But you decide as a family and everyone should be excited and willing to pitch in to make your family travel a memorable and enjoyable experience. Once you have agreed on where to go, then the family travel planning can really begin. If you are going camping, there are a lot of supplies to gather up and a lot of gear to make ready for family travel. If you are going to a foreign country, then all necessary documents need to be put in order. If your family travel is taking yo to exotic locales, then the kids might need some special immunizations against any possible health hazards in the area.

All travel has to be planned and flights booked and reservations need to be made. Family travel can take a lot of planning and much preparation for it to be fun and successful. But once all the planning and preparations are done, all that is left is to actually do and enjoy your family travel. Family travel should be a fun adventure for everyone so as a parent it is your duty to instill a spirit of joy and discovery into your family travel. So often parents who think that parenting is just a monumental drag take their kids on a family trip, but the family travel is spoiled by the parents' bad attitude and just generally lousy disposition. Of course, most adults are too hung up with their own problems to really be present for their kids, but at least where family travel is involved, you could try to rise above your own wants and needs for a while for the sake of your children. Make family travel fun and special for them and not a horrible sould crishing experience like most of the other time they spend with you.

1. Sunscreen should be the very first thing that you pack in your suitcase. The sun can be healthy in small doses as it provides much needed Vitamin D. However, don't overdose on the hot stuff. You can get sunburn and increase your chances of skin cancer. Therefore, choose a sunscreen with at least an SPF of 15 or higher. Fifty or higher is optimal, especially for children. Be sure to reapply periodically as swimming and sweat could make it wear off.

2. Sunglasses are a must to protect your eyes from sun damage. Make sure that your sunglasses protect your eyes from UVA and UVB exposure. Polarized sunglasses offer the best protection.

3. Don't get chapped and chafed. Wear a lip balm that offers at least an SPF of 15 or more. Do not wear tight clothing as the heat can make your skin become red and you can develop a rash from tight clothing rubbing together. Be loose.

4. And speaking of clothing … wear clothing that reflects the heat. You should try and wear long sleeves and long pants or a long skirt. Choose light materials for breath ability. You want the air to be able to circulate. Add a wide brimmed hat to your ensemble to protect your head, face ears and neck from the sun's rays.

5. Limit your sun exposure. Venture out early in the morning and late in the afternoon and evening. Avoid the middle part of the day when the sun is high overhead and bearing down the strongest. Stick to shaded areas if you are out and about.

6. Stay hydrated by drinking a lot of water. Carry a water bottle with you at all times. Refrain from drinking alcohol or caffeinated drinks in the middle of the day. These drinks actually dehydrate you.

7. Recognize the symptoms of heat exhaustion so that you can do something about it before it becomes a major issue. Headache, nausea, lightheadedness and dizziness are just a few of the heat exhaustion symptoms. If you recognize these symptoms in yourself or in someone else, get to a cool, shaded spot immediately. Slowly drink water and keep hydrated. Rest until most of the symptoms pass.

There are plenty of tips to follow when it comes to avoiding illnesses in the heat and sun. Basically, it is all a matter of common sense. If a scenario sounds like it will be harmful to your health, don't do it. And of course, be prepared for any sun-related contingency. For instance, pack a medical kit which contains pain reliever and some remedies for bug bites and sunburn. Being prepared will make any heat related problems a breeze to solve.

The Atlanta Hawks franchise was first formed in 1946 as the Tri-City Blackhawks of the National Basketball League. This name was after its being based in the tri-city area between Moline, Illinois, Rock Island, Illinois, and Davenport, Iowa. The team reached the playoffs in the NBA's inaugural year the time when the NBL merged with the Basketball Association of America to form the NBA. And, that time the Blackhawks led by coach Red Auerbach had a very successful year.

In 1951, the Atlanta Hawks moved to Milwaukee and it there where they became the Hawks. It was in the 1953 when the Atlanta Hawks drafted Bob Pettit, who is a future NBA MVP. In spite of this, the Hawks were one of the league's worst team, and it was in the year 1955 when they relocated again, this time to St. Louis, Missouri.

In the new location, the Atlanta Hawks acquired several titles in the draft and free agency, making them one of the league's top teams. They advanced to the NBA finals in 1957, but they lose their title on that game against the Boston Celtics. Again, in 1958, the team advanced to the NBA finals under the coaching of Alex Hannum, and it was that time when they captured their only NBA Championship in game 6 against the Celtics.

For the next decade, the Hawks remained one of NBA's premier teams, and in 1960, under the coaching of Ed Macauley, they advanced to the Finals yet again, but lost again to the Celtics in another game seven thriller. However, the following year saw the rise of the Atlanta Hawks again when they acquired the rookie Lenny Wilkens, but still they met the Celtics in the Finals again and lost in five games.

Following their rise and fall was the years when the Atlanta Hawks remained contenders, every year advancing deep into the playoffs and also garnering a number of division titles. In 1968, under the management of new owners Thomas Cousins and Carl Sanders, the team moved to Atlanta, Georgia. They won a division championship and advanced to the Finals again, but after this period of success, they experienced a few years of rebuilding. It is worth noting that the team had all losing records in those years and never advanced past the first round of the playoffs.

In 1977, the franchise was bought by Ted Turner, the Atlanta Braves owner, and it was him who hired Hubie Brown as the head coach. They finished with 50 wins and won the Central Division in 1979, and in 1982 they franchise acquired superstar Dominique Wilkins. With Wilkins in the team, the Atlanta Hawks had acquired more than 50 victories in the next four seasons. Lenny Wilkens was hired as a coach in 1993 and it was from that year until 1994 that the team finished 57 victories, which is a team record. This record was broken in 1995 when the team led by Wilkens acquired the victory number 939.

In recent years, the Atlanta Hawks has struggled, yet becoming one of the league's worst teams. It was sold to a group of executives by the name Atlanta Spirit LLC by Time Warner with which the Hawks share the Philips arena. After the change in ownership, the Atlanta Hawks continued to struggle and that remains until now.

If you have a family or you are looking for an extended stay, the Aliso Creek Inn and Golf Course is a fine place to reside for however long you will be in Orange County. Laguna Beach is a nice location and with the added attraction of the golf course, many visitors find that this is a great area to stay. The Inn only has sixty-two rooms that are spacious and affordable. You can choose from the one or two bedroom studios or townhouses. Considering the golf course, which plays out around a creek and a steep canyon, you will enjoy your stay at the Inn.

In San Juan Capistrano, you will find the Best Western Capistrano Inn a great place for the family. Located just three blocks away from the downtown area, the hotel offers a shuttle service for guests. If you want to stay in a building that looks like a piece of artwork, you will find the Blue Lantern Inn just spectacular. The rooms have fireplaces, large bathrooms, a sitting area with a refrigerator and coffee maker. It is a beautiful Inn to stay at in Dana Point.

If you are looking for a hotel near Disneyland, Newport Beach or the Anaheim Convention Center, you will find the Orange County Airport Crowne Plaza perfect for you. They have tennis court, basketball and other court sporting games on a multi use court. They have an indoor pool, but if you need some sun, there is a sundeck for sunbathing. The hotel is a luxury high-rise hotel with affordable pricing. The hotel is so close to so many different things, you will have no problem finding something to do.

In Mission Viejo, you will find the Fairfield Inn with a fitness facility and a continental breakfast. In Dana Point, you will find Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort, Doubletree Guest Suites and Dana Marina Inn. If you like the Laguna Beach area, you will find the Casa Laguna Inn or the Hotel La Casa del Camino. Newport Beach has the Newport Beach Marriott, Hyatt Regency and the Holiday Express.

There are so many different places to stay when you visit Orange County that you will have a hard time selecting which one is right for you and your family. The best part is that you will find accommodations nearby any attraction or place of interest you want to see.

The town of Lahaina is an old fishing village located on the western side of the island. Here you will find a vast array of shopping and fine dining options to choose from. There is also a whaling museum located here. It's a great place to explore the wonders of these huge mammals. Lahaina is also a great place to take surf lessons. There are a couple of different surfing schools located here. Lastly, the Old Lahaina Luau is one not to be missed. If you are interested in going to a luau at all, while on the island this is the place. It's smaller and more authentic than those that you will find at the resort hotels.

The road to Hana is another popular journey for vacationers on the island. If you were to drive straight through on the Hana Highway, the trip would take about two hours, however, this journey is not about the destination. There are literally over a hundred places you could stop along the way. There are waterfalls galore, a rainforest reserve, black sand beaches, and more hiking trails than you can imagine. Once in the town of Hana you might want to stop for lunch or perhaps a relaxing swim on the beach. I would highly recommend renting a vehicle with 4-wheel drive because the best spot, the Ohe'o Gulch is located just past Hana. If you don't have 4-wheel drive, you will have to go back the way you came. This road is full of one lane roads and hair pin turns; and it's located at the top of huge cliffs that overlook the Pacific Ocean.

The Ohe'o Gulch, otherwise known as the seven sacred pools, is nothing short of spectacular. There are actually twenty four pools. They are natural pools that form from water trickling down from the ocean. The water runs over the rocks to form the pools and falls. The best part about the pools is you can take a relaxing dip in them.

Kihei is a quiet town located on the southern side of the island. Here you are more likely to find low-rise hotels and condos rather than the high-rises that are so prevalent in the resort area of Ka'anapali. This is a good place to relax on the relatively quiet beaches, or perhaps take a windsurfing or kite boarding lesson.

The Maui Ocean Center is located in Ma'alea, near the Ma'alea Bay. The ocean center is home to a giant aquarium that has a tunnel you can actually walk through. It makes for a great picture taking opportunity, as you can literally have sharks and huge manta rays swimming directly on top of you.

Ma'alea Bay offers some great whale watching opportunities, particularly during the winter months. Mother humpback whales come into the shallow waters of the bay to protect their babies from sharks that frequent the deeper waters.

Most people begin there journey on the big island in Kona. You should plan to take a few days to relax and enjoy the nearby beaches, or perhaps go snorkeling at Kealakekuea Bay. Next you should take some time to explore the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. This is a must see on the list. The park is amazing to say the least. If you have plenty of time you can actually make camp in the park and really explore. The park has over 140 miles of hiking trails and is nothing short of spectacular. If you are short on time, you should still take a drive through the park.

There is a stretch of Highway 137 dubbed Red Road that is also worth visiting. There is a canopy of Milo and Hala trees that have intertwined to form a sort of a tunnel effect.

You should also plan to spend some time in Hilo. The lush landscaping makes for great scenery and picture taking opportunities. Hilo has been called the rainiest city in the USA, so don't expect much in the way of beaches. But Hilo is a cute little town; nonetheless, that offers some history and culture complete with Bed and Breakfasts.

There is a quiet little town called Puako located on the Southern Kohalo Coast that is home to the fabulous tide pools. This is accessible by highway 19 near the Hapuna Beach State Park. The giant tide pools are home to some marine life including coral making this destination a must see. However, don't plan on staying in Puako, it is such a small town that it doesn't have any lodging and it really is off the beaten path.

Who would have thought that horseback riding would be on the list of activities for a Hawaiian vacation? Well, actually there is a huge ranch called the Dahana Ranch Roughriders in Waimea. It's owned and operated by a native Hawaiian family and is still a working cattle ranch. The ranch raises and breeds, and trains cattle and horses. There are also some excellent cycling opportunities here in Waimea as the terrain is full of rolling hills.

Before checking out and leaving the island stop into the Pololu Valley which will offer some hiking trails. You can even take a mule ride through the valley. Lastly, you should take some more time to relax on the white sandy beaches of the big island. Or perhaps, take one last snorkeling opportunity at Kauna'oa Bay. Whatever you decide to do, I'm sure that your stay in Hawaii will amaze.

Finding a hotel to accommodate you and your dogs isn't hard but it should be done in advance. Not all hotels accept dogs so it is recommended that you make your hotel reservations in advance so that you have adequate time to find a hotel in the desired area that will accept the number and size of dogs that you will be traveling with on your vacation. Planning to make your lodging arrangements when you arrive can be problematic especially if you find that many area hotels do not accept dogs. Even those hotels that do accept dogs may only allow dogs in certain rooms so it is a good idea to make your arrangements in advance at to make sure that the hotel staff notes that you will be traveling with dogs so that they can reserve an appropriate room for you and your pets. Many hotels charge additional fees when you have dogs staying with you. Sometimes these are refundable deposits that are returned to you if the room remains undamaged. Other times the fees are nightly fees assessed per animal. Still other hotels charge you a one time non-refundable fee that is justified by the additional cleaning that is usually required after an animal departs.

Flying with your dogs is also a part of your travel that involves advanced planning. Depending on the size of your dog, they might be able to travel with you in the cabin or they might have to travel in an airline approved crate in the cargo portion of the airplane. Small dogs that fit in carriers that can be placed under your seat are sometimes permitted to travel in the cabin but you should check with the airline before booking your flight. Large dogs are almost always required to travel in a crate in the cargo department. Again you should check with the airline because there are sometimes limitations on the amount of animals that they can carry and if there are already several dogs booked, you may have to choose another flight. Also, some airlines place restrictions on the time of year when they will allow dogs to travel. Some will not allow you to fly with your dogs if the temperature is too high or too low.

If your dog is going to be traveling in the cargo bay there are some tips you can take to ease the stress of their flight. They will be confined to the safety of the crate and most baggage handlers will be aware that there is an animal in the crate but placing a "Live Animal," sign on the crate will make sure they are aware. You could also create a sign with your dog's picture and name asking those who encounter the dog to say hello to them. Sometimes just hearing their name can help your dog to relax. Including a favorite toy in the crate can also put your dog at ease. You may be required to check in your dog early so it is important to walk them just before you check in so that they will be comfortable for the flight. A small blanket can also help your dog to feel comfortable while they are in their crate.

Traveling with your beloved dogs can enhance your travel experience. There are, however, a few precautions to take when doing so. These precautions will help to make the trip enjoyable for you and your pet.

Guess the dinner - Have all the people who are not working in the kitchen do a smell test and try to figure out what's on the menu for dinner. Sure, turkey or ham or roast beef might be an obvious choice and an easy one if they are traditional in your family, but what's the potato smell? Is it a hashed brown casserole, or baked potatoes? Are they mashed with sour cream or garlic? Are there brussel sprouts for dinner or squash, or both. The winner, or the person who most closely guesses the items on the menu, gets a taste test.

Board game fun - Bring out the most kid-like board game you have. This might be one that was just opened that morning or something you already have. Get the men in the house (not the boys, but grown men) to sit down on the floor and play the game. A great picture can be had when the fathers and grandfathers are on the living room rug playing Candyland or Chutes and Ladders. Better yet, bring out a princess game and enjoy watching the men get dressed up like princesses as the game goes on. As a secondary activity, pit the kids and dads against each other in a game of monopoly or cards. The kids can play with their dads on a team or the dads can play against the kids. Either way, it's sure to be fun.

Tablecloth - If the children are getting restless waiting for the meal, have them decorate the tablecloth. This isn't the time, then, to put great Aunt Martha's tablecloth on the table, but something inexpensive and yet not disposable. You can keep the tablecloth from year to year and enjoy watching the progression of the children's art through the tablecloth. Be sure to have them use permanent markers and have them date and sign it, if they are old enough. If they're not, date and sign it for them. You'll want that bit of information later.

Outdoor fun - Have a fun game of "toss the hat". Fill Santa's hat with some candy or other small items and try to toss the hat around without the items falling out. You can have a relay with Santa's hat where everyone wears Santa's hat, then hands it to the next person, who has to put it on and then take if off and then hand it to the next person. How about a rousing game of football, where the goal line is made of discarded Christmas ribbon? Or a game of soccer where the soccer ball is a rolled up ball of discarded Christmas paper.

Worst presents - Who has the best story about the worst present they ever got? Before dessert have everyone share their best of the worst stories. Be sure that you don't tell the story in front of the person who gave you the worst present! What was the most interesting present you ever got? Or the best handmade present? What was the best present that came this Christmas? Dessert isn't handed out until everyone shares a story, good or bad.

Where's Santa? - While eating dinner, have a fun activity going on that's sure to delight the children. Using a Santa hat, play a game of "where's Santa"? Surely he's back at the North Pole by now, right? Have someone start with the Santa hat and under the table, that person passes it to someone else. Everyone tries to decide where the hat is. Whoever has the hat (they can keep it in their lap while they eat) winks at someone else when they catch their eye. If someone gets winked at, they say, "Santa's lost!" and this continues, with the passing of the hat and the winking, until someone figures out where Santa is.

Some people often find themselvesasking non-sense questions and all of them are just excuses so as not to get any travel insurance at all. If a mind is made up that travel insurance is simply an extra expense, then there's no way a person can purchase travel insurance.

It is very important to think positive at all times. However, there are times when a person may still experience accidents, injuries, or other emergencies. This will not be a huge problem if you're in your home country but once you leave and go to another country, things change. Lost luggage is quite ordinary when traveling but sometimes you may encounter more unpleasant situations. You have to be prepared at all times and you can do this by purchasing travel insurance.

The policies designed specifically for travel insurance can meet a variety of individual needs. No matter what kind of travel insurance you purchase, you must never forget to read those texts in fine print. Here you can find information regarding health situations and deductibles. Pre-existing conditions are usually not covered and the medical emergencies covered may only be for an illness or an injury but hardly ever both. You have to determine the gaps in the insurance's coverage so that you can choose one that you think is best and suited to your travel needs. But one thing's for sure - travel insurance is affordable and dependable.

You may have different traveling plans in going to India and you must first determine the things that you want to do there or the places that you want to visit. This way, you can get an appropriate travel insurance. You see, travel insurance is available in single trip, multi-trip, cruises, backpacking, and many others. The amount of the policy will depend on the coverage of the plan. Only the ones covered by the policy will be answerable by the insurance provider, no more, no less.

Most of the travel insurance plans cover situations like lost baggage or luggage, trip cancellation or delay, accidental death, dental, and medical. Emergency evacuation is sometimes covered as well. Some policies offer damage or collision options like those arising from business conflicts and rented cars. The options can only be covered if you ask for it.

When purchasing your India travel insurance, it would be best to consult the insurance provider and not tour operators or travel agencies. This way, you can lower the coverage amount or you can opt for insurance coverage in certain portions of your trip only.

When shopping around for your India travel insurance, you have to get several quotes so that you can compare them with one another. The best way to do this is online because there are many resources on the net. After that, you can choose the policy that suits you.

Granted most of these beautiful places to visit are fair distances from Vegas but if you are this close to them it would be a shame to miss out on their beauty for the sake of a car ride. The first one I'd like to mention is Bryce Canyon National Park. It is actually in Utah and about 270 miles from Vegas. The fee to enter is $20 per vehicle but the scenery is absolutely breathtaking. The views you will see are worth every mile and every penny. You should also be on the lookout for some of the wildlife particularly the Great Basin Rattlesnake, bald eagles, and golden eagles. There are beautiful flowers that often bloom in the spring and early summer months if you happen to be visiting at this time it's worth keeping an eye out.

The Grand Canyon is about 300 miles southeast of Vegas. This is another beauty that is well worth seeing if you have a day free or even really to make a priority of. There is a fee to bring your car into the park and you should check to see exactly what the current rate is before making the drive. For most people any fee is well worth experiencing this piece of American legend and lore. You can also opt to take one of many tours that will take you around the canyon and some that will take you to the bottom and back up again. If you are truly brave you should also consider one of the helicopter tours.

Floyd Lamb Park is open each day from 6 in the morning until 7 at night. This park is located about 20 miles from the strip in Vegas. It also has four fully stocked ponds, a barbecue area, and is home to some very interesting fossils and remains. The fossils and remains that have been identified here include the following: bison, mammoths, camels, giant sloths, and horse among other animals. This area became a state park in 1977 and visitors who have a fishing license for Nevada may fish in any of the park's ponds but there is a limit of three fish per person.

Lake Mead is another great area nearby in which to enjoy the great outdoors of the Nevada desert. Lake Mead is a man-made lake and the 16th largest of its kind in this hemisphere. This lake was created by the Colorado River and the Hoover Dam and is about 1.5 million acres (I don't know about you but that figure to me is actually staggering). This area is a very popular area for boating, swimming, and as wildlife observation area.

If you love the great outdoors there are plenty of places to get out there and enjoy nature in and around the Las Vegas area. You can do a lot more than view wildlife in any of these parks and each one offers something special to those that visit. I would hope that you could enjoy them all, however I would recommend that you spend at least one day of your trip outdoors in nature somewhere.