All Inclusive Vacation Travel – tips from Janet:
Thank you for making me a part of your vacation planning. Here are some tips and comments to make your vacation enjoyable. If you have purchased an all-inclusive package, you are looked after from the point of departure until you return to your home-city airport. (more…)
Getting you there and back in the best shape possible.
Dawn McNevin Joseph, of The Right Fit Fitness, offers these tips to help you feel good when traveling.
Here are a few fitness tips to keep you feeling well (energized and pain free) throughout your flight and upon arrival at your destination. For those of you who fear doing arm circles and lunges down the aisles, these are for you. They are subtle but effective.
DRINK WATER
Before – During – After your flight.
The recycled air on a plane is very dry with little humidity (10-20%). Dehydration can lead to discomforts (dry mouth, throat, eyes and skin), and fatigue.
Drink 8 ounces of water for every hour you are onboard a plane.
When choosing a drink from the cart, keep in mind that alcohol and caffeine dehydrate the body.
WALK AROUND
Before. During. After. your flight.
Why sit in the waiting room when you know you will be sitting for an indefinite amount of time once you board. Walk around the airport terminals.
While flying, don’t feel guilty about asking someone to move so you can get up and walk around. Prolonged sitting in cramped quarters causes pooling of blood in deep veins of the lower limbs, resulting in leg swelling, so try to move once every hour to hour and a half.
*Remember to plan your walk around in-flight meal services.
Upon arrival, get your leg joints moving after the flight (more than just to your taxi!). Use the stairs, not the escalator and walk around the baggage claim area while you are waiting for your luggage.
In Flight Exercises:
Bring a tennis ball. Roll it under your feet (shoes off).? This relaxes the fascia and increases circulation. You can also place it under your glute (butt cheek) to release glute tension.
Pectoral (chest) Stretch
Stand parallel to the corner of a wall. Place one arm at a 90 angle on the wall (at the rear of the plane there is usually room).? 
Keep elbow and forearm supported. Step the same foot forward as arm that you are stretching. Lean your body gently forward as you rotate away from wall. The stretch should be felt across your chest and into the front of your shoulder.
Glute (butt) Stretch
Sit up straight in your seat and cross arms across shoulders. Rotate gently as far as you can to one side, side bend to that side, unbend and rotate a little further. Repeat 3 times each side. Your upper back rotation should improve.
Keep in mind that some airports have gyms. Bring your gym clothes or at least a pair of running shoes and make the best of a layover or delayed flight.
For a list of gyms in and near Canadian and US airports, check out:
Don’t Just Do it, Do it Right.
Check out the information on this website from the Foreign Affairs and International Trade department of the federal government:
http://www.voyage.gc.ca/main/before/children_travel-en.asp
A brief overview:
-ensure that each child has a calid Canadian passport
-obtain a certified letter authorizing travel? (www.voyage.gc-ca/alt/letter.asp)
-seek advice from a lawyer if a custody dispute might develop while abroad
-never leave a young child unattended and keep some form of identification in the child’s pocket in case you are separated
-arrange in advance with airlines for unaccompanied minors
-use an approved safety seat for infants
-bring an adequate supply of baby products
Read the details on the website:
http://www.voyage.gc.ca/main/before/children_travel-en.asp? or contact the Consular Affairs Bureau:
1-800-267-6788 or 1-613-944-6788, TTY 1-800-394-3472 or 1-613-944-1310
email: voyage@international.gc.ca
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One of my favourite websites is the Adventurous Wench, and here is one? of the articles from the newsletter they send out.
Check it out for yourself or your special lady friend! www.adventurouswench.com
Don’t pack more than you can carry. If you can’t roll it, lift it, or lug it, you’ve packed too much!
Pack clothes that are versatile, comfortable and appropriate for your trip.? If you’re hiking through the Andes, then a strapless dress will probably go unworn.
Layer clothing for warmth and space.? Instead of packing single-use items, wear a T-shirt under a sweater, under a coat for multiple clothing options.
Bring tops and bottoms that you can mix and match.? If every top goes with every bottom, even with only a few pieces, your choices will be many.
Limit yourself to 3 pairs of shoes (including those you wear on the plane).? Depending on the trip, you could include hiking boots, walking shoes, something dressy, or flip-flops.? Make them all comfortable.
Good travel clothes are lightweight and wrinkle-resistant.? Keep them looking good by rolling items before packing (this fits more in your bag, too.)
Using the hotel laundry (or washing things in your bathroom) lets you pack less.? Instead of packing 21 pairs of socks, you could pack 7 and do laundry twice.
Is shampoo, soap, etc. taking up a lot of space in your bag?? Leave them behind and use the goodies the hotels supply, or buy small sample-sized products.
Security tips from the experts at FCS SecurityHappy Vacations can be spoiled if you return to a ransacked home. Unoccupied dwellings are a favourite target for a thief. Precautions for the safekeeping of your home while your family is away on vacation can provide the important factors of safety and peace of mind. (more…)