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Jun 30, 2016

Top Travel Tech Gadgets Posts This Month - June

Top Travel Tech Gadgets Posts This Month - June

How To Travel Light With Your Family To the Beach
It's Summer Time which means lugging a million things to the beach or pool, right? WRONG.
Here's my quick guide on how to travel (relatively) light..

13 Tips For Safe Summer Road Trips With Kids
90% of Memorial Day travelers are planning to go by car according to AAA.

5 Most Ridiculous Travel Gadgets For Men
Skin is skin, and needs to be protected from harmful rays of the sun. SPF 30 or above would work the same for men and women.

Rio Summer Olympics 2016: What Travelers Need to Know & Pack
To make sure you have a great trip without a lot of mosquito bites, pack these travel accessories...

Road Trips With Kids - What To Take Along
Below is a quick survival kit that you can stash in the car or bring with you...




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Jun 27, 2016

Road Trips With Kids - What To Take Along


Road Trips With Kids - What To Take Along

Last weekend, we took a road trip to NJ to pick strawberries. On the way, my daughter got sick all over the car seat. It was all over my arm, herself, the doll - you get the picture. It was not pretty. It made me seriously re-consider what we stash in the car.


Also, now that she’s getting older, she needs something entertaining. (Before she would just zonk out and it was glorious!)

Below is a quick survival kit that you can stash in the car or bring with you:

On the Go Potty - Below are our picks:
Kalenco Potty
Cool Gear Travel Potty
Boy portable Potty 
Folding Seat Cushion
While you are at it, get some toilet covers for older kids and yourself

Disposable wee wee pads - when my little one got sick, these came in handy! The car seat was wet so we padded with this sheet and threw one over her (new) clothes just in case of another accident. They are also great for potty training! These are a good value on amazon: http://amzn.to/1UXio5H Don't worry that they say Pet or have a picture of a dog, they work great for kids too at the price :)

Hand Wipes - I really wish I stashed more! We needed a ton. I use these: Babyganics Alcohol-Free Hand Sanitizing Wipes

Baby Wipes - You never know what kind of situation may arise but you bet your baby’s bottom you’ll need at least a pack

Change of clothes - Refresh every 1-2 months dependent on child’s age to ensure it will fit. Basic items like leggings, bodysuits or t-shirts, underwear, socks and a change of shoes are a must

Tablet holders - Cars with entertainment packages built-in are overrated and expensive. Make your own unit by getting a tablet holder like this: http://amzn.to/1UXi0nR

Charger - Our car has your standard cigarette lighter so we bought a converter for a USB and can use our regular chargers in the car: Satechi® Smart Converter USB Port Cigarette Adapter


Related articles:
Family Trip to DR - What To Pack
Aruba Vacation - Kids Gadgets and Accessories
Aruba - First Family Trip South - Summer Continued
How To Travel Light With Your Family To the Beach
More below..

Toys and Games - Below are a few of ideas for each age group

2 and under:
Brica Mirror
Pull vibrate toys
Toy Arch
Baby Einstein Musical Toy
Electronic Books

2 and over:
Tin Magnet Puzzles
Melissa and Doug Stickers 
Fisher Price Doodle (LARGE)
Fisher Price Doodle (SMALL)
On the Go Color blast - LOVE this
Portable art studio

Trays and containers - a tray and a few spill proof containers will reduce the mess you’ll need to clean up, plus it gives them space to draw, color and play. Win Win!
This tray has it all: http://amzn.to/2606uDr

Spill proof containers are perfect for little hands: http://amzn.to/265BcHP


Car protection gear
We outfitted our leased car with several of these items to protect the vehicle:
Kick Mats: http://amzn.to/2605lvP
Sun Visor: http://amzn.to/1Ub8FJw
Seat protector (works well for rear facing kickers too!): http://amzn.to/1tynjEo
Car Seat Sun Protector (we didn’t want her to touch hot buckles): http://amzn.to/1XYnENu

Emergency Medical Kit
When we travel, I bring any necessary meds with us and do NOT leave it in the car. If you have to, put them in a cooler (extreme hot or cold temps can mess with the meds). You should keep a basic First Aid Kit in the car all the time. It is great to have in case of a scraped knee or cut. This one is perfect for any medical emergency: First Aid Kit 115 Piece for Car

And of course, let’s not forget, snacks and drinks! Bring at least 2 bottles per person of water and a variety of snacks in ZipLocks or individual portions. Granola bars, nuts, goldfish, puffs, cheerios, crackers and other dried snacks are always perfect on the go. Grab some peeled and cut bananas, apples, and other fruit as well in a cooler!

Enjoy the trip and let us know where you went!



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Jun 23, 2016

Travel Gadget Video of the Week - Best Traveling Apps And Gadgets For Summer Road Trips

Best traveling apps and gadgets for summer road trips


In this video, the newest SUV from Volvo XC90. It comes with the app that can start the car, lock it, tell you what is the fuel range and more. This is not the only car coming out this year with these features. Several other automakers are now releasing apps with the new models. Making it more convenient to keep track of your vehicle.
One of the cool features in the car, which was barely mentioned but used, is the electrical plug, 12-volt adapter, in back where the Ride-Fi was plugged in. This would give you an auxiliary charging port for the rear passengers.

Polar Bear Coolers - keep things cold inside for up to 3 days


Ride-Fi - creates a Wi-Fi hot spot within your car. Up to 8 devices can use the service simultaneously.






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Jun 20, 2016

The Future Of Human-Independent Travel Is Almost Here

Autonomous Cars, Trucks and Buses


Not too long ago in a few sci-fi movies, the characters were shown jumping into a vehicle that pulled up next to them sense a driver. They also did not have to get behind the wheel, but could sit back after telling the car their destination. The reality of such commute is very close. Tesla's auto pilot goes beyond just cruise control by taking over the car and not only controlling speed but also distance to the nearest vehicle and has the ability to slowdown, stop, or even switch lanes as necessary. Hence, why the guy above was able to fall asleep while in the driver's seat. Since the technology is very new and, while working well, is not fool-proof yet it is not recommended to leave it unattended 100%.

Volvo S60 - Autonomous driving:

Famous autonomous vehicles:
Kitt (Knight Rider)
Audi Concept (I, Robot)
Minority Report car
The Batmobile
The Fifth Element flying car

Someone made the Lexus 2054 from Minority Report


The Most Ultimate Driving Machine (That You’ll Never Drive) via WIRED



Rolls-Royce Concept Car

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Jun 16, 2016

5 Most Ridiculous Travel Gadgets For Men

5 Most Ridiculous Travel Gadgets That Are For Men


Dude Stick “Chapstick For Men”
www.dude-stick.com
It does look inconspicuous with grey letters on all black packaging. And looks cool enough that I would consider it, though the price of $15 is too steep for a lip balm. Considering that a Blistex medicated lip balm has a great green color and works great to protect and heal your lips.

Sunscreen for Men
Skin is skin, and needs to be protected from harmful rays of the sun. SPF 30 or above would work the same for men and women. I know I have shared the same sunscreen on many vacations with my wife and we both either get burned or tan slightly. Though in my wife's case she will be brown in a few hours, and I will be the one slathering after sun lotion and aloe to sooth the burn.

Dude wipes
Carrying around wipes is not manly. I like feeling clean just as much as the next guy. But at the same time I will not be carrying around wipes. Maybe a few tissues. Nowadays I just grab some from the kid wipes that we always have with us. These do come in nice black package to make it more manly when you take them out, but you are still taking out a wet nap.

BBQ Toolbox
thefowndry.com/products/bbq-toolbox
A grill on the go. The grill is built right into the regular looking red toolbox. It unfolds to reveal the grilling surface powered by charcoal. On the sides are useful food prep and cooking stations.

Wenger Swiss Army Knife
When traveling, you want to be prepared for just about anything. You would like to have some tools on hand just in case. This gadget takes it much much further by giving you every tool you can think of within one package. The gadget performs 141 functions in total. More then necessary for most trips and outdoor activities. It is most certainly not carry-on friendly.






Save on Wearable Technology + FREE shipping on all orders $35+!

Get 15% OFF NOCO Genius Multipurpose Chargers. Perfect For All Vehicles. Shop Now.

Get huge discount on Family Travel Deals! Book now and get extra $15 off with Coupon Code – TLFMT15.

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Jun 13, 2016

Rio Summer Olympics 2016: What Travelers Need to Know & Pack

Rio Summer Olympics 2016:
What Travelers Need to Know & Pack



Rio Olympic Games 2016 begins on Friday, August 5 and run through Sunday, August 21

Precautions
By this time a lot of folks looking to travel to South America are aware that there is the Zika virus outbreak. In just over two months, Brazil recorded 91,387+ probable cases, as well as a rise of chikungunya and dengue, diseases transmitted by the same mosquito. To make sure you have a great trip without a lot of mosquito bites, pack these travel accessories:

Mosquito Repellent Shirts and Bandanna

Repellent Sprays and Fans

Repellent Bracelets

Getting in there
Currently, a valid passport and tourist visa are required to travel to Brazil. However, it looks like visa requirements may be waived for travel during the Olympics. This is great for travelers during the time period since that would save both time and money.

Good to know:
You must obtain your Brazilian visa in advance from the Brazilian Embassy or consulate nearest to your place of residence in the United States. Visas cannot be obtained at the airport, and immigration authorities will refuse entry into Brazil to anyone not possessing a valid visa.

What Gadgets To Bring:

Smartphone
It is likely to be one of the first things that will be on the list to take along. It is an essential travel planning tool. Though the smartphone is also the communication device, and I am not even talking about making calls. Social media, and sites such as Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook, have become the top news sources around big events. The Olympics of 2016 will be even more so with people from around the world posting messages and pictures from all of the competitions.

Camera
Brazil is known for its colorful scenery, outfits, and people. You would want to capture all of the scenery of the country as well as the Olympic events.

Top Recommendations for Travel & Outdoor Photography

Binoculars
Everyone wants to be close to the action. Though finding tickets that are in the front is either too difficult or too expensive. And some events occur in a large stadium where no matter where you sit you might not see all of the action up close. And a pair of light compact binoculars will come in handy in those cases.

Electrical Adapter
The type N socket and plug are the official standards in Brazil, see image below. In parts of Brazil, an electrical outlet allows for plugs with two round pins, as well as American-style plugs that have two flat prongs. However, that is not common

type n electrical sockettravel adapter

US Travel Adapters

UK Travel Adaptors

Get Ready For Winter (in Brazil)
August is the middle of winter in the southern hemisphere. It happens to be one of the most comfortable months to visit. Rainfall is low, temperatures remain high. The average temperature is 19°C (66°F) at night and up to 26°C (79°F) in the afternoon. Swimming is possible all-year-round in Rio, with a water temperature around 22°C (72°F).


VPN Connection
If you live in the United States, the only way to watch the Olympics is to see it on television. Although NBC has streaming available, only customers with a cable subscription can use the service, which includes the same tape delay as the regular broadcast. The BBC is also streaming the Olympics, and they’re doing it live. The catch is that the stream is region-locked. To bypass the restriction you can use a VPN service, such as the Private Internet Access, to create a proxy that will let you stream the games.

Accessories to take along
Sunscreen - SPF 30 or higher!. Apply it before you leave the room and frequently at the beach. Rio is on the Tropic of Capricorn and the sun is blistering hot. Don't ruin your vacation by baking red as a lobster.

Filter Water Bottle
It's best not to drink the tap water while on your Rio de Janeiro vacation but instead opt for bottled or filtered water. Tap water is fine for bathing, cooking, and washing dishes. Though problems have been known to occur with Rio's water treatment system.

LifeStraw Go Water Bottle with Integrated 1000-Liter LifeStraw Filter

Related Content:
Apple Maps Gets Public Transit Directions For Rio de Janeiro Ahead Of Olympics


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Jun 6, 2016

13 Tips For Safe Summer Road Trips With Kids

Family Travel Safety Tips and Gadgets

2016 is shaping up to be the summer of the road trip
Cheap fuel prices, and with summertime gas prices predicted to be the lowest in 13 years, families have more spare change to spend on their trip. 90% of Memorial Day travelers are planning to go by car according to AAA.

Image: Newsroom.AAA.com

Safety

• Traveling during the warm weather months, give yourself an extra five to ten minutes to get the car cool before putting the kids inside. It can be miserable and also dangerous in a hot vehicle. Plus this will get you off on a better start to your trip.

Make sure the kids have all the snacks and drinks they need

Kids Play Tray for Snacks Great for Car Bus Train and Plane Journeys

Cozy Greens® Backseat Car Organizer - Must Have For Traveling With Kids

High Road Kids Food 'n Fun Car Seat Organizer with Cooler and Snack Tray

Make sure that you have the directions to your destination set up on your GPS

Google Maps App (iTunes/Google Play)

How To: Use Google Maps Offline When Traveling

Waze - GPS, Maps & Traffic (Google Play/iTunes)

Garmin nĂ¼vi GPS

Place your sunglasses and glasses by you/driver

Driver’s See Through Sun Visor that blocks glare from the sun and oncoming traffic could be a good idea in addition to glasses.


Take out (if not already) electronic toll collection device, such E-Z Pass, and mount onto the windshield

Phone charger is plugged in and ready to charge phone that is put away into a cupholder

Or if you are using it as GPS or handsfree calling, make sure that the phone mount is securely in place
We have used on many road trips and love the iOttie Easy One Touch Car Mount

Answering the phone on the road is not a safe option. Best, if you do have to, is to use Bluetooth for hands-free system

Related articles:
Family Trip to DR - What To Pack
Aruba Vacation - Kids Gadgets and Accessories
How to Get Your Phone and Tablet Travel Ready
Summer Family Trip to Norwalk CT
more tips for summer road trip below

Entertainment

Keep the backseat passengers busy and enjoying the ride

Travel-Themed kids packs that include 20-page activity booklet, fun souvenirs to review, flashlight adventures, trading cards, stickers and luggage tags. These will keep them busy for awhile.

Play movies and shows

Best way to watch movies in the car is with a mount that would hold the iPad or other tablet in place, hands-free, and away from kids' faces. Giving them a better view and also some distance from the screen.

Listen to music

iPod Nano these days is under $100 and has 16GB of storage which can hold around up to 30 hours of music. More than enough for most road trips.

Share the sound

Better yet, the backseat passengers can share the music, as long as they agree on the genre, for duration of the ride without needing an extra MP3 player. A headphone jack splitter will allow multiple users to plug into the same device and listen to the tunes

Charge All Your Gadgets

Using the car's cigarette lighter, or better name would be an electrical port since we never use it for that, you can charge your gadgets with the USB chargers specifically designed to fit there. We currently have the Griffin dual USB charger in the front. It has been plugged in there for 3+ years. The latest gadget for charging your devices in the car is the Belkin Road Rockstar with 4 USB Ports. Not only does it have the same USB plug for the electrical port, but it also has an extension that is pulled through to the backseat and 2 other devices can be plugged in. The secondary portion has 2.4A ports that can charge tablets.


Extra

The Best Part of Road Trips is…

Water Safety Tips for Kids

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