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Special Needs Blog Week in Review – June 24 – 30, 2012

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Every week, the Special Needs Blog Week in Review brings you a quick summary of each of the blogs that were posted here in the past seven days. It makes it easier for you to find out about the ones that you might have missed. The Special Needs Podcast Roundup went up on June 25, 2012. This week, I’d like to point out an episode of NPR’s “Weekend Edition Sunday”. The episode was called “Planes, Patience, and Slightly Kid-Friendlier Security”. This is a good one to listen to for parents who will be traveling by plane with their children this … Continue reading →

Tips for Staying Fit While Traveling

Summer’s here, and with it comes family vacations and other holiday road trips. However, just because you are away from home doesn’t mean that you have to compromise your daily fitness routine. Consider the following the next time you try to make excuses for not exercising on the road: *If you are a runner, traveling to a different city gives you the chance to jog along new trails and view different scenery. *If you are a weightlifter, traveling could mean getting to use unique fitness equipment at your hotel’s gym. *Traveling provides the opportunity to switch up your exercise routine-if … Continue reading →

More Reasons to Ride the Rails

In my last blog I got the discussion rolling on why more travelers are opting to ride the rails this summer. Besides the price and flexibility train travel offers there are a number of other factors that make riding the rails an attractive alternative to flying or driving from your home in Boston to grandma’s house in Kentucky. Take a look: BAGGAGE This is huge for me (and I’m sure a ton of other parents traveling with children). If you are looking for a way to avoid paying the insane baggage fees nearly all the major airlines are now charging … Continue reading →

Traveling To Tennessee

In 1996 I was driving alone from Wisconsin to Atlanta, Georgia. I had just gotten a job field producing and reporting for a news agency that was documenting the Summer Olympics from start to finish. I was thrilled about my new gig, but far less enthused about making the long drive with all of my belongings by myself. Regardless, the road trip proved to be quite eventful and extremely educational. It was on this trip that I would experience what life was like in Tennessee (if only for a couple of days). My first visit to the state was brief … Continue reading →

Will You Be Traveling On The Fourth?

Independence Day falls on a Wednesday this year, but according to AAA the fact that the holiday falls in the middle of the week is not stopping Americans from adjusting their vacation plans accordingly. In fact, the barometer of travel says they expect families will be hitting the roads, rails and skies in record numbers. Will you be on the move next week? If so you will be joining a record 41.1 million other American who will be traveling sometime between June 29th and July 8th. According to AAA, that’s 0.8% more than the 40.8 million who traveled last year. … Continue reading →

Thomas and the Magic Railroad (2000)

The “Thomas the Tank Engine” books have been delighting children everywhere since they first came on the scene in the 1980’s. I guess movie makers felt they had a surefire hit on their hands when they decided to make Thomas into a full-length feature film, but I think the poor producers were a little bit deluded in their dreams of grandeur. In “Thomas and the Magic Railroad,” Mara Wilson stars as Lily, an eleven-year-old who is going to visit her grandfather (Peter Fonda). Taking a wrong turn along the way, she ends up in the town of Shining Time, and … Continue reading →

“Rail and Cruise”… Returns!

Mardi Gras, Jazzfest, and Emeril aren’t the only ones returning to New Orleans following the wrath of Hurricane Katrina. In just a few months you will once again be able to “Rail and Cruise” in and out of the Big Easy. Amtrak and Carnival Cruise Lines will resume their “Rail and Cruise” program out of New Orleans beginning in October. Four-and-five-day cruises will depart from the Port of New Orleans. The four-day voyages will take you to Cozumel, while the five-day sailings have you visiting Cozumel and either Calica or Costa Maya. To sweeten the deal Amtrak is offering discounts … Continue reading →

Why It Pays To Read the Fine Print

There’s nothing worse than losing money when you don’t have to. Traveling doesn’t come cheap, so when it’s time to take flight, hit the road or ride the rails it’s a good idea to read the fine print before you fork over your hard-earned cash. For example, many jet-setting travelers think they are scoring big time by signing up for airlines’ frequent flyer credit cards.  However, unless you read all the details associated with the enrollment process, becoming a member may end up costing you more than you bargained for.  Sure, you’re earning bonus miles each time you use the … Continue reading →

How to Score Big Savings on the Road

  When you are looking for ways to reduce travel expenses start small.  You may be surprised to see that in no time those minor moves can add up to big savings. Here are a few simple money-saving tips to get you started: Stay at a hotel that offers complimentary breakfast, and then take an extra apple, banana, yogurt or granola bar to eat as a mid-afternoon or late-night snack.  It beats spending additional money feeding the vending machine or calling room service when you get hungry later in the day. Bypass big city restaurants and dine at a cheaper … Continue reading →

Stretch Your Thanksgiving Travel Dollar

According to Tripadvisor.com, more than 35 percent of Americans will be traveling during the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday. Of the people who are planning to leave town, more than one-third will fly, despite the sluggish economy and higher airfares. The remainder of travelers will take to the roads or the rails to get to grandma’s house for turkey and pie. With millions of people getting ready to hit the highways to drive 500 miles or more during the holiday weekend, gas prices will be an issue. In addition, you will have to factor in hotel costs, especially if you can’t stomach … Continue reading →