Free Travel Guides and Travel Brochures

If you live in an area of the U.S. that experiences cold weather, you have no doubt begun to pull warm weather clothes out of your closet. Lately, the nights are longer and colder than just a few weeks ago, and the days’ high temperatures reflect that winter weather could be just around the corner. So getting your wardrobe ready will help you be protected from the cold north wind.

Your automobile also needs protecting from any harsh winter weather that may lie ahead and should be done before freezing conditions arrive at your doorstep. Here are some suggestions for winterizing your auto so it’s in prime condition to get you where you want to be without experiencing any problems:

Tires. Since your tires come in contact with the road, it’s critical that they are in tip-top shape. The tread provides traction that keeps your car from getting out of control. The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration advises a depth of at least 1/16 of an inch for safe driving. A lower measurement than that and the tires should be replaced immediately. Tire pressure goes hand-in-hand with traction, so keep them inflated to manufacturers’ suggested psi. Tires can lose pressure when it gets cold, so check it often in winter weather.

Battery. Many people pay no attention to their battery until something goes wrong. But an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, as the saying goes. Scrape off any corrosion materials that may be built up and check that connections are tight. In extremely cold climates, having a battery charger on hand isn’t a bad idea.

Windshield Wipers. Check that front and rear windshield wipers are working properly, and make sure you have plenty of wiper fluid on hand (plain water will freeze). The ready-made fluid available in stores has a low freezing point and works well.

Heat. Check your heater and defroster ahead of time, and make sure your rear windshield defroster works as well. Good visibility during icy, snowy conditions may depend on them working properly.

Antifreeze Mix. Use an antifreeze tester (found in auto parts stores) to make certain the ratio of antifreeze to water is 50:50. The proper mixture should not freeze until extremely frigid temperatures.

Suggestions for Emergency Kit Essentials. Even if you never need these items, perhaps you will perform a “random act of kindness” for someone who is stranded:

• ice scraper
• flashlight
• jumper cables
• blanket
• warm jacket, boots, hat and gloves
• small shovel
• food and water
• flares
• tool kit
• first-aid kit
• sand or salt

You should always have a properly inflated spare tire and tire changing equipment, and a cell phone for emergency use can come in handy.

Note: Check your owner’s manual to learn what is suggested for your particular make of automobile or truck.

Sources:
Autorepair.about.com
Edmunds.com
Ehow.com

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A frequent question we are asked here at TravelGuidesFree.com is how to obtain road maps. Of course, anyone who is a member of an auto club can usually obtain various maps free of charge, and state welcoming centers are usually well stocked. But others are often at a loss about how to get their hands on this useful tool in planning their trip ahead of time.

Via U.S. Mail

Often it’s as easy as contacting the State’s Tourism Office or the destination’s Convention and Visitor Bureau or Chamber of Commerce and request that a road map be sent to your mailing address. Using a search engine such as www.google.com, type in the name of the state followed by the word “tourism”. Go to their website and look for information on obtaining maps or locate the toll free phone number and give them a call.

If you don’t want to wait for your map to arrive via “snail mail”, you can download one on your computer in minutes. Here are some resources we found to be helpful.

MilebyMile.com

This website contains road maps, road condition photos & Highway RV Travel Itineraries for the U.S., Canada and Mexico. The way the information is gathered is rather unique. Local tourism business owners volunteer to “adopt” a section of a U.S. or state highway and make notes about attractions and their locations. MilebyMile.com then uploads the information to their website. Website users, therefore, get an “insider” look at the area and what it has to offer. The various maps are downloadable for your use.

America’s Byways.org

This website lets you choose an area you would like to visit and produces itinerary suggestions. We choose Billy the Kid Trail in New Mexico and the site planned a one-day itinerary, showing the time estimate to drive the byway, and describing four attractions to visit, the travel time from one place to another and the total distance traveled. Byways are also organized by categories and articles such as “Haunted Byways” or “Byways for the Gourmet Road-tripped”. Of course, area maps are available.

Point A to Point B

If you would simply like to download a road map from a certain starting point and ending at a known destination, you can choose from many good websites. Google, MapQuest, FreeTrip, and Maps.Live (all .com websites), will provide you with specific driving directions mile by mile as well as road maps of the trip.  All provide printer-friendly versions.

Whether you request a State road map via U.S. mail or you simply download from one of the websites suggested above, obtaining road maps is a quick and easy process.  If ordering one of the free travel brochures we offer on TravelGuidesFree.com will help with planning your road trip, don’t hesitate to order and you will receive the requested guide directly from our advertiser. We at TravelGuidesFree wish you safe and enjoyable trips on the many highways and byways you may travel!

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In many parts of the country, the season of autumn means wet, soggy weather, limiting your visibility when driving. Combine that with winds and blowing leaves, and road conditions can become slippery and potentially dangerous.

Clear your windshield. A good set of wiper blades is important to keep visibility at the best level possible. Replace the rubber blade part of the wiper or the whole arm as soon as you notice it is worn or cracked, or that streaks are left behind while operating.

Tires matter. Take the time to research tire manufacturers to learn how well their products have been rated for rain use. Traction handling and distance braking in wet conditions are two areas to focus on. Additional safety information can be found on the website of the Department of Transportation (www.dot.gov).

Be alert. Back when my daughter was a rookie driver, I followed her home in my own car during an extreme rain storm. I was surprised to see that she was driving as if it was a dry sunny day! Since it takes longer to stop on a wet surface than on a dry one, driving slower is the smart thing to do. Kick your alertness into high gear. If the car in front of you stops suddenly, your speed and level of attention will matter in avoiding an accident. It’s always a good idea to turn on your lights whenever it’s raining.

Pull over. If you are in a heavy downpour with visibility so limited you can’t adequately see other vehicles, don’t hesitate to pull over until it lets up. Make sure you pull over to a safe area such as a parking lot or a rest area. Stopping at an underpass can be dangerous, as other vehicles may not be able to see you.

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Would you rather undergo a root canal than face just a few hours in the car with your children or grandkids? Anyone who has traveled any distance with squirmy, whiny kids, knows the challenges involved with keeping them happy. We’re here to offer come basic suggestions to making those unavoidable trips more peaceful and enjoyable for everyone.

Get the kids’ input. If they’re old enough to tell you, ask them well ahead of time some of the things they would like to do in the car. Let them each have a small back pack with a few familiar things that do not have small pieces. Older kids may choose to chill out and listen to music or just “do their own thing”.

Map it out game. To peak your children’s interest about the trip, show them a map and follow it together in the car. You could make it more interesting by drawing your own map with landmarks that they will see along the way. Photos could be found on the Internet, printed and pasted for the kids to enjoy. This activity may help the children learn names of places they have been and look forward to arriving at the next landmark.

The best time to start out. If you have young child who will sleep in the car, you may want to start the trip just before nap time or in the evening when the child is tired from the day’s activities. If your child will do better to nap at home and then travel, follow that course of action. It’s about the best experience possible for all.

Surprise the kids. Shop ahead of time and pick up a toy, book or stuffed animal that you can bring out when the time is right. Choose items that are age appropriate, have no small pieces and will keep their interest. Don’t hesitate to choose games that require the adults to interact with the kids—these can be lots of fun. Always bring paper and pencils for free-hand drawing or playing games.

Snacks are a must. Hungry kids (and adults) can be cranky no matter where they are, so don’t forget to pass out the snacks. Setting ground rules about healthy or at least non-messy snacks is a good idea. Purchase items ahead of time and pre-wrap for handing out individually. Pack a trash bag for discarding used snack items. Kids like opening their own pack of food and juice boxes. The Gap and Old Navy sell spill resistant clothing so the kids arrive at their destination as good as new. Or bring along a laundry pen for on-the-spot stain removal.

Take breaks often. Build into your traveling schedule extra time for stops—lots of stops. It’s good for all to get out and stretch legs and run around a little. The driver will feel refreshed and the kids will welcome the opportunity to get out of the car and burn off some energy. If you’ve ever unexpectedly encountered traffic moving at a crawl, you know that frequent bathroom breaks can really pay off in these types of situations.

Just in case. Packing an emergency kit and travel aids is a great idea. Having band aids, antibiotic cream, thermometer, bug spray, hand sanitizer, wet wipes, and calamine lotion on hand could come in handy and prevent having to stop at the drug store.

Families traveling in their automobiles will increase dramatically as we approach Thanksgiving and the Holiday Season. It’s a time of year that we all look forward to. If you and your family must travel by car, we hope the above tips will help you enjoy the journey almost as much as you will enjoy your destination!

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With the present day slow down in the economy and high cost of fuel, many American families will likely lower the number of leisure trips in an effort to save money. The good news is vacationers can still maintain the quality of past vacation trips and enjoy their favorite activities by considering the following suggestions for cutting costs and saving dollars:

Look into off-season destinations. Avoid crowds and save money by choosing a spot that is not in its peak season. Many hotels and attractions like amusement parks and museums offer lower priced packages and rates during slower times of the year. Also, consider vacationing between the time after spring break and before the summer tourism season for reduced rates. In addition, winter ski areas offer fun summer activities such as hiking, biking, and horseback riding. Hotels located near these areas offer room rates far below seasonal rates. These suggestions should help any family have a memorable time without breaking the bank!

Shorten your travel distance. Seek vacation spots within a few hours’ drive of your home. Sometimes great destinations are closer to home than you think! Opportunities for receiving free travel information in your mailbox are waiting for you. Websites like TravelGuidesFree.com allow you to find fun destinations in your area without spending any money.

Save on food cost. Meals are bound to be a large part of every family’s travel budget, especially if you eat out three meals a day for your entire stay. An answer to this problem is renting a vacation condo or a hotel room with a kitchen—even a small kitchen will do. For instance if you are staying near a ski resort, the family can stay in for breakfast, hit the slopes with pre-purchased energy bars in their pockets, meet back at the room for lunch, and share a meal in the evening. The room may cost a bit more than one without a kitchen, but with the savings on food costs, it would more than make up the difference.

Join an auto club. The standard AAA membership costs $60 per year, but can be recovered in just a few days on vacation. Like many auto clubs, membership entitles you to discounts on travel services, travel products, attractions and lodging, as well as emergency towing and emergency fuel services. Also enjoy the exclusive benefits and discounts from the world’s largest leisure travel agency. If you visit www.google.com and type in U.S. auto clubs, you will receive many options to choose from.

Sign up for travel alerts. Plenty of websites will send you emails alerts describing good deals as they arise—at no cost or obligation. Some sites let you customize your account so you are alerted according to the area where you live. If you sign up for Travelzoo’s “Top 20” newsletter, you’ll get weekly information about of the hottest deals in hotels, airfares, and vacation packages.

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Start Planning Early

You should try to start planning a trip about three months in advance. If you are unable to do that, start as early as you can. Get travel guides and other tourist information from two or three of your top destination choices. Once you have had a couple of weeks to look through the travel guides, make your choice. That way you will have more options for hotels, attractions, car rentals, and airline reservations, however the longer you wait, the more likely hotel rooms will be unavailable, performances sold out, or be unable to catch a flight.

Contact the Convention and Visitors Bureau

Almost any destination you want to visit will have a Convention and Visitors Bureau nearby. These agencies want you to visit, so they can provide you with lots of useful information and they can probably answer any questions you may have—such as the best nearby Italian restaurant, the hotel closest to the shopping mall, or whether there is a shuttle service between your hotel and the airport. You will also be able to find out about any special events going on during the time you will be there and driving directions. You may even be able to find these answers on their websites.

Ask People You Know

If you know anybody who has already traveled to where you want to go, ask them about their experience. They will be able to tell you about that really great restaurant they tried, or that hotel that had excellent service. They may know a good place for you to park, or special deal being offered.

Currency Check

If you are traveling somewhere that uses a different currency, start watching the exchange rate. You may be able to get a better deal if you exchange your money before you leave, especially if the timing is right.

Check with your credit card company to learn about any fees they might charge on purchases out of the country and to let them know where you’ll be traveling.

Bring Smaller Bills

If you bring lots of small bills and change, you can tip a waiter or put money in a parking meter without having to find a place to get change.

Buy at Home

Many items are much cheaper to buy before you travel, such as film, batteries, toiletries, and non-perishable snacks.

Contact Your Cellular Telephone Service Provider

If you plan to bring your cellular telephone along on your vacation, check with your service provider to find out any applicable roaming charges, or what kind of service you can expect at your destination.

Check the Weather

Check the weather on the day before you leave—on the Internet, in your newspaper, or even by calling the Convention and Visitors Bureau. By checking the weather, you can know if you need to pack some warmer or cooler clothes.

Distinctive Luggage

If you are flying, having distinctive luggage can help you find it easily at baggage claim. For example, put a sticker on the side of your suitcase or get a bright colored luggage strap.

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