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Kath's Travel Tips & Journals

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I love to travel - but you've guessed that by now, haven't you? The following are a collection of tips and observations from my own journeys. It is important for you to understand that these are entirely my own opinions. I am in no way affiliated with any company, municipality or organization mentioned. Oh, and you might want to keep in mind that these are the observations of a woman travelling alone.

My Two Favorite Vacations

These choices are based on value enjoyed for the money spent, range of activities and resources available, and lack of hassles involved in utilizing those resources.

Accommodations

My personal favorite hotel chain is Best Western. I've always found their properties to be clean, safe and moderately priced, as well as convenient to local attractions.

Travel Guides

My favorite travel books are the "Unofficial Guides." If there is one available for your destination, you don't need any other travel books.

Travelling by Car

  • Always wear a seatbelt and insist that your passengers do likewise. Be sure that small children are properly seated and secured.
  • Obey the posted speed limits.
  • Don't ever mix driving and controlled substances.
  • Always carry your driver's license, registration, current insurance card and a spare set of car keys on road trips, as well as your insurance carrier's 800 number.
  • Be sure that your inspection sticker is current - it's probably also a good idea to have your mechanic give the car a once-over before starting out on a long road trip.
  • If you're like me and you hate to pump your own gas, you'll love New Jersey - self service gas stations are illegal - it's full service all the way, even on the interstate rest stops. Virginia is a different story - I know of one full service station in Alexandria, but the rest of the way, you're out of luck.

Photography

  • Buy your film at home on a sale - you can't always find the right supplies on the road and if you're staying at a resort complex, the prices can be quite expensive.
  • When flying, pack your camera(s) and film in your carry-on bag.
  • Always obey posted regulations for photographing public places/displays. When in doubt, ask if photography is permitted.

Travelling With Children

Yeah, I know…I don't have any, but over the course of my journeys and two years as a docent at the Bronx Zoo, I've seen a few things.

  • Do purchase a plane seat for your child and use the appropriate safety seat. The mortality rate for infants and small children not in proper seating is almost one hundred percent in airline crashes. Is saving a couple hundred dollars really worth risking your child's life?
  • Do invest in one of those harness & lead contraptions for small children. It is incredibly easy to lose contact with a little one in a crowded situation.
  • Don't fight with theme park personnel about the height restrictions on rides. These restrictions are not imposed by the park or even the ride's manufacturer. They are imposed by engineers working for the government. The minimum height is based on calculations of the minimum mass required to keep an object (or person) safely inside the ride during operation. Do you really want to spend your vacation checking out the nearest medical facilities?
  • Please investigate your destination before you arrive to be sure that there are plenty of age-appropriate activities for your children. Dragging small children though an attraction that's too scary or too serious is not fair to your children or to other guests.

My Travel Journals

California

Connecticut

Delaware

District of Columbia

Florida

Maryland

Massachusetts

New Jersey

New York

Rhode Island

Virginia


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Copyright © 2000 Kathleen Klatte
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