It isn’t easy finding Mr. Right. More often than not you end up with Mr. Rightnow. This is especially true when you go on holiday or just getaway for the weekend. For the most part, people that are on vacation are just interested in the temporary good time and not looking very far in the future. There are some places that are more inclined to offer long term opportunities and some things that will help you with that as well.

1. Avoid the party goers. That means traditional Spring Break, Mardi Gras, and New Year’s destinations are not the place to go to find your mate for life. These might all be great trips for letting it all hang out, but they are not know for creating lasting relationships.

2. Take a cruise. There are many cruises available these days around themes, activities, and even relationship status. Find one that is all about the singles and give it a go. Pick a cruise that you would enjoy anyway. If you don’t find Mr. Right then you will still have something to show for your time and effort. Besides, if you are busy enjoying yourself you are more likely to develop lasting relationships instead of focusing on making that perfect match.

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3. Make it a real adventure. Don’t just go looking for Mr. Right, but take an adventure trip as well. There are several companies that offer trips specifically for singles. These intense opportunities will help you bond with the people around you which means forming lasting relationships that you will carry away from the trip.

4. Go on a mission trip. Helping others is good for you and the other people that are helping others are the kind you need to be looking through to find Mr. Right.

5. Learn as you look. Take a course or class where the travel is included. When you find Mr. Right on the trip then you know you will have at least one thing you can continue to do together as a couple.

The key to finding Mr. Right on your vacation is to not look for him. Instead, plan a vacation that you would love, look for opportunities to share the experience with other singles, and then let nature take its course. The best relationships are those that are formed from mutual interests. Let the trip of a life time be the foundation of a life time together.

The more you do something, the more comfortable you become with the task. For people who don’t have the chance to stay in hotels (because of necessity or because of choice) the task of reserving a room, checking in, and even staying in an unfamiliar place can be daunting. Here are some tips to make the stay one you remember because of the good experience.

1. Get a local number when you make your reservation. Most companies have one location that does all the booking. You rarely talk with the local hotel, but you should. Confirm your reservation with the local number, change your check-in time (if you need or want to), or just work out where your room will be located.

2. When you check in, ask if there are any discounts available. Even if you reserved your room at a higher rate, the hotel will often match its lower rate if there is one.

3. Ask to look at the room before you accept it. It may be in a location that you don’t want (away from the main building or lobby or even near a construction zone). If it doesn’t meet your expectations than ask for another room.

4. Smaller hotels often offer better safety, simply because there are fewer guests for the employees to keep track of so it is easier to spot someone that does not belong.

5. Lock and bolt the doors when you walk into the room. Never give someone the chance to come in behind you. Make sure your key is ready before you get to the door so that you can walk right in.

6. Check all the windows and any between doors to make sure they are locked.

7. Keep the curtains drawn so that no one can see into the room. This is particularly important when you are on a ground floor.

8. If you want maid service then call the front desk and ask for it. Putting a sign on your door just announces to the world that you aren’t in the room at that time.

9. Do put the “Do Not Disturb” sign on the door even when you aren’t in the room. It gives the impression that the room is occupied.

10. Inspect your final bill for any charges that you did not agree to pay. Talk to the manager if there is a problem. Don’t wait until you get home to try and fix it.

Staying at a hotel can be even better than staying at home – especially for moms who usually have to do the laundry. Just remember that you are a customer, but at the same time don’t be too over-demanding. Also, remember to leave good comments and not just negative ones. Management is just as interested in the employees who are going above and beyond their job descriptions.

The holiday season seems to be the time to travel, and if you have kids it may not be something that you look forward to doing. Kids can be a challenge on a rainy day locked up inside a large home. Trap them in a car for hours on end and you could end up pulling your hair out. If you’ll take some time to plan ahead, not only will the travel be easier but it may be so much fun that you want to do it more often.

1. Make it a team effort. Let the kids help you plan, prepare, and pack for the trip. This gives them some ownership in what ends up in the car so they are less likely to complain when you pull out pretzels for a snack instead of candy.
2. Pack some easy snacks. Things like chocolate or cupcakes will make a mess, plus all that artificial sugar will pump up your little ones at a time you don’t want the energy. Stick to more nutritious snacks. Keep it to pretzels, apple slices, and things of that nature. Keep the drinks small unless you want to be stopping every thirty minutes or listen to the whine of “I got to go” all the way to your destination.
3. Map out the adventure. Plan at least one stop for every two hours on the road. This will give everyone a chance to stretch out and go to the bathroom (a requirement in our home is that if the car stops everyone gives it a try ). Pick some places – rest stops, community parks, fast food restaurants – that have play grounds for the kids to expend some of their energy.
4. Keep them engaged. It’s okay to bring along DVD’s or MP3 players to keep the kids distracted, but eventually they will lose interest in these. Play some travel games to help them lose track of time. It’s even more fun if you play some of them as a family team instead of competing against each other.
5. Pack a set of clothes for everyone – you never know what might come up. Make sure you put it in the car some place that is easy to access. Buried under all the other luggage will NOT be convenient.
6. Travel when the kids are napping or asleep (this is especially good for kids that are still locked into car seats). If you have a sound sleeper, then you can move them into a hotel room if the driver needs a break. Other wise, you might tag team an all night drive and arrive at your destination without the kids even knowing you went any where (this is how we do our drive to the beach).

The most important thing to remember when taking a road trip with kids is to be flexible. Plan a few extra hours into your travel time so that you don’t feel rushed if you end up stopping more than you wanted. Make the trip TO the destination as enjoyable as the destination itself.

Times have seriously changed. Not only do people dress their dogs, but they take them on vacation. And to really give you an idea of how much the times have changed, vacation destinations are working hard to win over the dog owners by providing great perks for pets as well as the owners.

The historic Sofia Hotel in San Diego, California goes to great lengths to make your four-footed friend feel at home. The Pampered Paws Package offers a gift bad filled with special treats and other doggy essentials, bowls for food and water, a deluxe pet bed, and even a doggy date - one hour off leash group god adventure. You can rest assured that your best friend will rest easy.

Moving up the state, the La Quinta Inn, Livermore offers a great Pet-Friendly Package that gives you ample opportunity to explore the Northern California region. You get spacious accommodations, plenty of pet treats, and lots of green space to run and play.

If the country is more your style then The Paw House Inn is the perfect getaway for you and your pet. This historic farmhouse located in Vermont offers an amazing, two-course breakfast (for the human guests) and lots of amenities designed specifically with the four-legged guests in mind.

The woof guide is another great site for locating the perfect vacation for a dog and his owner. It features a Pampered Pet Break that features a five star cottage, toys for the beach, and food for the pet. It’s a trip tailor made for the pet of the family.

The Loews Hotel in Miami Beach, Florida takes luxury seriously - and that includes luxury for the pets (all four-legged friends are welcomed). There is pet room service (with a veterinarian designed menu to guarantee the best nutrition for your pet), a bowl and special treat, special beds, plenty of treats and a note from the hotel manager listing all the local pet services.

The Best Western Carlton Plaza Hotel in Victoria, British Columbia is another hotel that welcomes four-legged pets of both kinds. They pamper the feline as well as the pooch.

Traveling doesn’t have to pull you away from your family, not even the four-legged members. Today, many hotels and other accommodations welcome the furry guest and its owners. Some of them take the stay to the next level by offering special treats and amenities just for the family pet.

For more amazing pet friendly accommodations (that pamper the owner as well), check out Stephanie’s Top Ten List.

Some of the best souvenirs I have of my trips and getaways are the pictures that I took at the time. Over the years I have learned some tips and ideas for taking the best pictures. These have been made even easier by the instant view you can receive from your digital camera.

1. Learn your camera BEFORE you leave for vacation. Know how to work all the features (and how to explain the features to others in case you want someone to take your picture). Trying to learn as you go is a sure way to run into problems. Read through the manual and try out all the different features around your home and daily activities first.

2. Take your time getting the picture. If you have a moving target (or there are small children involved) then you will need to plan ahead. The key is to have the time to set the picture up so that it is not rushed.

3. Keep your camera steady. Even with the new cameras that help eliminate movement you still need to practice holding the camera steady. The closer you zoom in, the steadier you will need to be. If at all possible, prop on a tree branch, a table or some other secure object to help you steady your hands.

4. Watch the use of the flash. Using it around glass is a good way to get a huge bright spot in the center of your picture. On the other hand, there are times when using it outdoors (even during the day) can help make a huge difference in how the picture shows up. A lot of using (or not using the flash) can come from trial and error.

5. Find a class and take it. Many colleges, universities, or community centers offer seminars or classes in photography. Before you leave for your next vacation, sign up to participate in one. You will certainly learn some tricks and ideas that will help you create the best photos.

You don’t have to be a professional photographer to get high quality pictures from your next vacation . The most important thing you can do is learn your own camera. After that, you just need to practice. The more you take, the better you will get. Don’t wait until you are on vacation to learn how to take those fabulous pictures. Start today so that you can have the souvenir photos you have always dreamed about.

Traveling in the United States often requires renting a car to get around. Although the public transportation in many major cities is sufficient, that is not the case if you want to leave the main metropolitan areas. Renting a car can be nerve wracking – there are many choices when it comes to vehicles, plans, companies and programs. Take some time before your trip to look into car rentals and you can be sure that the rental choice you make is the perfect fit for your trip.

1. Check with your existing car insurance to see if it covers other cars that you might be driving (including rentals) and what restrictions might be included. Also get contact information for you insurance company for the areas that you will be traveling in. Make copies of the information and keep one in your wallet, one in your luggage and one in the rental car.

2. Check your credit card program to see if it offers automatic insurance coverage on car rentals. The higher your card program (platinum, gold, etc) the better the coverage for things you purchase or rent with that card.

3. Look online for rental companies in the area that you will be traveling. See what extra charges each company has (some may offer unlimited miles, some may give a small number of free miles and some may charge right out the gate).

4. Compare similar cars to similar cars. When you compare prices and deals, make sure the cars that you are looking at are the same (or equivalent) to one another. Comparing luxury to compact will not help you determine the best deal.

5. Once you find the company that meets all your needs and all your price requirements you should try and negotiate the best price possible. Try to speak with a manager or supervisor and ask for a discount or other specials.

6. Book your car before you arrive. That way you can ensure that the vehicle you chose will be the one that you receive.

7. Check out the car before you sign off on it. Make sure that you have the car you requested and that it includes any amenities that were promised (air conditioning, cruise control, power steering and windows).

8. Always read the small print. Make sure you know what you are agreeing to before you sign the dotted line. If there are questions about the contract, clear them up first.

Renting a car for your vacation adventure can be one of the easiest parts of planning your trip. Do some research, make some calls and plan ahead and you will be sure to get the best car at the best price for your driving needs.

Rome is a city that inspires romantic ideas and visions. In reality, Rome is layers of crowded streets, tourists, and amazing historical significance. There is more to do, to see and to experience in the city of Rome than you could ever accomplish in one trip.

One of the best things about Rome is that you can enjoy it in a number of different ways. It can be a great city to see on foot, or you can choose to tour the area by taxi or bus. No matter how you decide to get around, there are some things that you have to be sure to see on your trip.

The Colosseum is a 2,000 year old building and a leading example of Roman engineering. It is big and marked by the concrete, brick and arches that were a trademark of Roman designs. The Colosseum was the location of the gladiator shows, executions and other gruesome “entertainment” for the people of that day.

The Pantheon is a dynamic example of the splendor of the Roman Empire. The dome is 142 high and wide (even Michelangelo’s amazing dome is not as wide) and its architectural design has astounded the experts for years. The concrete in the dome gets thinner and lighter as it goes up and the top of the dome is made out of volcanic pumice. The Pantheon is the burial place of Raphael and other great Renaissance artists.

Vatican City is a tiny country within the walls of Rome and it is full of wondrous architecture and artworks. St. Peter’s Basilica is the richest and most impressive church that you will ever visit. It is filled with sculptures and other breathtaking sites. The Vatican Museum offers four MILES of displaces and is one of Europe’s top displays of artwork.

To experience the true magnificence that Rome offers, you will probably want to take a tour (guided or self-guided) that follows a particular path. There is so much to see and do that it is easy to miss some of the most amazing aspects of the city. You can find tours available through the internet or create your self guided tour through the same medium.

You are likely to find that one visit to Rome is not enough to experience the city completely. It seems that around ever corner or in ever nook there is another surprise or wonder to see.

Every road trip with children seems to involve that dreaded chant of “are we there yet?” Children everywhere are under the impression that mom and dad have arrived at the destination and just not shared the information with the kids. It can be exhausting for the parents and end up ruining a perfectly good trip. Instead of getting upset when the chant starts, find ways to avoid the “are we there yet” all together.

1. Make a fold out map for the kids, complete with symbols for stops that you will make along the way or major landmarks that you will pass. Give them stickers to place on those stops and sites. Challenge them to find certain sites or items (city limits signs, historic marks and things of that nature). The map will keep them busy and informed about the trip.

2. Plan a movie time experience during the trip – complete with movie snacks and a new release rented from the local movie store. Be sure to save it as a surprise so that you can spring it on the kids when they begin to get tired of traveling. Include headsets with your portable DVD and the adults in the car will be able to have an actually discussion during the movie.

3. Keep the kids engaged in the travel experience. Let them research the trip before you leave and find interesting points along the path that you are taking. Use those points as breaks where you can get out and walk around, or use them as “mile marker” so that the kids know how far they are from the destination according to the information they discovered.

4. Play along the way. Bring along travel games or make up games that will keep the kids occupied during the trip. The more they have to keep them busy the less they are likely to be concerned about arriving at the destination. Make the travel as much fun as the destination and you will never have to hear those dreaded words again.

Traveling with kids is often challenging under the best of circumstances. Sitting for long periods of time, feeling out of control and just being bored will often lead to whining – usually involving the phrase “are we there yet.” With a little planning and a lot of patience the whole family can survive the next road trip with out having to worry about that phrase tagging along.

More and more women are making the trip alone - for business and for pleasure. Some prefer the solitude and some have no other choice. All of the women who are traveling alone (regardless of the mode of transportation or the destination) are a higher target for crime. There are some places that do seem a bit more woman friendly than others. Even where it’s consider safe, women still need to keep their senses alert for dangers.

California has the ocean, the mountains, and one of the safest cities in the nation. Mission Viejo, California started as a vision for the perfect community and has grown into a city of 96,000 people. The planners designed the perfect balance of homes, recreation, and retail. You can take in a show at the Saddleback Civic Light Opera, enjoy a night of entertainment at the Kaleidoscope Courtyards, or just spend the day shopping at shops. There are also many historical and tourist attractions within a short drive of Mission Viejo.

On the other coast, Florida also boasts one of the safest cities in the United States. Located in the South Florida metropolitan area, Coral Springs is another master-planned community. It retains its small town feel by restricting commercial signs and developments as well as residential designs. Even McDonald’s had to change its design when it moved into town. Coral Springs Center for the Arts offers hometown entertainment with high end talent.

In the middle of the state, in one of the largest states in the Union, you’ll find Round Rock, Texas. This historic community started in 1851 near a large round rock in the center of the creek that marked the low-water area for crossing. The town has its mark in gun fighting history as being the place that Texas Rangers captured and killed American train robber, Sam Bass. There are plenty of exciting adventures to find in and around the city.

Oklahoma really is OK - and Broken Arrow is proof of that. This historical town offers a great museum with a genealogy area for tracking your history. If you need a walk on the wild side you will find it at the Safaris Exotic Wildlife Sanctuary. Not only can you get up close and personal with the wildlife with treats that you can feed them, but you can even make the zoo your vacation site by renting a cabin on sight. If you are all about the sweet tooth then Broken Arrow will not fail you in that area. It is the home of Blue Bell Creameries and it is open for tours through out the year.

The statistics shouldn’t lull you into a false sense of safety. Traveling alone can be dangerous, no matter where you are going. If you can’t travel with others then make sure you stay aware of your surroundings and your situation at all times.

There are probably going to be times that you will have to stay in a hotel by yourself – either for business or for pleasure.  A single woman can be a big target for many thieves and other bad guys.  Following a few simple and easy tips will help you keep your stay a safe one.

1.      Stay in a hotel with interior rooms.  Having a door that leads to the outside is just inviting trouble.  With indoor rooms, it is easier for the hotels staff to monitor who comes and goes.

2.      Choose a smaller hotel.  The more guests that are coming in and out of the hotel then the harder it is for the staff to notice someone who doesn’t belong.  More intimate hotels may even know each guest personally which will definitely increase the safety factor.

3.      Ask for a room close to the guest service desk.  It will be easier for the staff to see if someone is in your hall that shouldn’t be.

4.      If you can’t stay on the first level then request a room near the elevators.  This is the most active area in the hotel and harder for a bad guy to go unnoticed.

5.      Avoid construction areas.  These are prime hiding places for bad guys, not to mention safety hazards as well.

6.      Check all the locks in your room when you get in there.  You can even ask the hotel staff to accompany you to the room if you feel uncomfortable.  If you are on a ground floor (or lower floor) or if there is a balcony attached to your room then be sure you check the window locks as well.

7.      Be alert to what is going on around you.  If you feel like someone is watching you are following you then take precautions.  It is much better to be safe than sorry.

8.      Have your hotel room key ready before you arrive at the door.  Fumbling around in your purse or pocket could give the bad guys the time (and opportunity) they need to make their move.

9.      Keep your room number to yourself.  Don’t give it out to anyone in a public area even if you are talking on the phone.  Guard the information closely and the bad guys won’t be able to find you.

There are so many little things that you can do to ensure your safety when you are staying alone in a hotel.  The most important thing is to trust your instincts.  If you feel uncomfortable then let someone know.  It’s better to look a little silly now than to be a lot sorry tomorrow.