Bold Exploration

The Emerald Coast is beautiful and Pensacola is a gem nestled right along the Florida panhandle. In this episode, we look at where to stay, what to eat, and things to do.

2024 looks like it will shape up to be an exciting year with more predictable travel patterns, stabilized prices, and nearly all travel markets open for business. Let's create a plan to help your family see more of the world this year.

Have you ever considered getting two of the hardest reservations to get in the busiest National Park? Learn our tips and tricks for getting these hard-to-get reservations. Synchronous Fire Fly Dates are set in the spring based on the weather. Visit the National Park website regularly in the spring to get the full details of this year's lottery. Want to skip the lottery? Grab a reservation at the Elkmont Campground. This campground is within walking distance of the event. Leconte Lodge is a rustic cabin all-inclusive retreat that requires a 7-mile hike to get to your lodging. Reservations are collected throughout the year and distributed in one big event. Buckle up because it's time to put your name in the hat to score these epic reservations. https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/232487 https://www.lecontelodge.com/

Disney Annual Passes are a great way to have a big Disney year and save a little money. They are not right for every family though. Listen to this episode to determine if this is your year to get an annual pass for more vacation fun.

There are three areas to focus on to make your next vacation go smoother and meet everyone’s needs. I have found that by keeping these three things in the forefront of my mind while planning we have fewer hiccups and are able to stay on track easier as a family.

1. Food and Water needs – Having a clear picture of what food your family will need is key to keeping spirits high.  Look at your at home schedules to determine what your families needs will be and make a plan to meet those needs in their normal time zone schedule.  And don’t forget to keep the whole group hydrated.  Dehydrated folks are no fun to be around. This may be as simple as having a refillable water bottle available or planning a fun stop for drinks. Hydration is key to keeping cramps, constipation, and overeating at bay for all age groups.

2. Gear – Having the right gear can make all the difference. Good shoes and socks are the foundation to the proper gear for every vacation.  Look for breathable clothing in the summer and warm layers for winter destinations. Outside of clothes, separate your gear into three categories: buy, thrift, or rent.  Buy any specialty gear that will give you value long term.  Thrift items when time and availability allows (this includes borrowing from friends).  And rent when the market allows especially those expensive items children will outgrow before they can be use again.  Another area to look for rentals is baby gear so you will not need to pack those bulky items for your trip. We had had a lot of success using rental programs when my children were little.

3. Rest/Sleep – Vacations are usually chock full of unintentional exercise.  If a member of your traveling party is young or struggles with mobility: a stroller, seated walker, wheelchair, or scooter can make a huge improvement on the overall experience.  These items can help travelers not get tired as quickly and always have a seat available for rest.  When it comes to sleeping at night, making sure everyone has a sleep environment that meets their needs.  Lastly, for those kids who are still taking a nap, try to keep them on the same schedule for their home time zone.

A great way to take your family on their first international trip is a cruise.  Two new brands on the market may work for your family. Margaritaville At Sea is Jimmy Buffet’s cruising brand that sails out of south Florida.  Virgin Voyages is a luxury adult only cruise line that may work for a couples cruise or a girls trip.

If you are looking for a family friendly luxury cruise don’t count out Disney Cruise lines.  They are known for their amazing children’s programs, excellent shows, and fine dining.

To get personalized one-on-one assistance with your next vacation complete our online form and I will reach out to you ASAP to help get your family out on your next adventure.

https://shandasmith.com/book-travel/

Making the decisions on whether to repeat a destination or vacation for your travel year is an important first step in planning.  Today we are going to talk about the pros and cons of revisiting a repeat vacation or to strike out and go on a new adventure with your family. 

Repeat Vacation Pros:

1. There are seasons of life that where repeat vacations can help you fit the travel you crave in your year. 
2. Planning is expedited because you are already familiar with the amenities available. 
3. It is easy to get busy or stressed family members excited about taking a repeat vacation to a proven destination for your family. 

Repeat Vacation Cons:

1.  There is truly no repeat vacation.  Your family will be older and you cannot predict the weather. 
2. You will lose the opportunity to add in new and exciting destinations in that section of your schedule and budget. 
3. Sometimes you would have rather gone somewhere new but were too stressed to plan when you needed to. 
4. Repeat vacations tend to lose their luster over time and you will get a diminished value over time. 

New Adventure Pros:

1. New experiences can light you up and get you excited about life.
2. Your expectations will be lower and you will be more likely to have a great time if you planned for your needs. 
3. The extended planning period will extend the joy and excitement for your vacation. 
4. You are almost guaranteed to discover something new about yourself. 

New Adventure Cons:

1. The person who planned the vacation and the person taking the vacation may be different people. 
2. Unexpected expenses can be an issue in unknown destinations. 
3. Influencer-styled vacation planning can lead to a letdown from destinations not meeting expectations. 

So what do I recommend?

•  Know and understand what creature comforts are important for your family to have a slam-dunk vacation by thinking through your needs for Food/Water, Gear/Equipment, and Sleep/Rest cycles. 
• Address everyone's needs and be creative with the rest. 
• Always include some repeated activities and a new adventure in every vacation. 

Pamela Augustine is the founder and creator of The Grandkids Toolbox, where she teaches grandparents how to have strong and effective communication and cherished relationships with their grandchildren.   

You can find her little corner of the internet at https://grandkidstoolbox.com 

She also has an amazing free guide on effective grandparent communication skills. Download it here: https://grandkidtoolbox.com/podcast-communication-guide-opt-in

Pamela Augustine is the founder and creator of The Grandkids Toolbox, where she teaches grandparents how to have strong and effective communication and cherished relationships with their grandchildren.   

You can find her little corner of the internet at https://grandkidstoolbox.com 

She also has an amazing free guide on effective grandparent communication skills. Download it here: https://grandkidtoolbox.com/podcast-communication-guide-opt-in

Focus on the sunset and let the darkness go!  Just a mini-episode on why I am so passionate about sharing travel ideas with your family.  Plus, I get to introduce you to my handsome nephew.  Have a great weekend!

We are still in the midst of our February giveaways! Leave a review for any episode or the podcast (and send a screenshot to our social media), and we will enter you to win one of our giveaways!   

Welcome to our first episode!

Today we are talking all about the most common hurdles I hear when people decide NOT to take that next family vacation.  But even more importantly, we talk about how to overcome those obstacles to add more travel to your year.

For more information or a travel quote, visit ShandaSmith.com

Modern-day travel deserves modern-day solutions.  The Bold Exploration Podcast is designed to be your guide for practical planning, amazing destinations, and the low-stress travel lifestyle your family deserves.  Are you ready to make those incredible family memories with your children that will last generations? Subscribe today and become a bold explorer!