Holiday destinations in France

The beautiful region of Alsace Lorraine in France offers many exciting finds. Here we offer a guide to this part of France including its climate and gastronomical delights

Alsace–Lorraine has 7 departments consisting of; Haut Rhin, Bas Rhin, Meurthe-et-Moselle, Meuse, Moselle, Vosges, and covers the North East of region of France

Weather: The climate is very similar to the south of England, with cool winters and warm summers, but rarely extremes of temperature. The rainfall is quite high, with highest rainfall being in May and June.

The Region: Alsace-Lorraine has managed to maintain a strong identity, despite its extremely chequered history. The area, and various parts of it, have been alternately German or French many times over the centuries. Lorraine has a French language tradition, whereas Alsace has more German-speaking citizens, but the whole region has been part of France since 1945.

Nancy is the old capital of Lorraine, and Strasbourg is the capital of Alsace. Strasbourg is the home of lots of industry, but is still a charming city, with timber-framed houses leaning together and over the streets. The old buildings in this whole region are reminiscent of gingerbread houses!

The landscape of this beautiful area encompasses green fields and stacks of vineyards, which usually offer wine tastings. Other visits range from the sombre, thought-provoking and disturbing concentration camps of the 2nd World War, to the fascinating Kronenburg factory in Strasbourg - we will all know that it has been there since 1664!

Gastronomy: The food and drink of Alsace-Lorraine has a lot in common with that of its German neighbour. Alsatian wine is not to be missed! The whites tend to be exceedingly floral and fruity, which make them very satisfying to drink on their own, but with enough punch to go with most foods. Food-wise, Alsace-Lorraine is the home of sauerkraut, or ‘chou-croute’ in French. The French love this dish, which is more than simply pickled cabbage. It usually comes cooked with a whole selection of other goodies, and it is very worthwhile to try. Other local food to look out for includes the famous quiche Lorraine, foie gras, sausages, beer and the amazing pastries to be found in the bulging windows of incredible patisseries.

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Traveling With Pets From the US to Western Europe

Traveling with pets from the US to Europe is easy to do once you are able to understand the ins and outs of the system, and once you know what to expect. First, there are a few questions you need to be able to answer about your trip in order to ensure smooth sailing for you and your pet (and in order to even make your reservations).

Make sure you plan your trip well, and know exactly which cities you will be stopping over in, visiting, and for how long you will be staying. You will also need to check any restrictions your airline(s) may have, and provide crate dimensions. You may even be able to take your pet into the cabin, depending on its size.

It is also necessary to get information about traveling to the European Union with your pet from individual country embassy websites. This way, you will have all of the information you need about every specific country you will visit, and there is no risk of misunderstanding or misinterpretation of the information provided.

Just like any human being, pets will also need a passport in order to travel to Europe. These are found on embassy websites, and these passports are a certification from your vet that your pet is up-to-date on vaccines and healthy. Also, your pet will need a microchip when going to the EU.

Financially, there are several costs to consider when traveling to Europe with your pet from the US. A ticket for a pet is usually around $200 from the United States, and a visit to the vet can vary in price. Expect to pay another $50 when sending health documents and passports to be stamped. And finally, crate prices can range from anywhere between $50 to $400. These costs cover the basic necessities, but toys and treats should also be considered into your final tabulations.

Customs officials may not check your paperwork every time, but it is always better to be safe than sorry. Covering all of the basics, and more, before you set off on your travels with your pet will ensure a successful trip to Europe. Paperwork may seem like a hassle now, but it will make for a positive traveling experience later. Good planning and being well-prepared will reduce the risk of potentially very stressful situations for both you and your pets.

Learning how to travel with pets to anywhere in the world can be easy. There are cities worldwide known for being pet-friendly, and books to learn more about accommodating your pets. You can keep your animal companions happy while on the road or while they are waiting for your return from traveling.

Traveling with pets, or finding accommodations for them when they cannot travel with you, does not have to be a difficult process. The right resources and information can provide for a smooth transition for both you and your pets. Remember, good planning and preparation will benefit you in the long run.

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Visiting Wales

Wales is getting more attention than it used to with many high budget UK TV programs being made in Wales, notably 'Doctor Who', 'Becoming Human' and the hilarious 'Gavin and Stacey'. But media aside let us not forget about the beautiful and enchanting countryside of Wales. My favourite way to enjoy Wales is in a campervan, so read on to find out why...

The north coast of Wales is the home of some of the fun seaside resorts like Llandudno and Conwy with large family campsites that your children will love, the resorts of mid Wales such as Aberystwyth are a little less commercial and very beautiful. You can choose from 'holiday camp' style campsites or more rural and peaceful sites further inland.

The possibilities for 'wild camping' in the more rural parts of Wales are pretty good, although I'd always recommend you stay 'on site' at least every 3 days. Bearing this in mind it is well planning your campervan trip ahead of time. In this way, you have an easier time in making all the aspects of your trip, just that little bit more smoother. Check into the company you plan for renting a motorhome first for choosing the perfect model for you and your family. Consider the sleeping space you will need and the space you might need for the kids. It helps to have rough idea of whereabouts you are going to go as some country lanes in Wales can be a bit on the narrow side and this might be worth considering when you think about the size of van you want to rent.

Many homes come complete with everything you need for cooking a great meal. You will only need to worry about supplying the food. Cookware and cutlery is included in the rental of many motorhomes. Check also about the bedding you may need to pack. While some camper hire companies provide bedding, there are those that do not.

Arrangements for your camper hire can be made easily online. You may get a look at the variety of models available to you through video for making sure you know what you are getting in advance. Once you have made the arrangements for rental, you can then begin to check out the many destinations in Wales waiting for you and your family.

Pembrokeshire and Brecon Beacons are perfect camper destinations. These are national parks that offer you a taste of the welsh country like no other place can. You should also look into the camping sites that are on offer for campervans at Snowdonia. Making your way across Snowdonia from mid Wales up towards Anglesey can indeed provide a fruitful and enjoyable experience. Being able to come back to the comfort of your camper is an added benefit particularly if you get caught in some proper 'Welsh weather'.

Start making your rental arrangements today for the Welsh experience you will never forget. By taking a campervan, you can take your time in admiring the scenic views of castles and green valleys. You can also take your time for shopping or dining out between camping destinations.

Can Playing Mini-Golf Be Educational for Kids

It is a well-known fact that for children, play is learning. This is exceedingly demonstrated when kids play mini-golf. There are so many educational benefits that for kids, it should be called "maxi-golf!"

The most apparent benefit is the physical activity of playing mini-golf. It has been said that a golfer can burn up to 350 calories in one hour of playing golf. Children may or may not need to burn calories for weight loss, but they do need to burn off energy so that they can concentrate during times of quiet study. Playing mini-golf gives kids the opportunity to walk off the energy, swing a golf club, chase a ball, and chase their friends around the course. The walking is constant enough that it can provide a good solid cardiovascular workout for a typical child. Swinging a club works the large muscle groups in the arms, while squatting and bending work the large muscles of the legs as well. Obviously where a mini-golf course is concerned, the larger the better when it comes to a good physical workout for kids. The best physical activity is possible if the course also has multiple levels that must be reached by climbing steps, and inclines. Look for a large multi-level course if you want to provide the maximum physical benefits for your children. The other major advantage of kid courses it the fact that most are outside. Kids need the fresh air and sunshine, and a mini-golf course is one great place for them to receive this needed health benefit. An added value to the physical activity is the good night's sleep a kid will get after playing an afternoon of golf.

There are educational benefits also when children play golf. First and foremost is the hand-eye coordination required to play. This translates into better reading and thinking. Secondly the logic required for kids to adjust their swing as they shoot for the target also helps children learn to think. They also unconsciously acquire decision making tools at the same time. Adult interaction will exponentially increase the learning benefits of kids playing golf. The best mini-golf courses have themes, usually a geographical or historic theme. Even those that have a theme set in fantasy or fiction lend themselves to creative thinking. An adult, be it teacher or parent can - with creative questioning- cause a child to imagine, create, and dream as they observe their surroundings. By asking questions throughout the game about the surroundings, an adult can help the child become intentional with observation. Later, creative writing assignments can springboard from an afternoon of golf. Even math skills can be taught strategically. Using the 'par' for each shot, a kid can perform simple math; addition and subtraction based on their shots, or more sophisticated mathematical functions such as probability and percentages. Mini-golf is often therapeutic for those kids who have trouble concentrating. The very nature of playing golf demands a higher level of concentration.

An overlooked benefit of kids playing mini-golf is the social skills that can be built. Kids are naturally competitive. But golf is about competing with oneself, eliminating the feuding that can often happen with team competition. Kids playing in a group have ample time to socialize and interact with each other as they wait for those ahead of them to play through. It also teaches patience and tolerance, especially with a savvy adult's guiding comments.Playing mini-golf with the kids can bring families together because it allows time for real conversation away from television, computers, and cell phones. Parents should take advantage of this by refraining from using their own cell phones. Teachers who bring their entire class to play may find unlikely friendships forming as children mingle together, often talking to kids other than their usual best friends.

There's just something about a beautiful day, friendly competition, and fantastic surroundings that promotes physical, mental and social activity. Parents take your family. Teachers take your class. Mini-golf provides all this for kids.

Useful Tips When Trying to Save Money on a Family Holiday

Family holidays are one of those things that people are always going to look to have and even during the height of the recession in late 2000's, families were still making sure that their family holidays were factored into their budget. As the economy has slowly started to improve, an increasing number of families are once again looking to see where they can go on holiday and they have plenty of options available, it just depends on what you are looking for and how much you have to spend. These two aspects are the most important and will dictate where you can realistically go.

Book Early

Many people think that last minute deals are the best but in reality, even though some a beneficial, the best deals can be found when you get online. The holiday parks in the UK, for example, have some great deals on Easter and summer breaks at the moment and families can bag themselves a bargain. By booking early you can also by more choosy in what you pick as you have time to make a decision instead of having to choose under pressure, this is likely to save you money in the long run.

Think Local

If you are looking to save money on your next family holiday, the best thing is to visit a destination locally. You may think that this is going to spoil the fun but it could do the exact opposite as places such as the UK holiday parks have some amazing entertainment, sports and activities on offer so that you and your family can have the best family break ever whilst saving a pretty penny as well. You will also save on the hassle and expense of travelling long distance as well as the hassle it can cause when travelling with toddlers.

Look for different Accommodation options

When travelling abroad you make a point of choosing the right location so why do anything different when travelling in the UK. There are some excellent self accommodation options available meaning you can shop for some ingredients before hand or at a local shop and make your own food there. This is going to be a bit more difficult and parents may not want to cook on their family break but you can save some money by doing so, so it is just a matter of weighing up the pros and cons of cooking and saving money or eating out and paying more. It's up to you.