Category: Vacation Hints

Planning your next Fort Morgan beach vacation can come with a lot of joy, excitement and anticipation. Unfortunately, these feelings can be overshadowed by the road trip needed to reach Fort Morgan or Gulf Shores Alabama. While some kids and teens travel very well most will need extra attention in car rides over 3o minutes. As a parent you will need to have everything planned from movies to games to snacks.

Parents need some extra planning to help ensure the car ride is as pleasant as the beach vacation. While planning road trips is easier said than done, we have listed some family road tips below to help turn those car rides into more enjoyable experiences. Pay attention because who wants to start and end their beach vacation on a sour note?

Tips For Teens

• Delegate – Sometimes giving an older child a job will help occupy their time. You might be surprised at how serious they take this position. Ideas include planning rest stops, co-piloting, or controlling driving route.
• Electronics – In this ever changing digital age, you never need to leave the house without some type of portable electronic. This includes DVD players, Ipods, and now laptops fall into this category.
• Snacks – Who doesn’t enjoy eating some food?

Tips For Parents

• Rent A Car – Not all cars are suitable for long trips. Vans and other larger cars can relieve a lot stress related to a several hour road trip. Some new vans/cars are quite suitable for road trips. They include cup holders, more space, and built in DVD players. Plus, their will be less wear and tear on your personal car or van.
• GPS Devices – While we do not completely recommend following these directions to your specific property, GPS devices are surprisingly accurate for most road trips. You will most likely need to follow Sunset Properties directions upon arriving in Fort Morgan as houses are not always accurate.
• Plan For Mistakes – Making great time does not need to be a priority as it will add stress to the rest of your family. Plan for things not going well, extra traffic, or some rain storms. Enjoy the extra time with your family and make light of the situation. Having kids should remove expectations of perfection.
• Short Breaks – Stopping every few hours can help eliminate the inevitable “Are we there yet” from your kids? Having this places planned will give your kids something to look forward too. Plus, it should help some very stiff legs.

Tips For Kids/Toddlers

• Games – This might be the easiest thing to help entertain kids. Unique car games include 20 questions, I Spy, or the License Plate game. Kids love these type games and it can help take their minds off the long road trip to the beach.
• Extra Supplies – For younger babies and toddlers there are few extra necessities that you will need to pack. These necessities include bottles, wipes, snacks, medicine, and blankets.
• Departure Time – Planning your departure time can have a huge impact on the success of your car ride. IF you child takes a two hours nap in the morning plan your leaving time at the beginning of nap time. What a great way to eat-up some free time.
• DVD Player – This type of electronic babysitter can become very helpful for shorter car rides.

Why should I get travel insurance????  I get asked this questions daily.  There are several really good reasons but the most important one is you never really know what is going to happen, and those unknown things are what travel insurance is for.  

For example, the travel insurance we offer through CSA covers things like if your children or a member of your family gets sick just before you travel to the beach.  I know in the past insurance has helped several families in this way when the little guys get the flu or break an arm, or if a parent becomes ill and they suddenly have to leave.  Remember this is still insurance and you will have to fill-out claim forms and give proof, but it can certainly help you with the unexpected. 

Another time I have seen it extremely helpful is during hurricane season.  We don’t even like to say the “H” word around here, but the reality is that it does happen and we can only predict them when they are just a day or so away.  The last major storm that came through our area when we had lots of guests was right around Labor Day of 2008.  It was not bad but the roads were closed for a day and traveling was extremely difficult.  Everyone who purchased the insurance within their rules was given money back for the parts of their vacation that they missed. 

Travel insurance is certainly something to weigh carefully.  When you are making your vacation plans just give us a call.  We can answer your questions and email you some information about travel insurance to help you make an informed decision.   We are happy to help!!!!

It’s pretty basic knowledge but let me give you a few helpful hints on how not to be charged damage fees while on vacation. Just a few things I have learned over the past couple of years working for owners and an amazing rental company at the beach.

10. Put breakables up high, out of the reach or bumps of little children. Just don’t forget to put things back the way you found them so you will not be charged for items housekeeping believes are missing.

9. If you don’t know how to use something ( like an elevator or appliance ) Ask!!!!! It costs nothing to ask how to use something and a lot to fix or replace it.

8. It is true honesty is the best policy. If you happen to damage or break something, be honest about it!!!! Just tell the owner or rental agency, they expect some things to be damaged throughout the year and appreciate your honesty. They may not even charge you if you come clean and admit you accidentally broke it.

7. Look through your room when you arrive! Document anything damaged or broken and let the owner or rental company know immediately. They will not charge you for damage that you find when you immediately arrive. However, they may if you don’t tell them, so be sure to do walk through.

6. Instant tanner, and tanning lotion TANS EVERYTHING!!!!!!! Including sheet, and towels. Just get a tan while you are on vacation, or put this on before you come on vacation. This also goes for HAIR DYE!

5. Don’t try to fix it yourself! No matter if it is a stuck disposal, broken blinds, or a remote that is not working . Call the person who rented you the unit & they will have a maintenance person to fix that problem.

4. Don’t take things from the condo out to the beach. Sand, salt air, and suntan oil damages everything from fabrics to metal items. Bring your own beach towels, and leave the owner ‘ s things in the condo.

3. If you bring your pet, make sure they are allowed. A pet fee is much cheaper than a damage fee, and sometimes they are refundable.

2. Elevators and beds are not trampolines! Jumping on a bed or in an elevator can cause serious damage – sometimes even thousands of dollars worth of damage. Just a note, most elevators have hidden cameras too, so be on your best behavior!

1. The most important suggestion I can give is treat your beach rental like your own or better. If you do this the rental company will love you and may even make special deals for you to come back every year, because you were such a great renter!!

Have fun on vacation!!!!!!