When you fly, how much do you pay attention to the seat back pocket in front of you? It normally holds a safety information card, an inflight magazine and a white sick-sack. Well apparently, those three items aren’t enough to satisfy their insatiable hunger. Seatback pockets will eat anything and everything you place in them. But that’s not all, the side and back of the seat cushions will also happily gobble up personal items as does the floor during take-off and landing. If you drop something as the plane is barreling down the runway (arriving or departing) your item will slide forward or backward and there is a good chance you will never see it again. I’m still not sure where things disappear to but they vanish, sometimes forever. That’s another reason to keep your things stowed during take off and landing.

Based on my experience as a flight attendant, here are some of the most popular items that disappear and reappear on airplanes.

1. Cell phones. These little communication tools are found in overhead bins, on the floor and everywhere in between. What’s a bummer is when you try calling your lost phone to track it down and it doesn’t ring because the plane is already into its next segment and is out of cell service range.

2. i-anything. iPad, iPod, iPhone, iTouch and anything similar by competitors are usually left in seatbacks. I’m guessing because the safety information cards and magazines nicely shield them from the last minute “Do I have everything?” scan.

3. Eye wear. Reading glasses to sunglasses to contact lens cases, they’re all left behind regularly. Maybe because the people can’t see where they put them.

4. Luggage. As I’ve mentioned before, people bring quite a bit of stuff on board so it’s should come as no surprise that they leave bags, backpacks, canes and umbrellas behind regularly. Luckily for most passengers their fellow seatmates tend to watch over each other and you’ll hear. “Wait! You forgot your (fill in the blank).”

5. Jewelry and watches. I’m not sure why men remove their Rolex watches (maybe for easier computer typing?) or women take off their earrings (more comfortable napping?) but they do. If you must, put your valuables in your personal bag.

6. Books and magazines. Just last week I had a little elderly lady ask if our plane had been to North Carolina earlier in the day. She was hoping her book was still on the plane. If there is one item you will likely never see again – after leaving it on a plane – it’s a book or magazine. These items are swooped-up by flight attendants and cleaning crews like beads at Mardi Gras. I learned my lesson a decade ago when I ran – yes, ran – all of the way to baggage claim to give a lady her nice, new hardcover book. She looked at me like I was crazy before saying, “I left that behind on purpose. I didn’t want to carry it around anymore.” From that moment, I never chased another passenger down for a book.

7. Toys. Kid electronics (such as Nintendo DS) are easily left behind like their grown-up counterparts, but anything meant for child entertainment or consumption is easily abandoned. Actually, that would make for a great scene in a Toy Story movie.

8. Diapers. Okay, this isn’t a lost-and-found item, but being that dirty diapers are left behind they count as a “don’t forget.” In other words… parents, please don’t do this. I worked with a flight attendant who chased a mom down the aisle saying, “You forgot your dirty diaper!” The lady replied that is was trash. The flight attendant responded, “Then that’s where it should go.” Please understand that seat back pockets are not trash cans.  I should add, this also goes for fast food cups, banana peels, yogurt cups, newspapers, and anything else you wish to dispose of during your flight. But especially diapers.

In my experience those are the most common lost and found items found on airplanes. The next time you fly, remember to check the seatback pocket, your seat cushion, the overhead bins, and the floor for any items you could accidentally leave behind. In the meantime, have you ever left something valuable behind on an aircraft and did you get it back?

Editor’s Note: the top wine regions of the world may be somewhat debatable, but true wine enthusiasts know that all the fertilizer, love and care won’t allow second-rate vineyards and wineries to compete with those in the best wine and Champagne grape growing areas of the world. This guest post from contributor TrekityGal helps explain what makes these wine regions great for romantic getaway travel — along with some useful tips to best take advantage of your vacation there. Enjoy!

Picture it…Green rolling hills blanket the landscape, the warm sun kisses your shoulders, and a sweet and fruity white swishes around your mouth.

Ahhh, wine tasting. It’s a wine wonderland and the ultimate adult playground.

So, listen up ladies…

Whether you’re looking for a girlfriend getaway or are dropping hits for a romantic trip with your man, these five wine regions should be on the top of your list.

Napa Valley, California

As a California native, I’ve tasted wine in Napa more times than I like to admit. Napa is most famous for Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Merlot, and Zinfandel.

Location

Napa Valley is conveniently located an hour and a half northeast from San Francisco Airport.  You can either drive through the city and over the Golden Gate Bridge (plan for traffic) or zip through Oakland (faster route).

When to Go

The best time to visit Napa Valley is from April to June when the weather is near perfect and the vines are bright green or September to October when the vines are turning a beautiful autumn color and it’s crush time.

Where to Go

Start your route at the Downtown Napa visitor center where you can pick up free wine tasting coupons. At $10-25 a tasting, these can save you some serious bucks. Then head north on Highway 29 or the Silver Oak Trail towards Calistoga.

Favorite Wineries (South to North)

• Silver Oak (Taste a $100+ bottle of wine for $10.)
• Duck Horn (Sip delicious red on a nice porch overlooking a vineyard.)
• Mumm (For some bubbly.)
• Sterling (Take a gondola to the tasting room at the top of the hill for amazing views of Napa Valley.)

Print the Napa Valley Wine Map for the main wineries in the region.

Photo credit: Terence Yi

Mendoza, Argentina

Back-dropped by the Andes in the East, Mendoza is covered by Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Tempranillo and Chardonnay vineyards that account for two-thirds of Argentina’s sweet, delicious wine.

Location

Mendoza is located in the eastern portion of Argentina, 745 miles (1,195 km) from Buenos Aires. Flights and buses depart daily.

When to Go

The best time to visit Mendoza is from September to November (Spring) or March to May (Fall) as the weather is pleasant and not too hot or cold.

Where to Go

To test the waters and wine, check out Vines of Mendoza Tasting Room  for an overview of Mendoza’s wines. From there, you can sample local wines and decide if you want to visit their tasting rooms.

The most popular regions are Maipu and Lujan de Cuyo. You can get there on a wine tour (somewhat limiting) or wing-it on public†transportation.

Tip

Most wineries are closed on the weekends so plan your trip accordingly.

Photo credit: tony.bailey

Champagne Region, France

In 2009, my girlfriend and I were in France on a business trip. We decided to take a trip to Champagne for the day and it was literally the best thing we did in all of France. The sparkling wine from Champagne is out of this world!

Location

From Paris, you can take a quick and beautiful two-hour train ride east to Reims (or Rheims).

When to Go

The best time to visit Champagne is April, May, September or October. Summer in Paris and surrounding areas is peak-season and the crowds are ridiculous.

Where to Go

Head to the city of Reims as four of the best wineries are within walking distance. Be sure wear comfortable shoes or take a taxis if you get too tipsy.

Favorite Bubble-ries (is that a word?)

• Mumm
• Veuve Cliquot
• Taittinger
• Pommery

Check out a Google map  for a great walking tour to these four wineries.

Photo credit: EverJean

Barossa Valley, Australia

The Barossa Valley in southern Australia is known for their award winning Shiraz, but Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, Mataro, and Merlot are common as well.

Location

Barossa Valley is located 830 miles (1,340km) west of Sydney and 37 miles (60km) northeast of†Adelaide in southern Australia. Chances are you’ll catch a connecting flight from Sydney to Adelaide.

When to Go

The best weather in Barossa Valley is from September to November (Spring) or March to May (Autumn). †The colors in Autumn are brilliant and every odd year (e.g. 2013, 2015, etc) there’s the Barossa Vintage Festival at the end of April and beginning of May.

Where to Go

Keep in mind that roughly only half of the wineries in Barossa Valley have tasting rooms that are open to the public. Some wineries include Cellar Jacob’s Creek, Peter Lehmann, Saltram, Henschke, and St Hallett, just to name a few.

To help plan your†itinerary, check out the Barossa Valley maps.

Tip

Head up to Mengler Hill for amazing views of the valley.

Photo credit: Kyle Taylor, Dream It. Do It. World Tour

Stellenbosch, South Africa

Stellenbosch is know for their world-famous Cabernet Sauvignons, Merlots, Pinotages and Shirazs.

Location

Stellenbosch is conveniently located just 45 minutes from Cape Town. If you want more freedom, consider renting a car and driving yourself. Some of the guided tours from Cape Town are limited.

When to Go

The best time to visit Stellenbosch is during the summer (November to April) when the weather is warm and beautiful. Generally, the harvest happens in February and March.

Where to Go

Some great wineries and tasting rooms in Stellenbosch are Tokara Estates, Rustenburg, Rust en Verde, Warwick, and L’Avenir. Boekenhoutskloof and De Trafford are further out, but worth a visit.

For more information, visit the Wine Route.

Photo credit: warrenski

That wraps up the top five wine regions around the world! Start sipping, enjoy yourself and drink responsibly.

TrekityGal Darcie Connell is the co-founder of Trekity.com, a cool new travel site, and TravelBloggerAcademy.com, where regular people can learn how to start travel blogging.

Once spring break is over, family travel planners naturally start thinking about ideas for their big summer vacations. The Best Family Travel Experts, a group of respected, award-winning and experienced travel bloggers, are happy to share their recommended kid-friendly vacation destinations. Reading their tips, you may notice something interesting: there’s nary an Anaheim or Orlando tip on the list. Makes sense: you don’t have to be an expert to know that Walt Disney World, Universal Studios Orlando, and Disneyland are top summer vacation spots! This list takes you beyond the obvious, as any true expert’s list ought to do.  As you plan your family vacation for the summer, consider thinking outside the theme park box yourself — it’s a big country, and there are so many other great places to vacation with your children.

Time for a family kayak trip on the Colorado River near Glenwood Springs

My wonderful cowriter, Kara Williams (aka ColoradoGal) recommends a spot in the Colorado Rockies. Her pick for a top family-friendly summer travel destination, Glenwood Springs, is chock full of adventure and activities for families. Specifically, the Glenwood Hot Springs, home to the world’s largest mineral hot springs pool and two super-fun water slides, as well as Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park, which features not only fascinating cave tours but also thrilling rides; the country’s highest-altitude full-size roller coaster is coming here next summer. Families can ride bikes along the relatively flat recreation path near the Colorado River in gorgeous Glenwood Canyon (rent bikes in town). Kara’s family likes to take their own inflatable kayaks on the river rapids, and mild to wild whitewater rafting adventures are offered by a number of local outfitters. Finally, the Hanging Lake trail is a fabulous family hike in the canyon. Glenwood Springs is easily accessed right off Interstate 70, so it’s a wonderfully convenient stop on a summer road trip through Colorado. Her final tip? If you can steal away from your family for a couple of hours, book a massage at the Spa of the Rockies or go for a steam in the vapor caves at the Yampah Spa!

Luxury family vacation at Coppola Winery, Sonoma

Ciao Bambino is a leading luxury family travel site, so contributor Dana Rebmann’s recommendation is fitting! She writes that people are often surprised when she suggests Northern California Wine Country as a great family vacation destination. Just because kids don’t drink wine, doesn’t mean that parents don’t enjoy it. Luckily, many wineries have figured this out. For example, the Francis Ford Coppola Winery offers great family programs like tie-dying (with grape juice), and has a beautiful pool. Get the scoop on guaranteeing a ticket to the pool — it’s popular — in the Napa Valley with Kids series on Ciao Bambino.  In quiet Calistoga, families can tour Castello di Amorosa, an authentic Tuscan Castle and winery. While parents taste Italian style wines, kids enjoy the winery’s bottled Muscat of Alexandria…also known as California grape juice. If your family likes adventure, don’t miss zip lining through towering Sonoma County Redwoods. Just as with a hot air balloon ride in Napa, Sonoma Canopy Tours offers a whole new view of wine country.

Toddlers love summertime at the beach in San Diego

Debbie Dubrow of Delicious Baby recommends a week in sunny San Diego, California for a family looking to unwind together in the sunshine. With a wide variety if activities ranging from beaches, to amusement parks like SeaWorld, LEGOLAND and of course, one of the best zoos in the United States, you’ll find plenty to do — and all within an easy drive of your hotel. When you need a break from the sunshine, Balboa Park has several indoor activities including a Puppet Theatre, Train Museum, and Science Center. San Diego family travel activities are almost too much to consider for one trip: you can learn more about where to stay and what to do once you’re there from Delicious Baby’s San Diego with Kids Guide.

Fun family hike to waterfalls in Columbia River Gorge near Portland

This summer, I’m going to suggest parents plan a trip to Portland, Oregon with their kids. July and August are great months to visit, because the famously rainy city is a bit drier in the summer months. All that rain pays off in the summer: Portland and its surrounds are so green and lush that many summer travelers wonder why they don’t take up permanent residency. The Portland Children’s Museum and the Oregon Zoo are fun for younger children, and the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry is enormously entertaining for kids and adults alike. Portland is a small, mellow, friendly city, and right outside city lines are some of the gorgeous Pacific Northwest hikes that make for terrific family memories. There are many, many Columbia River Gorge waterfall hikes; Wahkeena Falls’ hike is pretty easy and accessible for young kids.

Kids enjoying an outdoors summer vacation in Stowe

Mara Gorman of The Mother of All Trips takes us to the eastern part of the US. If you prefer to avoid the crowds at the beaches and amusement parks (and like long, warm days followed by cool nights to boot), then, she says, Vermont is the ideal place for your summer vacation.  Visit Manchester where you can enjoy high-end outlet shopping and gourmet farm-to-table restaurants, all while cozying up to the cows, chickens, and goats at the Hill Farm Inn. Or head farther north into the heart of the Green Mountains for Stowe, which offers not only a five and a half mile paved recreation path but an alpine slide, too. Stay in family-friendly luxury at the Stowe Mountain Lodgeand both you and your children can relax at the spa. Even farther north, you can enjoy the amazing beauty and recreational opportunities both near and in Lake Champlain. No matter where you go in Vermont you can hike, bike, kayak and canoe, swim in lakes and rivers and shop in farmer’s markets that offer the best in local produce and maple syrup.

Summer vacation in the Berkshires

Amy Whitley of Pit Stops for Kids recommends a stay in New England’s Berkshires, a pocket of leafy-green outdoor paradise in Western Massachusetts. What makes the Berkshires an ideal summer vacation destination is the appeal it holds for every type of family, from parents with small children to grandparents and everyone (awkward) in between. Yes, even moody teens have a great time in the Berkshires! Nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts will love rafting on the Deerfield River; she recommends Zoar Outdoor Outfitters to gear up for this activity. Mountain biking though lush forest and zip lining at Bousquet Mountain are two other top things to do for adventurous families. Shoppers will love all the antiquing possibilities in Lenox and Great Barrington. Kids will enjoy the many museums and the Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory. Stay in one of the many B&Bs dotting the countryside, in a family-friendly condo at Jiminy Peak, or, as her family does, in picturesque Northampton (where, according to her kids, you’ll find the best breakfast east of the Mississippi at Sylvester’s).

In short, it doesn’t take a genius to recommend what are already the top US travel destinations (NYC, Orlando, Los Angeles, etc) for family vacations. This summer, the Best Family Travel Experts group suggests thinking outside the box. You never know what adventure awaits.

It’s hard out there for an environmentally aware high-end traveler. Armed with the desire, and the means, to travel in style – yet also armed with the knowledge that disproportionate amounts of nonrenewable natural resources are used for the leisure of luxury travel – can lead to an uncomfortable feeling of guilt. And who needs guilt when taking a well-earned vacation? After all, leisure travel and luxury vacations are all about pampering and relaxation, not cognitive dissonance. Sustainable luxury travel plans sounds to some like an oxymoron.

Peaceful and Green Huntington Gardens, Pasadena (Jennifer Miner)

Fortunately, there are ways to enjoy luxury vacations in distant destinations without leaving the large carbon footprint typical of leisure travel.

• Carbon offset programs offset client’s emissions by funding renewable energy programs. The carbon dioxide emitted by airplane travel, for example, is measured per person (for each consumer), and funds are proportionally given to supporting wind power and other clean, renewable energy resources. Sustainable Travel International offers just such a carbon offset program, and several luxury hotel and adventure travel companies have already signed up. Leading Hotels of the World has partnered with STI, to promote more carbon neutral travel: Its Leading Green Initiative invests money in clean energy development like solar and wind power.
• The Fairmont luxury hotel chain is quietly leading the way for all hotels and resorts to provide more environmentally friendly vacations. In 1990, before it was in vogue, Fairmont was the first hotel chain to launch the linen exchange (you know, leave your towel on the floor for a new one, hang it on the towel rack to reuse), and paper/glass recycling. The Fairmont Green Partnership Guide aids understanding how to run more energy efficient luxury hotels. High end leisure travel buffs can stay at any Fairmont resort hotel, and know that the luxury amenities are paired with reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and other environmentally responsible, green travel ideas.
  

  Eco-Friendly Luxury Resort Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii Island (Jennifer Miner)

• The Sierra Club offers many, many volunteer and eco travel vacations around the world. Founded by John Muir in 1892, The Sierra Club is the oldest “green” nonprofit organization in North America. This is one nonprofit organization that really walks the walk, so to speak. Ecotourism sponsored by The Sierra Club can be a luxury vacation as well: From a birding vacation in the Redwoods area of Marin County California, to a walking tour of historic Dordogne Valley, France, there is time for luxury and leisure in quite a few of The Sierra Club’s conservation minded green travel plans.
• A trip to a tropical destination can be in and of itself a treat – and a luxury. Not all eco travel and sustainable tourism involves sleeping in tents on the cold, wet dirt. Environmentally responsible resorts can offer many of the leisure activities and upscale amenities of their more generic cousins – and often with the option of cultural immersion that makes vacations truly memorable. The Finca Luna Nueva Ecolodge in Costa Rica is one such example. It’s a resort in the rain forest (luxurious by ecolodge standards), with fresh organic, locally grown offerings on the menu, private cabins, ecotourism activities, and a mutually beneficial relationship with the nearby indigenous people.
• Alaska is obviously less tropical, but for many people just as remote. Alaska has a growing sustainable tourism industry, with the same upscale amenities that deluxe travel vacations offer anywhere. In Alaska, ecotourism trips take people to the wide open spaces that are increasingly rare elsewhere in the United States. The outdoor activities make use of the natural environment of fjords and glaciers, with soft adventure, whale watching, fly fishing, and more in the warmer summer months. Avoid the huge mega-cruise ships, and take an ecologically friendly small cruise ship to explore Alaska’s Inside Passage; there are options for a variety of experiences regarding sustainable Alaska vacations.
• Napa Valley, California is many people’s top choice for an upscale romantic getaway. What with Bouchon, ad hoc, and most famously the French Laundry, some of the best restaurants in the world are here (with award-winning California Wine Country wine and a price tag to match). Tom Keller’s empire is strongly influenced by the local food movement; dining at one of his restaurants supports small family farms over the faceless conglomerate ones. For more sustainable lodging, the Bardessono Hotel & Spa is LEED Platinum certified. To celebrate Earth Day, the Bardessono has a new eco travel-oriented package; Hike the Day Away includes two annual memberships to the Napa Valley Land Trust, and a night in a King Spa suite.

Napa Valley has Options for Sustainable and Luxury Travel (Jennifer Miner)

There’s no need to sacrifice luxury in responsible leisure travel for sustainable tourism to have a positive effect. A few minor changes in vacation plans — “green tweaks” — and travelers are already helping make the Earth a healthier place. After all, anything you do is better than nothing.

If there’s one thing that traveling for a living has taught me, it’s always be prepared. My experience doesn’t just stem from my personal encounters, but also watching others’ mistakes, misfortunes and oversights. Just the other day another flight attendant and I were working a Newark day trip (MSP-EWR-MSP). Such trips are usually flawless but the other flight attendant knew better. She was fully packed for a worst-case scenario. In recent months one of her one-day trips turned into a two-day trip and she was unprepared for an overnight.

Weather, an aircraft mechanical and other unforeseen events (think 9/11) can happen and throw an an entire schedule for a loop. I’ve always been weary of this possibility; therefore, I also always pack for “what if”. That doesn’t mean you have to haul along your entire luggage set. I’ll show you…here are a list of  ”must haves” I have when I fly.

1. ID. Everyone needs identification to fly. If you’re traveling out of the States – such as to Canada – a passport is needed even for a day trip.

2. Credit cards and Cash. Credit cards should always be handy for emergencies such as for hotel rooms, rental cars or flight changes. As for cash, even though you’re just traveling for the day it’s very possible you may end up eating at a cash-only food truck or needed a couple of bucks for driver tips. I’ve also been in the situation where a shop or restaurant had credit card machine problems and were only accepting cash.

3. Can you see? If you wear contacts, pack a travel-size container of your contact solution and an extra pair of contacts in case the unexpected happens such as a tear or you lose one. It would be pretty awkward to try and give a presentation and not be able to read your  notes.

4. Makeup. Ladies, if you rely on makeup for your daily look this one applies to you. When I fly on a day trip, I bring my entire makeup kit. But at the very least, include your basic touch-up items such as mascara, lip gloss and powder.

5. Toothbrush and toothpaste. This is where travel-sized toiletry items come in handy. Luckily, most hotels offer basic necessities for their guests today. The front desk normally has  toothbrushes, paste, and razors and, of course, guest rooms have the basic shampoo, conditioner, lotion and soap. But if you get stranded in an airport you may be out of luck, especially for a toothbrush, paste and deodorant. Don’t forget that airport shops do sell such items but they do close even when there are stranded passengers.

6. Chargers. Never, ever leave home without a phone charger (or chargers for any other electronics you pack). These days if you’re phone runs out of juice while you’re on the road there is no guarantee you will be able to borrow one. This way if you’re stranded or need to call home or a hotel you, at the very least, have a communication source.

7. Other necessities. An extra t-shirt, underwear, and change of socks are other options to pack. How much you want to bring is up to you. Remember, you can always wash items in a hotel sink if you need. I keep a sample pack of detergent in my bag – just in case.

Are there other items you “must pack” for short trips? We’d love to hear what necessities you bring along on your day trips…

Long weekends, Valentine’s Day, anniversaries, and plain old “let’s reconnect, honey” all call for romantic weekends among happy couples. At only three or four days long, you’ve only got a short time to plan for a romantic weekend getaway; you want to make sure you get it right. After all, you want to make the most out of your special, but brief, time away. Make it memorable! Here are The Vacation Gals’ Top 5 tips for planning a romantic weekend vacation.

1. Decide first on a destination that’s appealing to both of you. Sure, the stereotypical romantic vacation usually involves relaxing on a tropical beach, mai tai in hand, but there’s something to be said about snuggling up to an apres-ski fire in a private cabin as well. Other favorite US destinations for couple’s weekend escapes are vineyard-and-winery locales like Sonoma and Napa Valley. The time of year can also impact your destination decision; after all, Napa Valley is a lot less fun after the crush, and sunny beaches are a lot more appealing for those of you who need a break from cold winter climates.

2. Take an hour to do some online research before booking your hotel. There are plenty of web-based hotel deals and packages with romantic bents to them (particularly for Valentine’s Day) that help make a romantic weekend away easier on the travel budget. Is a couple’s spa treatment important for your weekend getaway? Then use search terms that help you narrow down your choices that way.

3. Once you’ve found a few hotels, resorts, or B&Bs with appealing couple’s packages, see what reliable sites like TripAdvisor has to say about them. Nothing puts a crimp on romantic vacations than a bait-and-switch hotel room. Look at the hotel’s website itself for other details that are important to you, such as a more environmentally friendly stays through linen exchanges and chefs that buy locally produced foodstuffs.

4. Consider creating a romantic hotel room as well. Plan to avoid turning the TV on (if you can restrain yourself!) and opting for pre-selected mood music of your choice. Many hotels, resorts and B&Bs have clocks with dual MP3 Player charger docks and speakers. And, it goes without saying, pack what you need for a romantic getaway!

5. Think about what activities you’d like to engage in (besides the obvious, folks). Spa treatments and wine tastings are great for setting the mood, but outdoorsy couples may prefer a long and rigorous hike, followed by a long bath. When planning your weekend, don’t hesitate to call the hotel front desk to inquire about off-site activities that suit your personality. Consider asking about a few off the beaten track activities which may be more memorable, such as a tour of an organic vineyard if you’re in wine country. Some of these other-than-ordinary travel experiences make for the best romantic vacation memories!

No matter what you want from your romantic getaway weekend, remember to tailor it to fit your and your significant other’s personalities. Plan accordingly, and it should be just perfect.

My children are long-past the toilet training phrase, but being back to work in the skies as a flight attendant has triggered some memories of that era and the challenges parents face during the potty training era.

While more and more airports are becoming family-friendly, airlines likely won’t be installing child-sized toilets anytime soon. Over the holidays and on weekends, I watch parents nudge, urge and beg their toilet training tots to go into the lavatory during flight. The kids are normally wide-eyed with faces that reveal curiosity or downright fear. Who can blame them?

Aircraft lavatories look nothing like regular restrooms. Sometimes the flush handle is hard to find or there is a push button instead. As for the sinks, you also have to push a button or hold the handle down to get the water running. The space is also very cramped which makes squeezing a child and parent in no easy feat.

The most intimidating though are the toilets. Instead of white porcelain they are usually gray and instead of holding clear water the bowls have “blue juice” or no liquid all because they flush by vacuum.

Sometimes parents walk out of the restroom with their kids and say, “They won’t use it. I hope they can hold it.” Yikes. Me, too!

I’ll tell you a secret to getting kids comfortable with an aircraft lavatory, bringing in something familiar – and I don’t mean their stuffed animal.

I’m talking about seat covers. While the white disposable seat covers found in public restrooms probably come to mind first, a quick search on Amazon.com will reveal a number of different types of  toilet seat covers designed for children. Some line the seat, others have tape so the covers don’t fall off, but the type that stands out and appears to work best for an aircraft lavatory are the colorful PottyCover Toilet Seat Covers. The cover drapes over the sides and the front of the toilet to keep away germs and wetness (trust me, you don’t want your child sitting directly on the toilet seat anyway) but what makes PottyCover’s ideal for aircraft lavatories is how they hide the toilet so the child feels less intimidated.

The key to using these seat covers is to use them anytime you’re in a public place and even at home, before you fly. When it’s time to use the restroom, it’s something familiar to the child.

Being that everything is new during travel, using seat covers regularly may help ease your child’s tension, especially during the toilet training years, and hopefully that will help keep the potty training progress moving along while you’re traveling and flying.