How to pack efficiently

We all have felt the affects of heightened gas prices, especially when it comes to traveling. In an effort to lower the amount of fuel used, airlines are asking customers to lighten their load. If you go over 50 pounds in one suitcase, expect to pay at least $25 each way.

Here are ways to lighten your bags:

1) If you rarely use it at home, don't bring it on vacation.
It's easy to say, "but I might need this," but you probably won't use it.

2) Leave all unnecessary electronics at home.
Leave the GPS, portable DVD players, and other various types of equipment at home.

3) See if the location you're staying at has an on site laundry facility for guests.
This will help cut down on the amount of outfits you need to pack.

4) Don't bring your entire collection of shoes, one to three pairs is plenty.
Depending on where you're going you may need a pair of dress shoes, sandals, and a more
athletic shoe. Leave the funky shoes at home and pack the basics.

5) You will still look beautiful if you leave some of your makeup and beauty products at home.
Its tempting to pack all of your beauty products, but not all of them are necessary for
vacation. Leaving some at home will free up space in your luggage.

6) Take advantage of the toiletries offered by your hotel or resort; if this is something that you're not a fan of, buy travel size products when you get to your destination.

7) If you can buy it when you get there, do it.

8) Make sure you weigh your bags before you get to the airport.

I hope you found these tips useful. If you have any space saving ideas let me know.

Summer Vacations

Are you wanting to go on a Summer trip, but not quite sure where to go?
Here are my top Summer destination ideas.

1) Any of the Hawaiian Islands
Our Summer is their off season, meaning you are able to get lower rates.

2) Take a car or RV Trip with friends or family.
You don't need to go far away to have a great time.
To off-set rising gas prices, split the fuel cost with everyone on the trip

3) Glacier Park
If you enjoy the outdoors and beautiful scenery this is the place for you.
Located in western Montana, this is every outdoorsman's paradise

4) Theme Parks
Take a Disney vacation, or visit your local theme park.
This is the kind of trip the whole family will enjoy

5) Duluth, Minnesota
Duluth is located in Northern Minnesota, on Lake Superior.
This is a great destination for rock climbers, fishers, and history buffs.

Transylvania

Brasov is in the Romanian region of Transylvania, a name you can’t utter without invoking that of Vlad Tepes Dracula. Tepes (a nickname granted postmortem that means "the impaler") was widely regarded as a hero in Transylvania, long before Bram Stoker appropriated his name and immortalized the man in an 1897 novel. Though indisputably cruel, even by medieval standards, the real Dracula is nevertheless celebrated for beating back overwhelming Turkish forces by scaring them senseless with his favored style of prisoner execution.

Two castles are associated with Dracula. Bran Castle, built in 1382, is a stunning, beautifully preserved amalgamation of turrets rising out of a rocky crag. The place is pure cinematic perfection. It’s been used in several Dracula films, and it’s rumored to have inspired Stoker’s writing. In real life, however, Vlad Dracula never lived there.

Poienari Citadel was Dracula’s true home. Soon-to-be-skewered Turkish captives built the structure in 1459 on a key mountain pass. However, the castle toppled down the mountain in 1888. What remains today is merely a series of head-high ruins. Nevertheless, a visit reveals stunning views of the surrounding countryside.