Road Trip Planning Blog | Best Road Trips | TripWiser.com

Road Trip With Your Dog

Dear Traveler,

We hope that you enjoy TripWiser and gain value from reading this blog. We appreciate you taking the time to share your travel stories, recommendations and  experiences with our growing community.   Our goal is to make TripWiser your trusted social source for all travel related issues.

Update 9/09:

The picture above shows how much our dog loved going to the beach!  We were still getting the beach towels together when she decided we'd taken long enough to get going already! 

In the picture below, I swear I can see her smile here.

If you have a photo showing your dog enjoying his/her Road Trip, send the photo to editor@tripwiser.com & we'll add our favorites to this page.  Your stories and recommendations can be added directly in the comments section below.

Enjoy,
TripWiser Team

Dear Traveler,

We hope that you enjoy TripWiser and gain value from reading this blog. We appreciate you taking the time to share your travel stories, recommendations and  experiences with our growing community.   Our goal is to make TripWiser your trusted social source for all travel related issues.

Update 9/09:

The picture above shows how much our dog loved going to the beach!  We were still getting the beach towels together when she decided we'd taken long enough to get going already! 

In the picture below, I swear I can see her smile here.

If you have a photo showing your dog enjoying his/her Road Trip, send the photo to editor@tripwiser.com & we'll add our favorites to this page.  Your stories and recommendations can be added directly in the comments section below.

Enjoy,
TripWiser Team

Dear Traveler,

We hope that you enjoy TripWiser and gain value from reading this blog. We appreciate you taking the time to share your travel stories, recommendations and  experiences with our growing community.   Our goal is to make TripWiser your trusted social source for all travel related issues.

Update 9/09:

The picture above shows how much our dog loved going to the beach!  We were still getting the beach towels together when she decided we'd taken long enough to get going already! 

In the picture below, I swear I can see her smile here.

If you have a photo showing your dog enjoying his/her Road Trip, send the photo to editor@tripwiser.com & we'll add our favorites to this page.  Your stories and recommendations can be added directly in the comments section below.

Enjoy,
TripWiser Team

Dear Traveler,

We hope that you enjoy TripWiser and gain value from reading this blog. We appreciate you taking the time to share your travel stories, recommendations and  experiences with our growing community.   Our goal is to make TripWiser your trusted social source for all travel related issues.

Update 9/09:

The picture above shows how much our dog loved going to the beach!  We were still getting the beach towels together when she decided we'd taken long enough to get going already! 

In the picture below, I swear I can see her smile here.

If you have a photo showing your dog enjoying his/her Road Trip, send the photo to editor@tripwiser.com & we'll add our favorites to this page.  Your stories and recommendations can be added directly in the comments section below.

Enjoy,
TripWiser Team

In and Around Sausalito: Redwoods, Beaches, Islands

I stayed local and headed to Sausalito, California for my anniversary this year and highly recommend you add this destination to your Road Trip Planner. Sausalito is a picturesque bayside town with a great waterfront area. There are houseboats and flower-lined side streets, quirky stores and plenty of places to dine, most with a view of the bay. It's also very near the Redwoods (Muir Woods, about 8 miles), a couple of beaches within 20 minutes (Muir Beach, Stinson Beach), Angel Island & Tiburon just a tad north, and of course, San Francisco about 15 minutes south.

We stayed at a houseboat this time but if we hadn't had that accommodation already lined up, I would have chosen the Casa Madrona Hotel & Spa ($200-$405/night). It's right on the waterfront (street side) so every room has a view of Richardson Bay. Another good option is The Inn Above Tide, which sits right over the water (rooms range from $305 to $1025/night). Both are on Bridgeway, the main street in Sausalito. If you're looking for a less expensive hotel to add to your road trip planner, check out Hotel Sausalito (a bit of French Riviera on the park in Sausalito) starting at $155 and others in the low $100s.

One of the things my husband noted right off was the amount of different accents he heard; Sausalito definitely attracts visitors from all over the world…and yet, it manages to keep that "look at this hidden gem we found" feeling.  Another standout was the number of exclamations, "Wow! Look at the San Francisco skyline from here!"  Pictures were taken in abundance, and deservedly so. 

Another favorite activity to add to your road trip planner is to rent bicycles in San Francisco, then plan a full day where you ride from San Francisco, over the Golden Gate Bridge, coast into Sausalito, even venture further north into Tiburon if you're so inclined, then take the ferry back to San Francisco from either Sausalito and Tiburon.  I snapped a photo of the last ferry leaving Sausalito showing that the majority of passengers came with bikes.

Below are some examples of the things you can do in this area. Adding these to your road trip planner will give you a varied (and full) vacation!

Day 1 - Sausalito's Waterfront: Bridgeway is the main thoroughfare but on the next street up the hill, Caledonia, you'll find a movie theatre, an historic hardware store, antique shops, dining spots, and art galleries. Definitely worth a visit. A travel tip: You can get free wireless in and around the library. You'll also find free wireless in a few of the coffee shops on Bridgeway.

Day 2 - Muir Woods: There are many hiking options available to experience the California Redwoods, from an easy 1/2 hour stroll to a strenuous 4.5 uphill Ocean View loop. While there, I spotted a number of bus tours that went to Muir Woods: www.SFShuttletours.com, Tower Tours, www.city-sightseeing.us.

Day 3 – Alcatraz Island: We lucked out with a docent connection who gave us a private tour so we got to experience a unique Alcatraz! He took us up to see Al Capone's cell, the Birdman's cell and also where Clint Eastwood stayed during the filming of the movie, Escape From Alcatraz. For the public tours, the ferry takes up to 300 passengers at a time and when you arrive, the group is split into three groups of 100, each led by a docent. The ferry is located near Pier 39 so you can easily make a day of it between the Pier activities and shops and Alcatraz. A travel tip: Save $ by parking after 4 p.m.; you can even find some free parking on Bay Street (which Ts onto the Embarcadero).

Day 4 - The Lighthouse Cafe is a small dining establishment with 5 tables and 8 bar chairs. They are open from 6:30-3pm and while we were there, all the tables were kept full. Being the only Danish place in town, I went for the Copenhagen Burger with remoulade. Tasty! Then it was off to Muir Beach for some primetime kite flying. A travel tip: Games People Play on Bridgeway in Sausalito sells a lot of cool kites (I picked up an 18-foot frog kite but there are others that are more than 60-feet long!).

You might just need to tack on a few more days to your road trip planner because both Angel Island and Tiburon are also worth exploring while you're in and around Sausalito.

Blog and pictures by Ingrid McCleary

No Passport Needed To Go To Paradise!

Summer's end is creeping up on Road Trip Planners everywhere in the United States and some of them hanker for an exotic beach getaway before Summer gives way to Fall. But what if you don't already have a passport, which takes 6 weeks to arrive and past summer? Or someone in your group doesn't have theirs? Hawaii or the Florida Keys are good options but perhaps you're looking for a more remote vacation? One that has a foreign ambiance? Then consider the U.S. Virgin Islands. 

The U.S. Virgin Islands are tucked between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of Puerto Rico. The northeast islands are called the British Virgin Islands and the two regions comprise the Virgin Islands archipelago. If diamonds are rated by the four Cs (caret, cut, color, clarity); then these islands could be rated by the four Ss (sun, sand, sea, surf). And as in Hawaii, all beaches in the Virgin Islands are public, meaning that even though you might arrive at a gated community, you must be given access to the beach…even at the fanciest resorts. Oooolala!

Instead of creating a trip from scratch with your road trip planner, here's one called Exploring the U.S. Virgin Islands, which you can save as your own and add your own notes to the trip. I recommend printing the trip out before you leave so you can jot down your impressions and review the places you visited. Then once you return from your trip, add photos and share the trip - complete with notes and maps - with friends and family.

 Below is some information on the four islands that make up the U.S. Virgin Islands: St. Thomas, St. John, St. Croix and since 1944, Water Island. You can choose to stay all week on one island and take day trips to the others or you can stay the bulk of your trip on either St. Thomas or St. John then include an overnighter at St. Croix because it's further south.

• St. Thomas (called Rock City by the locals) is enchanting and romantic with a population of about 51,000, nearly half of the total population in the US Virgin Islands. The district is a bit larger than 31 square miles and special points of interest include: Fort Christian, Magens Bay, Magens Bay Arboretum and Blackbeard's Castle. Magens Bay is one of the most beautiful beaches in the world and from the harbor in Charlotte Amalie, you'll come across a picturesque village.
• Water Island (a.k.a. Small City) is right below St. Thomas and is accessible by boat (ferry service from Crown Bay on Saint Thomas to Phillips Landing takes only about 10 minutes). Water Island is the fourth and most recently acquired main island in the U.S. Virgin Islands. With 491.5 acres, Water Island is the smallest of the main U.S. Virgin Islands and is a residential island, with a population of 161 (2000 census). There aren't many commercial establishments and only a few homes that are available to visitors, so it's mainly a day trip excursion. The main attractions are its beaches, including Honeymoon Beach. You can also find plantation ruins, and Fort Segarra, an underground fort partially constructed by the U.S. during World War II.
• St. John is to the east of St. Thomas and has the Virgin Islands National Park. Saint John is an amazing island in the Caribbean Sea and part of the U.S. Virgin Islands. It is the wealthiest and most expensive of the U.S. Virgin Islands, enjoying a level of affluence that is comparable with the nearby island of St. Barts. The island's high level of wealth and prestige has earned it the common distinction of being the "Beverly Hills of the Caribbean". Called Love City by the locals, St. John is one of the world's premiere honeymoon destinations with several notable world class resorts and one of the top ten beaches in the world. St. John is located about 4 miles east of Saint Thomas. It is about 20 square miles in area with a population of less than 4200. It doesn't have an airport so you need to fly into St. Thomas and take one of the hourly ferries over to it.
• St. Croix (dubbed Twin City by the locals) is the furthest south. St Croix rocks! Saint Croix is an island in the Caribbean Sea and part of the United States Virgin Islands, an unincorporated territory of the United States. It is the largest of the U.S. Virgin Islands, being 28 by 7 miles. However, the territory's capital, Charlotte Amalie, is located on Saint Thomas. Buck Island Reef National Monument preserves a 176 acre island just north of Saint Croix and the surrounding reefs. This is a popular destination for snorkelers.

Accommodations range from the affordable at Villa Santana ($114-$174/night) to the Ritz Carlton ($279 to $989/night). In either place, the beaches and the exotic settings are the true stars. Which hotel you add to your Road Trip Planner depends on your budget and your vision for this vacation, but from either place, you'll feel like you're in paradise!  

The Grass IS Greener at the Olympic National Park

There's no doubt that Road Trip Planners know that National Parks offer some of the best family summer vacations.  They also know that millions of other travelers are hitting the massively popular parks like Yellowstone and Yosemite during the summer.  So where do you go when you want to experience the great outdoors, be immersed in natural settings but not too far from the amenities that makes family travel easier and yet feel like you're away from the crowds?  Well, if you're west of the Mississippi, set your sights on the Olympic National Park in Washington, where the green will astound you.

What sets this park apart from the rest is that Olympic National Park is divided into three distinct regions: The rugged Pacific coastline, the Olympic Mountains, and the lush rainforest.   Three distinctly different biospheres; one fantastic vacation.  Actually, it does draw over 3 1/2 million visitors a year and yet, you can easily find yourself alone on the beach or hike on trails for miles without seeing other hikers.

The most popular (hence, probably the most populated) area is the 9-mile Ozette Loop.  It features 3 miles each of a coastal forest, ocean beaches, and camping at Ozette Lake. It's well maintained with a boardwalk and is an easy hike as the elevation change goes from sea level to 100 feet.

If you've got smaller children, I'd recommend doing a combination resort and camping vacation. Consider filling your road trip planner with the activities found in this Family Fun Trip to Olympic National Park.  This road trip includes staying at Kalaloch Lodge in Forks, a family-friendly resort that sells kites in their gift shop and has other amenities like a gift shop, dining, and groceries store onsite.  Nearby, you'll find another popular resort, the Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort, which has 3 mineral pools and 1 freshwater pool.  The Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort has the added attraction of providing RV sites as well as cabins (tent camping is nearby at the Sol Duc Campground with 80 sites).

Coastline:  The coastal portion of the park is a rugged, sandy beach along with a strip of adjacent forest.  The beach has unbroken stretches of wilderness ranging from 10 to 20 miles. 

Mountain zone:  The Olympic Mountains rise from the center of the park, dominated by the peak of Mount Olympus, which rises to 7,965 feet.  It has several glaciers, the largest of which is the Hoh glacier, nearly five kilometers in length. Looking to the East, the range becomes much drier due to the rain shadow of the western mountains. Here, there are numerous high peaks and craggy ridges. The tallest summit of this area is Mount Deception, at 7,788 feet.

Rainforest:   On the peninsula is the largest and finest expanse of temperate rain forest in the western hemisphere, declared a National Monument in 1909. The park is 95% wilderness, encompassing the mountains and the sea, with a rain forest in between. We're talking virgin, old-growth forests and untouched land. You won't find many roads and your best accommodations are campsites, but most visitors will agree that the experiences these trails offer are worth the effort. At the Hoh Rainforest's Hall of Mosses, you'll need waterproof shoes. Trees stretch toward the sky while mosses, lichens and mushrooms cover the ground. This hike is easy enough for a family leaving the more adventurous hikes to those who'd like to backpack in and camp along the Hoh River or at the base of Mount Olympus.

Scenic Drives:  Catch the Pacific Coast Scenic Byway Loop and drive along till it connects with Upper Hoh Road. This 18-mile stretch traces the silvery Hoh River and is simply gorgeous to behold. There's also a 17-mile Hoh River trail that takes you across the flat valley to Mount Olympus's Blue Glacier.

Other points of interest:

• Hurricane Ridge brings you from the lowlands blanketed with old growth forests to spongy meadows.  A number of trails can be found here, depending on the group's ability. Be sure to check out the views of the Olympic Mountains and Strait of Juan de Fuca.

• Lake Crescent is an excellent place to walk along the 12-mile shore of this glacier lake.

• Rialto Beach is more active, with waves crashing on cobblestone beach sections and rocky islands known as seastacks are easily visible from the Beach. This is a stunning place to photograph during sunset.

The verdant landscape, the ocean, the rainforest, the snow-capped mountains; each a good reason to add the Olympic National Park to your road trip planner, but to get it all in one trip, makes this a must-see destination for everyone to experience.

Railway Road Trip Adventures

Most road trip planners plan on driving their own car or RV for their next road trip adventure. If they have to fly to the destination city, they might enjoy renting a car that's different from the one at home, perhaps an SUV, a Jeep, or a fun sports car. But why not leave the driving to someone else and try a railway road trip adventure this year?

Consider this appealing alternative: Take the train to your main destination city then rent a car just for a day or two while you're exploring the area, then hop back aboard the train to another destination. This way, "getting there" becomes its own adventure, especially if your trip includes an overnight stay aboard the train!

There's something about traveling by train that beckons the pioneer spirit within us. And there's a certain appeal to letting the rhythmic chug-chug-chug of the tracks lull you to sleep. Granted, these sleeping cabins aren't as spacious as hotel rooms, but then again, it allows you to cover a distance while sleeping that you couldn't have achieved in a car or RV unless you traded driving shifts. And the cabins are definitely roomier than airline seats!

This is why going on a family train trip is growing in popularity. Dad can play Monopoly with you instead of driving; Mom can watch a movie with you instead of her riding shotgun to keep the driver on track and alert for the duration. When kids get antsy or hungry, you can round them up for a walk to the dining cab (without losing any traveling mileage). Explore the train, revel in the changing scenery buzzing by your view, curl up with a good book and maybe take in a catnap. Trains allow you to slow down and relax…and isn't that one of the main vacation objectives? Your road trip planner will still be filled with things to do, hotels, car rental and restaurants once you reach your destination. 

Amtraks's Superliners have sleeping cars that range from Roomettes (1-2 people), special accessible rooms (1-2), and even bedroom suites (4-6) that includes 2 toilets & 2 showers (usually two bedrooms with the partition removed). Even though you'd be advised to stay the bulk of your trip in hotels surrounding the areas you want to explore, sleeping overnight on a train is an adventure in itself. Plus, you get the bonus of Sleeper Service, which entitles you to receive all regular meals as part of your accommodations. 

Below are a few of the most popular railway destination in the United States. Amtrak has more than 500 destinations so these are just enough to whet your appetite to fill your road trip planner with a brand new adventure. Bon appétit! 

• West Coast Spectacular by Rail – Set aside about 10 days for this vacation, starting out with 2 full days/nights in Seattle, an overnight aboard the train heading south to San Francisco, spend 3 nights there exploring city, then aboard the train again to head south to Los Angeles for a 3 night stay there.
• Jazz, Blues and Rock 'N Roll By Rail – This trip will have you rock n rolling from north to south on the fun filled 8 days/7 night adventure. You'll start out in Chicago, spend a couple of nights enjoying famous blues clubs like Buddy Guy's Legends, then aboard Amtrak overnight into Memphis for 2 full days in the birthplace of Rock 'n Roll and then landing in New Orleans for some Cajun cooking to enjoy with your evenings of Jazz.

You can also opt for Railway Day Passes if you want the total freedom of coming and going whenever you please (a fun option for couples): 15- Day Railway Pass: 15 Days (8 segments), $389.00 – Adults, $194.50 - Child (Ages 2-15).  If you decide to go this route, just fill your road trip planner with activities you'd like to do along the way but leave the days open-ended; that way you have the information on hand.

Vegas to Disneyland Road Trip for Adults

Consider this for your next road trip planning:  Since Vegas is already considered an adult Disneyland and plenty of adults have a blast at Disneyland, why not make it a week long road trip where you’ll experience two distinct types of FUN?

This particular road trip consists of 3 nights in Vegas, 1 day to drive the distance between Vegas and Anaheim (can be done in 4-5 hours), then 3 more nights in Anaheim.  Of course, your road trip planner may have a different order;  you might make it a triangular road trip, depending on your starting point; or fly in to Vegas, rent a car & make it a round trip road trip. But no matter how you get from Point A to Point B, you’ll have a great time at both spots with some interesting scenery and experiences in between.

So, let’s start with choosing a hotel in Vegas.  There’s an abundance of hotels here so it really depends on the level of luxury you want for this visit.  There are also 3 areas to choose for your surroundings:  The main strip, the old strip, and the Fremont Street area.  I recommend staying in the main strip and taking taxis or shuttle buses to the other areas (no need to rent a car until you’re ready to drive to Disneyland).  Rooms at the Bellagio, Mandalay Bay, and Caesar’s are more on the pricey side; the Luxor and Rio are mid-range and Excalibur & Harrah’s are more affordable.

The first night there, put on your walking shoes & get some free entertainment.  Catch the spectacular water visual of the Fountains at the Bellagio.  Check out the entire valley from the Stratosphere Tower and then grab a taxi for the Fremont Street Experience.

The following night is for music!  Make sure you add the Hard Rock Café to your road trip planner for an overall rock environment.  Top-notch blues, Louisiana style has its home at the House of Blues.  And for those who like to hear bands jam – and get the occasional surprise musical legend come on state - hit the Legends Lounge for a fantastic evening.

Take in a show on the third night like Cirque du Soleil’s Love, which blends the magic of Cirque du Soleil with the revered songs of the Beatles, creating a phenomenal night of spectacle and awe.  We recommend booking these tickets the same time that you’re doing your road trip planning because these tickets sell out months in advance. 

And of course, in between all that, there’s gambling, pool side lounging, spa treatments, shopping, and art museums.   There’s more than you can do in 3 days so consider this a teaser visit; there’s always flight deals to/from Vegas to have you coming back for more.

Leaving Las Vegas, your route on your road trip planner will show that you’ll be on the I-15 for over 230 miles.  Bring plenty of water for the drive as you’re traveling through the desert.  And best to have a gallon of water for your radiator as well.   You may want to add a few stops in your road trip planner like the Mojave National Preserve, a 1.6 million acre park with canyons, mountains, mesas, abandoned mines, homesteads, military outposts…and wildflowers.   Consider eating lunch at a restaurant in Barstow and stop at the California Route 66 Museum in Victorville. 

Sometime in the near future, there may be a high-speed train that whisks you from Vegas to Disneyland in a matter of hours – and traveling at 300mph would be an adventure in itself – but for now, enjoy the ride at a more leisurely pace. 

We recommend allowing a full day for this road trip so that once you get to Anaheim, you can check into your hotel and relax for a bit before enjoying a leisurely dinner.  Save your 2-day Park Hopper package (about $143 per person) for the following 2 days so you can make full use of both Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure Park.  You’ll be going from morning to night at both of these theme parks…and loving every minute of it! 

Many people may have already been to Disneyland but not Disney’s California Adventure Park, which celebrates the pioneering spirit of the Golden State.  You can opt to stay at one of the 3 hotels at the Disneyland Resort, where the rooms will run you from $245 to $399 night for their hotel/ticket package deals (mid-week, 2 adults, 2-day Park Hopper).  If that’s a bit steep for your budget, there over 100 hotels within 1 mile of the resort with rates starting at only $50 per night.

You might also consider getting a City Pass for $259, which gives you entry into 5 great places:  Disneyland, Disney’s California Adventure, Universal Studios, Sea World and the San Diego Zoo.   Separately, this would run you $365, so if you can stay longer in Anaheim, this would be the way to go (gives you 3-Day Hoppers and is valid for 14-days).

Vegas gave you adult excitement and sizzle; Disneyland fills you with childlike wonder and enthusiasm.  In my road trip planning book, that’s adds up to one fantastic vacation.

Valley of the Sun Road Trip: Phoenix and Scottsdale

When some Road Trip Planners hear the words, Valley of the Sun, images of Egypt and the Pyramids spring to mind.  But other travelers know those words also describe the greater Phoenix area in the United States.  Indeed, going on a Summer Road Trip to Phoenix and Scottsdale ranks as one of the Best Destinations in the U.S.

Why?  Because it gives travelers more than 325 sunny days a year! So it’s really a year-round destination.  Add to the sunny forecasts the gorgeous mountain vistas as your constant backdrop, a huge assortment of hotels (including an abundance of world-class resorts, golf courses and spas), an array of sports and activities to enjoy and you begin to understand why many road trip planners across the nation head there for their summer vacation. 

Here are some sample trips to the region that others have taken.  Consider copying one of these as your own and then customizing it to your own preferences.  At the very least, you’ll get a bunch of great ideas for your own trip.

• Family Trip to Flagstaff, Phoenix, and Scottsdale – Enjoy the railways or float above it all with Over the Rainbow Expeditions.  There’s also the Doll & Toy Museum, Castles-n-Coasters amusement park, and the Westworld Xtreme Pursuit Paintball.

• 4 Arizona Cities in 7 Days – Scottsdale, Phoenix, Glendale, Litchfield Park.  This trip includes Out of Africa Wildlife Park, the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art, an exhilarating Arizona Sunset Desert Tour, hiking on Camelback Mountain.

• Girlfriend's Trip to Phoenix and Scottsdale - Because of the high “spoil” factor, Arizona is a favorite road trip destination for friends to gather.  In this road trip planner you’ll find spas, pools, shopping, nightlife and even some jeep rides, and shootouts at Western Town.

• Golfing Weekend in Phoenix  -  This is a great trip for a couple who enjoy golf and want to infuse a little luxury in their weekend.  This 3-Day weekend gets you on golf courses plus side trips to the Phoenix Zoo Lights, the Phoenix Coyotes, and the Ice Chalet.

• Romantic Overnight Escape to Phoenix – You can easily expand this trip for a honeymoon or anniversary.  It already includes fun things to do like Jazz in the Garden at the Desert Botanical Garden, the Arizona Science Center, and the Pueblo Grande Museum & Cultural Park. It already lists three luxurious accommodations to choose from.

The above trips already take half of the guesswork out of your road trip planning but still leaves plenty of room for you to put your own stamp on your trip to the Valley of the Sun.

Tech Travel for Kids

I can remember the good old days when staying occupied during long car rides consisted of my brother and me punching each other. My, how times have changed. Kids today still revert to the age old practice of tormenting their siblings, but at least nowadays there are plenty of distractions to keep them from making a road trip a living nightmare. IPod's, PSP's, DVD players, and the like have made travel quite a bit easier on parents. I have to say that my wife and I have fully embraced the new tech-age and our travels honestly are better off for it. But, at the same time, we don't want our little darlings to turn into drooling zombies from staring at screens for hours on end.

 

How do we do that? Well, it's not easy. Once the media gets its hooks in, it's hard to get them out. The key is moderation and regulation. Keep time limits and make sure there are ample breaks in between. You know your children best of all, so you’ll know their threshold before becoming over stimulated by games and movies. You’ll also know how long a media break to take before they start to turn on each other. For long road trips, this is an absolute necessity. For shorter road trips, it may not be necessary at all. It really depends on your situation. For example, if the road trip is any less than 2 hours, the DVD player doesn’t get any use. Likewise on long trips, when the DVD player is in use, take a break between movies before allowing the next one to be played. We’ve been guilty of not following this rule more than a few times, but it’s a sound rule.

Have chargers and/or batteries on standby as well. Portable media devices gobble energy like PacMan and you don’t want to be three hours into an eight-hour drive with the red light blinking.

Most of all, make sure your kids take notice of any special scenery that comes to pass, such as beautiful mountain views, the coastline, a 30-foot tall donut, or even a rare license plate. It’s still a family trip, so include them and make them feel like it is. Portable media can be a great thing for long trips, but if unchecked, they can also be a major detractor from your trip. Find the happy medium and your travels will be smooth.

Now, if there was only something we could do about the traffic.

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Ted Hardy also covers his family's travel escapades at Have Family, Will Travel.

Top 5 Cross Country Road Trips

  After getting a few successful shorter road trips under your belt, the next challenge before a Road Trip Planner is creating a Cross Country Road Trip.  Instead of exploring one state in depth, going cross country allows for a teaser taste of many states. Finding the balance between hitting as many states as possible and “enjoying the ride” can be somewhat relative, to be sure, but even with a cross country objective, quality still trumps quantity…best to see less in focus than more in a blur from the highway. 

 How much time a road trip planner can squeeze out for this trip also greatly impacts the total mileage you’ll put on the odometer, as does the number of people in your car.

Couples can drive further than families because children just get too antsy to sit still for long periods of time (DVDs & iPods notwithstanding).  A group of friends can probably cover the most distance because they can drive through the night and switch drivers every four hours while others sleep.

First, a quick checklist of things you absolutely need for a Cross Country Road Trip:  __Maps   __Cell Phone   __Music & Book CDs   __Camera    __Batteries    __Sunglasses    __Sunscreen    __Backup Tent    __Picnic Basket/Blanket   ___Games & Movies __Ready-2-Go Spare Tire __Emergency Car Kit

Okay…now to the Top 5  Cross Country Road Trips that every Road Trip Planner should try, David Letterman style:

#5 – The Great River Road (10 states – 2300 miles): American travelers do so love nostalgia and meandering alongside the great Mississippi River from bow to stern in a manner reminiscent of Mark Twain’s riverboat days gets many road trip planners excited about all the possibilities.  What’s fun is skirting along the edges of two states to follow the river.  The Mississippi River is much more romanticized than the Missouri River, which is actually the longest river in the U.S.  Your route could be considerably shorter (1500 miles) if you took the more direct route between the headwaters and the mouth…it’s up to you and how closely you want to follow the river.  Just make sure you include at least one ride along in a riverboat.

 #4 – Southern Exposure (8 states – 3000 miles):  This cross country road trip allows road trip planners to add a lot of spice to their trip!  Here’s where you’ll experience the good ol’ southern hospitality in Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi, the Cajun flavors of Louisiana, get a taste of the Texas BBQ, the southwestern spices found in New Mexico, Arizona and the laid back atmosphere of southern California.  US-80 will take you through the bulk of this trip which offers more varied cultural experiences than you’re likely to get in any other U.S. cross country trip.  And the variety is not limited to the cultural differences from town to town but the surrounding landscape which rolls from one type of terrain into another.  You start (or end) at the white-sand- clear-blue-sky beaches of San Diego, through the cacti-dotted southwestern desert, travel along the plains and into the Deep South cotton lands and plantations.  While some travelers are drawn to the green and serene found in a Northern cross-country road trip, many others revel in the South’s variegated russet-colored landscapes and straight highways stretching before them like the backbone of America disappearing into the horizon in a purple haze.

#3 – The Oregon Trail (11 states - 3200 miles):  This road trip is for road trip planners who want to go the distance while traveling a goodly portion along a historic route.   You start (or end) out from the wild Oregon coastline, travel through increasingly diverse terrain, to – and through - dense urban populations and finish by the serene waters of Cape Cod.  The Oregon Trail is known best as the migration trail pioneers embarked upon when America was young.  Of course, you’re not traveling by wagon train so you don’t need to set aside four to six months just to traverse the 2,000 mile section they followed (Missouri-Kansas-Nebraska-Wyoming-Idaho-Oregon).  In fact, you could comfortably do this road trip in less than 3 weeks (if you rent a car & fly back). The main route you’ll follow here is US-20 where you get to hit some truly gorgeous places like Niagara Falls and Yellowstone Park. 

#2 – The Pacific Coast Road Trip (3 states - 1500 miles):  Even though you’re traveling through only three states, you’ll be cruising the length of the West Coast from Olympia, Washington in the North, through Oregon and to San Ysidro, California, right near the Mexican Border on the South.  Check out Things To Do Along The California Coastline for tips from a long-time Californian (California comprises the bulk of this Road Trip).   A good Road Trip Planner can create a kaleidoscope of experiences along this route as it takes you from primitive forests, secluded hideaways, historic towns to major cities with the latest innovations, always flanked by a stunning coastline holding beaches and beach-lovers of every shape and size.  Called Star Route 1, more known as Highway 1, with the California stretch called the Pacific Coast Highway, it is mesmerizing.

And the #1 Cross Country Road Trip of all time? (8 states - 2500 miles):  The mother of all highways, the most romanticized, most sung about, most appearances in a movie highway…drum roll please…Route 66!   It’s so popular that a Google Search for “Route 66” yields more than 6 ½ million results!  Covering eight states from Chicago, Illinois to Santa Monica, California, it is the #1 recognized Road Trip and well worth any Road Trip Planner’s dedication.

Heading Down Under for the Top 5 Beach Towns in Australia

If you’re a road trip planner and you see a trip with both the words February and Beach in the itinerary, you can bet you’re looking at a trip near or south of the equator.  While someone living in North America might say, “February & March are dang cold months,” an Aussie would say, “Nah, mate, that’s the hook end of summer here.” 

 

Summer is equated with beaches, on both sides of the equator.  And there’s no reason why you can’t enjoy a summer road trip in July or August and get another taste of it in February or March (or vice versa).  Your twin summer vacations will still give you plenty of time to appreciate the nuances of each season at home.   

 

But first, did you know Australia is the only country that has a whole continent to itself?  While Antarctica is also a continent unto itself, it is not considered a country nor has it been claimed by any other country.  That said, even though it’s the “smallest” continent, it still has over 4 million square miles, a population of over 20 million people and some of the most awesome beaches you’ll find anywhere in the world. 

 

Australia’s seasons:

·         Summer: December to February (first rains in November with the Wet Season in January and February, into the last of rains mid-April)

·         Autumn: March to May (Last of rains into the beginning of the hot dry period)

·         Winter: June to August  (cooler dry period)

·         Spring: September to November (humid period into the first rains)

 

Okay, time for your road trip planning!  Here are 5 of the best beach towns to choose from for building your road trip itinerary.  Keep in mind you’re visiting during their peak season so it’s best to book early.

Byron Bay, New South Wales:   The locals head to Byron Bay when the Wet sets in.  The town has several beaches that are popular with surfers. This resort attracts international tourists as well as backpackers who like to travel along the Australian coastline.  Whales, bottlenose dolphins frequent this area known for its wildlife. Activities run the gamut from sunning on the white sandy beaches to  parasailing, hang-gliding, surfing and scuba diving.  The overall atmosphere of this town is laid back and non-pretentious.

Gold Coast, Queensland:  The Gold Coast is known for its sunny climate, popular surfing beaches, a dominate skyline and a lovely rainforest.  That’s not counting the active nightlife and the variety of things to do there.  It’s become an extremely popular destination for those living in North America.  You’ll find all sorts of water sports to add to your road trip planner.  More than 10 million people visited the Gold Coast in 2008 so this is definitely a place you’ll want to book your hotel early.

Jervis Bay, New South Wales:  Jervis Bay is stunning and one of the most popular spots along the South Coast.  Parts of it is protected as a National Park and includes areas for recreational fishing and scuba diving (popular diving sites include the Labyrinths, Gorgonian Wall, Point Perpendicular, a Fairey Firefly aeroplane, scallop beds, Middle Ground, Ten Fathom Reef, and Bowen Island).  Besides scuba diving, kayaking has grown very popular recently.  Since this area is only 2 hours south of Sydney, many locals head here for the weekend so start your road trip planner mid-week to get the best hotel rooms. 

Noosa, Queensland:  Noosa is about a two-hour drive from Brisbane. It's on that part of the coast known as the Sunshine Coast.  Popular as a holiday resort city, it’s quieter than the Gold Coast but more sophisticated.   Surfers love coming here even though accommodations are tougher to secure.  The many beaches surrounding Noosa offer varied activities, including optional clothing at Alexandria Beach. 

Port Douglas, Queensland:  Port Douglas is another place where you’ll need to book early if you want to stay there during peak season.   Its main claim to fame – and deservedly so – is the Great Barrier Reef.  Then of course, there’s  the primo surfing, and 4-wheel driving.  Snorkeling is always popular but this may be the spot where you decide to take it a step further & learn to scuba dive just so you can immerse yourself in the Great Barrier Reef.

You’ll have such a blast at the spot you choose that you know those other four beach towns will show up in your Road Trip Planner the following “winter”.  Four more reasons to throw another shrimp on the barbi.