March Break ideas for the kidsTips for stress-free travel(NC)Looking forward to March Break? Visit your library. Your local library is a (NC)With the children out of school for a flight as early in the day as possible and avoid Chances are your child will say a definitive great resource for free family entertain-March Break, it seemed like a great idea to the last flight out. Delays tend to happen as the yes! especially if they're off to a sunny ment. Pick up a book to learn some arts and book a family trip. Now, faced with bags to day goes on, so booking an early flight limits destination. But if you're a parent stuck in crafts, research fun recipes, borrow kid-pack, kids to entertain and unpredictable the chances of getting stuck at the airport.town with zero plans and a limited budget, friendly DVDs, or check if the library is run-weather threatening to delay your travel plans, Don't lose a day of vacation because your lug-figuring out how to entertain the little ones ning any special March Break programs.are you having second thoughts?gage is lost. Protect yourself by booking your trip for a week or two can be exhausting. Here Kid swap. If your friend's kids are also Relax or at least think about how relaxed on a credit card that has Delayed and Lost are some ideas to kick-start your March stuck in town, arrange to watch them along you'll be when you get to your destination! You Baggage Insurance. Just to be safe, make sure Break plans:with your own kids and then swap the next may not be able to control the weather, but plan-your carryon includes destination musthaves, Go on a mini road trip. Visit a town that day. That way, you can get some much ning ahead will help you manage any travel hic-like a swimsuit and sandals, so that if your lug-you're not too familiar with and spend time needed rest and relaxation. It's called March cups so you can enjoy a stress-free holiday.gage is delayed for a few hours, you can head to walking around, taking in the sights, dining Break for a reason.As a travel enthusiast, TD Credit Cards the beach while you wait for your bags.at local eateries, and meeting the people. It Board games. Remember what those are? Associate Vice President, Stacie Pearson, has Avoid surprises by budgeting for all costs. will be a refreshing change of pace and scen-Playing a board game is a great way to spend some experience with reducing travel stress and While big ticket items are easy to calculate, ery for your family.time together as a family and have face time offers her top tips for travelers this March Break:costs including airport transfers and taxes Let it snow. If snow has blanketed your as opposed to video games. If your collec-Drive to the airport. Avoid worrying if your often get overlooked. Many travelers experi-neighbourhood, make the most of it. Don tion doesn't intrigue your kids, purchase a family and your luggage will all squeeze into ence the pinch of unexpected costs such as the kids in their winter gear and help them new game that everyone agrees on.one airport limo or taxi. Set your own schedule weight restrictions. Consider using a credit make a snowman for the front lawn or bring Before you know it, March Break will be and drive your own car to a secure and conve-card that offers travel reward points that you them to a park so they can toboggan or over and you'll have some happy kids to nient airport parking lot. Keep in mind that can use for more than just the plane ticket make snow angels and forts.show for it. Have fun!some travel credit cards will let you redeem airport parking, taxes, even a massage at the points for airport parking so that you can resort's spa. Being able to offset these costs include it in the total cost of your vacation.with points will help to significantly reduce Staying close to home this March Break?Take the earliest flight possible. Try to book your total travel expenses.(NC)Staying close to home this March family to an extra special few days away. A hotel AdvertorialBreak? You are not alone. With all that the with a pool for the kids and room service for you Canadian winter has to offer, many families will can make a weekend away almost as good as a Spend March Break with Fred Astaire Dance!stay at home instead of heading south. In fact, a trip to the tropics.Its never too early or too late to introduce dance looking for a new challenge, Fred Astaire Dance recent TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite Card Can't get away for a whole week? Neither into your life and theres no better place to start than Studios of Canada has and continues to set the stan-survey showed that half of Canadians say their can most Canadians. The TD poll showed that with the Fred Astaire Dance Studios of Canada.dard of excellence in ballroom dance.next trip will either be in their own province or Canadians choose to take short trips over lon-Offering the best dance instruction available in Whether you are starting out with a partner, or to another Canadian province (33% and 18% ger trips. While 62 per cent of Canadians took at North America in the traditional Latin and ballroom wish to begin on your own, get a head-start on respectively).least one weekend getaway trip of 14 nights, styles, social dance, as well as wedding dance chore-your dancing skills by calling one of Fred Astaire Even if you aren't travelling far from home, only 39% took at least one weeklong trip. ography, Fred Astaire Dance Studios covers all the Dance Studioss two locations in the Halton/with the right travel reward credit card, you will Stretch your weekend travel budget by using latest trends in dance to suit your individual needs. Niagara Region. Fred Astaire Dance Studios have the flexibility to redeem points to help rewards points for expenses like train tickets, Learn how to dance the Cha-Cha, Rumba, Swing, Oakville location can be found in the towns beauti-cover the costs of your March Break activities, car rentals or ski lift tickets.Mambo, Samba, Bolero, Waltz, Tango, Foxtrot, ful downtown core at 225 Lakeshore Road East says Stacie Pearson, Associate Vice President, A good credit card will have benefits in addi-Meringue, Two-Step, Polka, and Country Western and can be reached at 905-815-3237, or call the TD Credit Cards.tion to your travel rewards points, says Pearson. from these trained and qualified professionals.Fred Astaire Dance Studios of Hamilton, located in Pearson offers some examples of often over-For example, check if your credit card offers For those of you beginning your dancing journey the Westdale area at 1092 Main St. West 905-522-looked ways that travel reward points can save 24hour concierge service for booking entertain-who wish to discover your creativity, develop your 3237. To find out more information about their you money close to home:ment and dining. Even if you're staying close to confidence, and meet new friends, your instructors other locations, call 1-888-97-DANCE or visit their Turn a day trip into a long weekend: home, you can make your week off more relaxing will be there to help. For the more advanced dancer website at www.fredastaire.ca.redeem points for a hotel room and treat your by taking advantage of this benefit.Spring is the time to let loose. And swing dance is the perfect way to have fun and stay fit. Call the dance professionals at Fred Astaire Dance Studio. Theyll show you how to put swing in your step this Spring.*Spring Special! 5 lessons for $25Learn with or without a partner. *Limited to first 35 callers.*New adult students over 21 years only.OAKVILLE:HAMILTON:225 Lakeshore Rd. East1092 Main Street W.(2nd Floor)905 522-3237905 815-3237www.insideHALTON.com OAKVILLE BEAVER Wednesday, March 9, 2011 22