I have a great guest post today over at Freebies4Mom about 10 Tips for Finding Freebies When You Travel. I count this among my Best Budget Tips for Family Travel, so if you are interested in saving money on your next vacation, I hope you'll head over and check it out.
About DeliciousBaby
If you are coming to DeliciousBaby for the first time from Freebies4Mom, I would like to welcome you! DeliciousBaby is about Traveling with Young Kids. We have lots of tips and helpful advice to make your family vacation easier and more enjoyable. Our family friendly city guides are packed with kid friendly activities, restaurants, and hotels that grown ups will enjoy too. If you are new to DeliciousBaby, you might want to check out some of our other useful links and resources:
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Posted on October 28, 2008 |
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I want to thank everyone who entered to win a
a gift certificate for a complete winter outfit for kids from Lands End. This contest was our most popular ever. It brought in 600 contestants, the most ever on my site. Many of you specifically mentioned how much you like Lands End winter clothing, and I also enjoyed reading everyone's favorite winter activities. If you have a moment to check them out, you should... there were some very creative ideas!
I also want to give special thanks to everyone who took the time to share their recommendations with other parents by adding them to our City Guides. As this resource grows, it becomes a helpful source for parents who plan to travel with their kids, and I've enjoyed using the reader suggestions myself on my last few trips.
The winner was Shirley Martin-Tutolo who said
Their is always a lot of snow in Ohio. We love the big flakes. They look like lace. What fun it is to walk in this.
Shirley, please email me your mailing address and I will put you in contact with a representative from Lands End who will help you claim your prize!
Didn't win this time? I have two giveaways for November that are perfect for holiday travel. Check back for details or Subscribe so that you don't miss a thing.
Many thanks to
Lands End for generously sponsoring this giveaway.
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Posted on October 28, 2008 |
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While we were on our family trip to Chicago my mom's wallet was stolen. I didn't blog about it at the time, but you can imagine that it cause her a lot of stress, and disrupted the trip somewhat. She was lucky that she'd taken some precautions before the trip that helped minimize the damage, and of course I was happy to foot the bill for the remainder of our expenses. My dad, back at home took care of most of the phone calls for her. Still, we learned a lot about what travelers can do before they leave on a trip to help minimize the disruption caused by a lost or stolen wallet. Here are some measures I recommend you take before you walk out the door on your next trip.
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Sequester Your Scheduled Payments Do you make a lot of scheduled payments on your credit card or use one card for online shopping? Move all of those payments onto a single card and then leave that card at home. That way you won't be forced to contact each one of those vendors if your wallet is stolen.
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Remove anything you don't need from your wallet Gift cards, your social security card, credit cards for local stores, and other valuable items that cannot be used while you are traveling should be left at home.
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Photocopy your cards and ID Having a photocopy of each credit card (front and back) along with a copy of your ID makes it easier to call the credit card companies and cancel your cards. Make sure that the toll free customer service number on the back of each credit card is readable. Keep one copy in the hotel safe, and leave the other back at home where a trusted friend can access it if needed.
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Bring a check In a pinch, you might be able to arrange to cash a check. Carry one or two checks separate from your wallet.
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Split up Your Credit Cards If you have more than one credit card, keep one in the hotel safe. If your wallet is stolen, you'll still have a way to pay for your expenses.
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Spread your money around Many travelers make big cash withdrawls in order to reduce ATM fees. Make sure that you divide that money between the members of your party, and consider leaving some in the hotel safe.
Readers - has this ever happened to you? What precautions do you take before leaving on a trip? Let me know in comments.
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Posted on October 28, 2008 |
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With the election coming up, we are all thinking about the meaning of Democracy, so I loved this video about teaching a 5 year old about democracy on a trip to Washington DC. What better way to fill kids with enthusiasm about America and our political system than to teach them first hand. And while I'm on the subject... if you can vote early, please do!
I'm looking forward to celebrating Halloween at home this year -- it's the first year that both kids will really "get" it, but I'm always curious about how holidays are celebrated abroad, so I enjoyed these articles: Halloween in Japan, Haunted Houses for kids in NYC, and a Halloween night roller skating festival in Paris
We're huge fans of taking the train instead of flying whenever it makes sense, so I loved this tips article about traveling on a train with a toddler. Want more? you can also read about our own short train trip from Sevilla to Madrid with the kids
Mara says just say no to fast food when you travel (and follows it up with a great series of posts about offbeat kid-friendly dining her family found on their travels). I couldn't agree more. Our trips are a chance to experience every aspect of a culture, so we won't be making the Mc Donalds World Tour with our kids. Here are my own favorite tips about dining with kids when you travel and how to find a kid friendly restaurant when you travel.
More funny stories at TravelSavvyMom, this time about international incidents our kids create. You haven't forgotten how E humiliated us in Chicago have you?
I love quirky stops on a road trip, so when minnemom told me that she would be visiting the world's largest hockey stick I knew right away that I'd be linking to her post here.
Here's a great interview with Traveling Grandmama Carol White who took a year long road trip with her grandkids. Want to read more about extended family travel? SoulTravelers3 have been traveling around Europe for over two years now.
Deals
Club Med is offering suites to traveling families at no additional charge (subject to availability). The company also has some great deals, including the "7 day weekend," where you get 7 nights for the price of 3.
Dreaming of a trip to Australia? Quantas has flights from LAX for less than $870 round trip
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Posted on October 27, 2008 |
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Today is your last chance to enter our free giveaway of a complete winter outfit from Lands End valued at over $200. The outfit includes a winter jacket, snow bib, gloves, hat and snow boots -- everything your child needs to get ready for snow! If you have already entered, but want to add your recommendations to DeliciousBaby for more chances to win, now is the time!
Just visit this article: Free Giveaway - Lands End Complete Kid's Winter Outfit ($200+ Value) and follow the instructions.
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Posted on October 27, 2008 |
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If you are participating in Photo Friday this week, please be sure to link to your post directly, not to your home page, so that readers can find your post later in the week
When we took the kids to Barcelona last year, Modern Art was on our agenda. Too bad we didn't consult with the kids. By the time we visited our third museum, the Museum of Contemporary Art, they were just about done. My husband and I took turns wheeling and chasing the two kids (then 2 1/2 and 1) up and down the huge sunlit ramps that connect the floors while the other parent visited the museum. It wasn't exactly the contemplative museum visit of our pre-kid days, but at least everyone had a good time.
Photo Friday: Please Share Your Photos Too:
Share a favorite travel photo by adding your link below. First timers, here is
more Information about Photo Friday
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13 comments |
Posted on October 23, 2008 |
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Here in Seattle, there's little doubt about who will get the most votes in the presidential election, so we have signed up to help campaign in another area during the final four days before the election. We don't know yet where we'll be sent, but we hope that the experience of connecting with people in a new city and helping to get out the vote will be rewarding.
What about you? I'd love to hear whether anyone else has plans to travel outside their town on November 4th? Has anyone done this for a past election? What should I expect?
Interested in helping? To help get out the vote for Barack Obama, go to barackobama.com or to help John McCain, visit johnmccain.com
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Posted on October 23, 2008 |
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Ever since I reviewed the Little Travelers Japan DVD I've been a little bit obsessed with the idea of taking the kids to Japan. I loved the creative and fun looking activities Angelina (the mom behind the The Little Travelers Video Series
found, so I asked her if she'd share her top recommendations with me (and my readers). Lucky us... here they are.
I hope you'll agree that these all sound like tons of fun. Now if we can just work on the exchange rate...
Fushimi Inari Shrine Located on the Keihan Train Line, Exit Fushimi Inari station. This is the shrine with hundreds of red tori gates. The kids can wander through seemingly endless tunnels of winding gates. There are so many here that you can easily find very lightly populated areas and let the kids run through them for a bit.
Heian Shrine on the East side of Kyoto This is one of the most famous shrines in Kyoto and has the much photographed stepping stones through the koi pond. This is really fun for most kids I know. My three year old wanted to hold my hand but the 5 year old was very happy to go it alone. This does require some trust on the parents part and is a good exercise in embracing another culture. Japanese kids cross these kinds of stepping stones all the time.
Iwatayama Monkey Park in Arashiyama, where the monkeys roam free and the people can huddle into a cage at the top of the mountain. A must with children. It can be a bit intimidating and if you have children under two I would recommend a backpack or good sling to carry your child as the monkeys can be a bit aggressive.
Sansen-in Shrine located in Ohara. They have the most adorable little statues that my girls just loved. The nice thing about this shrine is that they give children little papers to put stamps on that are located throughout the shrine. It's a bit like a scavenger hunt looking for the stamps throughout the compound. It's gorgeous here. It's more towards the outskirts of town and rather countryside around. Near the shrine are some really great rice fields for wandering and tadpole hunting.
Ueno City's Ninja house and castle. Ueno is in Mie Prefecture, about a two hour train ride from Kyoto, but definitely doable for a daytrip if you're staying in Kyoto. The Ninja house has a guided tour that is in Japanese but you definitely don't need to understand the language to understand what's going on. On most weekdays you'll find lots of students here on school trips. Ditto for the castle, which is great fun for the kids to burn off some energy climbing stairs up to the top.
Lastly, make sure to stop into a kaiten sushi shop for the sushi that goes around the restaurant on conveyor belts. This is still the thing that the girls miss the most about Japan. "I wish we could go to round and round sushi for dinner" is something that I hear a lot- even though it's been over two years since our return.
If you want to see a great video of kids enjoying all of these places (and more), check out The Little Travelers - Japan DVD or read Angelina's blog at The Little Travelers
Related Links:
Review: The Little Travelers Japan DVD
The Little Travelers - Japan DVD
Kyoto With Kids
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Posted on October 22, 2008 |
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Whenever I line up a great new giveaway, there's always a moment of excitement followed by a moment of jealousy. This is one of those times, because I really wish I could win this giveaway myself.
This Giveaway is now closed. To learn about new giveaways as they become available, please 
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We've long been fans of Land's End. The brand has represented quality ever since I was a child. Now that I have kids of my own, I get each of them a pair of their unique Lined Pants each winter. I like them because they keep my kids little legs warm without the struggle of lots of layers.
With the Winter Ski Season fast approaching, Lands End has generously offered to outfit one very lucky kid with a complete winter outfit valued at over $200. You provide a shirt and some socks, and your child will be ready to hit the slopes.
Here's what's included:
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Windfall Jacket (Girls or Boys)
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Big Kids' Windfall Bib
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Windfall Gloves
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Windfall Hat
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Snow Flurry Boots
How To Enter
I will be giving the Lands End Ski Outfit away to one lucky reader. You will get to choose sizes and colors after you win.
If you'd like a chance to win, leave us a comment before 11:59PM PST on Monday Oct 27 2008 and tell me about your favorite winter activity with the kids. It can be a favorite ski resort, a park, or even the hot chocolate shop with the richest cocoa in your hometown.
If you win and wish to be contacted by email, please include your email address in the comment form (your email isn't shared with anyone). Otherwise, you must check back here to see if you have won.
How to Get More Chances to Win
For each complete recommendation you add to our city guides, you will be given one additional entry. It takes only a few minutes, and it is a great way to share your favorite kids activities, restaurants, and hotels with other parents.
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Click Add Your Favorite on the bottom of any restaurant, hotel or activity section of a city guide. (or just Click Here)
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Fill in a short form asking for information about your recommendation (e.g. name, address, web url, and why you like it)
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Click "Save"
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Next you will see a short form that asks you to register for an account. You need to register so that we know who you are and can give you an additional contest entry.
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Registration is fast and simple, and asks few questions. We promise that we will not publish, sell, or spam your email address.
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Click on "Your Account" in the upper right hand corner of the page
to add a picture and other profile information
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You can continue to add more recommendations, and you will be given one additional contest entry for each complete recommendation.
You can even add cities that we don't currently cover, just type in a new city name when you add a listing.
It takes just a few minutes to add a recommendation to our City Guides. I hope you'll give it a try!
Winners
We will choose a winner randomly and announce the results here on Tuesday Oct 28 2008. Many thanks to Lands End for generously sponsoring this giveaway.
Share This Contest
If you have family or friends who you know will love this giveaway, just click the "share this" link at the bottom of this (or any) post to email it to a friend.
Rules
Please, only one comment per person per giveaway post. Duplicate comments and Anonymous comments will be discarded. Please make sure that the email address in your comment is valid (email addresses are never public). Winners must claim their prize within three business days after the date of notification of such prize. A Sweepstakes winner's failure to respond to the prize notification within the specified three business days will be considered such Sweepstakes winner's forfeiture of the prize and an alternate winner may be selected from the pool of eligible entries. If an entrant is found to be ineligible, an alternate winner may also be selected from the pool of eligible entries. To enter, you must be a U.S. resident, age 18 or older. Employees, partners and vendors of DeliciousBaby and their immediate family members are not eligible to enter. We will disqualify any entries that we believe are generated by scripts and other automated technology. When applicable, the winner may be required to execute and return within five business days an Affidavit of Eligibility and a Liability and Publicity Release to be eligible for the prize or an alternate winner will be selected. All prizes will be awarded. No substitutions including for cash are permitted, except that DeliciousBaby reserves the right to substitute a prize of equal or greater monetary value for any prize. Winners shall be responsible and liable for all federal, state and local taxes on the value of their prize.
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Posted on October 20, 2008 |
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Angela Nickerson followed up her post on Visiting Rome With Teens with some great recommendations for a kids reading list for Rome
I love these printable paper dolls. They'd make a great activity for a long plane flight or road trip. Want something a little more chic for your family trip to Paris? Here's a printable kelly bag
There's a great discussion at Mother of All Trips about worst travel experiences with kids. This one reminded me of my own worst flight, a British Airways flight where the check-in agent took it upon herself to randomly confiscate items from my carryon... including limiting the number of diapers I could bring on board!. Did I mention I was traveling alone with him from Paris to Seattle? How about the fact that I was 8 months pregnant. Luckily he was a dreamboat on the plane, but the fact that she confiscated some of his toys didn't exactly make things easier. And those diapers? He blew through the last one while I was waiting in the lost luggage office in Seattle. But Mara is right... bad days happen at home too, there's no reason to give up traveling for fear of a rough day.
Simple Mom has a great article about the benefits of raising kids cross-culturally.
Deals
Wendy Perrin shared some great deals at Ritz Carlton's around the world. You might think the Ritz is too fancy or formal to accommodate kids well, but in fact many of the properties have special programs designed to make kids more comfortable. Personally, I'd love to tag along while my kids bake cookies with a Ritz chef in the hotel's kitchen.
I mentioned last week that there have been some great deals to Hawaii. Arthur Frommer blogged this week about the best places to find deals to Hawaii
Here's a trick for getting Hilton Honors gold status
With Iceland's currency crashing, the country is doing everything it can to encourage an influx of tourist dollars. MSNBC reports Airfares as low as $399 Round Trip
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Posted on October 19, 2008 |
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