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A Packing Tip for a Quick Exit

When you travel and stay in a hotel, here is a packing and unpacking tip sure to save you from leaving anything behind. When you first arrive at your hotel, take all of your clothes and hang them up or put them in a drawer. As you wear your clothes each day, take the dirty clothes and repack them in your suitcase. By the time you finish your trip, all of your dirty clothes are repacked one at a time and you won't leave anything behind. You can also easily on the last day simply close your suitcase and you're ready to go.

Hard Rock Hotel, Chicago

Whenever you travel to a major city even typical franchise hotels known for having quality accommodations can often be rundown just because of the constant use and traffic. In Chicago, the world-famous Hard Rock Hotel is not the least bit rundown, but it is an edgier place to stay designed more for younger travelers who don't mind loud music playing  all of the time out in the hallways and main area. It's decorated in a modern decor and each room is dedicated to a particular musician or group and memorabilia is sealed up and on display on all of the walls. The hotel is unlike other franchises that have manufactured artwork, and each room has its own theme, which means never the same experience twice. If you want to stay somewhere a little different and unique and you love rock music, you should definitely stay here.

Pebble Beach

Did you know one of the best times to visit the beach is in early spring? Why? Because once it heats up warm air pulls fog inland. Now is the time to visit the beach and enjoy the crystal-clear weather. One beach that you should visit is Pebble Beach perched on the Monterey peninsula. The beach's rugged cliff line provides a fantastic view to see some amazing sea life, including seals that sunbathe out on the rocks, a plethora of seagulls and other birds, and whale watch during the migration season. This time of year it is cool and windy, so wear windbreakers and enjoy the tidal pools. Also, for golfers, you can enjoy the world-famous Pebble Beach Golf Links 18-hole, par 72 course and walk through the incredible scenery loaded with cypress trees. Take 17-Mile Drive down to the beach and enjoy the spectacular scenery and views. 

Don't Make these Travel Mistakes

Don't under estimate the size of your airport. Some airports are huge (think Chicago O'Hare). If you're traveling on a tight schedule, make sure you scope out your next gate before you do things like eat or shop in the airport. Not understanding the dimensions of the airport can put you on a never-ending sprint to a gate you didn't realize was on the other side of the terminal. 

Always check your flight times. You can end up waiting much longer than you intended for a delayed flight that a simple phone call to their airlines would have cured. Most people don't relish spending too much time in an airport lounge, so make sure you check your flight times and adjust accordingly.

If it smells bad, ask to be moved. You don't have to be tortured sitting next to someone whose body odor could make a pig faint, especially if there are open seats. While it might feel rude to ask your stewardess, you should think of your own comfort. Don't force yourself to sit next to Patty Over-Perfumed or Sam Too Much Old Spice either, especially if you're allergic. 

Bermuda -- A Colorful Island Escape

Most people associate Bermuda with the infamous Bermuda Triangle. Bermuda is so much more. It is a gorgeous island surrounded by an incredible coral reef that produces fantastic white sand beaches and the Caribbean aquamarine colors you would expect from the area. This coral reef also makes a great haven for scores of fish attracted to the numerous shipwrecks entombed in the waters below. Families and tourists are encouraged to visit the crystal-clear waters of Southhampton Parish where they can swim, snorkel, kayak, yacht or sunbathe. Don't forget to take a moment to stop over at the Town of St. George, Britain's oldest surviving town in the New World, where it invites leisurely strolls through its crooked streets and plenty of sightseeing. 

Sierra at Tahoe -- Best Family Ski Resort

Considered among the best ski resorts for families, Sierra at Tahoe offers a vast diversity of ski and snowboarding trails to chose from. Families with older children, who snowboard, while parents who ski will like this resort. Additionally, it has a nice selection of medium difficulty trails to take the smaller skiers on. Many of the medium difficulty or green circle trails are lengthy and take often about 20 minutes to get down so parents can enjoy a nice run even if they have children ages 10 and under by their sides. The resort also has a nice barbecue area and patio for families to enjoy the nice spring skiing weather. 

Road-Trip Tip

When driving into remote regions or tourist areas, always gas up in the low-cost market. Do a little research into the gas prices in the area or if you own an iPhone, there is an app that will do that for you. If you're driving a gas-guzzling RV you will especially want to map out a route to your destination with the lowest gas prices to save a lot of money. Also, realize that the state of California has some of the highest gas prices in the nation, because of the gas tax. In states like Oregon, you will find a dramatic price drop, so you might want to get as close to the border as possible without having to fill up and do most of your refills while you're there. You might even opt to bring some gas cans to fill up and put in the back of your vehicle. These suggestions might sound extreme, but with the rising price of fuel, you could literally save hundreds of dollars.

Mt. Rainier, Washington -- Best Wildflowers Spot

"April showers bring May flowers" -- and the best place to see wildflowers blooming in a floral rainbow of breathtaking color is Mt. Rainier in Washington state. As spring approaches, fields full of wildflowers decorate meadows and hillside like bouquets given to loved one. A recommend drive to see the flowers is take Rte. 410 to Chinook Pass. Common flowers in bloom include avalanche lilies, white spires of beargrass flowers, lupine, paintbrush and more. If you visit the Hob and Quinault rainforests, you will feast your eyes on moss-draped trees. Plan to spend some quality time in the Mt. Rainier National Park and tour the rainforest and natural beauty of the area. This vacations offer families time to hike and explore the forest and glaciers. Check out the National Park Service website for when the park officially opens for summer. 

Huatulco, Mexico

Looking to stay close to the U.S. during spring break, but also travel internationally? Take your family (if you have older children) to world-famous Huatulco, Mexico located on the Pacific Coast in the state of Oaxaca. The area is known as a tourist development, and the industry is centered on nine bays where travelers will find numerous hotels, oceanfront villas and condos, inns and bed and breakfasts. The famous Dreams Resort and Spa is one of the most popular luxury resorts in the area. Huatulco is near the foothills of the Sierra Madre del Sur Mountains and about 500 km south of Acapulco. The area has a very Caribbean-like feel with palm tree-line beaches and turquois-blue bays to enjoy water recreation. The weather isn't too warm in springtime and provides the perfect escape for the entire family to enjoy some relaxing time together.

North Coast Springtime Escape

The unexpected early spring has invited the flowers to bloom and the sun to shine along California's North Coast. You can drive up or down Highway 1 and enjoy the colorful rainbow of wild flowers blooming in all of their glory. Notice the poppies, daffodils and even tulips decorating the landscape in their colorful array of clusters sprinkled throughout the green grass of the coastal range. The sun is shining bright and warm. You can start your trip on Highway 101 and cut through on Highway 29 or 120 and drive through the tall redwoods where it's green, wet and lush with spring runoff. Make your way as far north as Fort Bragg and invest in a weekend package that includes excursions through the redwoods on the famous Skunk Train or a stroll through the Botanical Gardens where you can whale watch off the cliffs and see for miles off into the clear horizon. Choose from one of the numerous lodges right on the ocean such as the Northside Sea Cliff Inn, open your slider and hear the crash of the waves, and fill the jacuzzi tub that sits next to the door and just listen. The Northside serves a continental breakfast with muffins and fruit as part of your stay. Get up the next day, stroll old Fort Bragg, and stop for lunch at one of the numerous cafes that line the main street. If you don't have children along, maybe make an appointment at the Bamboo Spa and enjoy a relaxing massage.