Southwest Louisville Public Library9725 Dixie Highway,

Louisville, Kentucky 40272

In this presentation we are going to demonstrate how to plan your next vacation using resources from the Louisville Public Library to….

In addition, we will also be providing you with a worksheet you can use next time you are planning a vacation and tips on how to ensure your home is safe while you are gone

• Think about hobbies or areas of interest and use these as a basis in your search to find the optimal destinations to visit

• Consider more than one destination for your trip, and think about friends or family you could visit along the way

Visit the library or use the online catalog to search for books that can provide more insight places you may like to visit.

Keyword Examples: • Top US Destinations by category

(such as national monuments, outdoor activities, world record holders, National Parks, etc.)

• Traveling with children, Traveling with Pets

• Road Trip

• Top Dining in the US

Use the library’s internet services to visit websites to find out about destinations you might want to visit

Use Websites such as TripAdvisor.com to find reviews or locations and suggested attractions

• When choosing a date, keep in mind holidays because costs for hotel, car rental or flights are typically increased

• Consider using a non-traditional accommodations website such as airbnb.com

• Sign up for e-newsletters, specials and promotions from airlines or hotels to get great deals

• If driving, using google maps to plan your route and print or email directions

To determine the best method of travel for you and your family, it might be helpful to research or check out books on that topic.

Visit a variety of websites that specifically cater to either air transportation, Hotels, or car rental

OR choose an all-in-one site and determine a bundle package for the best deal

Air Transportation

•Kayak.com

•Expedia.com

•Hotwire.com

•Southwest.com

•AllegiantAir.com

•Travelocity.com

•Tripvigo.com, etc.

Ground Transportation:

•Car Rental: Carrentals.com,

•Individual Car Rental company websites

•Budget

•Hertz

•Dollar

•Avis

•Enterprise

Estimating Gas and time to drive: FuelEconomy.gov

•Bus or Train Transportation:http://www.routefriend.com/

•Hotel/Accommodations

•Hotels.com

•AirBnB.com

Bundle or “name your own price sites”

•Priceline.com

•BookingBuddy.com

•Dealbase.com

•TripIt.com

• If traveling with children, remember to pack activities and snacks

• If traveling with multiple children of different ages, remember to pack multiple sets of ear phones

• Remember to think about restaurants you would like to visit

In addition to checking out fiction and non-fiction books from the library, you can also find books with activities along your route.

Keeping kids entertained while on a long drive can be a challenge, but the National Geographic Kids Ultimate U.S. Road Atlas can help. This book includes easy-to-read, simple road maps of each state and Washington, D.C., and a map of the United States. State symbols, cool things to do, boredom busters, fun facts, wacky roadside attractions, and games accompany the maps and provide engaging information with stunning photographs that will keep kids engaged for hours. In the back matter, a comprehensive index makes it easy for kids to look up names and places.

To top it all off, everything is presented in colorful NG Kids style, allowing kids to learn as they ride and have a blast doing it! From the Trade Paperback edition.

Visit a variety of websites to find activities or find fun ideas to keep

you entertained while you travel or places to visit once you arrive at

your destination.

Using the library’s resources, you can rent or download audio books, CD’s or DVD’s…..

Once You’ve planned your trip, you’ll also want to make sure you pack accordingly and ensure that your home is secure while you are traveling. You can use

the library’s resources to help with this too!!

Packing Tips Home Security

Use the Library to find books about packing or use the internet to find packing checklists.

Search the library’s catalog for books pertaining to packing

Use the internet to find downloadable packing list.

Pinterest it one of the best sources for this!

Using the library’s internet resources, find articles and checklists to ensure that your home will be safe while you travel

Getting you and the family ready to travel is essential, but making sure your home is ready while you travel is equally important. Checking a few small things will help ensure that your house is safe and sound when you return home.

These tips were found by searching the internet and using the keywords: “Home Security while Traveling”

Lighting - To give the appearance that someone is still home, you may want to consider installing a timer that operates interior

lights at the times you would normally be home. It is also a good idea to use motion-sensing lights on the exterior and to unplug holiday lights before you leave on vacation.

Mail - If you are going away for a week or more, you should stop your mail delivery. You may stop your mail online on the United

States Postal Service Web site. You will also want to stop delivery or have someone pick up your newspapers while you are gone.

Security- Before leaving home, you should make sure that all door and window locks are in good working order and locked. A

broom stick or dowel in the track will add security to sliding doors. It is also a good idea to keep windows covered, and keep expensive items, like jewelry and electronics, away from sight. If your house has a security system, you should turn it on when you walk out the door.

This presentation was created by Dotz Connections.

www.DotzConnections.com