Guest Post: Kendra Thornton

Boy do I have a treat for you guys this beautiful Wednesday morning! 

Recently, I was contacted by Kendra Thornton; a travel advocate, TV spokesperson, PR businesswoman, proud wife, and mama of 3, who is also a long-time travel expert that has been packing her bags and traveling the world since she was 3 months old! She's found her utmost desire in life is right in her own home with her family. She has taken her excitement for travel and brought it to all of my fabulous readers with some of her favorite travel tips and tricks for your 4th of July traveling plans. Thank you Kendra, it was an honor having you, and I look forward to "chatting" with you again soon!

And now, without further ado, here's Kendra!

Fun In The Sun Without A Hassle

No one deserves an opportunity to get away and relax with family as much as you.  But vacationing with kids can prove difficult if you aren't prepared for every possibility and scheduling need ahead of time.  From getting the right hotel to the essentials you’ll need before you go, here are a few tips I follow to make my family trip a success.

1) Pack SMART With a Smartphone

The whole packing experience just got a lot easier.  Not to mention technological.  If you are someone who always forgets needed items and has to spend their vacation buying replacement toothbrushes and wet wipes, consider downloading an app like Packing Pro to remind you of all the things you need to do and pack in the weeks leading up to your big trip. It’ll be neater and (hopefully) harder to misplace than your traditional grocery list!

2) Do Your Research

Family friendly means different things to different people, and a hotel that claims to be family friendly might be nothing of the sort.  Don’t simply trust the information on the hotel’s website.  Instead, scour online forums, read reviews, or consult a travel agent to find out what amenities are offered and how accommodating the staff and management are.  Do they offer high chairs or quality cribs free of charge?  Do they have adjoining rooms you can enjoy, or enforce quiet time at night?  These are important things to look for in any establishment. Traveling to the ultimate kid friendly vacation destination this summer? Check out Gogobot’s parent advice for the Walt Disney World hotels in Orlando to ensure your accommodation has the essentials that matter to your family.

3) No More Mildew

A great vacation isn’t complete without time in the water, but wet swimsuits leave your luggage and totes wet and smelling of mildew.  Now your bags don’t have to pay the price.  Invest in a wet bathing suit bag, and be sure that the dry goods in your bag don’t end up reeking of chlorine.  With all the cute options out there, you are sure to find something to match your gear.

4) Ease Your Load

Did you know that they have created sunscreen wipes that double as moisturizers?  Forget lugging around a half dozen bottles to the beach!  Try Tocca’s Sunscreen wipes as you can reduce your load and keep your bag free of messy spills at the same time.  An extra bonus is the clean and fresh feeling they give, unlike traditional sticky sunscreens.

5) Plan For The Holiday

Do you really want to spend Independence Day amidst a crowd outside?  With proper planning, you can arrange for a hotel room that provides the perfect view of fireworks.  Not only is it a calmer experience for little kids, but a nice balcony set up is infinitely safer for little hands.  The soundproofed walls also make it possible for younger kids to sleep uninterrupted while the big kids and mom and dad watch the show outside.

And most importantly, enjoy yourself!

You can check out Kendra's business website: Thornton PR, or find her on Twitter, @kendrathornton, for more travel tips and info!


**Also, today, my very first guest post for Melissa from After We Tied The Knott is up while she's away on her own family vacation! I know she could've use some of Kendra's tips while packing for herself, her hubby, and her 8 month old, Kylie! Go check out my post here!**