Though daylight savings time is almost here again, which means that the spring season is upon us, the cold weather is far from over. For many of us, actually, this is the time of year when the cold weather season really shows its true colors!

And yet for all of the season’s potential pitfalls, a great many of us still feel that it’s the best time to travel. Traveling during the shoulder season, or offseason as it’s commonly known, can in fact save you a great deal of money. Moreover, destinations tend to have a different feel about them—perhaps the promise of renewal—during the spring season, something not exactly there in the fall or summer.

Regardless, if you love cold weather travel or simply happen to be traveling during the next few months, you’ll want to make sure that, above all, you have the right cold weather accessories for you and your family.

Dealing with both inclement weather and ornery family is a tall order indeed. But it doesn’t have to be. The following 3 reminders can make all the difference between traveling with a frozen itinerary and exploring the world with a fresh perspective on the cold!

1. Layers, Layers, Layers!

It’s something we’re used to hearing related to packing, but we often need reminding of it. The trick to packing in general, but especially for cold weather, is to refrain from stuffing every warm piece of clothing you have into your luggage.

For starters, you won’t have much space for anything else if trying to fit a handful or heavy sweaters and a winter jacket into your suitcase. Instead, pack thinner layers of clothing, base layers that are insulated, ideally.

Wool is best, but there are many cheaper options out there that will provide great support and quality as well. Check out Patagonia, L.L. Bean, Under Armour Cold Gear and other providers of winter apparel for ideas.

2. Sweat the Heavy Stuff!

For many people, the natural thing to do is to try stuffing all the heavy items—winter shoes/boots; jackets/coats; sweaters—into your checked luggage. You don’t want to wear it on the plane, right? Wrong! Many travel experts agree that wearing your winter gear in transit not only saves more space in your luggage for other items, it will keep you prepared for the bracing weather once you arrive to your final destination.

Your winter gear can also be easily stowed overhead or under your seat while onboard your flight. So instead of packing those “compact” winter boots, wear them. If things heat up, simply take off what you need to and store it!

3. Accessorize!

With the inclement weather, be sure to have the right accessories as well.

Winter socks are thick and cozy, no doubt, but try opting for a thinner, durable pair of socks that will keep your feet just as insulated as those bulky go-tos. The same thing goes for scarves and gloves. Remember: it’s easier to layer and/or store thinner, insulated items than bulky items. You’ll find that flexibility goes a long way when dealing with inclement weather—you can certainly combat both the heat and cold with functional, insulated clothing and accessories a lot more easily than with cumbersome, heavy gear.

Another trick: rather than packing your gloves, scarf and hat in your checked baggage, try storing them in your jacket instead. Again, this will allow for more space in your luggage and keep you prepared for any weather fluctuations will in transit.

So, whether traveling to a new or favorite U.S. destination or stretching your wings a bit more and heading overseas, choosing the right cold weather gear—and packing this gear correctly—will allow your family to focus on the vital task at hand: staying warm and calm while having tons of cold weather fun!

The post 3 Things to Remember when Packing for Cold Weather Destinations appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.

Seeing friends and family at the holidays is a time many families look forward to all year long!  Staying healthy for the holidays is an integral part of enjoying family gatherings or holiday vacations.  Protect yourself and your family while you travel, whether you’re taking a road trip or traveling by air, these tips will reduce the likelihood of your family getting sick.

• Germs abound on airplanes.  Take a travel pack of sanitary wipes to wipe down arm rests, table trays, seat belt fasteners and fixture handles.  Wiping down surfaces that can cultivate germ growth can lessen your chances of picking up an unwanted bug.  Turn off the circulated air above your seat to reduce the amount of forced air blowing directly on you.  As an added precaution, take a dose of Airborne before you depart for your holiday excursion.

• Keep a travel bottle of antibacterial gel available in the event you can’t use soap and water to wash your hands after using the restroom or after touching door knobs or bathroom fixtures.  Use a paper towel to open doors when exiting the restroom so you don’t pick up germs left behind.

• Hotel rooms can also be a breeding ground for unwanted bacteria.  Before drinking from glasses run them under hot water to sterilize them, or better yet, use disposable glasses.  Take a sanitizing wipe to wipe down flat surfaces in the bathroom, bedside tables, the remote control and dresser handles.  If the hotel gift shop has Lysol, purchase a can and spray the room to add an extra level of protection.

• Sleep is one of the best defenses against getting sick during holiday travel.  Plan to get at least 6-8 hours of sleep each night.  Burning the candle at both ends is a sure fire way to wear down your immune system which puts you at risk for getting ill while on holiday.

• Eating on the go can be a challenge when traveling.  Try to make good choices and avoid fast food when possible.  Pack healthy snacks of fruits, veggies and cheese before you go and put them in your carry-on bag for travel days.  When eating in restaurants, make sure to add a salad or side dish of vegetables to your main order as many entrees don’t include them.  Also be sure to hydrate with water even when it’s cold.

• It’s not always possible to avoid sick relatives over the holidays, so if Aunt Betty appears to have a severe cough, no need to do a lot of hugging and kissing, and be sure to do a thorough job of hand washing before nibbling on snacks or eating a holiday meal.  By the same token, if members of your immediate family are ill, keep them away from holiday gatherings.  The host and hostess will appreciate your consideration.

Planning for holiday travel will make your vacation plans run smoothly.  Taking time to make sure you’re making healthy choices will ensure that you and the rest of your family feel great and are able to participate in all of the festivities that make the holidays memorable. Germs are lurking at every corner so arm yourself with an extra level of defenses this year!

 
About Jennifer Chung & Kinsights:
Jennifer Chung is a parenting expert and co-founder of Kinsights.com: part parenting community, part online health record. Kinsights provides parents with a safe place to seek answers to their questions while also helping them track their child’s health information. Organize your child’s growth and developmental milestones, immunizations, medications, allergies, and more.  Connect with Kinsights at https://kinsights.com to learn more and sign-up! You can also follow them on Facebook and Twitter (@kinsights).

The post Healthy Holiday Travel Tips appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.

Dreaming about taking a dip? Are the kids still sporting their floaties wishing they could get in one last swim? Don’t fret… just because Jack Frost has arrived doesn’t mean you can’t catch a wave! Check out Wilderness at the Smokies Waterpark Resort in Sevierville, Tennessee.

Situated at the foot of the Great Smoky Mountains, this resort offers year-round entertainment with 700 acres of both outdoor (check out the Wild Vortex, their outdoor thrill slide) and indoor attractions. Your family’s winter blues are sure to melt away as they throw on their favorite swim suits and head to The Wild WaterDome, their 60,000 square foot indoor water park!

It can be hard to plan a vacation that the whole family will enjoy.  At the Wild WaterDome, there is truly something for everyone. The kids will love Washout Mountain, the interactive water playground complete with slides, water cannons and plenty of ways to get soaked!

Your teens definitely won’t roll their eyes when you tell them about the Smokies Surf Rider, the Southeast’s only indoor surfing simulator. You can watch on as 19,000 gallons of water go rushing under their surfboard each minute, giving them a realistic 5-foot wave to practice their shredding! 

While the kids are off playing, you can relax in the Magnolia Grove Hot Spa, which is a part indoor, part outdoor hot tub that is open year round. There is nothing like feeling the chill of the air on your face as your body is submerged in toasty warm water! Finally, you can all meet back up to go down one the indoor tube slides together, or even plunge down the 55-foot tunnels of the Storm Chaser if you are feeling brave! 

If you need a break from the water, just head over to Adventure Forest, the indoor “dry park” at the resort. This dry park, which just opened in March, offers all sorts of activities including: a three-story ropes course, a multi-level enclosed laser tag arena, mini-bowling, black-light mini-golf, more than 100 arcade games, a ‘Laser Maze,’ a 25-foot tall spring ride, a 23-foot climbing wall and more. With this many options, your family will never want to leave!

When it comes time for meals, you won’t have to look far! The Wilderness at the Smokies has six on-site restaurants available to you.  There is one for every situation, ranging from delis and snack shacks, if you are looking for a quick meal on the go, to full sit down restaurants and a buffet, for a nice family dinner. Find your favorite and become a regular, or mix it up and you will never run out of yummy dishes to sample!

When the kids are all exhausted after a long day in the water, you’ll be happy to know that a warm bed (and even a fire place!) awaits you near by at the Stone Hill Lodge and the River Lodge. These two hotels in the Wilderness at the Smokies can accommodate your group, regardless of size.  From a cozy room for a family of four to one of the multi-room suites that can sleep up to18!  This would make the perfect setting for a family reunion or a birthday getaway.

Finally, prepare to make your co-workers jealous when you return home with a nice summer glow. The Wild WaterDome indoor park features a see-thru, energy efficient, Foil Tec roof, which allows UV rays permeate through it so that you can get your tan on year round! Stress free vacation planning, a happy family and getting some vitamin D? It just might be enough to get you through the rest of the winter!

And you never know who you might run into!

For more information about Wilderness at the Smokies or to book your vacation, call  877-325-9453 or visit www.WildernessAtTheSmokies.com.

The post A Winter Water Land appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.