dejnosluvmickey
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Jun 25, 2008
- Messages
- 149
My husband and I are planning on doing Ireland in 2010. Unlike any other trip we have done, we are doing this one alone and leaving all 6 of our children at home. We just got off the DCL and that was a blast with all kids. I think between passports and airfare, it will cost way too much $$ for us to take 6 kids under the age of 14 (in 2010), and the baby will only be 3.
I plan to pay for my sister and her husband; and my husbands brother and his wife. They will be getting x-mas presents for atleast 5 years for this trip. Thank goodness grandma is going to stay back and watch all the kids. =)
I was also thinking of staying a little befor the ABD and a little after. If I'm going to go to Ireland I want to see as much of it as possible so I am thinking 2 weeks. Does anyone have any suggestions of interesting thigs to do that are not on the tours??
I had someone give me wonderful tips when we did DCL, so I will try to share a few of them here.
#1. Buy 2 Gallon zip lock bags and pack each outfit for each day in one. Put everything in from socks to undergarments. If you are going somewhere warm and going to go swimming put in a swimsuit for each day (nothing worse than having to put on a wet swimsuit full of sand). When you change clothes for the day...put the dirty ones back in the bag. =) less time figuring out what is clean and what is dirty.
#2 Pack your shoes in ziplock bags. If they get dirty or muddy you don't get mud in your suitcase.
#3 Pack your suit case in a larger suitcase. If you stay longer, you have enough room for all of the stuff you have bought along the way.
#4 Purchase underwater cameras in advance. In places you dive, they can cost you more than $20. Get them at home from Walmart and they are only $15.
#5 Make sure you have any medications you may need. Not only perscription, but OTC's. My daughter needed a dose of benadryl when we were in the bahamas...$9 for a $3 bottle. You can get a lot of single dose medications at the local pharmacy. Headache medicine is a must. Band-aids and sunscreen should be taken too.
#6 Long trips with kids...pack "acitivites" like coloring books and activity books. Older kids...make sure you have enough batteries or power cords for DVD players and IPods.
#7 If your going to a country that English isn't the first language...Know how to say a few choice sentances or get a translation book that you can point to. Aslo before you leave on your own...grab a business card of the hotel you are staying at. If you get lost, simply pull out the card and someone can point you in the right direction.
#8 I think this one is the best....pack 1/2 of your clothes in your suitcase and 1/2 of your husbands in yours. Pack the other 1/2's in the other suitcase. If one gets lost then you still have 1/2 of your clothes =)
#9 Have a plan...plan in advance but be understanding that sometimes things change. Sometimes I make a back up plan.
I hope this helps =) I'm no master of travel, but I do travel with 6 kids...7 if you count my husband.
Since I've hopefully helped someone......maybe some advice on don't miss's in Ireland???
I plan to pay for my sister and her husband; and my husbands brother and his wife. They will be getting x-mas presents for atleast 5 years for this trip. Thank goodness grandma is going to stay back and watch all the kids. =)
I was also thinking of staying a little befor the ABD and a little after. If I'm going to go to Ireland I want to see as much of it as possible so I am thinking 2 weeks. Does anyone have any suggestions of interesting thigs to do that are not on the tours??
I had someone give me wonderful tips when we did DCL, so I will try to share a few of them here.
#1. Buy 2 Gallon zip lock bags and pack each outfit for each day in one. Put everything in from socks to undergarments. If you are going somewhere warm and going to go swimming put in a swimsuit for each day (nothing worse than having to put on a wet swimsuit full of sand). When you change clothes for the day...put the dirty ones back in the bag. =) less time figuring out what is clean and what is dirty.
#2 Pack your shoes in ziplock bags. If they get dirty or muddy you don't get mud in your suitcase.
#3 Pack your suit case in a larger suitcase. If you stay longer, you have enough room for all of the stuff you have bought along the way.
#4 Purchase underwater cameras in advance. In places you dive, they can cost you more than $20. Get them at home from Walmart and they are only $15.
#5 Make sure you have any medications you may need. Not only perscription, but OTC's. My daughter needed a dose of benadryl when we were in the bahamas...$9 for a $3 bottle. You can get a lot of single dose medications at the local pharmacy. Headache medicine is a must. Band-aids and sunscreen should be taken too.
#6 Long trips with kids...pack "acitivites" like coloring books and activity books. Older kids...make sure you have enough batteries or power cords for DVD players and IPods.
#7 If your going to a country that English isn't the first language...Know how to say a few choice sentances or get a translation book that you can point to. Aslo before you leave on your own...grab a business card of the hotel you are staying at. If you get lost, simply pull out the card and someone can point you in the right direction.
#8 I think this one is the best....pack 1/2 of your clothes in your suitcase and 1/2 of your husbands in yours. Pack the other 1/2's in the other suitcase. If one gets lost then you still have 1/2 of your clothes =)
#9 Have a plan...plan in advance but be understanding that sometimes things change. Sometimes I make a back up plan.
I hope this helps =) I'm no master of travel, but I do travel with 6 kids...7 if you count my husband.
Since I've hopefully helped someone......maybe some advice on don't miss's in Ireland???
dejnosluvmickey....you're name is familiar....were you on the SSMC 2008? DH and I were. We had a blast too.
