Traveling? Tips for taking your tunes along

June 2011

(ARA) - Warm weather is upon us and for many families that means exciting vacations are right around the corner. It's time to start thinking about what to pack, as well as entertaining on-the-go activities that the whole family can enjoy.

No matter where your travels take you, music is never far behind. The Memorex Signature Audio Series offers great portable music options, perfect for warm weather vacations. Music is an important component to creating more "WeTime"- activities that promote family togetherness.

"Our research has shown that music is an integral part of quality family time, it is something that can be enjoyed by all members of the family," said Erica Danielski, Memorex global brand manager. "As people gear up to travel, the Memorex PurePlay Portable Speaker offers families a great iPod and iPhone compatible listening device that can be enjoyed inside, outdoors or even while in the car."

As your family prepares for its next vacation, keep these helpful tips in mind:

Prep your playlist. Before you leave for vacation, make sure to update your playlist to include new music and tunes the whole family will enjoy. Encourage your children to pick their favorite songs and merge your playlists together.  

Protect valuable electronics. Valuable electronics are often lost, damaged or stolen during vacations. Safeguard your favorite gadgets by thinking before you pack. Use passwords when available, never pack your valuable items in your checked luggage (as most airlines will not compensate you for lost or stolen electronics), and never leave bags unattended.

Pack a portable speaker system. Music encourages WeTime … as long as you're listening to tunes as a family, and not with separate earbuds and iPods. Be sure to pack a speaker system that the entire family can enjoy, such as the Memorex PurePlay Portable Speaker. This compact speaker system is battery operated and designed to fold up to easily fit in your purse or bag - perfect for the family on-the-go. What's more, the PurePlay has a rubberized bottom, designed to keep your music safe from water, sand and dirt - a perfect addition for a day by the pool or beach.

The complete Memorex Signature Audio Series is available for purchase at Amazon.com, Best Buy and Fry's. For more information, visit the Memorex Fan Page on Facebook or Memorex.com.

 

Fun tips for the family road trip

June 2011

(ARA) - Few things bring a family together and create wonderful memories better than a summer road trip. And after several years of taking backyard "staycations" to save money, experts say families are again packing their cars and hitting the roads to see beautiful natural and manmade landmarks all across the country.

"Piling into the car and stopping along the way to take pictures next to one of the country's popular landmarks is back in fashion," says travel expert Emily Kaufman, "The Travel Mom." "From packing perfect road trip snacks such as Twizzlers Candy to planning activities to keep the kids happy in the car, road trips are about having fun and making memories that last a lifetime."

Whether planning for a ride into the city or being more adventurous with a cross-state trip, planning ahead for your road trip will help make the journey seamless and fun for everyone. Here are some hints from Kaufman to keep your family road trip full of wonderful memories:

* Pack an activity bag. Turn a hanging travel cosmetic case - or even a plastic bin that can fit under a seat - into a case full of fun. This case needs to be fully accessible at all times, with pockets stuffed full of age-appropriate activities for every person in the vehicle. For children, consider adding a roll of tin foil for sculpture creations. Or coloring books with washable markers and a cookie sheet to use as a drawing board. Also throw in a couple paper bags so everyone can make puppets and put on a show while in the car. For older riders in the vehicle, audio books, music, cameras and journaling or blogging materials help to fill the space between sightseeing destinations.

* Share a fun fact that is sure to get all members of your family smiling: If your family is traveling back in history this summer with a road trip along historic Route 66 from Chicago to Los Angeles, also known as the "Main Street of America," it would take nearly 19.5 million pieces of Twizzlers Twists to line the entire route.

* Consider the snacks that you pack. Avoid packing anything that's easy to spill like juice boxes, or snacks that melt. Try plastic bottles with sports tops or lids that can be tightly sealed for drinks. Also, bring along Twizzlers Candy - they are easy to share, and are the perfect car ride treat. Did you know that more than 875 candy bags would fill the cargo area of a traditional family minivan, keeping your family well-stocked throughout the entire trip? Of course, you might want to save some room for the luggage you'll need to pack.

* Include a first-aid kit. Injuries can happen at any time, and having basics like bandages, pain relievers, wet wipes, anti-bacterial ointment, tweezers and sunburn creams for "just in case" can make all the difference in the outcome of your trip. Blisters, splinters, small cuts and bruises can easily happen, especially as your family leaves the car and explores the countryside. Keep the kit small so it can tuck away in the corner of your vehicle until it's needed.

Still planning your family road trip this summer? You can win a trip to a well-known

U. S. landmark destination or other fun daily road-trip themed prizes like digital cameras, GPS units or a national park guidebook through the Twizzlers Landmark Summer promotion. Visit www.twizzlers.com to learn more, or to follow families who will be sharing stories about their adventures while on road trips this summer. Or visit www.Facebook.com/Twizzlers to share your own family's travel stories including photos and maps of where you went.