Family travel news - May/June 2006We've discovered an 'intelligent fabric' that repels insects naturally, there's some ideas for parents left behind by football fever and a way to tag the kids so you'll never lose them!
Costa del Disney
Repel flying insects Gnat-urally
World Cup Widows
90 minute roomsAnd talking of the World Cup, Travelodge has announced that throughout June it will offer rooms in its roadside hotels for 2-hour slots at just £10 so that drivers can stop and watch important matches on TV. Their research suggests that up to nine million Brits will be caught on the road when the England team takes on Paraguay, Sweden and Trinidad and Tobago. Bye Mum and Dad, Hi Nan and Grandad
Amazing luggageAs any parent knows, travelling with kids can be a nightmare, especially when you're caught up in the inevitable queues at airport check-in. So what do you do when you discover that you've overloaded your bags and facing a hefty extra weight fee? Well, the Solutions™ luggage collection might have just the, er, solution! Fitted with a digital scale that instantly weighs baggage and its contents, once you've packed your bags you simply push the 'ON' button and the LCD display gives a read-out of the combined weight of the luggage and contents. No more soggy suitcases
Never mind the kids, where's the luggage?A recent survey by Identikids, an ID wristband company, has found that 2 out of 10 parents have considered using ID wristbands on their children while abroad, while 9 out of 10 regularly tag their luggage! Not surprisingly, then, that Identikids Managing Director Nadine Lewis says, "Parents seem more concerned about losing their luggage than becoming temporarily separated from their children." The company has now launched two versions of their new wristbands, both of which allow you to write your mobile number on and secure around your child's wrist.
Identikids wristbands are available from WHSmiths, Boots, Mothercare and Superdrug.
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If
the kids are plaguing you to spend the holidays at Disney but the thought
of the long haul flight across the Atlantic is enough to turn you into
Mickey Mouse, then the theme park experts may come to your rescue. Although
Disney bosses have denied having secret discussions about a theme park
on the Costa del Sol, reports suggest that the company has had talks with
Spanish officials about building a Euro Disney-type park in Marbella.
If the project takes off, it'll be another four or five years before you'll
be saying 'Hola Señor Mickey!' 
If
you're concerned about using chemicals on your children or during pregnancy,
but don't want to be eaten alive by mozzies this year, then Babyworld
mum-to-be Emily has found the perfect solution. Arnywear is a unique 'intelligent
fabric' that, when moved, creates a force-field that repels mosquitoes,
midges and other flying insects. It works by reacting with the chemical
sensors that these insects use to target their prey (you!) and confuses
them. Clinically tested by the London School of Tropical Medicine and
totally environmentally friendly, the soft, easy-care fabric comes in
a range of clothing items as well as a teddy for younger users, and is
perfectly safe for children, pregnant women and those with sensitive skin.
For more information visit 
WA
Shearings, the coach tour specialists, are launching new 'grandparenting
tours' this month with the first ever tailored holidays specifically designed
for grandparents and grandchildren. If you fancy a holiday away from parenting,
then it's worth knowing that over 90 per cent of grandparents claim to
have an excellent relationship with their grandchildren and 82 per cent
see their grandchildren on a regular basis. With tours such as the 2-night
Lion King and the London Eye break, there couldn't be a better time to
let your children visit your parents. For more information call WA Shearings
on 01942 824 824. 
At
last someone has come up with a selection of specially designed bags to
enable women to organise and protect their lingerie, shoes and swimwear.
The collection of purpose made bags in hand printed fabric by Sussex designer,
Cassandra Harrison means you can pack your bags knowing that your best
clothes are safe from wet swimsuits and stiletto heels.
