Tag: Travel

Useful Tips for Those Heading Out on a Camping Adventure

Useful Tips for Those Heading Out on a Camping Adventure

There are many ways for people to spend their spare time to unwind away from the rigours of work so that they return feeling refreshed, and their brain and physical prowess are returned to optimum levels. One simple way is to kick back on the 

8 Tips for Planning Your Perfect Smoky Mountain Adventure

8 Tips for Planning Your Perfect Smoky Mountain Adventure

Are you dreaming of a trip where fresh mountain air, scenic hikes, and breathtaking views await at every turn? The Great Smoky Mountains offer a unique blend of natural beauty, rich history, and plenty of activities for every type of traveler. Whether you’re planning a 

Holiday Shopping at Winterwood Gift and Christmas Shoppe

Holiday Shopping at Winterwood Gift and Christmas Shoppe

Winterwood Gift and Christmas ShoppeDuring the holiday season I love to go shopping at Winterwood Gift and Christmas Shoppe in Rio Grande, New Jersey. Rio Grande the mainland between Wildwood and Cape May. This is Winterwood’s main location but you’ll also find another location at the Washington Street Mall in Cape May. I like to visit both, but the main location is my favorite!

Every year I go into Winterwood to buy new Christmas Tree ornaments for the family. You’ll find thousands of them there along with all kinds of Christmas and holiday items. Kitchenware, holiday garlands and wreaths, tree skirts, candle holders, nutcrackers, holiday lights, Christmas stockings, table linens, etc. It’s one of my favorite go-to sources for beautiful holiday items.

Winterwood Gift and Christmas Shoppe

Winterwood is also a great place to visit if you decorate your home in a coastal cottage beach style (like me). I’ve purchased small table lamps, wall art, table linens, candle holders, figurines, cookie jars, salt & pepper shakers, door mats, windchimes, garden flags, jewelry. tote bags, etc. You’ll find lovely items for inside and outside of your home. Plus, great gifts to give to others!

Winterwood Gift and Christmas Shoppe

Shopping at Winterood Gift and Christmas Shoppe has become a bi-yearly tradition for me and I absolutely love going there. If you’re going to be in the area…I highly recommend that you visit too! If you’re looking to take family holiday photos…check out the area behind the store. They have hand-painted wood cut-outs that make great backdrops for those Christmas and holiday photos!!! Yup, free to take your pictures!

Top 8 Must-Have Clothing Items for Adventure Travel

Top 8 Must-Have Clothing Items for Adventure Travel

Packing for adventure travel requires thoughtful planning, especially when it comes to clothing. You need pieces that are versatile, lightweight, and durable, ensuring comfort throughout your journey. A well-packed wardrobe can handle diverse environments, whether you’re navigating mountain trails or exploring urban landscapes. The goal 

Ready to Travel? Make Sure You Bring Your Appetite

Ready to Travel? Make Sure You Bring Your Appetite

Traveling can be one of the most enjoyable things to do nearly any time of year. Whether you want to go somewhere warm in the winter months or you’re looking for a ski vacation because you live in a tropical climate, there are always options 

Tips for Saving Money when Purchasing New Luggage

Tips for Saving Money when Purchasing New Luggage

Tips for Saving Money when Purchasing New LuggageWe do a lot of traveling and tend to buy new luggage every 4-5 years. If you’ve ever shopped for luggage, you know it’s not cheap! You can buy $100 to $1,000 for just one piece depending on the brand that you buy. Yes, that’s for one piece! Add-on the additional pieces that you need to form a set and you can be spending an entire paycheck or more for it.

When is the best time to buy? Well…I’ve personally found that “off peak” travel season is the best time. Around here…that would be October through February. However, you can find deals on it year-round if you spend the time looking!

Don’t buy just on the brand or appearance. Just because something is a NAME BRAND or pretty to look at doesn’t mean it’s better! Take the time to look up reviews on line and see what others are saying about a particular brand or model that you’re interested in. Price doesn’t always mean quality either! I once paid $750 for a 3-piece set of luggage that only lasted us 2 years…and that was pushing it!

To save money I like to look for the previous year’s models and discontinued luggage sets. If though they’re discontinued…the majority of them still come with a warranty. The set we just purchased has a 5-year warranty and was discontinued from the previous year. Keep all receipts, tags and paperwork that comes with it just in case you need to use that warranty that came along with it.

Bigger doesn’t always mean better! We avoid the larger 30″ pieces which tend to be heavy and can cost more when checking baggage for a flight. On top of that…they swallow up most of the available space in your trunk if you’re taking a road trip. In my honest opinion…go for medium-sized luggage pieces.

You can mix-n-match single pieces if you prefer a specific size. We purchased our newest luggage in single pieces instead of a set. Why? Because we didn’t want the large 30″ piece and we found that by buying 2 individual pieces in the size that we did want was cheaper than purchasing a matching 2-piece or 3-piece set. Our 2 pieces coordinate nicely together, so they don’t look mis-matched.

Take a look at single piece floor models if available. The 2-pieces you see in my photograph were floor models. Nothing wrong with them at all. Each one had a retail price of $159.99. We purchased each one for $45.99 because they were single pieces, discontinued design and floor models. We got 2 pieces that coordinate together for less than the price of 1 large piece!!!

If you’re getting married, graduating, celebrating an anniversary, birthday or a Christmas holiday…don’t be afraid to ask for new luggage as a gift or to give it as a gift! It’s always a gift that is well received and appreciated.

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Top Destinations in Japan: How Tour Packages Simplify Your Trip

Top Destinations in Japan: How Tour Packages Simplify Your Trip

What makes Japan such a fascinating destination for travelers worldwide? Planning the perfect trip, however, can be overwhelming. Let’s explore how tour packages can simplify your journey to Japan’s top destinations. Explore Tokyo’s Dynamic Energy One of the highlights of Japan private tours is visiting 

Explore Like a Local: Hidden Gems and Must-Dos in Acadia National Park

Explore Like a Local: Hidden Gems and Must-Dos in Acadia National Park

Nestled on the rugged coast of Maine, Acadia National Park is a sanctuary of raw natural beauty and serene landscapes. Beyond the well-trodden paths and famous viewpoints, the park offers an array of hidden gems and must-do activities that can make your visit truly memorable.