Planning A Road Trip For Spring

Millions of people will be off on Spring Break destinations around the globe soon. The planning phases for Spring Break are well on their way and budgeting for this trip has also begun as well. As we have previously discussed, road trips are a great way to save money on travel. Despite the price of gas on the increase, travel by vehicle is generally still a less expensive way to travel, if you know how to do it.

Plan your trip to get the best deals – Rather than just driving till you get tired, instead plan to stop at specific places along the way so that you can make sure you get the best deals on your accommodations. Not only is it wiser to travel this way in order to avoid becoming overtired, it is also an easy way to save money as “last chance hotels” will often be way pricier than others.

Choose the shortest and safest route – There are many ways that you can choose the best way to get to your destination. When choosing the most gas efficient route, choose not only the shortest but also the route which has the most freeways if you would like to save on gas. When you travel a constant speed, you save as well as when you drive shorter routes. Choose your route wisely.

Save on food – Most of your expenses will be on food if you are not a prepared roadtripper. Instead of eating out along the way, fill up a cooler and a bag with food and drinks and simply stop at rest areas or picnic areas along the way to save money. Rather than spending an average of $5 to $10 per person per meal, you can save by packing a loaf of bread and sandwich meat even chips and bottles of water and pop will still save a bundle.

When you roadtrip, how do you save?

Tradewinds Vacations invites you to share your ideas as well. How do you save when you travel on a road trip? Share your experiences with us, your friends at Tradewinds Vacations.

We welcome you to learn more about travel and vacation planning with reviews to help you. Enjoy learning more, become more informed and make more of your vacations by spending time with Tradewinds Vacations.

Two New Additions To The Cruise Fleet

Riviera And Marina are two ships offered by Oceania Cruises. Oceania cruises to Europe, South Pacific, North America, Asia, Africa, South America and the Caribbean. These two new ships are touted as two of the most elegant in the past 50 years according to Oceania. Offering designer touches such as a “grand staircase” as well as suites furnished by Ralph Lauren, they are said to offer a more personal experience in the cruise world.

About The Ships

Both considered a mid-size ships, they are said to offer more amenities and options than their counterparts which are of a comparable size in the fleet. Each offers 10 dining options, spacious accommodations and lavish bathrooms.

The Marina – 2011 and The Riviera – Debuts In April of 2012

785 feet long
Cruising speed – 20 knots
11 guest decks
15 total decks
1,250 guest capacity
800 staff members

Amenities -

Spa
Artist Loft
Library
Internet Center
Pools/Jacuzzi
Bars/Lounges
Casino
Boutiques
Entertainment
Culinary Center

Learn More About Travel Before You Go And Make The Most Of Your Vacations

Instead of traveling the same places and doing the same things year after year, broaden your horizons and explore other wonderful destinations and ways to travel when you vacation. Whether you enjoy cruises or have never tried it before, or whether you would rather fly or drive to your destination, the choices are virtually endless and can offer you some of the most amazing experiences of your life. Take advantage of all the world has to offer and enjoy your vacations more.

Tradewinds Travel Club The Top Natural Wonders in the US

The United States is filled with variety and unique destinations for exploring on your vacations. Tradewinds Travel Club enjoys offering you a look at some of the most spectacular destinations for travel in the U.S. and abroad. We welcome you to take some to to review some of natures most amazing wonders in the United States. Learn more about travel and get to know the top natural wonders right here in the U.S. from Tradewinds Travel Club.

Natural Wonders

Natures bounty and its beauty has been a reason for travel for decades. One of the most frequently visited natural wonders in the world being the Grand Canyon right here in the United States. It is these natural wonders and others like it that continue to offer some of the most amazing and beautiful vacation options for travelers around the globe. Tradewinds Travel Club invites you to spend some time looking at some of the most famous and spectacular natural wonders in the U.S. with us.

Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky – The longest cave in the world, Mammoth Cave is estimated at over 1,000 miles of continuous cave system, though only less than 400 have been explored so far.

Niagara Falls, New York – Not the biggest falls in the world, they rank high on the list of the largest falls and offer some amazing views. Formed geologically over a period of thousands of years these falls are where Lake Erie drains into Lake Ontario. Located on the border of the U.S. and Canada, it is a unique experience to see from both countries.

Yellowstone National Park, Idaho, Montana and Wyoming – The nation’s first national park, Yellowstone offers a spectacular variety and unique experience to say the least. Home to a seismic hotbed of activity, you can explore stunning features such as geysers, hot springs and mud pots to name only a few of its unique natural features.

Grand Canyon, Arizona – By far one of the most well known of all Americas natural features, Grand Canyon National Park is one must see in the world of natural wonders. Carved out of rock by the might Colorado river, the Grand Canyon is miles deep and wide and can be explored from both above and below.

Exploring Natures Beauty Tips From Tradewinds Travel Club

If you enjoy looking at the sites created by nature, the U.S. has much to offer however, these are just a few of the many amazing sites worth exploring. Tradewinds Travel Club hopes that you will get out and enjoy these and other amazing sites of interest when you travel. Explore the world around, enjoy the sites that make this world so unique and travel more with Tradewinds Travel Club.

Where Do You Want To Go?

Tradewinds Travel Club invites you to share your favorite destinations for travel. Where have you been that you want to visit again? Where do you still want to go? Share your stories with us.

Tradewinds Travel Club Reviews The Florida Keys

About The Florida Keys

A coral archipelago located at the tip of the Florida peninsula, the Florida Keys encompass a total land area of around 130 square miles and include about 1700 islands, though not all inhabited. Only a little of 40 of the islands which make up the Keys are connected by bridges making it necessary to get to them by sea or air.

Originally inhabited by local Native Americans, it was not until the 1500′s that the area was even charted. Once the area was established it began to thrive. The location of the Keys made it an important outpost for trade with Cuba as well as the Bahamas and was also on the main trade route to New Orleans. Once a major area for shipwrecks, improved navigation later led to a decrease in the population of the area at least until the bridges began to be built and tourism began to climb.

Today, Key West is visited by millions of tourists from around the world. Tourism and fishing make up the two most important industries in the Keys and ferry’s now offer an easy way for travelers to get from the mainland of Florida.

Exploring The Florida Keys

The stunning natural beauty as well as the diversity of the Keys are part of what draws so many to the area each year. Depending on what you want out of your vacation, popular sites and activities range from adventures and sports such as fishing, snorkeling and diving to simply exploring the beautiful cities and the culture including architecture, galleries and museums.

Travel Tips And Travel Seasons In The Florida Keys With Tradewinds Travel Club Reviews

Known for its comfortable temperatures, they tend to vary only from the 70s to the high 80′s year round. Cooled by ocean breezes travelers tend to visit predominantly in the winter months in order to avoid the impending rain and hurricane season which can impact even the best laid plans. Hurricane season arrives by late May and erratic weather patterns may be expected until its end around the end of November.

Tradewinds Travel Club Reviews

Tradewinds Travel Club reviews topics on travel as well as issues which may impact your vacations. From the best time of the year to travel to destinations to how to better navigate the airport and more, Tradewinds Travel Club offers you the reviews to help you. Plan your trips before you go and be an informed traveler with reviews from Tradewinds Travel Club.

Tradewinds Travel Club Reviews Top Caribbean Islands

About the Caribbean

The Caribbean in general is quite a broad area when you consider that it includes literally thousands of islands, many of which belong to other nations. Some of the Nations who have claim to islands in the Caribbean include the United States, Mexico, Venezuela, Columbia and others as well as those who are nations unto themselves. Located in the Caribbean Sea, some of the most well known and popular islands for travel in the Caribbean include the following:

• Antigua and
• Barbuda
• Aruba
• Bahamas
• Barbados
• British Virgin Islands
• Cayman Islands
• Saint Lucia
• Curaçao
• Trinidad and Tobago
• Saint Maarten
• Turks and Caicos Islands
• Jamaica
• Puerto Rico
• Virgin Islands

The history of the islands is varied to say the least. From the first settlers called the Arawaks around 5000 years ago to the years more familiar, including the arrival of Columbus and pirates from around the world, much has gone on throughout the region. Today, the area is much more stable with less uprisings and a more comforting future. Most of the islands in the Caribbean today are dependent on money received from the tourism industry, by far the largest industry of the islands. No matter which island you choose to visit, you will undoubtedly meet some amazing people and discover a huge variety of cultures which make the area unique from all others in the world today.

Travel Tips and Travel Seasons

When to go to the Caribbean depends on which island you plan on visiting as most of the islands have a relatively active hurricane season, you will generally have to be careful about planning during this season. The most popular time for travel to the Caribbean is from mid December to around the middle of April when people are escaping from the harsh grasp of winter in other parts of the world. To avoid the higher costs associated with traveling during peak travel seasons, you will generally want to avoid travel during this time as well as during the holidays.

Tradewinds Travel Club Reviews

Tradewinds Travel Club reviews the destinations throughout the U.S. and abroad that matter to you as a traveler. Tradewinds invites you to become a more informed traveler to enhance your vacation experience and make more of your valuable vacation dollar. Tradewinds Travel Club reviews destinations and tips on travel to help you make the most of your travels. Take time to review the news and information that you need to know with Tradewinds Travel Club reviews and enjoy all your vacations.

Reviewing Travel And Complaints About Travel With Tips From Tradewinds Vacations

Finding The Information To Help You Avoid Complaints

Hidden fees are one of the biggest complaints by consumers in the U.S. From the airline to the hotels and other accommodations, trying to budget your trip is made even more difficult by hidden and unexpected fees that you didn’t account for in your travel planning. In order to avoid this complaint, Tradewinds Vacations reviews tips on travel that can help you be more prepared and make more of your valuable travel dollar. Travel with Tradewinds Vacations and discuss topics about travel that matter most to you. Avoid complaints by becoming an informed traveler today.

At The Airport – Things To Consider

Your luggage costs money, much more than it did even just a few years ago. For this reason, it is of the utmost importance that you make sure to ask about rules and restrictions with your luggage before you go. If you are over in your luggage weight by just an ounce or in size by even an inch, what would have cost only $25 can cost you upwards of $100 or even more. If you are unsure as to what the restrictions are when you are packing your bags, you can easily avoid this complaint by simply taking the time to ask. If you can not find the answer online, you can just as easily call and ask a person.

At Your Hotel – What Costs

It is easy to become a victim of this common complaint at your lodging if you choose not to pay attention. Services and amenities such as pool towels, internet access, phone service, tv channels and mini bars can all nickle, dime and dollar you to death. When in doubt, ask. It is mandatory that the cost of  service and prices for amenities are posted at your accommodations, but if you do not see it easily, simply ask the front desk. Why pay for the internet when there are more than likely free wifi hotspots nearby. Use your common sense and ask before you find yourself paying for services that you could have avoided.

Tradewinds Vacations Reviews Travel Tips To Help You Avoid Complaints

As you can see, the best way to avoid this complaint and many other like it, is to simply ask. So often we forget to pack our most valuable asset when traveling, our common sense. Remembering to use your common sense can make or break your vacation when it comes not only to budgeting but to other aspects of your travels as well. Tradewinds Vacations hopes you can avoid complaints by using your best judgment and doing your part to become a more informed traveler with us. Make more of your vacation and avoid complaints by knowing before you go with tips from Tradewinds Vacations.

Coping With The Weather And Your Travels With Tradewinds Travel Club

Fall represents a time when travel can tend to get a bit more unpredictable at certain destinations including the Atlantic hurricane region. Planning vacations around weather related events can seem difficult to do at times however, it does not have to cost you money or make your vacation experience less pleasant. Learn how to better cope with the weather and your vacation with tips from Tradewinds Travel Club.

Pack Right And Save Hassle With Help From Tradewinds Travel Club

This is a great start to coping with bad weather while you travel. Make sure you have a rain poncho, umbrella or fast drying clothes as well as an extra pair of shoes to ensure that you will not be miserable in case you get caught in a downpour. It is important to note that the weather can change in an instant in any time of the year, not just fall, however it is more likely. It is in your best interest when traveling during a rainy season to make sure you always have some form of protection against the rain

At The Airport

Millions of travelers have no trouble at all with their flights and inclement weather, however, some will. If you are one of the unlucky few whose flight is delayed or postponed due to the weather, there is one thing that you can do and that is to stay calm, and remember to make the most of your time. Getting stressed out will not make your vacation a pleasant experience. If you do your best to stay calm and make the most of your situation, you can help enjoy your vacation more, despite the weather.

Keeping The Kids Busy

This is probably the most difficult aspect to flight delays. Children are generally already quite impatient and will get bored quite easily. It is in your best interest to make sure that you have things for them to do both while waiting to travel and while traveling as well. This will help you keep your eye on them and reduce stress while enjoying even the wait a little more.

Tradewinds Travel Club Reviews

Tradewinds Travel Club reviews the information to help you travel more. Enjoy learning about the trends in travel, the hottest places to visit and where you should avoid this year. Explore tips and news on travel to enhance your vacation and start enjoying the world around you with reviews from Tradewinds Travel Club.

Travel Safely With Tips From Tradewinds Travel Club Reviews

Tradewinds Travel Club knows that your safety and the safety of your family is very important when you travel. This is why Tradewinds Travel Club would like to review with you some useful travel safety tips to help you on your next journey. Travel more and learn tips to help you travel with reviews from Tradewinds Travel Club.

A List of Top Tips On Travel Safety From Tradewinds Travel Club Reviews

Never list your home address on the luggage tag.

Stay with your luggage until the luggage is checked. If you must put your bag down, keep it between your feet.

Carry important papers with you in your carry on. Photocopy your passport, driver’s license and credit cards.

Park only in well lit areas.

Bring along a basic first aid kit.

To help avoid becoming a target, do not dress in a way that could mark you as a tourist.

Don’t bring valuables unless necessary. Your passport, cash and credit cards are most secure when locked in a hotel safe. When you have to carry them on your person, you may wish to put them each in a different place rather than all in one wallet or pouch. Avoid bags, fanny packs and outside pockets as they make you an easy target.

To avoid problems when passing through customs, keep medicines in their original labeled containers.

Bring travelers’ checks and one or two major credit cards instead of carrying cash.

Travel light.

Leave a copy of your itinerary with family or friends at home in case they need to contact you in an emergency.

Make two photocopies of your passport identification page, tickets, driver’s license and the credit cards that you plan to bring with you.

It may be a good idea to try the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program so that you may be contacted if need to be. Whether because of a family emergency or because of a crisis in the area in which you are traveling.

Use the same common sense traveling overseas that you would at home and be cautious.

Avoid scam artists by being wary of strangers who approach you and offer to be your guide or sell you something.

Make a note of emergency telephone numbers you may need.

It is up to you to educate yourself about safety and security so that you can enjoy the places you visit better.

Remember, when you leave the United States, you are subject to the laws of the country you are visiting. Therefore, before you go, learn as much as you can about the local laws and customs of the places you plan to visit. Tradewinds Travel Club invites you to learn tips about travel to help you.

Tips On How To Enjoy Travel With Your Children From Tradewinds Travel Club

Most parents will at some point be heading out on an extended vacation with their kids. How to prepare and what to do to make the best of this vacation for both you and your kids is an important part of planning the perfect family getaway. Tradewinds Travel Club would like to spend some time with you looking at some tips to help you do just that. Enjoy your next family vacation with tips on travel with your children from Tradewinds Travel Club.

Mistake number one – Leaving the kids out

Many vacationers start the vacation off on the wrong foot from the very beginning by not including the kids in the vacation planning end. By allowing your kids some “ownership”of the trip once they are old enough, you are only adding to the fun and the excitement involved with the vacation itself. A great way to do this is to sit down with the family and make a list of some of the things that each one of you thinks will be fun to do on the vacation. Allowing each child to have something that is “their own” idea on the trip will help all of you enjoy your vacation more.

Mistake number two – Forgetting the busywork

This is important in the travel aspect of the vacation. Your flight or drive may be long and your childrens’ attention span short. Keeping this in mind, there are a number of great ways to keep the kids amused on your journey. A couple of the most popular ideas include books, handheld games, activities books, or dvd players. Ease your stress and the stress of those around you by keeping the kids busy during the trip, everyone will thank you.

Mistake number three – Not preparing them for what to expect

If it is your child’s first trip, things like the airport may seem quite frightening to them. To prepare them, talk about it before you go. Spend a week counting down the days before the trip and discussing what they can expect both traveling and once they arrive as well.

Tradewinds Travel Club wants you to enjoy your vacation to the fullest. By offering you tips and advice on travel, you are sure to have a more enjoyable trip. Travel with Tradewinds Travel Club as your partner in travel and enjoy all your vacations and travels with us. Become an informed traveler with Tradewinds Travel Club today.

If you have any advice for how you enjoy travel more with your family for other travelers, Tradewinds Travel Club welcomes your tips on travel as well.

How To Make The Most Of Your Caribbean Adventure

Tradewinds Travel Club would like to offer you some tips on travel to one of the most popular destinations for travel in the world, the Caribbean. Learn how to plan your trip to make the most of the weather, activities and avoid the crowds with us. Make the most of your trip to the Caribbean with Tradewinds Travel Club today.

The Weather Is Key In The Caribbean

As the Caribbean is always beautiful, the weather is really the key to everyones vacation in the Caribbean. The Caribbean like most destinations has a peak season for weather trends, in this case a somewhat active hurricane season. Most islands have similar weather patterns, but there are some that are mostly outside of the traditional hurricane path making them ideal when trying to travel during the hurricane season and avoid the crowds. Tradewinds Travel Club offers you some tips and advice on making the weather benefit your travels in the Caribbean on your next vacation.

Know The Weather Patterns – Peak hurricane season in the Caribbean is traditionally between August to October, but the season is truly between June and November. Avoiding the peak months can help you avoid most of the truly bad weather.

Know The Best Islands – If you are going to benefit from travel in the off season in the Caribbean, then you should take advantage of knowing which islands get most of the storms. For example, visiting the ABC islands is a great way to enjoy off season travel in the Caribbean as they tend to miss most of the storm associated with hurricane season. Other islands that traditionally miss most of the hurricanes include:

• Most of the Southern Caribbean
• Trinidad and Tobago
• Granada
• Barbados

To learn more about weather in the Caribbean, visit the National Hurricane Center online to track weather patterns and further judge when the time is right for you to travel.

If you choose to travel during peak travel times to the Caribbean, you may have crowds to fight on most islands however, not all islands are as busy as others during the peak travels. As such it is better to choose these islands if choosing to visit the Caribbean during the peak season.

When is the peak season for travel in the Caribbean? Generally speaking it is from December to April as this is when the weather is usually ideal for travel. However, it is easy to hit the shoulder or off seasons in some areas and avoid the higher prices and the crowding in the Caribbean. If you choose to travel during peak seasons in the Caribbean, visit the less crowded islands and save the others for the shoulder season. Great islands to visit in the peak months to avoid the crowds include:

• Anguilla
• Barbados
• San Andres Island
• Providencia

Tradewinds Travel Club invites you to share your travel tips about your time in the Caribbean. If you have an island you have visited or some ideas on how to better plan your Caribbean vacation, feel free to post your comment with us. Tradewinds Travel Club encourages you to learn more about your destination before you travel and find out how you can make the most of your next vacation. Enjoy all your vacations and travels from Tradewinds Travel Club.