Traveling with Toddlers

If the thought of taking your toddler on holiday fills you with dread, think again.It can be a rewarding experience with careful preparation:

• Avoid environments that are to hot, too cold, or too wet. The ideal temperature for a toddler is tepid. If you are not sure where to go, remember that playing on the each is a favorite activity for most toddlers.
  

• Young children invariably get bored during long journeys. Fill the day before with activity so they’re more likely to sleep.
  

• Consider travel by train – toddlers’ favorite type of transport.
  

• If flying, choose a departure time that fits in with normal sleeping patterns.
  

• Don’t count on an airline to feed toddlers to their taste. Pack food.
  

• Toddlers can be fussy about the place they sleep – take their own bedding or a pillow. And bring a favorite cuddly toy.
  

• Consider going with another family so you can share childcare.

How to Get a Comfort Economy Seats?

First-class comfort on a shoestring. But, lowest price needn't mean worst quality, and not all economy seats are the same. Here's how you can make budget travel more comfortable:

• Babies on board. You get more leg room in the bulkhead rows because they make room for carry cots. The catch: you're unlikely to get a seat here unless you fly with an infant.

• On the map. Most airlines have seat maps that show the bad seats (as in the ones that don't recline because they're in front of an exit row). Use a travel agent who can confirm your seat when you book.

• Fly blind. Want a window seat? Avoid the row forward of a wing.

• Plug in. Emirates has large economy screens with a choice of 500 movies and games. Some airlines have seats with power sockets for laptops in economy, but you'll need to book ahead.
  

Road Safety - Recognise Danger Signs

Taking a driving holiday? Watch out for these everyday hazards:

• Mobile phones. Tests show that even making a hands-free call dents your reaction time to road hazards.

• No seat belt. Don’t think you’re safe because you have air bags: they’ve been shown to be eight times less effective than seat belts.

• That goes for the back too. If rear passengers aren’t wearing seat belts, the people in the front are five times likelier to die in an accident.

• Loud, fast music. It affects your reactions. The British RAC Foundation names Wagner’s “Ride of the Valkyries” as one of the most dangerous driving tunes.

• Dyslexia. Not much you can do about it, but one study indicates dyslexia might affect reactions as much as a moderate drinking session.

The Healthy Way to Fly

Panes are a haven for germs and other health problems. There are some stay-healthy tips:

• Keep clean. A study reports we're at increased risk of catching cold and flu viruses during flights, due to the close quarters. Wash hands often, and if you're really worried, wear a protective mask that's labelled N95. It screens out 95 per cent of airborne particles.

• Clear your ears. Changes in air pressure can suck the eardrum inward, and that hurts. A decongestant clears nasal passages so pressure doesn't build up.

• Get Up. When you sit for too long, blood pools in the legs and may lead to potentially deadly clots. Wear loose-fitting clothes and walk around the cabin twice and hour.
  

A Stopover to Remember

All international travelers have faced it: an hours-long stopover between flights in an unfamiliar airport. Rather than warming an uncomfortable seat at the departure lounge, why not take advantage of the airport's facilities or, better yet, explore the city you're in?

worldairportguide.com offers the inside scoop on more than 200 airports around the world. Killing time in Paris? The Charles de Gaulle Airport page includes details of airport facilities and transportation, as well as nearby attractions, such as the Eiffel Tower. Ask your travel agent if you need a visa to clear immigration at our stopover, and to give yourself plenty of time to get back to the airport to catch your next flight.

Hotel Heartbreak

Finding a good hotel can be tricky, not least because you're often doing it from the other side of the world.
Do your research. Travel guides may rate hotels and websites such as thehotelbooker.co.uk andtripadvisor.com give reviews, ratings, prices and availability. Ask friends too: first-hand knowledge is invaluable.

• Check hotel policies. Some places don't take kindly to children or pets, while others may not cater for disabilities. Be clear what you want.

• Location is important. Is it near your point of arrival and/or the sites you'll be visiting? Are there reliable transport connections?

• Benefits & partnerships. Some hotels have agreements with airlines, rental car or credit card companies. Others have "frequent guest" policies, with points you can accumulate.

• Forward planning. Booking early will usually get the best. (But if you really need a room at short notice, try www.laterooms.com)
  

Travel Preparation Checklist

What to do and when:

• Six weeks to go. Arrange to have any necessary vaccinations. Check if you need a visa and that your passport is valid. Order any medication you'll need. Organize pet, house or garden sitters.
• Tow weeks to go. Order your currency, Give a copy of your passport, travel insurance, tickets and contact details to a friend. Check your mobile phone's enabled for use abroad. Check the batteries in your smoke alarms and give a neighbor the code for your burglar alarm in case it goes off accidentally.
• Day Before. Ensure you pack your passport, money, tickets, driving license, insurance documents, emergency phone numbers, camera, film, batteries, power-socket adaptors, sunscreen, insect repellent, headache tablets and antiseptic spray. Switch off your gas and electrical appliances.