How to travel with teens (Age 13+)

Teenagers are often moody, lazy and friend-obsessed, they are also the ones who can make or break a family holiday. Even though they may not show it, teenagers are often up for having a good time with the family – it just takes a group effort. Follow these simple tips for travelling with your teenager:

*Before You Go*

Ask for your teens input – When you’re busy planning your holiday, it’s a good idea to gather everyone together and figure out what kind of holiday each person in the family wants. If you let your teen join in and help plan the trip, they will feel more involved and your holiday will start out on a positive note.

Set a budget – When you are on holiday it’s so easy to blow your budget on all sorts of things you don’t actually need. If you give your teen a specific budget and let them keep leftover money, they’ll feel like they have some sort of responsibility and will be less likely to spend it all on souvenirs.  

Give your teen space – If it is possible try and book adjoining hotel rooms or rooms adjacent to one another. If you rent a holiday home, make sure they have their own room – teenagers love their privacy! And when they have their own private space, it’ll make them feel like the adults they want to be.

*In the Air*

Have plenty of snacks handy – You may think that the little ones will give you trouble when they’re hungry, well your teens are actually the ones that will remain calm if their stomachs are full! Bring along some tasty snacks like trail mix, protein bars, sarmies and a few sweet treats.

Give them responsibilities – Teens may not want to take on responsibilities, but when it comes down to it they are growing adults and they should be ready to help. Ask your teen to do some simple tasks, like take their younger brother or sister to the bathroom, having some kind of responsibility will keep them from getting so bored and it’ll make them feel more grown up.

*On the Ground*

Bend the rules – Obviously teenagers need discipline, but if keeping the peace means having dessert before dinner or going to the movies instead of the museum, then just go along with it! Remember that arguing about silly things like what to eat and where to go won’t make your holiday very enjoyable.

Let your teen choose and activity – If the only thing your teen wants to do is go to the theme park, then let them do it. After days of visiting museums, churches and fancy restaurants it can get a bit boring for a teenager, they’ll remember the night on the bumper cars more than the exhibits they saw at the museum.

No parent wants to leave their teen behind when they go on a family holiday and you don’t have to! Use these easy tips to make sure your holiday with your teenager will run smoothly and successfully.

Do you need a speedy, reliable shuttle service to transport you to and from Cape Town International Airport? Contact Airport Shuttle today! Looking for an affordable, self-catering accommodation, 808 Cartwright can provide you with a luxurious, comfy apartment with great views of the Mother City.

Written By: Christine Romans 

How to sleep peacefully on a plane!

Everyone can agree that traveling can be a stressful task. Whether you are flying a short distance or flying to the other side of the world, the stress is all the same. Short travels seem to be a little easier as they are over before you know it, however the long flights seem to last for what seems an eternity. The better prepared you are for a flight the better the experience. Here are some tips on how to get some proper sleep on those long tedious journeys.

     ·         Plan your journey carefully 

When planning your itinerary, it is smarter to opt for the non-stop flight. There is nothing worse than getting comfortable and drifting off to a deep sleep and being interrupted only to change planes. However if your flight plan doesn't have a non-stop flight option, try choosing an option with the longest single leg as this will give you ample resting time and you’ll have more uninterrupted time to snooze.

When choosing a seat, remember that the closer to the front of the plane you are the quieter your flight will be. If you have miles saved up and you’re able to splurge for the longest single leg flight, it would be wise to opt for the business-class. If you aren't able to afford such luxury’s, a smarter option will be choosing a window seat in the Emergency exit row, you won’t be disturbed by neighbours and you will have all the room you need to stretch out.

     ·         Dress for comfort

When getting dressed and ready for your flight it is important to remember that you are not entering a beauty pageant, you are about to sit in a seat for a lengthy period and there is nothing worse than being in clothes you can’t truly relax in. In your carry on it is a good idea to pack a pair of comfortable pyjama bottoms and some woolly socks. When the plane has reached its cruising point and you are able to get up and walk around you should use this opportunity to brush your teeth, wash your face and climb into something a little more comfortable. Once you return your seat please keep your seatbelt buckled at all times.

     ·         Prepare your body

Keep hydrated during the day so you can avoid eating and drinking on the plane and adding unnecessary bathroom breaks. Most people will use sleeping pills and other prescription sleeping aids to help them get some rest, its recommended that you consult a medical professional before jumping to these extremes. If the sleeping pills don’t work people jump to alcohol as the next best thing, however its probably the worst. Alcohol coupled with the dry air can cause you to dehydrate and make you wake up with nightmares. Avoid caffeine and sugar; rather drink sips of water but not too much as you’ll be running to the restroom every hour.

If none of these tips help and you still find you are struggling to sleep, you can always rest. Switching on a movie will just waken you more; try closing your eyes with some music on and lay back, more often than not you’ll land up getting some sleep in. If you don’t get any sleep at all at least you’ll be more rested than if you had been fully alert the entire flight.

If you need comfortable, self catering apartment to rest and recuperate from your long journey. Contact 808 Cartwright. For transport to and from Cape Town International Airport. Contact Airport Shuttle.

What to do in Cape Town this weekend (23rd – 25th January 2015)

Do you want to experience Cape Town this weekend? Don’t hide indoors because of the intense summer heat, enjoy the sunshine and make the most out of it this weekend in the Mother City.

Oude Libertas Summer Season Festival – 23 January

If live music in a beautiful setting seems like just what the doctor ordered then this series of wonderful outdoor concerts, showcasing the finest musical talent around will definitely tickle your fancy. The music concerts highlight a variety of different music from Viennese waltz, local pop-rock to sultry salsa music and even a local take on a timeless opera. There’s bound to be something for your taste and with the Oude Liberatas Amphitheatre as a venue, you can look forward to a concert surrounded by the beautiful Stellenbosch.

Date: 23 Jan 2015 - 08 Mar 2015
Time: 20:15 until late
Venue: Oude Libertas Amphitheatre
Price: R120 – R180

Saturday Pool Party at Shimmy Beach Club – 24 January

This summer there will be a series of weekend Pool Parties at the lavish Shimmy Beach Club, so get ready for some fun in the sun. Invite your friends and family to wind down for the evening around the beautiful glistening pools, amazing sea views, all while soaking up some top tunes. Unlike the smart Friday night jols, the Saturday affair is quite toned down, with bikinis, board shorts and bare feet being the dress code for the day. In between the top-notch DJ's (Dan Healy, Byron Soulful, Gareth Kenward, Branny B) there will also be a wide variety of entertainment from break dancing, acrobatics, and a foam machine to snacks and delicious cocktails.

Date: 24 Jan 2015
Time: 15:00 until late
Venue: Shimmy Beach Club
Price: R100 – R500

ERF 81 Food Market – 25 January
Grab your friends and family and head out to the ERF 81 Food Market in Tamboerskloof this Sunday. If you want to make a difference then this is the ideal place to spend the day, as the market focuses on promoting food security and a sustainable livelihood. All the food crops are grown organically and on the slopes of Signal Hill and then sold at the market for everyone to enjoy. If you attend you can look forward to a wide array of tasty baked treats, home-brewed coffee and delicious fresh produce.
 
Date: 25 Jan 2015
Time: 09:00 – 14:00
Venue: ERF 81
Price: FREE

This weekend, Cape Town is alive with activities and interesting events, whether it be a festival or a pool party or just a organic food market that makes a difference. Take your pick and enjoy your time away from the office.

For an affordable, comfy, self-catering apartment contact 808 Cartwright for great weekend accommodation. Do you need a reliable shuttle service to get you to and from Cape Town International Airport? Give Airport Shuttle a call now!

Written By: Christine Romans

Perfect padkos gear for your travels

When you travel it can be difficult to keep you snacks and drinks simple and easy to access, from leaky juice bottles to meals turning stale – sometimes it’s just such a hassle! On your next road trip, make sure you snack in style and add these clever gadgets to your padkos travel pack.

Collapsible water bottle – R18 from Silver Lining
When you travel it’s important for you to stay hydrated, this 740ml water bottle is perfect for travel hydration. Even better, when the bottle is empty you can fold it neatly and stick it under the car seat or in your bag. Make a note not to squeeze the bottle too tightly when you’re sipping otherwise you’ll spill.

Seal Sticks – R43 for six from Pick ‘n Pay or Plasticland
You won’t ever have to worry about keeping your food fresh with these nifty little Seal Sticks,  Simply fold the packet closed and slide over a seal stick and it keeps the air and moisture out of your snacks. They also come in all different sizes for different packet lengths.

Sistema “sauce-to-go” bottles – R79 Plasticland
None of us like eating dry food, whether its hot dogs or leftover meatballs, you need to add sauce or it’s just not complete! Luckily these tiny Sistema “sauce-to-go” bottles are tiny and convenient; just fill them up with tomato sauce, mayonnaise, mustard or whatever your favourite sauce may be.

Compleat Foodskin – R139 from Superbalist
Empty Tupperwares can take up a lot of space in your car or bag when they’re empty, never fear the Compleat Foodskin is here! The bottom tray makes up a solid base for your sarmie and the soft silicone lid stretches around your bread, keeping it together and fresh. Not only that but when it is empty it’s completely flat meaning you can store it anywhere.

The Lunch Pot – R220 from I Love Stuff
This is a trendy set of containers perfect for padkos, you can store your cereal in one container and your milk in the other so it doesn't go soggy. It also includes a spork and a carry strap for good measure! The Lunch Pot comes in three different colours and the smaller pot fits in the bigger pot for easy storing.

When you go on a road trip, whether it’s with family or friend padkos is an essential, so instead of your perfectly prepared snacks falling all over the place and taking up valuable space, keep them in order with this cool padkos gear.

Need a great, self-catering apartment after your long roadtrip? Contact 808 Cartwright and book now. For an affordable, reliable airport shuttle service - Airport Shuttle in Cape Town is your solution.

Written By: Christine Romans 

8 tips to stay healthy while you travel

When we travel for work or for a vacation we have to put up with a lot of health-related things: Recycled airplane air, fatty foods, fancy cocktails and copious amounts of hidden germs! All these things can put strain on our immune systems, so here’s how to stay fit as a fiddle no matter where you are travelling.

Stay hydrated – In order to keep all your systems going you need to drink your daily water requirement. Travelling can be dehydrating for your body, so if you can try to stock your car, backpack or hotel room with nice cold bottles of water. Always bring water wherever you go!

Avoid the minibar – Alcohol, sweets, chocolates and fizzy drinks, this is basically all you will find majority of minibars. Not only are these things extremely unhealthy for you but they are also ridiculously overpriced. Instead of getting sucked in by the minibar’s stock of unhealthy treats, pack your own drinks and snacks.

Pack snacks – Always carry back-up snacks in case you’re travelling and can’t find anything healthy to eat. Stick to fresh or dried fruits, protein bars, cereal etc. You will save money and you won’t be tempted to buy MacDonald’s or any other fast food ever again.

Check out the hotel gym – Hotels, apartments and guest houses have definitely gotten into the fitness craze recently! When you are booking yourself accommodation check first to see if there is a gym available, that way you can spend some time on the treadmill – your body will thank you later! (Contact 808 Cartwright if you are in need of a quality, comfy, self-catering apartment - with complimentary gym access!)

Steer clear of airplane germs – Before you settle into your seat get out your disinfectant wipes and do a quick wipe down of the cushions, armrests and the table tray. If it is possible avoid the in flight restroom at all costs!

Stretch – Are you planning a long 12 hour flight with no layover? Well here’s how to avoid DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis) or painful leg cramping by exercising your foot and calf muscles regularly:

        ·      Bend and straighten your legs, feet and toes when you are seated.

        ·      Increase the blood flow to your legs by pressing the balls of your feet down hard against the floor.

        ·      Take a walk up and down the aisle

Avoid the Top Ten tainted foods – There is a new report that lists the tainted foods that are most likely to make you sick, sadly these include some of the best foods! If you buy them organically or from an upscale restaurant you will probably avoid getting sick:

       ·   Berries

       ·     Sprouts

       ·     Tomatoes

       ·       Ice cream

       ·       Potatoes

       ·       Cheese

       ·       Oysters

       ·       Tuna

       ·       Eggs

       ·       Leafy greens

Choose a quality hand sanitizer – Hand sanitizers and soaps kill as many as 40 000 germs per hand! So when it comes to fighting bacteria when travelling and you can’t get to a sink, hand sanitizers are your best bet. When you choose a hand sanitizer try to buy one with at least 60% alcohol in it.

As fun as travelling is, it can also be an unhealthy experience for you, so always try to choose the healthier options and cut your immune system some slack!

Airport Shuttle in Cape Town can provide you with a reliable, affordable shuttle service too and from Cape Town International Airport, contact us today!

Written By: Christine Romans

Most important travel trends of 2015

Remember when you actually had to go to an airport check-in counter to get your boarding pass? When calling home from abroad cost an unreasonable fee (hat tip, Skype), or when catching a shuttle service meant waiting for hours on end? (hat tip, Airport Shuttle). So what’s on the horizon for 2015? Take a look at the trends that are changing the way we move through the world.

Your rental will look more like a hotel
Have you heard of Airbnb? Well it’s a sign of things to come. Take the new Drift San Jose in Los Cabos, Mexico; you won’t be able to book through a website, but only through Airbnb! So it’s becoming clear that the line between hotels and rentals is becoming more and more blurred.

Airports will follow your every move
If your phone starts buzzing the next time you’re in an airport, it could be location-specific alerts enabled by nearby “beacons,” low-frequency Bluetooth sensors that can tell you which currency-exchange counters have the best rates, how long it’ll take to reach your gate and other useful tips. The amazing technology is already being used in airports from San Francisco to Amsterdam!

You’ll sleep better on the road
Las Vegas may be the best place to rest up right now! At the MGM Grand in 171 rooms there have been enhancements in lighting and furniture design in order to help you sleep better at night. Here’s what hotels are using to improve your bedtime routine:
- Stay Well Dawn Simulator
- Noise-reducing headboards
- Healthy mattress
- Sleep monitors

You’ll take a new route overseas
The latest way to get to Sydney is via a Qantas A380 from Dallas, the longest flight in the world! It is 8500 miles and almost 16 hours door-to-door. This is one of the many new flights launched by top-notch international carriers that are making extremely long travel more appealing for people. Here are some additions in 2014 and 2015:
- Cathay Pacific: Boston to Hong Kong
- Japan Airlines: Los Angeles to Osaka
- Emirates: Chicago to Dubai; Boston to Dubai

Your phone will become your wallet
Mobile transactions are going to become the new normal! Sync your credit and debit cards with Google Wallet or Apple’s Passbook and you’ll be able to buy things simply by placing your phone in front of a sensor at checkout.

You’ll be tempted by a new class of seats
Singapore Airlines has confirmed that it will introduce this so-called fourth class of seating later this year, Japan Airlines has also completely revamped its version, so it’s easier to see the appeal: friendlier fares paired with business-style perks and amenities, including greater seat pitch, better meals, privacy dividers and airport lounge access. So it’s a sign that premium economy is here to stay.

The changes ahead for 2015 are more than just improvements; this will be a year of expanding horizons.

For a self-catering, affordable apartment contact 808 Cartwright. so you need a fast reliable shuttle service to and from Cape Town International Airport? Contact Airport Shuttle.

Written By: Christine Romans

What to do in Cape Town this weekend (16th – 18th January 2015)

It’s the beginning of a new year in the Mother City and that means endless amounts of weekend activities. This weekend get ready for anything from big parties to cars and dinosaurs! Looking for something to do? Here are some great ideas.

Friday Anthems Party at Shimmy Beach Club – 16 January

Cape Town’s exclusive Shimmy Beach Club is bringing a touch of Mediterranean nightlife to the Mother City. The oceanfront club will be throwing a series of amazing parties every Friday evening until the 27^th of February 2015. If you love deep house beats, the feel of soft sand beneath your feet and the scent of sea and sunscreen then these Ibiza-style parties may be just the thing for you! The prominent DJ’s playing this Friday are Deztract, SOX, Chris Taylor and Branny B.

Date: 16 January 2015
Time: 17:00 until late
Venue: Shimmy Beach Club
Price: R100 – R500

Classic Car and Bike Show – 17 January
If you’re a motor head, then get ready to be amazed! The 15^th annual Classic Car and Bike show gives modern classic cars such as hot rods, street rods, modified and custom vehicles along with race cars and motorcycles, and the chance to flex their muscles! This is more than just a fine car show, it has a worthy cause – it’s also a charity fundraiser that supports IPA (International Police Association) not to mention it is a total family affair with a wide range of food stalls, a beer garden and even a jumping castle to keep the kids busy.

Date: 17 January
Time: 10:00 – 16:00
Venue: Timour Hall
Price: FREE – R30

Dinos Alive Dinosaur Exhibition & Play Park – 18 January
Grab the kids and the rest of the family and jump back in time to the Jurassic period! Then only place you need to go this Sunday is the DinosAlive dinosaur exhibition and play park at the Red Shed in the V&A Waterfront. The Oceanside warehouse has been transformed into something from a scene in Jurassic Park, with nine life-sized animatronic dinosaur models that make actual sounds and movements. Some of the beasts on display include the ferocious T-Rex and the horned Triceratops, not only that but there will be a display of real fossils, a dino café, arcade dino rides and an array of fun activities.

Date: 18 January
Time: 10:00 – 19:00
Venue: Red Shed at the V&A Waterfront
Price: FREE – R50

So another weekend is upon us in 2015 and there is always plenty to do, so grab your friends, family or partner, because it’s all happening in the Mother City!

For an affordable, comfy place to stay this weekend, contact 808 Cartwright and we can offer you a great self-catering apartment. Need transport to and from Cape Town International Airport? Airport Shuttle can help you out and provide a fast, reliable shuttle service.

Written By: Christine Romans