One option which appeals to many of those who are planning to travel on a long-term basis is to work abroad. This allows you to get an in-depth experience of the country in which you are staying, while also providing you with a means of income while you are there. This can be something which is well worth looking in to before you leave, as you may be required to apply for a work permit before you arrive.

You should also take time to compare the prices of the flights and accommodation in order to ensure that you are able to get the best possible deals. There are a number of websites which will compare prices for you, and can be easily accessed while you check your emails or play online Partypoker.  Try to either book a long time in advance, or be prepared to go at the very last minute.

If you’ve always flown business class or stayed in hotels, then you might want to consider taking a less expensive flight option, and investigating hostel or bed & breakfast accommodation. When planning what you want to do during your time away, keep an eye open for free events, such as local festivals, or galleries and museums.

Avoid eating in places which are specifically aimed at tourists, as the prices are likely to be much higher. Instead, looking out for places where the locals eat or, if you have the facilities, simply purchase ingredients and cook for yourself. Work out how much of your overall budget you can afford to spend each day that you are away, and make sure that you do not exceed this amount.

Planning a vacation is a lot of work. Family road trips tend to be even more complicated. One long stretch of limited restrooms and lagging entertainment can turn the inside of your automobile from heaven to hellish. That’s where travel apps can be exceptionally handy. Stored on a smart phone you’re already carrying, travel apps can provide much-needed support for family road trips in the form of restroom locations, fun and direction finding. So if you’re planning a vacation for the whole gang, here are some of the best travel apps for family road trips you’re likely to find.

BEST TRAVEL APPS FOR FAMILY ROAD TRIPS

Historical fun:

If you’ve never integrated historical markers into your family road trips, then you’ve been missing out on a free source of fun. Historical markers are located along stretches of the highway, on the steps of old courthouses, on hiking trails and at various locations during the historical city walking tours. When it comes to travel apps you can use when planning a vacation, Georeader is one worth considering. It has audio information and reviews on a number of historical markers, and allows you to add your own tips with regards to directions and additional information.

Toilet technicalities:

As anyone with a teeny bladder can tell you, when it’s time to tinkle, it’s time to tinkle. And one of the best travel apps for that is called Sit or Squat. Searchable by address, city, zip code or intersection, Sit or Squat locates public toilets for travelers in need, and lets you add a toilet when you find one that might not be listed yet in the database. When planning a vacation, most people don’t stop to think about these types of issues. But the truth is, a large part of keeping family road trips successful is being able to pull over and answer nature’s call when necessary. Travel apps for toilet finding are one way to make sure that happens.

Directions:

While you’ve likely purchased an atlas and fired up the GPS, there will be times when you need more details than just how to find the hotel. So when you’ve got a teen in need of tampons, or a spouse with a headache hoping for aspirin, one of the best travel apps you can use is Google Maps. It’ll give you the information about what places in the area have what you need, and exactly how to get to where they are. Family road trips have logistical speed bumps built in to the experience. Choosing the right travel apps to roll with them is critical to planning a vacation that flows smoothly.

Bingo:

If you’re looking for a fresh way to incorporate classic games into your family road trips, rest assured there are definitely travel apps for that. One of the coolest is Road-Trip-Bingo, which lets you play a version of the classic bingo game on your smart phone, with the items of note including specific road signs, airplanes, railroad crossings and farm animals.

Bizarre attractions:

Travel apps certainly run the gamut for uses, that’s for sure. When it comes to the truly bizarre, one of the best travel apps has to be Roadside America. This app takes some of the stress out of planning a vacation, because it recognizes where you are and points out detours to some of the bizarre attractions and roadside oddities you are likely to pass by during your various family road trips throughout the year. That giant ball of twine in Podunk, Nowhere might not be your scheduled destination, but if it’s only two miles out of your way and the kiddos are getting punchy, it just might be the monotony break you’ve been hoping for. Get out, grab the photo op and let everyone stretch their legs for a bit. If it buys you three more hours of car-bound sanity, it’ll be well worth it.

Travel apps for finding kid-friendly infrastructure:

Finding restaurants on family road trips is only half the battle. Are they kid friendly? Is there an indoor play area? One of the best travel apps I’ve seen for finding this sort of information is called Mom Maps. Designed with moms in mind, this is one of those travel apps that helps take the guess work out of planning a vacation, especially when your goal is family-friendly travel. Use it to find playgrounds, parks, museums, kid-friendly restaurants and indoor play areas.

Finding rest areas:

Extended highway driving can make for tedious family road trips, especially when it’s time for a potty break and nobody knows when the next rest area of opportunity will be. Rest Area Finder is one of those travel apps you want to have on hand when planning a vacation that will require a fair amount of highway driving. The app displays nearby rest areas on a map along with your current location, making it easier to tell junior just how much longer it will be.

Phone numbers:

Sometimes, you just need to talk to the staff before you make arrangements to pull off the highway. YP – Yellow Pages for iPhone - is one of the travel apps you’ll find most useful for this. Needing to stop for an unexpected overnight? Call ahead from your cell phone to see if the hotel has family-friendly amenities like a swimming pool, breakfast buffet and cable TV. Is Rover along for the ride? Make sure you ask if there’s an additional pet fee. There are times when planning a vacation involves problem solving on the fly. That’s when you want an app like this in your smart phone travel arsenal.

Bird spotting:

Family road trips provide a number of opportunities for bird spotting at campgrounds, rest stops and park visits. If you’re packing light and still want to allow for a little education along the way, make sure your list of travel apps includes Audubon Birds – A Field Guide to North American Birds . The whole family can identify unusual birds from your smart phone, making it one of those activities you can incorporate on the fly.

Bottom line? The best travel apps for family road trips help you find what you need, get where you’re going and have fun along the way. In this age of fingertip-accessible technology, planning a vacation that doesn’t include travel apps is the logistical equivalent of leaving home without your toothbrush. It just isn’t recommended. Do you have some favorite travel apps for navigating family road trips successfully? Be sure to include your recommendations in the comment section below.

Photo Credit: Shino

Tampa Bay zoo fans have lots to be proud of. Repeatedly voted the number one zoo in the country by Parents magazine, the Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa, FL provides numerous hands-on experiences and cage-free interaction opportunities for visitors.

They are also heavily involved in conservation efforts for a number of animal species. If you haven’t had a chance to check out the zoo in Tampa yet, here are four great reasons to do so.

WHY SHOULD YOU VISIT THE LOWRY PARK ZOO IN TAMPA, FL?

The Lowry Park Zoo’s annual pass program.

The annual pass prices at the Lowry Park Zoo offer one of the best values I’ve ever run across when it comes to annual passes in general. For $45, you get a year’s worth of unlimited access to the zoo in Tampa, unlimited rides at the Lowry Park Zoo and discounted admission to more than 150 reciprocal zoos and aquariums in the United States, Mexico and Canada. You also get free admission to MOSI and the Florida Aquarium during the annual “Swaptember” event, and discounted tickets to special events, birthday parties and children’s camps.

Phenomenal photo ops are also available at the Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa.

Bald eagles, open-air aviaries, up-close and personal giraffe encounters and cage-free primates galore are just some of the reasons the Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa is a photographer’s paradise. You can also get down with some easy-access imagery of emus, goats, lemurs, meerkats and penguins. All before lunch. After that, you can hit the Florida Boardwalk section to see their selection of local wildlife, or head to the Asian garden exhibit to check out rhinos, white tigers and several other animals chances are you may not have even heard of. My point? If you’re looking to add to your photography portfolio without paying big bucks for an international safari, the Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa is a great place to do just that.

The manatee hospital at the Lowry Park Zoo.

These gentle giants are in constant peril from boat propellers and other dangers. When they become injured, the manatee hospital the zoo has on site is one of the few resources available for their treatment and rehabilitation. Roughly a million dollars is donated by the zoo every year to support the hospital’s efforts, and numerous educational talks and children’s sleepovers are held near the exhibit to promote awareness. The manatee hospital isn’t the only such program going on at the zoo. Here’s another resource on the wildlife conservation efforts at Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo written by the folks over at Places Around Florida.

Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo is designed with visitors in mind as well as animals.

If you’re looking to make it a family day across generations, then you’ll find the Lowry Park Zoo well equipped. Multiple restrooms, conveniently-located water fountains, and seating benches placed at regular intervals make for a visit comfortable enough to spend the whole day. There are also a number of spray fountains you can let junior take his shoes off and jump around in when the weather heats up. Hungry? There are numerous places to grab a bite, including a family-style restaurant with windows overlooking the zebras, giraffes and elephants. For javaholics, there’s also a Starbucks.

As you can see, the Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa has something for everyone. And with all of the hands-on opportunities offered to the children such as goat petting, llama cuddling, and manta ray feeding, this is definitely a zoo that your kids will want to return to again and again, making the annual pass an investment of even greater value. My husband and I have enjoyed our membership time and again, on our own with camera in tow, and with guests. It’s definitely a fun place to hang out and enjoy the animal kingdom.

Getting there: The Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa, FL is at 1101 West Sligh Avenue. Phone: 813-935-8552

Photo(s): Trek Hound

Some of these images of the Lowry Park Zoo are available through a creative commons agreement on our sister site, Pictures of Travel Places.

The Field Museum of Natural History is home to countless artifacts, interesting programs and educational exhibits. From anthropology to zoology, the Field Museum Chicago has something for everyone, plus, it’s a great place to bring the entire family!

 Here are just five of the amazing exhibitions you can explore during your visit:

 Evolving Planet

 If you’ve ever wondered what the world was like in the age of the dinosaurs, Evolving Planet is the place for you. Take a tour through time to learn about the early years of Earth and its fascinating prehistoric creatures. You’ll also get to see the oldest known fossil containing a cell with a nucleus! Come face-to-face with dinosaurs, including the one-of-a-kind skeleton of an 18-foot sauropod, and look at realisitc model of “Lucy,” one of the earliest known hominids.

SUE the T-Rex

The Field Museum houses the largest, best preserved and most complete Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton ever found! The 6.7 million year-old-skeleton is over 40 feet long and weighs almost 4,000 pounds. Once you’ve seen her up close, learn the “Science of SUE” in behind-the-scenes exhibits, 3D films and more.

Inside Ancient Egypt

Step inside the world of the ancient Egyptians and see 23 human mummies, 5,000 year-old heiroglyphics and an authentic chapel from the tomb of Unis-Ankh. In this exhibit, you’ll learn about art, architecture, religion, burial customs and so much more.

 Grainger Hall of Gems

The Field Museum’s newly renovated Hall of Gems showcases rare gems from around the world.  View the King William III Diamond Stick Pin, color-changing Alexandrite, the Baroque Pearl Ring, among others. This collection of exquisite jewels is unlike any other in the country!

 The Ancient Americas

 This brand new exhibit will bring you through the last 13,000 years of life in the Americas. You’ll discover what scientists have learned about the inhabitants of the Americas before us, including the people of the Ice Age, hunter-gatherers, Aztecs and more. Check out the Colombian Collection of luxury goods, the Moche Pottery collection, the Virtual Ice Age Environment  and the Interactive “Food Wall,” all at The Ancient Americas!

Even with all of these exciting areas to explore, the Field Museum in Chicago has many more exhibits waiting for you to discover. Grab your Chicago Card  and lose yourself inside this incredible museum.

This is a guest post from Matthew Proctor, of Smart Destinations.

Photo Credit: Gcfairch

If rising gas prices and the still-tired economy have you feeling stir crazy with no cash, consider the affordable, nature-based eco excursions a simple kayak can give you right here in Pinellas County.

Blueways – the boat-based equivalent to hiking trails – are a great way to spot wildlife, enjoy the county parks, and get a bit of exercise while you’re at it. This is the nature coast, after all. However, there are a few things to consider before you get started.

Parks and preserves:

One place to try out your skills is the Weedon Island Nature Preserve in St. Petersburg. They have a four-mile, self-guided course suitable for beginners. It has numbered signs, and meanders through a variety of natural habitat settings, including islands and mangrove tunnels. Typical wildlife spottings include great blue herons, egrets, roseate spoonbills, manatees, stingrays and dolphins. Other popular paddling spots include Caladesi Island State Park, Honeymoon Island and Fort De Soto.

Paddling maps:

Pinellas County has paddling trail maps available to download for free. More than 60 separate paddling locations are listed, including Clam Bayou Nature Park, downtown Gulfport and the Blackthorn Memorial. Visit www.pinellascounty.org/plan/blueways to print the maps you need. Place them inside translucent page protectors, and use clear tape across the top slot for the water resistance.

Gear:

In addition to a kayak and paddle, Florida law requires a personal flotation device and marine emergency whistle to be within reach at all times, as well as a 360 degree white light for use after dusk. Other items you’ll want to bring include an extra gallon of drinking water per person, sunscreen, insect repellant, first aid kit, brimmed hat, a dry bag and cell phone. An extra paddle is also an excellent idea.

Planning:

Check tide tables and weather reports for small craft advisories before you head out, particularly if you plan on crossing open expanses of water. If you’re going with a group, make sure you have a set meeting location in case you get separated. Take hand-held radios as an affordable source of communication. Remember to let someone know where you’ll be and what time you are likely to return. This safety strategy guarantees someone will be looking for you, even if you lose that cell phone and can’t call for help yourself.

Activities:

If paddling alone isn’t your idea of the perfect afternoon agenda, consider bringing picnic supplies, reading material or even a high-resolution camera to start that professional photography portfolio with some otherwise hard-to-score wildlife money shots. Birders will likely want to bring an identification book and a quality pair of binoculars to make the most of the area’s feathered friend population. Other items of interest to check out, depending on your choice of kayaking route, include the St. Pete Pier, Anclote Key Lighthouse, and John’s Pass Village.

Weekend fun doesn’t have to cost big money. Paddling your way around Pinellas County’s kayaking trails is a great way to make entertainment affordable.

Tip: Another affordable source of family-friendly entertainment is the annual pass program at the Lowry Park Zoo. You get unlimited access to the zoo and its rides, as well as discounts to special events.

Looking for things to do in Daytona Beach while you’re there on vacation? Between bike week, spring break and auto racing, it’s easy to forget that at its core, Daytona is a home town to a fair number of people. That means there are numerous affordable activities available to the people that live there. And guess what? As tourists, those same entertainment options are at your disposal as well. Here is a list of fun and cheap things to do in Daytona Beach.

Book a penthouse:

While penthouse suites might be out of financial reach at most hotels, it’s more than affordable at the Daytona Beach Oceanside Inn. And I had a chance to check theirs out recently during a breakfast gathering for Florida bloggers. With rates starting at two hundred dollars per night, you get wrap-around corner views with floor-to-ceiling windows, full kitchen with living area, two bedrooms (one with two queen beds), and two full bathrooms. That’s roughly what you’d pay for two adjoining rooms for a family of 4-6 at a regular hotel that isn’t even on the beach. Plus you get to cook your own money-saving meals and dine with a million dollar view. Split between two couples, it’s an even better value.

Free chocolate factory tours:

The chocolate company of Angell and Phelps makes custom and gourmet chocolates for the people of Daytona Beach, and those who order them from around the country. They’ll let you tour the chocolate factory for free, which is a great way to spend a rainy day. I had a chance to try out their sunshine-mold chocolate pops at a recent press event. Pretty tasty.

Hit the beach:

It’s a beach town, remember? Hanging out on the beach is free. So pack a picnic, hop on your bike or simply stroll on down to sunbathe. During certain times of the day, it’s OK to drive vehicles on the beach. Which makes for great sightseeing and photo ops of things like antique cars, mean motorcycles and jazzy Jeeps.

Community coupon booklet:

If you’re looking to save money on any number of things to do in Daytona Beach, then you’ll definitely want to check out the Sun Saver coupon booklet available from the Daytona Beach Area Convention and Visitor’s Bureau. You can even call them ahead of time to have one mailed to you before you arrive there on vacation.  Use it to save money on everything from meals and eco tours to sessions on go-carts.

Hop a trolley:

If you’d like to skip the stress of driving to see Daytona’s downtown sites from your haven on the beach, check out the town’s trolley service. It costs less than two bucks, and is a fun way to maneuver about town. Bonus? Kids dig ‘em.

The photography museum:

The Southeast Museum of Photography offers free admission and a day’s worth of entertainment to photo fans visiting the area. It’s the largest photography museum in the Southeast, and one of only thirteen such facilities in the country. Personally, I’m a museum fan from way back. But even if historic paintings and sculptures aren’t your thing, you’re likely to enjoy a break from the sun while strolling through exhibits of this more modern art form.

Free Concerts at the Bandshell:

Who doesn’t love free entertainment? Outdoor concerts are a great way to celebrate the fact you’re somewhere warm, and music just makes everything fun. Throw in a beach and you have an unstoppable recipe for a good time. On a variety of Saturday evenings throughout the year, free concerts are held at the Daytona Bandshell. And many of them come with free fireworks afterward next to the pier. Check their site for scheduled events and head on over for a fantastic free date or evening of family fun.

Add to your historical marker collection:

If adding to your list of visited historical sites happens to be a favorite pastime of yours, then there are several in the area you’ll want to check out, including the town’s historic post office and the nearby Ponce de Leon Inlet Light Station. Register your finds on the Historic Marker Database web site for fun. If you happen to be interested in African-American history, there are several area attractions to check out as well (the area visitor bureau can hook you up with a brochure), including a Florida state historical marker for the original Freemanville Settlement in the Port Orange area just out of town.

There are many things to do in Daytona Beach that won’t cost you tons of cash. For more entertainment ideas when you’re visiting the area, check out this activities in Daytona article from the folks at Places Around Florida.

Tip: If you happen to be traveling on the other side of the state, the Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa is definitely worth checking out, along with Fort DeSoto Park and the Dali Museum.

Photos in this piece are the property of Trek Hound.

If you live in the greater Orlando area and are suffering from theme park overload, you might consider taking the kids to the Orlando Science Center as an alternative family outing.

We recently had an opportunity to tour the center after a travel writers’ meetup in Orlando. With four stories of exhibits, there’s certainly plenty to see, but my two favorite areas were the rooms with hands-on scientific concept demonstrations (sound waves, electricity), and the giant dinosaur skeletons, one of which was animated. Very cool. There was also a temporary exhibit of antique music boxes which was quite impressive.

Something to fly all the way down from Boston for? Probably not. But a great community resource for families living in the area, and worth squeezing in when you’ve had your fill of the mouse. (Tip: If you happen to be driving across the state and want to check out another family-friendly education venue, consider the Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa, FL. It’s hands-on, great for photo ops and way more educational than a theme park. )

Disclosure: A special thanks to The Orlando Science Center for providing the meeting space for our travel bloggers’ get together.

Photo Credit: Orlando Science Center

My feature interview with Cynthia Smoot, news anchor for Fox News here in Tampa. We talked how to save money for travel, and why it’s not as tough as you might think.  Take a look and sound off in our comment section below!

Editor’s note: For inexpensive family fun in the Tampa area, check out our article on the conservation-oriented  Lowry Park Zoo.

Winter sunsets always seem so ethereal to me, and this one is no exception. The snow-frosted birch trees on the edge of a frozen body of water are highlighted here by a colorful sky at the end of the day.

This scene was shot during a particularly cold winter with record snow fall on Saint Froid Lake, in Maine. I took it from the front porch of our lake cottage there, and have always meant to use it in a winter holiday postcard.

Is there a particularly special winter scene in your photo repertoire? Where was it taken?

Photo Credit: Trek Hound

Taken in the Andes at the end of a day excursion in Peru’s Sacred Valley, these llamas gave us quite a chuckle.

As we wandered the alleys of a hill village looking for traditional weavings, we turned a corner to see these two llamas checking out the local wares.

What a hoot! I’m particularly fond of photographing llamas on any day I have access to them. They are so animated, and always put on a good show.

Photo Credit: This and other pictures from Peru were photographed by the Trek Hound team. You can access them for creative commons use through our sister site, Pictures of Travel Places.