 2 hours. Many of us spend a large part of our vacations on the road, either getting to and from our destinations, or using the car for sightseeing. But no matter how beautiful the scenery is, great, memorable trips don't happen in a car seat.

Don't wait for exhaustion or the call of nature to get you to pull over. Get out frequently and stretch, walk, picnic, shop, visit and have fun. It's important for your health and energy, and it makes traveling a lot more interesting.