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.

The fifth great place to travel during the recession is South Korea, who have had a 30% drop in value of their currency. Economic difficulties are a common place occurrence. They do not let financial difficulties get in the way of providing a fantastic vacation location.

Known as the Land of Morning Calm, Korea is a land of unique culture and colorful tradition. The area around Seoul features mountains, the Korean specialty of spicy food and tours of gorgeous royal palaces.

The most popular mountain for a beautiful hike is Bugaksan. There are many trails that thread their way through a lush green forest and 15th century gates. At the top, Bugaksan provides a fantastic view of the city and surrounding area.

One of the most famous royal palaces is known as Gyeongbok Palace and is decorated with intricate red and green designs. This palace was built in the late 1300s and has faced a lot of destruction and construction. This is a great location to learn about the Korean culture and traditions.

Then visit a beautiful village made of traditional wood homes called hanok. This village is very decorative and features dark tiled roofing. The village hosts a variety of peaceful cafes, gardens, and art.