Why Caravanning is A Great Vacation Choice for the Family

If you have a family with young children, then you are probably already aware of how difficult a process going to the airport and catching a flight can be. Not to mention organizing the accommodation, sorting out all the activities, making sure that the travel arrangements are sorted, etc. Why not choose a way of vacationing that can take a lot of this stress away from you. Yes, you will have to travel by car, but the who process will be a lot more straightforward, and as long as you have sorted the kid’s car entertainment out beforehand, you should be fine. Here are some reasons caravaning make sense:

Image from Pixabay

Pets

If you have pets, you can take them along too. This saves you from having to find a kennel or needing someone to feed the cat. Pets are a great addition to any holiday, and the kids will appreciate having them around too. 

You Have Choice 

Once you pitch up at your desired campsite, you can use your car to come and go as you please. You can go to the city or to the beach, anywhere that has parking spaces, or that beautiful restaurant you saw on the way to the campsite. Additionally, when you are on your way, you can shop as many times as you like to stretch your legs and take toilet breaks.

Creature Comforts

One of the great advantages of a caravanning vacation is that you are not limited on the number of things you can bring. There is no weight limit for suitcases, so if you want it you can take it. Just ensure that everything is tied down inside the caravan before driving off. You can even take things such as bicycles, which can enhance your trip by giving you that little extra freedom.  

It is Something all the Family can Enjoy

Although Dad or Mom will be driving the caravan that you have either rented or bought from a 

camper dealership, the kids can get involved in where you will be staying. There are so many different types of campsites. When it comes to children, you may want one that is close to or includes a waterpark and other fun activities. Usually, they will have children’s events, given the parents some alone time. You can even get the maps out and plan little adventures, where everyone gets to pick somewhere they’d like to go that is relatively close by to the campsite. 

Less Expensive

Whether you own your own caravan or are looking to rent one, it generally works out a lot cheaper than other sorts of holidays. You can stock up on food from your local supermarket to save you having to fork out restaurant prices all week. Campsites are generally a lot cheaper than hotels. Additionally, due to the creature comforts, such as television inside the camper, it will seem like a night out just sitting in the caravan. Kid love things around the fireside too. So don’t forget the marshmallows. 

How to Take Care of Your Finances

Money is essential in the modern world, and not having enough of it or spending it all in the wrong way can definitely affect your mental and physical wellbeing for the worse. It can cause you a lot of unnecessary stress, anxiety, and depression, and this can affect your life in many ways. If you want to enhance your life, then you need to take care of your finances. By becoming sensible and being in control of your money, you will have less stress and a better send of wellbeing.

Image from Pixabay

Don’t Overspend 

The first thing you should look to do is take an honest look at your finances. How much do you take in, and how much do you spend? If you are spending more than you make, then you will be constantly in your overdraft and possibly getting deeper and deeper into debt. Only you can make this vicious cycle stop. Where do you spend a lot of money needlessly? At the corner store? At the pub? Perhaps you need to reign it in a bit and make lunches and stop going out so often. You need to learn how to live within your means. It may be difficult as it can mean a change in lifestyle, but once you learn to do this, everything will begin to fall into place.

Shop Around

Do you always buy your groceries at the same store? Well, maybe it is time to go to that budget store everyone has been going on about, and why not download some supermarket apps which can help you find some great offers and bargains. Also, look around for cheaper utilities and cheap car insurance to make as many savings as possible in your essential purchases.

Speak to a Financial Planner

If you do have debts, and these are all spread across multiple cards and loans, it may be a good idea to discuss this with a financial planner. They can help you create a workable plan and budget going forward. They will help you consolidate your debts, so it is far more manageable. Most of all, a problem shared is a problem halved. Just discussing your financial worries with a professional can make it far easier to bear. With the correct plan in place for your needs, you will be able to save money as well as get out of debt and live a less stressful life. 

Be Savvy

If you want better control of your money, you have to avoid wasting it in all forms. You should try and use coupons and apps for offers. However, you should also try and sell anything you no longer need, rather than throwing it away. Selling online, such as using Facebook buy and sell or Gumtree, among other sites, can boost your income. Also, if you require something, try and avoid buying it brand new. There are so many fantastic offers on these buy and sell sites that can save you a fortune. You may even get a taste for this kind of thing a create a side hustle buying and selling online. 

BEYOND VAN GOGH: THE IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE EXTENDING STAY IN ST. LOUIS THROUGH JANUARY 2, 2022 DUE TO HIGH DEMAND

Due to the high demand and immense popularity of the event, Beyond Van Gogh will be extending its stay at the Starry Night Pavilion through January 2, 2022. Tickets are available now at www.vangoghstlouis.com


Imagine being completely immersed in more than 300 of the greatest works of post-Impressionist artist Vincent Van Gogh. Now imagine experiencing all of this art liberated from its two-dimensional limitations into a three-dimensional experience that exhilarates every sense and brings to life one of the most influential artists the world has known. It’s all part of Beyond Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience (www.vangoghstlouis.com), which has sold over two million tickets globally, making it one of the most popular current traveling exhibitions.


Beyond Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience was created by French-Canadian Creative Director Mathieu St-Arnaud and his team at Montreal’s world-renowned Normal Studio. “We are so grateful and of course honored by the audience’s positive reaction and enthusiasm towards the experience.” commented Creative Director, Mathieu St-Arnaud. “Since it’s early inception, we knew we wanted to create a very personal and awe-inspiring experience for the audience. When we feel the appreciation, it’s hard to put into words the wonderful feeling it gives you. It’s why we do what we do and it makes all the hard work worth it.”


 “We are thrilled that audiences in St. Louis have responded so positively to Beyond Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience,” said Justin Paquin, Co-Producer, Paquin Entertainment. “We are excited that more Van Gogh fans will be able to see this exhibition.” 


Guests are transported into Van Gogh’s world through an all new, exclusively designed space comprised of three areas that segue fluidly into each other. The Education Room leads into the unique Waterfall Room which flows into the Immersive Experience Room. Freed from their frames, Van Gogh’s spectacular paintings appear on projection-swathed walls inviting guests to fully immerse themselves into the incredible detail of his work and be enveloped in his ever-shifting, swirling and colorful flowers, cafes and stunning landscapes. And, hearing the artist’s own dreams, thoughts and words set to a symphonic score drives an unmatched narrative experience.


Cinematic Van Gogh exhibitions have crossed the ocean from European cities to North America in recent years and met with great critical acclaim, with sold-out audiences in every market. Beyond Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience continues to amaze audiences and will continue its extended run in St. Louis before moving across North America. Art lovers near and far will have the opportunity to live this truly unique and unforgettable experience.


WHEN: Extended through January 2, 2022


WHERE: The Starry Night Pavilion on the grounds of the Saint Louis Galleria


TICKETS: www.vangoghstlouis.com


DETAILS: The exhibition is open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Four entry times will be available each hour. Tickets are sold online only at www.vangoghstlouis.com. Prices begin at $33.99 for adults and $19.99 for children ages 5 to 15. Children under 5 are free.


SCHOOLS INVITED TO APPLY FOR BEYOND VAN GOGH-FUNDED”KEEP LIVE ALIVE SAINT LOUIS” GRANT

One lucky St. Louis area high school will win a $5,000 grant from Keep Live Alive Saint Louis, funded by the Beyond Van Gogh exhibition.


Imagine a world without music, theatre, dance, or art. Whether you’re performing or watching, composing or listening, creating, designing or teaching, the arts enhance our lives and our spirits. Schools are urged to be creative and enter the Keep Live Alive Saint Louis 2021-2022 Grant Contest. 


Who is Eligible?: Any high school, public or private in the St. Louis Metropolitan Region.


What is the Award?: A one-time $5,000 grant for the winning entry.


What is the entry deadline?: December 3, 2021


How do I enter? Go to Keep Live Alive Saint Louis (www.keeplivealivestl.org) for more information and guidelines. Fill out the application and submit to: grants@keeplivealivestl.org

Must Do Halloween Activities For Those Who Are Sick Of Pumpkin Spice Lattes At Home

Home decoration is always the best part of Halloween. But it can drive cabin fever if you stay indoors for too long, surrounded by a pumpkin head, a plastic skeleton, and a few homemade woolly tarantulas. Halloween, despite all its fun trick or treat business, can get a little suffocating at home. You know how it is: Pumpkins everywhere and your neighbors’ usual seasonal decoration. Perhaps the familiar feeling takes away some of the Halloween magic. So before you get too bored of it, it’s time to plan something out of the ordinary and get yourself out of the house. 

Unsplash – CC0 License 

Kid-friendly spots for all

Halloween is a unique celebration that embraces safe scares for the whole family. So, it makes sense to plan a day out filled with kid-friendly activities for the right level of spookiness. Most cities have a handful of Halloween experiences that welcome families and kids in their best costumes. The Union Station in St. Louis has themed the historic railroad terminal’s rail cars for the occasion, taking families through a playful and seasonal journey. It’s worth checking your local museums and historical attractions for themed events during the spooky season. 

Concerts on the Halloween weekend for grown-ups

If you suffer from a Halloween and pumpkin spice latte overdose — it happens! —, it could be a good idea to get out and forget about ghouls and ghosts for a moment. Why not check your local concert venues for gigs during the Halloween weekends? You can book tickets online on platforms such as Vivid Seats or directly by the venue. If you’re unsure about it, take a look at the recent Vivid Seats reviews and venue feedback to figure out the best approach for your non-Halloween concert. For those in Missouri, Kansas City welcomes the legendary singer and songwriter Marco Antonio Solis and the Grupo Firme for a Latin concert that’ll make you forget about pumpkin spice latte! 

Book your very own haunting

Halloween is all about ghost stories. You may not be ready to spend a night in a haunted building with your family. But eating in a haunted restaurant sounds safe enough in comparison. St. Louis has got its own spooky history at the Lemp Mansion Restaurant and Inn. The Victorian mansion has become a popular destination for paranormal specialists. Many diners report hearing voices or spotting odd silhouettes in the restaurant, and you can even book a ghost tour to complete the day. Kansas City also has a popular haunted spot at the Succotash, as today’s restaurant is located where an old saloon used to be. You can still smell the cigars of Radar, the saloon’s regular who often sat at the bar with a cigarillo. 

For those who love horror themes

Last but not least, this one is for adults only. Leave the kids with the grandparents and book yourself a horror-themed escape room. Pursued by a cannibal, trapped in a dark room, chased by plague zombies, fighting against werewolves, or even inspired by Hitchcock’s Psycho, horror themes are becoming more and more inventive in escape rooms. Some even host live actors to complete the illusion. Will you have what it takes to escape fearfully? 

If you are in dire need of a Halloween break, it’s time to take the party outside. From safe spooky visits with the family to attending a non-Halloween concert, you’ve got a lot of options to get over your pumpkin spice latte boredom.