We usually talk to our children about safety matters such as walking to school, taking public transportation, going to the mall with friends, or what to do if a stranger approaches them. These lessons are just as important to talk about before you embark on a family trip.

Here then are some topics to discuss during the pre-travel family talk:

Let’s assume you are taking a family trip to Disney World. It’s a big park with thousands of people. The family may be standing on line and some activity may attract a child so that they walk off.

• Talk to the kids about what to do in case they get lost, either at a theme park or anywhere else you travel to. Tell them to look for a security guard or a theme park employee. They are quite noticeable and can help your child find his way back to you.

             Sometimes children do not know the difference between friend and foe.

• Talk about the importance of not talking to strangers – at any time. If a stranger asks them to go with them somewhere, tell your children to run and find you or someone with a uniform.

             In this day and age of cell phone use, it can make all the difference in finding a child.

• If your children are of the age where they know how to use a cell phone, give each one a phone so that if they do find themselves lost they can call you and give you a clear indication of where they are.

             Children tend to wander off when something different gets their attention.

• Ingrain in your children that when you tell them to stay in one place, you are doing so for their own protection.

             Statistics show that teens are most prone to abduction.

• Make it clear to your teens that this is a family vacation. They may think they can move around outside the view of their parents, but it must be explained there are predators out there who may be watching them.

Before you prepare to leave for your trip, find a map of the area and make a map for the kids. Once you arrive at the destination, take out the maps and show them where you are and set up meeting points in case they do wander away or get lost in the crowds.

We have all experienced our children standing next to us in a department store one minute and then a second later you hear them in another department. Talking to your kids about strangers and getting lost is an important and on-going exercise – no matter what their age. It bears repeating over and over, whether you are on vacation or shopping at a mall. It’s that important!

Almost everyone knows that booking flights to any destination early enough can save money. How much depends upon how early you make the reservations. Here are some additional tips that can help you save a few dollars planning your next vacation.

1. Traditionally, new airline prices come out every Wednesday. Call the airline of your choice to determine the best rate. Book your flight at three months or more in advance to obtain the lowest rate. Conditions do apply, however, especially during peak travel dates.
2. Travel mid-week. Tuesdays through Thursdays are the best travel days to obtain cheaper fares. For lower rates, return on these days is required as well.
3. While there are many online travel companies offering cheap flights, check with your travel agent as well. Agents are always notified when lower fares are available and for those agents who book group tours, you may be able to take advantage of the airfare portion of the package.
4. Check online prices, too. These travel companies may purchase a block of seats and offer them to the general public for a good price. Compare and contrast these companies online to find the best deal.
5. Although tour packages encompass both air and hotel, there are times when the tour companies are unable to put together a full tour group. Contact them to ascertain if you can purchase the flight part of their package. For example, Perillo Tours provides packages to Italy, Hawaii, and other destinations. Call them to ascertain if they have any seats available on their flights. This can yield a substantial savings.

After the deregulation of airlines, when competitive pricing brought about the “air-fare wars”, consumers benefited by the ridiculously low fare that were offered. Unfortunately, many airlines were unable to fully book their flights and either filed bankruptcy, merged with another airline, or went out of business altogether.

Subsequently, airfare prices have risen considerably, especially with the new security regulations as well as the price of fuel. Consequently, in order to obtain the best fare possible, it is recommended that you book early, travel during off-peak dates, travel mid-week, and keep abreast of air fares either through your travel agent or online.

If you are planning a vacation abroad or stateside, here are ten advantages in choosing a travel agent to book your trip.

1. Travel agents can recommend destinations more than any online travel company because they have been there. For years, travel agents have been given free or discounted trips by tour operators so they can effectively sell that destination to clients. Moreover, travel agents are more likely to travel to areas here and abroad more than once – just to stay abreast of new hotels, accommodations, amenities, local tour operators, and areas of interest.
2. Travel agents are experienced. Agents are mandated to take courses to learn how to operate and understand reservation systems such as SABRE, for example. This reservation system is given by American Airlines in a week-long training process. The agent learns how to obtain fares and how to price complex itineraries.
3. An agent who owns their own agency has to be certified in order to establish their business. These agents must gain formal approval from suppliers or corporations such as airlines, ship lines, or rail lines to extend credit on reservations and ensure payment. The Airlines Reporting Corporation and the International Airlines Travel Agency Network are the approving bodies for airlines. To gain approval, an agency must be financially sound and employ at least one experienced manager or travel agent.
4. Tour operators rely on travel agents to promote their destinations. The tour operators provide year-round workshops, trips, and other literature and media to enhance the travel agent’s knowledge in a specific area.
5. Travel agents have the ability to work directly with airlines and hotels for group tours, thus enjoying substantial savings for the client. They are visited by representatives of hotels, tour operators, and airlines who constantly update the agent with rates and information relevant to their clientele.
6. Agents are the first to receive the latest literature from tour operators, hotels, and sightseeing operators showcasing their destinations as well as prices for the upcoming year.
7. Utilizing a travel agent is akin to one-stop shopping. Whatever package or non-package you desire, the travel agent can accommodate you. Further, the agent will book your flight, provide a seat number on the flight, order meals where applicable, issue your airline ticket and boarding pass, provide you with an itinerary (directly from the tour operator, if you booked a package), go over every portion of the package with you, provide you with flight insurance if needed, and answer any and all questions you may have.
8. Who is better to discuss a future destination with than a travel agent, especially one who has been there? The same cannot be said for online travel companies who may or may not have feedback from clients posted on their website.
9. Travel agents have more knowledge about destinations, airline travel, airports, sightseeing tours, and tour operators than anyone else in the industry. Moreover, they can alert you to problem areas where travel would not be appropriate. They can talk to you about the best time of day to visit certain attractions, offer suggestions on off-the-beat places to visit in certain countries, recommend tour packages that are more suited to your needs, and provide an overall sense of what destinations you would like.
10. It is the fact that the travel agent gets to know each client individually that sets them apart from the online travel companies. They do not just hand out a brochure on a whim, or book any flight to a destination. They listen and ask direct questions such as: Is this your first time traveling abroad? What are your likes and dislikes? How much time do you have to spend on this vacation? What is your budget? What are your interests?

It is this personal touch that allows the agent to research destinations and come up with one that is right for you. Of course, if you have a place in mind they will find the best possible tour and/or rate for you.

The internet may be a great recourse for many things, but the one thing it lacks is the human factor. Contact your travel agent for your next trip – they are truly indispensable.