Rolling Daily Volume 9 by Deliverabilities

ROLLING DAILY FIRST CLASS IN EVERY WAY

TOURS | CHARTERS | CASINOS

ISSUE 09 NOVEMBER 2018

Quick: Name the secondbiggest city by population in Texas....

HOW TO SPEND 4 DAYS IN NEW ORLEANS New Orleans. NOLA. The Big Easy. A city by many names, all conjuring the jovial...

CARD COUNTING THE MATCH THE DEALER SIDE BET IN SPANISH 21 Match the Dealer (MD) is a popular side bet offered with six-deck Spanish...

10 PACKING TIPS TO MAKE FAMILY TRAVEL EASIER When you’re traveling with your family, things can get chaotic and...

THE 10 BEST GAMES IN THE CASINO There’s bound to be a lot of disagreement about what the...

THE BEST HIDDEN PLACES IN TEXAS FOR ROADTRIPPIN’ Oh, there’s so much to see in Texas. From the white sands of...

SPENDING TWO PERFECT DAYS IN SAN ANTONIO

HOW TO SPEND 3 PERFECT DAYS IN FANTASTIC FREDERICKSBURG, TEXAS Day 1 We pulled up at Cotton Gin Village just after 4pm after about 6...

9 TRAVEL HACKS FOR MILLENNIALS WITH THE ADVENTURE BUG Going on a vacation is a wonderful, relaxing time to unwind and recharge....

14 TIPS FOR TRAVELING WITH FRIENDS Tips and tricks to keep everyone happy when vacationing or touring...

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NOVEMBER 2018

Passion It may seem strange to talk about passion during the holiday season but in the case of First Class Tours it is more relevant than ever. As we move through Thanksgiving and into full swing of this joyous time of year we often stop and reflect on the things that we are most grateful for. As the President of the company, I have been giving a lot of thought to what it is that I am grateful for and passion tops my list this year. I am grateful to have a team around me who is truly passionate about this business. This passion is evident in every aspect of our business from our bus washers to our drivers our maintenance crew to our office staff. Their passion goes beyond the willingness to endure the sometimes grinding realities of the transportation business and spurs them on to look for ways to be the very best they, and in turn, we can be. This devotion translates into a tangible experience here at First Class Tours. You can see it on their faces and you can see it each and every time a customer is greeted with a smile, or a meticulously clean coach rolls off the lot headed to pick up a group. You can see it in the eyes of our drivers and on the hands of our mechanics. Passion is not just something that we shoot for at First Class Tours, it is something that we have become. It is this passion that boost our spirits during the tough times and that we celebrate in the good times. It is this passion that sets us apart day in and day out. Passion is definitely something that we here at First Class Tours are proud of this time of year. I am proud of my team, my friends, my family here and know that without that passion we simply would not, could not, accomplish what we have. Every day I look forward to more and more people experiencing this passion and seeing why we are different, why we are better, why we are more passionate. I hope that whatever you are grateful for this time of year that you will find it in abundance. From our family to yours, Happy Holidays.

-Jeff Rogers

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Jeff Rogers President First Class Tours Houston, TX

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4 DAYS IN

NEW ORLEANS

BY: GARY FORD 4

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NOVEMBER 2018

New Orleans. NOLA. The Big Easy. A city by many names, all conjuring the jovial “Laissez les bons temps rouler!” (“Let the good times roll!”) attitude toward life the city is famous for. New Orleans is filled with scrumptious French-inspired Creole and Cajun food, live jazz, street performers, and an appreciation for all the temptations of life. Life is lived well here in the Big Easy. I first visited in 2006 on a road trip across the country. It was post– Hurricane Katrina and the city was in bad shape — buildings still laid vacant, trash strewn on the streets — and the city felt like a ghost town. Nonetheless, I was still impressed by the positive attitude the local residents maintained. Returning this year for Mardi Gras, I noticed that the city had changed. Not only had it cleaned itself up but many new areas of the city seemed to be

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bursting with life as well. After two lengthy visits, countless hours walking around and taking tours, listening to all the jazz this swingdance lover could find, and eating as much crawfish as possible, I’ve compiled a non-definitive guide to exploring New Orleans:

Day 1 Use this first day to walk around New Orleans, taking in its three main neighborhoods along the Mississippi River: The Garden District My favorite area of New Orleans, the Garden District is home to large and ornate historic mansions as well as some of the city’s best and trendiest restaurants and bars. Quiet and more 5

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relaxed than the French Quarter, it was developed in 1832 for the newly-rich Americans who settled in the city. The French Creoles wanted the Americans out of the French Quarter and, through some clever marketing about how the nouveau riche could build huge homes, convinced them to move here. Spend a few hours wandering the streets, seeing the old mansions, and visiting famous cemeteries like Lafayette Cemetery #1 in the central part of the district. The Riverfront/Warehouse District Right between the Garden District and

the French Quarter, this area has seen an incredible revitalization over the last few years as old, empty warehouses have been turned into shops, art galleries, and trendy restaurants. Meander through the cobblestone streets, check out some art, and walk along the Mississippi before turning in to the French Quarter. The French Quarter End the day at the famous French Quarter, where you can see the oldstyle 18th century French homes with wrought-iron balconies. The area was

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settled by the French (hence the name) in 1718. The district is now a haven for drinkers on Bourbon Street, antique shoppers on Royal Street, and foodies seeking some of the best Cajun food in the city. Here you’ll find Jackson Square, St. Louis Cathedral, beautiful homes, and bars blaring top-notch jazz. The visitor center offers a detailed selfguided tour map. I suggest taking the Free Tours by Foot walking tours. They offer a ton of walking tours throughout the city. You’ll learn about the history of each neighborhood so you have an idea

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of what you’re looking at when you wander on your own. Try to get Denver for the Garden District tour — he’s one of the most knowledgeable tour guides I’ve ever come across.

Day 2 Take a Voodoo Tour New Orleans voodoo is a set of underground religious practices that came out of the African religious traditions of the slaves brought to the city. Voodoo and the occult are synonymous with New Orleans. From

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stories of ghosts and vampires to Marie Laveau (the city’s historic and most famous voodoo practitioner), New Orleans has a certain creep factor. The tours take you through the French Quarter and its cemeteries and teach you about the voodoo past of the city. The Voodoo Bone Lady Haunted Tours is one of the best.

stories that date back to the city’s founding, and it’s classified as one of the most haunted cities in the country. End the day with more creepiness on a ghost tour of the city. The ghost tour offered by Haunted History Tours is one of the best.

1850 House

From street bands to jazz halls, New Orleans has music in its DNA. End each day by listening to New Orleans’s incredible music scene on Frenchman Street, which is famous for its collection of jazz bars, including my favorite, The Spotted Cat.

During the period before the Civil War, slavery made white plantation owners very wealthy, and they built elaborate homes to show off their good fortune. They were the townhouses of the past. 1850 House is an example of what many of these townhouses looked like before the American Civil War. Located next to Jackson Square, this house is run by the city and decorated like an antebellum home. Audubon Park or New Orleans City Park New Orleans is more than just cityscapes. The city also has two stunning parks, and I’d highly recommend spending an afternoon wandering around one of them. They offer ponds, oak trees, and quiet areas that can recharge your mind and spirit (and relax your feet after so much walking!). Take a Ghost Tour I love ghost tours. Exploring the eerie side of cities is fascinating. What legends and myths does a city revolve around? What’s the dark side of a city’s past? Ghost tours delve into this stuff (whether you believe in ghosts or not!). New Orleans has many, many ghost

Listen to Music on Frenchman Street

Day 3 Today, escape the city and see some of the surrounding country: Bayou Tour Take a kayak tour around the bayou and explore the swamps filled with alligators and Spanish moss-covered trees. The bayou provided early settlers with trees for homes, fish for eating, and waterways for commerce, and it’s still part of the lifeblood of the region. Spend your morning in this beautiful and relaxing area by getting back to nature. Visit Oak Alley After your bayou visit, head over to the famous Oak Alley plantation home. Twenty-eight oak trees line a walkway leading to an old home right on the Mississippi River. The home’s interior is not that awe-inspiring (but the exterior is), and the guided tour leaves you with a lot of questions, so just tour the grounds, which are well worth the drive

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from the city, with their gardens, large oak trees, and detailed exhibit on slave life. Try to either get here early or stay late to avoid the day tours that come from New Orleans so you can take people-free pictures!

Day 4

There are other plantations nearby that, while not as pretty on the exterior, have more beautiful interiors and better historical tours:

This is the largest museum dedicated to this war in the United States (and voted the 11th best museum in the world by TripAdvisor). I’d have to agree — its use of audio, video, artifacts, and personal stories tie the history of the war together in incredible detail. I spent over three hours there and still had more to see. Though admission is steeply priced ($21), I highly

St. Joesph Laura Houmas House

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Spend your day exploring New Orleans’ worthwhile museums: The National World War II Museum

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recommend visiting. Many veterans from all sides of the conflict spend time here, and you can listen to first-hand accounts of the war as well as see some of their pictures. The Confederate Memorial Hall Museum I’m always intrigued by Civil War history museums, especially those in the South, since the memory of “Northern aggression” still lives strong. The large Confederate Memorial Hall Museum contains over 5,000 historical artifacts and paints a picture of Southern patriotism with the sense that they were fighting for honor. I found the absence of slavery as a primary reason for fighting interesting. It’s always fascinating to learn how people frame their story.

Mother’s Restaurant — The best po’ boy sandwiches in the city. Get the catfish! Acme Oyster House — Delicious charbroiled and fresh oysters.Awful Bloody Marys. Located in the French Quarter. Drago’s Seafood Restaurant — Though the large restaurant feels uber-touristy, they have the best charbroiled oysters in the city. Coop’s Place — Incredible fried chicken and jambalaya. Located near Jackson Square. Gumbo Shop — For all your Cajun food needs, come here! Yuki Izakaya — Japanese izakaya and sushi, some of the best I had in the city. Located on Frenchman Street.

Note: While I didn’t visit it, the Ogden Museum of Southern Art is supposed to be an exceptional art museum with a large collection.

New Orleans is a city with soul. It’s seen some hard times, but it lives on with a zest for life unmatched by most places. The energy, food, and music scene make New Orleans one of the most eclectic and vibrant cities in the United States.

Recommended Restaurants

Laissez les bons temps rouler, indeed!

New Orleans is filled with some of the best food in the United States, and my visits here only scratched the surface. Out of all the places I ate, these six were my favorite:

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Just a short 2 hour drive from Houston, Golden Nugget Lake Charles combines the glitz and glamour of

WEEKLY TRIPS AS LOW AS $17.00 Las Vegas withDAY the hospitality and charm of the South – creating an exceptional one-of-a-kind gaming and entertainment destination in Louisiana.

Since it’s unveiling in December 2014, the 242-acre casino and resort has attracted guests from all WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY, & SUNDAY! neighboring states. The Golden Nugget name is synonymous with exceptional service and luxury, including TICKETS START AT $17 deluxe accommodations, 15 restaurants and lounges, a private beach and marina, a championship golf FRIDAY & SATURDAY! TICKETS START AT $18 course and an innovative casino floor.

Ride with First Class Tours to The Golden Nugget Lake Charles departing Terminal and Eastex Terminal Located off of interstate 210, Lake Charlesfrom is theFM fifth1960 installment of the iconic Golden Nuggeteach brand which Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday & Sunday! is owned and operated by Houston-based restaurant, hospitality and gaming group Landry’s Inc. The

Perk

craftsmanship and attention to detail is evidence of money well spent. The luxurious rooms and suites feature plush bedding, premium amenities like idocking stations and picturesque lake and pool views.

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PROPERTY FEATURES • 1,600 of the newest slot machines WITH PERKS • World-class spa, salon and barbershop OVERNIGHT TRIPS • State-of-the-art fitness center • 70 table games • • • • • •

• Pool complex with swim-up bar, lazy river Poker room and waterslide 740 luxury rooms and suites, with a tower addition in 2017 NEW TRIPS COMING SOON • Shopping promenade 18-hole championship golf course 30,000 square-feet of meeting and convention space $74 PP - DBLE OCCUP • Arcade • A-list entertainment Wedding gazebo $149 PP - SINGLE OCCUP Marina with dockage up to 206 feet

Perk

Ride with First Class Tours to The Golden Nugget Lake Charles, departing from FM 1960 Terminal and Eastex Terminals

G A M B L I N G CLICKPHERERFOROTICKET B AVAILABILITY L E M ? 12

P L E

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New for 2017!

NOVEMBER 2018

B US TOUR S PACKAG ES DAY TRIP PACKAGES (Minimum 5 Hour Stay)

Package A • Golden Nugget will pay $10 per passenger • Receive $5 Free Slot Play or $10 Food Credit • Group leader receives $15 Free Slot Play or $25 Food Credit *No minimum passenger count required.

Package B • Golden Nugget will pay $500 for Bus Transportation • Receive $5 Free Slot Play or $10 Food Credit

GOLDEN NUGGET TRIP • Group leader receives $15 Free Slot Play or $25 Food Credit *Minimum 40 passenger counter required.

Package C

• Golden Nugget will pay $1,000 for Bus Transportation • Group leader receives $15 Free Slot Play or $25 Food Credit *Minimum 50 passenger count required.

*All passengers must be 21 or older. No deposit required. Any payment made by Golden Nugget will be sent to the approved motor coach company. Group leaders are not eligible to receive payment.

From upscale to casual, Golden Nugget Lake Charles also boasts a collection of Landry’s, Inc. awardwinning and nationally recognized restaurants that cater to every palate. Grotto Ristorante, Saltgrass Steak House, Landry’s Seafood House, Claim Jumper, Lillie’s Asian Cuisine, Cadillac Mexican Kitchen & Tequila Bar and the crown jewel of steakhouses – Vic & Anthony’s – are just a few of the impressive selections. Guests can also peruse through a shopping promenade featuring all of the latest fashions from designers like Tommy Bahama and Michael Kors, catch a game of golf, or bask in the sun at H20 – an opulent Vegasstyle pool, swim-up bar and lounge. To learn more about available Bus Tour Packages to Golden Nugget Lake Charles, please call 337.508.7221 or email BusTours@gnlcm.com. 2550 GOLDEN NUGGET BLVD.

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LAKE CHARLES. LA 70601

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1 . 8 7 7 . 7 7 0 . S T O P 13

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As a local, it is not at all uncommon to be asked “What is there to do in Galveston?” To me, it seems like such an odd question. The question really should be more like “What ISN’T there to do in Galveston?” Galveston Island has a diversity of entertainment and leisure options that has made it one of the top beach destinations along the Gulf Coast. I think it’s the fact that Galveston has so much more than just sand and water to lure people across The Causeway. Let’s look at just Downtown Galveston – the epicenter of entertainment, food, drink and social activity in the city. So if you’re looking for something fun to do and need a little nudge for ideas, here’s a quick list of the top 10 things to do in Downtown Galveston. And I offer this one disclaimer – this is in no way intended to be inclusive. It is not the result of any survey. This is merely my list of top 10 things I recommend to folks based on living here 21 years and visiting the island city my entire life.

1. Shop If you’re fond of unique and interesting items for yourself or gifts for others, downtown Galveston is where you need to spend some time with Hendley Market as your first stop. Be sure to check the store for current hours – they tend to change from time to time. But it is worth the effort for the spectacular collection of unusual items you’ll find. Nativity scenes

CARD COUNTING MATCH THE DEALE BET IN SPANISH 21 BY: ELIOT JACOBSON

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Match the Dealer (MD) is a popular side bet offered with six-deck Spanish 21. I have never seen this wager offered on ordinary blackjack, though it is certainly possible. The wager is similar to the Pair Square side bet, paying for pairs with a premium for suited pairs. In the Pair Square bet, the player wins based on the ranks and suits of his two initial cards. In MD, the player wins if either of his two initial cards has the same rank as the dealer’s up-card. There are two other side bets that are based on the player’s initial two cards and dealer upcard: 21 + 3 and Lucky Lucky. Spanish 21 is almost universally offered as a six-deck shoe game using “Spanish” decks. Here is the combinatorial analysis of the MD side bet:

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In particular: The house edge is 3.055% The hit frequency is 15.411% The standard deviation is 2.448 This article considers card counting MD. First, recall that Spanish 21 is a variant of ordinary blackjack that uses “Spanish” decks. These are ordinary decks with the Tens removed, leaving 48 cards per deck. In a Spanish shoe, there are six Spanish decks, for a total of 288 cards, instead of the normal 312 cards per shoe. It follows that pairs are more likely in a Spanish shoe: instead of a frequency of 1-in-13.52 for a pair

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in a normal six-deck shoe, in a Spanish shoe, pairs occur with frequency 1-in-12.48. The way to view beating a bet like this is that a significant imbalance in either the rank or suits of the remaining cards in the shoe favors the player. For example, consider a Spanish shoe with 144 cards remaining (half a shoe). If there are 12 of each card remaining, then the total number of rank-pairs is 792. However, if the frequencies are {10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 14, 14, 14, 14, 14, 14} (10 cards each for 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 14 cards for each of 8, 9, J, Q, K, A) then the total number of rank-pairs is 816. A similar computation shows that any imbalance in suits yields more suit-pairs. Given that the goal is to keep track of rank or suit imbalances,

I considered three card counting systems. The first count I considered is the “Rank count.” In this count, I grouped the cards into two subsets of six cards each. One group consisted of the low cards {2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7}, which are given the tag +1. The other group consisted of the high cards {8, 9, J, Q, K, A}, which are given the tag -1. If the true count is sufficiently positive, then a pair of high cards is more likely. If the true count is sufficiently negative, then a pair of low cards is more likely. For this reason, the “target true count” refers to a value that indicates both a positive and a negative target. I simulated one hundred million (100,000,000) six-deck Spanish

shoes using the Rank count. The cut-card was placed at 240 cards (48 from the end). The following table summarizes the result from this simulation:

An AP using the rank count should make the MD wager whenever the count is either 10 or higher or -10 or lower. Then the AP will make the MD wager on about 1.28% of his hands, and when he does make the wager, his average edge will be about 2.06%. An AP who finds

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a game that allows a maximum wager of $100 on MD and is able to play heads-up, getting 200 rounds per hour, will earn about $5.28 per hour playing against MD. The next count I considered is called the “Frequency count.” Rather than grouping the cards into two sets, this metric keeps track of the exact number of cards remaining from the most played rank and least played rank. Subtract the min from the max of these values to get a “running count.” Then convert that running count to a true count. If the true count is sufficiently large then the AP will have the edge. For example, mid-way through the shoe, if the distribution of ranks is (11, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18), then the max is 18, the min is 6, the running count is max – min = 18-6 = 12, and the true count is 12/3 = 4. This method is not humanfeasible, but it is still worth checking its performance. The following table summarizes the results from a simulation of one hundred million (100,000,000) six-deck Spanish shoes using the Frequency count:

An AP using the Frequency count should make the MD wager whenever the true count is 6 or higher. Then the AP will make the MD wager on about 3.81% of his hands, and when he does make the wager, his average edge will be about 4.00%. An AP who finds a game that allows a maximum wager of $100 on MD and is able to play heads-up, getting 200 rounds per hour, will earn about $30.42 per hour playing against MD. If this count was human-feasible, it would represent a significant improvement over the Rank count and would indicate a vulnerability. However, it is highly unlikely that any AP (or team of APs) could use this count in practice. Finally, I considered the “Suit count.” This count is similar to the Frequency count, except this count keeps track of the exact number of cards remaining from the most played suit and least played suit. Subtract the min from the max of these two values to get a “running count.” Then convert that running count to a true count. If the true count is sufficiently large, then the AP will have the edge. For example, mid-way through the shoe, if the distribution of suits is (24, 32, 40, 48), then the max is 48, the min is 24, the running count is max – min = 48 – 24 = 24, and the true count is 24/3 = 8. To test this count, I conducted a simulation of one hundred

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million (100,000,000) six-deck Spanish shoes using the Suit count. I discovered that this count is not sufficient to gain a meaningful edge. The following table summarizes the results of this simulation:

A cursory comparison of the Suit count with the much easier Rank count shows that the Suit count is essentially worthless. It is both more complicated to use than the Rank count and returns significantly fewer units per 100 hands. It is well-known that the base game of Spanish 21 has a significant card counting vulnerability. Outside of blackjack, it is the only variant that has a book describing how to use card counting against it. However, in my opinion the MD side bet is a very weak opportunity for APs. Honestly, I can’t imagine that APs will ever target MD through card counting. (Underscore “card counting.”) No casino defense is indicated.

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10 PACKING TIPS TO MAKE FAMILY TRAVEL EASIER BY: EAGLE CREEK 18

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When you’re traveling with your family, things can get chaotic and overwhelming. Planning ahead, using a system, and using effective organizational tools can make all the difference. Planning on taking everyone on a good ole’ family trip? Though you can’t expect to completely avoid sibling skirmishes, but you canbe proactive about preventing many of the sticky situations that can come about during a family trip. Here are some tips for making your trip smoother.

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1. Cross pack Just in case someone’s bag doesn’t end up at your destination, cross packing can make it a little bit easier. Try putting a backup set of clean clothes for each family member in someone else’s suitcase. For example, put an extra outfit and some clean pairs of underwear in your partner’s suitcase. 2. Organize all of your cords and chargers in one place Portable DVD players and iPads can be a

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lifesaver for parents who need to keep their kids occupied during travel. These wonderful devices can keep kids entertained for hours and provide an endless supply of entertainment. But one thing is a sure fun-killer: forgetting or losing the chargers. A good tip from OrganizedJen is to use a

small pouch to organize all of your cords and chargers in one place. One that’s waterproof will keep them free from any liquids and prevent damage. 3. Find apps your kids can play on an iPad without internet connectivity If you are flying or will be in another country where

you don’t want to rack up international data charges, it’s a good idea to have some apps on your iPad so kids can keep playing. Some apps to try include Minnie’s Bow-tique, Bejeweled, Starfall, Angry Birds, Road Rally, Where’s My Water, Hangman, and Tetris. Make sure you review all games before

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downloading them for your child to ensure you are comfortable with the content. 4. Buy a headphone splitter so multiple people can listen on one device If you play the audio on an iPad out loud on an airplane or other mode of public transportation, it isn’t unlikely you’ll win over any of your fellow passengers. Make sure all of your family members can listen, even if there’s only one device, by using a headphone splitter. You can find headphone splitters that allow two people to listen with their own headphones at the same time, and even ones capable of handling up to five pairs of headphones. Expert #Traveltip: Headphone splitters can be extra-handy if you’re visiting a museum or other type of attraction where audio guides cost money. 5. Don’t forget about nontech toys too You don’t want to be completely reliant on technology to keep your kids occupied. Batteries die and there are some circumstances when it’s better to not use them. Consider bringing coloring books, lightweight paper books for reading, a travel version of Guess Who,

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magic markers, Crocodile Dentist, or wikki stix. 6. Limit each kid to one small pack-it bag for toys Assign each kid to a color and then give him or her a small pack-it bag for all of his or her toys. The colors can make for easy identification. Kids will like the opportunity to choose what they want to bring. Giving them the limit of one bag helps them decide what’s most important and gives them an opportunity to have some independence in deciding what they want. 7. Prepare for the noise Whether it’s coming from you kids or not, it’s likely there will be times you want to just tune out the noise. Consider packing earplugs, which can be used by your family or given to other passengers in the case of a screaming baby. This might be the time to bring noise canceling headphones too, if you prefer to listen to audio and get rid of ambient noise. 8. Maximize your space Packing cubes, folders, sacs, can help you corral all of your items and organize them for easy finding, packing, and re-packing. Again, color-coding by

family member can make identification quick and easy. Jessica from bringthe-kids.com provides a wonderful guide (with pictures) to using the PackIt System on family trips. 9. Bring snacks Kids get hungry and to keep them from getting fussy, plan ahead with lots of nutritious snacks to keep them going. You can designate one pouch/bag as the food bag for easy organization. It helps if it’s lined with a waterproof material, so just in case something spills it doesn’t sabotage the rest of your stuff. 10. Bring a collapsible daypack that can be used during the day A daypack that can compactly fit inside your suitcase can be a lifesaver during busy trips that involve several different activities. Just pull out your bag and fill it with what you need for the day, and voila! When you go home you can either pack it back into your suitcase without sacrificing too much space, or use it as an extra bag for items you’ve acquired. ¦ SEE THE ORIGINAL ARTICLE.

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THE 10 BEST GAMES IN THE CASINO BY: RANDY RAY

There’s bound to be a lot of disagreement about what the 10 best games in the casino are. After all, different gamblers have different temperaments. I might enjoy playing blackjack because I count cards, while you might play slot machines because you don’t want to have to think about what you’re doing.

But some games are just too good a deal to pass up, while others are really awful. Some games are boring for almost everyone. Some just have terrible odds. And some games qualify for this top list if you make certain bets but not if you make others. All that being said, don’t

let anyone judge you based on what casino games you enjoy. I’m offering my opinions below, but yours might differ. Everyone has his or her own reason for gambling in a casino. At the end of the day, all casino games favor the house. How much of a favorite the house is

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doesn’t matter as much as you might think. After all, if you play a negative expectation game long enough, you’ll lose all your money—no matter whether the game is on this list or its companion, “The 10 Worst Games in the Casino”. The games are listed in no particular order:

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1. Blackjack Not everyone likes blackjack. In fact, I’m going to start off by listing some of the downsides to playing blackjack. I’ll get into the reasons why it’s on this “best of” list after I’ve admitted to the game’s flaws. Blackjack is not a good game for introverts unless

you can find a table where no one else is playing. Even then, you’re still going to interact with a live human dealer—unless you’re playing online. But human interaction is almost always a given with a blackjack game. Also, some people just don’t like card games. Maybe they

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didn’t play cards when they were growing up or something, so they don’t know much about how they work. Some people just don’t like math at all, even simple addition, and blackjack just becomes incomprehensible really quickly because of all the addition and subtraction.

for the player.

If you find a game with a good set of rules, and if you play using basic strategy, the house edge might be under 0.3%. That’s the lowest house edge in the casino usually. Sure, you might sometimes find a video poker game with a Finally, some players comparable number, but don’t want to have to even the best video poker make decisions. Blackjack games only tie blackjack is most certainly a game when it comes to offering of decisions, and what the player great odds. you decide has an effect on your outcome. A lot of Even blackjack games the other players at the where the game table think that what you conditions are less decide has an effect on than favorable offer their outcome, too. better odds than most casino games. The worst They’re wrong about blackjack games usually that, but for an introvert have a house edge of who doesn’t want to around 1%. make decisions and also doesn’t want to Basic strategy refers to deal with other people, the correct decision for blackjack might be one every potential hand in of the worst games in the blackjack. You compare casino. the total in your hand with the dealer’s up But all of those card, and there is one drawbacks pale in decision with the best comparison to the pros expected value. If you of the game: make that decision every time, you’re using basic Blackjack has the lowest strategy. house edge in the casino. The house edge is the Expected value is a percentage of each bet mathematical term that that the casino expects to expresses how much keep over the long run— a particular decision is thousands of bets. The worth over the long run. higher the house edge is, You multiply the odds of the worse the odds are winning by the amount 26

you stand to win and subtract the odds of losing multiplied by the amount you stand to lose. Luckily, you don’t have to figure out the correct basic strategy for yourself on every single hand. You can find detailed guides to basic strategy right here on our site. You can even print up a table to take into the casino, and the dealers will even let you use that printout while you play. Even if you ignore basic strategy and just follow your hunches, you’re only losing between 1.5% and 3.5% per hand— unless you’re just making purposefully boneheaded decisions, that is. If you hit every hand until you bust, the house edge is 100%. Another great thing about blackjack is that it’s one of the only gambling games where a talented, smart player can get an edge. Counting cards is the best known advantage gambling technique used in blackjack, but there are several other ways of getting an edge over the house. Counting cards is easier than you think, too. This site has an extensive wwwfirstclasstours.net

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series of pages about how to count cards in blackjack. We even have pages about other advantage blackjack techniques like shuffle tracking. Blackjack is a great game, and even if it’s not your go-to game at the casino, it should be on the menu of games that you choose from. It’s just a lot of fun, and the odds are some of the best in the casino.

2. Video Poker Video poker games resemble slot machines, but they offer players much better odds of winning. And getting better odds of winning is something everyone should be interested in. As with blackjack, I’m going to look at the pros and cons of this game versus other games. I’ll start with its drawbacks. If you’re a social gambler, video poker might not be the best choice. You don’t generally interact much with other players when you’re sitting in front of a Jacks or Better machine. Also, if you’re a high roller or a low roller, video poker might not be available in the

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denominations you’re looking for. The lowest end video poker games cost $1.25 per hand to play (25 cents with a max bet of 5 coins), and even the highest end video poker games top out at less than most whales want to play. Finally, video poker is a game that rewards skilled play. This is just too much pressure for some players. The idea is that they’ve come to the casino in order to relax, not to think about what they’re doing. Players like that should stick with slots. But the pros of video poker outweigh the cons in a significant way. The main reason is that the odds are so much better. It’s also a much more transparent game. Here’s why: A video poker game uses a random number generator that duplicates the kinds of odds you’d see if you were playing with a real deck of cards. That means if you need an ace to fill your straight, you can calculate the odds of getting that card. There are 4 aces in the deck—no more, no less.

With a slot machine, you have NO way of knowing what the likelihood of getting a particular symbol on a particular reel is. A cherry might be programmed to come up once every 10 spins, or it might be programmed to come up once every 100 spins. You have no way to know. As a result, the payback percentage for a video poker machine can be calculated. You’re just multiplying the odds of achieving each hand by the payout for that hand. The payback percentage for a slot machine can be calculated, too. But not by you. You don’t have access to the information you need, and you’ll never be able to get access to it. The best video poker games, like full pay Jacks or Better, offer a payback percentage of over 99% when played with appropriate strategy. Most slot machines, on the other hand, offer a payback percentage of 95% or much less. Even video poker games with less than ideal pay tables pay more than slots. Even the worst Jacks or Better games, like the ones you’ll find at the airport, have a payback percentage 27

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north of 94%. Compare that with the slot machines there, which often have a payback percentage of 75% to 80%. Having to learn how to use a little bit of strategy in order to get these better odds isn’t too big a drawback, either. In fact, for players with my temperament, learning strategy is fun. I like having some control over my destiny, even if I can’t turn the odds to my favor. I still want to get as much gambling for my money as possible, and I don’t mind making the effort to get there.

3. Craps Craps might be the most intimidating game in the casino. You have lots of people standing around the table, the bets all have funny names, and you even need an entire crew of people just to run a single game. And everyone is excited. I’ll start again with the drawbacks to craps, but I’m a firm believer that this is one of the best casino games for anyone, no matter what their level of experience is. The first drawback is that the gameplay is actually a little bit complicated 30

and hard to follow, especially if you’ve never played before. This is a game with a lot moving parts, but at the end of the day, it all boils down to someone shooting dice and hoping to get certain numbers. It’s just that there’s a difference between the come-out roll and the subsequent rolls when the player is trying to make a point. Heck, even some of the bets on the table aren’t labeled.

in use, and there is only one shooter at a time. And the shooter’s goal is simple enough—she wants to roll a 7 or an 11 on the come-out roll, and she wants to avoid rolling a 2, 3, or 12. If she rolls any other number, she’s set a point. Her goal then changes. She now wants to roll the point before rolling a 7.

The simplest bet at the table is a bet on whether or not the shooter is going to succeed or fail. Another drawback is that This bet is called the pass/don’t pass bet, but the game is as streaky subsequent bets also as a casino game can have a come/don’t come be. You can easily lose hundreds of dollars at the option, which treats craps table in a matter of those subsequent rolls as new come-out rolls. moments. That’s a twoedged sword, though, But the game also offers as you can also win hundreds of dollars really the only bet in the casino which has a 0 house fast, too. edge. This is called an odds bet. When a point Finally, some of the bets is set, you can place an at the craps table offer additional bet behind some of the worst odds your original pass or in the casino. The house don’t pass bet. This bet edge for some of these is a multiple of your bets is over 10%, in fact. original bet, and the But that’s not such a big maximum amount you drawback, either, as it’s pretty easy to choose the can bet on this option is pre-determined by the better bets. casino. Here are the advantages But since this bet pays to craps: out at the actual odds of it being won, it’s a bet Once you learn how to with a 0% house edge. play, it’s not that hard at This hedges your risk in a all. There are only 2 dice

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dramatic way. The more money the casino lets you place on the odds bet, the better your odds become. It’s also easy to avoid the high house edge bets. Just stick with the simple bets on the table and avoid the ones that seem complicated. If you stick with pass/don’t pass, come/don’t come, and odds bets, you’ll be facing a house edge of around 1% or less. That puts this game on a par with blackjack. But unlike blackjack, you don’t have to know any kind of strategy when you play craps. The only strategy for this game is to avoid the bets which have a high house edge and focus on the bets with a low house edge. Craps is also one of the most social games in any casino. People are jumping up and down, yelling, and giving each other high fives constantly. I mentioned earlier that the game is, by its nature, streaky. That’s a feature, not a drawback. Few gambling experiences are more exciting than getting involved with a craps table with a hot shooter.

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And if you think the game is too intimidating, look for the casino game class schedule at the casino. Almost all casinos offer these in the mornings and in the afternoons. Once you’ve taken one of these classes, you’ll be able to play craps as if you were an old pro.

4. Baccarat I’ll admit that baccarat isn’t one of my personal favorites, but it’s been a favorite of casino high rollers for decades— maybe even longer. It has advantages and disadvantages over other card games in the casino, but one of the biggest advantages the game offers is its relatively low house edge. Baccarat is a simple guessing game. The dealer gets a hand and the player gets a hand. There’s an elaborate process for determining the score for each hand— you just add the card values together and ignore the first digit. You don’t make any decisions when playing baccarat. This isn’t like blackjack at all, really— the only thing the games have in common is that they’re dealt from a traditional deck of cards.

This game is perfect for high rollers, as the stakes are generally available. It’s also perfect for players who aren’t looking for something especially fast paced. It’s a leisurely game that offers a certain amount of elegance. It’s also a good game for players who don’t want to learn a strategy and who aren’t interested in trying to get an edge over the casino. Baccarat is not as streaky as craps, but players can get on a winning streak without too much trouble.

5. Slot Machines I probably sounded pretty down on slot machines when I wrote about video poker earlier, but the reality is that for the right type gambler, slot machines are an excellent choice. But not all slot machine games are created equally. Slot machines are the right games for people who aren’t interested in socializing with other gamblers. They’re also the right games for players who don’t want to make decisions. You put your money in, you spin the reels, and you accept your luck. That’s just how they work, and that appeals to a lot of people.

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The best slot machines are the ones played at the higher denominations. If you look at any table comparing payout percentages at the various denominations, you’ll see that the higher denomination games always have the best payouts. That doesn’t mean you should play above your bankroll, though. You should always play a game where you’re comfortable with the stakes. If you get in over your head financially, it can be disastrous, and that can happen really quickly. Saving 1% on your payback percentage isn’t going to save you money if you’re switching from a $5 slot machine to a $25 slot machine. Here’s how the math of that works out: You make 600 spins per hour on a $5 slot machine. That’s $3000 in action, and if you’re losing 5% on average, then you’re looking at an expected loss of $150 per hour. You trade up to a $25 game, so now you’re putting $15,000 per hour into action. But now you’re only losing 4% on average, because

the payout percentage is better. That’s an expected loss of $600 per hour. Even if the payout percentage dropped to 3%, you’re looking at an expected loss of $450, which is still triple what you’d lose on the$5 game. So it’s not all about payback percentage. The stakes for which you’re playing also make a big difference. Another consideration is how complicated the game is. The general rule of thumb is that the payback percentage on the simpler games is higher than for the more complicated games. A 3 reel slot machine almost always has a better payout percentage than that of a 5 reel slot machine. A slot machine with a flat top jackpot almost always has a better payout percentage than that of a progressive jackpot machine. So if you’re an introvert who’s not interested in making decisions, give the slots a try. Just stay within your budget and stick with the simpler, more traditional games. Slot machines get a bad rap, but that’s a little undeserved.

6. European Roulette In general, roulette gets a bad rap among so-called sophisticated gamblers. They cite the lack of a skill element and the high house edge for the game. But somehow roulette has managed to remain popular for centuries. Why? One reason is because the relatively high house edge is mitigated by the pace at which it is played. Consider this. European roulette, which only has a single 0, has a house edge of 2.7%. Let’s say you found a really great slot machine that also has a house edge of only 2.7%. Which game is going to cost you more money? Most roulette tables probably don’t see 60 bets per hour—less if the table is crowded. Suppose you’re betting $5 per spin of the wheel. That’s only $300 that you’re putting into action each house. With a 2.7% house edge, you’re looking at an expected hourly loss of $8.10. Say you play that really good slot machine for $5 per spin. You’re looking at 600 spins per hour,

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which amounts to $3000 in action. Remember we said that it had the same house edge, too? Now you’re expected hourly loss is $81. Roulette is best for social players who aren’t in a hurry. It’s a slow-paced game where there are usually lots of people at the table. You’ll notice that I specified European roulette on this list. American roulette is going to make my list of worst casino games. That’s because the house edge for American roulette is almost twice as high as for European roulette, and there’s no advantage to playing it. The game simply has worse odds for the player. Not all casinos have European roulette. My recommendation is to just skip roulette if the only version you can find is American roulette. There are other options with much better odds which suit similar temperaments—baccarat is one choice that might work well for you. If enough gamblers start ignoring the American roulette wheels, the casinos might start putting in more European wheels.

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7. Pai Gow Poker I love Pai Gow Poker for multiple reasons, but the main reasons have to do with the pacing. It’s a leisurely game. In that respect, it resembles roulette or baccarat. But the game also presents opportunities for pushes on a consistent basis, which lowers your expected hourly loss even further. Like craps, though, Pai Gow Poker can be intimidating for beginners. I’ll make the same recommendation for this game that I made for craps—take one of the classes that the casinos offer for free. This game is fun enough and offers a good enough deal that it’s worth learning how to play. Pai Gow Poker is played with a 53 card deck—it includes a joker as a wild card. Like blackjack, it’s a house-banked game. So it’s a “casino poker” game rather than a “real” poker game. In casino poker, players only compete with the dealer’s hand. In real poker games, the dealer doesn’t usually even have a hand, and all the players compete with each other. The gimmick is that each player gets a 7 card hand.

You’re required to set that hand into 2 hands—a 2 card hand and a 5 card hand. The dealer has to do the same, but the dealer has to do so in a prescribed way. (This is another similarity to blackjack.) If the player’s 2 hands are better than the dealer’s 2 hands, he wins even money less a 5% commission. If the dealer’s 2 hands are better than the player’s 2 hands, the player loses his bet. Other outcomes result in a push, which happens more often than you probably think. This game does require a certain amount of strategy, because you do have to make decisions about which cards to put in the 5 card hand and which cards to put in the 2 card hand. If you enjoy the mental challenge of making decisions that affect your bottom line, then Pai Gow Poker, like blackjack or video poker, is probably a good choice for you. The house edge for this game is only about 1.5%, which isn’t as good as blackjack, but it’s still a great gamble. Even players on a budget can usually afford this because of the leisurely rate of play and the

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plentiful pushes.

8. Spanish 21 Some people consider Spanish 21 just a blackjack game with some rules differences. They’re not wrong about this, necessarily, but I think that the rules changes are significant enough that Spanish 21 deserves to be listed as its own game. It has most of the same pros and cons as blackjack. Here are some of the differences between Spanish 21 and standard blackjack: Spanish 21 uses a “Spanish deck”, which is a deck of playing cards with all of the 10s removed. This confused me the first time I read it, but I later realized that the face cards were still in the deck. It was literally just the cards with the number 10 on them that had been removed. Late surrender, which is not available in most blackjack games, is always available in Spanish 21. Doubling after splitting is also always allowed in Spanish 21—most traditional blackjack games have limits to this, if they allow it at all. Aces can be re-split, too,

which is also unusual in traditional blackjack games. One of the other advantages a player gets in Spanish 21 is that a total of 21 for the player ALWAYS wins, regardless of the dealer’s total. That’s a huge difference right there. This includes blackjacks on both the dealer’s and the player’s side—the player always wins one of these ties.

Spanish 21 is often a better game than blackjack, although the rules variations do mean you have to adjust your strategy in some significant ways. Still, it’s worth learning how to play. It’s often the best bet, mathematically, out of all the bets available in any given casino.

9. 3 Card Poker

3 Card Poker makes the list not because of its low Spanish 21 also has house edge but because several bonuses for it’s so much fun. In fact, various hands. A 5 card 3 Card Poker has some hand totaling 21, for of the worst odds of any example, pays off at 3 to game on this list. But 1. A 6 card hand totaling the odds aren’t terrible, 21 pays off at 2 to 1. 7 and the game has some cards or more with a total other perks which might of 21 pays off at 3 to 1. make up for the relatively high house edge in some A 678 or a 777 also gets a ways. bonus payout—3 to 2. But if the cards are suited, I mentioned earlier the payout is increased that there’s a difference to 2 to 1. And if the suit between a traditional is spades, the payoff is poker game and a casino increased again, this time poker game. That’s to 3 to 1. because in traditional poker you’re competing Like regular blackjack, with the other players. In players who are willing a casino poker game, the to learn and implement house is banking all the basic strategy are able action. It’s like blackjack— to reduce the house you only have to beat the edge dramatically. The dealer; you don’t have to house edge for Spanish beat the other players at 21 never goes above 1% the table. as long as you use basic strategy, and under ideal Of course, in a poker conditions, the house game with only 3 cards, edge is only 0.4%,

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the odds of getting certain hands change quite a bit. That’s part of the fun of this game. It’s easier to get a straight, a flush, or a straight flush when you only have to get 3 cards to match. Here’s a look at the probability behind that. Suppose you want to determine the probability of getting a flush. In probability terms, this is an “AND” question. The 2nd card needs to be of the same suit as the 1st card, AND the 3rd card has to match those suits, too. In probability, when the question uses the word “and”, you multiply the probabilities of the separate outcomes by each other to get your overall probability. To keep things simple, I’m going to estimate these odds without taking into account the cards that have already been dealt. There are 4 suits, so the probability of getting a card of any particular suit is ¼. ¼ X ¼ is 1/16, which is a reasonable approximation of your odds of getting a flush in 3 card poker. In a 5 card poker game,

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the odds would look like this, instead: ¼ X ¼ X ¼ X ¼ = 1/256. That’s an order of magnitude in difference. The bottom line is that you’ll see bigger hands more often in 3 Card Poker, and that’s just more fun. Of course, your hand still has to beat the dealer’s hand in order to win. The house edge for 3 Card Poker is around 3.3%, making it a worse bet than European roulette, but not by much. It’s also a considerably better bet than American roulette, which has a house edge of 5.26%.

10. Caribbean Stud Poker Caribbean Stud Poker is another house-banked poker game, but this one offers a progressive jackpot. I recommended avoiding slot machine games with progressive jackpots earlier, because they offer worse odds to the players. If you’re looking for a fun game where you get a shot at a big prize, Caribbean Stud Poker is a good place to look. Also, Caribbean Stud

Poker is a game in which you can socialize with other players. I’m not a fan of gambling alone, although I know some people prefer slot machines and video poker because they ARE fans of gambling alone. As Shakespeare said in Hamlet, “To thine own self be true.” The house edge on this game is relatively high, about the same as that for roulette. So on our list of best casino games, this is the worst of the bunch. I wouldn’t recommend this at all if it weren’t for the fun factor and the potential progressive jackpot. This is also a game that rewards strategy, but the strategy for playing is more complicated than just learning basic strategy in blackjack. This is a plus and a minus. Here’s why: I enjoy a challenge. Learning a complicated strategy for a game is entertaining to me. But why would I want to spend my time learning a strategy for a game with a house edge that’s 10 times as high as that of blackjack? I could just use that that time learning basic blackjack strategy

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and enjoy a much better house edge. The truth is that it’s all about the progressive jackpot. Most blackjack games don’t offer a progressive jackpot, and sometimes I just want to dream about the big score. And you can’t ever get a big score if you don’t play a game where a big score is available. Heck, even if you don’t hit the progressive, some of the hands pay out at 100 to 1 or 50 to 1. You won’t see that at the blackjack table, either.

Conclusion What constitutes a casino game in the “best of

class” category is largely a matter of personal preference. You know your goals as a casino gambler better than I ever could. Beware of people offering blanket black and white advice about which casino games are better than others and why. A lot of these gambling pundits base all their advice on one factor—the house edge. As factors go, that isn’t a bad one, but it’s not the only thing most people consider—or even SHOULD consider— when choosing a casino game to play. You should also think about whether you’re an introvert or an extrovert.

You should think about whether you like fast paced game or slow paced games. Would you prefer to have frequent small wins, or do you prefer to go for a big jackpot? All of these are factors that you can and should take into consideration when choosing a casino game. The games on this list represent my favorites more than anything else, although I tried to provide objective reasons for the inclusion of each on this list.! ¦ SEE THE ORIGINAL ARTICLE.

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DISCOVER TEXAS “PLACES TO SEE IN TEXAS”

Come and see all that Texas has to offer and why we proudly call it home!

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THE BEST HIDDEN PLACES IN TEXAS FOR ROADTRIPPIN’ BY: ANGELICA LEICHT

Oh, there’s so much to see in Texas. From the white sands of the coastal shores to the deep canyons on down, our state has so much to offer. And while everyone knows about some of our more national attractions — Big Bend, South Padre Island and so on — this is an

enormous state, covering 268,820 square miles of land. With girth like that, there are bound to be a number of hidden gems in Texas that are just itching to be explored. So if you’re still busy planning out a summer vacation, perhaps you should eschew the typical

and head for the hills — of the Hill Country, perhaps — or one of the many other places on this list, to find yourself a real adventure, Texas-style. Here are the best hidden places to road-trip in Texas. Saddle up, y’all, but leave the spurs at home.

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Marvel at Marfa’s Mystery Lights For a town as tiny as Marfa, Texas, it sure is a place full of rad stuff to do. If you road-trip it somewhere near this town — which you may, considering it’s located between Big Bend National Park and the Davis Mountains — perhaps you should make plans to stay a night or two in order to

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check out the mystery lights. The mystery lights, Marfa’s claim to fame, appear in the sky between Marfa and Paisano Pass on clear nights, and are visible when facing southwest toward the Chinati Mountains. The lights have been twinkling since at least 1883, when the first record of them appears, and

have been puzzling viewers ever since. At times they appear colored, and at others quite mobile, with some appearing to fuse and split with the others, and they disappear and reappear at will. No one’s quite sure where they came from, but there they’ve been for over a

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Distance from Houston: 8 hours 24 minutes

dinosaur footprints and all sorts of other cool dinosaurthemed stuff, but it’s way more than just that.

Diggin’ Up Bones at Dinosaur Valley State Park Well, please don’t actually try to dig up bones at Dinosaur Valley State Park. You might get in a lot of trouble for pulling something like that. But do check out this massive state park in Glen Rose, Texas. It’s located right on the Paluxy River, and yes, it has

There are eastward-dipping limestones, sandstones and mudstones that were deposited about 113 million years ago when this park, which is also a National Natural Landmark, was the shoreline of an ancient sea. The park and the natural setting of the area are gorgeous and well worth a visit, even though it’s less

hundred years.

well known than Texas’s other parks like Big Bend. Distance from Houston: 4 hours 9 minutes John Wayne’s Head In Lubbock, Texas, there is a 13-ton boulder carved into the likeness of John Wayne’s head. That’s pretty much it, but does there need to be much more? It’s John Wayne’s head, on a boulder, in Lubbock. Could a landmark get any more Texan than that?

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Distance from Houston: 7 hours 54 minutes Searchin’ for Topaz in Mason County Mason County is the only place in Texas that you can hunt for natural topaz. Topaz is the state gem of Texas, and is usually found within streambeds and ravines, but still only in Mason County. There are a number of ranches in the area that will set you up with everything you need to go topaz hunting, unless they’re closed for deer season, and since there’s no commercial mining in the area, the entire experience is really unique. Distance from Houston: 4 hours 26 minutes Hiking to Gorman Falls

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Gorman Falls is a secluded little waterfall that’s located right in the heart of Colorado Bend State Park in the hill country. Colorado Bend State Park is a gorgeous area without the hike up to the falls, but if you happen to head out there, this is a hike you should definitely take. It’ll be about 1.5 miles up some pretty sticky terrain, but finding the oasis in the middle of Texas is well worth it. Distance from Houston: 4 hours 19 minutes Chilling Out at Enchanted Rock If you’ve never seen the Enchanted Rock State Natural Area, it’s time you remedied that. Enchanted Rock is an enormous pink granite pluton dome that

rises naturally out of the earth, and as a landmark, it is impressive all on its own. But when you factor in the legend of Enchanted Rock — the folklore of the Tonkawa, Comanche and Apache tribes all describe the area as mystical and magical — it truly takes you to another place and time. Creaking and “groaning” can be heard from the rock at night, and while scientists attribute this noise to the cooling of the rock after it’s been heated by the sun during the day, the Native tribes attributed it to ghost fires. They also believed that the rock made them invisible when Anglo settlers started to come to the area, and a number of legends surround the rock to this day.

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Distance from Houston: 3 hours 59 minutes Kayaking on Medina River While the area surrounding Medina River is quite popular for water fanatics, the river has managed to skirt a lot of the rowdier toobers, and has found its niche with the more sedate — and natureloving — kayakers instead. The Medina is a pristine, greenery-covered waterway, free of overly tenuous whitewater rapids or the like. It’s basically made for relaxation, and kayaking it is the perfect way to experience that. Birds chip, fish jump and frogs croak, and you’ll be able to hear all of it without having to hear “Spring Break, YEAAAAAAAHHHHHH!” over and over, quite unlike what you’ll find on some of the more hard-partyin’ rivers in the area. Distance from Houston: 2 hours 57 minutes Giant Steer Statue at Big Texan Steak Ranch Amarillo by mornin’... Eh, it may take you a bit more time than that to get up to Amarillo, but if you happen to make it up to the very distant area, you should swing on by the

giant steer statue at the Big Texan Steak Ranch. Oh, and then you should go into the Big Texan Steak Ranch and challenge yourself with that huge 72-ounce steak that the place has become famous for. Remember when Bobby Hill killed that challenge after being dumped by the vegan chick on King of the Hill? Yeah, that’s the place. And you know you want to go. Distance from Houston: 8 hours 57 minutes Asserting Artistic Expression at Cadillac Ranch Oh, and if you do make your way up to Amarillo, be sure to stop by the Cadillac Ranch. The enormous public art installation is amazing, with a number of junked-out old Cadillacs half-buried with their noses in the ground. The cars are repainted periodically to provide “fresh canvases” for visitors, who are invited to spraypaint them to their heart’s content. So awesome. Distance from Houston: 8 hours 47 minutes Cascade Caverns The caves at Cascade Caverns are simply breathtaking. And at points slightly claustrophobic, but that’s

besides the point. What is the point, however, is how stunning geologic formations like the ones found at Cascade Caverns can be. Texas sure is awesome, ain’t it? Distance from Houston: 3 hours 19 minutes “Texas’ Grand Canyon,” or Palo Duro Canyon This canyon, nicknamed the “Grand Canyon of Texas” due to its massive size, dramatic geological attributes and those steep mesa walls, is the second-largest canyon in the United States. There are plenty of trails meant for hikers — but if you’re a novice, start slow — which lead down to the area’s most impressive sights, like the Lighthouse Peak. The area is rich with history, especially about the Native American tribes who were once its prime inhabitants. If you’ve never seen the Grand Canyon and are a bit afraid of heights, perhaps this is the place to start. And even if you’ve seen the Grand Canyon, you should still check out Palo Duro. It’s Texas through and through. Distance from Houston: 9 hours 14 minutes. ¦ SEE THE ORIGINAL ARTICLE.

CLICK HERE.

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NOVEMBER 2018

Nothing BRINGS A

Family

TOGETHER

Better Than a Motorcoach. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll Show You Why!

One of the biggest challenges with any large family reunion can be transportation. How do you move that many people around town? How do you get from the destinations to the hotels? How do you spend your time together without spending hours stuck in traffic, in separate rental cars? We understand family reunions and know that transportation can be the difference between an extraordinary event and just another few vacation days wasted. Call us today and let us help you put your family reunion in the fast lane to fun!

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SPENDING TWO PERFECT DAYS IN SAN ANTONIO BY: DEMARCO WILLIAMS

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you’ll quickly realize there’s a lot more going on here than Spurs playoff basketball and Alamo tours. You’ll see worldclass museums, eat top-notch Mexican cuisine and get an overall feel of a global city just waiting for the world to stop by for a visit.

Quick: Name the secondbiggest city by population in Texas. You’re probably torn between Dallas and Houston. But you’d be wrong. With 1.3 million residents, San Antonio is only dwarfed by Houston’s 2.1 million. Sadly, beyond cowboy hats, Davy Crockett and the River Walk, there isn’t a lot non-Texans know about the place. Spend a few days in the lovely city, though, and

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When you do decide to make your trip to San Antonio, you’ll want to stay downtown. If you seek a more historical experience, go with The Menger Hotel, a 150-yearold property with a past filled with stories of Teddy Roosevelt, Babe Ruth and Gutzon Borglum, the DanishAmerican sculptor credited with the Mt. Rushmore design. However, if you prefer contemporary, luxurious accommodations that still exude Texas charm, Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star Mokara Hotel & Spa is the address to try. The former saddle factory adds a subtle Texan spin on everything from the décor (the front desk is made of stretched leather) to the amenities (the Four-Star spa offers the Texas Two Step, a couples massage). From either hotel, a walk to the famed River Walk is a breeze. You’ll see locals sitting, jogging and cycling along the three-mile downtown stretch. On this first day, call Rio San Antonio Cruises for a riverboat breakfast ride. If you

can score Chris as your driver and Rio Rio Cantina’s Nia as your server, you’ll be assured a relaxing trip where you’ll learn about artist Carlos Cortes’ faux bois concrete design style and Rio Rio’s tasty take on chilaquiles (eggs and ranchero sauce over tortilla chips) and other California Tex-Mex breakfast staples. After the morning feast, take the short stroll to the University of Texas at San Antonio’s Institute of Texan Cultures for a visual journey through the state’s history. Learn about the AfricanAmerican Buffalo Soldiers, European immigrants and David Pace, the man behind Texas’ own Pace Picante sauce. When you’re done there, head back toward downtown, but first make a detour at Hemisfair, home of the 1968 World’s Fair. Ride an elevator up 750 feet to the Tower of the Americas’ observation deck for a jaw-dropping view of the city. Once you hit the ground, avoid the nearby fast-food spots, like Fuddruckers and Häagen-Dazs, and make the quick drive toward Market Square’s La Margarita or its crazier cousin Mi Tierra Café for lunch. The former does a parrillada estilo La Margarita (overflowing platter of beef fajitas, country sausage, chicken, ribs, stuffed peppers

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and grilled vegetables) big enough for the entire family. The latter has a similarly vibrant menu but adds some kitschy ambience with yearround Christmas lights and is open 24-7. Weekends get really crowded around the Square, the largest Mexican market in the U.S., so expect a line for a table. But trust us, it’s worth the 45-minute wait.

the San Antonio Museum of Art. Every major city can boast about having paintings and sculptures, but few can offer a selection quite as vast as this one. From glass artist Dale Chihuly’s work to Asian screens to the largest collection of Roman and Greek artifacts in the South, SAMA houses 5,000 years’ worth of art you never knew Texas had.

just a few miles — about 45 minutes. By late summer, the aptly titled Mission Reach, the largest ecosystem restoration project ever, will connect the four sites to the original River Walk, expanding the path to 15 miles.

For your last supper in San Antonio, reserve a spot at Bin 555 Restaurant and Wine Bar. While just 20 minutes All of the tacos and refried from Mission Concepcion, beans will leave you plenty By the time you’ve caught the ambience will have you sluggish, so a stop back to the your breath there, you’ll be feeling as if you’re 1,000 room for some rejuvenation more than ready to eat. The miles away. More rustic and will be in order. After a few hip Pearl neighborhood, a woodsy than traditional hours of relaxation, it’s back to former-brewery-turned-live/ Southwestern, Bin 555 also the pavement. Meander along work/shop area, has a number takes a more gastronomic the River Walk to get a better of dining options, like the approach to its dishes. Diver look at the shops and brilliant Latin-flavored Nao and the sea scallops come out with a Spanish-colonial-inspired Americana-leaning Arcade bubbly, smoked sea salt foam. architecture you breezed Midtown Kitchen. But if you’re The Tasting of Citrus dessert by earlier. If you time things really hungry, we suggest The is an adventure in shapes perfectly, you’ll end up at San Granary, an evolved barbecue and colors at first glance, but Antonio’s other landmark, joint from brothers Tim and ultimately proves a delectably the Alamo, right at sundown. Alex Rattray. Sure, you’ll see inventive take on lemon After reflecting on the 13-day staples like pulled pork and pound cake — much in the siege that took place there brisket on the chalkboard way San Antonio appears to (and of course, loading images menu, but you’ll also discover be a plain town of cowboy to your Facebook page), seal delicious burnt-end beans and hats and sombreros until you the evening with a quiet buttermilk slaw. come in for a better look. ¦ dinner at Mokara’s Ostra, a sleek, riverfront restaurant Though you explored the that prides itself as much on most famous mission, the SEE THE ORIGINAL ARTICLE. its blackened Texas redfish as Alamo, yesterday, there are CLICK HERE. it does its collection of nearly four others — Concepcion, 100 tequilas. Espada, San Juan Capistrano and San Jose — still to visit. Start Day 2 with a simple Plaques tell some of the story bagel and coffee at the behind the unique buildings’ hotel. Don’t worry though; history. Each site has its own delectable offerings won’t be distinctive look and feel, so far behind. After a five-minute give every location — the drive, you’ll find yourself at missions are separated by 52

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NOVEMBER 2018

Retirement

sets you free.

A MOTORCOACH

helps make it

The best it can

possibly be. The Good Life Starts Here!

Welcome to the next generation of retirement! A retirement designed for those who have a passion for living, for fun and for spending their best years with those they love the most. Nothing compares to the experiences available on a motorcoach. From local sightseeing to a week on the road, motorcoaches offer the flexibility, comfort, and amenities that will make your next trip the best trip. Motorcoaches are a great way to make the most of your golden years and we look forward to the chance to welcome you aboard one of our modern coaches and wow you with all we have to offer.

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FIRST CLASS

HOW TO SPEND 3 PERFECT DAYS IN FANTASTIC FREDERICKSBURG, TEXAS TOURS | CHARTERS | CASINOS

BY: JESSICA

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Day 1 We pulled up at Cotton Gin Village just after 4pm after about 6 hours of driving. The ivy covered walls and wine bottle gas lanterns lead to the entrance into the courtyard. Cascading waterfalls from grain bins and galvanized tubs splashed down into koi ponds topped with lily pads. Nostalgic antique farm equipment peeked out from under wild pomegranate trees, rose bushes, and cedar trees. Festive string lights hung over a central patio with a dozen or so tables and a fire pit. Settled around the pebbled path that wound it’s way around the courtyard and to the Cabernet Grill were seven 19th century log cabins. The porch of our cabin was covered with a cedar plank and tin roof. Entering, the living area was washed

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in natural light from two windows high on the wall near the cathedral ceiling. A sandstone fireplace, large leather couch, antique armoire concealing the television, a table with a variety of 30 or more coffee and tea K-Cups, and a small but functional mini kitchen made up the rest of the space. We decided that snagging dinner and browsing the boutiques we passed on Main Street, just 3 miles up the road, would be a leisurely end to a day spent riding in the car. The malty and savory smell of brewing and grilled meat wafting from the Fredericksburg Brewing Company was enough to tell us we didn’t need to look any further. The stainless and copper tanks behind the bar greet you as you enter but these aren’t just for show, they are where the beer magic happens. They

also add to the industrialmeets-old-world charm of FBC. Low lighting, exposed timbers, and white washed stone speak of the building’s original construction from the 1890s , while the massive stone fireplace adds a welcomed homeliness. After a couple Pioneer Porters, Enchanted Red Rock Ales, an Ale burger and a Rueben, we were set. We made a block or two of window shopping then headed off to Old Tunnel State Park to watch the nightly emergence of 3 million Mexican Freetailed Bats. Between May and October they take up residence in the old, abandoned railroad tunnel and come spiraling out each night at dusk in search of food. Truly impressive. Day 2 Waking up to find a woven basket filled to the top

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with homemade breakfast tacos, sticky danishes, sweet strawberry yogurt, and tangy orange juice was the perfect way to kick off a busy day. Before the temperature started to climb too high we set off for Wildseed Farms, just 7 miles east of Fredericksburg on U.S. Hwy 290. Wildseed Farms consists of two hundred acre meadows of wildflowers with walking trails, a boutique selling wildflower seeds and unique gifts, a biergarten, and wine tasting room Wedding Oak Winery. After making a lap around the meadows bustling with butterflies, we ducked into

the biergarten to cool off, then over to the boutique to pick out wildflower seed to plant at home. Passing up a wine tasting goes against my nature so before leaving we paid a visit to the Wedding Oak tasting room. There Dr. Terri Krakower and Damien Schillaci not only made excellent wine recommendations but also excellent local “don’t miss” recommendations. While tasting Dr. Krakower’s favorites of Tioja 2014, Sangiovese Hill Country 2013, and Terre Rouge 2013, she recommended a brewery in Blanco to check out, and a scenic country road to get there. She also

explained how the winery was named after the gnarled 400 year old matrimonial oak tree that stands on the grounds of the original winery in San Saba. Continuing down Hwy 290 (also known as Wine Road 290 for the 15 Wineries along it) we stopped in at several wineries, swirling and tasting. There is also a shuttle service that runs tours of Wine Road 290 if you or a group decided to hand over the itinerary and keys. Topping off the day was dinner at Cabernet Grill. Roughly 50 feet from the

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cabin’s front porch, Cabernet Grill proudly offers the nation’s largest exclusively Texas wine list expertly paired with dishes crafted of ingredients from local farms and artisans. If it can’t be found in Fredericksburg and surrounding communities, it comes from Texas. Executive Chef Ross Burtwell, owner and manager of both Cabernet Grill and Cotton Gin Village, is immensely proud to showcase the superior quality of ingredients his community provides. Dinner started with an amuse-bouche of creamy Roasted Butternut Squash Soup spiced with cayenne and sprinkled with

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crispy bits of bacon, then followed by a dish of Warm Texas Goat Cheese topped with cloves of roasted garlic, chopped black olives and sun-dried tomatoes, and served on grilled baguettes. The main course was the evening’s special of succulent sous vide Fried Chicken accompanied by sweet and crisp tossed coleslaw, aromatic mashed potatoes, and zesty butter beans. Which just so happened to pair perfectly with a glass of recommended Prosecco. Lastly, a warm and buttery Cheddar Apple Skillet topped with Salted Caramel

Ice Cream finished off an excellent dining experience. Day 3 Another fantastic breakfast of cheesy quiche and gooey cinnamon rolls topped with raspberry glaze set the pace for another Hill Country outing. Since peach stands were on every corner we knew we couldn’t leave without visiting an orchard. Also off U.S. Highway 290, Vogel Orchard is a family farm stand that has been selling directly to customers since the first orchard was planted in 1953. In addition to peaches you can also buy gorgeous blackberries,

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watermelons, vine-ripened tomatoes, homemade jellies, cobblers, peach butter and homemade Peach Butter Ice Cream. Definitely try the ice cream. Following Dr. Krakowerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s advice, we made our way to Blanco down a winding country road in search of Real Ale Brewing. Once brewed in the basement of an antique shop, Real Ale Brewery is now cranking out 200 kegs, 2400 cases of bottles, and 1200 cases of canned brew daily. The new two story facility just outside Blanco city limits has also recently opened up their new Tap Room.

Floor to ceiling windows allow drinkers to look out into the surrounding trees behind the bar or out over the production floor. A door leading out of the tap room brings you out on to a cat walk overlooking the bottling process. Vintage arcade games are lined up along one wall. After sipping a heady Baltic Porter and malty Imperial Red Ale, we set out for our last destination. About 45 minutes before dusk we pulled into Enchanted Rock State Natural Area. Taking our time, we walked steadily up the path and onto the

rounded pink granite dome of Enchanted Rock. The 20 minute walk was sometimes strenuous but mostly just a smooth incline, and well worth the hike for the view. After watching the sun set, we heading back to the truck before it got too dark to see. A long soak in the jacuzzi tub back at the cabin was precisely what was in order. After all, it was back to the herding cows and feeding chickens tomorrow.

ÂŚ SEE THE ORIGINAL ARTICLE.

CLICK HERE.

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NOVEMBER 2018

YOUTH

SPORTS Transportation

Is our

specialty

Game Day starts here!

GoMotorcoach Make the Smart Move! Safe | Green | Efficient | Affordable | Fun

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FIRST CLASS IN EVERY WAY

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DAILY TRIPS WITH PERKS

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NOVEMBER 2018

Lâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;AUBERGE RESORT

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Going on a vacation is a wonderful, relaxing time to unwind and recharge from day-to-day stressors. But planning for it? Not so much. That is, unless you’ve got a travel hack (or nine) in your back pocket. A good travel hack can help you discover new places, live like a local, and make sure your dollar goes the distance. That’s why so many people — millennials in particular — not only love, but swear by, 62

their tried-and-true travel hacks. To give you some ideas, we’ve compiled nine of the best travel hacks for 20-somethings to make sure that, no matter how you travel, it’s always smooth sailing. 1. Know the best places — and practices — to compare flight prices. While most tech-savvy millennials are wwwfirstclasstours.net

NOVEMBER 2018

9 TRAVEL HACKS FOR MILLENNIALS WITH THE ADVENTURE BUG BY: LINDSAY GELLER

already familiar with common flight costcomparing websites, there are still a few hacks they can use to yield better results. For example, budget-friendly travel expert Pauline Frommer uses momondo.com to compare prices among tons of airfare search engines, aggregators and booking websites to get the lowest prices across the board.

incognito browser, as most sites use cookies that track which flights and destinations you search. When travelers show a high demand for a specific flight, websites raise their prices to give a sense of urgency for customers to buy. Try this out for yourself and see what happens. The price difference could be minimal, or it could save you a surprising chunk of change.

But itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not just where you browse for airfares; itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s how. Search for fares using an

2. Make a flexible flight schedule.

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Your 20s are often your most flexible stage of life — free of a spouse, children, even pets. With this extra freedom often comes nice savings. If you don’t need to have concrete departure and arrival dates, check airfare for a whole month to see when the very best prices occur. By planning in reverse, you may be able to save enough money to stay an extra day, or do an additional activity. Once you’ve got the lay of the land — er, well, sky, wait for the weekend to buy. A study by the Airline Reporting Corporation analyzed 26 million fare transactions and found this was when ticket prices were at their lowest (when bought more than 21 days in advance). Friday, on the other hand, was the most expensive day to buy, as noted

by the study. 3. Don’t just pack light. Pack “joyfully.” When packing for a vacation, let The LifeChanging Magic of Tidying Up’s Marie Kondo be your guide. Apply her “Does this bring me joy?” method to de-clutter your suitcase. That way, you’ll only bring the clothes you’re actually going to wear. And don’t just pack light, pack versatile. That means asking yourself, “Does this bring me joy ... and can I wear it with at least two other pieces I’m already bringing?” To do this, focus on lightweight layers and classic staples in a complementary color scheme, and you’ll be good to go.

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4. Take advantage of free travel tech. If you’re a millennial, technology may already be your guide. Why not let it be your travel guide as well? While Yelp is a great local restaurant review source, you often run the risk of less-than-objective reviews. Instead, give Spot a try when you’re exploring somewhere new. This app has curated the best restaurants, bars, coffee shops in various cities, complete with “expert reviews” from Zagat, Eater, and other publications with each listing. The app also has a “Friends’ Favorites” section that can clue you in on hidden gems. With high-quality photos, you can also get an immediate feel for a spot’s atmosphere, as well as its ‘gram-ability. Because after all, if

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you didn’t post your vacay on Insta, did you even go? If you’re in the market for cheap nightlife and have flexible plans, check out the Gametime app for last-minute tickets to sports, music, and shows. Generally, these prices are better than those of other apps, but if there’s anything millennials know how to do, it’s price compare. So take a few moments to cross-reference with other apps such as Today Tix, SeatGeek, and whatever others you already use to ensure you’ve got the best deal. 5. Avoid price-gauging tourist traps. While there will most likely be some tourist

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sights you shouldn’t miss, try to avoid sticking around those areas when it’s time to eat and drink. The most touristy parts of cities are also the parts where food, entertainment, and lodging will be the most expensive. Instead of staying at a hotel in a pricey area, look into renting a vacation home in a more cost-effective one (and yes, that could even mean the suburbs!). Staying in someone else’s vacation apartment or house also provides a better alternative to hostels, where private rooms are few and far between. This option can be a better fit for a millennial’s budget, and for their desire to have a more authentic experience of the locale. 6. Pick your destination by exchange rate. If you’re planning an international trip, but

don’t have a particular destination in mind, look into different exchange rates to see the countries where you’ll get the most bang for your buck. That way, even if you have to splurge on airfare, you can make up the difference once you’re there. This is “the biggest payoff when planning an international trip,” according to Frommer, who recommended Mexico and countries on the Euro as budget-friendly destinations. 7. Dine out for lunch, not dinner. Of course, you’re going to spend money on food whenever you travel, but that doesn’t mean you need to splurge on a special vacation dinner every single night. Instead, make lunch the main meal of your day. Many restaurants offer a separate lunch menu that, while eerily similar to their dinner menu, is only a fraction of the cost.

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NOVEMBER 2018

Take advantage of these discounted prices by ordering more dishes and bringing leftovers (wink wink) home with you. Then, you can enjoy a second high-quality meal unwinding in the quiet comfort of your vacation rental before hitting a night on the town — with some extra change in your pocket. 8. Figure out your ground transportation ahead of time. A great, but often underestimated, travel hack is saving money by using ground transportation. Whether that means taking public transportation over cabs or renting a car, take the time to research your destination’s transit system and make a plan that is both convenient and cost-effective. For example, many cities offer flat-rate daily and weekly subway/bus passes you can use as much as you want. If you have certain must-see stops already in mind, you can even use Google Maps to plan out specific routes along trains or buses. On the flipside, if you’re renting a car, you can save some cash by checking out websites such as Autoslash.com before booking. Autoslash searches for all available rental car coupons and applies them to your rental. The website also tracks the rental so if the cost happens to drop, they rebook you — saving you money without having to do anything.

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9. Enjoy the planning process. While this travel hack may not be a quick, problem-solving link or a best-kept secret, it’s still a fool-proof strategy to make vacation planning easier — with research to back it up. One study published in the journal of Applied Research in Quality of Life found that people were actually happier when planning and anticipating a trip than when they were on it. While that’s just the conclusion of one study and certainly doesn’t apply to everyone, it can still help reframe your perspective on these otherwise tedious tasks. So yes, the planning process can be long, intense, and even draining, but it can also be exciting and fulfilling in a way the vacation isn’t. If you ever start to feel overwhelmed while comparing flight prices or assessing dozens of vacation home rentals, take a moment to remember why you’re doing all this in the first place. Visualize the vacation you want for yourself, and then take advantage of all these hacks to make it happen. ¦

SEE THE ORIGINAL ARTICLE.

CLICK HERE.

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14 TIPS FOR TRAVELING WITH FRIENDS BY: JASON LA

Tips and tricks to keep everyone happy when vacationing or touring with a group of pals. Pairing friends with travel might seem as natural as pairing hot dogs with mustard or movies with popcorn. Unfortunately, it’s not quite as straightforward. You and your buddies might enjoy dinners and movies around town, but on the road, you may discover that one of them

might snore like a moose or hate museums. To help navigate what can be a complex process, here are tips I’ve gathered from my travels and from consulting experts.

recent survey from hotel chain SpringHill Suites. If you haven’t traveled with someone before, ask him about his travel habits. At least you’ll know what you’re getting yourself into.

Pick the right people: Choose people with similar budgets and interests. Vacationers most often disagree about how much to spend and what to do, according to a

Keep group size in mind: There’s no magic number, but be mindful of the size of your group. “Three is often a bad idea because one person can easily feel left out,” says Dr. Irene S.

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NOVEMBER 2018

Levine, a friendship blogger and a psychiatry professor at New York University’s medical school. “More than that gives people options to pair up in twosomes to do some things independently and others [such as meeting for a meal at the end of the day] with the entire group.” Choose a group-friendly trip: Consider a tour or cruise. The major decisions have been

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made, and the expectations are laid out. The variety of options and structured environment of cruises give travelers the flexibility to spend time separately or as part of the group, says Vicky Voll, president and owner of the Glendale office of Travel Leaders. Create an itinerary: You don’t need to plan your trip hour by hour, but decide what you want to do and where you want to

go before you leave home. Your travel companions should have an idea of what they’re getting into. Make sure everyone is involved in the planning: Travel planning involves making many decisions, so ensure that everyone has a chance to contribute. You don’t want your friends to feel as though they’re being led around by the nose. A travel agent can help pin down

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the details, Voll says. Be sure there’s enough room: Don’t cram too many people into one room. Someone may snore or fidget too much in their sleep, so the more beds and rooms you have, the more options you have to make adjustments. Help your friends prepare: Some of your friends may have less travel experience than you. If so, offer some advice on what to bring or share some insight on what to expect. Have snacks handy: Urban Dictionary defines the word “hanger” as “a lethal combination of hunger and anger.” Snacks can be harder to come by in an unfamiliar environment, so make sure you have some at hand. Leave your fussiness behind: Functioning in groups requires compromise. In exchange for setting aside some of your needs and wants, you get to share novel experiences with your friends.

Avoid discussing controversial topics: Proposition 8 passed while I was on vacation in Rome with two friends, so the topic of gay marriage came up one evening. Each friend held an opposing position. The next morning, our apartment was a little chillier than usual. You don’t have to limit yourself to talking about the weather, but back off if the conversation gets too heated. Avoiding your friends after a tense discussion isn’t easy if you’re sharing a hotel room or riding in the same car. Have some games ready: Think of games to play while you’re driving to your destination or waiting to board a flight. You can learn a lot about your friend by asking them, “Would you rather?” questions. Here are four simple road trip games to play. Make sure everyone gets rest: On a recent excursion to San Francisco, a friend didn’t get enough sleep the first night of our trip. He was tired the next day, so he stayed behind while

the rest of us went sightseeing. The trip continued to spiral down for him. If you’ll be up late one night, don’t plan anything too early the next day. If a friend is a light sleeper, give him the secluded bed. Don’t be afraid to split up: If your group can’t agree on what to do, split up and explore in smaller groups. Keep your friends happy: Traveling can be stressful for some, so if you notice a group member who’s overwhelmed, help him or her manage that stress. Author and stress blogger Elizabeth Scott recommends engaging the friend. Sharing your own stressful travel experiences can help normalize the situation, or get him or her to talk about topics he enjoys, she says. Don’t think of it as baby-sitting your buddies. Friends help one another, and the whole group benefits when everyone is happy. ¦ SEE THE ORIGINAL ARTICLE.

CLICK HERE.

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NOVEMBER 2018

OVERNIGHT CASINO TRIPS WITH FIRST CLASS PERKS

Overnight

Luxury Transportation, Room Night and $35 in perks.

$44PP/DBL OVERNIGHT

Overnight

Luxury Transportation, Room Night and $23 in perks.

Luxury Transportation, Room Night and $35 in perks.

Runs every Sunday except Holidays.

Dec 10th-11th

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$74PP/DBL

Dec 17th, 27th

$69PP/DBL

SATURDAY OVERNIGHT

Dec 22nd

Moody Gardens Festival of Lights

$25 Per Person (CHILDREN ARE WELCOME)

Dec 17th, 2018

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DAILY TRIPS WITH PERKS

Perk

EVERY DAY! TICKETS START AT $18 Ride with First Class Tours to Coushatta Casino departing from FM 1960 Terminal and Eastex Terminal Every Day! Free play Monday â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Friday AM only.

CLICK HERE FOR TICKET AVAILABILITY

OVERNIGHT TRIPS WITH PERKS

Perk

OVERNIGHT TRIPS! TICKETS START AT $49 PP/DBL

Ride with First Class Tours to Coushatta Casino departing from FM 1960 Terminal and Eastex Terminal Every Sunday!

CLICK HERE FOR TICKET AVAILABILITY wwwfirstclasstours.net

NOVEMBER 2018

COUSHATTA RESORT LUCKY 7 SUNDAYS...

GET $7.00 OFF

YOUR OVERNIGHT STAY WHEN BOOKING ONLINE. www.firstclasstours.net

FIRST CLASS

TOURS | CHARTERS | CASINOS

WHERE TO GO. WHAT TO DO.

m e M

A DEFINITIVE LIST OF THE BEST, HOTTEST, HIPPEST, COOLEST, DOWNRIGHT AWESOME GROUP TRAVEL IDEAS THIS SIDE OF... WELL ANYWHERE!

wwwfirstclasstours.net

NOVEMBER 2018

s e ri

o m

www.firstclasstours.net

FIRST CLASS

TOURS | CHARTERS | CASINOS

TOMBALL GERMAN CHRISTMAS MARKET & FESTIVAL

CHRISTMAS VILLAGE AT BAYOU BEND

ADVOCARE TEXAS BOWL: BIG 12 VS. SEC

CIRQUE DU SOLEIL LUZIA

MLK GRANDE PARADE MIDTOWN HOUSTON

JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE

December 7-9, 2018 @ Old Town Tomball, Tomball, TX

December 27, 2018 @ NRG Park

January 21, 2019 @ Midtown Houston

December 14, 2018 - January 5, 2019 @ Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens

January 10, 2019 - February 3, 2019 @ Sam Houston Race Park

January 22, 2019 @ Toyota Center

wwwfirstclasstours.net

NOVEMBER 2018

FLEETWOOD MAC February 5, 2019 @ Toyota Center

HOUSTON SYMPHONY: THE ELLA FITZGERALD SONGBOOK February 15-17, 2019 @ Jones Hall

THE WIZARD OF OZ February 23-24, 2019 @ Jones Hall

CHRISTMAS LIGHTS CHOCOLATE AND SIPS TOURS

Throughout the month of December

DALLAS SYMPHONY CHRISTMAS POPS

December 7-16, 2018 @ Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center

www.firstclasstours.net

THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA

December 27, 2018 - January 6, 2019 @ Music Hall at Fair Park

FIRST CLASS

TOURS | CHARTERS | CASINOS

DAY 1 DALLAS January 1, 2019 @ Fair Park

LOS ANGELES LAKERS AT DALLAS MAVERICKS

ELLA ENCHANTED

BUMPER JACKSONS

BEIJING DANCE THEATER

DFW AUTO SHOW

January 25 - February 24, 2019 @ Dallas Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Theater

February 8, 2019 @ Winspear Opera House

January 7, 2019 @ American Airlines Center

February 1, 2019 @ Eisemann Center

February 14-18, 2019 @ Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Theater

wwwfirstclasstours.net

NOVEMBER 2018

SAN ANTONIO ROCK Nâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; ROLL MARATHON & HALF MARATHON

THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA

THE NUTCRACKER BALLET

SAN ANTONIO COCKTAIL CONFERENCE

December 1-2, 2018 @ Downtown San Antonio

December 20-22, 2018 @ Lila Cockrell Theatre

LEGALLY BLONDE THE MUSICAL

January 22, 2019 @ Tobin Center for the Performing Arts

www.firstclasstours.net

December 6-16, 2018 @ Majestic Theatre

January 14-20, 2019

KENNY BROBERG IN CONCERT January 25, 2019 @ Ruth Taylor Recital Hall

FIRST CLASS

TOURS | CHARTERS | CASINOS

NEW ORLEANS PELICANS VS. SAN ANTONIO SPURS

WITH LOVE, MARILYN

PARADE OF LANTERNS

THE NUTCRACKER BALLET

ARMADILLO CHRISTMAS BAZAAR

AUSTIN FREE WEEK

February 2, 2019 @ AT&T Center

February 9-23, 2019 @ San Antonio River Walk

December 13-24, 2018 @ Palmer Events Center

February 7-9, 2019 @ Tobin Center for the Performing Arts

December 7-23, 2018 @ Long Center for the Performing Arts

first week of January 2019 @ various locations

wwwfirstclasstours.net

NOVEMBER 2018

AUSTIN TRAIL OF LIGHTS

BALLET AUSTINâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S GET FIT

MARTIN LUTHER KING MARCH AND FESTIVAL

WANDERFEST 2019

AUSTIN MARATHON & HALF MARATHON

37TH ANNUAL AUSTIN MUSIC AWARDS

December 10-23, 2018 @ Zilker Park

January 21, 2019 @ MLK Statue at University of Texas campus

February 17, 2019 @ Downtown Austin

www.firstclasstours.net

January 13, 2019 @ Ballet Austin

February 1-4, 2019 @ Casa de Luz

February 27, 2019 @ Moody Theater

FIRST CLASS

TOURS | CHARTERS | CASINOS

LUNA FÊTE

December 6-9, 2018 @ Lafayette Square

CAROLING IN JACKSON SQUARE

NOLA CHRISTMASFEST

LES MISÉRABLES

JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE

WATERBEARER: A DRAMATIC READING

December 22-31, 2018 @ New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center

January 15, 2019 @ Smoothie King Center

December 16, 2018 @ Jackson Square

January 8-13, 2019 @ Saenger Theatre

January 20, 2019 @ Cafe Istanbul

wwwfirstclasstours.net

NOVEMBER 2018

TET FEST: VIETNAMESE NEW YEAR

NEW ORLEANS ROCK ’N’ ROLL MARATHON

KREWE DU VIEUX PARADE

CHRISTMAS IN CENTRAL SQUARE

February 8-10, 2019 @ Mary Queen of Vietnam Church

February 16, 2019 @ French Quarter

ZOOLIGHTS

November 23-December 30, 2018 @ BREC’s Baton Rouge Zoo

www.firstclasstours.net

February 9-10, 2019 @ Mercedes-Benz Superdome

December 1, 2018 @ Central Square

RINGING IN THE NEW YEAR ON THE RIVER December 31, 2018 @ Hilton Baton Rouge Capitol Center

FIRST CLASS

TOURS | CHARTERS | CASINOS

SCHEHERAZADE: THE LOUISIANA PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA

LOUISIANA MARATHON

HOME AND REMODELING SHOW WITH RALPHâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S FOOD FEST

AQUILA THEATRE PRESENTS: FRANKENSTEIN

MARDI GRAS DOWNTOWN 2019: KREWE MYSTIQUE DE LA CAPITALE

RIVER CITY JAZZ MASTERS: ETIENNE CHARLES CREOLE SOUL

January 10, 2019 @ Orpheum Theater

January 26-27, 2019 @ Lamar Dixon Expo Center, Gonzalez, LA

February 23, 2019 @ Downtown Baton Rouge

January 18-20, 2019 @ 4th Street, in front of the Louisiana State Library and Louisiana State Museum

February 21, 2019 @ Manship Theatre

February 27, 2019 @ Manship Theatre

wwwfirstclasstours.net

NOVEMBER 2018

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FIRST CLASS IN EVERY WAY

FCT NEWS FIRST CLASS FALL FUN!