Unique Destinations for Every Kind of Spring Breaker

It is no secret that popular spring break destinations book up fast and attract crowds of drunken college kids. Whether you are a student who wants a break from the traditional “trashy” spring break, or a family wanting to find some place different and appropriate to take the kids, lesser-known destinations offer exactly what you are looking for. Check out some of our recommendations below:

Saint Augustine, Florida

Located just two hours north of Orlando and one hour south of Jacksonville, St. Augustine offers plenty of beautiful white sandy beaches. Awesome beaches away from increased prices and bunches of drunken college kids…who doesn’t want that? When you are finished at the beach, walk around this city’s historic downtown and enjoy the great food and fun bars.

Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin

Think Wisconsin during the spring time is way too cold for swimming? Not if the water parks are indoors! The Wisconsin Dells is basically a city full of hotels with indoor water parks and theme parks. When you get bored of one indoor water park, just walk next door to another one! Whether you enjoy lazy rivers, wave pools or monstrous slides, the Dells will certainly deliver. Order a margarita and book your flight to Wisconsin!

Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

Dream of a Caribbean retreat away from the crowds? Punta Cana offers the luxury of a variety of all-inclusive resorts which means you can put your money away and relax as soon as you arrive. Swimming, boating, scuba diving and alcohol are all usually included in resorts. Step outside of the box and party spring break style with the natives at nearby local clubs and bars.

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

Forgo Cancun and book your stay in Puerto Vallarta. This city is perfect for the adventurous spring breaker on a budget. Secret beach coves and beautiful waterfalls are abundant. Once the sun sets, local bars debut their “can’t be beat” happy hour prices that are sure to be a hit with everyone. Night owls can let loose at the fantastic dance clubs and beach parties. Dancing in the moonlight isn’t to be missed!

 

No matter where you choose as your spring break destination, don’t forget to make your free online reservation with Team Parking!

 

5 Ways to Protect Your Parked Car

 

From expensive electronics to empty candy wrappers, we keep pretty much everything and anything in our cars. Since your vehicle is essentially your miniature home away from home, you are going to want to take precautions to safeguard your vehicle when you fly out of Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. Although Team Parking boasts a secure, well lit parking lot, you still have to do your part to ensure the safety of your vehicle. Read on to find out how you can help us protect your car while you are traveling:

1.      It is best not to leave valuables inside, but if you must, hide them, and hide them well. Conceal them at home in your own driveway, away from the prying eyes of airport criminals. Don’t park your car at the airport and then hide your laptop; the risk of being seen is too great.

2.      For maximum security, leave your car near high traffic areas such as the entrance and exit or the shuttle pickup kiosk. The increased foot traffic will add to the number of eyes on your car and will discourage potential thieves.

3.      Your next best bet is to leave your car in a well-lit area, something Team Parking certainly has to offer. Our entire lot is well-lit for maximum safety. Shining lights discourage intruders who don’t want to be caught.

4.      A neat car is less likely to get robbed. If a thief looks in and sees wires poking out from under the seat or a large object seemingly covered up by a towel or hat, this is sure to attract his or her curiosity. If a potential crook sees nothing but car upholstery, it is less likely that he or she will break in to the vehicle.

5.      Keep your car doors locked at all times. Although this sounds like common sense, many people honestly forget to lock their cars or are lured into a false sense of security by their surroundings. An unlocked car is the easiest way for a thief to slip into your vehicle.

 

Avoiding Travel Scams

If you have been feeling bored or overworked, the thought of a cheap or free vacation might sound pretty appealing…and scammers know that! Scams are often effective on travelers because of their simplicity, but with a little preparation you can avoid being an easy target. Before you begin your dream vacation, bone up on these tips for avoiding travel-related scams:

v  Watch out for unsolicited “deals” on fantastic locations. If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is.

v  Search the Better Business Bureau and American Society of Travel Agents to make sure your travel company is legit before you give them any money.

v  Always use a credit card when making travel related purchases. This way, if you feel you have been scammed, you can dispute the charge with your credit card company.

v  Be on the lookout for “travel clubs” that offer “free” membership. Many times, these services simply charge your credit card every month and provide few benefits.

v  If you win a “free” vacation, don’t ever give out your credit card information. You should never have to pay to collect a prize.

v  If you are working with a travel agency or vacation service, make sure to get all of the details about your trip in writing. This contract will act as legal proof in the event that your experience wasn’t what you were promised.  

Here at Team Parking, you will never be scammed. Make your free online reservation today and save!

Traveling with Teens

Vacationing with teens…..is that an oxymoron? If you take the right approach, it doesn’t have to be! Sure, they can be moody, but more often than not teenagers are up for having a good time with their families. Here are some cool strategies to take your family vacation from “aaaggghhh” to ‘ahhhhh!”  

·         Ask for your teen’s input. If your teen is involved in the planning stages, he/she will feel more invested and the vacation will start off on the right foot.
 

·         Let everyone pick. Each family member gets to choose one thing for the entire family to do and everyone has to get on board. If you don’t complain during the kids’ pick, chances are they will be less apt to complain during yours.

·         Bend the rules. Letting your teen eat more junk food than dinner, and sleep in while you visit that ninth museum, will do wonders for your sanity. Keeping the peace will make your vacation that much more enjoyable.

·         Get their attention. Telling them you’re going to the biggest fort in the Caribbean? Boring. Telling them you’re going to see the place where Johnny Depp shot “that one scene” in Pirates of the Caribbean? Priceless! Once they are there, they will probably find more than a couple things that amuse them.

·         Set a budget. It’s easy to blow more money on vacation than you anticipated. Give your teens a budget for spending and let them keep the rest. They will be more likely to spend wisely if the money is theirs.  

·         Allow technology. As long as the data roaming bills aren’t exorbitant, and they aren’t doing it during dinner, a little texting never hurt anyone. Set a few [minimal] ground rules, and go ahead and let them brag about their trip on Facebook.

·         Let them sleep. Most teens love to sleep in, and vacation is the perfect time to rest.  You can take advantage of the quiet, plus get some “Me” time in!

Making your free online parking reservation with Team Parking is just one more way to make your vacation ‘way cool!”

Ten Tips for Flying with Children

Flying with children can be a daunting task, whether you are an experienced flyer or first time traveler. Fortunately, some strategic planning can help make flying with children a fun and relaxed experience for you and your kids. Here are 10 tips to make your life a little easier:

1.      Let your child have her own carry on. She will feel like a “big girl” and you can fill it with little distractions and snacks to keep her busy during the flight.

2.      Plan around your usual routine. If you can, plan your flight when your child is most calm and pleasant. Only you know when your child takes naps, eats meals or becomes fussy.

3.      Know your TSA rules. Kids under the age of 12 do not have to take their shoes off for TSA security. In addition, baby formula, breast milk and medications are allowed in excess of 3.4 ounces in reasonable quantities for the flight and do not have to be placed in a clear zip-top baggie. You must tell the TSA officer you are carrying these liquids at the beginning of screening.

4.      Spring for a seat. While airlines allow you to hold your child on your lap until they're 2 years old, this is hard on a long flight. If you can afford it, buy an extra seat for the baby.

5.      Don’t take out the toys too soon. If you buy your child new books or toys for the flight, wait until the meltdown begins and then bring out your secret weapon.

6.      Suck it up. If you don’t usually let your kids watch TV or play games for extended periods, now is the time to suck it up and realize it won’t do permanent damage. Knowing they are being allowed to do something that is usually off-limits is a huge draw.

7.      Bring a spare shirt for yourself. Spills and spit up are inevitable. You will appreciate the clean smell around your upper body.

8.      Snacks and sippy cups. Pack durable snacks that are familiar to your child. Don’t forget to pack an empty sippy cup so you can fill it with juice or water mid-flight.

9.      Magazine scavenger hunts. Make a list of 10 things such a woman or a hotel, and have your kids find them using the magazines in the seat pockets.

10.   Who cares what other people think. Say hi to everyone and be cordial, but remember there is a good chance that you won’t see these people again. You are doing your best to make the experience pleasant for everyone and that is all that matters.

Stress less! Reserve your parking today with Team Parking.  

Surviving Airport Security

 

Getting through security can be one of the more stressful parts of air travel. However, a lot can be done to streamline the process, if you know what you’re doing. To make your excursion through the airport as efficient and comfortable as possible, keep in mind the following advice:

·         Plan ahead. Pack your bag of liquids and your electronics in an easy to access exterior pocket. A good TSA experience starts at home.

·         Dress for success. Security is going to make you take your shoes off. You know this. Avoid wearing knee-high lace up combat boots! Wear shoes that are easy to slip off and a belt that won’t set off the metal detector.

·         Stash your stuff early. It is pretty likely that you will have a bag or purse on your person during your journey through the airport. Avoid fumbling at the checkpoint by sticking your personal items in one of these convenient bags well before you get in line.  

·         Order your items. For example, put your shoes on the conveyer belt first, then your laptop, followed by your bag of liquids, and finally your coat. This way you can put your shoes on first, pick up each item as it is scanned, and finally put on your coat and make your way to your gate.

·         When in doubt, leave it out! Unsure if an item is prohibited or not? Put questionable items in your checked luggage or leave them at home.

Don’t forget to make a reservation with Team Parking to ensure a stress free trip.

 

 

 

 

 

Traveling During Inclement Weather

        It is now September, and before you know it, the autumn season will be upon us. For those who live up north, this means saying goodbye to sunny warm weather and hello to severe weather and snow. Traveling out of the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport [MSP] during the colder months of the year can be challenging. Read on for tips on how to navigate travel during inclement weather.

v  When you arrive at the airport, park your car offsite with Team Parking and rest assured that we will take care of it during the cold months.

v  Get forecasts before you leave the house. Check your destination and departure cities. If something looks amiss or if there is already flight delays for impending foul weather, call the airline to check the status of your flight.

v  The weather at your departure and destination cities looks perfect but it is the connecting city that is experiencing unpleasant conditions? See if you can reroute the connection to an airport with no delays.

v  Do not stray too far from your gate if you are already at the airport. Gate attendants often make important announcements in the event of a flight delay or cancellation including, but not limited to, information on flight status, alternative flight options, hotel offers etc. These are announcements you will want to hear.

v  If you end up needing to make alternate arrangements, use your airline’s 1-800 numbers. This will be much quicker and less stressful than standing in line at the kiosk at the airport with the 85 other people who need to reroute as well.