The John Tesh Blog

Think Winter's just for snow sports? Saying "I do" could be just the sport for you.

The thing is, once a couple has made promises to one another for a life made together, in the end, it really doesn't matter where, does it? Well, of course, it does, to some degree. Couples have visions of how they want to share their special day with friends and family. And warm weather months certainly hold a great deal of promise for sunshine, and colorful new blossoms of flowers. Guest attendance comes into play, also, making summer the peak season for weddings. But MSN Money lays out some different perks for couples who marry in the winter- namely huge savings.

Peak wedding season falls between May and October in most of the U.S., says Richard Markel, the president of the Association for Wedding Professionals International. During that time, most wedding vendors -- including caterers, photographers and limousine companies -- charge the most because their services are in demand. But in the winter, business comes to a standstill, especially in the northern regions hit with particularly harsh weather, and engaged couples have more room to negotiate for lower prices.

During the winter, the number of weddings throughout the country declines by 40% to 50% below that of peak season, Markel says. And of the roughly 2.2 million weddings that take place in the U.S. each year, only 5% occur in January, he says. That winter dip in demand means that couples marrying during the cooler months compete with fewer weddings for vendors.

Couples who are considering a January, February or March wedding still have time to book vendors, Markel says. "Couples have a major opportunity because the number of weddings that occurred in 2009 has been down by about 5%, and bookings for early 2010 are down as well," he says.

(December weddings aren't as cheap because banquet facilities give priority to recurring customers: conventions and companies planning holiday parties.)

Here are the four types of wedding vendors with whom you'll see some of the biggest winter savings.

The Banquet Facility

The largest wedding-related expense is the banquet reception, which can cost more than $10,000, depending on the number of guests, location and menu, Markel says.

Typically, banquet facilities charge a fixed price per person. But between January and March, the total cost often drops between 20% and 50%, Markel says. (The savings will be lower in states that have warm weather throughout the year, like parts of Florida and California.)

Couples who get married in the Meeting House Grand Ballroom, a banquet facility in Plymouth, Mich., will see big price differences. For weddings between January and March, couples will pay Friday prices for a Saturday wedding, says Randy Lorenz, the owner and general manager. For a party of 200 adults, that's a discount of $2,000; the banquet facility also waives its $300 ceremony fee.

However, not all wedding venues are cheaper during the winter than during the spring, summer or fall. Weddings at ski resorts are priciest in the winter, the venues' peak season, says Elise Enloe, the director of education for the Association of Bridal Consultants, a trade group.

Also, facilities that are popular with corporate holiday parties or conventions tend to be busiest during the winter, says LeLani Mandac, a senior catering manager at the Hilton Anaheim in California.

To save with a winter wedding at the Hilton Anaheim, couples will have to reserve the space no more than six months in advance, she says. Couples who choose an available weekend between conventions could receive an upgraded package at no extra cost, like a $70-per-person plated dinner (the facility's priciest package) at a cost of $65 per person, or an additional hour for their wedding celebration, which usually costs $250, for free.

In New York, winter is typically slow for caterers and other wedding vendors, says Andrea Correale, the president of Elegant Affairs, an off-premise catering and event-design company. As a result, couples marrying there have more room to negotiate meal prices during the cooler months. A caterer's price difference between a winter and summer  wedding in New York is, on average, $50 per person, Correale says.

Another option, of course, is to skip dinner. Lunch or brunch can save you 50%.

Flowers

Couples set on a particular color or type of flower should keep an open mind or prepare to drop a lot of cash.

The average cost of wedding flowers ranges from $2,000 to $3,000 in the U.S., says Baxter Phillip, the executive vice president at Phillip's Flowers & Gifts in Chicago. To save with a winter wedding, choose flowers that are in season, like irises, orchids, lilies and most roses, he says. Hydrangeas and peonies are the most expensive in January, and red and white roses are the priciest in the two weeks leading up to Valentine's Day and during the holiday season.

Also, find out where the flowers are coming from. Their starting point and shipping costs factor into the price. Seventy-five percent of wedding flowers (primarily roses) come from South America, whose summer season is our winter, Phillip says. Those flowers often are more affordable for winter weddings in the U.S. than, say, flowers imported from Holland, which shares our winter. Distance is also a factor.

Photography and video

Fewer weddings mean fewer requests for photographers and videographers.

For weddings between December and March, many of these professionals discount their custom packages by as much as 10-25% of identical services for summer weddings.

Transportation

Limos are at their most expensive during prom season and peak wedding season -- periods that winter weddings avoid. So expect to pay 10% to 20% less during the winter than you would in May or June, Markel says.

Many companies lower the price on their fleet of limos and luxury cars for most weekend weddings between the first Saturday after Thanksgiving and the end of March. Couples could see savings in a typical stretch limo- as high as $475 in season, down to $400 in the off months.

The day of the week you choose for your Winter Wedding could save money also. From Sundays through Thursdays during the winter, Reston Limousine, based in Washington, D.C., offers a fourth hour free on any vehicle rental at least three hours.

If you and your "to be" have hearts set on those beautiful warm months, then as long as you have a plan for saving, stay with your original ideas. But if the idea of starting your married life off with a little more money (or, in many cases- a lot less debt!), then consider asking your family and friends to celebrate with you in clothes made of warmer fabrics (and wear a coat!)

John

Email John:  johnsblog@teshmedia.com

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Ladies- when you should fight off an attacker, and tips to keep you safe when you're driving

All motorists need to be careful on the highway, but female drivers of all ages, unfortunately, have to be doubly vigilant to avoid becoming victims of crimes while driving, including carjacking, sexual assault, robbery and worse. The following are some tips to help keep women safe while getting from here to there, from AOL Autos.

Got a beef with a roadhog?  Let it be.
"For road ragers, don't engage," says NYC cabbie Mellisa Plaut, author of "Hack", an account of her driving adventures. "Don't even look at someone who's trying to get your attention in an angry way. Just drive on, or turn. The worst thing you can do is get into a

fight. It never leads to anything good. Don't get your ego involved."

Pay attention.
Keep your sound system at a reasonable volume when driving in cities and neighborhoods, and don't space out or check your text messages at every stoplight. In fact, try to avoid getting distracted at all by your cell phone. Carjackers and robbers rely on the element of surprise, so if you're keeping eyes and ears alert to what's going on outside your vehicle, bad guys don't have a chance to sneak up on you.

Secure your car as you would your home.

You wouldn't leave your front door unlocked and your windows open at home, so get in the habit of securing your car the same way. Keep doors locked when you're driving, and windows raised. If anyone approaches your window asking for directions or money in slow or stopped traffic, take a quick glance around your vehicle to make sure you're not being distracted by one half of a team. Crack the window an inch or two instead of opening it all the way if you decide to speak to a stranger.

Be vigilant in parking lots- whether day or night.

When shopping, put your money away at the cash register, walk with purpose to your car and don't accept "help" from strangers. Have your keys out and be ready to open your vehicle and secure packages, get in the car, close and lock the door and drive away. "Don't approach your vehicle if a van or other large vehicle that wasn't there before is parked next to it," says Road and Travel's Jessica Howell. "Find a security guard to walk you to your car. If a security guard isn't available, look for a nearby couple and ask for an escort. Most people will be happy to lend a moment and ensure your safety."

Don't assume an unmarked car with a flashing light is a police officer.

If the car attempting to pull you over doesn't look like an official vehicle, keep driving, turn your inside light on and pull over only in a well-lit, populated area. Do not get out of your car, and angle the vehicle so you can drive away quickly if need be. Crack the window, ask to see the officer's ID and pay close attention to his clothes---are they worn? Do they match? If not, put up your window, drive away and call 911.

Now it’s time to focus on your safety for a minute, ladies, with some answers to some important questions when it comes to dealing with muggers and attackers. Hopefully you won’t need this information, but it’s better to be prepared with help from researchers at Health magazine.

• Are there times when a woman shouldn’t fight back? Lori Hartman Gervasi is the author of Fight Like a Girl– and Win: Defense Decisions for Women. She’s also a black belt self-defense expert trained in Karate. She says if someone’s grabbing your purse, or trying to take your car – let them have it. You risk your safety unnecessarily by challenging the person – these things are only material goods.
• So, when should you fight back? If an attacker is trying to get you into a car, Gervasi says fight back loudly and with every bit of strength and courage you have. The odds of surviving go way down once you’re in a car or a secluded location. Use whatever you have to fight back – your purse, shoes, rings on your fingers. If you’re kicking, go low and hard rather than trying for the groin. It’s hard to hit that region, and you might either lose your balance or give the attacker your foot to grab onto. When you make a fist to punch him, don’t tuck your thumb. Resting it just below the knuckles can inflict more damage. The bottom line is that most attackers are looking for an easy victim - and the more you fight back, the more likely it is that he’ll give up and run away.
• Should you carry pepper spray?

  

  Gervasi likes pepper spray because it provides a way to fight back without getting too close, but it’s useless if it’s buried in your purse. She recommends carrying your keys in one hand, pepper spray in the other – and your cell phone in an easy-to-reach pocket. That way, if a threatening person comes too close, you can quickly get your pepper spray into the “on” position, aim, and spray the attacker in the face. Then get a safe distance away and call the police.

I know it's heavy stuff to even think about it, but we all do, especially if you're a woman.  If you're a man, it's likely you have a wife, a sister, mother, or daughter you love- share this today!

John

Email John:  johnsblog@teshmedia.com

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Travel insurance. Do you have it? Do you need it? Here's the scoop.

Do you have some travel plans for the remainder of this Summer?  Lucky you! Have you ever wondered, though, about insurance for your trip?  Does your insurance cover you abroad?  Should you buy extra insurance?  It can be a lot to think about, and we've got some answers from Real Simple to help.

First, What You Need to Know About Getting Medical Care Abroad

• U.S. health insurers may not cover medical care or prescriptions when you’re out of the country―even in emergencies―so check your coverage carefully before you go. Be sure to carry any potentially necessary medications with you, even if you don’t anticipate needing them. And consider purchasing supplemental travel insurance to cover medical-care and medical-evacuation costs. According to the U.S. Department of State, “Many health-insurance companies will pay ‘customary and reasonable’ hospital costs abroad, but very few basic plans will pay for your medical evacuation back to the United States, which can easily cost $10,000 and up, depending on your location and medical condition."
• Visa, MasterCard, and American Express cardholders: Check your travel benefits before you leave home. You may have access to a telephone help line with an English-speaking operator who can help you find local medical facilities. Be sure to get a local number for the country you’ll be visiting; U.S. toll-free numbers often don’t work overseas.
• Hotel concierges and tour guides can usually recommend English-speaking local doctors for minor health issues or refer you to a good hospital.
• The International Society of Travel Medicine (istm.org) and the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (astmh.org) offer free directories of physicians around the world. 

Next, Flight-Accident Insurance
What it is: This life-insurance policy pays your beneficiary in the event your plane crashes and you perish.

Bottom Line: Your regular life-insurance plan covers your death whether or not you’re on vacation. So a flight-accident policy pays off only if you don’t have a regular life-insurance policy.

Finally, Travel Insurance
What it is: These plans are package deals that include a range of different types of coverage for everything from the cost of medical bills if you get sick to expenses incurred if your trip is canceled. They typically cost 5 to 7 percent of the trip’s total value.

Bottom line: “Travel insurance is a good option if you’re taking an expensive, prepaid vacation or traveling where your health insurance won’t cover you,” says Michelle Higgins, who writes the Practical Traveler column for the New York Times. Otherwise, skip it. If you’ve planned the getaway yourself, you can cancel or change plans with minimal hassle and cost. For example, rescheduling your flight due to an illness may cost you $100, but travel insurance could set you back more than a mere penalty. You can compare costs and benefits for more than 100 travel-insurance plans at insuremytrip.com.

No one want to throw unnecessary expenses into a trip, but if an extra, precautionary cost could potentially save you a lot of money should the unexpected and certainly, unwanted, occur- you'll be glad you did.

John

Email John:  johnsblog@teshmedia.com

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Going green- even when you're traveling, sometimes starts with reusing.

Ahh...Summertime is (nearly!) here.  If you're getting some plans together for Summer vacation, think about going green, too, while you're gone.  A little bit of ingenuity can go a long way toward being green- even the next time you're traveling.  Real Simple gives us a little lesson in finding a new and clever way to get some use out of items you have either at home already, or might pick up on your trip.

Address Labels

Original purpose: Telling the post office where to return a letter.

New use: Tagging precious travel items, such as your iPod and digital camera. If you accidentally leave a device on the airplane, a Good Samaritan will know where to mail it.

Book Covers

Original purpose: Protecting your biology textbook.

New use: Letting you blend in with the locals. A travel guide screams "I’m lost!" but cloaking it in pretty paper or the jacket of a book in the native language will give you a much lower profile.

Plastic Wrap

Original purpose: Keeping leftovers fresh.

New use: Avoiding suitcase messes. When packing shampoo or lotion, unscrew the bottle’s cap and cover the opening with plastic wrap, then screw the cap back on. Liquid is less likely to ooze from an accidentally opened spout.

Water Bottle

Original purpose: Providing hydration.

New use: Preventing souvenir maps, ticket stubs, postcards, and museum brochures from bending or tearing in your suitcase. Just roll them up and drop them into a dry, wide-mouthed bottle.

Coasters

Original purpose: Preventing pesky water rings on wood.

New use: Tagging gifts for the people at home. Hang on to cardboard coasters from the bars and the restaurants you visit on your journey. When you return home with souvenirs for friends and family, punch a hole near the edge of the coaster, tie a ribbon through the hole, and write a quick note in an empty space (or on the blank side).

Hotel Matchbook

Original purpose: Sparking things up.

New use: Finding your way home. Toss a matchbook that bears the hotel name and address into your bag. If you forget the address or encounter a language barrier, you can simply show it to your taxi driver.

Checkbook Case

Original purpose: Keeping your checkbook in check.

New use: Separating foreign currency from American bills in your handbag or wallet so you don't mix up your paper trail.

Shower Cap

Original purpose: Protecting your hair when you would rather not lather, rinse, and repeat.

New use: Preventing dirty or sand-covered shoes from mingling with (and soiling) neatly packed clothes.

Kids' Floaties

Original purpose: Keeping your little boy buoyant during an afternoon dip.

New use: Buffering breakables in a suitcase. Place delicate items, such as wine bottles and precious trinkets, inside an inflated arm floaty, and it will shield against bumps, bruises, and breaks.

John

Email John:  johnsblog@teshmedia.com

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Avoid These Health Problems During Your Flight

Our upcoming Memorial Day, in addition to a day of remembrance, is also a weekend-long, unofficial start of Summer!  Planning to fly out somewhere for a long weekend getaway?  Don’t get on a plane until you hear this! I have tips that’ll help you avoid some health problems that could pop up during your flight. This comes from Parade magazine: 

• Germs. Intestinal bacteria and upper respiratory viruses can spread easily with so many people jammed together. The fix? First of all, bring your own travel blanket and pillow cover. You can never be sure that supplies onboard are clean. In fact, a Wall Street Journal article mentioned someone who witnessed a passenger blowing his nose into a blanket! Also, don’t drink coffee or tea on an airplane. Research from the Environmental Protection Agency finds that water in most airplanes’ water tanks isn’t always safe to drink. Coffee and tea are usually made from that water. Wash your hands frequently and sanitize your hands after leaving an airplane bathroom. Environmental microbiologist Charles Gerba says a toilet on an airplane is among the germiest things you’ll encounter anywhere.
• Dry cabin air. 20 percent of travelers catch a cold within a week of flying, but recycled cabin air isn’t usually to blame. The real culprit is low humidity on the plane. Your mucous membranes dry out and stop protecting you from germs. So make sure you drink plenty of fluids. You should have eight ounces of water or fruit juice for each hour of your trip. You should also limit alcohol or caffeinated drinks – which can be dehydrating.
• DVT. That stands for deep vein thrombosis. Basically it’s the technical name for blood clotting in the legs and it can be deadly. What’s the fix? First of all, know this: If you’re healthy, and if your flight is eight hours or less, you’ll probably be fine. However, to be safe, stretch and walk around every hour or so if you can, and don’t drink coffee or alcohol before your flight. They both cause dehydration and that causes your blood vessels to narrow and your blood to thicken, increasing the risk for DVT.
• Last, our recent scare of H1N1 virus, swine flu, seems to be in remission right now, according to health officials.  But a little caution goes a long way when it comes to the "what if?" concerns.  You might feel a little easier in foregoing a mask, but you absolutely should wipe down all the surfaces on your airplane seat with antibacterial wipes. And the biggest preventive measure is to wash your hands before, during and after the trip.

John

Email John:  johnsblog@teshmedia.com

Check out the new John Tesh Social Network. You can connect with new friends, post your own blog, visit various forums, upload your favorite John Tesh music and share your photos.  To learn more about how to join, click here.

Cost-cutting ideas for your next family vaca...

Ahh...Summer Vacation.  Time off work; school's out; everyone's happy and excited.  It's what make those family memories we dream of for ourselves, and out kids.  But YIKES- the cost!  Want some tips for cutting down on some of your costs, or is the idea of paying more than you need to that appealing to you?  I thought so- let's go.

When it comes to your next family vacation, are you thinking: Can we really afford to go out of town? Here’s your answer: YES. Lisa Collier Cool, a travel researcher for Woman’s Day magazine, says just because the economy’s down, that doesn’t mean you have to stay home. You just have to travel SMART. Here are some of her cost-cutting tips, hidden bargains and surprising freebies. 

• Consider a farm stay! Also called “haycations,” these trips put you smack dab in the middle of a working farm, complete with animals, fresh-picked food and a rustic-yet-comfy bed and breakfast. They’re easier on your pocketbook than a theme park getaway. Take Mary Ellen Ynes. She and her family spent their vacation at Leaping Lamb Farm in Oregon, and spent about $400 total for the five-day trip. She says her kids loved feeding the sheep, gathering eggs with the farmer’s wife in the morning - and even riding a donkey! You can find out more about “haycations” at AgriSport.com.
• Go on a “one tank” getaway! Choose a place you can get to on just ONE tank of gas. It’s not as hard as it sounds. Just go to TripAdvisor.com/TankofGas. They have a list of destination options, and you can research sights and activities online, as well as the best places to stay. Look for a bed and breakfast that has the “Free Gas” promotion. That means you get a gas card for another tank to get you back home! 
• Make LUNCH your main meal. If you want to try a snazzy restaurant on your trip, go during the afternoon. The prices are lower than in the evening and it’s easier to get a reservation.  Another dining trick is to look for restaurants that offer “kids eat free” nights. Also, if one of your kids has a birthday in the month you’ll be traveling, many chains – like Denny’s and Red Lobster - have clubs that kids can join online to get coupons for free appetizers, desserts or even meals. Just go to FreeBirthdayTreats.com for a list of restaurants.

Now all you need are the best tips for cutting down on everyone's stress level while on "The Family Vacation of Your Dreams"- check out these ideas for avoiding family stress- especially yours!  Happy planning- 

John

Email John:  johnsblog@teshmedia.com

Check out the new John Tesh Social Network. You can connect with new friends, post your own blog, visit various forums, upload your favorite John Tesh music and share your photos.  To learn more about how to join, click here.

By plane, train, or automobile: Your Spring break, or Summer vacation made easier!

Yesterday I was talking about the best types of vacations- be it Spring break or after school's out this Summer- for the ages of kids you have.  Today let's tackle just how you're going to get there, and some more ideas to make the most of the time you have, and the $$$ you have to spend!  More from Reader's Digest:

Going the group route:

Family vacations today take in the entire spectrum of travel. While you have the option of returning to the cottage or resort your family has gone to for generations, there's a whole wide world out there. From colorful South America to the exotic South Pacific, Europe's sophisticated cities to British Columbia's remote and rugged wilderness -- all are places where families can find a warm welcome and many exceptional programs designed just for parents and kids.

On the other hand, families don't always vacation for the purpose of discovery. Sometimes your agenda is to be completely relaxed and peaceful, and make lots of memories together. A familiar place can promote relaxation and contentment in a way other kinds of vacations can't. Once your kids know the ropes somewhere, they depend less on you for guidance and entertainment, which frees you to relax all the more. Since there are fewer surprises in a vacation spot you've visited before, you can sit back and start enjoying yourselves the moment you all arrive -- and there's a great deal to be said for that.

Parents who consider themselves competent travelers often dismiss the idea of tours, organized trips and other types of group travel. Structured travel like this has sometimes gotten a bad rap; like a cattle drive, it may feel like you're being herded through as many sites in as many places in the shortest time possible.  And then there's the old rule that in any given group of travelers there's at least one obnoxious person who makes the trip almost unbearable for others.

That could be what you experience, but they're more likely to be the exception than the rule these days, especially in family groups, so do some research online, and ask- co-workers, friends, even your kids' schools. There are many tours and outfitters offering great trips for parents and kids. Still skeptical? Here are five reasons to consider group travel.

Time
Turning over leadership and logistics to someone else gives you time to enjoy your surroundings and your family.

Equipment
Experienced guides and outfitters have the necessary equipment, training and knowledge to keep your family safe in the environment where you'll be traveling. This may include proficiency in the local language, two-way radio equipment, first-aid training and supplies, and other facilities for getting help in case of illness or injury.

Knowledge
Tour leaders and guides who have traveled extensively in an area are likely to know local people and places that regular tourists would miss or that would not be open or available to those traveling on their own.

Safety/Cost
Tours often allow families to travel to places or in ways they could not manage on their own, either because they lack the expertise to organize a particular trip safely (white-water rafting, for example), because it's difficult to obtain permits to travel to certain regions or because booking such a trip as a private individual is simply too expensive.

Companionship
Trips that include other families give kids instant playmates, and give parents travel companions who understand that kids act like, well, kids. In a group situation, there's backup when it comes to feeding, teaching and entertaining children. And, of course, when a tour is designed specifically for families, parents have less to worry about anyway because the itineraries, activities and meals have all been planned with children in mind.

So with that to consider, let's move on to the "how you're going to get where you're going" part, which, of course, will depend on your budget, your schedule, and what works best for everyone in your family:

By Car
Your basic vehicle - be it sedan, minivan or sport-utility truck -- has many advantages. It's usually, but not always, the least expensive way to go. You can leave on the spur of the moment, there are lots of places to stay each night and you travel pretty much on your own time. Among the car's disadvantages, however, is that driving can be slow and tedious. You spend an inordinate amount of time searching for clean bathrooms in strange places. Motion sickness can be a problem, but there are good over-the-counter medications to preempt that.  Depending on how far you're going, you can lose time away from your vacation destination. And it's a scientific fact that kids whine more in a car than in any other type of transportation!

By Plane
The primary advantage to traveling by airplane is clear: It's the fastest way to go and the only way to get to some places. You can check your luggage and forget about it. Someone will serve you meals (if you fly at a time of day when meals are actually included). Kids love to fly. Bathrooms are only as far away as the end of the plane. You don't have to drive, so you can relax and enjoy time with your kids. Flying makes it possible to choose a faraway place for even a short trip.

On the other hand, flying is expensive. Many aspects of flying are out of your control, including some that can threaten your trip. Weather delays, equipment failure, lost luggage and canceled flights are but a few. And transporting baby gear -- car seats, strollers, portacribs -- is cumbersome. Of course you can often rent these items at your destination, but then again that ups your cost.

By Train
The great thing about trains is that they make getting there half the fun. There's a romance to train travel that even the youngest children pick up on. Kids can walk around in the aisles, and there's room for playing. If you book a berth, kids can stick to their regular sleeping routines. Trains can be expensive, however, particularly in the United States. Some other minuses: You have to keep children from disturbing other passengers for extended periods. Baggage help is not always available. And transportation to your hotel or car-rental location can be tricky.

By Boat
Kids love boats of all kinds. Ferries can be a terrific way to break up a driving trip -- and you can bring your car too. Chartering a houseboat or skippered sailboat lets you travel at an easy pace instead of speeding. Cruise ships can be a good deal if families book just one cabin, and cruises often have stellar family programs. But itineraries on commercial cruises are rigid. Traveling by boat can be expensive. Seasickness is awful. If you have young children, they require careful watching. Ships, with their constant excitement, can be difficult environments in which to maintain kids' routines.

By RV
What's terrific about recreational vehicles is that you carry your lodging, bathroom and kitchen with you -- whether you're self-propelled in a motor home or camper van, or pulling a trailer. Campgrounds are inexpensive. Pets can go too. The negatives: RVs may or may not compare favorably with other modes of travel in terms of cost. Most RVers cook and clean every day, which may not necessarily be your idea of a vacation. And you may not feel especially comfortable driving such a large vehicle or towing a trailer that is considerably bigger than your car.

Bottom line:  a family vacation is supposed to be fun for all, and give you, and your kids, wonderful memories for years to come.  You know your kids (and yourself!) better than anyone.  Be aware of the things that can trigger discomfort, boredom, and irritability in all of you- the goal is to avoid the "kid crazies" or the "Mom crazies" before everyone feels stressed, unhappy, and wishing this vacation was OVER!  Everyone in need of a snack at a few times throughout the day?  Make sure you've made plans for that, because on the road isn't likely to be any different when it comes to low blood sugar levels than it is at home- just more expensive if you haven't planned, and likely, much more inconvenient.  If they're transformed from Dr. Jekyll into Mr. Hyde when they stay up past eight o'clock at night, that's not going to change just because they're having the time of their lives. Nothing is insurmountable, so the efforts you make to anticipate rough spots will skyrocket your odds of having the best vacation you've all ever had!

John

Email John:  johnsblog@teshmedia.com

Check out the new John Tesh Social Network. You can connect with new friends, post your own blog, visit various forums, upload your favorite John Tesh music and share your photos.  To learn more about how to join, click here.

Spring break fever? Don't let your fever turn into STRESS- parents, read on.

Do you have dreams of Spring break getting here sooner rather than later?  Vacations are what keep us going: fantasies of sunny, sandy beaches on rainy, gray days when the kids are bouncing off the walls; touring a tranquil museum instead of listening to your boss barking in the next office; hiking a mountain rather than sitting in rush-hour traffic.  

Vacations!  Who doesn't love the idea of that?  But vacations, by their nature, are also an upheaval -- an interruption of the familiar flow of people, places and routines. That's why adults find travel exciting -- and why it can be hard on kids. Most children thrive on routine. They're always up for adventure, of course, but don't necessarily know how to handle themselves in the midst of it. To ensure that your next vacation is low on stress and disappointment and high on enjoyment, you've got to take careful stock of your family's strengths, weaknesses, dreams and realities.  Today it's all about the specific ages of your kids.  You've probably noticed by now- kids have different needs and levels of tolerance at different ages.  So how do you plan (and cope?)  Reader's Digest offers these thoughts and ideas:

Just Whose Vacation Is It?
The first planning hurdle is to accept that this isn't just your vacation -- there are other people to consider. Of course your interests are important, but so, too, are the ages and stages of your kids, and how many headaches you really want to endure. Before you settle on a destination, consider these kid-travel facts and frustrations.

Travel With Infants
Babies are surprisingly adaptable travel companions. They're (mostly) happy to go wherever you go, and they love looking around at people, animals, bright lights and other babies, so you don't have to do a lot to keep them occupied. Comfortable in strollers or backpack carriers, they can easily travel along city streets or park trails, and they can fall asleep just about anywhere, allowing you to continue sightseeing when they can't keep their eyes open.

The biggest drawback to traveling with infants is the mind-boggling array of gear and accessories they require and the frequency with which they must sleep and eat- whether you're on vacation for 2 nights or 2 weeks!  While it's a logistical challenge to make plans that fit around your infant's routines, it's a fact that sticking to regular eating and sleeping patterns will dramatically increase your chances of keeping your baby happy and contented. However, it's also a fact that as soon as you get used to one routine, your baby will attempt to foil your plans by developing a new one. So be sure to create an itinerary that's flexible. You might all go to a museum in the morning, but if your baby starts to balk, be prepared to go back to the hotel. If he's doing well, stay in town for lunch. You'll likely have fewer problems than if you choose an itinerary that locks you into a full day's activities, hours away from your accommodations.

Ages 1 Through 4

Taking a family vacation with toddlers and preschoolers is one of those classic good news/bad news situations. The bad news is that this can be the most difficult age group to travel with. Young kids are notoriously difficult to keep restrained, prone to embarrassing temper tantrums, capable of getting lost in a flash, and exhausting to themselves and their parents.

The good news is that children in this age group are charming, enthusiastic and insatiably curious -- they delight in the smallest things. Those are the attributes of an excellent traveler, and vacationing with toddlers and preschoolers is more often than not a wonderful gift to adults. It takes a little bit of work, though, so your first job as tour leader is to slow down. If you take the time to view the world through your child's eyes instead of trying to get your child to view it through yours, everyone will invariably be happier.

Young children often have difficulty keeping still and focusing for extended periods, which means that long travel days and an itinerary packed with too many activities requiring quiet, attentive behavior (eating out, some museum visits, and shopping, for example) don't work. Yet this age group does very well when scheduled activities are short in duration and allow for plenty of movement and time to investigate and ask questions. Activities that take advantage of a young child's natural sense of curiosity and wonder -- hands-on museums, nature walks, zoos and farms -- are ideal, and will help you to make those awesome memories.

Ages 5 through 12

This is the easy age. School-age children have the enthusiasm and curiosity of their younger counterparts but are more independent and less labor-intensive for parents. They can appreciate cultural explorations and have the understanding and patience for more in-depth museum exhibits and learning vacations. However, school-age children have definite likes and dislikes; they want to have a say in vacation planning?and they can be very helpful. They like action, entertainment and new friends to keep them occupied.

School-age children have energy we can only dream about, but they're often not capable of recognizing when they're running out of steam or when they're feeling hungry or cold. Meltdown can happen in a nanosecond, and because children themselves can't figure out causes or preventive measures (such as taking a rest, stopping for lunch, or getting out of the pool or off the ski slopes before turning purple), it's a good idea for someone else to be keeping track of such things.

So there's a basic look at different age groups of kids, and what they're generally able to handle.  Next up tomorrow- how are you traveling- is it plane, train, or automobile?  There are things to think about, and plan for, according to your mode of transportation.

John

Email John:  johnsblog@teshmedia.com

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Saving Money On Airfare

We try so hard to save money whenever we travel the friendly skies.  We join online travel websites, comb the newspapers for bargains and wheel-and-deal with the airlines directly for the best price.  However, you can still purchase a ticket and two weeks later the price falls lower than you paid.

Perhaps you didn't know that fliers are entitled to a refund even when their non-refundable ticket drops in price. The only requirement is that you request your refund prior to your scheduled flight.  Based on each airline's policy, you can make a request over the phone or through the carrier's website.

If you book your flight through Southwest Airlines, you can rebook your flight at a lower fare and they will refund the difference on your credit card.  For your convenience you can request your refund over the phone or on the Southwest Airlines website.  The only drawback is that it may take two weeks for the refund to appear on your credit card account. Most other airlines will issue the traveler a voucher that can be used for a future flight.

Beware that some airlines will charge you a change fee - anywhere from $75 to $150 for a domestic flight.  Southwest Airlines applies no change fee for its passengers. One airline that charges $150 for passengers booked on domestic flights is American Airlines.  

Other airlines that do not stick the flier with a change fee are United, JetBlue and Alaska.  Their policy is to issue the passenger a travel voucher that can be used up to one year from the issue date.  The flier must call the airlines to get a refund. 

Other airlines - Continental, Delta, US Airways and Northwest - issue voucher, but also charge a change fee.  It's obvious the traveler has to do some homework on each airline's policy when the price of a ticket drops. 

Some airlines refuse to provide the traveler a refund if the price of the non-refundable ticket drops - AirTran, Virgin America, Spirit and Frontier.  

Some airlines such as Alaska carry a price guarantee for any consumer who buys a ticket on its website and notices - within twenty-four hours, of course - on another website that a fare for the same flight is at least $5 cheaper.  At that point it is up to the ticket holder to call the airline and receive the difference refunded on a credit card and a $50 voucher for another flight.

You can save money when you travel by plane.  However, you'll need to bone up on the policy of each airline before you purchase a ticket. 

John

Email John:  johnsblog@teshmedia.com

Check out the new John Tesh Social Network. You can connect with new friends, post your own blog, visit various forums, upload your favorite John Tesh music and share your photos.  To learn more about how to join, click here.

Bikes Are the Most Popular Vehicle, But Are They the Safest?

Check this out:  According to Ecoworldly there are 1.4 billion bicycles in the world and about 400 million cars.  With more bikes than cars, I can safely say auto drivers need to show more respect to bicyclists.

If you take a good look around, people on bikes are at a disadvantage.  They have to weave through busy streets, deal with honking horns, a lack of bike paths and motorists who show them little regard.

However, cyclists still have most of the advantages over car drivers.  First, they don't need to think about the price of oil.  Bike riders also are engaged in an activity that is going to make them healthier besides a little sweatier.  Bicycling with even a light effort (10-12 miles per hour) can burn 400-500 calories an hour.   

Here are a few more pluses of using a bike rather than a car.  Cycling reduces air pollution. You may think if you are outside unprotected by windows, the bike rider may breathe in more pollution. Not so!  Ecoworldly has shown quite the opposite . . . that bicyclists breathe in less air pollution. 

So in the end, bikes contribute to clearer air and healthier lungs.  Here's one "pro" you can't pass up:  bicycling could save the average American 100s of thousands of dollars.  In light of rising fuel prices and the rising cost of vehicles, do the math.  You'll also bypass towing charges and parking tickets.

Some feel the bike rider is more visible than the car driver since the driver is tucked away behind a tinted windshield, visors and a huge steering wheel. The possibility of making eye-contact with an auto driver is a challenge. In contrast, the bike rider is sitting up high in the middle of his bike and is easier to notice by the driver of an automobile.

Also, on a bike your distractions are cut down.  You'll never see a biker shaving while riding, putting on lipstick, having coffee, holding a cell phone or telling the kids in the rear seat to behave.  Distractions are the most dangerous aspect of driving a car. There are more blind spots with a car, because with a bike you can position yourself for better visibility to see what's ahead of you and to be seen by auto drivers.

Now the flip side . . . everything is not all rosy when it comes to riding a bike.  According to KGO-TV in the California Bay Area, cyclists cause more accidents than cars.   On both sides of the argument, bikers complain that auto drivers don't share the road and drivers complain bicyclists ignore traffic laws and get in the way of faster moving vehicles.  According to the Calfornia Highway Patrol stats on car-bike collisions that result in injury or death cyclists are at fault 60% of the time. 

In response, cyclists complain that motorists in a 2000 pound vehicle should exercise a little more caution than someone on 15 pound bike.

Bikes are here to stay and cyclists are a growing community. So let me close with some final safety hints for bike riders:  Wear a helmet. However, because you are wearing a helmet is no excuse to disobey traffic laws and race though a red light where there's cross traffic. Get a headlight. If you ride at night, you should use a front headlight.  A helmet mounted light is the best location since when you look directly at a driver, they can see your light.

Honk. Get a horn and don't be afraid to use it if you have to. Slow down. Don't challenge cars especially if you cannot make eye contact with a driver. Slow down to a complete stop if you must. Stay out of a car's blind spot.  You can stop to the right of a car and the driver may never see you and make a right turn into you and your bike. 

John
Email John:  johnsblog@teshmedia.com

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