Have you ever been in the situation where it comes round to, say, March time and you don't quite have enough money for your summer holiday? There are so many expenses to meet these days that often a trip abroad is first to fall by the wayside for many of us.

However, if you are tempted to buy, for example, a new carpet instead of taking a holiday then it could be time to reconsider your priorities. In the case of Lake Garda holidays here are some of the benefits which a new floor covering simply couldn't give you.

Relaxation Time

At what other time of the year can you let your mind and body relax so completely? In a stunning setting like Lake Garda you can forget all about your worries at home and let the magic of the place win you over. Look at it this way, when you see your work colleagues come back from a break can you notice in their faces and attitudes how much they relaxed while they were away? We all need a break at the very least once a year and denying yourself this is a way of storing up problems for later on in the year.

A  Refreshed Mind

A knock on effect of all of this relaxation is that you will come home with your mind refreshed. This means different things for different people but should mean that you look at your life from a new perspective. Maybe all of the things which have been getting you down for so long won't seem quite so bad now or perhaps you will see quite clearly how you can improve your lot. It is no coincidence that many of us make important and intelligent decisions after getting home from a holiday, as this is the perfect time to take advantage of a clear head and positive outlook on life.

A Bonding Experience

Going abroad with your partner or your family is one of the best ways of getting to know them that bit better. Maybe you live together but when was the last time you really spoke to each other about what you want to do with your lives? There are few better situations for this then sitting watching the sun set over Lake Garda at the end of another action packed day. There are lots of ways of enjoying a trip to this part of the world and a top quality family holiday operator like Keycamp will give you an extensive choice to pick from.

Do you agree with the sentiments or do you reckon it would be money well-spent investing in buying a new carpet?

Share your thoughts!

About the Author: Cassy Johnson is an aspiring travel writer and a mom who regularly writes for Keycamp and Eurocamp.

Image Credit: From Wikipedia Commons

They say that getting there is half the fun-try telling that to parents traveling with children in tow! While traveling by airplane gets your family there faster than taking a road trip, you are still bound to hit some snags along the way, especially when it comes to spending time in the airport. When you're traveling with children, you can never plan everything perfectly, because children are unpredictable. However, if you follow these five tips, you should get your family through the airport and on their way smoothly.

Pack a Stroller

If you have children that are young enough to fit comfortably in a stroller, bring it along. You may think that it would be difficult to deal with, but most airlines are happy to check them at the gate. While you are in the airport, the stroller can be a godsend. Use it to keep your toddler contained and comfortable. He will be happy to be in his familiar seat and you can entertain him with books or small toys while you wait. This is easier than trying to get a young child to stay seated in an uncomfortable airport seat.

Bring Snacks

Yes, the airport serves food. However, the it's overpriced and you are never certain what you'll find. Kids can be picky, so bring crackers, fruit snacks or other items in your carry-on bag. While you don't want to make a habit out of it, sometimes a little snack can stave off boredom and pass the time. However, do check what items can go through security. Large bottles of liquids are not allowed, and there may be restrictions on gel-like substances as well. Fox News recommends bringing empty sippy cups that you can fill with beverages once your through security; this can help your child feel more comfortable enjoying his drink.

Go Online

Most airports offer WiFi either for a cost or free, which can be a great way to keep the kids busy and for you to keep up with news. However, you should use caution as these are not secure connections. Use the utmost care when typing in passwords, credit card numbers or other sensitive information as identity theft is prevalent. If you are someone who does enter sensitive information onto your laptop at airports or in unsecured Wi-Fi locations often, Lifelock or a similar information protection agency might be a good solution for you.

Use Headphones

Another way to entertain your kids is with an MP3 or CD player. Bring headphones and he can listen to favorite music or even a book on tape while you wait. Headphones are also a good choice if your child uses a portable gaming device like a Nintendo DS. That way he can enjoy the volume without disturbing others around him waiting in the airport.

Go Exploring

While it may look boring to you, to a child the airport is exciting. Take time to walk around the concourse, watch planes take off and land. Your child will find this is  more entertaining than sitting for an hour waiting for a delayed plane to arrive.

Traveling with your family is at times difficult. Most parents find that the rewards greatly outweigh the hassles. Doing what you can to make traveling a fun activity, instead of a chore, will establish treasured memories of travel and exploration in the mind of your child.

Though Sicily and Sardinia are by far the biggest Italian islands there are many other picturesque and tiny Italian islands that are worth discovering. The islands can be visited by direct flights, or by flights to a major Italian city that conduct cruises and cruise holidays to specific islands.

For some tourists, a trip to the beautiful Mediterranean region would be incomplete without a stopover along some of Italy's most well known islands. These are renowned not only for the beauty of their natural resources but for their rich history and culture, delicious cuisine and the warmth and hospitality of the Italian people. A cruise holiday is a fantastic way to get around and explore Italy's hidden island paradises.

Situated off Italy's southern coast is the island of Sicily. It is the largest island in the whole of the Mediterranean Sea and is the home of the famous and volcanic Mount Etna.
West of the Italian mainland is the island of Sardinia, of which a quarter is environmentally protected. An ideal place to visit for lovers of nature, Sardinia has three national parks and is Italy's second biggest island.

Elba is the third largest Italian island, but is small enough to be seen in a day. Made famous for being a place of exile for Napoleon Bonaparte, Elba is renowned for producing wine and is situated off the north west coast of Italy.

Stromboli, just north of Sicily, is an island in the Lipari Islands group and has an active volcano. Also in the south of Italy is Capri, which is a famous island in the Bay of Naples. Capri is known for its wine and Blue Grotto, which is a sea cave illuminated by sunlight on the water inside the cave.

Venice is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, and is a city made up of islets. Tourists can travel around Venice via its impressive canals and the city itself is one of the great cultural delights of European civilization.

Italy is also famous throughout the world for its mouthwatering dishes and is one of the largest producers of fine wines and vintages. Italian cuisine is revered worldwide and people agree that the freshness of the ingredients and unique style and flair of Italian cooking all contribute to the popularity of their Italian dishes the world over.

There are various groups and establishments who offer wine tasting and culinary tours throughout Italy. This way you get to explore and sightsee across the country while getting to know more about the wonders of Italian food and its many varieties of fine wines and vintages.

The Italian region of Piedmont has been popular for years because of its outstanding and notable wine production.  Located just south of the Alps, it is home to the Asti and Barolo varieties, both of which have won awards and accolades over the years and are considered to be prestigious labels.  Travelers flock here to visit the vineyards and sample the wines at source, enjoying the delightful scenery that you might expect to find on the edge of one of the world's most famous mountain ranges.

But in recent years the region has begun to shine in the culinary world, demonstrating a flair for cuisine rather than just its wine.  Always well known for its regional polenta dishes and egg pasta creations, it's stepped up a gear and turned its food into the stuff of a restaurant critic's dream.  In fact, it's become so popular that people travel for miles to experience it's emerging restaurant scene and it's become renowned for certain creations.

Truffles - Italian Delicacy

Known in Italian as tartufo, truffles are a wrinkled fungus about the size of a particularly large walnut.  They're found growing wild in the forests of the region and because they grow a few inches below the surface of the earth, they're usually only found by specially trained dogs.  Originally pigs were used to hunt down the delicate foodstuff, but because it was hit or miss whether you'd get to the truffle before the pig ate it, dogs were trained for the purpose instead.  The special truffle is the bianchi truffle which is white in color.  They're very expensive and used sparingly in cooking, but they can be found in all manner of dishes, from soups to pasta.

Polenta

Piedmont polenta is a special affair, and converts to this cornmeal dish will love the variation at play here.  It has a creamy texture and takes on the flavor of the rest of the meal.  A favorite in the north of Italy is to serve it with a traditional meat stew known as a carbonada, but it also goes well with mushroom dishes or truffles.

Piedmontese Wines

The wines from the Piedmont region are all very well regarded, but they don't have the same fame that wines from other Italian regions, such as Tuscany, can count on.  That said, some of their particular wines, like the Asti Spumante, are famous worldwide, even if most of us couldn't name the region it comes from.  Not content with their wine making though, the Piedmontese people are the creators of a schnapps-style brandy made from locally grown fruits and herbs.

Breadsticks

The long, crunchy and thin sticks of dough that the Italians call grissini are very often served as accompaniments to Italian meals, and they're certainly very popular in this region.  They were thought to have originated in the 14th Century and often form part of the traditional antipasto starter that the country is famous for.

Desserts and Sweets

The Piedmont region certainly doesn't come to mind when you think of sweet dishes, but that doesn't mean they don't produce any.  In fact, this part of Italy seems to prefer slightly less sweetness at the end of their meals, and you'd be more likely to find a good panna cotta (cooked custard) than some of the heavier, riches dishes found towards the south.
So, now that you've been introduced to some of the delights of the Piedmontese cuisine, why not consider planning your next Italian trip to this delightful region to sample the dishes for yourself.  You won't be disappointed.

Day trips from Turin

Photo credit:  From Wikipedia Commons - author:  Arpingstone