Tips: Planning A European Vacation

Posted By Happy Homemaker UK<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Putting together a European vacation can be really overwhelming</div><div style="text-align: center;">There are so many choices here<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I admit to finding myself frozen in indecision<br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYPxT8raUk8PPVMLKDwjv7vz_ZJrTgkGb40N-LTjAOIQIO0E5wLf352o3a1Ro2vpvEPhqfkfFQawnV0ioP4QPXzIwaIJEn-rAJJ_T5R1czaDdtU_W1GUjVDYWb6I_RjLR9DkV2KrLsu6k/s1600/DSC_0155-5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYPxT8raUk8PPVMLKDwjv7vz_ZJrTgkGb40N-LTjAOIQIO0E5wLf352o3a1Ro2vpvEPhqfkfFQawnV0ioP4QPXzIwaIJEn-rAJJ_T5R1czaDdtU_W1GUjVDYWb6I_RjLR9DkV2KrLsu6k/s640/DSC_0155-5.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />Thanks to the internet<br />we can save money (but not time)<br />by becoming our own travel agents<br /><br />Here are a few tips I have picked up along the way:<br /><br />Google your desired location and click 'Images'<br />to see photos <span style="background-color: white;">captured by real people </span><br /><span style="background-color: white;">to see if it is what you are looking for</span><br /><br />Use <a href="http://www.tripadvisor.com/">TripAdvisor</a> and <a href="http://www.expedia.com/">Expedia</a> to research the heck out of hotels by reading reviews<br />Look at photos posted by travelers as well as by hotels<br /><br /><a href="http://www.cruisecritic.co.uk/">Cruise Critic</a> provides reviews on cruises<br /><br /><a href="http://www.jetsetter.com/">Jetsetter</a> offers great accommodation deals by signing up for their free alerts<br /><br /><a href="http://www.i-escape.com/">i-escape</a> has some good getaway ideas too</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiJ6YDxdVEs-2z5JlJ1WMFRp8U-466h_-g230rYOUfKJsDkDxO9Pu9fT-wK5o6hbi5p3M9n796T5nulURqd-rVuRz1Hj0xmiZ-5WS5QjQdxQB4ATyhYWR63zEcuY2tjVI0kJZ654qOatk/s1600/IMG_2030-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiJ6YDxdVEs-2z5JlJ1WMFRp8U-466h_-g230rYOUfKJsDkDxO9Pu9fT-wK5o6hbi5p3M9n796T5nulURqd-rVuRz1Hj0xmiZ-5WS5QjQdxQB4ATyhYWR63zEcuY2tjVI0kJZ654qOatk/s640/IMG_2030-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />If you have more than 2 people traveling in your group,<br />ask for quotes for creative rooming such as a Junior Suite,<br />which can be cheaper than a connecting room<br /><br />Ask the hotel to arrange transportation to/from the airport<br />It can be the same price as a taxi and takes out the stress of<br /><span style="background-color: white;">negotiating</span> a price in a foreign language/currency<br /><br />Find one stop shopping for airlines at <a href="http://www.kayak.com/">Kayak</a><br />The two major London airports are Heathrow and Gatwick,<br />gateways to many European cities from the US<br /><br />Discount airlines from England to the European continent<br />include <a href="http://www.easyjet.com/">Easy Jet</a> and <a href="http://www.ryanair.com/" style="background-color: white;">Ryan Air</a><br />among many more<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdpi3b58elUiqneshdqMf2Qzkl0G8yJPG-Q92EAsK88lU6s_Y6VGEOuiLOoPfXgif0cgUdHDod0zaR3a5pvau7-wF8MRYMwAM__B2WtX1HXbwoD4JgC5f2U-I2X1CS72sg5C6Zm9CUeOc/s1600/DSCN4680-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdpi3b58elUiqneshdqMf2Qzkl0G8yJPG-Q92EAsK88lU6s_Y6VGEOuiLOoPfXgif0cgUdHDod0zaR3a5pvau7-wF8MRYMwAM__B2WtX1HXbwoD4JgC5f2U-I2X1CS72sg5C6Zm9CUeOc/s640/DSCN4680-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />The time of using travelers checks is way gone<br />Once you arrive at your destination<br />find an ATM to retrieve money in the local currency<br /><br />Most European hotels do not have clocks in the room,<br />so bring one<br /><br />Many countries within Europe have different plugs,<br />so buying one of these clever adapters is a good investment<br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV45qTbvD4CNzWFAGQTw006uQ7mVO8KEkgxbo7gY54zqOTRnATkCX5cj-4ks4lBhNWvHEZb-EKfya_lVY5WglFP4BlIKyOquBGDTuMj1QoiF3AgHKkBykozPxZib94uL8kvZJOUaKH7XM/s1600/Brookstone+Adapter.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV45qTbvD4CNzWFAGQTw006uQ7mVO8KEkgxbo7gY54zqOTRnATkCX5cj-4ks4lBhNWvHEZb-EKfya_lVY5WglFP4BlIKyOquBGDTuMj1QoiF3AgHKkBykozPxZib94uL8kvZJOUaKH7XM/s320/Brookstone+Adapter.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Global Adapter with 2 USB ports via <a href="http://www.brookstone.com/Global-Adapter-with-2-USB-ports?bkiid=SearchResults|CategoryProductList|599456p">Brookstone</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />Don't bring your hair dryer or anything that creates heat (ie curling/straightening iron)<br /> because you'll need a electrical wattage converter too<br />Just use a hair dryer provided by the hotel<br /><br />If you plan to use your mobile phone abroad,<br />be sure to talk to your phone carrier in advance to get on a daily international plan<br />International roaming and calls can cost a fortune<br /><br />And you may want to take photos of your luggage with your camera phone<br />to show the airlines in case bags are lost in transit<br /><br />Lastly, learn from my <a href="http://happyhomemakeruk.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/trip-to-devon.html">mistake</a>: bring your camera battery charger :)<br /><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br /></span>What tips do you have to share?<br /><br /><i><span style="color: #444444; font-size: x-small;">- all photos by me -</span></i><br /><i><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></i><br /><div style="text-align: left;">* Traveling to England with kids? See my list of historical fiction for kids <a href="http://happyhomemakeruk.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/english-history-for-kids.html">here</a> *</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/35/2FD701A88E1AB920883327F28E3E4BF9.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>

Tips: Planning A European Vacation

Posted By Happy Homemaker UK Putting together a European vacation can be really overwhelming There are so many choices here I admit to findi...

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Why Many Americans Don't Hold A Passport

<br /><div style="text-align: center;">Some Europeans are shocked that less than half of American citizens hold a passport</div><div style="text-align: center;">(I've heard as few as 38%)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It is quite expensive to travel abroad from the US</div><div style="text-align: center;">and the passport application is not cheap</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAZq5axKL5ZjnxYYztEDrqpiU8-iJIb6ZvWvf7W6xHVj3NTBHcy_lZtMknk43QPOEIYwe4wkrglYlz2gkFL342D0qr73lYasWTlLsiG3LAb5erH8z__JNw3gctfEkdFqy5Q6wCl8uAqUA/s1600/IMG_0546-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAZq5axKL5ZjnxYYztEDrqpiU8-iJIb6ZvWvf7W6xHVj3NTBHcy_lZtMknk43QPOEIYwe4wkrglYlz2gkFL342D0qr73lYasWTlLsiG3LAb5erH8z__JNw3gctfEkdFqy5Q6wCl8uAqUA/s640/IMG_0546-001.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Those who do travel abroad often make </div><div style="text-align: center;">Mexico or London their first international trip</div><div style="text-align: center;">depending on where they live in the US</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Many Americans don't live near an international airport</div><div style="text-align: center;">so traveling abroad can include 2 layovers</div><div style="text-align: center;">making traveling cumbersome</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">With the United States almost as large as Europe</div><div style="text-align: center;">most travel desires can be fulfilled within the country</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCe87DivyjfyHdYeqoPO1LUGeSHVIwh-qLgjKfsibzkacRBp1HHN6eXSwAwDrtCeK_51h3Fhxdp43iPxYPjYBpJ09TN0bbY-W36suDYuBhQ3GNPl2bwLHq0EZRtLagFEc6R59FY8otw3I/s1600/IMG_0834-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCe87DivyjfyHdYeqoPO1LUGeSHVIwh-qLgjKfsibzkacRBp1HHN6eXSwAwDrtCeK_51h3Fhxdp43iPxYPjYBpJ09TN0bbY-W36suDYuBhQ3GNPl2bwLHq0EZRtLagFEc6R59FY8otw3I/s400/IMG_0834-001.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anyone else find this funny?</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Wanting world class surfing? Travel to Hawaii<br />Warm beaches? Lots of coastline from which to choose <br />Desert? American Southwest</div><div style="text-align: center;">Snow skiing? Rocky Mountains<br />Northern lights and igloos? Alaska</div><div style="text-align: center;">Beautiful national parks in every state</div><div style="text-align: center;">Native American ruins? Mesa Verde </div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">Historical colonial village? Williamsburg</div><div style="text-align: center;">Museums? Smithsonian</div><div style="text-align: center;">Amusement parks? Orlando</div><div style="text-align: center;">Fashion and culture? LA and NYC </div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSoJTba3niBmag17jl9sqMnoFZg6Wu2T3582Gdbz-0OQ19qLToLoQjP9YmbBNiKGj2ylUCBZsYLo44DG6PPtJyjxfDh8pf_AwtGmK4acINJKPabXz0OOaQ6LeU6qzeL4tRV9CgeafkUs4/s1600/IMG_1286-002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSoJTba3niBmag17jl9sqMnoFZg6Wu2T3582Gdbz-0OQ19qLToLoQjP9YmbBNiKGj2ylUCBZsYLo44DG6PPtJyjxfDh8pf_AwtGmK4acINJKPabXz0OOaQ6LeU6qzeL4tRV9CgeafkUs4/s640/IMG_1286-002.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Would most Americans like to travel abroad?</div><div style="text-align: center;">Sure</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">But you can see that one could be a tourist in the US for a lifetime</div><div style="text-align: center;">for a lot less <i>wonga </i>and no jet lag</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #444444; font-size: x-small;">- all photos by me -</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #444444; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">*wonga = money (my new favorite word)</span><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: x-small;">Linking to <a href="http://www.lifeonplanetbaby.com/2012/07/post-of-month-club-july-2012-edition.html">Life On Planet Baby</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/35/2FD701A88E1AB920883327F28E3E4BF9.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>

Why Many Americans Don't Hold A Passport

Some Europeans are shocked that less than half of American citizens hold a passport (I've heard as few as 38%) It is quite expensive to ...

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4th Of July

Posted By Happy Homemaker UK<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">My favorite holiday of the year is </div><div style="text-align: center;">the 4th Of July</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">No longer a celebration of gaining independence from England</div><div style="text-align: center;">(parts of the US belonged to France, Spain and Russia as well)</div><div style="text-align: center;">this hot summer bank holiday is welcomed by all<br /><br />People decked out in red, white, and blue<br />this is the most patriotic American holiday<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUfsEgXXDKR0YrReG4Xn3lUWALEBoKp-wLDUmjc_Nk4izaCPuyt2n1rlYQ6ePAFjRXm9xlYdoj49C-CdV3Z7XrRvTL355TEX3l1Wgz4lf5B4nnJ_ruRpnw9_lE7SozuGGPElqGL3XJfxc/s1600/4th+of+July+2-003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="332" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUfsEgXXDKR0YrReG4Xn3lUWALEBoKp-wLDUmjc_Nk4izaCPuyt2n1rlYQ6ePAFjRXm9xlYdoj49C-CdV3Z7XrRvTL355TEX3l1Wgz4lf5B4nnJ_ruRpnw9_lE7SozuGGPElqGL3XJfxc/s640/4th+of+July+2-003.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It is a time to get together with friends and family around the <span style="background-color: white;">barbecue</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;">eating hot dogs, hamburgers, potato chips, potato salad, </span><br /><span style="background-color: white;">coleslaw, </span><span style="background-color: white;">watermelon, and p</span><span style="background-color: white;">opsicles</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;">Many will go to a pool, lake, or ocean to celebrate and stay cool</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;">Most towns hold a 4th Of July parade during the day</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;">which may feature local children on decorated tricycles and local soldiers</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;">The warm night ends with fireworks often provided by the local town</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;">(fire bans make fireworks illegal in some states due to risk of wildfires)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLzBI2VNvKLognue-WOfz_pqHQfN-NlkFbBExzUHA2BTA4IAvHNt0hUx_4KCOkRuwytA8ulSQ5boXO2uxIn-2DSlE21tpb943oEaevnRziWnDN8eYG_tAc4dcgdFuitWlAkHSn07J3m00/s1600/DSC_0095-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLzBI2VNvKLognue-WOfz_pqHQfN-NlkFbBExzUHA2BTA4IAvHNt0hUx_4KCOkRuwytA8ulSQ5boXO2uxIn-2DSlE21tpb943oEaevnRziWnDN8eYG_tAc4dcgdFuitWlAkHSn07J3m00/s640/DSC_0095-001.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;">It also marks the middle of summer,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;">as most children have been out of school since early June</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;">and will return again in August</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">Happy 4th of July!<br /><br /><i><span style="color: #444444; font-size: x-small;">- all photos by me -</span></i></div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/35/2FD701A88E1AB920883327F28E3E4BF9.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>

4th Of July

Posted By Happy Homemaker UK My favorite holiday of the year is  the 4th Of July No longer a celebration of gaining independence from Englan...

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