Packing Smart: Top 10 Reasons to Pack a Travel Beach Towel for your Vacation

1. SPACE in your beach bag.  SolEscapes Travel Towels are so teeny-tiny when folded up that four travel towels take up the same space as one typical beach towel.
2. Everyone gets their own!  Since they’re lightweight, and pack so compactly, you can bring one for each member of the family.  
3. No skimping on size.  When opened up, these puppies are 40” by 70”, that’s generous even by beach towel standards (and, ahem, larger than most loaner towels). 

   

   4 Travel Beach Towels vs. 4 Typical Beach Towels

4. Planes are cold.  Plane blankets are… weird.  And possibly not super hygienic.  A travel beach towel, tucked in a carry-on, makes a cozy, clean and roomy blanket for your plane ride.
5. Picnic, anyone?  Travel towels are great portable picnic blankets!  Throw one or two down, preferably in sight of a gorgeous view – and voila! – a lovely place to enjoy your romantic cheese & wine spread. 
6. Style - don’t leave it at home!  Bring gorgeous colors, whimsical sea-lifeprints and soft, supple fabric with you on your dream vacation!
7. No more soggy towels!  Microfiber dries quickly, so you won’t have to pack heavy, wet towels around.
8. Great in-a-pinch blanket.  When kiddo gets chilly at the enthusiastically air-conditioned restaurant, whip a travel towel/blankie out of your bag before the shivering gets too dramatic.
9. Instant clean surface.  Ya know when you want to sit on the bench, but the bench looks a little … iffy?  Travel towel to the rescue! 
10. Zip-zap-dry.  The microfiber fabric is a quick-drying champ!  It will have you dried off and ready for your poolside lunch in moments.

For in-depth information about travel towels and other essential warm weather travel products, see the Pick & Pack Advice section.

10 Travel Apps We Love

Smart apps make travel even better

Travel and technology: two of our favorite things.  Put them together, and magic happens! We love a good app, and apps that make travel even better… well they really earn our app-plause!  Here are 10 of our favorite travel apps for your next vacation.

Great Apps for Travel

Packpoint – This cool little app is designed just to manage your packing lists.  It gets you started with standard items, then gives you the ability to customize.  You can upload it, email it to your travel companions, and more.

Evernote – we’ve talked about Evernote before; it’s useful for creating ongoing packing lists.  But it can do so much more.  Keep a running list of travel “to-do’s” or “to-see’s”.  Copy in itinerary information.  Record your favorite memories.  

Trip Advisor – Knowing a bit about where you’re going to sleep is invaluable.  Trip Advisor, long known for reviews of hotels, also has loads of user reviews about restaurants, beaches, things to do and more.  Additionally, you can book flights and hotel stays from the app.

TripIt - Your one stop travel itinerary app.  Store details about your flights, hotels, rental cars, restaurant reservations and more.  It even has an auto import feature, which will pull from confirmation emails you’ve received – so handy!

My Currency Converter – Doing math in one’s head… well, it’s not for everyone, is it?  This app does the currency conversion math for you, simply and quickly.  Bonus: for an app that converts all sorts of things (currency, volume, length and more), check out Units Plus.

Google Maps – Pretty obvious, right?  Though it has features you may not use day to day.  For example, when requesting directions, use the “walk” option if you’re on foot so it will adjust the time estimate accordingly and give you walk-appropriate directions.  Also, check out the “Apps” option within directions for public transit and other apps relevant to your location.  

GateGuru – Ever had a couple hours to kill at an airport?  Or, ever had a short layover and a ravenous appetite?  GateGuru to the rescue.  Just select the airport, and it gives you all the info you’ll need: maps, tips, amenities, restaurants, even flights.  Sort by gate if you’re short on time – dash to the nearest restaurant and grab some food before you board. 

Speak & Translate – Language barrier, no more!  Just say whatcha need to say, and the app translates it into the selected language.  There are a bunch of languages to choose from.  Too cool!

Wi-Fi Finder – When you yearn for wi-fi, this app helps you find it!  It uses GPS to identify hot spots nearby.  You can even download the offline database, so the info will be at your fingertips, regardless of your connection status!

Moldiv - You're going to be making a lot of memories; why not share them on the fly?  Use Moldiv to quickly create photo collages of your adventures, then share them via your favorite social media: Instagram, Facebook, etc.


What's your favorite app for traveling?

8 Honeymoon Must Have Products

Honeymoon Necessities

Morgana Sun Hat by Gottex |  Architecture Skirted Bandeau Swimsuit by Gottex

Coco Cabana Necklaces by SolEscapes  |  UPF 50+ Lace Up Front Dress by Glamourpuss NYC  

Vela Crochet Tote by ále by Alessandra  |  Coco Cabana Stacking Bracelets by SolEscapes

Broad Spectrum Sunscreen by COOLA  |  Microfiber Travel Beach Towel by SolEscapes

Just Married!  Congratulations!  And to top it off, you get to go on a romantic vacation to a dreamy tropical destination.  Honeymoons are the best!

What to Bring on Your Honeymoon

1. You'll need a sun hat!  Look as sultry as you want while protecting your skin from the potential damage of the sun's rays.  Santorino, in white with a touch of gold, says "bride", as well as glamorous resort (it also speaks cruise ship fluently).  Oh yeah, it's packable too!
   
2. A flattering swimsuit is a necessity for endless lounging at the pool (Weddings are exhausting; lounging is a must).  The Gottex Architecture Skirted Bandeau is simple elegance wrapped up in lovely details.  The internal tummy control does its job while the subtle texturing adds interest.
3. Vacation jewelry can be tricky; you don't want to overwhelm your luggage, and yet you need some bling to liven up your outfits.  These versatile, go with everything Coco Cabana Necklaces mix, match, and go with everything; wear them separately or together. 
4. Cover-up - check.  Going-out-dress - check.  This lace-up dress by Glamourpuss NYC is a vacation essential.  It's made of sun protective material, and ideal as a swimsuit cover-up.  Or... wear it with a pair of fun wedges, add some jewelry (see above), and you've got a chic evening outfit.
5. You have stuff, you need to carry it around; it's a practical need.  Fill that gap with the boho chic fun of the Vela Crochet Tote Bag.  It's stylish and it's the perfect size for carrying your vacation necessities from day to evening.
6. Don't let your wrists get jealous of your newly bejeweled ring finger!  Adorn them with Coco Cabana Stacking Bracelets.  Combined with their counterpart necklaces, they're dazzling.  Work in some other favorite bracelets, and enjoy the arm party!
7. We have to say it: please don't get sunburned on your Honeymoon.  Nothing is more miserable than a sunburn on vacation, and on your Honeymoon?  Just don't.  Please.  COOLA Sunscreen is made of super high quality, natural ingredients that nurture your skin while guarding it from the sun with broad spectrum SPF 45 protection.  Also: they have fantastic scents, this one smells deliciously of mango!
8. You need a towel, but not just any towel: a travel beach towel!  Travel Lux Microfiber Beach Towels are multitasking travel experts.  They pack teeny-tiny (seriously - tuck one in your carry on so you have a blankie for the plane), but fold out to a luxurious 40" x 70"!  They're really handy for beach excursions or even impromptu picnics!

   
Enjoy your Honeymoon!


 

Must Have Products for Your Spring Break Getaway

What to Pack for Spring Break

Spring Break means... Getaway Time!  After the chilly - and possibly snow-filled - months of winter, we're all ready for a vacation full of warm weather, beautiful views, and fun fun fun!

So let's pack those bags and get ready for Spring Break vacation!  What should we bring?  Well...

What to pack for your Spring Break Getaway

 

Swimsuit: This gorgeous head-turner, in aptly named Fire Red, is both stylish and sneakily figure flattering, making it a great option for swimwear for Spring Break.  The draped front contours the figure while internal tummy control smooths the mid-section.  It can be worn with or without straps and has full bottom coverage.   

Cover-up: This smart looking cover-up dress is brilliant when it comes to sun protection.  The UPF fabric protects the skin for the sun's harmful rays while looking super chic in a navy striped print.  Psssst: it also does double duty as a dress - just add jewelry and fun shoes!   

Sunscreen:  You'll be in the sun, therefor you must wear sunscreen.  COOLA sunscreen is made from super high quality ingredients and smells amazing!  Broad spectrum coverage and SPF 45 protection seal the deal.

Sun Hats for spring break: The sun will be out, and you need to great, so you'll need a few!  Punta Cana's colorful flowers are all about fun!  The Alhambra fedora takes a classic turn with its white straw and navy band.  And for a feminine mood, the Altamira by ále by Alessandra combines sweet and chic flawlessly.

Resort Jewelry: Dress up anything with the addition of stylish jewelry.  These stacking bracelets are versatile, vacation friendly, and gorgeous!

Sandals: Warm weather and beach call for cute sandals.  These flip-flops from Keikei's are perfect!  Their shell details are the perfect balance of tropical-fun and vacation-versatility (read: they'll go with everything).

Tote Bag: The indispensable pool bag just got chic-er with this Glamourpuss NYC see-through tote bag!  It's the ideal size for tossing the days necessities before you head to the pool (or beach or shopping or sight-seeing)!  It would also be a great carry-on.

Clutch: You'll be out on the town at night, but don't want to carry a big purse (or pack it, for that matter).  A clutch is the stylish answer.  It's adorable, and roomy enough for going-out necessities (including your phone).

What's on your must-pack list for Spring Break?


 

Cruising with Family: Babies (and Toddlers) on Board

Cruising is a great way for kids to get a taste of the Tropics

Our last post of the Cruising with Family series talked about packing for a cruise with kids.  Let's take that a step further: if you have an infant or toddler, packing for a family cruise has the extra challenge of dealing with the “big gear”.  Babies may be small, but they sure require a lot of stuff!  Luckily, you don't have to tote all of it along, here are some pointers for packing for your cruise:

A Stroller on a Cruise?

Many suggest bringing a stroller for younger children, as it will come in handy for shore excursions, walking through airport and cruise terminal and even for naps on the cruise ship.  An umbrella stroller may be your best bet, since it’s lightweight and compact (a large stroller may be difficult to get in and out of stateroom, and is bulkier to store).  Find out if the cruise ship rents strollers by the day, this could be ideal if you’ll just need one for shore excursions.

Sleeping Arrangements On Board

Cruise ships will have several options, depending on the age of your child.  For infants and toddlers, contact the cruise line beforehand to reserve a crib or pack n’ play for your stateroom.  For preschoolers, find out how tall the bed is, and if it has a bed-rail.  Some parents feel comfortable placing a rolled up blanket at the edge of the bed (underneath the fitted sheet) to act as a quasi-bed-rail.  Some family staterooms have bunk beds, so be sure that such an arrangement is appropriate to the age of your child.

Bathing your Little One

Does your stateroom have a bathtub, or just a shower?  For the tub-less, a small inflatable bathtub is useful for bathing infants and tots.

Feeding Baby on a Cruise

Baby food availability and guidelines vary by cruiseline and even by cruise ship, so do your homework.  Find out if your cruise line permits baby food to brought on board, if they sell baby food on board, or if the kitchens will puree or mash food for infants.  Formula and breast milk are allowed; find out if your ship will have bottle warmers available, or if you’re able to bring your own.

Basic Baby Necessities on a Cruise Vacation

Some cruise lines sell diapers and formula on board, others don’t.  Find out what your ship will stock, and be sure to pack accordingly (when in doubt, pack more diapers!).  Many cruise lines contract with services that will deliver diapers and other baby gear to your stateroom before you board. 


Do you have a favorite trick for cruising with an infant or toddler?


Want to know more about preparing for a family cruise vacation?  Check out the other posts in our Cruising with Family series:

• Planning your Family Cruise
• Packing for a Family Cruise
• Babies, Toddlers and the Family Cruise Vacation
• Cruise Vacations with Teenagers
• Helpful Online Resources for Planning a Family Cruise
• Learn Fun Nautical Lingo Before your Family Cruise!

Cruising with Family: Packing!

Pack Smart for your Cruise Vacation with Kids!

In the first installment of our Cruising with Family series, we discussed some of the initial research you'll do when preparing for a family cruise.  Now let's dive into the nitty-gritty of any vacation preparation: packing!

Packing for a cruise is, in many ways, just like packing for any other vacation (and we have some great tips for packing for vacation!).  But when packing for a family cruise there are some special considerations.  

Necessary Items for a Family Cruise Vacation

• Any cruise will include a lot of time outdoors, so pack plenty of sun protection for the whole family.  Sun hats are key, as well as a high quality broad spectrum sunscreen.
• Many cruises have one or two formal dining nights.  Determine how this will impact your family and if you’ll need to pack some fancy duds for your kids.
• With the popularity of the ship’s pool and the potential for beachy shore excursions, be sure to update your kids’ swimwear.  For cute comfort and great sun protection, a children's swim shirt or rash guard is ideal. 
• If your child takes medication, be sure to bring a proper amount in its original packaging (with labels).  Medication and medical equipment should be hand carried on-board (not checked in luggage).  Be sure to check with your cruiseline for specific regulations regarding medications.

Fitting All Your Stuff into a Cruise Ship Stateroom

• Cruise ship staterooms can be small, and will feel smaller yet when filled with a family and its belongings.  Pack light where it makes sense, and use suitcases that aren't exceptionally large, so you can stow them out of the way under a bed or in a closet.
• Related: your cruise ship probably offers laundry service and/or has laundry facilities on-board.  It can be worthwhile to take advantage of this so you can pack less clothing.
• It’s probably common sense, but be aware of items that you may not bring on board.  Kid-related items that aren’t typically allowed on a cruise ship include toy weapons, wheeled shoes, sporting equipment, pool toys, coolers over a certain size and certain electronics (such as gaming systems). 

 Kids and Cruising; Helpful Advice

• Prepare for downtime.  Getting to the ship may be a voyage unto itself.  Plan plenty of entertainment for your kids for downtime at the airport, on the airplane and at the cruise terminal (here are some helpful ideas for entertaining kids while traveling).
• Similarly, prepare for quiet time while on the ship.  Many kids (and parents) will need breaks from all the activity and commotion of a cruise ship.  Bring small toys and books that they can quietly enjoy while in your stateroom. 
• Bringing food on board is regulated, for example, opened food packages and homemade food are not permitted.  If your family has particular requirements due to food allergies or a special diet, be sure you know the guidelines, contacting the cruise line for clarification.

Seasickness and Kids

As you're packing, don't forget this unsavory issue: seasickness.  Motion sickness is no fun for anyone, so plan ahead.  Even kids that don’t typically get carsick may have a different reaction to the motion of a ship at sea. 

• A popular seasickness remedy is Sea Bands; wrist bands that apply pressure to a certain point on the wrist.  They do not contain any medication, are sold over the counter, and considered safe for anyone to use.
• There are many other seasickness medications available, both prescription and over the counter.  If you feel seasickness will be an issue for your child, be sure to discuss options with your Pediatrician.    
• Ginger, in all its forms, is a popular seasickness remedy.  Ginger ale, gingersnap cookies, ginger candy, ginger gum, etc. are easy to find and may provide some yummy relief.

What must-have item do you include on your family cruise packing list?

Want to know more about preparing for a family cruise vacation?  Check out the other posts in our Cruising with Family series:

• Planning your Family Cruise
• Packing for a Family Cruise
• Babies, Toddlers and the Family Cruise Vacation
• Cruise Vacations with Teenagers
• Helpful Online Resources for Planning a Family Cruise
• Learn Fun Nautical Lingo Before your Family Cruise!

Packing Smart: Maintain an Ongoing Packing List

A simple way to make the chore of packing easier is to maintain an ongoing packing list.  Instead of reinventing the wheel with each vacation, pull out your handy-dandy list and start checking the items off.  With each passing vacation, you’ll refine the list, adding helpful items and removing items that aren’t actually needed.

Pen and paper are old checklist stand-by’s, but taking advantage of technology will make your job even easier.  Software solutions are many and varied; even a simple Word document will do the job nicely.  To streamline, use one of the many list-making apps that are available, so you can tote your smartphone or tablet around with you while you pack that suitcase. 

We’re big fans of Evernote; it’s an all-purpose info-saving app that can be installed on all your devices - computer, smartphone, tablet, etc.  When you make a change, it automatically syncs to all your other devices.  Making lists on it is a breeze, and checkboxes can be added so you can have that special satisfaction of ticking things off as you go.    

We like to keep a master packing list, one that lists the basics.  Then, when planning for an upcoming vacation, we make a copy of it and customize it for that particular trip; adding sun hats for a week at the beach, or parkas if we’re heading to the slopes.  If, mid-trip, we realize we’ve forgotten a necessity, we just add it to our master list so we’ll remember it next time.

What’s your favorite trick for simplifying vacation packing?     

Family Travel: Flying with Kids

Happy Travels when Flying with Kids

You’re on the beach, the beautiful beach.  The sound of the waves, the warmth of the sun, the fruity umbrella drink... the serenity of vacation.  It is absolute Paradise…
 
**cue alarm clock**  

You wake with a jolt, and remember that you have to get there first.  With your children in tow.  You have to spend hours in a plane - with your children - before you can experience paradise. 

Traveling with kids is not for the faint of heart.  Kids just aren’t wired to sit still and be quiet for long; a fact that is directly at odds to being cooped up in an airplane full of strangers.  For hours on end.  But with some strategy and preparation, travel with kids can be bearable… and dare we say … fun?

Flying with Kids Strategy #1: Talk It Up

Kids love knowing what to expect; they tend to handle new experiences better when they have an idea of what's coming.  In the days and weeks leading up to your trip, talk with them about what traveling will be like.  Describe each step, so they can mull it over, get a picture in their heads, ask questions and voice concerns.  

How will the airport experience look?  Talk about getting there, checking bags, going through security, and boarding the plane.  Discuss the plane, how they'll sit in a certain seat and wear their seat belts (especially when the light is on).  Describe what the flight attendants and pilots will do, and how it's important to listen to their direction.  If you have a layover, go over that part too.  What will happen when you arrive at your destination?  Talk it all through.       

Flying with Kids Strategy #2: Gadgets

Once travel day arrives, your first line of defense is probably obvious: electronics.  They are your best friend.  Embrace them.  While you may limit all manner of screens during normal life, a travel day is the day to lift the screen ban.  

Smartphones, tablets, really any sort of gadget with games or movies = invaluable on a long flight.  If you have more than one kid, then for the sake of your sanity, bring more than one gadget (a 1:1 gadget:kid ratio is highly recommended).  Before the trip, find out what new app or movie they’ve been longing for and buy it for your day of travel.  For your readers, download a heap of books into an e-reader or e-reader app.
 

Flying with Kids Strategy #3: Activities

Eventually, the kids (especially the very young) will grow tired of the gadgets.  Be prepared by having a stash of small, entertaining items – some new surprises and some old favorites.  Here are a few ideas:

• Classics like coloring books, word searches, mazes, sticker books
• Small Etch-a-sketch, magnadoodle, etc.
• Magnetic set, colorforms, reusable sticker set
• Tiny doll, action figure or stuffed animal
• A Microfiber Travel Towel will make a nice blanket for putting dolly or teddy down for a nap (it’s also a great plane blanket for the humans!)
• Hot wheels
• A Toob set of small animals, knights & dragons, pirates etc.
• Painter’s tape (Really!  Kids love tape.  One idea: use it in conjunction with hotwheels or Toob set)
• Travel version of a favorite game
• Blank notepad + a fresh pack of crayons or pens
• A deck of cards
• Pipe cleaners
• Books (a new book from a favorite series would be a hit)
• Wikki Stix (make letters, animals, people, shapes, long chains…)
• Small craft kit (foam sticker craft kit, color by number, etc.)
• Bonus: these activities will come in handy during your trip, should you have any hotel room lulls.

Flying with Kids Strategy #4: Food

Kids are always hungry, and airplane meals will be poorly timed or non-existent.  Bringing food is a practical necessity, but snack time can serve another purpose: a fun (and yummy) activity.  If ever there was a time to let them play with their food, this is it.

• Play zoo with animal crackers.
• Buy the character fruit snacks they’ve been begging for and let them act out scenes.
• String an “O” cereal (the fruity variety would be especially pretty) onto pipe cleaners for edible jewelry.
• Use those fruity O’s (or m&m’s, or another multicolored snack) for some surreptitious math practice – sorting, counting, adding, subtracting, etc.
• Unraveling fruit roll-ups is excellent fine motor skill practice and takes forever.
• Related: a whole apple takes much longer to eat than apple slices.
• “Draw” outlines of shapes or pictures with m&m’s (or nuts or O’s, etc)
• Read the nutrition labels on snack wrappers.  Discuss.
• Build your own trail mix – pack ingredients (nuts, dry cereal, dried fruit, etc.) in separate baggies.  Help your child choose the ingredients for their own personal trail mix recipe.
• Build gummy bear pyramids.
• Also: Be sure to pack wipes, for pre and post snack clean-up.

Flying with Kids Strategy #5: Wing It

It’s worth mentioning that timing is key.  Wait until the wiggles set in before diving into your bag of tricks, and let each activity run its course before moving on to something else.  

But at some point, you’ll probably find that your kid is *done* with this airplane, and you’re just going to have to go with the flow.  Walk the aisles.  Appreciate kindly passengers that will engage them in a 2 minute game of peek-a-boo while you take a breath.  Explore the seat back pocket and see how creative you can get with the contents.  You’ll do what it takes, and earn yourself some major parenting points in the process.  Before you know it… you’ll be there.  You’ll make it to Paradise.

 
What’s your favorite strategy for traveling with kids?



Check out SolEscapes.com for great kids swimwear, including Snapper Rock sun protective swimwear! 


 

Packing Smart: Roll, Don't Fold

The quandary of packing for a long vacation.  You want to bring a nice variety of gorgeous outfits, but you also don’t want to lug a lot of luggage through the airports.  To fit more in your suitcase, try the classic packing tip: roll, don’t fold.

Clothing that has been rolled up tightly takes up less space than folded items.  The rolled shape is ideal for space filling, so you can use every nook and cranny of your suitcase.  A glorious advantage of rolling is that when carefully rolled, your clothes will have fewer wrinkles; you won’t get the deep creases that are created by folding.  We even hear that rolling is faster than folding!  Rolling goes beyond clothing; there are some sun and beach hats that can be rolled, allowing you to pack a glamorous wide-brimmed hat that you might otherwise leave at home.  

If you have an article of clothing that is especially wrinkle-prone, such as a blouse, after packing all other items, sandwich the item between tissue paper, then lay it on top of the other items. 

Rolling vs. folding: what’s your experience?