Showing posts with label travel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label travel. Show all posts

Friday, June 14, 2013

Plan Your Trip with Microsoft Office 365




My family loves to travel. We have family all over the world, so it is really fun when we can visit them when we are on a trip.  My aunt and uncle live in Northern California. We have been out there a few times in the past. We are planning a trip to see them this summer.  I love visiting my aunt and uncle because it is so relaxed and we don’t really have a schedule to keep.  I think that is a good thing because of the time difference. Packing and planning has become more difficult now that I am a mom. Before I was a mom, I would go do things on a whim. I would take off and go on trips at a moment’s notice sometimes. I also have all kinds of extra things to pack. Not only Noah’s clothes, but his toys after making sure a few times that no Legos have made it in his suitcase. He also needs to bring lots of books to read and activities to do. I used to pack light before I was a mom.  I also have to make sure he brings his turtle pillow.  I really need packing lists, because I always forget something. In an effort to become more organized and a better planner I was able to try out Office 365 Office with OneNote. I was able to download the OneNote Travel Notebook from Travel + Leisure. It is full of travel tips and ideas for you to use.  I really like sticky notes but I can’t take them all with me.  I like with One Note I can take them anywhere I want without worrying about them getting lost. I can even make a digital notebook with all my information.



I am one of those people that go to a self-check in at the airport and has to look through my emails for my confirmation code when I don’t use curbside. I always get to the airport extra early, but not everyone does. It would be great not to have to worry about it because you can add all of your confirmation numbers in. You can also put hotel names, addresses and directions in there too.  It provides you with everything you need, you don’t have to write things down and worry about it falling out of your purse at some point.
  
One of the things I have to keep in mind when I go on a trip with my family, is the finances. I need to keep track of every cent I spend or need to spend. I have to make sure I can afford it. Traveling can be expensive when you add in airfare, food and related expenses. Thankfully, we are staying at their house, so there will not be any hotel charges. I always end up spending a lot at the airports. I have tried to bring snacks, but even then there is drinks, meals and somehow I am always talked in to getting something at a gift shop.  I need to add in a little bit of money for gambling, because we are going to be in both Vegas and Reno.  I will have to mark down a few bucks for that. I don’t really gamble but this is my tradition when seeing my aunt and uncle. Here’s a good tip, don’t bring a bunch of change with you and put it in a zip top bag, you will be stopped at security. I know this, but I still have done this a few times.  You can’t use change in the machines anyways. 
There really isn’t a lot of expense with this particular trip when it comes to the actual trip. My aunt is an amazing cook and since we are secluded in the mountains we don’t do a lot of shopping. However to fly from Florida to Reno is expensive. So, that takes planning and budgeting.  Every trip varies in price so it is always a great idea to have a budget. Microsoft Excel is great for keeping track of your budgets. You could use it not only for a travel budget, home budget and even for work.

I also like that I will be able to write notes while I am in California. It is great for memories. I won’t have to try and remember or email myself a bunch only for my emails to get lost in my inbox. I also love to blog about vacations I take, so it will be awesome for blog ideas. My aunt and uncle have dogs and I am sure I will have puppy and dog pictures to share.  My Grandma Rose used to keep travel journals when they went places. They are so much fun to read through. It would say what they did, where they ate and even how much they spent on gas.  I would love to be able to look through the travel notebook in a few years just to show Noah who may not remember everything. 

You can purchase Microsoft 365 for $99

For More information on OneNote
 
You can download the OneNote Travel Notebook template.

This is a sponsored post from One2One Network and Microsoft Office 365. All opinions stated are my own.

Tuesday, April 30, 2013

What to Do in Interlaken




For some of the most beautiful views in the region, holiday-makers and hikers alike have visited the striking mountains of Bern Canton for years. The quaint and lively town nestled within the mountainsis often a main port of call.


JungfrauMountain, Switzerland Photo Credit

On the edge of Jungfrau Mountain,Interlaken isn’t increasingly becoming popular among tourists who want something more from their skiing holiday.

As experts in the travel field who know this area inside out, Inghams travel reps Liz and Mike Cakebread know everything holidays need to know about thiscosmopolitan town.

The basics

As it’s not too far from the Swiss capital,it’s really not that difficult to get here Situated between the two lakes of Brienz and Thun, it’s got plenty of life and offers plenty of mountain and boat excursions.
In fact, the name Interlaken comes from the Latin word interlacus – meaning land between two lakes. Liz and Mike Cakebread are happy to dish out some suggestions regarding what to do while staying at one of the area’s hotels.

Boatingwonders

 One recommendation is to enjoy the nearby lakes by boat. Lake Brienz’s crystalline emerald green waters are best enjoyed ona lazy cruise, and can take you to see the Giessback Waterfalls.
It’s also recommended to see the woodcarving village of Brienz, where the woodcarving museum is full of delights and wonder. Continuing on beyond Brienz will lead you to Ballenberg, an open-air museum which showcases the best of architecture in the country.

Revolutions

For a bite to eat with a difference, you can’t get much quirkier than the revolving restaurant Schilthorn. Most famous for featuring in the James Bond flick OnHer Majesty’s Secret Service, it even offers a ‘James Bond Brekkie Buffet’in homage to the film.



                                            007was Partially shot in Switzerland Photo Credit 

Before returning to Interlaken, take a stroll in the village of Murren and enjoy the charming Swiss chalets and mountain huts.

Jungfraujoch

Standing at 11,333ft above sea level, the Jungfraujoch is the highest railway station in Europe. Once you’re up at the highest point, you can enjoy skiing and husky rides atop the Aletschgletcher,the longest glacier in Europe.

Whether you choose to follow all of the Cakebreads’advice or not, a stay at Interlaken promises to be full of beautiful views,great views and some truly unique experiences.

Liz & Mike Cakebread – Zermatt & Interlaken Liz & Mike are very knowledgeable Inghams resort reps, having travelled and worked in number of resorts around the world. Their favourite resorts include Zermatt & Interlaken where they have worked for 2 decades. In winter their favourite place to be is Whistler Canada, where they have enjoyed the ski lifestyle for the past 15 years.