It’s always fascinating to me to see not only how the celebrated movies are made but also where the settings of the films are and where they were actually filmed. Every now and then, a movie features such stunning locations or backgrounds that you wish you could be physically transported to those places. This year was no exception!

Paris

Some of this year’s favorites are set in the picturesque streets of France. Woody Allen’s Midnight in Paris is centered around a group of Americans visiting the City of Lights for either business or pleasure. Paris is an inspired backdrop that becomes another character in the romantic comedy. And the setting is a Paris railway station in the Scorsese flick Hugo. In fact, many notable films have chosen the romance and intrigue of Paris to play out their tales including Before Sunset, Amelie, The Da Vinci Code and Paris, Je T’aime.

Need some inspiration? Here are some romantic Paris hotels. Hotels.com has an assortment of Paris travel guides to get you started planning your silver screen vacay. And a quick shout out to my friends at Hotels.com – I really like the new tag line “Finding You the Perfect Place”. I couldn’t agree more that where you stay truly impacts your overall travel experience, and hotels.com is a great place to begin that journey.

London

The next destination is across the Channel in Great Britain, which set the stage for The Iron Lady with best actress nominee Meryl Streep. Conveniently, London is less than 3 hours away from Paris via the Eurostar high-speed train. There’s even a tour company dedicated to London Movie Tours from the sites of Harry Potter to Bridget Jones.

If you are going to London be sure to see the inspiration from a 2011 nominee, Sherlock Holmes, 221B Baker Street where Sherlock Holmes spent his time when he was not solving cases. The building houses the Sherlock Holmes Museum and is open every day for visitors.

And don’t forget that London is the site of this summer’s 2012 Olympic Games. Here are a few London travel guides to help you plan your next hop across the pond!

Hawaii

George Clooney and his movie The Descendants are celebrating Oscar nods this year. The dramedy is set on the Hawaiian island of Kauai and is as visually stimulating as the storyline is compelling.  USA Today’s Laura Bly wrote a great article back in November about the movie’s star “Hawaii”. Have a read: http://usat.ly/uLsEy0

As if you need motivation to plan a trip to Hawaii! There is actually a

Hawaii Movie Tour that includes visiting the sites in TV such as Hawaii Five-0 and Lost, and films such as Jurassic Park, Mighty Joe Young, Pearl Harbor, 50 First Dates, You, Me and Dupree, Windtalkers, Godzilla, Very Brady Sequel, Snakes on a Plane, Krippendorf’s Tribe, George of the Jungle and others.

And if you still need more to do other than sipping a Mai Tai on the beautiful ocean beaches then here are a few Hawaii travel guides to help you plan your trip.

Hollywood, New York, Savannah, New Orleans…

It’s great that film and television can help us escape to cities never seen and times gone by but it’s even better to visit these destinations ourselves.  As your watching The Oscars this Sunday get inspired by the beauty of the cities in which the films were made.  Plan a trip and create your own story lines.

Have you ever taken a movie-inspired trip? Tell us where you went and what sites you visited.

Carrie and I going to Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany

On February 14, 2001, Carrie came to a Valentine’s Day party at my house. I was in college at the time.

I had finally gotten over a bad break-up (from nearly 2 years earlier), and was hosting a party for everyone who didn’t have anything to do on Valentine’s Day.

Carrie and I had met three days earlier at a German club meeting (at our college). Carrie sort of invited herself to my party (because she thought I was cute).

The party ended up being 8 young women and me. They were (apparently) there because they wanted to spend Valentine’s Day with me .

That’s how Carrie tells the story.

I’m generally pretty oblivious to advances and I still think they just came for the party.

At the end of the party, Carrie had outstayed everyone else, and we spent Valentine’s evening just talking and laughing (okay, we kissed for the first time on Valentine’s Day too).

It’s amazing to think that was 10 years ago, but then I think about all that we have done together in those years. We’ve traveled together on 6 continents, using every mode of transportation possible (except spaceship, camel, and hot air balloon).

And now, we are glad to be able to use our 10 year anniversary to share some things we have learned in our travels together.

When Carrie and I first started dating, we had some things to learn about each other. This is true with all relationships. However, it’s especially true when you travel together in close spaces. This is why we recommend our first tip:

1. Start small

You may dream about traveling the world together. (We just completed a 2-year travel around the world, and it is possible.) However, we recommend you start with a small trip. Take a weekend in Vegas, in the mountains, or at the beach. If that 3-4 day adventure goes well, then plan a week away together. If that works well, then figure out how to travel together for 2 weeks.

Road trips are great adventures to explore how you will get along in close quarters for 1 or 2 weeks. Shorter trips will help you learn each other’s preferences and how to accommodate for them. Whether your travel is short or long however, tip #2 is really important for bringing you closer together.

Carrie and I touring a cheese factory near Parma, Italy

2. Make time and plan for surprises

You likely have an idea of what’s special and important to your travel partner. Take something small along with you as a nice surprise because it will make your time together extra special. As an example, Carrie and I lived in Buenos Aires, Argentina (in 2008) for 6 weeks. Our first weekend there was Easter weekend, and we ended up in a dirty, loud, mold-infested apartment. Because it was Easter weekend, there really was no one to call or email to negotiate and get out of the situation. In the midst of this trying situation on our first weekend in a foreign country, Carrie had a surprise for me.

Before we left, she thought it would be nice to bring some chocolate eggs with her from the states, because it would be a nice way to be able to celebrate Easter. She didn’t know we would end up in the situation we were in, but those chocolate eggs became our rallying point for having some good smiles and laughs in what was an unpleasant situation. For you, the surprise you take could be his or her favorite food, a new skimpy outfit for the bedroom, or something else you know your partner likes.

3. When it comes to destinations, decide ‘what’ before ‘where’

Many people like to decide where they will go based on what destinations are currently on sale. But even more important than where you go is what you want to do. You may like to lay on the beach when you travel, while your partner likes to climb mountains. We’re both good about going with the flow and being up for anything, but it was funny (3 weeks before we were set to leave on our 6-week summer 2006 travel) to discover a miscommunication Carrie and I had. It turns out that Carrie dislikes multi-day camping.

But we ended up spending 8 days sleeping in a tent on the side of the tallest mountain in Africa. It was absolutely one of the most amazing experiences of our lives, and is where we got engaged. But from this experience, we learned to talk thoroughly before booking. If you’re thinking about a luxury room at the Hilton, but she wants to sleep under the stars in the middle of the Mojave Desert, you should communicate about what you want.

Thank-you for giving us the opportunity to share these three tips with you, and may all your travels bring you the surprise you hoped for, in the way you least expected.

Carrie and Jonathan Kraft have been traveling the world together for 8 years and have been to more than 40 countries together. For great travel ideas and tips on how to save money on travel, visit http://www.CarrieAndJonathan.com

Can't make it to fashion week? There are plenty of shopping getaways you can take instead. (Photo courtesy of pcmlifestyle.com)

Today marks the start of New York Fashion Week. Lincoln Center is transformed through February 16^th into an haute couture paradise. Even if you don’t have front row seats to Christian Dior, there are still many opportunities to attend smaller shows of up and comers or swanky after show cocktail affairs. Visitors can scour local resources like The NY Daily News and pulsd.com to look for events open to the public, within their budget, and even at the last minute.

New York Fashion Week kicks off a global calendar of Fashion Weeks followed by London, Milan and Paris. Fashion is not limited to the runways of these cities. No! No! Many designers are taking their creations to the walls and beds of hotels everywhere. Melanie Nayer shares a few faves for fashionable stays this week on Boston.com.

So if you feel inspired by Spring’s new looks then grab a few friends and plan a girlfriend getaway to a top-shopping destination. I compiled a short list based on cities that have the best mixes of boutiques and shopping malls, haute couture and mainstream fashion.

New York – Obviously NYC is fashion central. Just look at the number of fashion and television shows that use it as their backdrop. The Big Apple is the shopping mecca of the States. It’s filled with fashion designers and those that want to be (the Fashion Institute of Technology is here). Shopping in New York could be couture on Fifth Avenue, boutiques lining the streets of SoHo, Nolita and the West Village, among many other neighborhoods — not to mention the vendors on Canal Street.

Los Angeles – The Fashion District in Los Angeles spans 90 blocks and is the hub of the apparel industry on the West Coast and home to what’s-hot celebrity style. From Rodeo Drive and Wilshire Boulevard, to a good assortment of shopping malls, to the eclectic shops along Abbot Kinney Boulevard, LA has it all from vintage couture to the latest craze.

Las Vegas – Las Vegas may be known for its casinos and nightlife, but it’s also home to a number of well-known fashion trade shows like MAGIC and POOL. From bargains to bling, shopping options abound in Sin City. Not to mention that Las Vegas even has its own Fashion Week from May 14-19^th. Tickets go on sale in March.

Miami – With the sun and sand of South Beach, it’s no wonder that Miami is host to Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim, which will be May 14-18, 2012.  In fact, the Latin infused city even has its own fashion week in March that celebrates International and Hispanic fashion. Downtown Miami has tons of discount shopping, from luggage to leather, while Coral Gables and Coconut Grove are known for their mix of glamour boutiques, boho shops and chain stores.

Dallas – Home to the first shopping mall in the U.S, shopping is a dress-up affair in Dallas. Even designer department store, Neiman Marcus, was founded in the Big D. There are literally dozens of malls in Dallas, such as Highland Park Village for designer-wear and The Galleria and NorthPark Center for their chain and cosmopolitan shops to smaller clusters such as Mockingbird Station and the funky stores of Greenville Avenue.

Where do you go for your fashion finds?

Here I am with my friends at the Embera Indian tribe in Panama.

I have to say that it was fun watching Ben and the girls on The Bachelor last night as they explored Panama, one of my favorite countries. And seeing them visit with my friends at the Embera Indian tribe brought back some wonderful memories.

All that romantic tension in a beautiful destination reminded me that Valentine’s Day is right around the corner. So if you really want to plan a special celebration for that certain someone, here are five travel ideas made for romance.

Valentine’s in Florida

If you want to escape life and embark on a romantic weekend then head to The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island. Here you’ll experience luxurious accommodations, fine dining, a relaxing spa and fun activities including a daily class on infusing flavors into salt, wine tastings, bike tours and nature walks.

My favorite touch – a personal fire in the dunes, where a crackling fire, comfy blankets and the sound of soothing waves draw you closer and includes s’mores, a thermos of hot chocolate and high-powered celestial binoculars for star gazing.

This winter, book a Romance Package that includes overnight accommodations, welcome amenities of champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries, rose petal turndowns, breakfast for two, complimentary overnight parking and a 2 p.m. late checkout. Rates start at $379 per night. Please call the resort at 904-277-1100 to book this inviting package.

Valentine’s in New York City

All month, The Kimberly Hotel in New York, New York welcomes romance. The “Romantic Getaway” package includes overnight accommodations in the newly reconstructed luxury one-bedroom suites, Veuve Clicquot champagne and hand-dipped chocolate covered strawberries upon arrival and two plush Kimberly Hotel robes to take home. Guests that book the package on Valentine’s Day, February 14th, will receive the three-course dinner with a special wine pairing at Upstairs. Contact the hotel’s reservation department for additional details and availability.

Valentine’s in San Francisco

In the City by the Bay, you and your sweetie or you and your pal can check in to one of the Personality Hotels: Hotel Diva, Hotel Union Square and Kensington Park Hotel, all centrally located in the heart of San Francisco’s Union Square.

Choose from two packages – “Sweet on You” for couples, and the “Anti V.D.” for a single girls getaway. With True to Personality Hotels’ daring style, this won’t be your typical Valentine’s Day getaway – think candy bras, wine from Ben “The Bachelor” and special treats.

Valentine’s in Chicago

From Friday, February 10th through Sunday, February 19th, Chicago is turning out the Cupid-inspired experiences from special performances and dinner dates, to outdoor fun and picturesque photo-ops. Here are two great options:

Love, Sex & the Second City: A Romantic Dot Comedy presented by UP Comedy Club

Now through February 29^th, visit The Second City to enjoy a play about relationships in the age of social networking. There are plenty of fish in the sea, but can we all live in eHarmony? Or are our lives too much of an open (Face)book?

Love Songs and Lights (FREE) Now through February 19^th, lovebirds can
enjoy the sights and lights of State Street and the sound of love songs when the Chicago Loop Alliance presents “Love Song and Lights” as part of Lightscape, a multisensory experience.

Affinia Chicago is offering a Kiss & Tell Romantic Getaway Package with rates from $134/night. Guests will enjoy an upgrade to a suite, a list of recommended romantic spots to kiss, Affinia signature “Kiss Me” mints and a “Kisses Goodnight” Turndown with Hershey Kisses and some bubbly to share.

Valentine’s in Napa

Wine and romance are pouring at the Milliken Creek Inn & Spa with The Heart of Napa Authentic Trio package.  Rates starts at $640 per night for two and includes two-night stay in a Milliken room, a five-hour luxury vehicle Wine Tour provided by Peralta Luxury Tours, gourmet boxed lunch, a wine tasting at Crocker & Starr winery, and a romance turndown. The best part is that this deal is good Sunday through Thursday until July 31, 2012.

Anywhere else

Hotels.com is celebrating Valentine’s Day with a bouquet of great deals. Save up to 30% and if you stay two nights, you’ll get a $25 credit toward wine and chocolate.

How are you and your Valentine celebrating this year?

Feeling anti-Super Bowl this year? Grab your friends and head to the golf course, enjoy a glass of wine or both! (Photo courtesy of merveonur.wordpress.com)

Not everyone will be watching the red, white and blue battle on Sunday between the New York Giants and the New England Patriots. If you are among the anti-pigskin crowd searching for an escape then consider this: if you aren’t traveling to Indianapolis or Las Vegas the first weekend in February then you can actually score some great deals in cities across the U.S.

Hotels

Don’t know where to go? Check out the last minute deals from hotels.com. Look for deals such as stay two nights, get a third night free, resort credits and savings on up to 30% off your stay.

Airplanes

Not only will you get a seat on the plane, but there might also be an empty one next to you if you are booking a last minute flight on Super Bowl Sunday. JetBlue (JBLU) will be showing the game on DirecTV. The airline is also offering free Snyder’s Buffalo Wing Pretzels and $1 off alcoholic beverages.

Golf

Coveted golf courses will be more like ghost courses around noon on Super Bowl Sunday. Book your tee times now and look for those discounts.

Ski

Colorado is finally getting the fresh powder that ski enthusiasts dream about. Take advantage of 50% off at Copper Mountain. Many of the country’s best ski slopes are expecting to be light on the lifts. Significant savings on lift tickets can be found at Canyons in Park City, Utah at over 30% off and Vermont’s Jay Peak at 39% off. According to Liftopia, the online ski ticket source, expect discounts to average around 40%.

Theatre

According to The New York Times, if you want to score tickets to a Broadway show for less, then Super Bowl Sunday is the day to take in a show. New York City ticket prices for top shows such as “The Book of Mormon” will be 20% less compared with a typical Sunday evening in February. And “Wicked” will average 15% cheaper.

Wine

Why not fill your glass on Super Bowl Sunday…your wine glass that is. Golden Haven is featuring a number of great specials that will give you an added reason to visit Napa Valley and relax with Calistoga spa treatments. Go for the day, or spend the night.

Will you be watching the big game or doing your own thing on Super Bowl Sunday? Let me know in the comments section below!

Look for ways to exercise outdoors, it's fun and free! (Photo courtesy of Dani Heinrich of globetrottergirls.com)

After packing up our London apartment in early 2010, we GlobetrotterGirls have been on the road for nearly two years now. Our health status has run the gamut – from taking vitamins and fitting in five workouts a week to coming down with stomach bugs, sinusitis and even an exhausting two-week bout with a tropical disease (read more about that a bit later). Having health issues on the road can be annoying at best. At worst, any sort of sickness can potentially ruin a trip all together and leave you longing for nothing more than the comforts of home.

Tip #1: Do your health research before you go

Even if you are just going on a short holiday, find out important information like whether tap water is safe to drink where you are going. The last thing you want is a case of Montezuma’s Revenge that could easily have been avoided. What about eating fresh fruits and vegetables? In some regions, like in Central America, it is advisable for first time travelers to only eat salads and fruits with peels if the restaurant clearly states they are washed in filtered water. While it is important to know before you go, unless we get way off the grid, perfectly adequate medical care for local issues like stomach bugs is almost always within an hour’s drive.

Tip #2: Get your shots

We love traveling beyond the comforts of North America and Europe, but we always get necessary immunizations before we go. Why risk it? Do your own research online to know just what you need for the countries you plan to visit and then talk to your doctor, who will either know the right sequence of shots (some immunizations, like Hepatitis A, require two shots weeks apart) or can send you to a specialist who does. If traveling to a region with malaria, your doctor might prescribe malaria pills for you, as well. We are not medical professionals, but as travelers, we have learned that with medicine like malaria pills, it is often more cost effective to buy them once you arrive in the country with the affected region, where they are readily available at a price that locals can afford.

Tip #3: Pack sunscreen and mosquito repellent

It might seem tempting to pack light and make these purchases in your vacation destination, especially if attempting to travel carry-on only to avoid baggage fees. However, we have seen prices for sunscreen as high as $25 a bottle at popular beach locations in Costa Rica or Mexico, with a small bottle of mosquito repellent not far behind. The items are absolutely necessary, and the stores know it. First of all, no one wants to be that bright red, burnt lobster that did not apply sunscreen, and more importantly, we have learned the hard way just how important mosquito spray can be. That tropical disease I mentioned earlier was Dengue Fever – an illness no immunization or pill can prevent, instead contracted through mosquito bites. If you have irresistibly sweet blood like I do, you’ll need to make sure you’re covered in mosquito repellant in any locations where there might be Dengue, because there is also no cure except water and sleep, which could ruin your entire trip.

Tip #4: Gobbling up local goodies is great…to a point

Make your workouts fun by finding outdoor aerobics classes. (Photo courtesy Dani Heinrich of globetrottergirls.com)

It might be tempting to declare ‘When in Rome…’ and start gobbling up as much of the local cuisine as you want on your trip. We are huge foodies, and believe that sampling local cuisine is an interesting way to interact with local cultures, but in reality, locals in Rome do not only eat pizza and drink wine; the French do not only eat cheese, croissants and chocolate tarts, and in Argentina people balance their diet with more than just steak. We encourage you to take part in sampling classic dishes, but health should still be priority number one. Before you go, locate two or three healthy restaurants near your hotel or near sites you plan to visit so that, when you are famished after sightseeing, you have healthy go-to options to choose from rather than grabbing that second pizza of the day out of hungry desperation.

Tip #5:  Keep up your workouts

No matter how long you travel for, there is no need to hit pause on your work-out regime. Keeping fit is the best way to ensure you can fight off colds common after sitting in enclosed airplanes and buses. Working out also keeps you from getting run down and ensures that we stay fit, no matter where we are in the world.  One way to do this is to book hotels with fitness facilities, a surefire way to eliminate any excuses. If your hotel doesn’t have a gym, find a gym nearby with affordable daily or weekly passes.

The more we travel, the more we have learned that fitness can be another great way to jump into local life, like when, in Mexico City, we joined hundreds of Mexicans jogging early in the morning at the gorgeous Viveros de Coyoacan park, and here in Asia we have come across dozens of free outdoor gyms or nearly free outdoor Aerobics classes in urban areas in Thailand, Laos, and Malaysia. How great to pump, sweat and dance in step with locals under the shining city lights around the world! However, if I am in a more remote location, feeling too shy or just want to squeeze in a quick workout, I make sure to have a workout DVD like P90X, Jillian Michaels or a Billy Blanks Tae-Bo DVD to pop onto my laptop and work out in privacy.

Aspen is a beautiful place to visit and there's so much to do! (Photo courtesy of tripadvisor.com)

Aspen is the country’s glitziest ski town. Nestled below the peaks of some of the greatest ski mountains Aspen, Aspen Highlands, Buttermilk and Snowmass, its tucked away locale is what has given Aspen its exclusivity since the silver rush.

While the resort town is known as a travel destination frequented by the rich and famous, many visitors know Aspen for its extensive mix of arts programs, cultural events, family activities and cosmopolitan nightlife. The Colorado mountain town will host this year’s Winter X Games, has its own Fashion Week, Songwriters Festival, and Film Festival. But Aspen is so much more than that.

Aspen has a variety of restaurants, shopping, lodging and nightlife that caters to a range of budgets and experiences. I love Aspen because behind that glitz and glam is a Norman Rockwell-esque town where nobody locks their doors, you can find a playground on nearly every corner, families ride bikes together and friends get together for dinner in cozy restaurants.

In fact, if the cold is not your thing then visit in July. Summer is my favorite season in Aspen. I just love visiting the picturesque Maroon Bells, playing in the parks, and eating at Main Street Bakery and Little Annie’s.

Check Hotels.com to find great deals on a variety of Lodging in Aspen Ski Area, Colorado.

Winter X Games

January 26-29, 2012

The Winter X Games are completely FREE to the public! Be there as more than 200 of the world’s best athletes in Skiing, Snowboarding and Snowmobile throw down in four days of competition for the most coveted medals in action sports.

Aspen Fashion Week

March 11-14, 2012

With celebs stomping around in haute couture, and storefronts like Prada, Moncler and Loro Piana, it’s fitting that it hosts the ski industry’s only fashion week. You can attend runway shows featuring models donning the latest mountain fashions from helmets to fur-trimmed footwear to retro ski jumpsuits — you may even spot the occasional St. Bernard – and party après-show at exclusive events. Stay at the St. Regis Aspen Resort, which recently underwent a $40 million renovation.

7908 Aspen Songwriters Festival

March 21-25, 2012

Produced by Songwriter Hall of Fame member John Oates and the Wheeler Opera House, the third annual 7908 Aspen Songwriters Festival is the nation’s most intimate musical weekend where legendary writers perform side by side with the next great generation of songwriting talent.

Featuring 13 performances, ranging from Appalachian Americana through to top Alt-Rock and Pop, this year’s festival is so big that they have added an extra day. Festival co-founder and Wheeler Opera House Executive Director Gram Slaton said, “When there’s so much great talent that wants to be part of what you’re offering, you make room.”

Aspen ShortsFest

April 10-15, 2012

Recently named by indieWIRE as one of the world’s top-50 leading film festivals, Aspen Shortsfest is widely recognized as a premier North American showcase for short film and video. More than 80 short films, representing two-dozen countries and exploring many more, will be shown in this year’s International Competition.

Jazz Aspen Snowmass June Festival

June 22 – July 7, 2012

This festival is a ten-day event that includes four nights of headline concerts from world-class musicians like Sheryl Crow and Jennifer Hudson. Warm days and cool Colorado nights make this an amazing excuse for any music lover to take a vacation.

Have you been to Aspen? What’s your favorite activity to do while you’re visiting?

Your kids will enjoy meeting the Disney princesses at Cinderella’s Royal Table Fairy Tale Dining.

There’s a small window in our lives when Pixie Dust makes you fly and meeting giant mice wearing clothes is better than winning the lottery. With a trip to Walt Disney World, we get a chance to channel our inner child and experience that magic.

Taking children to Disney should be on everyone’s list of life to-do’s because there is something truly special about experiencing the “Happiest Place on Earth” through their eyes. That task can also be a bit overwhelming if you are not sure what you are doing. After all, it is an investment. Tickets, dining and lodging are not cheap and you certainly want to get the most bang for your buck.

So here are a few tips for a successful Magic Kingdom vacation. When you finish reading this, if you still have questions – just ask me. I’m glad to answer any questions; we’ll post the answers here on the Travel Smart Blog.

Let me begin with the MOST IMPORTANT TIP OF ALL: Have fun and don’t overschedule your family to the point that you aren’t having fun. It can almost be sensory overload – in a wonderful way, of course – so slow down and take it all in, especially on your kids level. Smaller kids will move slowly and that’s fine. Tweens and teens may want to hit ride after ride – and that’s great too. Depending on how much time that you have allowed for your visit, you may not get to everything, but that just leaves opportunity for you to come back again some day.

PLAN YOUR ROUTE

The lines for favorite and new attractions at any of Disney’s Parks get very long very quickly so head to those first and/or grab your Fast Passes.

You don’t have to be militant about your daily agenda but you should look at park maps and decide with your group what you want to see/ride each day. Then you can loosely plan a course of attack. I am a big fan of allowing for spontaneity but navigating Disney does require some strategy in order to not spend the bulk of your time in line. If you don’t have an agenda, then it’s a good idea to head to the back of the park first and work your way to the front. This way you’ll get the shortest lines, at least during the beginning of your day, as everyone else will be starting from the front.

USE FASTPASS

Master the FastPass system! Your park admission tickets do much more than just gain you entrance to Disney theme parks. They also enable you to get FastPasses, which keeps you riding rides instead of waiting in lines. They are FREE, simple to use, and will save you tons of time in line for the most popular rides. Get the most out of FastPasses– and your whole Disney World vacation– by using them strategically. Check out these Tips for Using Fastpasses.

Expert Tip: Have one person keep all the tickets for your group. 1. You don’t want to lose them and 2. You need them to get a FastPass.

MAGIC KINGDOM: Go Early – Leave – Come Back

The earlier you start your day, the better. Eat an early breakfast (or grab a yummy waffle sandwich at Liberty Park inside the MK) and then head over to the Magic Kingdom 30 minutes before the stated opening time. You can be first in line and catch the Magic Kingdom Welcome Show. You’ll never forget the look on your kids’ faces when they see the steam engine pull into Main Street Station with all the characters aboard waving at them.

Disney novices tend to sleep late, arrive at the park midmorning and then exit by early evening, exhausted by the heat and the crowds. My advice? Go early, have lunch at the park and then return to your resort for a nap or a swim. Re-enter the park around 5 PM when many families with young kids are on their way out. The dinner rush at the parks is between 6:00 – 7:30 PM. Eat before you go back or as soon as you re-enter the park; then hit the rides while everyone else is eating their dinner. Plan to stay for the night parade.

When you first enter the park in the morning, head for the attractions that are most important to your group. If you have bigger kids or you are a big kid yourself then make a beeline for Space Mountain, Splash Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. Hitting these early might even get you multiple rides. For the little ones: head to Fantasy Land and hop in line for a ride on Dumbo or fly off with Peter Pan. If your kids are brave and over 44 inches tall, Goofy’s Barnstormer is a great first coaster for preschoolers. And don’t forget to make your way to Frontierland and Pirates of the Caribbean.

Skip Main Street for the Parade

If you’re returning to the Magic Kingdom at night for the parade, head toward Frontierland for a spot on the parade route unless you want to be out of the park as soon as it’s over. People start holding their places on Main Street, in my experience, very early, which isn’t really necessary. There is lots of “front row” room in Frontierland. If you have seen the parade before then take the time while the parade is making its course to also ride a few more rides.

For Little Princesses: Cinderella’s Royal Table Fairy Tale Dining. Little girls, dressed like their favorite Disney Princesses, will think they have died and gone to princess heaven when they are treated to a dining experience inside Cinderella’s castle complete with her and all her friends. Speaking from experience, the meal is surprisingly excellent, which helped to justify the cost. However, it was all worth it to see my daughter’s reaction to the whole experience! Throughout your dining experience, the Princesses visit each table, are on hand to pose for photos and sign autographs. For a sweet finale, desserts include a sampler trio and other irresistible treats. Reservations and pre-payment are required. To make reservations, book online or call (407) WDW-DINE or (407) 939-3463. If they day/meal you are looking for is full – KEEP CHECKING. I didn’t get in on my first, second or seventh call but we finally got five seats at the special event.

DISNEY HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS

If you are starting your day at Hollywood Studios then you want to head straight for the Toy Story Mania ride. Ride it and then grab a Fast Pass so that you can do it again. It’s one of my favorite rides in Walt Disney World.

For Star Wars fans: Jedi Training Academy. If you are visiting Hollywood Studios, you want to get to the park early and let “the Force” navigate you to the Jedi Training sign-up line. Kids ages 4-12 can participate and it is FREE to do it. There are multiple shows throughout the day but only 15 training spots per show. So be sure to sign up for a time early – check out the video of Travis, my son, taking on Darth Vader – just return at your scheduled time. You can even get your FastPass for the new Star Tours attraction. It is a great experience for the kids, entertaining for the adults, super photo ops and participants get a great certificate at the end.

SNACKS!

Eating in the parks is not cheap so to avoid a potential financial hemorrhage you should stop and buy snacks when you get to Orlando. Fruit snacks, crackers, juice boxes, etc. – carry them in a backpack around the parks. Your wallet and the kids you are with will thank you. Dole them out while standing in line for rides.

WEATHER

It can actually be cold in Florida especially in the evenings. Check the weather and make sure to pack jackets for your visit.

CHARACTER MEET & GREETS

A great, affordable souvenir that also has a function during your visit to Walt Disney World is an autograph book. Buy one for each child at any Disney store (and a pen) and begin collecting character autographs and photo memories of your visit. Character locations are displayed on maps of each theme park. Mickey’s Toontown® Fair at the Magic Kingdom is a great place to meet Characters like the Princesses and Tinkerbell and her fairy friends. To see Mickey, go to the Judge’s Tent. You can take your own photos or get a photo pass card from a Disney photographer and review your photos post-trip.

USE DISNEY TRANSPORTATION

The Disney buses, monorails and watercraft make it easy to get around and can be part of the fun. I hate to say it but I think my kids looked forward to the “free” bus and monorail rides most of all.

RIDER SWAP PROGRAM

Theme Park “rider swap” program gives both mom and dad a chance to enjoy the latest attractions without the double wait. A parent who waits with a young child while the other parent rides the attraction can get on the ride with minimal wait time once the first parent comes off.

NEW ATTRACTIONS

2012 will have some fun new attractions for Walt Disney World. The Magic Kingdom will introduce the new Fantasyland later this year complete with a new Under The Sea – Journey of the Little Mermaid ride.

Thanks to 2012 being a Leap Year, Disney announced that there will be an extra day of magic called “One More Disney Day.” For the first time ever, both Magic Kingdom Park and Disneyland parks will stay open for 24 hours straight. From 6 AM, February 29 to 6 AM, March 1, 2012, local time, you can fill the extra day with a marathon of Disney Parks fun!

Wow! I could go on and on but as they say…”Now it’s time to say good-bye…” Share with me your best Disney tips. I’d love to hear them and we’ll share them right here on the Travel Smart Blog!

Make your New Year's resolutions more fun by accomplishing them while traveling! (Photo courtesy of blog.onwardhealthcare.com)

“Travel More.”  This is a common resolution that tops many Americans lists of at the start of each New Year. However, for some, setting off on a trip may seem like a perfect opportunity (or excuse) to take a hiatus from other commitments they have made to themselves for the year. (“Well…I am on vacation after all…”)

While it’s clear that the Travel Smart Blog is a go-to resource for spot-on travel advice, now that 2012 is here, we want to offer some tips to help our readers tackle other popular New Year resolutions while traveling or through the use of travel. You may be surprised how much easier it is to stay on track than you think!

* Check the hyperlinks below for more specific recommendations

In 2012, if you want to:

1) “Lose Weight” – It’s easy to feel like giving up on your diet and exercise regimens when you’re away from home and the comfort of your daily routine, but apps like GoodFoodNearYou help you locate nutritious meal options based on your GPS location. As for exercise, there are plenty of great ways to burn calories on a trip without hitting up the hotel gym. Instead of cabbing it to all the local landmarks, why not take a walking tour or utilize a municipal bike sharing system if available?

2) “Save Money” – Cutting back on spending doesn’t mean you have to forgo the fun of taking a trip altogether. There are plenty of ways to travel on the cheap such as taking advantage of loyalty programs, like welcomerewards™, that help you rack up free nights and early access to special deals. Other options are to take advantage of properties that offer perks with your booking such as free breakfast, passes to a local amusement, or credits to spend at area shops and restaurants. Staycations are always another fun, wallet-friendly option, too!

3) “Spend More Time with Family” – Between jam-packed schedules, to-do lists, and errands it’s always hard to put aside regular time for family game night or Sunday brunch each week. Taking a vacation is an ideal way to catch up on lost time and really reconnect with loved ones in a memorable way. Who says a family reunion has to take place in Aunt Sally’s backyard? Why not get the whole gang together in an off-the-beaten path destination and explore together? The bonding can start before you even leave for the airport when you let everyone in the family take part in the planning process.

4) “Give Back/Do Charity Work” – The holidays can be a time of overindulgence in everything from food to drinks to presents, so for the New Year you may feel like it’s time to start giving back. What better way to tour the world and help those in need than to volunteer? Otherwise known as voluntourism, many excellent opportunities exist to help you dedicate your time to do-good work like teaching English in India, participating in conservation work in South Africa or building houses in New Orleans. The world needs your help!

5) “Learn a New Language” – No habla Español? No problem! There are plenty of ways to learn a new language before or even during a big trip. Look for a language exchange Meetup group near you to not only practice your new language, but also immerse yourself in the culture of wherever you’ll be visiting! No time to prepare? That’s okay too! Experts say immersion is the #1 way to learn a new language. And don’t forget practice makes perfect!

6) “Be More Eco-Friendly” – Let’s face it, when traveling there’s no getting around taking a plane or driving to your destination. But once you get there, there are plenty of ways to reduce your carbon footprint and go green in 2012 like staying in an eco-friendly hotel or bringing your own toiletries.

7) “Find Love” – It’s difficult to determine exactly when and where you will fall in love, so instead, simply try to involve yourself in more activities that will increase the number of people you interact with. Don’t be afraid to try new things with your friends or even travel solo. And who knows, finding true love may actually be much closer than you think.

8)  “Stress Less” – Resolve to indulge more in 2012…not in sweets, but rather, why not “treat” yourself to a zen-cation? Take a load off by indulging in a health-and-wellness vacation filled with pampering massages, aroma baths, and facials. You know you deserve it! And if an action-packed adventure trip is more your speed than a week at the spa, breathe easy knowing you can shed the anxiety and frustration of trip planning by utilizing top-notch tools and resources from hotels.com like their mobile booking app, travel guides and risk-free booking.

9) “Run a Race/Marathon” – Traveling to another city to compete in a race is great motivation to ensure you actually make it to the starting line; the overwhelming flood of pride and accomplishment is what will ensure you make it to the finish line. There are plenty of great resources to help you find the ideal race location to fit your skill level – try the RaceWhere app, for example.

10) “Learn How to Cook” – Sure you could learn to cook in the U.S., but wouldn’t it be more fun to learn how to cook pasta in Italy, Thai food in Thailand, or make sushi in Japan? Learn from those who have been cooking and eating these foods their whole lives and then come back home to impress your friends and family!