Rainy Day Fun

Well, it's been a rather rainy week here in the Tidewater Virginia area... But that doesn't mean our status as greatest vacation destination changes any! Although it is not ideal to have rainy weather while you are on vacation, that doesn't mean you can't be prepared for it and have just as much fun.

So as you plan your agenda for your vacation, here is a tip: add a floating rainy day plan. Figure out which activities are best during bad weather and put them all on the same day and prepare to utilize that day as needed. That way if you wake up and discover that the clouds have rolled in, you won't have to worry about it at all.

Our area has a great selection of rainy day opportunities. Of course our museums are high on the list of opportunities - Mariner's Museum, Virginia Living Museum, Children's Museum to name a few. Although they are all wonderful choices, the list isn't exclusively museums. Be sure to add the Peninsula Fine Arts Center to the list. Just outside of the historic area, you have Ripley's Believe it or Not and just up the street from that Yankee Candle offers shopping as well as some great activities onsite.

There are a lot of great options! So pick your favorites, add them to the schedule and you are all set for vacation! If you have any great suggestions for fun around the area, be sure to add them on in the comments.

Happy Earth Day!

This weekend we are celebrating our planet! Earth Day has been around since 1970 when Gaylord Nelson, a U.S. Senator from Wisconsin at the time, founded the day. At a tumultuous time in our history, it was a quite an accomplishment to get millions of Americans to pitch in and rally for the preservation of our planet.

In the spirit of this day, we hope you too will join us this weekend in giving the Earth some extra affection. There are a lot of things you can do not just this weekend, but everyday to take care of our planet. First, just remember that you can make simple changes in your own home. Buy reusable shopping bags and other reusable containers to use instead of disposable items. Use cloth items instead of paper towels and napkins. Turn off lights when you are not in the room and unplug appliances when you are not home. Recycle what you can!

Beyond changes at home, you can volunteer in your neighborhood for community clean up events. Or you can organize your own event. And check out the other events going on around. Our friends at the Virginia Living Museum have organized a weekend filled with celebration and education. Check out everything they have going on here.

However you decide to take care of our planet this weekend, we hope you have a Happy Earth Day!

Titanic: We Remember 100 Years Later

This weekend marks the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic.
As the week has gone on, we have heard tell of a number of memorials and events popping up around the country and even around the area to commemorate the tragic event. Our very own Mariner's Museum joined the universal chorus of remembrance by hosting their own events including a "Titanic Day" of learning for attendees to gain a better understanding of the time and the circumstance and a period dinner fundraiser. Passengers could choose to purchase either first class or third class reservations for the event. It was an innovative way to create a memorial for the attendees to participate in.

Overall, the world is bustling with memories, flocking to relive the event in theatres, and ensuring we never forget the tragic event. The Vacation Channel is contributing our commemoration by offer these random and little known facts about the Titanic:

• Titanic was carry 20 lifeboats; it had the capacity for 64. 
• There were 13 honeymooning couples on the Titanic. 8 of them were in first class.
• The ship recorded bringing 40,000 eggs on the voyage and 1000 bottles of wine. 
• There were at least 9 dogs on the ship.  
• The length of the ship was equivalent to nearly 3 football fields. 
• The most expensive ticket to travel aboard the ship would cost about $99,000 in today's money.
• The ship cost $7.5 million to build - that translates into about $172 million today. The film cost $250 million to make. 

For more interest events and exhibits, be sure to visit the Mariner's Museum in Newport News! 

Give Me A Break...

We all know that feeling. No vacation on the horizon and we are spent. How about a day off to tide you over until that next big break right in your own backyard, so to speak? Here are a few ideas for a quick retreat...

Museums. The obvious one. Check out what exhibits are in your area and see the museums and galleries you have probably never been to or at least not in a while. Planetariums are a fun option too if one of your museums has one.

Zoos. Pick a day with some nice weather and spend it wander around surrounded my exotic animals. Add a trip to the aquarium too if you like...

Train. Grab a ticket from your local station and take a ride. Whether to another town for a night or on a scenic tour for a few hours, it makes a great get away... 

Amusement or Water Park. Everyone has one within a few hours of them. Find out what yours is and head there for a day of fun and excitement for all ages.

Behind the scenes. Find out what your local area has to offer and see if you can get a behind the scenes tour of it. Perhaps a sports stadium, a factory or other claim to fame locally, all have a complicated operation going on inside and it would be fun to check it out.

Tell us what your favorite ways to spend a much needed day off are! And check out our Facebook page for the latest updates on fun events and ideas in the Hampton Roads area. 

Pinterest: Your Newest Travel Agent

Are you a pinner yet? We are and we are completely addicted. Pinterest has become the fastest growing social network recently and it is quite easy to see why. Organization becomes even simpler and more fun that ever on this innovative site.

An awesome way to use it is for your vacation planning! Here are five easy ways to organize your trips using Pinterest...

1. Make a board of places you want to visit.
2. After you pick one, make a board of the things you want to do while you are there - museums, beaches, stores, etc.
3. Make a board of food you want to try on your trip. This will make menu planning a breeze...
4. Make a board of some local flare you want to get for yourself or others while you are there. That way, you won't be spending your entire trip hunting down souvenirs.
5. Use the Pinterest search to find other awesome things other people have found at your destination. This is a great alternative to just googling.

Also, check out our Pinterest page: https://pinterest.com/vacationchannel/. Follow us and we will be glad to follow you back!

Virginia is for Lovers... of History!

It's time for a little local pride, friends! Although lovers of vacation in general, our particular favorite is vacation to our own stomping ground aka the Hampton Roads area of Virginia. We also have great connections to Richmond and the DC area. According to US News, all three made the list of the 12 best U.S. Historic Destinations! Williamsburg (part of the Hampton Roads area) came in second, Washington, D.C. - third, and Richmond at eighth. So basically, that means not only is the state of Virginia generally as awesome as you can get, be we are a pinnacle in the story of our country. Now we are not saying Virginia is the best state ever, but... if you want to say that we would not disagree.

Now, while the list gives a good, concise description of each location, we want to take a minute to talk about how not only are the listed locations great, but some of the surrounding offering for historical greatness that can also be great stops on your history-charged vacation...

Williamsburg... Of course the name of the town is synonymous for visitors with the destination that is Colonial Williamsburg, but the town also offers a plethora of history right across the street at William & Mary. The university and its history plays a big role and will frequent conversation on your tour of Colonial Williamsburg. 

Just a dash up the road is also the historical treasure that is Jamestowne. Visit the reconstructed ships, wander through the replica village, check out the latest discoveries from the archeological dig, and visit the wonderful educational center. Rounding out the Historic Triangle is another quick jaunt to Yorktown. As well as another wonderful visitor center offering, see another great living history interpretation. 

Travel a bit west to #8 on their list and hit the great state capital, Richmond. But keep going a bit up the road and you are in Charlottesville and utopia for any fans of Thomas Jefferson. It is not only home to the University of Virginia, but also Jefferson's own house and architectural masterpiece Monticello. It is open for tours and a awe-inspiring experience. 

We know that technically we don't have any claim to D.C., but a) it is a convenient destination and close to other important destinations that technically qualify as Northern Virginia, but even saying that, we are at the epicenter of historical greatness and we are pretty proud. That leads us to mention the gem of a destination that is Alexandria. This city offers not only great hotels and shopping, but is home to the house George Washington as well as several other important historical houses and establishments. If you are going to spend time in the great capital of our nation, be sure to take a day to enjoy the delightful stop just across the river. 

Do you live in a destination that has a lot of history to offer? Do you have something you want to add to the list of great Virginia destinations? Let us know in the comments! 

Keeping The Troops Happy

Destination? check. Travel arrangements? check. Itinerary that makes all members of the family positively giddy with delight? Hmmmm...

That's a tough one for sure, but if you are vacationing with some smaller members of the gang, your ideas of fun and theirs might be a bit off. But whether you are planning a beach escape, a big city adventure, or a theme park getaway you can stock up on some neat, simple tricks to keep your pre-schoolers happy in any setting. Here are few tips to keep everyone happy no matter where you go...

Go Digital: Not you, the kids! Invest in a children's digital camera and let them capture the moments...

Happy Hunting: A lot of destinations, museums and theme parks particularly, have some sort of scavenger hunt-like activity for kids to give them a little motivation to enjoy the setting. Call ahead or go online to see what is offered. If they don't have one, do a little research and make up your own!

Let's Split Up!: Depending on what sort of trip you are taking, your destination is likely to have options for activities for your kids to enjoy while you get in some time on your own. Check with your hotel or resort to see what they offer and see if there are any other local destinations that have offerings as well.

Find a happy medium: Add a stop at a place that caters to fun for all ages. There are several parks around the country that offer that opportunity. Great Wolf Lodge is a perfect example of such a place. As a hotel and indoor water park, they have a a unique and convenient offering. Check out their website for more information: http://www.greatwolf.com/williamsburg/waterpark/rides.

For more ideas, especially if you are coming to our area, check out www.vacationchannels.com. And be sure to add your ideas in the comments.

Well, It's Easier Than Flying A Plane...

Vacation is the name of our game and we strive to make sure that yours is as fun and relaxing as you would hope it to be. That being said, we like to do our part to make sure all elements of your vacation follow. So let's look at some ways to make your air travel smoother. Here are a few tips...

Booking: There are a lot of myths around this one. But the consensus is mid-week booking is the best for finding a good price. Additionally, 4-6 months prior to date of departure is the best time for rate.

Packing: We have a whole post on it! See this.  Also, wet wipes aren't just for babies. They are wonderful ways of cleaning the tray tables that are undoubtedly gross, cleaning the coffee you spilled on yourself and a plethora of other unavoidable accidents. They are the best travel companion you will ever have... As far as carry-on is concerned, don't overwhelm yourself with stuff. You need your ticket, your wallet/ID, and your cell phone. Those are the only needs. For entertainment, bring a book or two. You don't need more than that. For snacks, think small and individually wrapped like trail mix or granola bars.

Plan: Planning is crucial to a stress-free flight. We know it can be tough, but it is worth it. Be sure to plan on how you are going to get to and from the airports, plan to eat before and/or after so you aren't starving and rushing. If you are traveling with other people, make sure everyone is aware of the plans with plenty of notice. Plan on small and simple games or other items to keep kids entertained. 

Time and Space: Morning flights are best to book for a few reasons. First, schedules are generally still on time at earlier hours. Second, the weather is frequently less turbulent in the morning. For a good seat, choose as soon as you can (at booking, if possible). Avoiding bulkhead seats (where they put babies) and the back rows (fresher air from the filtration system in the front) are also best practices.

Those are just a few and as always we would love to have your input. Let us know what your travel tips are!

Pack Well, Travel Well

Spring Break 2012 is rapidly approaching! No doubt you are working on planning your great getaway... Very exciting! Not just the good kind of exciting. Also the stressful kind of exciting. Well, the team here at The Vacation Channel is going to help relieve a good deal of stress with vacation before you even make it out the door. Packing! It's not the most fun task ever... but it is necessary. Now whether you are a last minute packer, someone who packs days a head, or the one who takes days to pack, it can all be made easier. Since vacation is our game, we have compiled a list of important steps to take to make your packing for vacation not getting you off to a bad start. Here we go...

• Check the weather! Don't waste time and space packing for all kinds of weather. Just pack for the weather you will be dealing with.

• Plan your color scheme. Don't want to figure out how you are going to fill a washer with whites or darks or in between? Try and keep it all in the neighborhood so you don't end up wasting anything.

• Find out what the amenities are where you are staying and leave those items off your list. If the hotel has a hair dryer, bathrobe or etc, don't waste the space. Are staying with a friend that has plenty of beach towels, laundry detergent and a curling iron? Leave them at home. 

• Travel size! They make them for a reason. They really are a great way to keep your bathroom bag condensed.

• You don't need as many shoes as you think. Three at most. Sneakers, comfy sandals, flats or other casuals and a pair of dress shoes. Invest in colors that will work for all of your outfits and you won't have to waste space each time you travel.

• Don't forget the important stuff! Easier said than done, we know... But if you make a list of the things you cannot leave without, it really will help you in the end. Phone and charger, credit cards, medications, etc. List these items out so you aren't pulling your hair out trying to remember at the last minute. 

Don't waste time stressing out about packing for vacation. Just these few simple tricks will make a world of difference in how you prepare to travel. 

Did we miss something on our list? Comment on our post to share your great packing tips!