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You are here: Home / Archives for Travel Tips

Travel Tips

Travel Abroad The Organized Way

May 2, 2008 by admin Leave a Comment

Traveling abroad can be both exciting and fun, if you are well prepared for your trip. Do your part by properly getting prepared before your traveling date. Use the advice from this article to ensure that you are ready and well prepared for take off!

Some countries require you to get vaccinations before entering the country. The only immunization required by law is for Yellow Fever. Yellow Fever is generally spread through mosquito bites, making it law in sub-Saharan Africa and some South American countries to get immunization against this disease. Other vaccinations aren’t required by law, but definitely recommended such as Hepatitis A & B, Rabies and Typhoid.

It is imperative that you check if your passport is valid. The date of expiration can be found on the right of your picture where your place of birth is displayed. The date of expiration is found in the format: DD Mon YYYY. Most airlines also require that your passport be valid for at least half a year after the date of departure. Your passport is also subject to being rejected if your picture looks different from your current appearance, it has been defaced or damaged in some way or your name has been changed.

Book your plane tickets online at least a month before the intended day of travel. This is also good practice so you understand what fits into your budget. Most airlines only offer limited quantities of a certain priced airline ticket, making them go faster on a first come first serve basis. Don’t miss out on your trip by not taking the proper precautions when booking your ticket. Make certain to understand the regulations of the airline you are to travel with, how many crossovers your ticket has as well as the maximum weight of luggage allowed.

Hotel reservations should come second after booking your plane tickets. Depending on the type of hotel you can afford, you may wish to bundle your plane tickets with your hotel reservations. The types of hotels that usually offer this service are well reputed and considered to be 4 or 5 star hotel chains. If you are looking for a motel or something more within your budget, research individual local motel/hotel rates on the internet. You can then go on to reserve your stay online via the hotel’s website or through a phone call.

Depending on where you will be traveling and the weather patterns in the country, make sure to research the things that you will need to pack for your trip. Gather the items that you feel are necessities for successful travel. Only pack what you need and what is within your airline’s weight limit. Over-packing can add a hefty bill on top of your already paid airline ticket.

After you have gathered what you will need, make sure to grab a notepad and a pen to make an inventory of your items. Make a copy of that list and use it as a checklist to ensure everything is packed properly and present in your luggage upon arrival.

The airport can be overwhelming and a bit hectic, usually depending on when you travel. Arrive an hour or two early to get a feel of things and know where you will need to go to enter the proper boarding gate. Use this time to get a snack, use the bathroom or say goodbye to friends and family.

Traveling abroad can be fun and exciting! Follow the tips from this article to ensure that your trip is successful and stress free.

Filed Under: Travel Tips

Tips To Travel Safely Abroad

May 1, 2008 by admin Leave a Comment

Traveling is fun in any form, especially when you discover new and exotic places traveling abroad. However, this experience can also prove to be overwhelming for some, and staying safe is always imperative. Don’t put yourself in the way of danger and stick to the tips in this article to ensure you have a fun and safe trip!

Most hotels offer the use of a safety deposit box or safe to guests within their rental rooms, or through the hotel’s front desk. However, plenty of research suggests that hotel safes may not always be as safe as they are claimed to be. Make sure that you reset the safe in your room and enter your own password. Failing to do so can result in stolen items. The best policy, however, is to leave all valuables such as heirlooms and jewelry at home.

Always make several copies of important documents when traveling abroad. This is important in case something happens to you, or you are a target of a crime. If you do indeed end up becoming the victim of a pick-pocket, you will have copies on hand of your documents to prove your identity and citizenship to authorities.

Tourist areas are much safer than deciding to go out on your own, this is especially true if you are by yourself. Sign up for tours with other tourists and ensure that you are with someone at all times. It is much safer to travel with a group than it is to be on your own. People who are alone tend to be the number one target for crimes, especially with modern day crime on the rise. It is also advisable to have someone you can rely on if you get sick, feel that you are in trouble or don’t speak the native language fluently.

There is always the age old question whether or not it is safe or okay to talk to strangers. The answer to this question solely depends on your personality and where you grew up. Some countries are much more friendly and open minded, meaning that it is perfectly normal for strangers to stop one another on the street and carry on a conversation. Use gut feelings for whether or not the person you wish to converse with appears honest and good natured. If you are outgoing and do this often, you probably already have a good feel for people’s profiles and personalities.

Traveling alone can be risky, especially for young women. Tourists who don’t have any friends or family with them are usually the number one target for crimes in the city. If the place you are traveling to is someplace you have been to before and feel safe there, it is okay to consider going alone. If not, perhaps you should take a friend with you or close family member. Those who travel alone should make a point to leave their contact info with a friend or relative as well as check in at least once a day via phone call.

Going to exotic new places opens your mind to a new culture. It is important to learn all you can about the great place you are traveling to. The Internet has a wealth of information available to those who seek it. There are blogs and personal accounts as well as factual information available. If you are not as computer savvy as you would like to be, consider going to your local library or ordering travel guides.

Use the advice you have learned in this article to keep yourself and others safe when traveling abroad. It can be overwhelming to know how to stay safe during your travels, but armed with the right knowledge and tips, you won’t feel so lost!

Filed Under: Travel Tips

Tips to Save You Money on Air Travel

April 30, 2008 by admin Leave a Comment

Are you someone who flies a lot? Well here are some ways that you can save some money on air fare and reduce the amount of money that you will be spending on your next family vacation or even for a emergency trip out of town.

The first thing you should do is to look into buying your tickets ahead of time if you are planning to go on vacation. Not only are plane tickets cheaper this way but also there are websites in which you can go to that help you find the best air fare.

If you are planning your family vacation and want to save money on the air fare you should try to plan the trip during the off season. If this is not possible try to fly during the week or late at night, both of which have lower air fares because it is not the peak time in which people normally fly.

As we had previously mentioned there are many online sites that give you information on fares. All you do is punch in the information of when and where you want to fly and how many people are in your party and then you will get a run down of different airlines and also different times of the day. Play around with it and see what gives you the best fare!

If you still haven’t booked your flight at the last minute there are always deals that you can get through the airline. There are also deals online on the comparison websites. Often times people cancel their flights and the airline would like to fill those seats so they offer them at a discounted price.

Often times airlines will charge you to check baggage. As a matter of fact this is a common practice recently. There are a few airlines that do not charge for checked luggage but if you want to fly with another airline you will have to pay the charge. If you can take luggage you can carry on the the plane with you. This is very possible if you are just taking a weekend trip.

If you are going on vacation with your whole family you should buy the tickets in all one transaction. You will possibly be able to save some money if you make a bulk purchase. The airline looks kindly on this kind of practice and may give you a kickback!

When you are choosing your destination and departure airport and you have the flexibility to travel to an airport, try to pick an airport that is not located near a busy airport or capital city airport. Airfare tends to be higher in and out of these cities because of the demand.

If there are extras that the airline is offering be sure to opt yourself out of them. You do not want to spend extra money for no reason. These are hidden costs for insurance, etc. that you will not necessarily ever need.

You should use any of the points that you have accumulated from your credit air miles or travel reward cards that you have. Not everyone has them but if you are a avid traveler you should look into their benefits to save money.

There are airline ticket auctions that people have online, these are people that have bought tickets but are not able to use them. They go online and auction them off to others because they do not want to lose all of their money. Normally they are fairly affordable!

Look around, do not settle for the big airlines. They do not necessarily always have the best deals. They are the ones who are ripping people off!

If you can take an indirect flight. They are cheaper to take than flights that are straight through. Check how long your layover will be at the locations and see if it will work for you.

Look into booking a flight with a travel agent. They sometimes have the inside track on finding the best prices on airfare. You can also plan other aspects of your trip through them and they can give you a package deal on the whole vacation.

If you are buying your tickets in another country, buy them with foreign currency. You can often times save money because the American dollar is worth more than the foreign currency. This is not always the case so check into the exchange rate before you do this.

Invest in a annual flight pass, this may be expensive but if you travel a lot you will find that it is worth it! You may even be able to find some great places when you do this!

Using these tips can help you find a cheap flight to help you have a wonderful vacation.

Filed Under: Travel Tips

Tips For Vacationing With Pets

April 29, 2008 by admin Leave a Comment

Many pet owners prefer to take their pets with them when they go on vacation. It saves money on boarding fees and allows the family pet to take part in the family vacation. Before you head out the door for your vacation with your pet, there are some things that you should do to be sure that your travel plans go off without a hitch.

If you are going to be traveling long distances in a car, be sure that you have made plans for regular stops along the way. You can also look into the anxiety collars for your pet, so that they can be calm during the ride. Depending on how your pet travels in cars, it could be somewhat difficult to make the journey with a dog and that should be considered before you pack up and leave home.

When making reservations for your hotel, be sure that the accommodations are pet friendly. Some hotels are very strict about the animals that they allow in their establishment and some do not allow them at all. Learn the rules before you book your room to be sure that your pet will be comfortable and welcome when you check in.

Contact law enforcement at your destination to inquire about local laws that they may have regarding pets. There may be certain vaccinations or licenses that they will need to have to be out and about in the area you choose to vacation.

Be prepared by having everything that your pet is used to having at home, with you on your trip. Pack their food and water bowls, a couple toys, leash and anything else that your pet relies on at home. The more comfortable your pet is while on vacation, the less you are going to have to worry about comforting them – the more fun you can have together.

Do not neglect to bring a pet carrier or kennel with you, so you can leave them in the hotel room when you go out for dinner and leave them in the room alone. You may have a pet that is well behaved, but when they are in a new place all by themselves, they may get destructive and end up costing you money to replace what they destroy.

If your dog has a history of being snippy toward other pets or people, be sure to take a muzzle along with you. You do not want to have the dog bite anyone else’s dog while you have it out of the hotel to go relieve himself.

Never allow your dog to get off of the leash. You do not want your dog to get lost in an unknown city. It will be very difficult for them to find you and they are not going to be able to find their way home from where you are. Granted, there have been some incredible stories of pets making their way home from vacation locations, but you do not want to take this risk.

It can be very fun to include your pet in the family vacation, but the proper steps must be taken to ensure you have the most fun possible.

Filed Under: Travel Tips

Tips for Traveling Smoothly

April 28, 2008 by admin Leave a Comment

Traveling is supposed to be fun and exciting, so you want your trip to go as smoothly as possible. These tips can help you plan a smooth, fun, exciting trip.

Before hopping in the car to go to the airport, start your road trip, or get on the bus, double check to make sure you have all the documents you need. Check and make sure you have your passport (if you need it), your identification, travel tickets, itinerary, and notes about hotel reservations. If you have pre-paid for events, make sure you also have those tickets or information with you.

Once you are all packed and ready to go, take a few minutes to give your luggage a once-over. Make sure you have packed everything you need and have not packed any prohibited items. If you usually keep a concealed weapon in your backpack and you are flying, now is the time to take it out and put it in your gun safe. A TSA security checkpoint is not the best place to learn that you forgot to leave your handgun at home!

Only pack what you absolutely need. You are going to be lugging your baggage around quite a bit, so the fewer bags you take, the better. When packing, evaluate each item you put in your bags and decide if you really need it or simply want it. Also, if you are traveling abroad, find out if your electrical devices are compatible. There is no sense bringing a hair dryer if you will not be able to use it on your trip.

Go to the TSA website before leaving on your trip. Pay attention to all of the regulations, and do this each time you travel. TSA often changes and updates regulations, so you need to make sure that you have the most current information available. Know what items are not permitted in checked and carry-on bags. Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing to make pat-downs easier.

Ask a friend to travel with you. Traveling with others is much more fun than traveling alone, and there is safety in numbers. Coordinate with your friend so you can be seated together on flights and either share a motel room or reserve adjoining rooms. If you are traveling alone, make sure that someone at home knows your itinerary. If your plans change, let your friends know.

Keep a positive, optimistic attitude. Traveling can be stressful and it is easy to get irritated when there are delays. Also, other people can just get on your nerves. Relax, take it easy. Having a positive attitude will help you get through frustrating situations more easily. You can enjoy yourself a lot more if you have a sense of humor about problems. If you find yourself getting upset, take a couple deep breaths. Remind yourself that “this too shall pass”, and laugh.

Use these tips to make your next vacation go smoothly. Avoid stress and worry by planning ahead and doing your research. Also, traveling with friends is more fun than traveling alone!

Filed Under: Travel Tips

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