Sunday, February 11, 2007

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Tips on how to enjoy traveling alone

  • Sunday, February 11, 2007
  • Wtmm
  • Want to go to a new exciting place, but don’t have anyone to tag along? There may be times when you have to travel alone in a foreign land. Whether just for fun or on official business, you have to take safety measures. Traveling alone need not be lonely. It could be fun in more ways than one. Don’t be reluctant to travel just because your on your own. Just remember these things:

    *Plan ahead
    Research and read about the place you’re heading to. Know where’s the nearest hotel, restaurant, and such. Make reservations too, if possible. That way, your travel is on a good start.

    *Take a city map
    You better study how to read maps. Needless to say, these can guide you where you are going, especially if it’s the first time you’re going to that place. Relying too much on the cab driver is not a good idea.

    *Learn the language
    Just study the basics, and the most common things you’re likely to ask a local. Learn it before you arrive.

    *Hide your valuables
    Put your guard up. Don’t invite muggers to come and get you. Don’t wear too much jewelry outside the streets. Use inexpensive accessories.

    *Dress appropriately
    Check what the locals wear on a given time of day. You don’t want your clothes screaming you’re a tourist. The lesser attention you draw to yourself, the better.

    *Don’t be afraid to ask for directions
    It would be okay to ask someone for directions, but be sure you are going to choose who to ask. You can ask a waiter in restaurant, or the receptionist in your hotel. Just be sure you get all information. Asking from a complete stranger outside is not advisable.

    *Bring some cash
    Take just enough. Traveler’s checks and credit cards are good, and it could be your primary mode of payment, but you might want to keep a few extra dollars in your pocket with local money.

    *Enjoy your self
    Well, you are traveling, so make the most of it. Make friends with a local. Talk to somebody over lunch in a cafĂ©. Get the addresses of the friends you make to send them a thank you card. Maybe next time, you’d be their host.

    Traveling alone can be your best experience. With solo traveling, you will definitely learn more about your self and what you can do. Try it. It would be fun!
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    Travel adventure tips

  • Wtmm
  • How to Enjoy the Best Places under the Sun

    There are people who are fond of traveling. They like to go to places where they can recharge their souls, unwind, release the tension from work, and simply enjoy what life has to offer.

    And there are people who are more of the adventurous type who would rather enjoy the day exploring the forest canopy in Costa Rica or discover the beauty of the wilderness of Siberia.

    However, whatever adventure travel most people would like to experience, it is always best to observe safety measures and precautions so as to avoid risk or perils of traveling to unknown lands.

    Here’s a list of tips for adventure travelers, whether they want adventures that are more inclined to wilderness or just the typical family adventure most people would love to experience:

    1. It is best that people should know what the type of travel adventure they are getting into.

    Adventure travel may provide the kind of adrenalin rush most adventurers long to experience every time they get out of their territory. It is the feeling of newness and uncertainty on what will happen that gives them the satisfaction and gratification that they need.

    However, it is still important for them to know what they are doing. After all, traveling always involve risky activities especially to those who are set to gain adventure experience.

    2. Have a fixed set on the adventure travel destination.

    Because of the vastness of locations and adventure locations available today, people might get confused on what areas are best for their adventure travel.

    One good tip is to choose a location that can baffle those adventurous minds and mystify the eyes with great mystery.

    As much as new and exotic places can be adventurous, it is still best to stick to the classical and typical locations. It would be really risky to try areas which no one has ever dared to go to.

    3. Consider the budget.

    Adventure traveling can be pretty expensive especially when it entails going to places that entails great adventure packages.

    So, it would be better for adventure travelers to shop around first and compare prices before deciding on what kind of adventure travel to take.

    Indeed, adventure travel can be one of the most exciting and gratifying travel one can experience. However, with the exotic places, wilderness, and virgin forests that one might consider, it is a must that every travel must know the proper way how to protect themselves and what to do first before trying the place out.

    After all, it should be safety that should always be on top priority.
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    How to save on travel reservations

  • Wtmm
  • Cheap Reservations without the Hassle

    - Plan your vacations on off seasons, Hotel rates, even airline and car rental rates are lower during this time due to lower demand. You can get as much as a 50% discount if you book a room during off season, so try and call the hotel if they have off season discounts and ask them when the discounts will be effective.

    - Some hotels give discounts to certain people like students, military contingents, Senior citizens, honeymooners etc. Ask for these discounts and what their details, you can save a lot with these.

    - Ask if your kids can stay for free, if you’re with your family, sometimes hotels can allow up to two kids for a two bed room provided that the kids are within the age limit.

    - If you’re not very particular with hotel locations, you can access name-your-price websites for car rentals and hotel reservations. They’ll do the haggling for you and you’re sure not to over-budget.

    - Some hotels and even car rental companies, give “free days” if you use their services for more than a week. Ask about these certain perks if you’re planning a long stay.

    - Make sure that the room fees are the only ones you’re paying for. Some hotels have surcharges and extra fees that aren’t mentioned in room rates and then suddenly pop-up on check-out. Before you reserve, ask about these, and if upon check-out you suddenly find yourself with fees that you didn’t know about, refuse to pay it.

    - You can also exchange frequent Flier miles for hotel lodgings so if you have an expiring miles card, or a miles card that you’d just want to get rid of, ask the hotel if they honor these exchanges.

    - Sometimes, hotels provide free airport pick-up you can use this as bargaining tool. Ask for a free pickup when haggling so you’ll get something extra even if you pay the full price.

    - If you’re planning to travel during peak season, always call in advance, rates tend to get higher as the season approaches.

    - Sometimes, weekend rates are lower than regular fees, or vice versa, ask your agent, or ask the hotel yourself if they have these, then you can schedule your trip during these times and be able to avail of the discount.

    - Always ask for a confirmation number when you reserve a room, so that they can’t say that they didn’t receive your reservation.
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    How to deal with accidents while traveling

  • Wtmm
  • Accidents do happen unexpectedly, but they can be avoided.

    However, despite the fact that a lot of people are trying their best to avoid it, still, many are in danger in the road while traveling. They will never know when an accident will take place. In fact, it seems that the number of people who gets into accidents while traveling is continuously growing.

    In 2003 alone, statistics show that over 6 million car accidents have been reported in the United States, and in those accidents about 2.9 million were injured and 42, 643 people were killed. That is, indeed, a very alarming figure considering the fact that the campaigns about driving safely and avoiding road accidents are in full force.

    So, where does the problem lies? Is it on the driver, the car manufacturer, the government, or is it fate for most people who get into accidents? In reality, nobody can really tell who to blame. The only choice people have is to continue driving safely and avoid accidents.

    However, in the event that accidents happen, the only way to solve the mishap is to deal with it. Here’s how:

    1. Emergency numbers in one’s mobile phone are extremely important.

    People just don’t realize this yet, but the emergency numbers stored in their mobile phones are vital to one’s life, especially when away from home or while traveling.

    Surveys show that people who usually survive in accidents are those who were attended to immediately by health experts. This goes to show that immediate actions are important so as to save people who have met accidents.

    2. Panic is the number one killer in an accident.

    The reason why many people do not survive in an accident is because they tend to panic first. They get so panic-stricken that they can no longer clear their mind and think of ways how to deal with the dilemma. That is why it is extremely important to stay calm when accidents and happen and think of ways how to solve the problem.

    3. Prevention is still the number one remedy.

    Today, car accidents are currently the top most causes of death, usually within the age bracket of 1 to 37. Hence, the majority of the drivers, who are prone to accidents, are young. Usually the causes of accidents in young people are speeding, reckless driving, not wearing seatbelts, and drunk driving.

    And so, it is important to observe traffic rules and regulations so as to prevent road accidents while traveling. As they say, an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure.
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    Tips for the right holiday travel package

  • Wtmm
  • It is not usually wise to be traveling during holidays as these are the times when almost every other person in the world is traveling. It is of course best to plan ahead or book ahead and go to your destination early to avoid all the hassle but if you’re one of those last minute people or probably one of those who can’t really avoid it, you should follow the next few tips for a better journey and maybe a cheaper stay.

    - Holiday travel packages were never made with only one person in mind; no two people are alike, keep this in mind because the agencies that packed them have kept these in mind, use this fact to haggle your way into cheaper or sometimes better deals. Even if there are ready made packages, you can ask for extra perks especially if you’re staying for more than a week.

    - Be careful of travel agents. Travel agents may give you the best deal for your package, which normally include airfare, lodgings and transportation, but a really good agent can be really flexible. One example would be if you want a rental car for the first half of your trip but you want to get rid of it by the second half, a good agent can arrange this for you, sometimes for a cheaper price.

    - Be sure that the package you want is available, you don’t want to get pulled into something that ends up being sold out, some people give out too-good-to-be-true packages which end up being “sold out” in the end, so before you make a deal or transfer a morsel of cash, make sure that it is still available.

    - Be sure to know exactly what airline and route your taking, you won’t want those unpleasant layovers which can be a real pain, not to mention delay your schedule.

    - A good sign of a good package is one that is very flexible, as said before, no two people are alike, and a good package should reflect that, it should allow you to choose between destinations, as well as brands and lodgings without changing the price. A choice in which rental car to take is also a sign of a good package.

    - Finally, it’s good to ask for discounts that you might get if you do certain stuff, like stay in the hotel for more than a week, or sign up on the internet instead of by phone. Research first before you cough up the money for down-payment; make sure you’ve exhausted all possible discount generating ways before you decide on a package.
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    Planning your own educational trip

  • Wtmm
  • If it’s just for school, for your kids or for the neighborhood kids, it’s nice to have a purposeful educational trip that will surely be enjoyed by the children as well as teach them. Of course there is the usual trip to the museum or the so-so factory, but educational travel doesn’t necessarily end with the destination, one should also consider the preparations as well as the child before you uproot them from their playgrounds.

    Who should plan the Trip?

    If the trip is an out of school activity, whether organized by you or the neighborhood parents, there should always be somebody or a group of people willing to dedicate a snippet of their time to organizing, everything, destination, transportation, food, lodgings (if any) as well as the children involved.

    What to Bring

    A pack list is also essential before a trip. Here are a few things that should be in your or your child’s bag when you go on an educational trip.

    - Snacks –there should be lots of drinks and walk foods that you can eat even while walking.

    - First aid kit – an accident can easily happen, a small trip or a scratch should be mended easily. A medicine pack can also be handy for parents who develop headaches, or for children with stomach upset.

    - Extra clothes – children are very active, and sometimes even parents can be over-active, so it is necessary that both bring a set of clothes for those unexpected spills.

    - Walkie talkie – If your child can handle it, a walkie-talkie or a cellular phone can be very useful if he gets lost.

    - Name tag – Attach a name tag to his shirt or to his bag containing your contact number (without a name) so that whoever finds him can contact you.

    - One of his favorite toys – A good thing to distract a child when he gets uneasy during travel would be one of his favorite toys.

    - Wipes and tissue- For that easy cleanup whenever you need it.

    When you get there

    Fall in line, and make travel buddy’s of two or three; the one buddy should be responsible for the other so as to prevent anyone getting left behind. This is best done with kids who don’t normally play together so they can bond and get to know each other more.

    On the trip home

    Encourage sleeping; after a long walk children can get cranky when tired, so bring some milk with you so they can sleep through the trip home.
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    Disney World Traveling

  • Wtmm
  • Disney World is probably the most popular theme park in the world, attractions, rides, characters, the works, there is no doubt that nobody goes to Disney World to get headaches. To prevent unnecessary muscle and head pain, it is best to be prepared.

    Proper Season

    It is best to go to Disney World during off season, which is roughly around early January to mid February, or after Labor Day through mid December. During off season, there are less people, less congestion and less headaches. What’s more, it rarely gets cold in Florida, even during winter season, and it gets swelteringly hot and humid during summer, so winter, really is the time to go.

    The Proper Lodgings

    Although it is cheaper to stay in hotels outside of Disney World, the extra cash you’ll have to cough up if you stay inside is more than made up for by the comfort and convenience of an inside stay.

    Imagine traveling from your room, then going through the 47 square mile area that is Disney World, then traveling back to your hotel… exhausting isn’t it?

    The Proper Schedule

    Where to actually go once you get there is determined by your choice of companions, kids, teenagers or adults.

    Kids

    Go through Cinderella’s Castle and Visit Fantasy Land or Mickey’s Toon Town, the little tots will surely love all the characters roaming around that area. The rides in these parts are built for 6 year olds and below, but mommy or daddy can still squeeze themselves in if they want.

    Adults or Teens

    A trip to the Magic Kingdom may be in order if you’re with big kids. You can go to Splash Mountain to get wet or to Space Mountain to get some indoor rollercoaster, and fun for the bumpy person, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad should be enough to satisfy their taste for adventure.

    Rides for Everyone

    If you want something that everyone can enjoy, a ride in the Walt Disney World Railroad, can rest those tired feet and at the same time give you an enjoyable view of Magic Kingdom.

    Haunted Mansion, although not really for very young kids, can be a thrill for toddlers, it’s a ride not a walk through so there’s no tripping or running involved.

    For relaxing walks, try the Tiki Room Show or the Swiss family Tree House.

    The Proper Dining Experience

    For cute snacks, try the Aloha Isle inside Adventureland, they conjure up creative drinks and snacks, a good place to try something cute and different.

    Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe provides a cool indoor dining area between Fantasyland and Tomorrowland where you can enjoy your food to your hearts content.
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    Guide to Cheap Annual Travel Insurance

  • Wtmm
  • Vacations are for fun, it means leaving behind your job and responsibilities for a while. Having travel insurance is one way of putting your mind at complete rest. It's a lot easier to enjoy your trip if you know that you are covered from luggage lost to sickness.

    The further your trip will be, the more you will need travel insurance. This is common sense, as international trips are costly, so there's a need to protect your hard earned travel money. So wherever you go, to a local or international destination, it's very important that you have the necessary insurance coverage.

    Cheap annual travel insurance is an alternative choice for those budget- conscious travelers who are making more than one trip a year. The main feature of the annual travel insurance against regular travel insurance is that it saves you money. For a once annual payment, you become covered whenever you travel during the year. The terms and conditions vary between companies, but annual insurance for unlimited travel is also available. Cheap annual travel insurance provides substantial cost savings than any regular type of travel insurance.

    Here are some tips for choosing your best cheap annual travel insurance:

    1. Sign up with a reputable insurance company that has worldwide offices which can easily be contacted during emergency needs.

    2. The insurance company should have a 24/7 customer assistance which is an essential for international travelers.

    3. Always make your office's 1-800 number available to you when you are abroad.

    4. The cost of the insurance should not be more than 10% of your investment.

    5. Read the terms and conditions of the policy to make sure you aren't buying unnecessary or inadequate coverage.

    6. Look for refundable policy, especially if you have the history of changing your mind too often.

    7. A good insurance should cover at least the following:

    a. Flight cancellation or delay
    b. Luggage loss and delay
    c. Sickness and accident during the trip.
    d. Evacuation support during an emergency situation such as natural calamities

    Cheap annual travel insurance is good for you if you take vacations more than once a year. Instead of taking several insurance each time you travel, you can make use of a single travel insurance that could save you a lot of money and time. On the other hand, if you travel less often, an annual insurance policy is not for you since you will not be able to recover the cost.
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    Guide to Business Travel

  • Wtmm
  • Planning your business trip wisely will free you from lots of trouble. Inadequate airline seats, long lines, heavy traffic, and unavailable hotel rooms are just some of the problems a business traveler might encounter. Despite the emergence of e-commerce, businessmen still travel more often for sales and business shows. Here are some tips to make your business travel a successful one:

    1. Plan your business trip long before you leave the office.

    2. Always prepare a travel bag with complete necessities to be used on any emergency trips.

    3. Bring some ready to eat foods, it will save you a substantial amount of money, considering the high cost of foods in hotels.

    4. Be sure to have a buffer time between your flight and your scheduled meeting.

    5. Choose aircraft that has better seats with ample leg room.

    6. Put all your valuable materials in a small carry-on bag.

    7. When calling your main office, use the 800 numbers as much as possible because it's much cheaper.

    8. If you're a businesswoman, it is important to dress well. Additionally, you must bring casual clothes for your free time.

    Not all hotels have inexpensive telecommunication systems from their rooms, so always choose your hotel's business floor, for these rooms are made especially for business traveler. These rooms should have dual telephone/modem lines, fax machine, and free communications between rooms. In order to save money on calls, use your calling card and place calls through your country's long-distance carrier or find a pay phone in the hotel's lobby. If available, use a nearby business center for your fax needs since fax service within your room will probably cost more.

    These days, a business traveler has to bring a lot of electronic equipment such as; cell phones, electronic organizers, laptop computers, etc. Here are some suggestions on how to keep your expensive business items safe:

    1. Put your laptop inside a bag that will not indicate that there's a laptop inside. The same works well for other equipment such as camera, electronic organizer, etc.

    2. Don't expose your laptop to x-ray scanners at the airport security check, rather have it checked manually. X-rays could damage your electronic equipment.

    3. Don't place your laptop on the aircraft's overhead bins; instead place it near your seat or under the seat in front of you.

    4. Always bring extra batteries for your equipment.

    Today's business travelers are enjoying much comfort compared to their counterparts a few decades ago. Low airfare, plenty of airlines to choose from, communication equipment (especially cell phones and laptops) make modern day business travelers more efficient. Even on a business trip, parents can always be with their family members and co-workers can still get in touch with their office work, at least virtually.
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    Checking accessories that you need in traveling

  • Wtmm


  • So, finally you have found the time for your deserving break. You have already planned what to do on the big trip. Everything seems to be prepared. But what happens when you forget your favorite digicam and you only discovered it when you’re already nearing the point of your destination?

    Why does it happen that every time you go out of town, you always forget an item or accessory that you only remember after you left the house? If you are lucky, you usually forget small things like a toothbrush, where you can buy one in the nearest store.

    But what happens if you forget, for example, your digicam? Or how about your raincoat in a rainy season? How about the travel supplies you usually forget? If you’re lucky, it’s a simple accessory like a toothbrush, which any hotel will have in their gift shop. But what if you forgot a more important product, for example, a rain coat? Or a backpack you’ll be using for a hiking trip?

    What are all the travel accessories you need?

    When going on trips, whether it is big or small, check out if you have a complete set of your travel accessories. What accessories should I bring? Among the most obvious are:

    - Suitcases

    - Travel clothing

    - Toiletries

    -Travel appliances (electric razor, travel alarm, hairdryer)

    These, however, are just the basic accessories. You will see that the more you travel, the more you need things other than suitcases, toiletries, and travel clothing and appliances. For example, did you think that you should have brought a small nice neck pillow in a long train ride or flight? Or, what if you get bruised from a hiking trip, do you have a first-aid kit close at hand?

    Here are some accessories that you might want to bring when you take your next trip:

    - Binoculars

    - Music player

    - Mini-flashlight

    - Camera

    - Clothing steamer

    - Mini-umbrella

    - Luggage rack

    - Door alarm

    - First-aid kit

    It would not be surprising that you might have additional options to this list, or you might have a list entirely different from the list above. And when you check out stores and Internet sites that sell travel accessories, you would learn that there are many products out there that you thought you never needed but turned out to be the contrary!
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    Some tips on backpacking

  • Wtmm
  • Travelers around the world enjoy seeing the sights and wonders of different places with only a backpack for all the things they need. Because they only have a pack on their backs, the possibilities of new sightseeing and activity adventures are limitless.

    But of course, before you head for a faraway hiking adventure with your backpack, you must make sure that you bring all the things you need to put in your backpack. Below is a checklist that will make your backpacking adventure a pleasant experience.

    - Backpack

    Of course, how can you go for a wild backpacking activity without a backpack! Pick one that is comfortable and fits well on you. A properly fitted backpack is essential. You are going hiking and the last thing you need is a backpack that is gouging into your shoulders. Make sure your is fitted properly.

    - Quick Drying Towel

    Widely available in many stores. You don’t want a heavy, damp towel on your backpack, do you?

    - Walking Shoes

    Pick comfortable shoes as you would learn soon enough that walking would be a major part in your backpacking adventure.

    - Underwear and socks

    These go without saying.

    - Long Underwear

    This depends on the season and place where you are traveling. You might also wear your long underwear when you stay in hotels that do not have adequate well-heating systems.

    - Pillow Case

    Pillow case is an essential thing to keep when you stay in backpacker hotels.

    - Sleeping Bag

    When you stay in backpacker hotels. Select a lightweight sleeping bag. Down is the best type of sleeping bag. Yes, they do cost a bit more, but the prices is well worth it. Feathers are very light and you can compress a down into a very small package.

    - Passport

    Don’t even think of leaving the country without it.

    - Spy Wallet

    So that you could be able to divide up the money that you have just in case.

    - Day Pack

    Most backpacks have a detachable daypack.

    - Camera

    A digicam may be better, but bulkier and heavier to carry.

    - Journal

    For the writer and chronicler in you.

    - Flip Flops

    Useful when you take a shower.

    - Traveler’s Checks

    You can never be too sure with your money.

    - Wet Wipes

    Always come in handy. Easy to carry too.

    - Landry Detergent

    It might prove handy.

    - Space Savers

    - Rain Coat

    Especially if you travel on a rainy season or you’re going to tropical countries like those in Southeast Asia or South America.

    - Lock

    For the safety of your belongings.

    - Band Aids

    It’s better to be prepared than not at all.

    - Travel Guide

    Try picking a comprehensive yet easy-to-carry travel guide.

    - Personal items such as toothpaste, deodorant, soap, and shampoo

    For hygienic purposes.

    - Clothing

    A tip: The night before you leave, check all clothes that you need. Then take only the half. Clothing simply weighs too much. Take only what you can carry at ease.
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