E-zines and travel blogs abound with top-notch information for would-be travelers.
Looking for the 2009 hotspot? You can find that. Wondering how to keep your kids entertained on the road? That’s easy to find! Looking for the best place to eat in southern India? That is out there, too.
But my favorite place to find travel information is by talking to the travelers who pass through our B&B here in Catanzaro. So today I present to you
Readers Report … Tips from Real Travelers
These tips are brought to you by two of our recent guests who are frequent vacationers to the bel paese and who hope to add “expat” to their list of titles within the next year.
photo credit: igb
>> Make color copies of your passports to give to the hotel or bed and breakfast. You will be able to keep your passport with you and it will likely save time during check-in.
>> When our son was young we would print a copy of our itinerary and contact information and tuck it into his pocket and make sure he knew it was there. If he was ever lost, he could tell a police officer or trusted adult how to find his parents.
The following two tips are brought to you by another couple who recently ventured to Calabria from their home country of Canada.
photo credit: gongfu_king
>> Wear comfortable shoes – you never know how far you will have to walk.
>> Pack in pairs. We always pack half of his stuff and half of (her) stuff in each suitcase. That way if the airline misplaces a bag, we each have clothes with us in our new destination.
What are some of your favorite tried and tested travel tips? Share them below or contact me and be featured here on the next Readers Report … Tips from Real Travelers installment.
Read the first installment of Readers Report … Tips from Real Travelers here.
I wonder what travel tips Robin has up her sleeve today. Let’s check it out!
Until next time … Buon Viaggio!
What’s Up at Chabot: Celebrating the International Year of Astronomy
Oakland Tribune June 12, 2009 | Robert Ade GET IN TOUCH WITH your solar system! Summer begins officially for us Northern Hemisphere-ans after the Summer Solstice on June 21. As the Earth makes its yearly trip around the sun, the northern half of the globe tilts toward the sun, giving us more daylight. site astronomy for kids
The approach of solstice means the International Year of Astronomy is flying by. Many events and activities continue during this yearlong celebration of astronomy. Chabot’s expanded summer hours begin June 23.
A new, full-dome digital planetarium show celebrating the International Year of Astronomy makes its Chabot debut at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday. “Two Small Pieces of Glass” is an informative history of the telescope — my second favorite tool (after my Swiss Army knife.) The show takes you to a star party to discover different types of telescopes and points out some common targets to observe. It’s an excellent introduction into astronomy for kids or adults.
The show is just one of many events offered Saturday.
Your little sprout will dig our new demonstration garden at Chabot. Kids Go Green activities show kids how to plant a seed then watch it grow. They’ll discover the importance of soil and compost for a healthy garden and learn new gardening skills. Get an up close (or up gross) view of composting worms. Activities run from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and are free with general admission. astronomyforkidsnow.net astronomy for kids
And join in the fun with longtime Bay Area children’s music performer Gayle Schmitt and her band, the Toodala Ramblers. The show begins at 1:30 p.m. and is free with general admission. You won’t be able to stay still as they play high energy, fun arrangements of traditional tunes along with Schmitt’s award-winning originals.
Next week, spoil your dad on Father’s Day — Sunday, June 21. Treat him to a special brunch at Chabot’s Celestial Cafe from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. (special price for dads is only $8). He’ll love the grilled tri-tip steak with Jack Daniels sauce, mashed potatoes, mixed veggies and a roll. After brunch, sign up for Chabot’s Solar Car Challenge. Work together in teams to design, build and race Solar Lego cars. The production line begins rolling at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. The Solar Car Challenge is $5 plus general admission. Call 510- 336-7373 to register.
Did you hear that? It’s whisperings of more Friday night adventure. Expand your universe from a different vantage point from 7 to 11 p.m. June 26 at 10000 (10000 is Chabot’s address on Skyline Boulevard) for an evening of live music, celestial beverages, provocative science, films and fun. Tickets for 10000 are $20 for adults, $15 for students and only $8 for Chabot members. There’s no other space like it around the Bay.
There’s still time to sign up your future astronauts for Chabot’s Summer Space Explorer Camps, which begin July 6. Chabot is also open July 4 until 10 p.m. to celebrate Independence Day. Visit www.chabotspace.org for more information on all the fun events at Chabot.
Robert Ade is the public relations specialist for the Chabot Space & Science Center. Reach him at 510-336-7310 or rade@chabotspace.org.
Robert Ade
Some great advice. I like the packing in pairs – that really makes sense to me. Thank you for the tips.
You are welcome. I thought the idea for the kiddos was creative, as well.
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Great advice, especially the one for the kids and the packing in pairs.
Those were great tips. Do you have any good Paris tips for us now that you are back?
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hands down…my favorite tip is to wear a money belt that contains my passport, my larger bills & my credit/debit cards. if the rest of my stuff is stolen, i can still make it just fine with these items!
Definitely. About 8 years ago I backpacked throughout Europe and thought I was *too* cool for a money belt. After the Italians ripped me off on the night train to Venice I changed my mind. Great tip!
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Most airports have downloadable or printable maps of their Terminals. I always print them when I have a lay over so that I know where to find gates, restaurants, restrooms … all the essentials, especially since I travel with a child.
Oh, Joanne I *love* this tip. This is great. We should do a whole post on this, actually!
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Some people would put someone else’s info in their kid’s pocket and then run, run, faster, faster!
If you pack half and half, do you ever find him wearing your clothes?
LOL. You are in good form today, aren’t you, Judith? ha!! I’d send P to you if I caught him in my clothes and that is a promise!
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Those were some really good tips! I like the one about packing half of each person’s stuff in each suitcase.
I love that one, too. P and I “kinda” do that. But I take up way more than half! lol
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