Will Kate Middleton be a Princess, Take the NAME THAT PRINCESS POLL

Westminster Abbey Site of Royal Wedding of Prince William To Kate Middleton, http://www.luckylittletravelers.com/

Will Kate Middleton receive the Royal Title of Princess?  Queen Elizabeth II will bequeath a Royal Title to Kate Middleton the day of the Royal Wedding.  She alone will decide what Kate's new name will be.  We thought that it would be fun and silly to play NAME THAT PRINCESS POLL.  Vote at http://www.luckylittletravelers.com/  We will post the results after the Royal Wedding.  Have your say, and vote for fun!

Port de La Bourdonnais, Eiffel Tower Station for Batobus



Port de La Bourdonnais, Eiffel Tower Station for Batobus, by http://www.luckylittletravelers.com/

Batobus is a hop- on, hop- off water bus.  A one day pass can be purchased for around 14Є for adults and 9Є for children (under the age of 16).  The Batobus is convenient because it is located on the Seine River.  The river slices through the heart of Paris dividing the city into the Left bank and the Right bank.  It is important to understand that almost all of the major tourist attractions in Paris are located within walking distance of the Seine, which makes sense since most early cities grew through the transportation of goods on rivers.  The Batobus makes traversing Paris, not only easy but beautiful.  There are eight stops on the Batobus, it can, easily, be taken it from Jardin Des Plantes to the Eiffel Tower.  You can take the Batobus to Port de la Bourdonnais the stop that is located at the base of the Eiffel Tower.  We're sure your family will enjoy it.  Be sure to do this on a day when you are tired of walking.  It will really amuse your children.

If you go to http://www.luckylittletravelers.com/ we've got instructions on how to get to the Eiffel Tower using the Metro, Paris underground.  We, also, have bus routes listed.

For more information see our new website, www.luckylittletravelers.com  We are dedicated to family travel.  Home screen us on your iPhone, Android, or Smart Phone before you leave home.  Lucky Little Travelers has maps and homepages to major tourist attractions in Paris.  We can save you time. We're FREE.  We also have travel tips, printable packing checklists, family friendly destinations, a children’s reading support list, and a list of entertainment ideas for long flights, or car rides.  We hope we have help reduce the stress that comes with getting ready for vacation.

Gargoyles of Notre Dame Cathedral are Scary!



Scary Gargoyles, or Chimera, of Notre Dame Cathedral, by http://www.luckylittletravelers.com/

The Gargoyles or Chimera of Notre Dame were carved in stone and placed on the outside of the Cathedral to ward off evil.  They are very scary looking, and I doubt the evil would dare to go into the Cathedral.   If the gargoyles were made scary enough to ward off evil, imagine what they do to the rest of us!   Well, at first glance they are scary, and then they become somewhat lovable.  They're not the kind of Gargoyles in the Disney DVD, so warn your children ahead of time.  The gargoyles decorate the entire outside of the Cathedral and your child is sure to notice.

Other than the emotional use of gargoyles, there was a functional purpose in of using gargoyles on buildings.  Gargoyles, while decorative in nature, were actually used as collect roof water.  Basically, the functional purpose of gargoyles was to protect the building from structural water damage.

Lucky Little Travelers has a list of reading support materials for children that you should take a look at.  It will make your children's vacation to Paris so much more meaningful.  No matter their age there is something that can be read or watched.  Madeline books and the Hunchback of Notre Dame are among the support material. 

For more information:  www.luckylittletravelers.com We’re a new online travel guide dedicated to family travel.  Put us on the HomeScreen of your iPhone, Android, or SmartPhone.  We’ve maps, and homepages to major tourist attractions.  Lucky Little Travelers is FREE.  We’ll save your precious vacation time for family fun!  Please, be patient with us.  We're new and we are constantly growing, so if you don't find what you are looking for please come back.  All comments are welcome.



Standing Under the Eiffel Tower

A Different Perspective of the Eiffel Tower-Looking up, by http://www.luckylittletravelers.com/

The Eiffel Tower is a Paris landmark that is known worldwide.  It was originally built for the Paris Exhibition, of 1889, to showcase the engineering skills of Gustave Eiffel.  The Eiffel Tower was a salute to the materials that dominated the architecture of the late 19^th century, wrought iron and steel.  It is interesting that while the Eiffel Tower was all about demonstrating the strength of steel and iron, it looks so delicate, almost like a delicate piece of lace.  At the time of the Eiffel Towers construction it was a controversial building, outraging the French people.   (The viewpoint of the photo featured in this article is standing under the Eiffel Tower and looking up.)  Currently, the Eiffel Tower is beloved by people worldwide, but the pride of the French.

Lucky Little Travelers is a FREE online travel guide.  We have maps and homepages to major attractions in Paris, France.  To save your precious vacation time, HomeScreen us on your iPhone, Android, or SmartPhone before you leave your home.  We're dedicated to family travel.  We've children's reading lists to support the places you visit, making the experience for your children more memorable.  We, also, have travel tips, and printable packing checklists.   We hope that you have a wonderful vacation!  

Notre Dame Cathedral Under the Dramatic Paris Sky

 

Notre Dame Cathedral  From the Rive Seine, by http://www.luckylittletravelers.com/

Notre Dame Cathedral is over 800 years old.  Built to be the center of Paris and the daily life of its citizens, it is dedicated to Mary, Mother of God.  Notre Dame means "Our Lady," in French.  The Cathedral is Gothic in style.  Architectural features are pointed arches with thin vertical piers, all pointing to heaven.  Also featured are the famous flying buttresses of the Gothic period.  Another notable characteristic of Notre Dame are the gargoyles, or Chimera, which were placed on the outside of the building.  It is important that your children understand that they were put there with the idea that they would ward off evil, so that only good would enter the Cathedral.  To interpret this to a young child, “gargoyles scare off the bad guys.”  And, believe me they are scary looking. 

www.luckylittletravelers is a website dedicated to family travel.  We’re FREE.  We have some great reading ideas to incorporate your Paris vacation into your children’s lives.  See our Website for details.  Most of the ideas need to be thought of in advance and we done that for you.  Our goal is to make your children’s vacation to Paris more meaningful and memorable.  Put us on  the HomeScreen of your iPhone, Android, or SmartPhone before you leave on vacation.  We've got maps and homepages to all of the major tourist attractions, that will save you time trying to look them up while you are on vacation.  We’ve listed family friendly destinations, travel tips, and printable packing lists.  Have a great vacation!

Paris The Easy Way Guide by Lucky Little Travelers

Lucky Little Travelers (http://www.luckylittletravelers.com/) , a new travel guide site dedicated to family travel,  has just extended our website to include Paris.  If you have an iPhone, use safari to add us to your phone's homescreen.  On our site we have maps and homepages to Paris' major tourist attractions.  If you do this an advance to your vacation, it will make it easier for you to travel around Paris.

Kate Middleton Receives a new Royal Title on Wedding Day to Prince William

Kate Middleton will receive new Royal Title on the day of her wedding to Prince William.  The new name is solely determined by Queen Elizabeth II.  We thought it would be fun to try to predict which name will be given to Kate Middleton.  Help us be voting at:  www.luckylittletravelers.com  We will post the results after the official announcement is made.  Please pass this link on to your friends, so that we get as many votes as we can.  Thanks!

Get Romantic Inspiration for Valentine's Day From Wedding Cake Spire St. Bride's Church

Lucky Little Travelers, http://www.luckylittletravelers.com  is a new website dedicated to family travel.  Please check our website for family friendly destinations, travel tips, and packing for children.  We are currently building, so if you don’t find what you are looking for, please check back with us.

Valentine’s Day, St. Bride’s was the Inspiration for a Romantic Wedding Cake Gift    

St. Bride’s Church in London, England was the inspiration for our modern day traditional tiered wedding cakes.  Legend has it that the local baker could see the spire of St. Bride’s Church through his bakery window.  He was to be married at St. Bride’s.  His love for his future bride, and his imagination produced a very special wedding gift.  The baker made the cake to look like St. Bride’s Church Steeple.  He baked the very first, ever, tiered wedding cake as a surprise gift for his bride.  The traditional wedding cake was born.  It all began with a very appropriately named church.  This is a truly romantic love story.  What woman wouldn't love the dreamy story of a man that bakes?!  If you are in London, make St. Brides a must see on your sight-seeing list.

The first wedding cake dates back to the Roman Empire.  It was initially a loaf of bread, rather than the traditional cake that we think of when we think of a wedding cake.  The groom used the loaf to hit the bride over the head with during the wedding ceremony.  The tradition was supposed to symbolize good fortune.  Although, it is also said that it was to demonstrate the groom’s power in the relationship.  Either way, I am so glad that times have changed.  Though wedding cake traditions have evolved with time, St. Bride’s is a true trendsetter.

St. Brides, located on Fleet Street in London, is one of 51 churches designed by architect Sir Christopher Wren.  At 226 feet tall, St. Brides Church is the second tallest of the churches, with Saint Paul’s Cathedral (Prince Charles married the late Princess Diana at St. Paul’s) being the tallest at 360 feet. 

The current church is the 7th to stand on its Fleet Street site.  Around 1701-1703 the famous octagonal shaped spire was added to the church.  The spire rises in steps lessening in height at the top.  St. Bride's Church was destroyed many times and rebuilt. The first time St. Bride's Church was destroyed during the Great Fire of London in 1666.  St. Bride’s is said to be the first post Great Fire church to be rebuilt.  Damage was, also, done to the church when a fire bomb was dropped during WWII.  Fire destroyed the interior of the church. 

For more information on St. Bride's Church please see our website: http://www.luckylittletravelers.com/

 

Big Ben and Houses of Parliament Lovely London Walk With Children

Lucky Little Travelers, http://www.luckylittletravelers.com/ , is a new website dedicated to family travel.  Please check our website for family friendly destinations, travel tips, and packing for children.  We are currently building, so if you don’t find what you are looking for, please check back with us.



Houses of Parliament and Big Ben London at Night- by, Lucky Little Travelers



If you are lucky enough to be in London, or are going to be soon, you will most certainly want to see Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament (also known as the Palace of Westminster), and the nearby Westminster Abbey.  These are all located within walking distance of each other and the River Thames.   The thing I love the most about these buildings is the sense of history presence that they possess.  These buildings were built Gothic character and style.   Each building provides feeling of awe.  They are loved by the English people, and we are sure you will love them as well.

Family Friendly Activities at London The National Gallery

The National Gallery in London is a great place to take your children.  There are free family activities that are educational and fun.  Children of all ages will be engaged with the array of activities that there are to choose from.  We are Lucky Little Travelers (www.luckylittletravelers.com) a new website dedicated to family travel.  Check our website for more details.

Advance Work:  Download and print “Marvellous Blooms” (www.nationalgallery.org.uk/visiting/marvellous-blooms-printed-trail).  Bring it with you to the National Gallery. 

Westminster Abbey Royal Wedding will it be Princess Kate?

Lucky Little Travelers, http://www.luckylittletravelers.com/ , is a new website dedicated to family travel.  Please check our website for family friendly destinations, travel tips, and packing for children.  We are currently building, so if you don’t find what you are looking for, please check back with us.

Westminster Abbey is the venue for the April 29, 2011 royal wedding of the Prince William to Kate Middleton.  There are several rumors flying around about what Kate’s new title will be when she marries Prince William.  Kate, herself does not know what her new name will be.   This is a subject that it decided solely by Queen Elizabeth II.

 A few people have speculated that Kate should just be known as “Princess Catherine.”  Those in the Royal know will tell you that title would technically imply that Kate was the daughter of Prince Charles, rather than his daughter-in-law.   Scuttlebutt has it that Kate maybe known as “Princess William of Wales,” causing us further confusion, because Prince Charles is the Prince of Wales, not Prince William.  The title “Prince of Wales” is the title that is traditionally held by the heir to the throne.   

Other sources say that the Queen may make William a duke, which would make Kate a duchess.  Or, the Queen will make Prince William an Earl which would make Kate a countess.  Both titles will be dropped once Prince William becomes the Prince of Wales.

In the end, whatever title Queen Elizabeth gives to Kate Middleton, she will probably be known as Princess Kate, as she should be.  She is the very definition of class, dignity, and beauty.  We wish this cute young couple joy.

Royal Horse Guards on Whitehall are Exciting fun for Children in London

Horse Guards London, by Lucky Little Travelers

Lucky Little Travelers, http://www.luckylittletravelers.com , is a new website dedicated to family travel.  Please check our website for family friendly destinations, travel tips, and packing for children.  We are currently building, so if you don’t find what you are looking for, please check back with us.

Horse Guards London  

If you are in London, or going to London, visit the Royal Horse Guards.  Horse Guards is named for the troops who have mounted the Queen’s Life Guard on Whitehall.  It is deemed the official entrance to Buckingham Palace.  The Horse Guards began on Whitehall in 1660 under the rule of King Charles II.  No one is allowed to drive or horseback ride through the parade ground without consent, via an Ivory pass, from the Queen.  The Horse Guards parade ground is located behind the Whitehall building. Your family walking through is permissible, and not uncommon.  Unfortunately, you will not need or get an Ivory pass (which sounds really cool).  If you cross through Horse Guards from Whitehall, through the Horse Guards Parade Ground, across the street is Saint James Park.  It is a short, but beautiful, walk through Saint James Park to Buckingham Palace.  Your family will love this experience.  Horse Guards is a child friendly activity, as is the walk through Saint James Park to Buckingham Palace.  It is free of charge to watch.   

Number 10 Downing Street is located a few blocks away on Whitehall.  Downing Street is not open to the public, in fact it is guarded and gated, but you can look down the street through the iron fence.   

Horse Guard Changing Ceremony

Mon-Sat: 11:00

Sun: 10:00

Dismounting Ceremony: daily at 4pm

Open:  Mon-Sat 9am-6pm

Location:

Whitehall

London SW1A 2AX,

United Kingdom

Horse Guards Parade

Horse Guards Rd

London SW1A 2AX, United Kingdom

Phone:  +44 20 7414 2357

London Underground:  Embankment Station (Circle, Bakerloo, District, and Northern Lines)

Valuable Virgin Vacation Travel Deals to London

Lucky Little Travelers, http://www.luckylittletravelers.com , is a new website dedicated to family travel.  Please check our website for family friendly destinations, travel tips, and packing for children.  We are currently building, so if you don’t find what you are looking for, please check back with us.

If you are thinking about a vacation to London, England, Virgin Vacations is offering some fantastic deals.  Check this site:

www.virgin-vacations.com/

The Royal Countdown Begins for Prince William and Kate Middleton's Fairytale Wedding

Lucky Little Travelers, http://www.luckylittletravelers.com , is a new website dedicated to family travel.  Please check our website for family friendly destinations, travel tips, and packing for children.  We are currently building, so if you don’t find what you are looking for, please check back with us.

It's All About the Numbers for Prince William and Kate Middleton's Royal Wedding

Let the countdown begin!  100 days until the Royal Wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton, it is all over the news.  The wedding will take place on April 29, 2011 at Westminster Abbey in London.  Life is so much about counting, counting down the months, weeks, and days until the big day, counting up on the days, weeks, months, and years after it.  As the romance of it all swirls through the air of London, and around the world for the Royal Lovebirds, Prince William and the Lovely Kate Middleton, hotels are booking quickly.  Scuttlebutt has it that hotels are booking 40 percent faster than usual for late April in London.   Excitement is in the air as well-wishers and royal watchers are expected to outnumber the 600,000 who show up for the July 1981 wedding of Prince Charles to the late Princess Diana.  British Airways reports the increase in flights may not be directly related to the wedding, although the airline does have a special royal wedding “Weekend” package (prices start at $865).  Whoever thought that math was fun, it’s romantic.  Life is about the numbers, tomorrow it will be 99 days until the fairytale wedding.

Prince William and Kate Middleton's New Home

Lucky Little Travelers, http://www.luckylittletravelers.com , is a new website dedicated to family travel.  Please check our website for family friendly destinations, travel tips, and packing for children.  We are currently building, so if you don’t find what you are looking for, please check back with us.

Prince William and Kate Middleton's Wedding Day in London

Prince William and Kate Middleton plan to wed in London on April 29, 2011.  Speculation brews over where the newlyweds will live after the wedding.  There is some speculation that they will live at Kensington Palace, former home to the late Diana, Princess of Wales.  It is said that Queen Elizabeth has offered the young couple a private apartment (flat) at Buckingham Palace.  The Palace has over 775 rooms assuring a certain amount of privacy, however there are over 300 people who work at Buckingham Palace.  Other Sources say their time will be split between a private flat in Sir James’ Palace and cottage in Anglesey.  Only time will tell the real decision of living arrangements for the newlyweds.   No matter where Prince William and Kate Middleton choose to live, we wish them happiness.

For more information on Kensington Palace, Kensington Gardens, Diana Princess of Wales Memorial Playground(in Kensington Gardens), or Buckingham Palace, please visit our website.   We will have photos and a history of Westminster Abbey on our page soon. 

Trouble-Free Warm Weather Vacation Packing Checklists for Children

Lucky Little Travelers, http://www.luckylittletravelers.com , is a new website dedicated to family travel.  Please check our website for family friendly destinations, travel tips, and packing for children.  We are currently building, so if you don’t find what you are looking for, please check back with us.

Lucky Little Travelers has several different comprehensive packing lists for your child's vacation needs.  We have packing lists for warm weather and cold weather vacations.  Lucky Little Travelers also has sorts packing into five categories: carry-on luggage, entertainment packing, checked luggage packing, important travel documents, and optional aids packing.  We have easy to use well organized lists to make packing for your children less stressful.  We also have travel tips and a list of family friendly destinations.  Please see our free kid travel website.  Allow us to assist you with your travel needs.

3 Delightful Rainy Day Attractions in London That are Super Entertainment

Lucky Little Travelers, http://www.luckylittletravelers.com/ , is a new website dedicated to family travel.  You can check with us on your Android, iPhone, or Smart phone for directions and travel tips.  We have listed the Underground Stations and Lines for London's most popular attractions for children.  Please check our website before you leave for family friendly destinations, travel tips, and packing for children.  We have cold and warm weather printable vacation packing lists, as well as optional items.  We are currently building, so if you don’t find what you are looking for, please check back with us.

London's Aquarium is indoors and is a great rainy day activity for you and your children.  The Aquarium has over 350 species.  It is located in the ground floor of the County Hall on the south bank of the River Thames, near the London Eye (giant Ferris wheel, you can't miss it).  Look for combination tickets to the Aquarium, the River Thames Cruises, the London Eye, and Big Bus tours, to save money.    All of these attractions are great rainy day activities in London for children and adults.

Travel tip for children read:  The London Eye Mystery, by Dowd.  The London Eye Mystery is available for Kindle, by Amazon.

Magical Dazzling Dizzying Merriment of Disney World is Contagious to All Ages!

Lucky Little Travelers, http://www.luckylittletravelers.com, is a new website dedicated to family travel.  Please check our website for family friendly destinations, travel tips, and packing for children.  You can check us out on your smart phone, iPhone, or Android phone.  We have listed the rides with height limitations by land, something we haven't seen anyone else do.  It might save your tired feet from walking to ride your child is not tall enough to go on.  We have, also, listed fast pass rides by land.  Our hope is that we save you time and stress.  We are currently building, so if you don’t find what you are looking for, please check back with us.
We love Disney World and we hope that you make magical memories with your family.

Disney World Magic Kingdom Magical Merriment by Android Phone, iPhone, and Smart Phone Access

Lucky Little Travelers, http://www.luckylittletravelers.com, is a new website dedicated to family travel.  Please check our website for family friendly destinations, travel tips, and packing for children.  You can check us out on your smart phone, iPhone, or Android phone.  We have listed the rides with height limitations by land, something we haven't seen anyone else do.  It might save your tired feet from walking to ride your child is not tall enough to go on.  We have, also, listed fast pass rides by land.  Our hope is that we save you time and stress.  We are currently building, so if you don’t find what you are looking for, please check back with us.
We love Disney World and we hope that you make magical memories with your family.

Lucky Little Travelers Love Amazon’s Super Unbelievable Fantastic New Kindle Wireless Reading Device is perfect for Travel With Children of All Ages

Lucky Little Travelers, http://www.luckylittletravelers.com, is a new website dedicated to family travel.  Please check our website for family friendly destinations, travel tips, and packing for children.  We are currently building, so if you don’t find what you are looking for, please check back with us.

Amazon’s new Kindle is wonderful for traveling with children.  It is not that expensive, reads like a book, and is light weight.  Many books can be downloaded for all members of the family, thereby making luggage less heavy.  Seasoned travelers have a major goal to lighten their luggage, and the new Kindle fits the bill.  An added benefit is that most Kindle downloads are a fraction of the cost of their hardback counter parts.   Please check our website for more travel, packing, and family destination tips.

Lucky Little Travelers: Amazon's New Kindle a Wireless Reading Device is t...

Lucky Little Travelers: Amazon's New Kindle a Wireless Reading Device is t...: "Lucky Little Travelers, http://www.luckylittletravelers.com, is a new website dedicated to family travel. Please check our website fo..."

Amazon's New Kindle a Wireless Reading Device is the Perfect Book for Travel With Young Adults

Lucky Little Travelers, http://www.luckylittletravelers.com, is a new website dedicated to family travel.  Please check our website for family friendly destinations, travel tips, and packing for children.  We are currently building, so if you don’t find what you are looking for, please check back with us.

Amazon’s new Kindle is wonderful for traveling with children.  It is not that expensive, reads like a book, and is light weight.  Many books can be downloaded for all members of the family, thereby making luggage less heavy.  Seasoned travelers have a major goal to lighten their luggage, and the new Kindle fits the bill.  An added benefit is that most Kindle downloads are a fraction of the cost of their hardback counter parts.   Please check our website for more travel, packing, and family destination tips.

Tinkerbell and Peter Pan Make Magical London Vacation Memories for Children

Lucky Little Travelers, www.luckylittletravelers.com , is a new website dedicated to family travel.  Please check our website for family friendly destinations, travel tips, and packing for children.  We are accessible on your iPhone, Android phone, or Smart phone.  We have listed homepage addresses to major attractions, as well as transportation access for major cities.  (Fasts routes by London's Underground include Stations and Lines.)  We are currently building, so if you don’t find what you are looking for, please check back with us. 

Reading to children is extremely important.  The experts say it takes a thousand books read to a child before they will learn to read.  It is important to enhance your child's vacation with education, or maybe it is the other way around. You will find supplemental reading materials specific to vacation travel on our website.  One thing is for certain, travel helps to produce global thinkers.  If you read books that are specific to the location that you are traveling it will make the vacation more meaningful and memorable.  Especially when they can imagine Tinkerbell and Peter Pan flying around Big Ben.

Mom and Dad's Las Vegas Valentine's Day 2011

Lucky Little Travelers, www.luckylittletravelers.com , is a new website dedicated to family travel.  Please check our website for family friendly destinations, travel tips, and packing for children.  We are currently building, so if you don’t find what you are looking for, please check back with us.

If you are thinking about Valentine's Day in Las Vegas, Nevada, The Venetian Hotel, is running a deal on hotel suites.

www.venetian.com/Pages.aspx?id=2127

Princess Diana Memorial Playground Easy Access From London's Underground

Lucky Little Travelers, www.luckylittletravelers.com, is a new website dedicated to family travel.  Please check our website for family friendly destinations, travel tips, and packing for children.  We are currently building, so if you don’t find what you are looking for, please check back with us.

We highly suggest if you are in London that you take your children to Princess Diana’s Memorial Playground in Kensington Gardens.  It is absolutely adorable merry making fun.  Created to imitate the story of Peter Pan your children will be charmed.  Please see our website for more information.  We can give you directions on how to find the playground using London’s convenient Underground transportation system

Fantastic Airfare Travel Deals Plan Ahead for Valentine's Day 2011

Lucky Little Travelers, www.luckylittletravelers.com , is a new website dedicated to family travel.  Please check our website for family friendly destinations, travel tips, and packing for children.  We are currently building, so if you don’t find what you are looking for, please check back with us.  There are currently some great flight and travel deals available.  Please check our website for travel tips.

Prepare and Plan Ahead for Valentine's Day:

www.britishairways.com/travel/europe-on-sale/public/en_us?openxzoneid=309&openxcampaign=jan11quicksale&openxbanner=5516&openxtype=click


If you are looking for business class for two:
www.farebuzz.com/business?FpAffiliate=Inhouse_04Jan11

New Year's 2011: Resolution to Be Less Stressed and Lose Weight

Lucky Little Travelers, www.luckylittletravelers.com , is a new website dedicated to family travel.  Please check our website for family friendly destinations, travel tips, and packing for children.  We are currently building, so if you don’t find what you are looking for, please check back with us.  Reduce your stress and take a vacation with your family.  Fewer people travel in the month of January making it less expensive to fly.  Site-seeing attractions are, also, less crowded, thereby less hectic.

Stress and Weight Gain

There is a relationship between stress and gaining weight.  Weight gain is an indication of stress, especially if we have not changed our diet.  Emotional eating, cortisol and lack of exercise are contributing factors.   While some stress can be a good thing, it can motivate, stimulate, and actually push us to get a task completed; too much stress can cause the body harm.  Recognizing stress is important, because then the cause can be identified and dealt with.  There are techniques that can be adopted to increase energy and lose weight.

Make a mental note that the feeling of being overwhelmed or exhausted at the end of each day is stress that you are feeling.   It is important to recognize the effect of stress.   To decrease and combat stress:

1.        Incorporate a walk someplace in the day.  If there isn’t time for a walk some kind of stress reduction technique such as meditation.

2.       Cutback on Caffeine.  Realize that the caffeine, from to many cups of coffee or soft drinks, is not an energy substitute.

3.       Stop eating fast foods, most have almost no nutritional value, and your body knows when it needs nutrients.  Sweet and salty cravings are a signal of stress.  Prepare for this by having  good healthy snacks around

4.       Stop skipping meals with the excuse of being too busy to eat.  It will only produce more stress and exhaustion. 

5.       Make sure to get enough sleep.  Sleep deprivation can produce exhaustion

6.       If you find yourself eating when you are not hungry, make an effort to wait 15-20 minutes to give yourself a chance to sort out the emotional difference between true hunger and stress related emotional eating.

Most of all make add to your New Year’s Resolution:  Be Kinder to Yourself and Others.   We might find that if we give ourselves a break and admit that we are only human and can only accomplish so much in a given day we will decrease the stress that we put on ourselves.

Easy Best Tips and Tricks to Exercise on Vacation Travel

Lucky Little Travelers, www.luckylittletravelers.com, is a new website dedicated to family travel.  Please check our website for family friendly destinations, travel tips, and packing for children.  We are currently building, so if you don’t find what you are looking for, please check back with us.

As we welcome the New Year we have all made our resolutions to exercise more and eat healthier.  Incorporating Exercise in your vacation is easy.   In fact, exercise on vacation is usually not a problem.  There is an enormous amount of activity that takes place on vacation.  Here are 6 ways to think about how you can enhance exercise on your vacation:

1.)    If you are going to a beach community, take long walks in the sand.  It is great exercise and it tones muscles.

2.)    Theme parks present continual opportunities to walk.  Make a mental note to pick up your walking pace whenever you can.  No need to run, but you can raise your heart rate a little, and with all that walking a little adds up to a lot.

3.)     Staying in a hotel with a gorgeous pool.  Get in and swim!

4.)    Going to a mountain resort:  bike, hike, or walk.  Look online to see if you can rent a bike, how much they usually rent for, and where to go to pick one up.

5.)    Stairs are hard to avoid on vacation.  In America, there are usually ramps for disabled people and strollers.  If you don’t have anyone in need of the ramp, take the stairs.

If you are in Europe, use the underground metro system.  Most of Europe’s underground metro public transportation is great and will take you to within walking distance to main attractions.  More importantly, the way in and out of the underground is by stairs.

6.)    Nicer hotels and resorts usually have exercise rooms, take advantage of them.

Be sure to bring the proper equipment with you; comfortable walking shoes that give good support, bathing suit, sunscreen, flip-flops, bike.

Most importantly, be nice to yourself.  Do whatever it is that you can do to exercise, but acknowledge your accomplishments.  Reduce your stress and enjoy your vacation!

Healthy Weight Loss While Traveling in 2011

Lucky Little Travelers, www.luckylittletravelers.com, is a new website dedicated to family travel.  Please see our website for travel tips, packing, and family friendly destinations.  We are accessible by your Android phone or iPhone.

These are Our Rules for Weight Loss While Traveling:
1. Order grilled, not fried.
2. Hold the mayo, take the mustard.
3. Say no to the cheese.
4. Ask for the dressing on the side.
5. Pass on the fries, or order them unsalted.
6. Drink plenty of water.
7.  Enjoy the fresh fruits and vegetables from farmers markets that you can easily find in most cities.

We hope we have helped in some way.  Happy Healthy New Year!