Reed Real Estate Has the Best Gulf Shores Rentals

Reed Real Estate: The Best Rentals in Gulf Shores.

Reed Real Estate is a family owned and operated business. Many families only get one vacation a year, so we want to make it the very best!

Reed Real Estate has offered the best priced beach homes in Gulf Shores, Alabama for over 25 years. We have over 150 private beach homes from which to choose. Something for EVERY family size and EVERY family budget. 1-9 bedroom private homes and townhomes located on the beautiful Gulf of Mexico, quiet Mobile Bay, and amazing Little Lagoon. We also have pet friendly homes and pet friendly beaches.

Call a friendly reservationist with any questions or visit our website www.GulfShoresRents.com. We look forward to hearing from you and giving you the vacation of your dreams. From our family to yours… come make your own memories today!

Reed Real Estate

3358 State Highway180

Gulf Shores, AL 36542

1-800-678-2306     251-540-2306

www.GulfShoresRents.com

reed@gulftel.com   

The Courtyard by Marriott Myrtle Beach/Barefoot Landing

Book Your Next Hotel Reservation with Courtyard By Marriott Barefoot Landing

Stay where it’s always vacation time! The Courtyard by Marriott Myrtle Beach/Barefoot Landing is most conveniently located to Barefoot Landing’s specialty shops, restaurants and nightlife. Plus four championship golf courses are just ¼ mile away.

From now until 10/31/12 stay two or more nights and receive a $50 gas credit on us! Rates start at just $129/night!

BOOK ONLINE – To book this offer visit the reservations page on Marriott.com/MYRCN and enter promotional code CSE.

Offer subject to availability and some restrictions may apply. Valid through 10/31/12.

Championship golf packages are also available.

Courtyard by Marriott Myrtle Beach/Barefoot Landing

1000 Commons Boulevard

Myrtle Beach, SC

843-361-1730

877-258-1956

Marriott.com/MYRCN

Clarion Inn & Suites Gatlinburg: Sleek and Sophisticated

Clarion Inn and Suites Gatlinburg

The newly renovated Clarion Inn & Suites Gatlinburg has a new look that is both sleek and sophisticated. Located downtown on the Parkway, the Clarion is convenient to shopping, dining, attractions and is only 100 yards from the entrance to the national park!

Our standard deluxe rooms have two queen beds and are equipped with refrigerators, microwaves and private balconies – on the parade route. For additional luxury, consider our king suites. Each features the amenities of our deluxe rooms but has a king sized bed, Jacuzzi and a separate living room with a fireplace. For the ultimate in luxury, the Clarion features the only rooftop penthouse suites in the city.

The Clarion is definitely a cut above with a complimentary, full hot breakfast served daily, an enclosed pool with a hot tub and an exercise room. A new level of luxury awaits you at the Clarion Inn & Suites Gatlinburg.

How to Have a Relaxing Getaway: Stay at Country Inn at High View 

Country Inn at High View Welcomes You!

Country Inn at High View has a welcome home feeling where guests can relax by the fire, read their favorite novel, play board games, swim in the pool or work on a challenging jigsaw puzzle. Breakfast is homemade and is served in the lovely sun porch with the sun flowing in overlooking the inviting pool.

Situated on 200 acres, the inn borders Virginia and West Virginia and is only 90 miles from Washington, DC. Its surrounding areas are famous for their Civil War history, battlefields and museums. There are numerous Civil War re-enactments throughout the year. The inn has easy access to state parks and the scenic Potomac Eagle Railroad.

The Country Inn at High View is located at the highest point on Timber Ridge. The mountain views are spectacular in all seasons.

The Country Inn at High View

2798 Carpers Pike

High View, WV 26808

304-856-1415

www.thecountryinnathighview.com

Family reunions can be a lot of fun. You get to see family members you may not have seen for a couple of years. Perhaps, there are ‘new’ family members you haven’t met. The good news is there are plenty of family reunion locations throughout the U.S. The possibilities are endless!

It’s important to make arrangements early and find a place that works for everyone. This is a good way to prevent family feuds! If you wait too long to plan your family reunion, your favorite hotel or resort could be booked solid. Also, family members may not be able to attend due to previous travel plans.

How to Plan a Family Reunion, Cut Costs, and Have a Good Time

Book Your Family Reunion Locations Early! Photo credit: Stock exchange-Sign-Helen Bobis

Book early

Beach family reunion locations are popular. The most popular beach vacation destination is Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. If you have your heart set on having your family reunion in SC then you better book your location early. Otherwise, the entire family will be left out in the cold.

Tie your family reunion to an important date

If grandma and grandpa are celebrating 65 years of marriage, celebrate their special day at the family reunion. Building your family reunion around a holiday could be tricky. Big holiday’s like Memorial Day and the Fourth of July are during the travel ‘high season.’ You may not be able to find accommodations or someone may not be able to attend.

Hold your family reunion in the off-season

It may be cost effective to hold your family reunion in the off-season. Family reunion locations such as Florida, North and South Carolina, Georgia, and other popular destinations can be expensive during the ‘high season’ which is usually during the summer. Some family members may not be able to afford to attend. Take this into consideration when planning your family reunion. Holding in the off-season could work for everyone.

Meet at a family member’s home

Holding your family reunion at a family member’s home is another way to cut costs. Perhaps, a family member with five or more acres of land will be willing to host the family reunion. Everyone can bring something, a hot meal, desert, or soft drinks. Of course, cash would probably be accepted too!

Decide on the size of your family reunion

Your family reunion doesn’t have to be large. A small and intimate family reunion could be more inviting. First-time family reunion planners may want to plan a smaller affair. You’ll get a sense of what it’s like to plan reunion.

Raise money for your family reunion 

Send out an email blast and ask family members to have garage sales, silent auctions, raffles, car washes, rummage sales, etc. to raise money for your family reunion.

Plan cost-effective family activities

Ask family members what they like to do. Ask family members what their kids like to do. You can’t please everyone. But you can plan activities ahead of time to keep people entertained. Ideas are:

• Renting a karaoke machine.
• Set up a sound system outside (if you’re holding at your home).
• Booking golf outing.
• Swimming
• Hiking
• Going to the park.
• Renting a ‘bouncy castle’ or other inflatable rentals.

Now you know how to plan a family reunion, cut costs, and have a good time! Keep the lines of communication open. Correspond via email or Facebook. Keep in mind that everyone may not have a computer or Facebook page. Contact family members when you have the date, time, and location settled. Keep family up-to-date with the latest information. Happy planning!

CRUISE CONTEST: Win a free cruise! 

Related Articles

• 7 Must-See Family Beaches in the USA (guestquest.com/blog)
• 5 Hot Tips to Help You Plan Your Family Vacation (guestquest.com/blog)

There’s no doubt that frequent family travelers have a list of must-haves. But you can’t squeeze everything into a suitcase, car, or carry-on bag. Below is a list of must-haves for families that are ‘seasoned’ travelers and those who are taking their first trip.

7 Frequent Family Travel Must-Haves

A first-aid kit is a must-have for your family travel and vacation. Photo credit: Stock Exchange

Healthy family

You probably already know that it’s important to get regular checkups. Your health is a MUST-HAVE for your family travel. Traveling when you’re sick is never a good idea. You won’t have any energy and you can make the people around you sick.

It’s never a good idea to travel with with sick children.

Make sure everyone sees the doctor before you leave on your family vacation. It’s important that your family is in good health to travel. Otherwise, you could find yourself dealing with sickness on your vacation, and you trip will be a short one.

Toys

Family road trips can be fun! However, it’s important to bring your children’s favorite toys. Allow kids to choose one or two ‘special’ toys to bring with them. This is a great way to keep your children entertained in the air or on the road.

Snacks

Bring plenty of snacks with you. Kids often say, “I’m hungry!” This isn’t something you want to hear while you’re traveling 30,000 feet in the air. Shop for and bring nutritious snacks that will satisfy and make your kids happy.

Comforts from home

Family travel can be a pleasant experience when you bring comforts from home with you. Bring your MP3 player, iPod, iPad, favorite robe, beauty products, etc. Don’t pack too much because you don’t want to be weighed down by your luggage. Bring the essentials that will make you travel more enjoyable.

Medicines

It’s important to bring your medicines with you. Before you take your family on vacation, see your doctor and get ALL medicines refilled. Bring your doctors’ contact information with you in case you need to call your children’s pediatrician or your heart doctor.

First-aid kit (pets too)

Accidents can happen on your family vacation. Bring a first-aid kit that includes the following:

• Band-aids
• Eye care
• Antiseptic
• Rubbing alcohol
• Vinyl gloves
• Burn ointment
• Tapes, wraps, and dressings
• Tweezers
• Sharp scissors
• Cotton balls
• Styptic pencil
• Safety pins
• Thermometer
• Blankets
• Cold packs
• Splint
• Soap
• Calamine lotion
• Emergency phone numbers

Some families travel with their pets, it’s important to bring a ‘pet’ first-aid kit as well. Include the following in your ‘pet’ first-aid kit:

• Antiseptic
• Pet first-aid book
• Rubbing alcohol
• Cotton swabs
• Cotton balls
• Vinyl gloves
• Styptic pencil
• Tapes, wraps, and dressings
• Tweezers
• Sharp scissors
• Safety pins
• Pet thermometer
• Blankets
• Cotton swabs
• Splint
• Soap
• Veterinarian phone number
• Pet alert card

Camera

Family travel wouldn’t be complete without a digital camera or video recorder to capture your travel memories. Keep your camera or video recorder and its accessories in a protective case. Bring enough memory cards. Of course, you can always purchase more as you need them.

Review these “7 frequent family travel must-haves” before you take your family vacation. Happy travels!

What is your number one family travel must-have? Share.

Free Download: Travel Brochures. Start planning your family vacation now!

Related family travel must-haves articles

• 12 Travel Apps You Must Have (www.familyvacationcritic.com)
• Relaxing Family Vacation Must Haves (www.ciaomom.com)
• Why Travel Insurance is a Must-Have for Your Family Vacation (www.takingthekids.com)
• How to Take Your Family on a Family Vacation That Pleases Everyone (guestquest.com/blog)

The latest travel trend is grandparents traveling with grandchildren — with and sometimes without parents. Grandparents traveling with grandchildren can bond with them and create memories that will last a lifetime. Below are tips for grandparents traveling with grandchildren — follow these and you’ll have the time of your life!

Tips for Trendy Grandparents Traveling with Grandchildren

Trendy Grandparents Travel with Grandchildren

Choose a travel destination that’s “right” for everyone.

It’s important to plan a family vacation that appeals to everyone; otherwise, traveling with grandchildren may not be fun. Ask your grandchildren where they’d like to go and what they’d like to do on vacation. Review all of the travel ideas and plan a vacation that everyone will enjoy.

Air travel.

You don’t want air travel to be your first vacation with your grandchildren. However, after you’ve traveled a few times, plan a beach or adventure vacation that requires you to fly to the destination.

Tip #1: Book non-stop flights vs. ones with layovers, especially if you’re traveling with small children.

Tip #2: Avoid bringing a lot of luggage. It’s best to travel with carry-on bags because it’s more convenient.

Traveling with grandchildren through the airport can be an adventure in and of itself. Bring lots of snacks and activities for small children. Teens will probably bring their iPad, iPod, laptop, and other electrical gadgets. Teach grandchildren travel etiquette and you’ll have a pleasant time flying the friendly skies. And so will the other passengers!

FYI: When grandparents travel with grandchildren, they get to teach them things such as how to fish, proper travel etiquette, how to pitch a tent, how to appreciate a sunrise and sunset, and much more.

Make plenty of stops when you take a road trip vacation.

Kids can become tired and cranky, but then again, so can adults. It’s important to stop at rest stops and or national parks when you take a road trip. Get out of the RV, car, or SUV and stretch your legs. You may even want to have a picnic lunch.

Tip #3: Breathing the fresh air will be good for everyone. Grandchildren will probably become sleepy and sleep all the way to your next destination.

Bring all required documentation and medications.

Make sure you bring the proper documentation if you travel abroad. Don’t forget to bring your medications and any medications your grandchildren may have to take.

Have fun!

Traveling with grandchildren is fun. Make sure to travel at your grandchildren’s pace and don’t force them to try activities if they don’t feel comfortable. Let them choose restaurants and fun activities such as miniature golf.

Related articles

Traveling with grandchildren (www.independenttraveler.com)

Air travel tips (grandparents.about.com)

6 tips for traveling with your grandchildren (money.usnews.com/money/retirement/articles/2009/09/28/6-tips-for-traveling-with-your-grandchildren)