PNCR

So you have decided you want a bit of a challenge in buying your next house. You are going to invest on a fixer-upper home but you still want to save on renovations. Here are a few tips:

Tip # 1.Ask your contractor for inexpensive materials. Some contractors have left over materials and parts from previous jobs they have handled and you can ask if they you could use those scrap materials in renovating your fixer-upper home. Left over materials aren’t all in bad condition and won’t hurt your home’s sturdiness and functionality plus they are cheaper than buying new materials at home supply stores.

Tip # 2.Choose reliable materials. Just because you are saving up on fixing your fixer upper doesn’t mean you should go cheap on everything. There are some materials that can be bought cheaply and there are some that are a little bit pricey but worth it. Investing in good quality, sturdy materials that will last you almost a lifetime is the wisest thing. It will save you money in the long run, it will also save you from consuming time and effort fixing things all over again.

Tip # 3.Take it down yourself. You can demolish some of the parts of your fixer-upper home yourself. The harder and more dangerous parts to be demolished can be done by a contractor. This way you save up on hiring costs.

Tip # 4.Sell reusable materials. While in the process of taking down some parts of your fixer-upper home, there may be some scrap materials that you won’t need but will be very useful for some other people. Scrap wood, metal, fixtures and other things could be sold to other people who, just like yourself are looking forward to saving a great deal of money.

Tip # 5.Save up on architect fees. Naturally you are going to need an architect to map out the design plan for your fixer upper. Hiring an architect usually doesn’t come cheap but you can minimize costs by contracting an architect for a one time visit and consultation and the architect will then design the renovation plan for your fixer-upper home. This will cost less rather than hiring your architect for multiple visits and meetings.

Tip # 6.Leave the sink and the toilet. Moving the sink or toilet will cost big bucks because plumbing prices aren’t cheap. As much as possible leave the toilet and sink alone.

Renovating a fixer upper home isn’t easy and inexpensive but you can use some of these tips to save a few bucks.



By: Caroline Miller

About the Author:

People have to travel for business as well as for vacation. However, one gets exposed to a lot of risks while traveling. Accidents happen unexpectedly, and therefore you will never be able to anticipate it. This is the reason for which travel health insurance is of great importance. It provides high service excellence, and international coverage besides offering you value for your money.

It is always advisable that you keep yourself protected instead of crying later over spilt milk. Spending on your travel health insurance might seem like an added financial burden. But consider this fact that when you have secured your future against unexpected losses you will be able to enjoy your travel a lot better.

Have you ever thought how much can be your hospital bill if get admitted for one night? Over $2500!! Have you ever considered how much a heart surgery can cost you? Over $100,000!!Don’t you think it is much better to invest in a medical insurance instead?

Travel insurance covers you against ambulance cost, personal accident, hospitalization, loss of passport or baggage, and many such mishaps. You can benefit from your traveler’s medical insurance only in case of medical emergencies. Therefore always try to secure a policy which gives you maximum cover.

The amount allowed for medical coverage varies greatly amongst the travel insurance companies. Mostly young people are allowed to purchase policies of over 500,000. However, things change when it comes to the elderly people. Most of the travelers’ medical insurance allows elder members to purchase policies ranging between $50,000 and $100,000. Most companies offer travel insurance comparison online for the elder members.

However, if you are going for fixed benefit travel insurance policies then it will not cover all your expenses. Limitations are there for every kind of expense. Suppose you meet with a personal accident then your policy of $100K might cover something around $20K. However, if it is a mere dental expense then your policy might cover you for only $500. The exact amount obviously varies from company to company. If you incur any accident related expenditure beyond this ceiling then you will have to bear that on your own.

For certain expenses there is a deductible imposed. It is basically an amount which is fixed beforehand between your travel insurance company and yourself. You will have to pay this amount for your medical expenses before your travel insurance company starts giving you the cover. Your premium amount would be lower as long as you pay higher deductible.

Medical expenses are not all that is associated with travel insurance. Repatriation costs, medical evacuation, loss of baggage/personal belongings, delayed or cancelled flights etc. are all covered by the travel medical insurance. Therefore, medical insurance for travelers is highly recommended in order to meet these unforeseen expenditures.



By: emmalinagrey

About the Author:

Traveling within the country or abroad, alone or with friends, you’ll need to keep a lot of safety precautions in mind. This will ensure a safe trip for you as well as your fellow travelers. The following 10 travel safety tips will save you a lot of hassle when you are out of home.

1. Make your passport and visas up-to-date before you venture out to overseas destinations. Do not forget to fill the emergency information page available on your passport. It could be really handy in times of crisis.

2. Learn something about the culture of the place you are going to visit. It would save you a lot of embarrassment and ensure a safe vacation. Learning some key phrases of the local language, such as “help”, can get you out of trouble situations if you are separated from your tour guide. In case you are traveling alone, then hiring a guide who speaks both the languages would be very useful.

3. Walking in a group is safer than walking alone, especially in thinly populated areas. Having company or staying in a group would add to your enjoyments. Thieves and robbers usually target those who travel alone.

4. Always use covered luggage tags and try to avoid putting your home address on an open luggage tag. Your company’s address can be used if you are out on business or you can put your friend’s address on the tag if you are visiting them.

5. Keep your ears open to your inner voice. Be aware of your surroundings and follow your intuition as most of the times it is correct. Women, single parents and older people become easy prey to crimes against tourists. So be alert all the time when you are on your own.

6. Before you check-in, make sure that your hotel or resort is not in a crime-prone zone. Keep the phone numbers of local medical practitioners and the local police, if you are putting up at a luxury resort in a remote location.

7. Try not to bring any valuables such as jewelry or electronic gadgets when you go for vacation. Don’t forget to keep your valuables or money including traveler checks and credit-cards locked away in the safety deposit box provided by your hotel.

8. If you are going for safaris or other adventurous expeditions with your family, then you need to take special care of the children. Make sure that they do not leave your side, as they can become easy targets for predators.

9. Don’t be too adventurous while checking out the exotic local cuisine. If you are not careful, you can end up with allergies, dysentery and other types of infectious diseases. Hence, have food only at those places which appear clean and hygienic. Your tour operator can guide you well in this regard.

10. Take proper care of your baggage. Tourists are often a soft target for thieves and pick-pockets. Spending some amount of money in buying locks would actually be a great idea! Various types of locks such as combination locks, lightweight cable locks and different sizes of padlocks can ensure the safety of your luggage while you travel.

This assortment of useful tips for safe travel will surely make your vacation a wonderful experience that will be fondly remembered all your life!



By: Jason Sands

About the Author:

Do you want to take a Caribbean vacation, but are you worried about the costs? Since the Caribbean is one of the world’s most popular vacation destinations, many new travelers mistakenly believe it is too expensive. Luckily, there are many ways that you can save money. Five of those ways are highlighted below for your convenience.

1 – Stay at an all-inclusive resort.

Over the past few years, all-inclusive resorts and all-inclusive vacations have increased in popularity. There is good reason for that. They not only ease the process of planning a trip, but they make that trip less stressful and more enjoyable. See, when you stay at an all-inclusive resort, the cost of your stay includes your room or suite, snacks, food, drinks, tips, some forms of onsite entertainment, and qualifying airport transfers. Your airfare can be added too, but this is optional.

At first glance, all-inclusive Caribbean vacations seem more expensive. The costs are higher upfront, but you get a better value for your money and some awesome savings in the end. When you stay at a traditional hotel, you pay for just your room. The cost is lower, but you still need to buy food, drinks, and pay for your entertainment. If you are traveling on a budget, all-inclusive is the way to go. There are no hidden costs; your resort will inform you ahead of time what is or isn’t included.

2 – Opt for cheap airfare.

As previously stated, your airfare can be included in your all-inclusive Caribbean travel package. Most like this approach because one big travel plan books most of their trip. In most cases, you do get a good deal on airfare, but could you get a better deal? You won’t know until you look.

There are many airlines and airports that service the Caribbean from the United States. Price compare to find a good deal. Smaller airports usually have higher rates, so even if you need to drive an extra 45 minutes to another airport, you may be able to save $100 or more per person! Generally, the best time to fly is in the middle of the week on Wednesdays (you get lower rates). Direct flights tend to cost more money, so you may want to opt for a flight with one or two layovers. While you will spend more time at the airport, you will notice a savings.

3 – Travel in the off-season.

For the Caribbean, the off-season is mid-April to mid-December. What is nice about traveling in the off-season is that you not only save money, but you are likely to find fewer crowds. Rest assure, the Caribbean and all of its islands are still amazing in the off-season. You will still find plenty of activities, open attractions, and beautiful weather.

4 – Stay at your all-inclusive resort.

You booked a stay at an all-inclusive Caribbean resort, so of course you are going to stay onsite, but really stay onsite. Inclusive resorts are setup so that you never need to leave; there is a lot to do and see right onsite. Most resorts are home to multiple eateries, swimming pools, spas, fitness centers, and more. Beachfront resorts are loaded with fun water activities, but land activities (like rock climbing, golfing, or tennis) may also be available too. Most of these activities will be listed as inclusions, meaning you don’t pay extra. This automatically saves you money.

If you have yet to choose your all-inclusive resort in the Caribbean, keep this in mind. Look for the resort that offers the most inclusions you will use. For example, if you want to enjoy scuba diving, snorkeling, or wind surfing, a beachfront resort is your best choice. When you are interested in the things offered onsite, you are less likely to venture off the resort grounds and spend more money.

5 – Take public transportation if you do travel.

Staying at your all-inclusive resort to save money sounds nice, but what if you want to get out and explore the locals and local attractions? There are still ways that you can save money. First, eat at your resort before you leave (remember your food, drinks, and snacks are included). Then, take public transportation. There is no need to rent a car for the week of your trip if you only intend to venture out once or twice. Finally, take the time to research nearby activities and attractions before you leave. This gives you the chance to find free things to do or at least estimate their cost ahead of time. If you are traveling on a budget, it is important to know how much money you need, as well as where that money will be going.



By: Melissa Aldridge

About the Author:

When you get a call from a school administrator inviting you to interview for a teaching job, how do you feel? Happy? Elated? Excited? Nervous? Scared stiff?

You don’t need to worry about the interview if you’re a well-prepared, qualified candidate. Preparing for a teaching interview is a lot like studying for a test. You can review commonly asked questions, think about what you’ll say beforehand, and go in to do your best. If you prepare beforehand, the interview questions will seem routine and familiar. You’ll have answers on the tip of your tongue, ready-to-go.

Below is a list of six commonly asked teacher interview questions from my eBook, Guide to Getting the Teaching Job of Your Dreams. How would you answer each question?

1.  Tell us about yourself.

This will be the first question at almost every interview.  Just give a brief background in about three sentences. Tell them what colleges you graduated from, what you’re certified to teach, what your teaching & working experiences are, and why you’d love the job.

2.  How do you teach to the state standards?

If you interview in the United States, school administrators love to talk about state, local, or national standards!  Reassure your interviewer that everything you do ties into standards.  Be sure the lesson plans in your portfolio have the state standards typed right on them.  When they ask about them, pull out your lesson and show them the close ties between your teaching and the standards.

3.  How will you prepare students for standardized assessments?

There are standardized assessments at almost every grade level.  Be sure you know the names of the tests.  Talk about your experiences preparing students.  You’ll get bonus points if you know and describe the format of the test because that will prove your familiarity.

4.  Describe your discipline philosophy.

You use lots of positive reinforcement.  You are firm, but you don’t yell.  You have appropriate consequences for inappropriate behavior.  You have your classroom rules posted clearly on the walls.  You set common routines that students follow. You adhere to the school’s discipline guidelines. Also, emphasize that you suspect discipline problems will be minimal because your lessons are very interesting and engaging to students. Don’t tell the interviewer that you “send kids to the principal’s office” whenever there is a problem. You should be able to handle most discipline problems on your own. Only students who have committed very serious behavior problems should be sent to the office.

5.  How do you make sure you meet the needs of a student with an IEP?

An IEP is an “individualized education plan.”  Students with special needs will be given an IEP, or a list of things that you must do when teaching the child.  An IEP might include anything from “additional time for testing” to “needs all test questions read aloud” to “needs to use braille textbook.”  How do you ensure you’re meeting the needs of a student with an IEP?  First, read the IEP carefully.  If you have questions, consult a special education teacher, counselor, or other staff member who can help you.  Then, you just make sure you follow the requirements on the IEP word for word.  When necessary, you may be asked to attend a meeting in which you can make suggestions for updating the IEP.  Your goal, and the goal of the IEP, is to make sure the student has whatever he or she needs to be successful in your class.

6.  How do you communicate with parents?

This question will come up at almost every elementary school interview. It’s fairly common in the middle school and high school as well.  You might have a weekly parent newsletter that you send home each week.  For grades 3 and up, you may require students to have an assignment book that has to be signed each night.  This way, parents know what assignments are given and when projects are due.  When there are discipline problems you call home and talk to parents.  It’s important to have an open-door policy and invite parents to share their concerns at any time.

For more teacher interview questions, I invite you to download my eBook Guide to Getting the Teaching Job of Your Dreams ( http://www.iwantateachingjob.com ). In it you will find 48 common interview questions and answers as well as practical advice for getting the teaching job you want.



By: Tim Winterview

About the Author:

1. Find Out The Largest-Size Carry-On Luggage You’re Aloud and Buy It

Although you want to significantly cut down on the amount of luggage you take, you should still take advantage of the maximum size carry on luggage you can take. Find out what the average carry on allowance is and buy an new bag to fit those dimensions.

2. Wear Your Heaviest/Bulkiest Items

Ok, so it’s an obvious point, but if you’re taking some bulky items, such as a thick coat, or walking boots, wear them on the plane and free up as much valuable space in your carry on luggage as possible.

3. Create A Packing List — And Ruthlessly Edit

It This is something you can perfect over time. Basically, every time you go abroad create a packing list. Then, when you come home and unpack make a note of everything you didn’t use. Then cross them off the list for next time!

4. Plan To Buy Things At Your Destination

Remember, most destinations will have places you can buy the basics you need to get you by. Need a smarter shirt for an unplanned trip to a fancy restaurant, just buy one at a local store. You’ll also be able to discard these items if you need to before you leave.

5. Decant Toiletries Into Smaller Bottles

For your essential toiletries, do away with the bumper family size bottles and decant rations into smaller bottles. Not only will you save space, but also a lot of weight. And remember the point above — if you run out you can always buy some more.

6. Roll Your Clothes

It’s an old trick but an effective one. Rolling your clothes makes them easier to pack down into the corners of your carry on, plus it can help you avoid the creases created by folding.

7. Wear Clothing With Lots Of Pockets

Remember, you don’t need to carry everything in your luggage. Wearing clothing with extra pockets, such as cargo pants, or those vests that professional photographers wear, you can carry many smaller items and leave space for the bigger stuff in your luggage.

8. Buy Speciality Travel Clothing That Converts

Now you can buy items of clothing specifically designed for travelers. Usually travel clothing has features such as being light-weight, breathable and none-creasing and quick drying, but you can also find clothing that is convertible. Trousers that turn into shorts, or long sleeved items that become short sleeved. By making your clothing work twice as hard, you can save twice as much space.

9. Buy Speciality Travel Products Designed To Be Compact

Aswell as clothing designed for traveling, you can find all manner of accessories that have been designed for traveling and to be compact. For example a travel towel can be a quarter of the size of a traditional towel.

10. Ask Others For Their Tips

If you see someone breezing through check in with just one bag, stop them and ask them how they do it. Most people love to show off how clever and travel-savvy they are, so they’ll be happy to share their wisdom with you!



By: Packing Secrets

About the Author:

What would you say if you were told that you could go to Europe on an affordable package? Would you be skeptical? Would you be amused? Or would you be plainly dumbfounded in disbelief?

European travel has always been the most expensive. Most middle class wage earners would need to tighten their belts for several years, scrimping & saving just so they can afford their dream European vacation. Europe represents one of the many fantasies of most people because of its quiet elegance, its romantic sceneries & panoramic views. European countryside is magical & has been the inspiration of many poems & the venue o many love stories. Europe is a great destination for newlyweds on their honeymoons, retirees wanting to get a taste of the good life & just about everybody else looking for a good time. But, Europe is also synonymous with expensive food, expensive hotels, expensive clothes & just about everything else is more expensive in Europe!

Cheap travel Europe gives you an option that would otherwise be unaffordable to many people. Cheap travel Europe takes away the “expensive” in Europe! Cheap travel Europe lets you achieve that fantasy you’ve been cuddling for so long.

If you are planning a romantic getaway, Europe is the ultimate destination! Just think of romantic France & be inspired by French lovers strolling hand-in-hand, kissing & hugging in the streets. Imagine yourself in Venice, having a smooth gondola ride with you husband or wife. Imagine yourself surrounded by the rich history of Ireland & Austria. Get a taste of authentic German beer or Russian vodka & caviar or take a bite of a scrumptious Swiss or Belgian chocolate. Aaaaaaaah, the taste of travel!

Europe offers a wild cornucopia of anything & everything enjoyable. From the vas collection of the world’s greatest art pieces in Italy, to the holy & somber Vatican, to the swinging parties in England and to the Moorish architectures of Spain. All these are up for grabs when you avail of cheap travel Europe.

Take your family with you or your group of friends, plan a victory vacation with your officemates or teammates—avail of the awesome cheap travel Europe package!

Cheap travel Europe is also a great gift to your parents when they celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary. Nothing says “Thank you” better than a long European vacation courtesy of cheap travel Europe.

Cheap travel Europe is a great way to treat yourself after slaving for several years & working nonstop. Take a short break from the demands of a corporate life; take yourself away from the stress & hassle of beating deadlines & just enjoy life for a while. There is nothing better than the European ambiance to ease away all your tensions.

Take advantage of cheap travel Europe! Who says you have to pay full when you can get the same deal at a much lower price! Cheap travel Europe is the best way to do a vacation. Traveling on a budget isn’t that bad, as long as it gets you where you want to go safe & sound. Cheap travel Europe, see all of Europe on a shoestring budget!



By: Sandra Stammberger

About the Author:

You might think of hosteling as something that college students do while traveling through Europe for the summer. However, hosteling is not just for the college crowd anymore, and now includes people of all ages and backgrounds. If you are a traveler on a budget, staying at a hostel can be an adventure that will add to your travel experience.

Staying in a hostel will not be everyones cup of tea, and many travelers would prefer to spend the money on a traditional hotel. Hostel traveling is best suited to those traveling alone, or to young people traveling in groups. Hostels are not really recommended for families traveling with young children. In fact, many hostels do not accept children under a certain age.

Most hostels are set up like dormitory rooms, with several bunk beds arranged in the room, with anywhere from four to ten bunks per room. Each traveler is assigned a specific bed upon check-in.

Nearly all of the hostels in the United States group their accommodations according to gender, with the female guests in one section of rooms and the male guests in another. In multi-level hostels, males and females are often separated by floor.

It is not uncommon, however for European hostels (and those elsewhere around the world) to allow mixed genders to share a room. Make sure to ask about the policy of the hostel before you check in. I, as a woman traveling solo, have never encountered a problem with these arrangements, and I have stayed in hostels throughout Europe, including Rome, London and Amsterdam. Some visitors might be surprised or offended by these sleeping arrangements.

The bathroom accommodations at hostels differ also, with some rooms containing a shared bathroom and shower, while other hostels will have shower and bathroom facilities located in the hallway. If you would prefer not to share a bathroom with strangers, make sure you ask about the hostels policy ahead of time.

More often now, reservations are becoming increasingly vital at hostels, especially during the summer months in popular cities. It is now not at all unusual for hostels in popular tourist cities to be booked solid for months, where once it was common for travelers to be able drop by the hostel and expect to get a bed.

Price is by far the biggest appeal of staying at hostels. The nightly rate for a hostel is usually no higher than $25 or $30 per night, with most costing even less. With the average hotel room cost somewhere around $100 to $150 in many cities, it is easy to see why hostels are becoming such a popular alternative.

Another benefit of staying in a hostel is that the staff is extremely accommodating and knowledgeable about the local area. Unlike many staff members of some luxury hotels, who travel in from the outlying areas and rarely see the city in which they work, hostel staff tend to live in the city, and have an personal knowledge of the local sites, including which attractions are cannot miss and which ones are not worth the trip.

Hostels also usually have access to discounts and coupons for local area attractions and restaurants, and they can provide information on the best restaurants and hangouts around.

While not everyone will find a hostel appealing, and the accommodation of a local hostel are simple at best, they can be wonderful options for lodging for the budget minded traveler. After all, the goal of travel is to get out and see the world, and hostel travel lets you save money on lodging so that you can do just that.



By: Kenneth Scott

About the Author:

Why read a book to an infant who does not yet know the meaning of a word—or of words at all? Why sing to a toddler who cannot understand your song?

Both of these activities help children make connections between words and meaning. They also help to create a warm, safe environment for children and lead to a lifetime love of reading and learning.

Some parents assume that learning to read starts with memorizing the alphabet and sounding out words, but actually the fundamentals of reading begin much earlier. Adults lay the foundation for reading every day, when they point out objects and describe what they are doing while dressing an infant, grocery shopping with a toddler, or cooking with a preschooler.

The most important thing is that teaching children about reading becomes an activity that brings children closer to the caring adults in their lives. Here are some tips for families who want to help their children make connections between meaning and words.

Infants

• Talk or sing to your baby when you change his diaper, give him a bath, feed him lunch or join him in play.

• Introduce cardboard or cloth books with brightly colored pictures. Be aware that at this point, your baby might enjoy looking at, tossing, or chewing the books more than being read to!

• Help increase your baby’s vocabulary by playing “What’s that?” or “Where’s the teddy bear?” when enjoying books together.

• Point out words on signs at the park, at the zoo, or when walking or driving.

• As children begin to notice letters on blocks or other toys, name the letters for them. Read words aloud and explain what they mean.

Toddlers

• Reading stories before bed makes a good transition between active play and restful time. Toddlers may ask you to read their favorites repeatedly. They may begin to connect pictures with words, or fill in missing words if you hesitate.

• Let toddlers “write” shopping lists with you. They may want to watch you sort coupons and engage in other grocery store activities.

• Take short trips to new places and talk about what is happening around you. If possible, read together about similar events beforehand and again afterwards.

• Give children magnetic letters for the refrigerator, and begin spelling out words and names as toddlers are introduced to them.

Preschoolers

• Encourage preschool children to carry out the steps to written recipes, or read printed labels at the store.

• At four or five, children may begin to ask questions about the print they see in books. Books with labeled pictures help children to connect words and objects more easily.

• Play picture-card games with your child—but remember, they may not always play by the rules at this age!

• Provide a variety of materials to encourage children to “play” at writing and reading—checks or traffic tickets, menus or greeting cards.

Primary grade children

• Continue to read with your child, especially at bedtime, even if she has already learned to read.

• Visit the library on a regular basis to make books a regular part of children’s lives. Show children that you read books and magazines for information and enjoyment.

• Listen to the stories children write, as well as their jokes or riddles. Encourage them to write down their ideas.

• Play word games such as Boggle or Scrabble with your child.

Features advice from experienced dads on parenting, pregnancy, adoption, newborn baby, and on raising kids and teens.



By: Paul Banas

About the Author:

Winter Travel is a good time to learn how to “go with the flow” because even though you have to do additional ROAD TRIP PLANNING to have the extras on hand before you embark on the trip, traffic delays may require you to “stop and smell the roses” even when those roses have you stalled in bumper-to-bumper traffic waiting for the road to clear up ahead.

This is where your ROAD TRIP PLAN B comes into play. If you’re a couple, this is a nice time to pull out a CD, kick back and rest your eyes while enjoying the music. If you’re a family, pull out those car games, watch a DVD together, or simply start a round robin conversation (What I’m most looking forward to on this trip is…?). Keeping everyone comfortable and in good spirits will be the order of the day, and if you’ve planned for such things, it can actually be a fun time, albeit cramped.

When planning your itinerary, pay extra attention to towns or cities near roads you think may pose traffic delays or closures. Add activities to your itinerary that could keep you and your passengers occupied if delayed for more than four hours. That way, you can pull off and go shopping, take in a movie, enjoy a long lunch or early dinner, or stroll through a museum. Add a couple of nearby hotels to the unscheduled section of your trip planner just so you’ll have the information on hand should the traffic delay be more than 8 hours.

ROAD TRIP PLANNING SAFETY TIPS

* If you are traveling with your family by car, get your vehicle inspected and check the weather conditions immediately before the trip.

* Cancel the trip if you are traveling to winter destinations and the weather forecast predicts a snowstorm.

* Some roads are not recommended unless you have a 4×4 vehicle.

* Carry snow chains

* Include a Delay of Game kit filled with snacks, car games, energy drinks, portable DVDs, portable games, blankets.

* Stow an emergency kit in your trunk containing batteries, blankets, collapsible shovel, flashlights, food, gloves, ice scraper, rubber boots, ski caps, and water for those times when you may be stuck in your car for 8 hours or more.

* ALWAYS keep your gas tank at least 1/2 full. Do not drive that last quarter tank assuming you will get to the next service station.

And now, putting the above precautions aside, and the reason you’re doing all this planning is…WINTER ROAD TRIPS ARE FUN! Just getting to your destination is more exciting because snow transforms the landscape from the ordinary to the extraordinary. And once you get to your destination, there’s toasty fireplaces, snow boots creating puddles by the front door, and steaming mugs of hot chocolate. Not to mention activities you can only do during Winter like sledding, skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling, and sleigh rides!

So what are some PRIME WINTER DESTINATIONS? Here are some to get you started on your Road Trip Planning.

FOR THE FULL-ON WINTER WONDERLAND EXPERIENCE:

* Alaska Experience with All Alaska Tours (this Road Trip can give you the Winter touch even in the Spring)

* Algonquin Provincial Park in Ontario

* Banff & Jasper National Parks in Canada

* Lake Tahoe in California & on the Nevada side

* Mount Rainier in Washington

* Pigeon Forge Winterfest in Tennessee

* Salt Lake City in Utah

However, Winter does not always mean knee-deep in Snow: Here are some grand Winter Road Trips where you’ll be hard-put to find snow (other than possibly some frosting atop distant mountains).

* Sedona Arizona – Red rocks, jeep tours, hot air balloon tours, shopping, spas, dining, festivals…great for a couple needing some time away from the kids.

* Las Vegas , Nevada – Vegas isn’t just about gambling & night-life, though it certainly carries both in abundance. Vegas offers winter visitors a plethora of daytime activities to enjoy.

* Virginia Beach, Virginia – Go whale watching.

Winter getaways offer activities you won’t get to experience any other time of the year so maximize your fun by planning a winter road trip now!



By: David Reichman

About the Author: