Fun Freetime: Planning a Spring (or Summer) Getaway

After a cold and dark winter, it’s safe to say that many Americans are longing for an escape.  Whether you’re a beach person or a road tripper, there is no better time than the spring to make that getaway (and even though spring may be almost into summer, these tips are great for your summer travel as well). Travel expert, Stephanie Oswald is ready to help! She’ll share her insider tips on how to make preparing for your escape a breeze.

Some of Stephanie’s tips will include:

• GET ORGANIZED:  Planning a fun and successful trip means setting a budget, researching, and booking early! There are plenty of great vacation packages available that are sure to suit your needs and your budget.
• UPGRADE: Looking for a new ride before hitting the open road? Consider all your options and choose the vehicle that will best fit you or your family’s needs.
• ROAD TRIP PREP: Give your tires a thorough check-up to make sure they are up for the challenge of a road trip. Make sure they aren’t worn out and check the tire pressure before heading out.
• ALWAYS CARRY EXTRAS: Pack an entire outfit of ultra-light clothing for each child: undergarments, shirt, pants in a sealable plastic bag. Make sure this is easily reachable in your carry-on bag in the event of a spill.

For more information, visit: www.betterstuffforlife.com

MORE ABOUT STEPHANIE OSWALD:

In print, on the Web or on-air, Stephanie Oswald knows how to tell a travel story. As the Editor-in-Chief of travelgirl magazine, a Web Correspondent for The Weather Channel, and seasoned travel correspondent for CNN, she has reported on everything from stress-relieving spa treatments and unique escapes around the world to the human side of a hurricane. She is the co-founder of travelgirl -- the first national travel magazine to launch after the events of 9/11. The travel and lifestyle publication was chosen by industry leader Mr. Magazine as one of the "most notable" launches of 2003. Now in its fourth year of publication, the magazine has a readership of 300,000-plus, and can be found in bookstores and airports nationwide. In 2003, she also launched a groundbreaking series called The Weather Channel Road Crew that showcased the "fun" side of weather. As anchor and correspondent for CNN Travel Now, a weekly program on worldwide destinations, travel trends and cuisine, Oswald specialized in adventure travel, filing reports from Europe, South America, Asia and the Caribbean. Her reports also appeared on CNN Headline News, CNN in-flight programming for Delta Air Lines, CNN International and the CNN Airport Network.

Produced for: Booking.com, Ford, and Yokohama (one mention)