Lilac City Momma

Travel

Make Family Vacations Easy

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Every family must have some vacation time. However, maintaining that when you are a mommy of two is very hard to do. A lot of things get in the way, and between handling your kids and all the housework, getting it done fast and cheap is a fundamental thing.

Doing a family vacation without the fuss is a crazy matter though, it means you have to put everything on the line and get yourself ready before you hit the road. How do you do it? Here are some of the tips I follow.

  1. Book your vacation homes early

With services like CasaGo now available, you can book your vacation way in advance. This helps you avoid the last-minute worries. It’s near impossible to plan a comfortable trip for the kids if you save the booking process until the very end. Vacation homes can be available for a weekend, or a whole month. Depending on the kind of trip you’re looking for, they can save you a lot of money, and keep the kids happy.

You could always take a look at the “Recommended Rentals” and get yourself the very best place for your vacations.

  1. Figure out the medication you need

If you are going somewhere tropical for the vacation, you might need anti-allergies, or bug bite ointments for your kids. Medicines are necessary and trust me– your family would forget if you let them. So, research about the place you are going to.

  1. Get yourself some travel insurance

We always want to hope nothing bad will happen, but, there’s always a reason to be safe, so, getting yourself insured before traveling is a “must” in my set of ideas. Get travel insurance before you set off on exploring the world with your family to avoid being hit with any major medical bills overseas.

Better safe than sorry!

  1. Bring all the supplies

Planning can be a life-saver if you are going somewhere remote. It’s one of those ideas like buying sunscreen for your beach vacations and getting scarves for when you go to the snow, that makes all the difference in the world.

Get yourself everything you need for the flight and trip, and you can have a lot of fun without worrying about what might happen.

  1. Have a lot of fun

Just because you are planning does not mean you do not get to have fun! Get your kids in a circle and have them plan out what they want to do while they’re away. Build out charts about what you want to see, and the activities you want to do.

With the above tips, I have managed to hold my head above the water through many of our trips. This means I have got enough experience to say that it helps to plan the entire thing out early in advance. There is nothing more than a family vacation where you don’t have to fuss about every single thing.

3 Places To Head To With The Kids This Summer In Bangalore

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If you are traveling to India, you must travel to Bangalore, one of its most beautiful cities with weather to match. Bangalore is a city of parks and gardens, ancient temples and modern shopping malls. It is a vibrant and pulsating metropolis where the contemporary and the heritage blend into a seamless whole.

Bangalore is the Capital of the southern Indian state of Karnataka. Getting to Bangalore is easy and economical. If you happen to be in Delhi, the Capital of India, you can easily book cheap flights for Delhi to Bangalore.A flight from Delhi to Bangalore typically takes approximately two and a half hour. Once in Bangalore there are many sights and experiences awaiting you. If you are traveling with kids, there are many places where one can head to. Places that offer fun, entertainment, and learning too. Here are four places in Bangalore to head to with kids.

Wonderla Amusement Park- A place where the laughter never stops

The Wonderla Amusement Park which is situated on the outskirts of Bangalore is a thrilling experience for kids and adults alike. The sixty plus rides in the amusement parks are sure to set the kids roaring in delight. Some of the high thrill rides offer a pulsating experience to adults too. A combination of land rides and water rides guarantee a day filled with fun and laughter for the entire family. State of the art rides that combine the fascinating world of 3D-animation with the raw physical excitement of rides are sure to awe you. These experiences include, “The Adventures of Chikku”, which you see in the comfort of an air-conditioned theatre but are sure to be literally swept off your feet.A musical fountain and laser show also is an enchanting display that combines the elements of technology with aesthetics. Roller Coaster rides, Crazy Cars, giant sky wheels and much more contribute to the making of great times.

Once you are done with the land slides the call of the water becomes irresistible. Water slides from varying heights and with twists and twirls guaranteed a splashy and wet experience. Those who prefer to relax in the water can simply laze while drifting on a float in the Lazy river. A wave pool and play pools only add to the magic of frolicking in the water. If you also want to shake a leg to some pulsating music, just head over to the Rain Disco, wet clothes and all for a rocking time.

All the exciting activity is sure to leave the kids hungry and tired. A food court in the Park serves lip smacking multi-cuisine fare. A luxury resort right adjacent to the Park is a convenient place to stay and relax before or after the activity at the Park. Just remember to plan ahead with fancier dinner reservations, as similar to taking your kid’s to Disneyland, the park is full with people!

Innovative Film City

The Innovative Film City is an amusement Park and a Film Studio and its sprawling campus offers a day packed with fun and adventure for the entire family. The attractions that will make the kids jump in glee include a Cartoon City, Aqua Kingdom, Dino Park which features giant sized Dinosaur replicas that come to life through animatronics, a haunted mansion the will scare the wits out of kids and adults alike, and a maze of mirrors which are sure to put your mind in a tizzy. Once you have had your fill of these attractions it is time to head over to the museums which open a window to some incredible experiences. The museums include a wax museum on the lines of Madame Tussauds where you can see celebrities immortalized in wax. Other museums include a Fossils Museum, Oddities Museum, and Tribal Museum. After the indoor museum experiences it is time to head outdoors for some thrilling adventure sports. The options include Go-Karting, Bungee Jumping, Archery, and Dirt Bike riding. A recent addition to the list of attractions is a tour of the sets of the reality serial Bigg Boss which is situated within the Innovative Film City. Four restaurants serve diverse cuisines to cater to the voracious appetites generated by all the activity in the park. The Innovative Film city is definitely a place to head to for some wholesome family fun.

Visvesvaraya Industrial and Technological Museum, Bangalore

A place to head to for some learning deciphering the complexities of science in a simple and fun way is the Visvesvaraya Industrial and Technological Museum, Bangalore.

The Visvesvaraya Industrial and Technical Museum has seven permanent exhibition galleries which are named, Engine Hall, Fun Science, Electrotechnic, Space-Emerging Technology in the Service of Mankind, Biotechnological Revolution, BEL Hall of Electronics and Children Science. A day spent in the precincts of the museum is indeed an experience of fun and learning for children and adults alike.

The principles of Science are made simple and clear through animated and interactive information kiosks, exhibits, demonstrations, and audio-visual presentations. One of the attractions where people head to with eagerness is the Dinosaur Enclave where one can take a selfie with the Spinosaurus, a species of dinosaur that lived in North Africa more than a 100 million years ago. Needless to say this is a life-size animated replica of the Spinosaurus.

These are three places that guarantee hours of fun and excitement and also learning. All the places are family friendly and are ideal family getaway to head to with the kids when in Bangalore.

Summer Sun With The Kids – How To Organize Cheap A Vacation

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Every family should have at least one vacation per year. It’s a great opportunity to spend quality time together, away from the pressures of work and school. The kids can play on the beach or in the pool and the adults can chill out. Because everyone is so much more relaxed on vacation, there will be fewer arguments and less stress.

The biggest problem, however, is how to find an affordable vacation. The more kids you have, the more costly a blue sky holiday will be. Fortunately, it is possible to find cheap vacations to family-friendly destinations, and here’s how.

Travel During Off-Peak Periods

Traveling during school holidays is always more expensive. Travel operators bump up the costs during peak travel times, so the average family vacation can double or triple in price in July and August. Many families are restricted to booking vacations during the school break, but if you have any flexibility or your child’s school is willing to let you book a trip during term time, make the most of the cheaper prices.

Book in Advance

There are plenty of bargains to be had if you are willing to lock in a family vacation several months in advance. Popular operators offer great family discounts on early bird deals. If you are lucky, you may be able to book a package holiday to a popular destination where the kids travel free. For families with special requirements, or a burning desire to stay in a specific hotel, this really is the best option, as leaving it until the last minute means places will be limited.

Look for Online Last-Minute Bargains

Whilst making an advanced booking often secures some great discounts, there is also a lot to be said for waiting until the eleventh hour to book a family getaway. Most operators drastically cut their prices because they would rather sell a cheap vacation than have hotel rooms left empty. Travel operators sell off holidays much cheaper close to the departure date. If you are flexible, you should find all kinds of bargain deals to a range of different destinations, including 5* resort hotels.

Take Advantage of Online Deals

There are some amazing deals, coupons, voucher codes and special offers if you have the time to look online. Sign up for vacation websites such as Secret Hotels and wait for amazing deals to land in your inbox. These operators do the hard work and all you have to do is book your dream vacation for you and the kids.

Use Free Points to Go on Vacation

Do you use a credit card for your everyday spending? Many major credit cards have great value loyalty schemes that let you earn points for spending money on groceries, gas, and even your utility bills. You can earn Avios points and spend them on flights and hotels or save up points and redeem them for vouchers to spend on a vacation. What’s not to like about that?

Got any more great tips? Let us know!

5 Ways to Make Your Flight More Comfortable

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One of the modern wonders of life in the 21st Century is the rate at which we can get from one location to another, tens of thousands of miles away, in a single day. Even so, flying transatlantic and then perhaps across Europe could take the better part of 24-hours if you have any layovers along your route. Comfort is something you should always plan for, whether your trip is only going to be a few hours long or a flight that is much, much longer. If you’ve never taken a long flight before, these ideas may keep you as comfortable as possible that high up off the ground.

1. Wear Loose Fitting Clothes

There is almost nothing as uncomfortable than being stuck sitting in an almost upright position in tight clothing. While you are at it, you could also wear several layers. No matter how warm it is on the ground, traveling in a plane at high altitudes gets extremely chilly. You can always take off your layers, one by one if you feel too stuffy.

2. Carry Along a Travel Pillow

While most airlines will hand out small travel pillows and lightweight blankets if you ask, some don’t offer that service anymore. Also, who wants to rest their head on a pillow that someone else has used recently? While many germs die within moments after leaving the body, you can’t guarantee that, so at the very least bring your own travel pillow. If you aren’t sure which one to buy, check out various pillows that have been reviewed on the indreviews website.

3. Don’t Forget Your Earplugs!

You can always tell a frequent flyer by the quality of earplugs they bring with them. Noise levels in the cabin can get extremely loud with people talking and laughing, babies crying in the background, and the person next to you listening to music through headphones at decibels you are sure will make them deaf. Earplugs can help bring your comfort up many levels. Besides the noise levels, your ears will pop uncomfortably as the plane gains altitude, and earplugs help reduce the changes in pressure. Many frequent flyers say that earplugs keep them from discomfort on the plane and earaches after they land.

4. Comfortable Slip on Shoes Are a Must

On longer flights, you will be transferring planes at least once. Your next flight may not be on the same concourse and you may have a good long distance to walk to get to the next gate. Always wear comfortable walking shoes; slip-on shoes work best because you can slip out of them on the plane, take out your pillow, put your earplugs in, and take a nap.

5. Keep Your Pockets Empty

One last suggestion which many people often overlook is to keep items in their pockets to a minimum. Not only will you be able to get past security quicker without setting anything off, but you won’t be bothered by keys, pens, or coins jabbing at you as you sit in the narrow seat. Coins are a royal pain when they fall from your pocket because there is no room to move about to gather them up.

Yes, you can fly ‘quickly’ around the world, but quick is still a relative word. After half a day on the plane, you will appreciate having taken the time to plan for your comfort. These five ways to make your flight more comfortable should help you get the most enjoyment when you fly, no matter how long a flight you are on.

Top 5 Fun Things To Do In Utah

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Utah is a place of great natural beauty and is a great tourist destination. With several national parks, this is a wonderful place for hikers and nature enthusiasts. So to fill up your Utah vacations guide here is the Top 5 Fun Things to do in Utah.

1. Park City

A popular skiing destination, Park City is the home of several ski hills, including Deer Valley Resort, Canyons Resort, and the Park City Mountain Resort. The home of the 2002 Winter Olympics, the Olympic Sports Park is another great place to visit while here. A great winter destination Park City is also the home of the United States largest independent film festival Sundance Film Festival.

2. Zion National Park

Only a few hours from Las Vegas, Zion National Park is a prime destination for its great natural beauty. With hikes from the easy to the hard, as well as sightseeing bus there is a way for anyone to enjoy the marvellous scenery of Zion Park. Taking one of the easier hikes is a great way to keep your kids occupied while on vacation. The Zion Canyon is home to the more impressive of the park’s sand stone monoliths. Other areas of interest are the Narrows, the Kolob Arch, the second largest arch in the world, and Lava Point, which offers a panoramic view of the entire park.

3. Arches National Park

Outside the town of Moab, the Arches National Park is home to more than two thousand natural stone arches. The unusual geographical nature of this park makes it the home of the greatest density of natural stone arches in the world. The Delicate Arch has to be the most well known spot in the Arches National Park, the horseshoe stone formation creating a frame for the far off mountains, but there are numerous trails and hikes to explore the other many stone formations from the Double Arch to the Devil’s Garden.

4. Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument

Though receiving less visitors than many of the natural parks the Grand Staircase is no less interesting despite, or perhaps because of its remoteness. Visitors are able to see a range of landscapes from canyons and arches to waterfalls and forest. One of the more popular destinations here is Lower Calf Creek Falls and its hiking trail.

Also the home of the abandoned town Paria and the Paria film sets, the ghost town was a popular location to film westerns. Films with scenes recorded here include Billy the Kid(1941), Sergeants 3 (1961) and The Outlaw Josey Wales (1976).

5. Golden Spike National Historic Site

North of the Great Salt Lake is the home of the place the Union Pacific and Central Pacific rail-roads met, this site was the place where in 1869 a ceremonial golden spike join the two rail systems into the USA’s first transcontinental railway system. With an exhibition housed at the Visitor’s Centre, the importance of the site is elaborated on. There are also recreations of the golden spike ceremony seasonally. The Golden Spike National Historic Site is a great place to visit for those interested in history.

From hiking to skiing those who enjoy physical pursuits would enjoy a trip to Utah. The striking natural scenery of Utah also draws tourists around the world and this list should let you fill up your Utah travel guide for your visit.