Where you decide to visit is really up to you. Instead of returning to your old familiar haunts, try reading some travel books beforehand, and visiting some different places.

If you have never been to Ireland, try starting in Dublin and then driving around the isle and departing from Shannon airport.Staying at Bed and Breakfast inns along the way is enjoyable, and provides a glimpse of the culture.

If you are searching for furniture, England has wonderful antiques.

In Germany why not bypass Munich and go to Regensburg instead. Equally as Bavarian, this town is relaxed and pleasant without so many tourists.

When visiting Switzerland, check out Interlaken. Located between two lakes, it is a spa town with some of the best fondue you will ever eat.

Wherever you decide to go, you will be switching United States dollars into the currency of the area. This can be problematic for a couple of reasons. The first is that you can get all befuddled not knowing what the money is worth and how much you might really be spending on an item. The other is that just the act of exchanging money can cost you.

Here are some times for exchanging currency:

- Don’t exchange lots of money before you leave home. This can be some of the most expensive money you get.

- Following the same logic, the rate of exchange at your arrival airport may not be your best either.

- Before leaving home, see if your bank has a partner bank abroad. This could serve to save you fees.

- Watch out for transaction charges if you are using your credit card.

Another piece of advice to pull all of this together, is to spend your money as wisely overseas as you would at home. Just because it’s a different color, and just because you’re on vacation, and just because your mind wants to think it’s play money, is no reason to go crazy wild on a spending spree.

Be smart about your money whereever you are.

A log cabin makes an ideal choice of winter holiday accommodation because they are warm, cosy and all well-equipped enough to keep even the most bored teenager amused. Under floor heating throughout the entire cabin will ensure that there are no cold spots where you can catch a chill. Some cabins even come with log burners and this sort of luxury log cabins make an ideal romantic break

In the spring when the weather is variable a log cabin holidays is again one of the best type that you can have. With the days slowly growing longer you will be able to appreciate the truly magnificent views that some of these log cabins have to offer. Log cabins in the Lake District have particularly fantastic views as many of them are located at the water’s edge.

If hot tubs and barbecues are more your thing then choosing to stay in a luxury log cabin in the summer months can be a fantastic decision. The hot tubs are usually on the decking and will take full advantage of the splendid views to be had. The barbecues are conveniently located within easy reach of the kitchen so you will be able to take full advantage of the decking area and eat you meals out on it until late in the evening during these warmer summer months.

With the autumn months being quite similar to the spring months but perhaps a little bit warmer a log cabin can be a magnificent place to appreciate the golden leaves that cover the trees. Like taking a holiday in the winter you will find that the log cabin warm and well equipped so that you can deal with the variable weather that you will undoubtedly encounter.

1. Bring along a small flashlight. All of a sudden, the city you are in might face severe weather and you might have to cope with power outages. By having a flashlight with you at all times, you won’t be suddenly in an unfamiliar surrounding. At night, you can (and should) keep the flashlight next to your bed.

2. Do you take and prescription medication or any over-the-counter pills? If so, be sure that you have enough meds for your entire trip, as well as a written message from your physician justifying the medicine you are carrying. For longer periods away from home (and, therefore, the need to a bigger amount of medication), watch out not to carry too many meds at once. They are called “drugs,” after all. Certain prescription medicines might be forbidden according to your destination, so check that out too.

3. Leave all the valuables you can at home. Forget about gold chains, fancy watches, jewelry, brand luggage or anything that yells “money” or “status.” The only thing worse than that is the Hawaiian shirt with a big camera hanging on your neck – acting like this in a developing country is almost like asking to be mugged. If you have ever seen those people with huge backpacking backpacks attached to their backs, try to follow their example: less is more.

4. By all means, avoid extra headaches and travel with only one or two credit cards. Carry them, as well as important documents and the bulk of your currency, in travel money belts to avoid major problems with pickpockets.

These were my four tips to help your trip be safer. I hope you have fun traveling!

Some questions that you may wish to consider bringing up with your travel agent include the following: Do the hotels in each city provide a breakfast for the proposed nightly room rate? Having your breakfast provided, or even just a cup of coffee or tea, can save you and your traveling companions a considerable amount on your food budget. Also, inquire whether the hotel provides wireless internet access, and if so, whether that access is free for hotel guests. Ensuring that your accommodation provides wifi, providing you are traveling with a laptop computer, will allow you access to online travel resources, and will let you share your experiences abroad with friends and family at home, without the hassle of having to locate a local internet café or pay an hourly wireless rate.

Finally, although your travel agent is likely familiar with booking Tuscany vacations for clients, be sure to do your own research. Read up on the areas that you are visiting, via either internet resources, or a recognized publisher of travel guides, to learn everything there is to know about the region. Frequently, travel packages will ensure that you see and experience the most famous landmarks and activities of a region, but will not take into account your personal interests. Doing your own research can help you to locate areas that may be of special interest to no one but you, such as the best café that is known only by the locals, or a special book or music seller.

Whether you eventually choose to book a Tuscany vacation package, or to make those arrangements yourself, a Tuscany vacation promises to deliver an excitement and romanticism that is truly unique, and hard to locate in any other area of the world.

For more information about Italy, be sure to check out Italian Lakes Holidays.

You guys can plan on going to the beach. When summer is near you know it is time to hit the beach. It is the perfect place to go for a swim, learn to surf, or to lounge and sun bathe all day long. The family can have endless games of soccer, volleyball, or football. The beach is also a good place to bring you dog. The Zoo is also another great option for children. I personally love going to the zoo to also see the giraffes and monkeys. If you and your family haven’t been to the zoo this year I would highly recommend adding this to your list of fun and inexpensive things to do. If the beach or the zoo has already been done on the last several months, then you should plan a hiking trip. Hiking never gets old, and you can make it a learning experience as well. Hiking, no matter where you live or what country you are in, you can almost always find good hiking trails.

If you can’t find it within your budget to plan family vacations every year, there are always creative ways to still go on vacations with your family even if you stay in your own country, state, or even your own city. You and your family could also start a travel blog so that it can make it a more interactive experience, and it will stir the excitement much like if you were going somewhere exotic.

I’ve been living in Bali, Indonesia for the last 8 months and have a new perspective on trying to earn a living from your laptop when you stay in a foreign country for several months, rather than travelling and moving on every few days. Lots of information for expat freelancers on the way!

So many apologies for my extended absence but we will be back – bigger and better than before!

This blog will be focused on general travel and backpacking topics but also about making money while travelling, particularly from freelance web design, writing and other ways of making money from a laptop in the middle of nowhere!

I hope you enjoy reading. Please contact me with any questions, comments or suggestions: rach@travelswithmylaptop.com