The problem with that is anything curve ball can be thrown your way especially, when you’re traveling. This is probably one of the toughest things to get a grasp of because it takes practice and planning for everything in order to be a pro.

Here’s a few tips for all you new parents to ease the transition.

• Seating on a plane- If you need two plane seats then book the window seat and the aisle seat in the back of plane so you are closer to attendants and the bathroom. The middle seat is always the last to become filled because no one likes to sit in between two other people. If the flight isn’t booked then if someone happens to sit in between your two seats they’re usually more than happy to move to give you the whole row.
• Leave with lots of time to spare- If you have a child you want to leave your house 2-2.5 hours early to avoid traffic and any stops you are going to have to make (diaper change, feeding time, etc.) so that you have ample time to check in your bags and go through security.
• Packing early- Create a list a month before the flight. Why? Because then you can assess all the things you have used that month and how much you will need when you leave. Then you can always add things onto your list or take them off. Always bring diapers, wipes, formula, toys, chewable toys for teething babies, clothes, baby Tylenol, children’s gas drops (flights sometimes gives babies digestive problems from stress), thermometer, blanket, and nail filer/clipper. These are the essentials the rest is up to you.
• It’s all about the ears- Make sure that the baby doesn’t suck on his/her pacifier to the airport and through the check in and security.  They’ll eventually get bored with it and there’s going to be problems throughout the fight. Once you’re settled in your seats give them their pacifier so that it helps their ears throughout the flight.
• Ship it- If you are going to be gone for a long period of time (longer than 3-4 days) then I suggest purchasing some items online and having it shipped to the address of the place you will be staying. This way all the items you’ll need will be there when you arrive. That way you can have everything there and ready for you. No need to run to the store.

Each child is different so the first flight will always be the hardest. These few tips should lessen the stress by a long shot however; make sure that it’s also a learning experience for the next time. Flight attendants are always helpful as well they usually always have backup items to help fliers and their kids be extremely comfortable.

Jeff provides travel tips courtesy of the Travel Insurance blog.

1. Plan in Advance
The first step in saving money on travel is getting the transportation aspect handled, as this can potentially be one of the largest expenses (especially if you are using air travel). Purchasing flights as soon as possible is key to getting the best price. You definitely do not want to hold off on purchasing airline tickets less than fourteen days before a trip, as the prices will be highest at that point. Traveling on less busy days of the week also will save you in airfare, which means opting to fly on days such as Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Airlines offer refunds if airfare already purchased drops between the time you buy the flights and your travel dates, though you need to verify such programs through the airline you choose. Secure this early! One alternate cost cutting method is to fly in and out of smaller airports, such as those within a comfortable driving distance from both your home and destination (this is great in Europe).

2. Choose Your Hotel Early On
Hotel costs are another high-price travel item. The best place to start is to determine the level of service and hotel you require. Signing up for loyalty cards, email offers and scouring websites for discount deals will get you moving in the right direction. As with airfare, calling back to receive an advertised discount after you make your reservations can further lower your costs.

3. Consider and Plan for Food Costs
If you are concerned about the price of food and drinks, ask hotels or seek one out which offers all-inclusive plans. Though various plans are run in different ways, even a hotel offering a complimentary breakfast each day of your stay will save you money over the length of your trip, if you all agree to use the feature. In addition, asking locals and the front desk of your hotel for ideas for discount dining can save you even more money. Make sure to check around hotel lobbies for coupon books and try to eat dinner early each evening to enjoy early bird specials or even lunch-menu pricing.

4. Save on Extras
Extra ways to save money include taking in free and low cost sites while traveling such as zoos, museums, walking tours or even renting bicycles (this last option is great – think about how much you miss in busses or taxis). Discount attraction tickets are also sometimes available, and you need to call each attraction individually to inquire. However, sometimes the savings is enough to pay for a few members of your travel party.

Jisella Bunch loves traveling with her family, living a frugal lifestyle, and writes for travelinsurance.org.

• Shots- I can’t emphasize how important it is to make sure all your shots are updated 6-8 weeks before your departure. Especially your MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) shots. During the past year Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a health advisory that the US is experiencing the highest case of measles since 1996, many of which were transmitted while overseas. Make sure your Tdap (diphtheria/tetanus/pertussis), Hepatitis B, Hib (haemophilus influenzae type b), and Polio vaccines are updated as well.
• Backup IDs- Although this is a no brainer many travelers forget to have a backup plan. Sometimes things just happen. We lose our wallet; our luggage travels elsewhere, etc. You need to make sure that you have backup ID on you at all times in case one of these unfortunate things happens to you. Driver’s license, Social security, and even a COPY (not original) birth certificate are great options. Make sure that you at least bring 2 photo ID cards with you. Whether it be a Costco card or some other form of ID make sure your face is on it for identification if anything were to go wrong.
• Local Customs- When we are traveling abroad you must remember that you are not home. Other countries are much different than we are and before traveling you must look up the local customs of the destination. A simple search on Google should do the trick. If you do find yourself accidentally offending someone, apologies are always accepted. Even if you do not speak the language the tone of your voice and body language will say it all. People in most of the popular places won’t take too much offense because you are foreign, but don’t make that an excuse to deliberately make the locals mad.
• Appliances- Ladies this one is mainly for you. We all need our cell phone chargers, blow dryers, video games, etc. when we are traveling but don’t forget to buy an adapter to go along with you on your trip so that you don’t burn up your appliance. There are several cheap on the go appliance adapters everywhere. BestBuy has some really good ones that have a warranty tagged along with it in case it is a failure if you go somewhere. A really good adapter is eForCity’s Insten Universal Adapter. It works in over 150 countries and any of your appliances fits into their plug and it plugs into any outlet find throughout the world.
• Emergency kit/backup- Most of us forget to plan for the worst. Before you leave your home to travel let at least 2 family members and 1 close friend know where you are going, where you are going to stay,  sites you plan on visiting, and any important information (leave copies of passports with families, flight numbers with friends, money with family in case of a mugging/pick-pocket, etc.) By planning for the worst you won’t be left with too much grief in the event of a mishap.

By following these basics you should be set for a wonderful vacation. Fasten your seat belts and enjoy the ride!

As a freelance writer, Jeff writes about how you can make travel safer and more enjoyable. You can find more travel related information at the Travel Insurance blog.

He was wearing his seat belt, thankfully, but even that had ripped apart toward the end, and although he remained in the car, he got tossed about a bit. The worst of his injuries was a small gash on the top of his head where he hit it on the roof of the car after the belt broke. Six stitches was a small price to pay for surviving that accident.

Envisioning the Worst

I got a call at home from the police and I just froze in place. We’d only been married a few months. All the cops said was my husband had been in an accident and was being taken to the local hospital. Of course I ran out of the apartment we were living in at the time and rushed to the car. Because the path he drove to work each day was on the same road as my route to the hospital, I drove right by the area where the accident had occurred.

My heart jumped into my throat when I went past the scene of the accident. No one was there anymore, but the car still remained, half up the side of a tree, bashed in on all sides, windshield crumbled. I just knew my husband was either dead or very seriously injured.

The last three miles to the hospital were the longest miles I have ever driven. A million thoughts tumbled around in my head as I drove.

Maybe it was an effort to keep from picturing the wreck, maybe to keep from envisioning the worst for my husband, I don’t know. All I know is that all I could think about was how safe a driver he normally was, how that could happen, and did the quote on car insurance we’d gotten cover property damage, because that yard was a mess.

When I walked into the emergency room I could already see Dave laying in a bed in a curtained room just beyond the nurse’s station. He was completely still, and I remember saying a prayer that he was alive and would be okay. The nurse pointed me in there and I headed in with trepidation; my heart pounding in my chest. Just as I walked through the curtain Dave turned his head and smiled at me.

I don’t think I have ever been so relieved in my life, before or since. He was okay. The familiar sparkle in those big beautiful eyes was there, and other than the fact that he was plugged into an IV, and had a big bandage on his head, he looked okay.

He said he got cut off right in the middle of the “S” curve. When he hit the brakes and tried to avoid clipping the other driver by turning the wheel just a little, the tires slid on the wet road and he hit the shoulder. After that all he remembered was seeing the world spinning around.

Avoiding Road Accidents

Accidents happen in seconds. Some tips for avoiding road accidents include:

• Don’t cut off other drivers

• Don’t tailgate

• Always drive defensively, and stay away from others who drive aggressively

• Always give yourself plenty of response room

Even if you do everything right, accidents still happen. So always wear your seat belts and make sure to look around and do a comparison of car insurance rates so you know you are getting the best deal, and still have good coverage.

I was very relieved to know that our insurance would cover the damage to the totaled car, and also take care of the people’s property where our car had landed. Most of all, I was so relieved that my husband was okay, and he would be with me for a long time to come.

When my husband and I first got married, he had an accident that is ingrained in my memory forever. He really shouldn’t have walked away from it, but he did. In fact, he barely got a scratch when his car slid off an “S” curve on a rainy day and tumbled three times before being stopped by a big tree just before plowing into a house.

He was wearing his seat belt, thankfully, but even that had ripped apart toward the end, and although he remained in the car, he got tossed about a bit. The worst of his injuries was a small gash on the top of his head where he hit it on the roof of the car after the belt broke. Six stitches was a small price to pay for surviving that accident.

Envisioning the Worst

I got a call at home from the police and I just froze in place. We’d only been married a few months. All the cops said was my husband had been in an accident and was being taken to the local hospital. Of course I ran out of the apartment we were living in at the time and rushed to the car. Because the path he drove to work each day was on the same road as my route to the hospital, I drove right by the area where the accident had occurred.

My heart jumped into my throat when I went past the scene of the accident. No one was there anymore, but the car still remained, half up the side of a tree, bashed in on all sides, windshield crumbled. I just knew my husband was either dead or very seriously injured.

The last three miles to the hospital were the longest miles I have ever driven. A million thoughts tumbled around in my head as I drove.

Maybe it was an effort to keep from picturing the wreck, maybe to keep from envisioning the worst for my husband, I don’t know. All I know is that all I could think about was how safe a driver he normally was, how that could happen, and did the quote on car insurance we’d gotten cover property damage, because that yard was a mess.

When I walked into the emergency room I could already see Dave laying in a bed in a curtained room just beyond the nurse’s station. He was completely still, and I remember saying a prayer that he was alive and would be okay. The nurse pointed me in there and I headed in with trepidation; my heart pounding in my chest. Just as I walked through the curtain Dave turned his head and smiled at me.

I don’t think I have ever been so relieved in my life, before or since. He was okay. The familiar sparkle in those big beautiful eyes was there, and other than the fact that he was plugged into an IV, and had a big bandage on his head, he looked okay.

He said he got cut off right in the middle of the “S” curve. When he hit the brakes and tried to avoid clipping the other driver by turning the wheel just a little, the tires slid on the wet road and he hit the shoulder. After that all he remembered was seeing the world spinning around.

Avoiding Road Accidents

Accidents happen in seconds. Some tips for avoiding road accidents include:

• Don’t cut off other drivers

• Don’t tailgate

• Always drive defensively, and stay away from others who drive aggressively

• Always give yourself plenty of response room

Even if you do everything right, accidents still happen. So always wear your seat belts and make sure to look around and do a comparison of car insurance rates so you know you are getting the best deal, and still have good coverage.

I was very relieved to know that our insurance would cover the damage to the totaled car, and also take care of the people’s property where our car had landed. Most of all, I was so relieved that my husband was okay, and he would be with me for a long time to come.

Bio:

Melissa Cameron’s husband Dave survived the horrific accident and they have been married ever since, living in Austin, Texas with their two lovely daughters. Melissa is a freelance writer who spends her time helping readers find the best comparison of car insurance rates along with other lifestyle and healthy living tips and tricks. She also loves to write about local history and sharing her parenting experiences from raising her girls.

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Whether you’ve got a firm idea of what you want to do or not, and whether you’re a local or from overseas, you need to determine a few key elements of your trip. Have a think about these elements before you plan your adventure so that you get the most of out your trip. Ask yourself:

Where do you want to go?

Are you travelling all over Australia? Do you have multiple destinations in mind? Maybe you’re just focusing in one area? Or maybe you’re open to suggestions? Either way, make an effort to learn more about the various areas of Australia:

•  Ask friends or family about where they have been, or where they want to go.

• Go to a travel agent and ask their opinion on particular areas. Remember to grab some brochures so you can browse them at home.

• Watch travel television shows such as Getaway for ideas and travel tips.

• Utilise the Internet and the online community to see what the possibilities are. If you’re lucky, you might even come across a special online deal!

Why do you want to go there?

What is it about that destination that draws you in? Why have you chosen that destination over others?

What could you see whilst you’re there?

Whilst you’re in the area, have you thought about travelling around further? For example, if you’re exploring Melbourne, have you considered Phillip Island or Great Ocean Road tours? You could experience a lot more just by allowing some more time.

What do you want to see and do there?

Think about what you want to see where you are going. Do you want to the see the native wildlife? Or do you want to take in the scenic beauty of the area? Or perhaps you want to experience the local culture?

Brainstorm what you want to do and what you want to see. Then think about how you’re going to see it. Investigate any tours available that may meet your needs. Tours are a great way to experience an area with a group of like-minded travellers and an informative guide.

If no tours meet all your needs, do some meet them in part? If not, then there is nothing stopping you travelling independently. Being free and in control of your travels is exhilarating, so enjoy it!

How are you going to get around?

Consider how you’re going to get from your accommodation to your various destinations. You have many options available to you, such as hiring a private car, public transport such as buses, trains (or even trams in some parts), cycling, walking and many more. You may even want to consider combining your accommodation and travel method by hiring campervans.

How long do you want to go for?

How long will it take to see and do all that you want to? When determining how long to stay in an area for, you should think about costs for accommodation, transport, food, spending money etc.

Once you’ve thought about all these questions, you should have more solid travelling plan. With that, you can begin to organise your trip.

In order to get the best deal, consider the way in which you book your trip. Consider doing it online yourself, as well as hiring a professional travel agent to assist you. When consulting with travel agents, shop around to find the one with the best price who also has your best interests at heart.

By taking these tips on board, you’re setting yourself up for a successful travelling adventure!

Events and Activities

• Sitting in your hotel room twitching the curtains is hardly going to bring the hoards of potential friends banging at your door.

• You need to get out and experience what the Gold Coast has on offer.

• Group activities, while they can seem daunting at first, are prime ways to meet people. Luckily, Surfer’s Paradise offers a range of group activities to suit every taste, so whether you’re learning to surf or doing one of the city’s legendary pub crawls, you’ll be surrounded by like-minded travellers.

• Do a day tour. Not only is a day tour of Surfer’s Paradise great value for money, it is a great way to meet other travellers who might have the same idea as you. In addition to this, a day tour can show you all the places you may want to come back and explore further.

Nightlife

• The problem with making friends in a bar is that there is always a danger they’ll feel like you’re trying to pick them up. If you are, then go for it, but otherwise it’s best to approach groups, daunting as this may be

• The best way to find yourself surrounded with instant friends is to join a competition or event inside the bar. Whether it’s a trivia night and you ask to join someone’s table or a dance competition where you make a total fool of yourself, getting yourself seen and interacting with others will draw fast friends

Strike Up a Conversation

• The best way to meet friends is to start talking to them. Ask them where their accent is from (you’re bound to encounter a few in Surfer’s paradise) or comment on their nice dress. However you get the conversation started, you’ll know within a few minutes if the person is open to more socialising or not.

• Be honest. Tell people that you meet you’re in town for a few days by yourself and want to find a good group to explore with. Backpacker hostels are the best places to do this, and you’ll probably find that a lot of other lone travellers have exactly the same idea!

Laksa (Malaysia)

This spicy and delicious dish is a mixture of Chinese and Malay styles, and comes in two main styles, curry laksa or asam laksa. The curry laska is the best and is a noodle soup made with coconut milk, chili paste, with options on beef, chicken, seafood or vegetables. The vegetarian laksa comes with the bonus of perfectly prepared tofu that is deep fried slightly before being added to the soup. Available as a mild or hot dish, if you like spice, you will love laksa. The asam laksa is a fish sauce based version and is worth a try for a bit of variety. Malaysia hotels all serve a great version though you should definitely get out and try a few different styles of this special dish.

Pho (Vietnam)

A noodle soup, this traditional dish has a fish sauce base and is usually made with beef or chicken. If you are vegetarian you are going to have to sit this one out. This tasty soup is a simple delicacy and is served with a plate of Vietnamese mint, basil and bean sprouts which you add yourself before eating. Extra fish sauce is often added at the table as well. Whether you are staying at one of the luxury Vietnam hotels or a cheap backpackers hostel, you will have no problem finding some good Pho.

Chinese Dumplings

This is a dish that is traditionally served on the New Year’s Eve at the stroke of midnight to mark and celebrate the New Year. Made of a basic flour and water dough, they are stuffed with beef, chicken, or vegetables and then boiled, before being served with soy sauce. A coin is usually added to one of the batch and the person who gets the coin is considered guaranteed to have a great year ahead.

Pad Thai (Thailand)

This Thai classic is a stir fried noodle dish consisting of egg, fish sauce, tamarind juice, hot sauce and either meat or vegetables depending on your preference. The vegetarian option usually comes with the most beautifully prepared tofu you will ever have tasted. If you are in Thailand and don’t know what to eat, no matter where you are staying, this is your best bet hands down.

Bibimbap (South Korea)

Despite being another noodle dish, this meal will definitely provide you with something different and is one of the few vegetarian options you’ll have here. Served in a bowl on a bed of white rice, Bibimbap consists of sauteed vegetables, beef or chicken, and like almost all food in Korea, red pepper paste. On top of all of this will be a raw egg which you mix in yourself before eating. No matter what part of the country you find yourself staying in, you’ll end up eating Bibimbap at least a couple of times.

What Melbourne does particularly well, however, is quirky bars and pubs. There is a definite quirky flavour to the bars and cafes that pepper Melbourne’s streets and laneways, and discovering them is a treat for all involved. Here, we’ve compiled a list of some of the best quirky pubs in Melbourne. So once you have sorted out your travel insurance or shopped around for some cheap travel insurance relax and enjoy!

Madame Brussels

Level 3, 59-63 Bourke Street, Melbourne

You can’t go past Madame Brussels for quirky kitsch, and if character is what you’re looking for then you definitely won’t be disappointed. Set on a rooftop patio above a deceptively non-descript building, Madame Brussels is a café-cum-bar with flare to spare. The décor is country garden dandy chic meets twee and tacky, but it all works so well together and is done with such a healthy dose of fun that you begin to wonder if you should put astro-turf on your roof and start swanning about in tennis gear. Hand-made cupcakes and sausage rolls line your stomach for the amazing array of seasonal cocktails—which in winter come warm and in teapots with hand-crocheted tea-cosies. Precious!

Robot

12 Bligh Place, Melbourne

Let’s just say that if you ever read Astro-boy, or appreciate futuristic 80’s themed Japanese memorabilia, you’ll absolutely love this cute, quirky bar. Not only is there excellent Sake and an 80’s feel, there are free screenings of Japanese Anime films and robot décor as far as the eye can see. This is Melbourne geek-chic at its absolute finest, and whether you’re looking to have a good drink with a bit of novelty or meet some cool people with a shared love of all things Japanese and retro, you’re bound to have fun at Robot. Really, all you need to know is the name…

Word

14-18 Goldie Place, Melbourne

When it comes to warehouse conversions, they don’t get much more special than Word. Ignore the desire to associate the name of the bar with cheesy American hip-hop speak for ‘yeah, I agree with you’, because one thing this bar is definitely not is cheesy. Decked out with chesterfields and other cosy bits and pieces of décor, Word is hidden nicely in a laneway which means that a) not every man and his dog knows about it and b) you feel a little bit clever when you do. Add to this the fact that it is deceptively spacious and you’ve got yourself a brilliant night out.

A night out in Melbourne is practically guaranteed to provide a good time, or at the very least a few good stories. The quality of the pubs in Melbourne means that not every quirky or funky bar is packed to the brim with everyone in the city, and it’s possible to have a drink, a good time and a bit of a boogie without feeling like a sardine.

One of the main questions people have when planning a trip to Sydney for the first time is how much time they’ll need there, a question that can only be answered with another—how much time do you have? Sydney is the type of city where you could spend a lifetime and still not have seen all the treasures it has in store, but (back to that nagging old time conundrum again) most people don’t have that long to spare. As such, we’ve put together a three-day itinerary of Sydney that takes in man of the highlights and gives a good overview of Sydney for the time-poor traveller.

Day 1:

For your first day in Sydney, a hop-on/hop-off tour of the city is a great way to get your bearings and work out which places you want to return to and where you can afford to skip. The best thing about these kinds of tours is that they allow you to stay on for as many circuits as you want, so that you can really soak up all the information and work out what’s what. We’d recommend lunch at one of the legendary harbourside restaurants, where you can people-watch and soak up the beauty of the city.  In the afternoon, a stroll around the city is in order, finishing up in Chinatown to check out the night markets and pick up some tasty and authentic Asian food at very reasonable prices.

Day 2:

Day two is all about the natural beauty of Sydney. Head straight to iconic Bondi Beach to enjoy breakfast by the ocean, and watch as the beautiful people conduct their morning exercise routines. Next, head south on the Bondi to Coogee Walk—a cliff top walk which takes in several smaller beaches and the historic Waverly Cemetery. There are several photo opportunities along the walk, so make sure you bring your camera! From Coogee, hop in a cab or on a bus and head to historic Vaucluse House tearooms for lunch. The house is a heritage-listed homestead that gives a good glimpse into life for the aristocracy in colonial Sydney. After lunch take a walk through the exclusive suburb of Vaucluse and see how the other half lives.

Day 3:

On day 3, take the ferry from Circular Quay over to Manly and explore the Northern Beaches. The Manly Quarantine Station is a fascinating slice of Sydney’s history, and it’s possible to take a ghost tour after dark that will really test your mettle. On the way home, take the scenic route and enjoy a gourmet meal aboard a Sydney Harbour cruise, which will take you to various sights and attractions around the harbour while your guide fills you in on the history of the region.

While three days in Sydney will almost certainly leave you wanting more, this itinerary covers many of the basics, and will give you a solid foundation to build on the next time you’re in town!