Month: November 2024

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Child Alice Costumes – Down The Rabbit Hole And Into Adventure

Child Alice costumes are expected to be a hot commodity this Halloween. With the whimsical update of the Alice in Wonderland movie bringing a surge of interest to the story, the Wonderland world has been found by a whole new batch of little dreamers. Alice, in particular, has been getting the lion’s share of attention since her character is the adventurous soul who dared to go down the rabbit hole and place herself into the chaotic and topsy-turvy world of Wonderland.

Alice is such an interesting and memorable character for several reasons. Her fearlessness at following the odd little rabbit she sees scurrying by is testament to her courage and inquisitive nature. Throughout her adventure in Wonderland, whether at the Mad Hat Tea Party or playing croquet with the Queen of Hearts, she immerses herself in this strange new world and tries to connect with the odd characters she meets along the way.

Alice is impulsive, curious, and has a very active imagination. She is also filled with knowledge and loves to share that with others. While she is very polite and well mannered girl, she is not afraid to make her opinions known – something that some of the resident of Wonderland don’t particularly care for – especially the Queen of Hearts.

Alice is also very loving and gentle by nature – the type of character who loves without reservations and respects others, no matter their status – the lowly servant, the Royal King, the little caterpillar – as Carroll (the author) put it, grand or grotesque, high or low, Alice is courteous to everyone just the same.

But what really sets the character of Alice apart, and what makes child Alice costumes so popular, is that she embodies the pure joy that children have in reacting to the world around them and their ability to find wonder and weave magic into every experience.

Alice has the sort of trust, Carroll said, “that only dreamers know” and she brings this wide eyed view of the world to everything around her. To see Wonderland through her eyes is what gives the story such rich depth and color.

Alice, Carroll explained, retains the “eager enjoyment of life” that comes only in the happiness of childhood – before the meaning of words like sorrow and sin are understood or experienced – before the imagination is tempered with reality – and before the excitement of seeking out a new adventure every day disappears.

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5 Ways to Travel Solo Without Going It Alone

Solo travel has become a hot topic. Unlike “single(s)” travel, it is a broader group. It can include those who are single, married or have a partner/significant other. It may be a business person looking to add a leisure weekend or extension to a trip for work. Two stumbling blocks to solo travel can be: I. whether it is lonely to vacation as a “party of one” and ii.whether eating alone, especially dinner, is really uncomfortable.

Now having visited 68 countries and all 50 states, I have found 5 good ways to go alone without feeling you are “going it alone”.

1. River Cruise and Small Ship Cruises

I highly recommend river cruises and small ships. They are especially a good fit for a first time solo traveler. However, they are also great for well-traveled solos in two cases. That is where destinations like Cambodian boat villages are not otherwise easy to reach. Secondly, they work well in places where security is an issue.

Here are the key advantages of such river and small ships for solo travelers, they:

-Give you time alone but a group for tours and meals

-Can be competitively priced when compared to a piecemeal approach

-Make unpacking a one-time chore

-Work well with land packages

-Often have discounted package pricing including flights

2. Select your own lodging, and take day trips.

Here are the key advantages of this independent approach, it:

-Affords you the opportunity to select your own interests and travel style.

-Provides more opportunity to interact with local residents.

-Gives you a “day-off” when you need it.

-Works with a range of budgets.

3. Combine both of the above approaches.

I really favor this approach when I travel. On solo travel for 17 days at New Year’s, I toured Southeast Asia. I started with a private taxi tour in Siem Reap, Cambodia. I then joined a top Mekong River Cruise on to Vietnam. On the last leg, I had five days in a 5-star hotel in Bangkok. In my last stop, I tried all 3 ways of sightseeing: 1. A large bus tour 2. A private guide and 3. Self-directed subway tour.

This blended approach puts you in the driver’s seat and:

-Will let you set your own course while being free to pick and choose

-Gives you a part-time group of travel mates but also time alone

-Makes it possible to follow a budget (or splurges) tailored to what works for you

4. Sign up ahead for a class abroad.

This has become very popular now for cooking classes in France and Italy. However, for decades, language classes abroad have lured students for short-term or full summer programs. Add to that options for photography classes, skiing and scuba diving.

Here are the key benefits to this approach.

It:

-Provides you with a ready-made group

-Gives you a local contact to hear what not to miss off the tourist path

-Make it possible to connect with classmates for meals or sightseeing

-Results in providing local contacts in an emergency

5. Join a volunteer group or exchange program.

I have done this twice. My first trip out of the US was at 18 joining 5 other girls on a summer YMCA project in Trinidad and Tobago. It was the best way to learn about day-to-day life in another country and participate in community activities.

The benefits were endless. They included:

-Meeting local residents outside of the typical tourist path

-Seeing distant and often more unusual destinations

-Providing volunteer efforts to communities than may have experienced natural disasters or other hardships.

If you are new to solo travel, take a look at each of these options. You will be surprised how fast solo travel gives you the chance to make new life-long friends from around the world so that you feel you are solo to more!

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Family Camping Tents With All the Comforts of Home

Many families spend time together camping and enjoying the outdoors. Family camping tents can offer comfort and convenience for even inexperienced campers, and come from basic to deluxe. Considering your needs and wants before making a purchase can help make camping a relaxing experience for everyone.

Mother nature can be unpredictable, and that can be okay when in your home. Being prepared when camping can help turn rainy, stormy weather into fun in the tent. Seams that are waterproof and offer resistance help to keep water out. Humid and hot days can be uncomfortable, and proper and sufficient ventilation can help cool things off and keep gear from getting damp.

Many tents offer areas for storage that allows bags and other gear to be tucked away, out of the living space in the tent. Dividers and room separators offer privacy, and can keep kids from fighting over space. Tents with divided rooms for eating, sleeping and changing make it feel like home, and give everyone a private space.

Windows and doors in tents are opened and closed with zippers, and can easily wear and break. Reinforced zippers can prevent problems and repairs. Cots and foot traffic can wear tent floors, and finding one that can stand up to your family or be removed is always a good idea.

Even experienced campers appreciate a tent that is simple and easy to get set up. Campground set up can be fast if the tent offers a design that allows it to be pitched easily. Being caught in the rain fighting with a complicated tent can sour the thought of future camping trips, so ensure it is a breeze to erect.

Taller people will appreciate amenities like extra head space. Tents are available with outdoor screen rooms attached, and this can be a convenient option for getting eating and relaxing away from bugs. An awning can provide a retreat from the rain, and can also help to divert water. Shower and change facilities can be a great add on, and can come as part of the tent or purchased separately.

Families that enjoy the outdoors can relax in comfort with all of the possibilities available for family camping tents. Browse all the possibilities, and buy a tent that works best for your family’s comfort, convenience, safety and privacy, Everyone will be happy about camping trips when they offer all the comforts of home.