The cost of airfare has been rising steadily, and even with the price of gas hitting record highs, more families are taking mini vacations closer to home. Hitting the road when the mood strikes is a fun way to spend time with the family, and being flexible enough to take last-minute trips shows kids the value of being spontaneous.

Sound like fun? Of course, but children have short attention spans and this can make long road trips difficult for everyone. Pack a few activities for the children to play with on the road, and be prepared to make frequent stops – to stretch, grab a bite to eat, or use public restrooms. No matter what, don’t throw the kids and their Disney luggage into the family van and expect to drive eight hours straight just to make good time. You’ll be in for quite a surprise.

Get the Kids Involved in Planning

Involve kids when mapping out the road trip. Make a list of local sites you want to see and then make a list of sites that appeal to the children. Ask for their input and don’t forget about natural sights they might enjoy. If you’re driving down the coast of Florida, you’ll likely see alligator farms and a multitude of orange groves. Wouldn’t the children love to feed a gator or pick their own fruit? You bet.

Let the Kids Pack Their Own Luggage

While it may not be practical to put the kids in charge of packing their suitcases, they can certainly help. Let them know what the weather will be like and how many outfits they will need. If children can pick their own outfits and pack them in a fun Disney luggage set, they will feel very grown up, and the sense of involvement they get will add to the excitement of the journey.

To get younger kids involved, lay out a variety of outfits and let them narrow down the choices, or tell them they can pick out something on their own, like two pairs of shoes or two sweatshirts, for example. When packing younger children’s suitcases, let them watch you fold and place their clothing inside – eventually they’ll be doing it themselves, and younger kids love to watch and learn.

Keep Them Busy

Thanks to technology, it’s easy to put on a kids movie in the car, but don’t rely on movies for the entire trip. Children tire of doing the same thing and the goal is to keep them happy so adults can enjoy the ride. Playing simple games that involve the whole family and get kids to notice their surroundings are a safe bet. You can look for out-of-state license plates or see who can be the first to find the whole alphabet on billboards. These types of activities will keep kids engaged and create a memorable bonding experience for the whole family.

Don’t Forget the Snacks

Snack-size bags of chips or cookies, fresh fruit, juice boxes, and string cheese are all easy to take with you. Bring a small cooler if you have one, too. You can pack more snacks this way and avoid paying high prices at rest stops for vending machine junk. Sharing homemade popcorn in the family car or van is also a nice way to kick off the road trip.

Frequent Stops Are a Must

Incorporate a few extra hours of driving time into your daily itinerary for restroom breaks, sit-down meals, and unexpected “detours.” If kids see a sign that reads “Buffalo Preserve – Next Left,” making an unplanned stop to see the buffalo will add to the fun for everyone. The little detour may even turn out to be a high point of the trip - you never know. Stay flexible and open to seeing a variety of sights.

Creative Loading

It’s inevitable. At some point during the course of a road trip, someone in the family (usually kids, but sometimes adults, too!) will need to retrieve something from their luggage. If you’ve packed all the luggage tightly into the trunk, you’re going to have a problem finding things on the fly. Load your vehicle carefully and keep frequently used items in the front of the car for convenient access. Kids will feel better with their favorite Disney luggage tucked away at their feet, knowing they can reach for their stuffed animals, books, and toys whenever they want.

In the end, getting your kids involved in your vacation is easy – and keeping them comfortable along the way has a lot to do with your planning. Give kids a chance to be responsible, buy them a fun luggage set online to keep things exciting, bring along car activities and snacks, and keep items kids will access frequently in the front of the car. Once on the road, you may be surprised with all there is to do is see in your home state.

Labels: Disney Luggage, luggage, luggage online

Most of us were warned never to talk to strangers as a kid. As an adult, you have probably repeated the age-old adage to the children in your family. “Safety” is the watchword these days and mostly for the right reasons, but while on vacation, it can be healthy to loosen up a little and allow yourself to meet new people.

“Loosening up” on vacation doesn’t mean you have to talk to everyone who crosses your path, but striking up conversations with fellow travelers and friendly locals can help create the ultimate travel experience. Travel should be an adventure, but you can miss a lot unless you interact with those around you.

Start at the Beginning

On a recent flight to Europe, one young man boarded the plane as usual, stowing his TravelPro luggage under the seat, and quickly turning on his iPod. He planned to spend the entire flight listening to music, but an hour later, the woman across the aisle nudged him.

“Are you going to Germany?” she asked, pointing toward the seat in front of him where a travel brochure was peeking out of his TravelPro luggage. When he confirmed his destination, they struck up a conversation that ended with the woman giving him the name and phone number of her relatives in Germany, people she said would be happy to treat him to dinner and take him on a tour.

Imagine if he had never had the conversation?

Talk to your seatmates whenever possible. Find out where they’re going and where they’ve been. You may not snag a phone number or dinner invitation, but you may gain a lifelong friend or pen pal. At the very least, you’ll enjoy a pleasant conversation and learn something you’d be hard-pressed to learn any other way.

Approach Locals

When traveling in a foreign land, don’t be afraid to ask questions. Most people take pride in their home and are happy to share information with tourists – and locals usually give much more interesting answers than tour guides do. Talk to bartenders in pubs, waiters in sidewalk cafés, and shopkeepers. Go where locals go and spend less time visiting flashy tourist sites. Visit local corner stores and restaurants, the kind that have been run by the same family for generations. Engaging this way promises a memorable and more authentic travel experience.

One last tip: While visiting local spots and enjoying the ambience, you may want to blend in to get a more natural feel for your destination. People may realize you are not a local, but most appreciate if you leave your loud Hawaiian shirt and Chanel sunglasses back at the hotel in your TravelPro luggage. If you dress like a native, sit down at the local watering hole to enjoy a regional drink (nothing with an umbrella in it, please), and keep an open mind, eventually you’ll find yourself making new memories with new friends. What more could you want?

Labels: how to prepare for vacations, innovation luggage, luggage, travel, TravelPro Luggage

You’re probably thinking of nothing more than relaxing in the sun and enjoying the warm weather while on vacation, but it’s essential you pack your travel luggage properly to avoid inconveniences down the line. Since it is easy to be carried away, we have put together a quick list of packing “do’s” and “don’ts” to make the packing process easier.

Keep it simple.

Even the nicest resorts are relatively relaxed in tropical areas. There’s no need for high heels or a full suit. Women can wear a nice sundress and men can get by with dress slacks and a polo shirt in the evenings. Keep accessories in mind for dressing your look up or down. Strappy sandals and the right earrings can take you from a casual day to an elegant evening in a snap. The only exception is if you are going on a cruise - you may need to wear formal attire for the captain’s dinner. When in doubt, call and ask.

Bring two bathing suits.

Your travel luggage should have a compartment for wet or damp items, so take advantage, and pack two swimsuits. If needed, a Ziploc bag will also do the trick, but either way, you’ll want an extra suit - there is nothing worse than putting on a damp swimsuit because yours didn’t have time to dry.

Don’t forget sunscreen.

It’s tempting to plan on buying sunscreen and bug repellent once you get to wherever you’re going, but don’t. The last things you want to do when you arrive are look for a drugstore or gift shop, and then pay an arm and a leg for what costs a mere 6 bucks at home. Just pack it in advance.

Bring extra sunglasses.

The sun’s glare can be blinding, especially near beaches where it reflects off sand and water. You’ll need sunglasses just about everywhere you go, and you’ll probably lose or break a pair. Toss at least one extra pair of inexpensive shades into your travel luggage and you’ll be safe.

Don’t over pack.

Base your wardrobe around mix-and-match items in neutral colors for versatility. You can always add a punch of color with bright accessories. You may want to bring one colorful piece that coordinates with the rest of your items. Finally, avoid white – it becomes dirty quickly and isn’t practical for travel.

Versatility.

For men, there’s nothing more versatile than khakis. They look great with tees during the day and can be dressed up with a polo or button-down shirt at night. For women, a sarong can be worn as a cover-up at the beach or a wrap on chilly evenings.

Don’t bring lots of shoes.

High-heels and dress shoes aren’t needed on most warm weather vacations. Sandals, flip-flops, and a pair of comfortable walking shoes for long days of sightseeing should be all you need. Choose neutral tones to match most of your outfits and avoid anything too dramatic.

Remember to bring a sweater.

Sea breezes can turn into cold winds at night, even in tropical climates, so pack a light sweater or jacket in a neutral or dark color. You’ll appreciate having something warm and cozy to wear for late-night walks on the beach, afternoons spent sailing, or in the midst of a surprise storm.

Everyone needs a tote bag. Vacations usually mean shopping and a sturdy, versatile tote is a great way to carry around your finds. Check out online luggage stores for bargains on durable folding totes that will slip into your travel luggage and last for years.

Follow these simple packing tips and you’ll be ready to enjoy a fabulous warm weather vacation without being bogged down with more luggage than you need.

Labels: how to prepare for vacations, luggage, luggage online, online luggage, packing for warm weather, Travel Luggage, vacation packing

If you travel a lot (and who doesn’t these days?), having a good set of luggage is essential to traveling comfortably. Most people don’t realize building a good set of luggage doesn’t have to be expensive and or happen all at once.

Many wait until planning the vacation of their dreams to run out and buy a full set of luggage, but if you haven’t tried any of the pieces beforehand, you won’t know how well they will work for you or whether a particular brand is a good fit. The perfect luggage set is one you build over time, adding pieces as needed to ensure you end up with a luggage set that suits your lifestyle and needs.

It’s Never Too Early to Invest in Quality

Your children should have a few good pieces of kids’ luggage so they learn how to pack their own clothes and accessories. It’s part of the fun of traveling and will make them feel very grown up. The choices are endless. You can get them something fun in bright colors or opt for a classic style that will grow with them.

Today there are many styles of kids’ luggage made just as well as adult luggage but scaled to children’s sizes. These versions integrate well into a more adult luggage set as they become teens and young adults. And remember, kids can be pretty tough on their stuff, so investing in quality is worth it.

Buy What You Need, When You Need It

Top quality luggage lines always sell a variety of open stock pieces as well as sets of luggage. You can either start with a basic set and add on particular pieces appropriate to your lifestyle later or you can buy just the individual pieces you need when you need them.

You could start your luggage collection with a few basics such as a wheeled carry on and a garment bag. These two pieces will see you through any week of business meetings or a long weekend in style. They’re versatile, easy to stow in an airplane and, in most cases, are considered carry-on luggage, which is great if you want to travel without a lot of delays.

When you buy a few pieces at a time you can afford to splurge a bit and get the best possible quality. Spending more on a few quality pieces will pay off in the long run – they will last for years, wear like iron and look like new even after years of rough handling. A year or two down the line, add another piece or two to round out your set. Maybe you’re traveling more or your considering a lengthier vacation? Add an expandable upright or a wheeled duffle bag.

The key to building the perfect luggage set is to plan for three different types of travel. Think about why and how you travel, and then consider how long you are typically gone when you travel. Here are three different sample scenarios:

The Weekend Getaway

Have a good, flexible piece of luggage you can “grab and go” with for unexpected adventures over a long weekend.

The Business Week On The Road

Be sure you have at least one piece of luggage that will keep your suits and other work attire neat and ready to go on the road. Think less bulk and more flexibility. Soft-side pieces mean less to weight to lug around.

The Blow-Out Vacation

This is your complete luggage set; from a large upright to hold a multitude of outfits to a carry-on for the plane, do you have what you need to travel around the world?

Before buying, check out different styles of luggage online to see which features and styles you like. It can help you narrow down your choices. You’ll be surprised by the selection of materials and styles from kids luggage to the latest in designer labels, and if you add to your collection each year, you’ll soon have a complete set of top quality luggage you can take anywhere in the world in comfort and style.

Labels: business luggage, kids luggage, luggage, luggage online, online luggage