Mark Wolters – Page 28 – Wolters World

New England Food You Must Try!

Posted on May 12, 2020May 10, 2020 by Mark Wolters

Hey there, fellow foodie travelers! Today, we’re in New England, talking about food! There are so many cool things to do in New England, and all that sightseeing will definitely help you work up an appetite. There are so many great New England food spots that it would take ages to try them all. So we’re going to tell you the top five things to eat and drink in New England.

Lobster

Of course, when you think of New England, you probably think of lobster. It’s everywhere, and that’s because the chilly waters of the Atlantic Ocean are prime lobster habitat. Order a whole lobster and dip the meat in butter. Have a lobster roll, lobster bisque, lobster macaroni and cheese, and every derivation you can imagine. Lobster ice cream? You can find it in New England! (When you order lobster, don’t be ashamed to wear the bib…you will be glad you did!)

Oysters

Another New England seafood staple is oysters. You can get fresh, delicious oysters up and down the East Coast. They come in several variations and preparations, from salty to sweet. You typically order oysters by the dozen, and many restaurants will let you mix up the dozen and try several different preparations. If oyster shooters aren’t your favorite, you can also try fried oysters, oysters Rockefeller, or oyster stew.

Clams

Last on the New England seafood list is clams. Have steamed clams, fried clams, or clam chowder. They make clam-flavored potato chips. When you get fried clams, you have to choose between whole belly clams or clam strips. New England clam chowder is our kids’ favorite soup; it’s the white clam chowder, and it’s creamy and delicious!

Five Things You’ll Love & Hate About Boston

Regional Specialties

Now that we’ve covered seafood along the coast of New England, the next “must eat” food is actually several foods. Each area of New England has a regional specialty. Often, they are sweet treats, but these are a few of our favorite regional New England foods:

A fluffernutter is a sandwich made with peanut butter and marshmallow fluff. This New England staple is so delicious, and you can get them toasted to make everything extra ooey-gooey.
Boston baked beans are a Boston staple, obviously.
Boston Creme Pie is one of Mark’s favorites
Vermont is home to Ben & Jerry’s ice cream, where you can tour the factory and try some of the newest flavors.
Whoopie Pie is another of our favorite New England desserts you should try. Invented in Maine, it’s a little sandwich made of dense chocolate cake with marshmallow fluff or buttercream frosting in the middle.
In the summer, you’ll see a lot of blueberry treats, like blueberry muffins, blueberry pie, and blueberry sundaes.

What NOT to Do When You Visit New England

New England Drinks

You will need something to wash down all this great New England food! Jocelyn’s favorite is flavored seltzer water. At the grocery stores in New England, you’ll find as many varieties of seltzer water as soda. Mark prefers New England beer, and there is a lot to sample! Vermont and Connecticut have some of the best breweries in the USA. (Note: liquor laws vary by state, but you can’t always buy liquor at the grocery store. Sometimes, you have to visit a specific liquor store.)

Although they do speak English in New England, there are some New England food names that might leave you scratching your head. A “grinder” is actually just a sub sandwich and a “frappe” is a milkshake. A milkshake in New England is just flavored milk! Keep this in mind as you sample all the good New England cuisine and drinks! Looking for more tips on travel in the northeast United States? Check out some of these other blog posts!

North Carolina Food: What to Eat in the Tarheel State

Posted on May 11, 2020May 10, 2020 by Mark Wolters

Hey there, fellow foodie travelers! Today, we’re in North Carolina, talking about food! There are so many cool things to do in North Carolina, and all that sightseeing will definitely help you work up an appetite. There are so many great North Carolina food spots that it would take ages to try them all. So we’re going to tell you the top five things to eat and drink in North Carolina.

North Carolina Beer

The area around Asheville in the western part of North Carolina has some really great local brews. Asheville is a great little college town with a hippie vibe and it’s really fun to visit. The beer is just the icing on the cake! There are over 300 breweries and brewpubs in North Carolina, more than any other Southern state. Check out Asheville Brewing Company, Deep River Brewing Company, Foothills Brewing Company, and more!

If you prefer wine over beer, the Biltmore Estate in Asheville has vineyards and a winery where you can sample and purchase North Carolina wines. There are actually more than 400 vineyards in North Carolina!

food in north carolina — Grabbing some traditional North Carolina food in the OBX.

North Carolina Barbecue Sauce

I know I’ve probably said Memphis has the best barbeque and also Kansas City. But each region of the US has its own style of BBQ. The sauce is what sets it apart from other BBQ hot spots. North Carolina BBQ sauce has a vinegar base, so it’s more tangy and spicy without the sweet side of other barbecue styles. (Don’t forget a side of hush puppies and coleslaw to go with your BBQ!)

The most common North Carolina BBQ you’ll find is of the pork variety: pulled, sliced, shredded, or chopped. Of course, you can get ribs or brisket, but true “Carolina BBQ” is pork with a vinegar smoke.

Fresh Seafood

If you’re in the Outer Banks or anywhere along the coast, make sure you take advantage of the fresh seafood that’s available. Soft-shell crab and clams are two popular seafood types you’ll find all along the North Carolina coast.

The Don’ts of Visiting the Outer Banks, North Carolina

North Carolina Donuts

Some of the best donuts in the United States come from North Carolina. Krispy Kreme was founded in North Carolina before they went national, so they know their donuts here. You also have to try Duck Donuts. It’s like the “Chipotle” of donuts. You start with the base of a vanilla cake donut, and then go down the link, picking out your toppings. You start with a coating like powdered sugar or icing, then choose your toppings. You can even get bacon sprinkles on your donut! Finish it off with a drizzle of hot fudge, raspberry, marshmallow, or salted caramel, and you’re on your way to the best donut you’ve ever concocted! Duck Donuts started in the Outer Banks, but they’ve expanded so no matter where go you in North Carolina, you’ll find a Duck Donuts nearby.

Southern Fixin’s

It’s easy to forget that North Carolina really is part of the south, and that means Southern food. Boiled peanuts are a southern treat you can buy along the side of the road. Fried green tomatoes are another southern specialty we love to try. And you can’t visit the South without drinking sweet tea. Skip right by the unsweetened tea and try the sweet tea. It’s a southern staple and it goes with everything!

Five Things You Will Love & Hate About Visiting the South

North Carolina food is just one reason to visit this state. There are a ton of cool cities and areas to explore. From the Outer Banks to the Smoky Mountains, North Carolina is pretty amazing. Looking for more tips on travel in the southern United States? Check out some of these other blog posts!

Top Ten Spots in Arizona

Posted on May 10, 2020May 10, 2020 by Mark Wolters

Guest post by our friend & fellow traveler Leigh Wilson from Campfires & Concierges.

When AdventureKEEN publishers asked me to write a guide book about all the great spots in Arizona, I jumped at the chance. I had only lived there for about six months when the opportunity came my way, so this was the perfect opportunity to explore my new home state. I put over 25,000 miles on my car as I crisscrossed my way around Arizona. From iconic destinations like the Grand Canyon to off-the-beaten-path spots like the Hopi Mesas, there are so many cool places to visit in Arizona. It’s hard to narrow down my favorites, but these are ten places I recommend in Arizona. These are all included in my book, Arizona Day Trips by Theme, as well as many other amazing spots.

Watson Lake, Prescott

Prescott is probably my favorite town in Arizona and it’s a great weekend getaway from Phoenix, or a destination all its own. At an elevation of 5400’, Prescott has a much cooler climate than other parts of Arizona, and fragrant pine forests to boot. I love all of the lakes surrounding Prescott, especially Watson Lake. Surrounded by hoodoos or granite dells, it’s unlike anything else I’ve experienced in Arizona. There’s a hiking trail around the lake, a disc golf course, and kayak rentals so you can see the granite formations up close.

Find other great things to do in Prescott

Musical Instrument Museum, Phoenix

I didn’t have great expectations going to this museum. The name just doesn’t sound that exciting. But it’s way more than just musical instruments. It’s actually ranked as one of the top 15 museums in the country. In addition to over 7000 musical instruments from around the world, the museum has a ton of great exhibits on the history of music, featuring musical legends like Carlos Santana, the Beatles, Prince, and others. It reminds me a lot of the Experience Music Project in Seattle.

Heard Museum, Phoenix

Hands down the best place to learn about Native American history and culture is at the Heard Museum in downtown Phoenix. The Heard was recommended to me by several Native Americans, and the exhibits are truly moving. They have the largest collection of Kachina dolls in the US, many of which came from Senator Barry Goldwater’s private collection. The Boarding School Exhibition is so educational and heartbreaking; it’s truly eye-opening to see how our American history has been altered and white-washed.

The Heard Museum and the Musical Instrument Museum are two of my favorite museums in Phoenix!

Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park

In the northeast corner of Arizona lies Monument Valley. People of my generation probably recognize this area from the Forrest Gump movie, but it’s been featured in dozens of Western films since the 1930s. Iconic sandstone buttes, including the “Mittens”, make this a must-see spot along the Arizona-Utah border. This is Navajo land, so you must pay to enter. Tours and lodging are available, or you can drive your own vehicle on a loop through the park.

Jerome Ghost Town

Only 30 miles from Sedona lies the “ghost town” of Jerome. Once called the “Wickedest Town in the West,” Jerome is perched on a hillside overlooking the Cottonwood Valley. The streets and sidewalks are so steep, they seem to defy gravity. Today, the town is a bit of an artist’ haven, with bars, restaurants, ghost tours, and souvenir shops that make Jerome the perfect day trip from Sedona. You can also stop at nearby Tuzigoot National Monument to view some Native American pueblos.

Canyon de Chelly National Monument

When people ask me what is my favorite place in Arizona, I always say it’s Canyon de Chelly National Monument. It has everything that represents Arizona to me. A rich Native American history, cliff dwellings, and stunning scenery. The park is on Navajo land, and you can only enter the canyon with a Native guide. I highly recommend staying at the Thunderbird Lodge in the park and taking one of their guided tours (by Jeep or horseback) into the Canyon to visit cliff dwellings and farmland that is still occupied by Navajo today. You should also take the scenic drives around the rim of the Canyon, and don’t miss Spider-Woman, the dramatic sandstone spire.

Saguaro National Park

The first place I ever visited in Arizona was Saguaro National Park, so it always has a special place in my heart. With two units separated by the city of Tucson, you can’t beat the dramatic sunsets and towering saguaro cactus. Some of the best hikes around Tucson can be found in and around the National Park. Once the sun goes down, you’ll be amazed at the number of stars you can see, thanks to super dark skies of Southern Arizona.

Tonto National Monument

This is one of the more remote spots on this list, but I fell in love with the setting right away. Tucked into a canyon above Lake Roosevelt, there are two sets of cliff dwellings at Tonto National Monument. You can reach the lower cliff dwellings on a short but steep hike, but the upper dwellings are only open with a ranger-led tour in the winter months. It’s a unique spot to see cliff dwellings looking out over a lake that was just a valley when the dwellings were occupied. If you’re coming from Phoenix, you can take the unpaved Apache Trail through the Superstition Mountains to reach Lake Roosevelt and Tonto National Monument.

Arizona tourism — Some more gorgeous views of Arizona.

Verde Canyon Railroad

One of my favorite excursions in Northern Arizona is a day spent on the Verde Canyon Railroad. The journey starts in Clarkdale, an old copper mining town halfway between Prescott and Sedona. The train winds through the high desert until reaching the red sandstone area near Sedona before turning around. With open-air cars and first-class seating, this is a great scenic train ride through Northern Arizona. They have seasonal themes, as well. The stargazing and fall foliage rides sound incredible.

Learn More About the Verde Canyon Scenic Railroad

Arizona Sonoran Desert Museum

As a concierge in Tucson, this is the first place I sent anyone who was new to the area. It’s the perfect place to learn about the Sonoran desert, including the plants and animals that live here. It’s part botanical garden, part zoo, and part art museum. You can easily spend a full day exploring the gardens and galleries, and if you are looking for Arizona souvenirs, the gift shops here have a lovely selection of art, jewelry, and decor. Don’t miss the raptor free-flight demonstration, and if you’re traveling with small children, they will love the PackRat Playhouse!

For more tips on travel in the Southwest, check out these other Wolters World blog posts:

Leigh Wilson is a travel writer from Illinois, currently based in Salt Lake City, Utah. In addition to writing, she is a resort concierge and spends her free time exploring the great Southwest. You can find her travel blog at CampfiresAndConcierges.com

TSA Travel Tips: How to Go Through Airport Security

Posted on May 10, 2020May 10, 2020 by Mark Wolters

Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we’re dishing out travel tips on how to go through airport security quickly and easily. Going through airport security checkpoints is just one of those travel inconveniences that we all have to go through. If you’re a first-time flyer, there are some TSA tips you should know that will help your trip get off to a smooth start. Travel days are stressful, so we want to share our best tips for making them as stress-free as possible.

Have a Valid ID

The rules on travel documents are constantly changing. You need to make sure you have the proper identification before you leave for the airport. If you are flying domestically in the United States, you might only need your driver’s license. (Even this is changing as some state ID’s are not recognized by the Federal government or TSA. Check the Homeland Security website for the latest requirements.) If you are flying abroad, you need to make sure your passport is good for six months after your trip. You could be denied entry to your destination country if your passport is expiring soon.

Tips for Not Missing Your Flight

Don’t Forget Your Boarding Pass

These days, many of us use a digital boarding pass on our phone. Whether you carry a paper boarding pass or use your phone app, have it ready as you approach the TSA checkpoint. Don’t wait until you’re at the podium to try and find your boarding pass.

tsa precheck — Heading off to another security check.

Give Yourself Plenty of Time

Don’t try to cut it close and save time. Get to the airport with plenty of time to spare. General guidelines are two hours for domestic flights and three hours for international flights. If you are flying out of a small regional airport, you might be able to get by with one hour before your flight. The time of day and day of the week will affect TSA wait times as well. Some of the larger airports might even post this information on their websites so you can gauge your wait times.

The Five Most Common Airport Mistakes by Travelers

Know The TSA Rules Ahead of Time

It’s been 14 years since the 3 oz liquid rule was put into place, but there’s always someone who tries to put a full bottle of shampoo or a full bottle of water on the security belt. Know the rules ahead of time and things will go much smoother for you. (and those behind you!) Don’t buy a giant bottle of water or a cup of Starbucks coffee before you go through the TSA checkpoint. It doesn’t matter if you bought it at the airport; you will have to dump it.

Follow the 3-1-1 Rule:
- Liquids or gels must be in a 3 oz or 100 ml container
- All liquid & gel containers must fit in 1 1-quart size clear container

Some airports still want you to remove your clear container of liquids, so make sure it’s easily accessible. Keep it in an outside pocket or right on top of your carryon bag so you can easily pull it out and put it in a security bin.

You also need to remove any electronics that are larger than a cell phone and put them in their own bin. This includes laptops, tablets, and e-readers. Make sure these are easy to reach so you can toss them in a bin quickly.

Lastly, make sure you empty your pockets. Even loose change, a stick of gum, your keys. You can’t have anything in your pockets when you go through the scanner.

Do Not Argue with TSA

It won’t do you any good to play dumb or argue with the TSA agents. It certainly won’t make your life easier, and it could cause you to miss your flight if you cause a big ruckus. It won’t help you make any friends, either, if you hold up the security line to argue. Remember, they are not just trying to make your life difficult. Their job is to keep us all safe while flying.

Choose Your Clothes Wisely

When you are flying, you want to be comfortable, but you also want to be able to get through security quickly. If you are wearing multiple layers, you will likely be asked to remove your layers before the body scan. Jackets, vests, belts, and hats will also slow you down as you remove them. The biggest time-saver in this process is your choice of shoes. Most airports still have you remove your shoes to pass through security, so this is not the day to wear your lace-up high tops or shoes with ten different buckles. Wear something that’s easy to slip on and off. Since you’ll be following in thousands of footsteps barefoot, I highly recommend wearing socks!

Grab Some Wolters World Travel Gear!

Choose Your Carry-On With These Tips in Mind

With all of the documents you need, and the items that need to be scanned separately, having the right carry-on bag will make your life so much easier. If you have a giant tote with no compartments, you’ll slow things down by digging through to find everything. Something like a backpack with a laptop sleeve and several compartments will allow you to quickly sort out your items and quickly put everything back together at the other end of the scanner.

airport security with kids — Airport security will be different at each airport.

Passing through airport security is probably one of the worst parts of travel, but the rewards far outweigh the downsides. If you follow these TSA tips and give yourself plenty of time, you’ll find that it’s not really as bad as you think. Looking for more tips on family travel? Check out these other blog posts:

Taking the Train from Marrakech to Casablanca

Posted on May 10, 2020May 10, 2020 by Mark Wolters

Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we’re talking about what it’s like to take one of the Moroccan trains from Marrakech to Casablanca. We’re pretty used to taking trains to get around Europe and even Asia, but Northern Africa? We didn’t know what to expect! If you’re planning a trip to Morocco, keep reading to see what the trains in Morocco are like and whether it’s a good way to get from Marrakech to Casablanca.

How Long is the Train from Marrakech to Casablanca?

The train from Marrakech to Casablanca is scheduled to be 3 ½ hours, however it took us closer to four hours to make the journey. You can expect to pay between $8 and $15 for a ticket from Marrakech to Casablanca. Alternatively, a flight will take 45 minutes and cost between $100 and $200 per person. Buses are also available, and cost about the same as the train, and take slightly longer to make the 250-kilometer journey.

What to Eat in Morocco

How Do You Buy Tickets for the Train in Morocco?

We booked our Morocco train tickets ahead of time online. We then went to the ticket office at the train station a few days before our journey to collect our tickets. You can also ask someone from your hotel or riad to pick up the tickets for you, in exchange for a small tip.

When you select your tickets, you can choose between First Class or Second Class. The price difference is pretty small, so we think it’s worth it to pay extra for First Class. You’ll have extra space and will be much more comfortable.

What’s the Train Station Like in Marrakech?

There are two ticket offices where you can get your train tickets. They speak French, Arabic, and English, so we had no trouble communicating with the ticket sellers. The boards showing track numbers and departures times will flash from Arabic to French, so don’t worry if you first see it in Arabic and you can’t read it. Your ticket will have the train number, which is always shown on the departures board, so you can easily figure out which track to go to. (Voiture is the car # you are assigned to!)

It’s a pretty typical train station with souvenir shops and fast food choices so you can grab something to eat before boarding.

the train from marrakech to casablanca — Some sights you will see on your journey.

What Should I Know About Boarding a Train in Marrakech?

When you exit the main terminal, you’ll find several lanes of train tracks outdoors. Make sure to get your ticket punched on your way to your train. Once you find your track number, verify the destination listed on the board. In our case, we were on a Marrakech to Fes train, but Casablanca is an intermediate stop along the way. So, it helps to know the final destination of your train so you don’t freak out at the last minute and think you are on the wrong train!

What is the First Class Car Like?

The First Class train cars have several compartments with six seats each. You may share the compartment with others, so be sure to check the seat number that is on your train ticket. We found the conductors to be friendly, and there’s even a snack trolley that came by frequently. There is space above the seats to store your luggage. Try to pack light as you’ll be hoisting your bags up overhead when boarding and leaving the train.

The First Class car has a bathroom with a flush toilet and a small sink and mirror. It was even stocked with toilet paper, although it did run out towards the end of the journey. Always have your own toilet paper! Also, the toilets “flush” right out onto the train tracks, so they don’t want you to use the restrooms when the train is stopped at a station, lest the station gets pretty gross pretty quickly.

What NOT to Do in Morocco

Which Casablanca Train Station Do I Choose?

There are two stops in Casablanca. The first Casablanca train station is Casablanca Oasis, and it’s further out of the city. Unless you have a specific reason to get out there, you should exit at Casablanca Voyageurs, which is the main Casablanca train station. There are plenty of taxis outside that can take you to your Casablanca accommodation.

Grab Some Wolters World Travel Gear!

We found the train from Marrakech to Casablanca to be very comfortable and convenient, despite arriving in Casablanca about 40 minutes behind schedule. If you’d like more family travel tips, check out some of our other blog posts:

The Best Advice for Traveling with Kids

Posted on April 28, 2020April 26, 2020 by Mark Wolters

Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we’re addressing some of the most frequent questions we get from our blog readers and YouTube viewers. We get a ton of questions about international travel with kids and navigating the challenges of family travel. So, today we’re talking about the best destinations for travel with family and we’re providing tips for making your family travel more enjoyable.

What Are the Best Places to Travel With Kids?

Kids love adventure. Our kids’ favorite trips are the ones that involve outdoor adventure. So, this is something we look for when planning our family trips. Sure, beach vacations or the hotel pool are great, but these are some of the outdoor adventures my kids love have included:

Snorkeling in the Caribbean
Hiking in Iceland
Ziplining in Costa Rica
Cycling around the Grand Canyon

Incorporating a physical activity is a great way to get your kids to learn about the area you are visiting. It also wears them out and can help them keep a good sleep schedule on vacation.

What Are Some Other Options for Family Trips?

If your family doesn’t love the outdoors or are not as adventurous just yet, there are still plenty of cool travel experiences to have as a family. Here are a few examples of cultural experiences:

Cooking class in Morocco
Painting class in Paris
Language learning classes

Taking classes may take a bit more planning, but we’ve had so many rich cultural experiences while traveling. Giving up a bit of flexibility is totally worth it to have these experiences.

How Can We Make Museums More Fun?

Of course, you’re probably going to want to visit some museums during your travels. These aren’t always your kids’ most favorite spots, but we have some tips for making it more fun.

Don’t Overdo Museums – I would recommend a maximum of two museums in one day. We usually just stick to one and then balance the day with some fun activities outdoors.
Look for children’s programming on the museum website. You’ll have to do this ahead of time, but you can often find really fun programs tailored for kids.
If the museum doesn’t have children’s programs, make your own! Creating a scavenger hunt list is a great way to get your kids involved in a museum visit. As a bonus, you can include all the museum sights you want to see in the scavenger hunt so you don’t miss out on anything!

advice traveling with children — Ecuador was awesome with the boys

What Can We Do Before the Trip To Get the Kids Excited?

It helps to build excitement before a trip and get the whole family involved in the planning process. We love to plan a family movie night and watch movies about the places we are going to visit. We showed Caleb a Bugs Bunny video at the Colosseum before going to Rome, and he was so excited to see it in person.

Lonely Planet has a couple of series of books for kids. One is called “City Trails” and another one is “Not for Parents.” They’re available for many different regions of the world, and it puts all of the sights into a kids’ perspective. Reading these books before a trip is a great way to get your kids pumped up for a trip. The books are pretty lightweight, so you won’t mind bringing it along on the trip They even have fun activities, like scavenger hunts specific to a city that you’re visiting. It also is a great way to get them involved in planning your travel itinerary.

Having your kids help craft your travel itinerary is a great way to drum up interest and excitement. Older kids can even research a destination and find things that they think are interesting. Doing the activities that your kids choose for vacation not only encourages them to travel, but it teaches them how to research and plan. As they get older, they can be even more involved in the planning and even the budgeting for travel.

Eight Rules for Picking a Guidebook

Don’t Forget About Playtime!

Incorporating playtime is crucial for having a successful family vacation. Make sure you balance the activities so that everyone is happy. Before going into a museum, let the kids run around a nearby park for a bit to burn off some energy. Playtime is a great incentive for good behavior as well. If they are good for two hours in a museum, reward them with more playtime outside, not another museum visit.

What Are Some Family-Friendly Destinations?

We’ve found Southern Europe to be the most family-friendly of all the places we go with our kids. Portugal, Italy, Spain, and Greece seem to have an endless supply of “abuelitas” ready to step in and help out. We’ve been invited to dine with other families, we’ve had people offer to show our kids around, or give them treats. For the kids, they’re getting a much better perspective of local culture by interacting with locals.

Iceland is another great destination for families with children. As Anne of Green Gables would say “it leaves a lot of scope for the imagination.” The landscape changes around every corner, and there’s always something fun to do. Our kids loved counting waterfalls as we drove around Iceland. The locals were also very friendly and open to our kids.

Our kids really loved Costa Rica, Belize, and Ecuador. Each of these destinations has a focus on eco-tourism and outdoor adventure. In addition to burning a lot of energy, our kids are learning about ecology. It’s important for us that travel is educational and fun, and being in a place like this is as good as any science class. In Costa Rica, we went to hot springs, rode a zipline, and took a cooking class. Ecuador contains all of the Earth’s biomes in one small country, so there’s a lot to learn about the earth through experience.

How to travel as a family — 50 Countries as a family and counting.

What About a Family Road Trip?

We’ve taken several great road trips as a family. Ireland and Scotland are wonderful destinations for a family road trip. Not only are the locals lovely and welcoming of children, but there are a lot of outdoor activities for the whole family. With a road trip, you’re freer to explore at your leisure and pull off the road when you see something interesting. Without the rigid schedule of a group tour or train schedule, you can build a lot of flexibility into your trip.

Top Ten Road Trip Essentials

I hope this helps you feel more confident about planning a family trip and gives you some ideas on where to go and what to do. International travel with kids can seem overwhelming if you’ve never done it, but we’ve had so many unique family vacations. Not only are you teaching your kids how to be good travelers and global citizens, but you’ll create an incredible family bond through travel experiences. For more tips on family travel, check out some of our other blog posts:

Seven Ways to Improve Your Airbnb Rating

Posted on April 27, 2020April 26, 2020 by Mark Wolters

Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we’re talking about apartment rentals, specifically with Airbnb. You use Airbnb host reviews to settle on a vacation rental, but did you know the hosts also write Airbnb reviews of guests? If you have poor Airbnb guest reviews, it can affect the apartments you are approved to rent. If you travel with kids, you definitely want to have access to good apartments with extra room for the family. We want to give you seven tips for improving your Airbnb rating on your next stay.

#1: Communicate With the Owner

When you’re booking through Airbnb, realize it’s not a huge hotel chain on the other end. It’s usually someone letting you stay in their home. They want to know a bit about the people coming into their house. Make sure you are clearly communicating your schedule to them so they know when to expect you.

A bonus benefit of communicating with the apartment owner is that they are usually locals, and can easily give you advice on what to see and where to eat. They’re usually more than happy to provide directions from the nearest train station or bus stop. We’ve even had some Airbnb owners offer to pick us up at the airport!

If you find something is broken or isn’t working, shoot the host a note letting them know. Don’t put it in your review or rating without first giving them a head’s up so they can fix it for the next guests.

Five Things You’ll Love & Hate About European Apartment Rentals

#2: Be Presentable and Personable at the Key Pickup

Yes, you’re going to be exhausted, especially if you’ve just landed on a redeye across the Atlantic. You don’t need to be dressed in black tie to meet your Airbnb hosts, but try to look presentable. Think about if you were handing over your housekeys to total strangers; would you be nervous the whole time? Of course, being polite and personable will go a long way. Remember, you’re putting them at ease about having you in their home. When it comes time to review you after your stay, this first impression will go a long way towards helping you get a good rating.

#3: Don’t Upset the Neighbors

One of the best ways to bomb your Airbnb rating is to annoy the neighbors. Many neighbors may already be annoyed to have Airbnb guests in the building to begin with, so if you are noisy and keep them up late at night or inconvenience them in any way, they are more likely to call the Airbnb host. Or worse, they may even call the police. If you want to party during your stay, go out for a night on the town. Remember, you’re not in a hotel where everyone is on vacation. These people likely have to get up early and go to work. Likewise, if you have kids with you, be mindful of noise early in the morning.

airbnb ratings — Treat the rental like it is your house & the owners will notice.

#4: Leave the Apartment Better Than You Left It

Yes, cleaning on vacation doesn’t sound like much fun. But this is the tradeoff of not staying in a hotel. You won’t have daily housekeeping service, so it’s best to tidy up after yourselves throughout the stay. The condition you leave the apartment in is the last impression you have to make on your Airbnb host. If they come home to a big mess, that will be reflected in your rating. If you take a few minutes to wash the dishes, take out the garbage, and tidy up, they will be super appreciative.

#5: Strip the Beds

Whether the owner is cleaning up, or if they’ve hired a service, stripping the beds is a HUGE help. It takes just a few seconds, but it shows that you took the initiative to help them get ready for their next guests.

#6: Leave a Nice Note

Many Airbnb hosts have a guest book that you can sign. If you see an Airbnb guest book, leave a nice note in it, adding something you loved about your stay. Tell them what you liked and maybe a few things you did nearby. Other guests can read this and get tips on where to eat or what to see. This also helps the hosts make recommendations for future guests.

Also, make sure you review the property you stay at. It won’t affect your Airbnb rating, as it’s a double-blind system, but it’s super helpful to both the host and future guests.

#7: Follow the Rules

This sounds so simple, but you’d be surprised at how many people have trouble following the rules. Your Airbnb listing will provide a list of rules, or they may be printed out and left in the home. Take a few minutes to read them. Make sure you park in the right spot or put the trash out on the correct day. We’ve had several hosts thank us for simply following the rules, which tells us that a lot of guests don’t do this.

How to Cut Costs While You Travel

how to improve your airbnb rating — Your rating on airbnb will influence who will let you stay.

Apartment rentals are a great way to save money when traveling, but it also gives you a more “local” experience. These tips apply to Airbnb, VRBO, HomeAway, Couchsurfing, or any home-sharing website. Remember: just treat the home as you would as if you were an invited guest. Having a strong Airbnb rating means you will have a better chance of scoring the perfect vacation rental. For more tips on family travel, check out some of our other blog posts:

Five Key Tips for Choosing Airbnb Apartments and Homes

Posted on April 26, 2020April 26, 2020 by Mark Wolters

Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we’re answering some reader questions about our travels. While there are pros and cons of Airbnb, we prefer apartment rentals, as they allow us more flexibility when traveling with the kids. A lot of our readers ask us how we choose our Airbnb apartments, so today we’re sharing some tips for choosing a good vacation rental.

#1: Set a Budget

The first thing you have to do when looking at vacation rentals is to determine your budget. It’s really important to be realistic about prices in each city you are visiting. For example, on a recent trip, we stayed in Wales for a bit before moving on to London. We got a two-bedroom house in Wales for less than a one-bedroom apartment in London.

How to Save Real Money While Traveling

#2 Location

Your location preferences will vary for each trip. Your budget will also impact your choices of location. The nearer you want to be to the city center, the more you will need to spend. However, if you’re in a city with good public transportation, carefully choosing your location may mean you don’t need to spend money on a rental car. In Paris, we have a great apartment that we rent. It’s not in a popular tourist area, so we get a great price for a two-bedroom apartment. For the same price close to the center, we’d only get an efficiency apartment. Because the Metro in Paris is so easy to use, it’s not an inconvenience to stay a bit farther out.

Five Things You’ll Love & Hate About European Apartment Rentals

If you’re not visiting a city, but doing a road-trip vacation instead, then location is less important as you’ll already have a car. Wales, Ireland, and Scotland are all great destinations for a family road trip, and it’s easy to find cozy cottages scattered around the countryside. If you are near a larger city, you may need to ensure you have a parking space available for your rental car. If you have to pay for parking, make sure you take this into account when comparing vacation rentals.

airbnb kitchens — Sometimes the kitchen is in the closet.

#3 Amenities

After setting a budget and choosing a location, your next priority should be the amenities that come with the rental. Make sure you read the fine print; if the price seems too good to be true, it probably is. Some sites like Airbnb let you rent a single room in a home with others. That may or may not work for you. As a traveling family of four, we prefer to have our own space. We prefer a rental with a kitchen so we can prepare meals at home rather than eating out three meals per day. We typically have breakfast at home, eat lunch on the go, and then make a nice dinner at home to end our day. We like to find rentals that include a washer and dryer so we can do laundry. This means we can pack lighter and recycle our clothes throughout a trip.

#4 Airbnb Rating & Guest Reviews

Of course, you want to read the Airbnb host reviews, but you also have to read between the lines a bit. Good Airbnb reviews don’t always translate to a good fit for us. We’ve had some interesting experiences with Airbnb apartment. One place had several reviews mentioning “attentive hosts” but we found that meant they liked to peer through the windows at us. I look for specific keywords, like “clean, good communication, good for families or children.” I also may give more weight to reviews from families who stayed on the property with children. I look for reviews mentioning noise levels. If accessibility is important to you, then you may even want to reach out to the host ahead of time to make sure the rental is right for you.

Along with the Airbnb guest reviews, make sure you look through the photos. Don’t just look at the photos posted by the host, but check out the photos posted by other guests. If there are any issues with cleanliness or broken items, you’ll find them in the pictures.

#5 Go With Your Gut

Sometimes, you just have to go with your gut. After traveling for a long time with our kids, I usually have a pretty good gut feeling about choosing our Airbnb rentals. The more you do it, the more you learn, and the better you get. We’ve certainly had some challenges, but the rewards outweigh the risks for us as we’re much more comfortable in a home or a flat than we are in a hotel room.

airbnb vacations — Apartment rentals are vital when traveling with kids.

Airbnb apartments are a great way to save money when traveling, but it also gives you a more “local” experience. These tips apply to Airbnb, VRBO, HomeAway, Couchsurfing, or any home-sharing website. Communication is key! For more tips on family travel, check out some of our other blog posts:

BADM 320 Principles of Marketing Exam 3 Turbo Study Guide

Posted on April 26, 2020April 26, 2020 by Mark Wolters

Hey there students, here is the turbo study guide for Exam 3. These videos should prepare you well for the main topics covered in the third exam. Remember, the third exams covers topics 11-15. That is New Product Development, Service Marketing, Pricing Models, Supply Chain Management, and Advertising. I hope this study guide helps!

Topic 11: New Product Developmet

Why do firms create new products

RWW Screening Model

Acceptance of New Products

Competitive Positioning

First Mover Advantages

Product Life Cycle

Topic 12: Service Marketing

Products vs Services

GAPS Model

How to improve service recovery

Topic 13: Pricing Models

5 Cs of Pricing

Pricing Tactics

Pricing Strategies

Ethical Issues with Pricing

Topic 13: Supply Chain Management

What is Supply Chain Management?

Data Warehousing vs Data Mining

What do distribution centers do?

Value Chain Analysis

How to strengthen Supply chains

Supply Chain Conflict

Topic 15: Advertising

What is Advertising?

Advertising Scheduling

Pull vs Push Advertising

Types of Advertising

Goals of Integrated Marketing Communication

Good luck on the exam!

Visit Haarlem: What to Know Before You Go

Posted on April 23, 2020April 22, 2020 by Mark Wolters

Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we’re traveling to Haarlem, the Netherlands. Only 15 minutes by train, this is one of the best day trips from Amsterdam. It’s a lot more affordable, so it’s a great place to stay near Amsterdam, too! Before you visit Haarlem, there are a few things you should know. These Haarlem travel tips will help you start planning and help you have a more enjoyable visit!

Haarlem Museums

There are two museums in Haarlem that you really should visit. The Frans Hals Museum is dedicated to Frans Hals, a Dutch painter. The museum has a wonderful collection of his artwork, along with other Dutch masters. The Teylers Museum is the oldest museum in the Netherlands. This collection includes art, natural history, and science. The building itself is worth the visit.

What NOT to Do in the Netherlands

Other Things to Do in Haarlem

There are a few churches in Haarlem worth visiting. The St. Bavo Church is located on the Grote Markt and is the main cathedral for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Haarlem-Amsterdam. It also contains an organ that was played by Mozart. The Grote Markt is the central hub of Haarlem, so you’ll definitely spend some time wandering around this area. The City Museum and the Archaeology Museum are also interesting.

It’s also fun to take a canal tour of Haarlem. You’ll get a bit of history of the area, and it’s a nice way to get your bearings when you first get to town. There are also plenty of bike rentals, which is a fun way to see the city. You can ride down to the beach in about 20 minutes.

The Corrie Ten Boom House is now a museum where you can learn about the Holocaust. The Ten Boom family was hiding Jews here for safety during WWII and they were caught.

Haarlem netherlands information — Some fun around Haarlem

Netherlands Tulip Fields

If you visit the Netherlands in the spring, you will definitely want to see the Netherlands tulip fields. The most famous of the tulip fields in the Netherlands is Keukenhof, which is only 20 kilometers from Haarlem. It’s really easy to catch a bus from Haarlem to Lisse, where the Keukenhof Gardens are located. Of course, there are other Netherlands tulip fields to explore, as Haarlem sits amidst many flower fields. The best thing to do is to rent a bike and explore the tulip fields at your leisure.

Walking Around Haarlem

One of my favorite things to do in Haarlem is to walk around and soak in the atmosphere. You have the beauty and culture of Amsterdam without the crowds of drunk or high tourists. Haarlem sees far fewer tourists, so you really feel like you can blend in and have a true Dutch experience. You’re also not paying inflated tourist prices like you would in Amsterdam.

Getting from Haarlem to Amsterdam

You can travel from Haarlem to Amsterdam for as little as eight Euros round-trip. If you decide to stay in Haarlem, you’ll save much more than 8 Euros per night on your accommodation. It’s just 15 minutes from Amsterdam Central Station. Grab a train to Den Hague, and Haarlem is one of the stops along the way. From Haarlem to Amsterdam, there are plenty of trains to choose from. The Haarlem train station is pretty cool, too.

Six Rules for European Train Travel

Haarlem tourist attractions — We got to have a nice date day in Haarlem while the grandparents watched the kids.

We actually prefer to stay in Haarlem and take Amsterdam day trips by train or taxi. It’s a much more relaxing atmosphere and experience. I hope these facts about Haarlem encourage you to plan your own trip! If you want more tips on traveling in Europe, check out some of our other blog posts: