The summer holidays are looked forward to all year long. It is a time for your whole family to relax and enjoy themselves together, while exploring somewhere new. Safety isn’t the first thing people think of when they think about holidays but it is important. If you are visiting Europe, keep your whole family covered with an EHIC card. This means that if you need emergency medical treatment while you’re away you’ll be able to access it at a reduced cost.

Sun cream

Protection from the sun is important no matter how old you are. Children will need help putting sun cream on. Make sure you use a high factor and top-up sun cream throughout the day. The general rule is to apply it fifteen minutes before you go out. If sun cream says it is water resistant, that doesn’t mean that it’s waterproof. Sun cream needs to be reapplied every time your children go in the sea or pool. Keeping out of the sun in the hottest parts of the day, from midday to around three in the afternoon, is a good idea. For babies, or very young children, you will need a tent to provide shelter all day as their skin is much more sensitive.

Supervision

Being on holiday is exciting for everyone and children are prone to going off to explore. Children will need to be supervised just as intensely, if not more carefully, as you would when they are at home. Never leave your children unattended by water, as the risk of drowning is high. Make sure your children know not to wander off and where to go if they do get separated from you. Dress them in bright colored clothes to help you to identify them from a long way away. Don’t leave your children unattended at any point throughout the day, there will always be family friendly restaurants available or dedicated crèche services at your hotel.

Pack a First-Aid Kit

You can never be too prepared. Bringing a basic first-aid kit with you is essential. Bring plasters, insect repellent, anti-septic cream and a thermometer as a minimum. All the medicine you use on a weekly basis should be packaged up and brought with you too. Prescription medicines usually have to be labeled. Make sure you check the rules and regulations of taking medicine on the plane before you travel.

Secure the Property

Make sure your holiday home, apartment or hotel room is secure when you arrive. Each night be sure to lock the windows and doors. This is especially important if your children are sleeping in their own bedroom. If you notice anything that doesn’t look right, such as a faulty latch on a window, report it to the property owner. Other safety measures to take include removing any cleaning products and putting them somewhere out of reach of your children’s inquisitive hands. It sounds over cautious but there is nothing wrong with being careful!

 

If you have wanted to see Niagara Falls in person for years, and are planning a trip to the region with your family, it’s important to have an itinerary that covers more options than just seeing this magnificent natural phenomenon.

While the falls themselves are amazing, and attract millions of visitors every year, when you have kids with you, you also need to have other activities on your list to choose from. Read on for a selection of family-friendly destinations you can consider checking out when you arrive.

Niagara Freefall and Interactive Center

No matter the ages of your children, once you have checked into your chosen Niagara Falls hotel, you should head to the Niagara Freefall and Interactive Center for some play time. Here you will find something to interest everyone; and it is a perfect choice when the weather isn’t so great.

At the Center, for starters your family can get a feel for the thrill of skydiving, without the risk. Indoor skydiving is possible for children 7 years and older, and for groups of up to four people at a time. The activity is completed within a wind tunnel flight chamber, and has users flying at air speeds approaching 140mph.

If that’s not enough, at the Freefall and Interactive Center you can also let the kids go nuts with tokens for the many interactive arcade games on-site, or have some family time playing Lazerball. This game is paint-free and mess-free, and uses soft, reusable foam balls rather than paint. The Center also offers a mechanical bull ride and a 32-foot high rooftop rock wall for climbers of many abilities.

 Old Fort Niagara

A great educational outing for your family when you’re  in the Niagara region is Old Fort Niagara, on the U.S. side of the falls. Perfect for history buffs and novices alike, the Fort, which was built in the 1700s, is the oldest operational one of its type in the country. It was used primarily during the French, Revolutionary, and Indian Wars, and over the years has been owned and used by the Native American, French, British and American troops.

If possible, try to schedule your visit to Old Fort Niagara with the attraction’s special event periods. You and your kids will have the opportunity to meet some on-site re-enactors who recreate the lives of past garrison members for visitors.

At other times of year, you can watch hourly musket demonstrations, and examine the site’s well-preserved cannons, barracks, rooms, and other exhibits. While at the Fort, you can also enjoy self-guided audio tours, and take in the scenic view of the falls, plus Lake Ontario and the Niagara River, from the Fort’s high vantage point.

Nightmares Fear Factory

If you are looking for something to please teenagers, or children over 7 who don’t scare easily, then put a visit to the Nightmares Fear Factory on your itinerary. This not-for-the-faint-hearted experience has been operating for more than 30 years, and is located inside a classic-style haunted house found at the top of Clifton Hill in Canada.

Participants in the Fear Factory are challenged to “survive” as they walk through the attraction in groups of up to six. This is done at your own speed, as you are led through the house by a trail of red lights – pretty much the only illumination in the attraction.

At this memorable destination, you will be scared at many points along the way, plus you’ll find that changes are made regularly so you can visit often. If, however, the family chickens out and can’t quite complete the experience, there is no need to feel deflated. Nightmares Fear Factory actually boasts about the fact that more than 140,000 people have chickened out at some point along the way since the haunted house opened!

Niagara SkyWheel

Another top attraction in the Niagara region that is suitable for all ages is the Niagara SkyWheel, on the Canadian side of the falls in Clifton Hill. This approximately 15-minute experience takes passengers 175-feet high, and is the largest observation wheel in Canada.

Ride the SkyWheel and you will enjoy a beautiful birds-eye view of Niagara Falls and the surrounding area and, if you visit around dusk or later, you can also take in the Falls Illumination show when the water lights up in the colors of the rainbow, and the city skyline sparkles.

Each SkyWheel journey includes at least four rotations on the Ferris wheel, and families can ride together in their own gondola. If you’re a keen photographer, you’ll surely love the opportunity provided by the SkyWheel too. When up in the air you can take snaps of the falls from a new angle that captures both the Horseshoe and American Falls at one time; plus you can get to see for miles in every direction.

 

For most families, a vacation is a time for the kids to have fun, run around, and get into playful mischief. Even though the parents will get plenty of enjoyment out of it, most of the time it’s the children who reign supreme. But what if your kids are all grown up, or with a babysitter? Well, buy those motorcycle tires for sale and come along with us for some adventure, parental style.

Take Your Bikes for a Spin

Unfortunately, it can be tough to be a motorcycle enthusiast and a parent, as most little children are not safe riding on the back of a hog. It’s not impossible, but that means that usually you have to take the car instead of your bike. However, when the kids are gone, you and your partner can strap on some Yamaha parts, put on your best motorcycle gear, and hit the road in style. Whether it’s a quick jaunt down the highway or a multi-day trip, nothing compares to seeing the world on your bike.

Whitewater Rafting

If you’ve never set foot on a raging river, then you have not known true adventure. If you’re new to the sport, start off with something easy like a level two, then work your way up. Also, be sure to go in a group so that you don’t have to battle the rapids by yourselves. The best thing about rafting along the river is that you can relax and crack open some beers while you drift on to the next stop.

Hang Gliding

So far, we’ve covered the open road and the water, but when it comes to adventure, feeling the wind beneath you is an exceptional experience that cannot be replicated. Hang gliding is a feeling of freedom as you gently sail down to the ground. Again, be sure to use all of the proper safety equipment and start with a professional, but no matter how you slice it, hang gliding is a ton of fun.

While having a vacation with the kids is fun and all, it is nice to get out and see the world on your own. Whether it’s putting new motorcycle tires for sale on your ride or flying through the air, adventure is waiting around the corner.

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Ocala/Marion County VCB for IZEA. All opinions are 100% mine.

Whether you are a new couple or have been together for 50-years, it is always nice to spend time together just the two of you. Not only is it important for couples to take the time to rekindle their romance, but spending time away from the everyday stresses of life is healthy for your relationship. If you want a place to celebrate your relationship and enjoy yourself, spend Valentine’s Day in Ocala/Marion County, Florida this year! Here are some great places to go during your romantic Florida Travel :

Enjoy Romantic Ocala/Marion County Lodging

Ocala/Marion County has lodging that can accommodate any experience you may want to have with your loved one. With great hotels, bed and breakfasts, and cabins, you can make your romantic getaway fit both you and your loved one. Here are some of the top rated romantic Ocala/Marion County Lodging

1. Angler’s Resort Motel: Enjoy a beautiful scenic atmosphere on the Withlacoochee River. With kitchenettes, a Tiki bar, a relaxing atmosphere, live music and good times, Angler’s Resort Motel is the perfect place to spend a weekend getaway or Valentine’s Day.
2. WoodSpring Suites Ocala: This lovely home away from home makes the perfect extended stay. With a full kitchen, stove, and full-size refrigerator, you have the comfort of your home away from daily stresses. Not only is it a romantic getaway, but you can get this amazing suite starting at $179 per night.
3. Shamrock Thistle & Crown Bed and Breakfast: This 3-story Victorian Bed and Breakfast is the perfect romantic getaway. With fireplaces, a hot tub, solar heated pool, and whirlpool suites, you can have a whole vacation full of romantic bliss. Not to mention fresh, hot breakfast neither of you cooks.
4. Horseshoe Lake Park and Retreat: Retreat to a rustic-style cabin along the banks of Lake Park. Each cabin has a kitchenette fit with a microwave, fridge, and gas stove, living room, dining room, and a crystal view of the lake making it a home away from home.

Take Advantage of the Many Ocala/Marion County Activities

Ocala/Marion County offers a little fun for everyone. With activities and events that fit everyone’s interests and getaway needs, you’ll never want your Valentine’s getaway to end! Take your Valentine on a romantic adventure with Ocala/Marion County Activities they will love!

1. Arts and Culture. If you love to take in the arts and culture, you won’t be disappointed in Ocala/Marion County. Discover the arts at the Ocala Civic Theatre featuring the Marion Ballet theatre, go back in time at the Ocala Drive-in Theatre, or spend the day at the Silver River Museum.
2. Enjoy a Romantic Dinner for two. You can always find a great restaurant that will bring you both closer together in Ocala/Marion County. You will want to try Amrit Palace Indian Restaurant, Ivy House, and La Cuisine French Restaurant for a romantic meal you’ll never forget.
3. Take time to See the Sights. Marion County offers a wide range of sights you won’t get to see anywhere else. Take time to see these musts in Marion County: Painting with a Twist, Picasso’s Pallet, Monkey Junction, Endangered Animals Rescue Sanctuary, and Bubba Raceway Park.
4. See the outdoors. If you don’t mind the cool, crisp air, Ocala/Marion County offers you beautiful scenic outdoor activities, zip lining, canoeing, and so much more.

What are you waiting for? Book your trip to Ocala/Marion County, Florida for a romantic getaway you won’t ever forget!    

Moonlight is a new organizational app that helps families explore the great outdoors without worrying about logistics.

Most moms know that planning a camping trip for a whole family can quickly change from a fun, carefree event to a stressful, logistical nightmare.  From juggling the reservation information to figuring out who’s responsible for bringing what, camping sometimes seems like more trouble than it’s worth. That’s why Active Network, LLC created the Moonlight app.

Active Network, LLC, has just launched their Moonlight app for iPhones. Moonlight is a social-based app that aims to help families and adventurers coordinate their outdoor trips.  Whether you’re headed out for a day at the lake or a week under the stars, let Moonlight help you plan your summer getaway.

Moonlight covers all the bases of trip planning.  Active Network’s partnership with ReserveAmerica lets you sync and share your reservation information with all the members of your trip, ensuring that everyone ends up in the same place at the right time.

“We are excited about the release of our new app, Moonlight. We saw a need in the market to deliver this technology using our unique positioning as the largest provider of campground reservations through ReserveAmerica®.  We are already working on exciting new features to be released in the coming months,” says Greg Ingino CIO and Head of Commerce.

More than just a reservation coordinator, Moonlight also includes a comprehensive checklist feature that allows you to divide up campsite responsibilities, pre-trip shopping lists, and assign packing duties.  After you decide what needs to be done, Moonlight lets the user divvy up responsibilities by sharing and exporting the lists. You can even assign tasks to certain people, to make sure everyone does their part! By splitting up preparation tasks, campsite jobs and grocery shopping, Moonlight makes sure nothing will get forgotten, and no one gets stuck with all the errands!

Moonlight is available for free from the App Store, but users can upgrade to the ad-free, pro version of the app for just $5.99/year.  The upgraded app also includes a database of delicious, expert-approved campfire recipes, a resource to find activities, and an improved app experience without ads.  In the future, Moonlight will include insider secrets about destinations and geo-notification technology!

When planning is this easy, there’s nothing stopping your family from exploring the great outdoors!