Image by NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center via Flickr

Have you had your fair share of average vacations? Many have, despite the wealth of travel deals to the usual places like Florida and Hawaii, though some can never grow tired of these beautiful places. Yet there is much more out there to satisfy the most adventurous travel souls; we head to these places to explore more of the world.

When’s the last time you went overseas? If you’ve never gone, you probably don’t know what you’re missing. Others may have had the opportunity to explore France, Italy, England, and some of the “standards,” if you will, sites in Europe and beyond.

Try broadening your horizons a bit. You can see the Charin Canyon and the Caspian Sea, one of the largest canyons and the largest lake in the world, respectively, in the exciting Kazakhstan Democracy. How’s that for an off-handed vacation?

Some of these areas, like the one previously mentioned, have fantastic appeal for traveling through many areas. Those in the United States and Canada aren’t used to the potential to drive through a handful of countries on a road trip. Around the world, it is not only possible, but very exciting. The cultural beauty that can surround a family on a trip like this is certainly manifest.

Set your sights overseas. Perhaps there is a time when you and your family could explore some of these beautiful and lesser-known travel destinations. Whether it’s Kazakhstan, Finland, or a hidden part of China, why wouldn’t you want to uncover some of these gems?

Image by Fernando D. Ramirez via Flickr

Before making a trip abroad, you should first determine how you’re going to pay for things like restaurants, hotels and souvenirs while you’re there. In most cases when you’re abroad, you won’t be able to use the American dollar—you’ll have to exchange your money for foreign currency. This can get tricky, and if you don’t engage in things like forex currency trading online, it can seem like a whole new world to you. However, there are several advantages of using foreign currency while you’re traveling abroad.

You don’t have to worry about deactivated credit cards. Many travelers have discovered too late that trying to use your credit card while you’re in a different country can be marked as suspicious activity on your account. The credit card company is then prompted to cancel your card. Not only is this inconvenient, but it can also be dangerous if you’re relying on your card to pay for your purchases.

You may be getting more for your money. In many countries, the value of the dollar is worth more than the national currency. Although the value of the dollar is constantly changing, you tend to get more for your money in countries such as Thailand, Costa Rica and India.

If you try to pay with the dollar and the merchant agrees to exchange it for you, you’ll be getting one of the worst exchange rates possible. The merchant will know this is your last resort, so you’ll most likely hand over the cash. He’ll charge you more than other venues would.

Image via Wikipedia

When you go out on the road, traveling is a great time to instill a bit of the nation’s history into your child’s education. There are numerous opportunities along the way to make this experience a fun one.

One of the best sources for this kind of experience can found in national and state parks. Many of the historical sites are located in beautiful locations that also feature camping, hiking, water access and other types of outdoor fun. For example, Great Smoky Mountains National Park is loaded with experiences that will create lasting memories and teach your children about the country’s early history. This includes settlers, homesteading and the native people that lived in the area. George Washington Carver National Monument in Missouri has many activities dealing with African-American history and related events.

When you visit a park, ask if they have a program for children to do while they are visiting. A popular thing with the National Park System is the Junior Ranger Program allows the children to earn a badge if they complete various activities. These help them learn about the different facts, events and people who once existed in the park and how they are important in history. These types of activities really make learning fun for kids and their parents.

You can also find people along the way who actually experienced history and can relate stories about certain events. This can instill a different view of things from a traditional textbook and help your child to learn history in a whole new way.

• Learn basic phrases in the native language. This will help you communicate your needs better – at the very least, learn how to explain what your allergy is, and what will happen if you eat the food item. You don’t have to be incredibly elaborate, simple phrases with do.
• Prepare an index card to hand to the chef. You should always bypass the staff and go straight to the cook when it comes to food allergies, especially when they are life threatening. After all, the chef is the only one in the restaurant that has full control over the way food is prepared. It always helps if your index card is written in both your language and the native language of your travel destination so that you cover all bases.
• Pack your own food and snacks. If you don’t feel comfortable eating while you are away from home, then packing some food in advance is a great way to ease your fears. Don’t pack perishables, and always read the ingredient label before you pack. You can learn about healthy snack options on Multiracial.org.

You can still enjoy traveling to international destinations, even if you are limited by food allergies. The best way to stay safe is to go prepared, and never put yourself into a situation that makes you feel uncomfortable.

Here is a look at some of the health snack alternatives parents are coming up with for children and adults to enjoy.

Customized Trail Mix 

Image via Wikipedia

Trail mix is one of the easiest snacks to make. All you have to do is purchase healthy snacks such as raisins, prunes, nuts and granola, and mix it up together. By creating your own trail mix you have control over what ingredients are used and whether or not those ingredients are healthy for you to eat.

Homemade Chips

The salty snack of chips is a travel favorite but loaded with sodium and preservatives. Luckily, homemade chips can be made from fresh ingredients and you control the amount of sodium that is on those chips. Popping cut pita bread or soft tortilla shells into the oven and sprinkling salt or cinnamon and sugar on them, offers you an easy way to make homemade chips for you and your children.

Snacking on vacation doesn’t always have to be unhealthy. Using some of these healthy snack alternatives can help you cure your family’s munchies while on vacation or while traveling, without having to worry about what they are eating or what preservatives they are putting into their body.