road trip Archives - Serendipity Mommy

Where to go on a road trip in Australia and New Zealand

November 8, 2019 by Mandy

Going to Australia and New Zealand will be on most people’s bucket list. The landscapes and cultures appeal to a lot of tourists, and some may only make it here once in their lives. Others may feel like their home and stay a lot longer.

However, there’s nothing like a road trip to learn about a place and the people you’re traveling with. So why not explore Australia and New Zealand on four wheels? These are just some suggestions you may want to think about if this sounds like the journey of a lifetime to you.

Pacific coast

If you’re looking for a typical flavor of Australia, then going along the coastal roads of New South Wales and Queensland will give you all you expect and more. Starting in Sydney, you’ll wind your way north towards Brisbane, with plenty of opportunities to stop off and explore just a little bit of the eastern side of this vast country.

Make a pit stop at places such as Port Stephens, Newcastle, and Byron Bay and discover the surfing beaches, seaside towns and national parks along the 900km route. You could even go west at Newcastle and check out the Hunter Valley region: perfect if you like cheese, olive, or chocolate as you find these local producers.

Vehicle hire experts such as Advantage Rental Car will be able to offer you a rental car for your trip. See if you can pick it up direct from the airport at the start of your trip – that way, you can get out onto the open road and start your exciting drive as soon as possible.

Perth to Exmouth

For those on the west of the country, there’s this route that begins at Western Australia’s main city and goes up towards Exmouth, just as the coastline turns northeast. The 1,200km journey shows off this part of the world’s coral coast, and other beautiful views.

As well as the turquoise Indian Ocean, there’s the Pinnacles Desert, Shark Bay, and the gorges of Kalbarri National Park to look at in awe. If you go between June and September, then you get the added bonus of seeing the colorful wildflowers across the landscape.

Auckland to Cape Reinga

Many tourists will use Auckland on the north island as their base when going to New Zealand – and if you don’t have many days in this picturesque country, you’ll still get to explore some of it’s best places from here. Head north out of the city, and you’ll not only see magnificent landscapes but have fantastic experiences.

Make your way to Paihia, the gateway to the Bay of Islands, which is made up of 144 islands with green countryside and blue waters. You can swim with dolphins here or, if getting into the sea isn’t your thing, you can take a ferry to the historic town of Russell. Then head up to 90 Mile Beach and Cape Reinga – the top of New Zealand – and onto the Kauri forests and waterfalls that are inland.

Save on a Charter Bus Rental for a Family Adventure

May 17, 2019 by Mandy

A charter bus is the most convenient way to travel during any group trip. Who doesn’t want to just relax and have fun while on a vacation without having to worry about the road ahead? The best options available while travelling are almost hardly ever easy to access. But a charter bus makes that happen for you, combining the best of all worlds by providing comfort, safety, ease of mind and plenty of space to all those who rent it. One of the most convenient ways to travel, hiring a charter bus is the best choice you can make for you and your group on your next trip. Charter bus rental price is also a big perk as it is mostly cheaper than hiring many small vehicles while providing almost double the comfort. Whether it’s a wedding, a family gathering or a road trip with friends, renting a charter bus is the most sensible option. It not only ensures the safety of the group but gives you ample space and time to have fun with your friends and family.

Let’s take a look at some of the many advantages of chartering a bus for your next group trip:

1. Budget Friendly

Choosing a charter bus will definitely help you avoid making a major dent in your wallet. While hiring a couple of four-wheelers instead of a bus may be the first thing that comes to your mind, availing that option can cost you twice the amount you would have to spend if you were to hire a charter bus. Charter bus rental prices are not just cheaper, but also astoundingly rewarding for all the convenience it provides.

2. Unity

The main advantage of hiring a charter bus is that it lets the group trip remain a group trip. There’s no separation, and all the people on the trip can enjoy their time together without having to worry about anything else. Spending time together is the main point of a group trip, and a charter bus makes sure that it is taken care of for the whole journey.

3. No hassles, no worries

You don’t have to be worried about reaching the destination, the traffic or the route if you hire a charter bus. The experienced drivers can make sure that the trip is smooth sailing for you and your group, always taking care of your comfort and individual needs while at it. They also can suggest you some amazing places for you to check out on the way, making the trip way more fun than you might have initially expected.

4. Environment Friendly

Now, many people don’t think much about this, but let’s also think a little bit about the earth. A fully loaded bus gets more than 4 times fuel efficiency than a fully loaded car. By hiring a charter bus, you are also helping in saving fuel and reduce pollution.

5. You are the boss

Remember those car trips where the one behind the wheel was the alpha and the seated ones were the peasants who had to go wherever the alpha took them? Forget about that now, as the group gets to decide the pit-stops and re-routes without any blowbacks from the one behind the wheel. You just need to tell the driver about what you want and your directions will be followed, with almost no additional prices unless you exceed the distance you rented the bus for. From the music to the pit stops to how much time you spend taking in the view outside, it is all up to you to decide.

Family Road Trip Activities

April 24, 2018 by Mandy

Road trips are a great way to leave your responsibilities for a few days and just go on an adventure. In fact, taking one with the family is even better. But, while you’re driving down the road, you and your kids can start to get a little restless, especially if it is longer than two hours.

There are plenty of ways to pass the time; you can tell each other stories play games on your phone, browse through social media, or take pictures and videos.

If it’s an unplugged activity you want, then you’ve come to the right place. Alpha Car Hire has gathered up a few activities you can try with your kids for your next road trip:

Maps

Often in video games, you’ll see a small map that shows where the protagonist is headed and what he can expect in that particular area. So, why not give your kids a map that shows the route your family will take to your destination?

Print out a Google map, show the kids your starting point, the roads you will take, and the places you will stop for bathroom breaks. If you’re up for it, you can also arrange a list of things people living in your destination like to do.

Doing this gives your kids something to look forward to and may even spark their curiosity.

Colouring/Craft Projects

Nothing can make time go faster than arts and crafts. You get so caught up in the work that you surprise yourself when you see how much time has passed. Arts and crafts are usually done on a table while you’re sitting in a chair, but luckily doing that in the car is now possible.

Prepare a small basket filled with arts and crafts materials like crayons, colour pencils, papers, colouring books, and erasable markers.

Before you go, place it next to your child in the backseat and make sure he can reach inside it. If you have a small table for your children that can attach to their car seat, even better. That way they will have enough room to do their art without trouble.

This can help keep them busy for a few hours and can even help avoid the inevitable question: “are we there yet?”

Travel Toys

Aside from doing art, another thing you can give your kids is travel toys. You can have them select the toys they want from their collection or take on additional responsibility around the house to earn money so they can buy new toys for the trip.

This way, they learn the value of money and they can get a new toy to bring for the trip. A win-win for you and your kids.

Car Games

Speaking of playing with toys, car games are another time passing activity you can try. The best part about this is that everyone can get involved.

You can introduce them to classic car games like I Spy. You can also make it even more exciting by playing road bingo, where you print out cards or use an app to check off things you spot along the highway or backroads. Magnetic board games like Snakes and Ladders are also an excellent activity for older kids.

These activities are fun and can help you and your kids bond during the drive.

Audio Books

Ever wanted to introduce your kids to Harry Potter but never had the opportunity to do so? Now is the time to send your kids on a magical adventure with the use of an audiobook.

This is perfect for long car rides. Download a few audio books, play it on the car stereo and be taken away on an adventure completely different from the one you are taking.

Not only is it a great option for kids, it is also great for parents who want to catch up on their reading but has never found the time to do so.

There are plenty of activities to try during a road trip. Whether it’s imagining a running man alongside your car or with toys, it will certainly make your trip memorable and might also inspire your kids to do the same with their own family someday.

Top 10 Road Trip Essentials for a Fun Family Holiday

April 10, 2018 by Mandy

Traveling with kids isn’t easy. You never know what they need and what problems may arise. For a fun road trip, take these road trip essentials with you!

Do you dream of exploring the open road with your family, leaving your household duties and your job and commitments in the rearview mirror?

Nearly 35% of Americans are planning to go on a holiday road trip this year, traveling at least 50 miles or more away from home. If you’re anything like one-third of the country, you’re expecting to clock some windshield-time in the next year.

Road trips are a great family adventure: there’s room for unexpected excursions, random stops at places with interesting names, and plenty of time to get quality moments in with everyone.

Whether you’re traveling to a neighboring city, statewide, or across the country, there’s a few road trip essentials that every family can consider to make the drive as smooth as fresh pavement.

Have your kids start packing some books and crayons while you read on and figure out the rest!

Road Trip Essentials for Everyone

We could all benefit from a checklist to keep things in order. Especially when there’s kids, a spouse, yourself, and maybe even your grandparent involved.

Every family could use a little help in packing for a trip. Worrying about yourself is stressful enough without making sure everyone else has a form of entertainment, snacks, and extra shorts!

Booming at 69%, one of the most popular holiday vacations are road trips. Those families are on to something! Luckily for the busy household organizer, we’ve compiled a list of the top ten road trip essentials you should include in your vehicle before setting off.

1. A Solid GPS

Trial and error with technology (like maybe taking the wrong turn three times in a row because your phone won’t calibrate) will tell you this: it doesn’t always work the way you want it to.

This goes for GPS as well. Not every phone app is as good as the next, so dabble with different styles before committing to one. Once you get one that keeps up with your movements, predicts accidents and traffic, and gives you the shortest and smartest distances possible, you’ve found the one.

2. A Cooler Full of Goodies

This is a definite road trip necessity. You won’t want to be stopping more than you need to, so make sure that the in-between time is filled with nutritional, yummy foods and drinks.

Plenty of water (but not too much – the less pee breaks, the easier!), coffee to keep those eyes open, and snacks like pistachios and sandwiches will make the drive much better.

3. Toiletries in Easy Access

If all you need is a quick brush of the teeth to make you feel good after eight hours of driving, you won’t want to be hunting through tons of baggage for your toothpaste.

For restroom stops, keep everything related in close range to be used if needed. Baby wipes, diapers, antibacterial soap, body wash, hand towels, even a tube of mascara to perk mom’s sleepy eyes up for dinner, can be fit into one toiletry bag that accommodates everyone.

4. Good Audio

Make sure your drive time is accompanied with some good audio pleasure. To avoid having to look while driving, compile music, audiobooks, podcasts, and anything else ahead of time.

The whole family can listen to Because of Winn Dixie on Audible. Or the religious family can download some Christ Like Media on their podcast app. Make sure Dad remembers his Led Zeppelin CDs.

5. A Pillow, Blanket, or Both

Let’s be honest: while Dad drives, Mom and the kids can nap. And vise-versa. Not only is napping an awesome way to pass some minutes (hours if you’re lucky!), it’ll rejuvenate your passengers before you stop at Dinosaur World or the local Mexican restaurant for tacos and guacamole.

To ensure everyone sleeps tight while on the road and wherever you stay, bring along some pillows and blankets from home.

6. Books, Magazines, and the Like

Bring reading material, whatever your go-to method may be. Magazines can be acquired at gas stations if you forget them, but your favorite book with its dog-eared page shouldn’t be left at home! These are road trip essentials, especially when the cell phone battery dies!

7. An Extra Set of Clothes

Because you never know what could happen.

“They’re called curb checks for a reason!”, says Dad as he accidentally bumps the sidewalk’s edge and sends Diet Coke spilling onto your kid’s white shirt. Avoid making them sit in the sticky mess until the next rest area; bring back-ups for the whole family.

8. An Emergency Kit

This kit concerns the car. While getting your whole family ready, don’t forget the most important part of this excursion: your vehicle.

Make sure your oil has been changed, tires filled with air, and everything cleaned and organized before you take off. After that, prepare for the worst, and have the supplies you need ready for action.

9. A First-Aid Kit

Think of this as the emergency kit for your family. Once again, expect the unexpected. Kids are unpredictable, so make sure that a first-aid kit filled with the appropriate items (and then some) is close-by.

10. An Imagination

Nothing like a game of “I Spy” or “20 Questions” to get everyone laughing and thinking!

Let the miles inspire your family: play fun games, make up new ones, and tell stories. Keep a list of every unique license plate you see. Commentate on quirky road signs. Wonder where everyone else is headed, and make up tales for them.

Remember to Be Minimal in Your Packing

Think about your day-to-day schedule and activities.

Whatever you and your family uses all the time, you should bring with you (i.e. soap, toothbrush, deodorant, socks, your favorite soft t-shirt.) The velvet heels or fancy button-down may sound great while packing, but try and make yourself stick to the necessities. Same goes for the kids.

No one wants to road trip in an overcrowded car! Less is definitely more in this case, especially for the person in back squeezed next to everyone’s bags. Plus, then there’s more room to bring home some special souvenirs.

It’s Time to Go

You’ve made it to the end! Or should we say beginning?

We hope these ideas got you excited for all the adventure that is sure to come out of an epic family road trip. This list is not all-inclusive, so pick and choose what is best for your family, adding and subtracting as you see fit.

Now that you’re an expert on road trip essentials, everything else should pan out great (you’ve got a spare tire, right!?). All that’s left to do is assign one person as DJ and one as map-reader, and you’re good to go.

Let us know when you’ve made it home safely and if you have any questions!

How To Keep You & Your Family Safe On The Road

February 12, 2018 by Mandy

Source

Driving seems elementary and second nature when you’re not thinking about it in detail. However, when you take time to digest the dangers of being on the road and all there is to know about driving, it paints a very different picture.

It goes without saying that you love and care about your family and want them to be safe at all times. Therefore, this includes you taking the proper precautions when it comes to driving vehicles. It’s vital that you educate yourself on the various ways you can be proactive with the hopes of keeping everyone in your family protected. Take the matter seriously, after all; you don’t want to deal with any unwanted consequences that are all too common.

Always get the Recommended Repairs

It’s not good practice to ignore maintenance and repairs your car needs. For example, if you drive a SMART car then know the signs of SMART Car Repair and get into the shop right away if any of them show up in your vehicle. Save your money and budget each month for repairs your car may require, so you’re not scrambling at the last minute. Take the initiative to read up on your type of car and understand what kind of work it’s going to need in the future. Remember to get regular oil changes because this is when the shop can catch a lot of the recommended fixes.

Armored Vehicle

Use your vehicle itself as protection by purchasing an armored car that’s built to keep you safe. This way you can drive freely knowing that other people’s mistakes won’t hurt you and your family. The cars come in all different styles and are prepared to face anything. You can travel anywhere knowing that whatever comes at you won’t harm you. You can never be too safe these days.

Buckle up

Make it a rule that anyone who rides in your car needs to wear their seat belt. This way there’s no question about it when people enter your vehicle. As the parent and driver, it’s your responsibility to double check and make sure everyone’s buckled up before you start driving. Should you get in an accident, it’s likely that wearing a seat belt will save your life. There’s a reason law enforcement puts wearing a seat belt at the top of their list. If there aren’t enough in your vehicle, then you have too many passengers, and you’ll have to make a few trips.

Eliminate Distractions

It’s way too easy to get distracted when you’re driving in your car. Do yourself a favor by putting your cell phone away, having the music at a decent level and making sure the kids are preoccupied, so they don’t bother you. It’s your job to be focused on the road and not on any distractions that may be trying to grab your attention. Get in the right mindset before you start the car and remind yourself that whatever is on your mind can wait until after the car is parked.

Don’t Drive when Tired

Keep you and your family safe on the road by getting a good night’s sleep each night. You not only need to be alert to work and to take care of your daily responsibilities but also for driving. If you’re overtired, then you risk making silly decisions or not having a quick enough reaction time to other drivers. Be honest with yourself if you’re too tired to drive and stay home or have someone else drive or pick you up. While coffee and rolling down the window helps, it may not have the ability to overcome your extreme sleepiness. Your best bet is to focus on getting a decent amount of sleep each night, so you’re ready to seize the day.

Help your Kids Learn how to Drive

Stay safe on the road by getting involved in your children’s driving experience. Teach them the rules of the road and guide them to learning how to drive maturely. Make it clear that they should always have safety first in mind. Take them to driver’s education classes and go out on the road with them to practice. Your support will mean a great deal to them, and you’ll be able to offer them some sound advice and tips. Hopefully, this will mean you won’t panic as much once they finally get their license and they’re free to drive themselves around.

Be A Proactive Driver

It’s not a good idea to sit back and hope nothing bad happens to you on the road. You always have to be on the lookout and watching other drivers and what they’re about to do. You have to anticipate what someone may or may not do and be ready to act quickly. It’s another reason you can’t be distracted or overtired while driving. Being proactive may save you from being involved in a bad accident and wrecking your car or getting hurt. Be smart and attentive whenever you’re behind the wheel, and you’ll have better driving experiences.

Purchase Good Tires

Having good tires on your car is always important. Follow a schedule for getting them rotated and keep track of how long you’ve had them. Bad tires, especially in the winter, are dangerous and put you and your family at risk for hazardous situations. While tires aren’t cheap, they’re necessary and will get you where you need to go safely. Conduct your own tire research before buying a set to make sure you’re getting the best value for your money.

It’s extremely important always to be safe while driving on the road, especially with your family. Use these tips to help you meet this goal and travel in your vehicle with confidence. All it takes is one small mistake, and you may find yourself in an undesirable circumstance. Be smart, proactive and know that your investment in the right type of vehicle and continuous maintenance is worth it. Remember to be alert and attentive each time you enter your vehicle, and then enjoy your ride.