Local Travel Tip

Whale watching adventures are at their peak around the world while families across the globe are jumping on boats right now to take advantage of whale season.  Thanks to television awareness from programs such as “Whale Wars“, children are actually begging their parents to take them out to see these curious creators of the ocean.

Whale watching tours create great family memories (when done right). Whether  you want to watch whales in Australia or watch whales off the coast of Nova Scotia, these helpful tips will make your experience the best possible…

Tips For Whale Watching:

• If you are bringing kids along:
  • Make sure they use the “potty” before they get on the boat. (Only some whale watching boats have toilets).
  • Let the kids take pictures.
    • Their pictures may even be better than the adults pictures…strange how that happens. There are great inexpensive disposable waterproof cameras available that would be perfect for this.
  • Feed the kids before they get on the boat.
    • The last thing you want is a whiny, cranky, hungry kid that makes it a miserable experience for everyone. You want this to be a happy memory, not one that’s associated with frustration and contention. You may even consider bringing snacks for the voyage.

• Items you may need to bring are sunscreen, sunglasses, a poncho (to keep dry) and sweatshirt (to keep warm).
  • Even on cloudy/foggy days you can get sunburned if you’re not wearing sunscreen.
  • It can get cold out there on the water, especially if you get wet.

• Call the whale watching tour company ahead of time and ask what you should bring and what’s provided.
  • Most tour companies provide items such as life vests, so you may not need to bring your own. However, if you are bringing a baby, numerous kids, or a very large person, you’ll want to be sure they have an adequate number of the right sized life vests.

If you’re lucky, you may even get treated with an on-board BBQ and hot chocolate. Watching whales is definitely something to consider for family adventures or even family reunions.

Miami Florida is one of the best summer vacation locations in the United States. There is a wide variety of things to do and the weather is absolutely beautiful. Here are a few of things available for families of all sizes to do in Miami Florida:

1. South Beach: With vibrant shopping experiences, a beautiful beach, and excellent party locations, South Beach is not a place you can miss in a trip to Miami.
2. Miami Metrozoo: This zoo is quickly gaining a reputation as one of the best zoos in America. The climate is hospitable to a variety of animals and the exhibits are cageless. The animals are also grouped by geographic location so you can get a better sense of what life is like for these animals in the wild and what kinds of other creatures these animals interact with.
3. Seaquarium: This amazing outdoor aquarium is located right in between Miami Beach and downtown Miami.
4. Miami Museum of Science: This is the perfect location to entertain the entire family. With exhibits specifically designed to entertain children and mind blowing facts for the adults, this will be a learning experience you will never forget.

Mysore, India. The City of Palaces. This location is the dream vacation for every yoga lover around the world. Traveling to this location is a pilgrimage every yoga lover should take.

The history of yoga in this location began and was developed through Krishna Pattabhi Jois. He promoted Ashtanga yoba which is a strenuous aerobic exercise that is enhanced by timed breathing with the exercise. Sadly, Krishna Jois died at the age of 94 in 2009.

However, his grandson has taken up the legacy as the director of the Ashtanga Yoga Research Institute. The classes offered here usually take a one-month commitment. This would be the perfect opportunity to learn about the culture of India and see many of the beautiful historical and architectural wonders located in this land.