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Road Trip Planning

Best Places to Visit in Scotland with Teens: Ultimate Roadtrip Guide

March 26, 2019 by Dana Zeliff 5 Comments

Disclosure: This post may contain an affiliate link & I may have been compensated for my time writing this article.

It’s difficult for me to find the right words to describe the rugged beauty of the Scottish countryside, the friendliness of it’s people and the power of countless looming castles to transport you straight into the past. It’s a country where movies and photos can’t accurately portray the way the light shines through the trees, the way the rain glistens off the grass or the excitement of finding puffins nestled on the cliffs.  The best way to experience Scotland and truly see the lush and changing landscapes is by car. We’ve put together the ultimate road trip guide and include the best places to visit in Scotland. While I could definitely return again and again, we covered a lot of ground in our 2 week journey and hope to inspire your visit.

Best Places to Visit in Scotland

Our favorite area of Scotland is the highlands.  The landscape is rugged, green, boundless and most of all, stunning. It’s a sharp contrast to the bustling city of Edinburgh where modern and old world charm merge.

If you find yourself limited on time or just want to relax and enjoy some of the countries unique heritage, we’d suggest not missing the following:

  • Edinburgh
  • Inveraray Castle
  • Oban – pretty seaside village and tasty fish and chips
  • Edinbane – see Fairy Pools on the way
  • Durness – you can’t miss the puffins!
  • Glamis Castle
  • Stirling Castle

While these aren’t the only spots on our list of the best places to visit in Scotland, they are our top picks.

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Filed Under: Destinations, Europe Travel with Kids, Road Trip Planning Tagged With: UK, Scotland

Why Rent a Car in Edinburgh with Auto Europe Vs Other Forms of Transportation in Scotland

August 6, 2018 by Dana Zeliff 6 Comments

Disclosure: This post may contain an affiliate link & I may have been compensated for my time writing this article.

Road tripping around Scotland was a fantastic experience for the entire family! We started our 16 day adventure touring the city of Edinburgh before picking up our rental car booked through Auto Europe and hitting the open road.  So why rent a car in Edinburgh with Auto Europe vs other forms of transportation in Scotland? The answer is easy – you get to see so much more of the country! While I love public transport in Europe and enjoy taking the occasional guided tour, having ultimate control over where to stop, how long to stay and what to do made the trip more enjoyable and relaxed. You can’t make an impromptu 2 hour hike to find puffins if a coach full of other travelers is waiting for you!

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Filed Under: Road Trip Planning, Scotland, Destinations, Europe Travel with Kids

5 Best Beaches for Your Virginia Road Trip

July 26, 2018 by Dana Zeliff 2 Comments

Disclosure: This post may contain an affiliate link & I may have been compensated for my time writing this article.

 

Best Beaches for Your Virginia Road Trip

Are you still planning a summer getaway? Take time to add one (or all) of these 5 beaches in Virginia to your road trip itinerary. Born and raised in Virginia, I’ve had the opportunity, over the years, to visit many of the state’s beautiful ocean and bayside stretches of sand. Since there are so many great beaches along it’s shoreline, I focused on beaches that could easily be added to an existing Virginia road trip itinerary.  No matter where you’re headed, you’ll find the perfect beach in Virginia to relax, to enjoy the sun, surf and sand.

Road Trip Planning – Best Beaches in Virginia 

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Filed Under: Destinations, North America, Virginia, US Travel, Road Trip Planning

Benefits of National RV Rentals

April 20, 2017 by Dana Zeliff 1 Comment

Disclosure: This post may contain an affiliate link & I may have been compensated for my time writing this article.

Benefits of National RV Rentals

{Click to Pin It}

Purchasing an RV is very expensive, so the cost to buy one may be more than you want to invest. What if you only plan to take road trips once in awhile? The good news is that you don’t have to let that stop you from enjoying the experience of traveling around the country in one. National RV rentals are available for those who enjoy taking the occasional road trip but who do not want the expense of buying an RV.

When you rent an RV, you get all the same conveniences you would have when buying one… but for much less. You can choose from a wide variety of makes and models so it’s easy to find something that you like. Additionally there are many rental agencies available to serve you. You can go with something simple or choose an RV with all the bells and whistles. The choice is yours!

Why invest so much money into buying an RV only to keep it parked in your backyard most of the time? It would be a waste of money.  This why renting an RV makes more sense for the occasional traveler. Here are some other benefits:

Benefits of National RV Rentals:

It’s Convenient

Renting an RV is convenient and easy to do, so you don’t have to deal with a lot of hassles when you go to rent one. They also have all of the necessities you’ll need to help make your road trip a pleasant one. You don’t have to worry about buying items to go in the RV such as dishes and cookware when you get the ones fully equipped. All of these things are part of the rental package.

You can save also money when traveling because you’ll be staying in RV parks instead of expensive hotels. RV parks have water, sewer and electric hook-ups, so you can have all the conveniences of staying in a hotel but at a fraction of the cost.

You Have Fewer Responsibilities

Another great thing about choosing National RV rentals over buying an RV is that you don’t have to worry about making repairs and keeping maintenance up on it. Of course, you will need to do general maintenance while it’s in your care but if anything major happens such as engine or transmission trouble, you don’t have to worry about making the repairs.

Road trips are a great way to spend quality time together with your family. You’ll be creating memories that will last a lifetime. If you enjoy camping out under the stars and sitting around a campfire but still want modern conveniences like bathrooms and kitchen appliances, then traveling in an RV is the best way to go. When you only have the opportunity to travel once in awhile then renting an RV seems more practical than buying one for most people.

Renting is also the practical choice for determining if you WANT to purchase an RV.  Buying sounds great in theory, but is it the best choice for your family?  We took a trip to Maine in a rented RV to determine if we wanted to make the BIG purchase.  As it turns out, RV’s really aren’t our thing.

What do you think?  Go with National RV Rentals or buy your own?

You may also like Suggestions for Travel Food!

Filed Under: Road Trip Planning, Travel Tips & Tricks, RV Trips

How to Plan a Thrifty Road Trip

April 10, 2014 by Dana Zeliff 4 Comments

Disclosure: This post may contain an affiliate link & I may have been compensated for my time writing this article.

Thrifty Road Trip
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Road trip! Are you planning a getaway with the family, a trip back home from college or just some fun with friends? If so, you might want to plan a thrifty road trip to help you save during your travels. Gas prices are higher than ever and this makes many people afraid to get into their cars and travel out for visiting friends and family.  Don’t let the high price of gas and expensive of travel keep your from enjoying the world.

So what are some things you can do to have a thrifty road trip? I have 5 tips to get you started.

How to Plan a Thrifty Road Trip:

Get a tune-up: Doing some simple maintenance on your vehicle can make a big difference when it comes to traveling long distances in it. For example, keeping the tires properly inflated, using the right kind of gas and replacing air filters and other parts regularly will help you get more gas mileage from your vehicle, reduce wear and tear and get the most from your car.

Rent a car: Depending on the make, model and year of your vehicle, it might be best for you to just rent a vehicle to make your road trip in. Most rentals today come with unlimited miles and you can just pay by the day. You don’t have to worry so much about how far you’re going, what damage or extra mileage you might be putting on your vehicle.

Slow down: Driving slower can make your vehicle more fuel-efficient. This means you can save a lot of money on gas by driving slower. But how slow? According to www.fueleconomy.gov, for every five miles per hour you drive over the rate of 60 miles per hour, you will pay 25 cents or more for each gallon of gas. Rapid acceleration and sudden braking can make you lose more on your gas mileage.

Bring things with you: Another way to have a thrifty road trip is to pack up the ice chest and bring as many things with you as you can. You can bring snacks and drinks and avoid buying things on the road. It’s really easy to do some pre-trip shopping and pack your car up with snacks and goodies before heading out on the road.

Bring a friend: Next, remember to bring a friend or family member along with you. You can’t have a thrifty road trip without bringing along a great friend and some rocking car tunes. The best part of a road trip is blasting your favorite songs and singing along at the top of your lungs with your bestie.

Do you have any tips to add for taking a thrifty road trip? Who would you bring along? How would you save money on the trip?

*The picture above is from a road trip my family took a few years ago up through the Blue Ridge Mountains.  There are so many stops you can make on the way to get gorgeous views like this one!

You might also like 7 Tips for Family Travel on a Budget or 8 Simple Tips to Plan Road Trip & Pack Smart!

Filed Under: Road Trip Planning, Travel Tips & Tricks, Travel Budget Tips

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Welcome!

Hi, I’m Dana. Planning a great trip shouldn't mean spending endless evenings scrolling travel forums, watching videos, and sorting through conflicting opinions online.

I've spent years exploring the world with my husband and our two kids, and those experiences shape how I help clients plan their own vacations. Together, we've visited 48 countries across four continents and spent nearly four years living in France.

Whether you're planning a European itinerary, a cruise vacation, an all-inclusive resort stay, or a family getaway, I'll help you sort through the options and create a trip that works for your travel style, interests, and budget. Read More…

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