Keith Jenkins AKA @velvetescape was one of my earliest connections on Twitter. He talked #travel, I talked #dream #travel and so the conversation started! I’ve thoroughly enjoyed watching Keith’s blog grow from strength to strength and the fabulous opportunities it brings him. Jealous much!

Background: Keith Jenkins is the Founder and Publisher of the Velvet Escape luxury travel blog. Based in Amsterdam, Keith left his ten-year investment banking career to travel the world and carve out a new career as a travel blogger and social media advocate.

Back in 2012 Keith delivered this TEDx Talk: Passion, Empowerment, Social Media. Enjoy!

This is the most precious video and too good not to share. It’s heart warming and full of joy when these two elderly ladies experience flying for the first time. One, more eager than the other but due to whatever reason, had never had the opportunity. The other, just plain nervous! Watch, and smile.

It made me wonder how many people in the world never get to experience flying either because they are so remote, too poor and really their main focus in life is just surviving. We take it for granted. I couldn’t tell you how many flights I’ve now done over the years but I will tell you, I still hate landings. 😉

Do you recall your first flight? Where did you go?

You’ve scrimped and saved, and finally got enough money in the bank to pay for that dream holiday. When you’ve worked towards your getaway you don’t want to waste it, and for most holidaymakers, the best way to get the most out of their travels is to create an itinerary.

What’s the secret to creating a great travel itinerary? One that’ll guarantee an enjoyable holiday for all?

We’ve got some travel tips to help you plan the perfect trip every time.

Making plans by Tamas

Get tech savvy

Modern holidaymakers have it so lucky. Mobile apps, websites, social networking, Google Maps, review sites – all have made holiday planning a whole lot easier. Embrace the new technology and check out apps like Itinerary for iPhone that lets you plot routes on maps and add notes, and sites like TripIt where you can use professional looking templates to create the most complex of itineraries and share them easily with family and friends.

Blog it

There are loads of online blogs out there that are packed with just the kind of info you crave when you’re trying to plan your perfect holiday. Check out travel blogs like the one over at Choice Hotels. By following blogs like these you’ll find instant travel guides to a range of destinations, as well as info on the nearest accommodation to attractions you might want to see, and you could even bag yourself a discount rate into the bargain. Wherever you’re headed, search for blogs by people who live in the area and you’ll find up-to-date info about everything from what’s on to where to eat, where to shop to what the latest political news is there.

Be realistic

We know you want to milk your holiday for all it’s worth, but it pays to be realistic in the planning stages. After a long haul flight, and an eight hour time difference, are you really going to want to hike up a mountain, then visit some sea caves, a cathedral, archeological museum and go to the theatre? Make exceptions for times when you know you’re going to be tired, and remember – a holiday is supposed to be relaxing.

Get the timing right

When you’re trying to create a realistic itinerary, getting the timings right – for plane travel, car journeys, or journeys on foot – is key. Try to find existing guides online or travel messageboards like Independent Traveler where you can find out from those in the know just how long the drive from A to Z is really going to take.

Travel itinerary by Dan Barbus

We would all like to have the time to sit down and plan every aspect of the family holiday in great detail. The problem is that in reality everyday tasks such as putting the washing on and feeding the kids simply get in the way.

So what is the solution? Read an overview of some of the trips available with Cosmos and choose which one best suits your brood. Then book it, knowing that having secured yourself a package holiday, everything will be taken care of.

Portugal

Portugal has long been a family favourite destination with its great combination of accessible beaches and cultural cities. It has a warm climate all year round and represents good value for money, both in terms of the cost of the holiday, but also on added extras, which means you won’t have to say no to the kids when they want treats.

Fly to Faro and stay at the Clube Praia da Oura Apartments in nearby Albufeira. This part of the Algarve is well set up for families and this also goes for the accommodation. With a beach on the doorstep and a separate pool for younger guests, the kids will have a lot of fun outdoors on their holiday.

Close by you will find the Zoomarine and Montechoro theme parks, which are great if you want to spend some time away from the resort. Taking a trip by horseback at the Albufeira Riding Centre is also bound to be a hit, as is spending the day undertaking watersports or a boat trip.

Goa

You may not have considered taking your kids on holiday to Goa for a number of reasons – the cost being one of them. But there are more deals out there than you might think and the amount the children will learn about the culture when they are out there will be priceless.

Doing such a trip as a package holiday also takes a lot of the stress associated with travelling to India out of the equation. In fact, it will offer the perfect combination of the familiar and relaxing, as well as the new and exciting.

Stay at the Palmarinha Resort in Calungute, North Goa with its extensive swimming pool and pretty beach. There is lots to keep the kids entertained, such as table tennis and a pool table, if you want some time to take advantage of the massages available within the resort.

This is a great option for older kids who like a bit of independence. Then take them out into the bustling city of Panjim to experience its amazing atmosphere. Expect to see wide tree-lined avenues and stunning colonial era buildings.

Florida

Florida is always a hit with the kids due to the wide selection of theme parks on offer. Let them have their fun, but balance these child-orientated days out with trips to other attractions in the Sunshine State.

Take a trip to the Everglades, where the whole family can learn about the unique biodiversity of the area. Alternatively, head to Mount Dora, only 25 miles from Orlando, where a 19th century vibe has been maintained in this pretty little town.

For easy access to the theme parks, stay at the Metropolitan Express, located across the road from Wet ‘n Wild and mere minutes from Universal Orlando. Its rooms are positioned around a central pool, where you can all head to cool off and relax.