Saturday, January 13, 2007
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Saturday, January 13, 2007
Wtmm
You've seen the commercials, vast blue oceans, beautiful white ship, and people laughing. What a wonderful vacation, sailing the deep blue sea and visiting exciting ports of call. This is certainly a dream vacation, especially as you sit in your office cubical in the dead of winter and shiver while you answer complaint calls from clients.
Cruise ships are a means of travel with some substantial benefits. The key advantage of a cruise ship is that it does the "getting around" for you. They make it easy to visit several places in a single trip without the need to pack your belongings and sit in a car/train/bus/plane to travel to each one; your hotel room comes along with you, and even provides the transportation. Additionally, most meals are usually included in the price of the cruise.
Timing is Everything
The most important cruise line tip is to ensure that you get to the dock on time. Although cruise ships sail from an increasing number of cities, most people still have to fly to get to and from their port of departure. If you are flying from another city into the location of your cruise line, make absolutely sure that your flight lands with enough time for you to disembark, travel to baggage claim, find your luggage and then locate a shuttle or taxi to the dock of departure. The cruise line will not wait for passengers. They are on a strict schedule of departure and arrival; the boat waits for no one. If you miss the boat, you miss your vacation.
Another important and valuable cruise line travel tip is to read all documents provided by the cruise line and your travel agent. Unless your ship's itinerary is confined to a single country, you need to prepare for a cruise like you would any other international trip, including passports. Prior to booking flights or making any other travel plans, thoroughly read all documentation provided in regards to your cruise.
There are important contracts, guidelines, requirements and procedures that must be followed prior to boarding, and during the cruise. Again, the cruise line does not care if you didn't read your documents and forgot your passport or Visa. They only care that your travel documents are in order, you've taken the time to comply with their travel requirements and that you enjoy your stay once on board.
Safeguard your Luggage
Nothing could be worse than going on a cruise and losing your luggage, before or after the cruise. What a nightmare! It is essential to do everything possible to ensure that your luggage does not get lost. At the cruise terminal, baggage is given to the porters for loading to the ship Make sure that your suitcase is uniquely marked so that someone does not take your luggage by mistake. Identification tags are a must, so even if your luggage ends up in the "wrong"' hands, it can easily find its way back to you.
Similar preparations are essential when leaving the cruise ship. On large ships you put a colored tag on your luggage and place it outside the cabin the night before you reach your final port, and pick it up ashore in the terminal. Some cruise lines are now offering an option where passengers can be first off the ship if they carry all their luggage off with them.
What about motion Sickness?
Some people experience queasiness on cruise ships. Many people find relief from special wristbands that stimulate pressure points that are believed to counteract the nausea of motion sickness. You can also get pills that will alleviate any discomforts caused by motion sickness. Make sure to get your supply in advance and don't forget to pack them in your hand baggage. You may never need them, but it is best to have them available just in case.
Don't Overlook the Details
It is especially important to review the cruise summary and travel itinerary to ensure that no errors exist. This cruise line travel tip is the one that will insure you get to spend your actual vacation time doing what you planned rather than sorting out a mistake and wasting valuable time. Most of the excursion arrangements are made through your travel or booking agent prior to your arrival at the boarding gate. As you prepare to board the ship, you will be given an outline of your activities to review as you wait in line. An essential cruise line travel tip is to take the time to scrutinize these items now, as they are the outline for your entire vacation. It is easier to correct any mistakes that might have been made now, while standing in line rather than once you are one board the boat. If you wait, you will lose precious hours of you vacation.
Cruise vacations are fabulous, but this type of vacation takes a considerable amount of preparation. If you heed the advice of these cruise line tips, you will not only get onboard, but you will also have the vacation of a lifetime!
Read more...
Cruise Travel Tips - Don't Leave Home Without Them
You've seen the commercials, vast blue oceans, beautiful white ship, and people laughing. What a wonderful vacation, sailing the deep blue sea and visiting exciting ports of call. This is certainly a dream vacation, especially as you sit in your office cubical in the dead of winter and shiver while you answer complaint calls from clients.Cruise ships are a means of travel with some substantial benefits. The key advantage of a cruise ship is that it does the "getting around" for you. They make it easy to visit several places in a single trip without the need to pack your belongings and sit in a car/train/bus/plane to travel to each one; your hotel room comes along with you, and even provides the transportation. Additionally, most meals are usually included in the price of the cruise.
Timing is Everything
The most important cruise line tip is to ensure that you get to the dock on time. Although cruise ships sail from an increasing number of cities, most people still have to fly to get to and from their port of departure. If you are flying from another city into the location of your cruise line, make absolutely sure that your flight lands with enough time for you to disembark, travel to baggage claim, find your luggage and then locate a shuttle or taxi to the dock of departure. The cruise line will not wait for passengers. They are on a strict schedule of departure and arrival; the boat waits for no one. If you miss the boat, you miss your vacation.
Another important and valuable cruise line travel tip is to read all documents provided by the cruise line and your travel agent. Unless your ship's itinerary is confined to a single country, you need to prepare for a cruise like you would any other international trip, including passports. Prior to booking flights or making any other travel plans, thoroughly read all documentation provided in regards to your cruise.
There are important contracts, guidelines, requirements and procedures that must be followed prior to boarding, and during the cruise. Again, the cruise line does not care if you didn't read your documents and forgot your passport or Visa. They only care that your travel documents are in order, you've taken the time to comply with their travel requirements and that you enjoy your stay once on board.
Safeguard your Luggage
Nothing could be worse than going on a cruise and losing your luggage, before or after the cruise. What a nightmare! It is essential to do everything possible to ensure that your luggage does not get lost. At the cruise terminal, baggage is given to the porters for loading to the ship Make sure that your suitcase is uniquely marked so that someone does not take your luggage by mistake. Identification tags are a must, so even if your luggage ends up in the "wrong"' hands, it can easily find its way back to you.
Similar preparations are essential when leaving the cruise ship. On large ships you put a colored tag on your luggage and place it outside the cabin the night before you reach your final port, and pick it up ashore in the terminal. Some cruise lines are now offering an option where passengers can be first off the ship if they carry all their luggage off with them.
What about motion Sickness?
Some people experience queasiness on cruise ships. Many people find relief from special wristbands that stimulate pressure points that are believed to counteract the nausea of motion sickness. You can also get pills that will alleviate any discomforts caused by motion sickness. Make sure to get your supply in advance and don't forget to pack them in your hand baggage. You may never need them, but it is best to have them available just in case.
Don't Overlook the Details
It is especially important to review the cruise summary and travel itinerary to ensure that no errors exist. This cruise line travel tip is the one that will insure you get to spend your actual vacation time doing what you planned rather than sorting out a mistake and wasting valuable time. Most of the excursion arrangements are made through your travel or booking agent prior to your arrival at the boarding gate. As you prepare to board the ship, you will be given an outline of your activities to review as you wait in line. An essential cruise line travel tip is to take the time to scrutinize these items now, as they are the outline for your entire vacation. It is easier to correct any mistakes that might have been made now, while standing in line rather than once you are one board the boat. If you wait, you will lose precious hours of you vacation.
Cruise vacations are fabulous, but this type of vacation takes a considerable amount of preparation. If you heed the advice of these cruise line tips, you will not only get onboard, but you will also have the vacation of a lifetime!
Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com
For more cruise travel tips and cruise information visit www.cruise.every1loves2travel.com . We also recommend www.on-a-cruise.com for exciting cruise adventures and helpful cruise reviews.
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Wtmm
Travel Packing Tips
The following are travel packing tips based on experience. I have gone to other countries for a month or more with nothing but a carry-on bag that weighed ten pounds. In fact, my number one travel tip is to go light whenever you can. The simplify of traveling light makes almost any trip more enjoyable.
Unfortunately, going with only carry-on luggage is getting more difficult due to the newest rules about what you can actually carry on a plane. If you do want to keep it to just one bag that goes with you on the plane, check the latest regulations and leave behind anything that isn't allowed. It doesn't add that much expense to a trip to just buy these things at your destination.
In fact, buying things as you go is a great way to simplify packing. Why bring twenty things just in case you need them, and then have to lug them around for the sake of the six you actually use? If it is a vacation in particular, why not plan just a little extra expense, and buy necessities as you travel? Many have found that this is more practical and relaxing than over-planning a trip and over-weighting the luggage.
Some Other Travel Packing Tips
- Jewelry and other valuables are usually not covered by the luggage insurance the airline provides. Pack these items in your carry-on bag.
- Silk shirts can be rolled carefully so they will wrinkle less in soft-sided luggage.
- To conserve space, buy low-bulk items for travel. A down coat, for example, will compress to a fourth of the size of other coats, and keep you just as warm.
- Lightweight travel pants, made of soft nylon derivatives are very light, tough, and pack small. They are often found where they sell outdoor gear, but some styles are dressy enough for use almost anywhere.
- To bring more in less space, set aside your thinnest socks, lightest clothes and smallest items for travel. A small hairbrush may work just as well as a large one, for example. You might get to bring many more potentially useful items, and still have a smaller bag in this way.
- If you buy a bulky gift for a family member or friend back home, you may want to send it to them instead of carrying it around for weeks while traveling.
- Don't overstuff your luggage. remember that it may be opened and inspected, and the security officials may not know how to fit it all back in.
- Don't pack important documents, like passports and identification, in your luggage. Carry these on your person, preferably in a security pouch or interior pocket.
- Be careful when packing shampoo, perfume, skin cream and other liquids. Plane cargo areas are often not pressurized fully, so the tops can pop off of bottles and other containers. For added safety, pack such items in a sealed ziplock bag.
- Carry a list of what is in your luggage, in case you need to file a claim for lost bags.
In addition to using the travel packing tips above, have a good packing routine. For example, start by considering every circumstance you may be in during your trip, and making a list of items you'll need. Then, after packing, consider each item, and remove anything that really isn't likely to be used - especially if it can be easily obtained at your destination.
Read more...
Unfortunately, going with only carry-on luggage is getting more difficult due to the newest rules about what you can actually carry on a plane. If you do want to keep it to just one bag that goes with you on the plane, check the latest regulations and leave behind anything that isn't allowed. It doesn't add that much expense to a trip to just buy these things at your destination.
In fact, buying things as you go is a great way to simplify packing. Why bring twenty things just in case you need them, and then have to lug them around for the sake of the six you actually use? If it is a vacation in particular, why not plan just a little extra expense, and buy necessities as you travel? Many have found that this is more practical and relaxing than over-planning a trip and over-weighting the luggage.
Some Other Travel Packing Tips
- Jewelry and other valuables are usually not covered by the luggage insurance the airline provides. Pack these items in your carry-on bag.
- Silk shirts can be rolled carefully so they will wrinkle less in soft-sided luggage.
- To conserve space, buy low-bulk items for travel. A down coat, for example, will compress to a fourth of the size of other coats, and keep you just as warm.
- Lightweight travel pants, made of soft nylon derivatives are very light, tough, and pack small. They are often found where they sell outdoor gear, but some styles are dressy enough for use almost anywhere.
- To bring more in less space, set aside your thinnest socks, lightest clothes and smallest items for travel. A small hairbrush may work just as well as a large one, for example. You might get to bring many more potentially useful items, and still have a smaller bag in this way.
- If you buy a bulky gift for a family member or friend back home, you may want to send it to them instead of carrying it around for weeks while traveling.
- Don't overstuff your luggage. remember that it may be opened and inspected, and the security officials may not know how to fit it all back in.
- Don't pack important documents, like passports and identification, in your luggage. Carry these on your person, preferably in a security pouch or interior pocket.
- Be careful when packing shampoo, perfume, skin cream and other liquids. Plane cargo areas are often not pressurized fully, so the tops can pop off of bottles and other containers. For added safety, pack such items in a sealed ziplock bag.
- Carry a list of what is in your luggage, in case you need to file a claim for lost bags.
In addition to using the travel packing tips above, have a good packing routine. For example, start by considering every circumstance you may be in during your trip, and making a list of items you'll need. Then, after packing, consider each item, and remove anything that really isn't likely to be used - especially if it can be easily obtained at your destination.
Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com
Copyright Steve Gillman. For travel stories, tips and a free Travel Secrets Ebook, visit www.everythingabouttravel.com
0
Wtmm
Tips For Smooth Traveling On Your Holiday Vacation
As crowds are bigger and delays longer, traveling to the Caribbean during the holiday season can sometimes be difficult. When traveling during the holiday season, you will find that most of the delays confronting you involve the airport. Most of these troubles can be avoided, however, with a little preparation. You must organize all the details of your vacation, especially your air travel, before you depart to prevent any unwanted surprises. Here are some important travel tips to spare you some headaches on your holiday Caribbean vacation.
Before you even drive to the airport, consider public transportation as airport parking lots fill up quickly during the holidays. If you live far from your airport, a one night stay in an airport hotel might offer extended parking.
To streamline line your air travel, research the check-in procedures for your airline as most offer both online check-in and printable boarding passes. You can also use the curbside check-in at the airport or self-service kiosks to avoid the lines at the counter. To anticipate how long you will need to clear security at the airport, check the Transportation Security Administration's website (www.tsa.gov). While the times listed on the site are daily and hourly averages that don’t account for holiday travel, you can assume that the wait will be at least as long as a Friday evening.
Make sure that you also review the current rules for carry-on luggage. Though the ban on liquids in carry-on luggage was lifted in September, travelers are still only allowed to pack travel-size toiletry items – 3 ounces or less – in their carry-on luggage. All of these travel-size bottles and containers must be stored within a clear, one-quart zip-top bag for screening. However, if you don’t need any of these items on your flight to the Caribbean, you can place any size toiletry item or liquid in your checked bags.
If you plan on renting a car on your Caribbean vacation, remember that most car rental companies anticipate a 20% rate of no-shows. During the holiday travel season, the resultant overbooking could leave you without a vehicle. While it is advised to arrive at the rental counter by the early afternoon, you can also call ahead to confirm your reservation. If you are enrolled in an express check-in program, take advantage of your status and skip the long lines.
If you are still making plans for a holiday Caribbean vacation, try your best to be flexible. Try to book flights that depart in the early morning or late evening as prices will be lower. Also, selecting a flight on a holiday like Christmas or New Year’s Day will offer you a considerable discount, as crowds tend to fly on the days before and after the holidays.
To prevent one of the biggest delays of all, aim for a nonstop flight. If you can’t make it to your Caribbean destination without a connecting flight, try to avoid connections in northern U.S. cities like Chicago as weather grounds many flights in the winter months. Instead, fly through Phoenix, Dallas or another southern city to avoid any unnecessary delay.
Another great travel tip for the holidays is programming the numbers of your airline, car rental company, hotel and other travel contacts into your cell phone. In the event that you are delayed getting to your Caribbean destination, you will be prepared to make arrangements.
Lastly, as you will probably want to bring plenty of gifts home from the Caribbean, remember not to wrap them until you get home so they can be inspected by airport security. Also, keep all of the valuable or fragile gifts in your carry-on luggage to ensure that they aren’t damaged during handling.
By following travel tips as simple as these and being prepared for the crowds, you are sure to have a successful holiday Caribbean vacation.
Read more...
Before you even drive to the airport, consider public transportation as airport parking lots fill up quickly during the holidays. If you live far from your airport, a one night stay in an airport hotel might offer extended parking.
To streamline line your air travel, research the check-in procedures for your airline as most offer both online check-in and printable boarding passes. You can also use the curbside check-in at the airport or self-service kiosks to avoid the lines at the counter. To anticipate how long you will need to clear security at the airport, check the Transportation Security Administration's website (www.tsa.gov). While the times listed on the site are daily and hourly averages that don’t account for holiday travel, you can assume that the wait will be at least as long as a Friday evening.
Make sure that you also review the current rules for carry-on luggage. Though the ban on liquids in carry-on luggage was lifted in September, travelers are still only allowed to pack travel-size toiletry items – 3 ounces or less – in their carry-on luggage. All of these travel-size bottles and containers must be stored within a clear, one-quart zip-top bag for screening. However, if you don’t need any of these items on your flight to the Caribbean, you can place any size toiletry item or liquid in your checked bags.
If you plan on renting a car on your Caribbean vacation, remember that most car rental companies anticipate a 20% rate of no-shows. During the holiday travel season, the resultant overbooking could leave you without a vehicle. While it is advised to arrive at the rental counter by the early afternoon, you can also call ahead to confirm your reservation. If you are enrolled in an express check-in program, take advantage of your status and skip the long lines.
If you are still making plans for a holiday Caribbean vacation, try your best to be flexible. Try to book flights that depart in the early morning or late evening as prices will be lower. Also, selecting a flight on a holiday like Christmas or New Year’s Day will offer you a considerable discount, as crowds tend to fly on the days before and after the holidays.
To prevent one of the biggest delays of all, aim for a nonstop flight. If you can’t make it to your Caribbean destination without a connecting flight, try to avoid connections in northern U.S. cities like Chicago as weather grounds many flights in the winter months. Instead, fly through Phoenix, Dallas or another southern city to avoid any unnecessary delay.
Another great travel tip for the holidays is programming the numbers of your airline, car rental company, hotel and other travel contacts into your cell phone. In the event that you are delayed getting to your Caribbean destination, you will be prepared to make arrangements.
Lastly, as you will probably want to bring plenty of gifts home from the Caribbean, remember not to wrap them until you get home so they can be inspected by airport security. Also, keep all of the valuable or fragile gifts in your carry-on luggage to ensure that they aren’t damaged during handling.
By following travel tips as simple as these and being prepared for the crowds, you are sure to have a successful holiday Caribbean vacation.
Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com
This article was written by Justin. Justin writes select pieces about travel in caribbean and Mexico for Paradise by Marriott
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Wtmm
White, grey and red, Istria is a land whose diversity is almost unique in the Mediterranean. This heart-shaped piece of land deeply immersed into the blue waters of the Adriatic, is a secluded garden of nature and extraordinary beauty. In the north, the undulating peninsula mildly comes down to the sea with is white calcareous hills, in its center it reveals its grey plateaus rich in water; on the south west its low-lying valley flames in the heart of its characteristic red soil. Istrian landscapes are unique! The climate here is as unique as its flora. Everywhere you look the Mediterranean melts with mainland.
Istrian small towns look as if they have just descended from painting. Some Istrian towns have been preserved, while others, ravaged by the time and misfortune are nothing more then romantic ruins. Towns on the coast proudly display their true belonging to the Mediterranean, being the typical coastal Roman municipalities with ports, jovial ships and seething streets. On the other hand, medieval towns blooming on the hillocks the hinterland are true small mid-European forts exuding the calmness of the mainland. If you want to truly experience Istria in all its diversity, start from Pula, Rovinj or Porec, then go to Svetvicenat and finally to Motovun and Hum, the smallest town in the world. In Rovinj you will recognize the contours and heritage of Venice, in Pazin the spirit of Austria. If you meet someone, feel free to stop that person and ask whatever comes to your mind. People here are gentle and kind, and will be glad to tell you the story - a piece of land where the greatest diversities exist side by side in the harmony.
Why Istria is also so special? To begin with, let us recall the myth of the Argonauts. Chasing Jason and the golden fleece, the Colchians sailed to the cost of Istria. Once they arrived, they never wished to return home again. There is something in its magic, like nowhere else in the Mediterranean. Here you will find a town that, like Rome, lies on seven hills and boasts about its famous Arena. This is a truly land of wonders, thought Jules Werne as he wrote about subterranean Pazin Pit in his novel "Matthias Sandorf". Be sure to look into the churches of Istria, enjoy the lively medieval frescos and the world of the amazing Glagolitic alphabet. Discover the window from which James Joyce dreamed about the career of a tenor.
And then you might see why Istria is so special. Anyone who taste even a small part of its joy will get the urge to visit it again. So, do not hesitate - enter this hidden garden of nature and meet its wonderful, intact landscape.
Arriving in Istria
By plane:
If you are arriving with regular or charter flights to Pula , you will land at the Pula airport, the biggest international airport in Istria. The Pula airport is only 10 km away from the city centre, so you can easily get there by taxi, bus or organized transport.
By train:
Coming by train, you can arrive in Istria very quickly using the following lines: Ljubljana - Divaca - Buzet - Pula or Zagreb - Rijeka - Pazin - Pula.
By boat:
When you decide to visit Istria by sea, you can use fixed or seasonal ferry lines. If you arriving by your own boat, you will be cordially welcomed in many Istrian marinas. The sea borders in Istria are located in harbours of following Istrain towns: Umag, Novigrad, Porec, Rovinj, Pula and Rabac.
By car:
For your pleasant journey through Istria, you have at your disposal the semi highway "Istrian Y", taking you to central Istria and to the southern parts of the peninsula, only 100 kn away from the border. Arriving to "Istrian Y" from the eastern direction, using the Croatian highways from Zagreb or Split to Rijeka, after crossing the Ucka tunnel, you will quickly rich your final destination.
Read more...
Explore the green Mediterranean - Visit Istria in Croatia
White, grey and red, Istria is a land whose diversity is almost unique in the Mediterranean. This heart-shaped piece of land deeply immersed into the blue waters of the Adriatic, is a secluded garden of nature and extraordinary beauty. In the north, the undulating peninsula mildly comes down to the sea with is white calcareous hills, in its center it reveals its grey plateaus rich in water; on the south west its low-lying valley flames in the heart of its characteristic red soil. Istrian landscapes are unique! The climate here is as unique as its flora. Everywhere you look the Mediterranean melts with mainland.
Istrian small towns look as if they have just descended from painting. Some Istrian towns have been preserved, while others, ravaged by the time and misfortune are nothing more then romantic ruins. Towns on the coast proudly display their true belonging to the Mediterranean, being the typical coastal Roman municipalities with ports, jovial ships and seething streets. On the other hand, medieval towns blooming on the hillocks the hinterland are true small mid-European forts exuding the calmness of the mainland. If you want to truly experience Istria in all its diversity, start from Pula, Rovinj or Porec, then go to Svetvicenat and finally to Motovun and Hum, the smallest town in the world. In Rovinj you will recognize the contours and heritage of Venice, in Pazin the spirit of Austria. If you meet someone, feel free to stop that person and ask whatever comes to your mind. People here are gentle and kind, and will be glad to tell you the story - a piece of land where the greatest diversities exist side by side in the harmony.
Why Istria is also so special? To begin with, let us recall the myth of the Argonauts. Chasing Jason and the golden fleece, the Colchians sailed to the cost of Istria. Once they arrived, they never wished to return home again. There is something in its magic, like nowhere else in the Mediterranean. Here you will find a town that, like Rome, lies on seven hills and boasts about its famous Arena. This is a truly land of wonders, thought Jules Werne as he wrote about subterranean Pazin Pit in his novel "Matthias Sandorf". Be sure to look into the churches of Istria, enjoy the lively medieval frescos and the world of the amazing Glagolitic alphabet. Discover the window from which James Joyce dreamed about the career of a tenor.
And then you might see why Istria is so special. Anyone who taste even a small part of its joy will get the urge to visit it again. So, do not hesitate - enter this hidden garden of nature and meet its wonderful, intact landscape.
Arriving in Istria
By plane:
If you are arriving with regular or charter flights to Pula , you will land at the Pula airport, the biggest international airport in Istria. The Pula airport is only 10 km away from the city centre, so you can easily get there by taxi, bus or organized transport.
By train:
Coming by train, you can arrive in Istria very quickly using the following lines: Ljubljana - Divaca - Buzet - Pula or Zagreb - Rijeka - Pazin - Pula.
By boat:
When you decide to visit Istria by sea, you can use fixed or seasonal ferry lines. If you arriving by your own boat, you will be cordially welcomed in many Istrian marinas. The sea borders in Istria are located in harbours of following Istrain towns: Umag, Novigrad, Porec, Rovinj, Pula and Rabac.
By car:
For your pleasant journey through Istria, you have at your disposal the semi highway "Istrian Y", taking you to central Istria and to the southern parts of the peninsula, only 100 kn away from the border. Arriving to "Istrian Y" from the eastern direction, using the Croatian highways from Zagreb or Split to Rijeka, after crossing the Ucka tunnel, you will quickly rich your final destination.
Article Directory: http://www.globalarticlesdirectory.com
Sanja Uhac is a travel professional. For more information about Croatia and cheap flights to Croatia visit www.VacationInCroatia.net
Monday, December 4, 2006
0
Monday, December 4, 2006
Wtmm
How To Travel Responsibly
Responsible travel is a broad term but in essence, travelling responsibly means treating people in other countries with the same respect you would expect from others in your own community or country. The responsible traveller is interested in preserving cultures, communities, local way of life, wildlife, habitats and the environment as a whole in every region he or she travels to. So how can someone interested in responsible travel help to minimise their travel footprint and help sustain local communities and environments? There are a number of steps an individual can take in this ever changing world where mass tourism has had such a destructive effect on the environment. One of the biggest concerns at present is carbon dioxide emissions and green house gases in general. By reducing the number of flights or taking alternative transport wherever possible, carbon emissions from planes can be reduced which will benefit your own community as well as others as there are no country boundaries where pollution is concerned. Even before arriving at your destination, it is always advisable to research the area to gain a greater understanding of the local culture and customs through the internet, books, email or by phoning. Try to find hotels, businesses and schemes which are eco friendly. Also, by learning a few words of the local language or by using a phrase book, it will be easier to immerse yourself in the local culture and have a deeper experience than travelling with hordes of people from your own country. Once you arrive at your destination, keep an open mind and try to experience the local culture without making comparisons with life back at home. Use local resources with care such as water and electricity which are in short supply in many regions of the world. Simple steps like switching off the tap while brushing your teeth or taking a shower instead of a bath can help save water. Switching off lights, mobile phone chargers, televisions and a whole host of modern electronic equipment can save electricity.Respect the local culture and always obey the local laws even if you disagree with some of them. Follow dress codes to avoid offence and avoid the temptation to drink and drive just because you are on holiday. Never accept packages from strangers or recent acquaintances especially if you about to travel through an airport. Obeying local laws and customs on drinking and taking drugs is especially important as many travellers are tempted to drink heavily while on holiday causing havoc in the local community.Many people want to support the local community by purchasing local produce and products and while this is beneficial in most cases, it’s essential to avoid purchasing animal skins or products produced from the slaughter of endangered species such as tigers, leopards, jaguars, elephants, rhinos, hippos, reptiles, birds and many other animals. The same applies to protected plant species. Many countries now have severe penalties for anyone importing illegal plants or animals. Whenever possible, buy locally grown produce and crafts from local family businesses or fair trade companies. To minimise pollution and to have a better experience of the local community, walk or ride a bicycle whenever possible. Support the local infrastructure by using local buses and taxis. Use trains or boats instead of planes for longer journeys to minimise carbon emissions. Finally, volunteering is a great way to give something back to the environment and help local communities through various educational and non-profit schemes. The benefits are not all one way as many volunteers gain new skills, achieve a better understanding of themselves, gain added confidence through social interaction and gain a greater sense of self-worth through helping others. By travelling responsibly, you are more likely to have a richer more immersive experience with the knowledge that you have minimised your impact on the environment and in some cases, helped to improve some areas. With more communities and environments being threatened with pollution and extinction, to travel responsibly is not only essential but it may help to form part of the solution in preserving environments and wildlife for future generations.
By: Lalphoto
Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com
Lalit Rastogi is editor of First Gap Year Travel. He has a background in photography, IT and travel. He completed his first gap year in 2003 and 2004 by travelling the world and visiting Asia, Australasia, South Pacific and North America. He has since travelled to Asia in 2005 and will photograph Japan, Taiwan, Hong kong and Thailand in early 2007.
Read more...
By: Lalphoto
Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com
Lalit Rastogi is editor of First Gap Year Travel. He has a background in photography, IT and travel. He completed his first gap year in 2003 and 2004 by travelling the world and visiting Asia, Australasia, South Pacific and North America. He has since travelled to Asia in 2005 and will photograph Japan, Taiwan, Hong kong and Thailand in early 2007.
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How to find cheap travel
This article will uncover the market of cheap travel, suggest ways of finding cheap travel and pay attention to the problem issues that may arise in budget travel.Student travel has come a long way in the past few decades. It is no longer considered a rarity. Gap years, student electives abroad and cheap summer holidays in distant places, have become part of the generally life-enriching experience that is now considered synonymous with the student status. (Frost F et al., 1999)The current financial climate, with many students having to rely on student loans, parental support, holiday jobs or personal savings for their financial fluidity, largely dictates and limits just what can be achieved in this regard and there are a number of ploys and strategies that are commonly used to make the money go further or, to look at it another way, to allow the same money let the student go further! (Reisinger Y et al., 2004)We can start by taking an overview of the situation and dividing up the travel costs into those that are necessary to arrive at a destination and those that are necessarily incurred to move around once the student has arrived. Generally speaking, the preferred way to travel is by flying. It is often the quickest way to travel long distances and in these days of competitive pricing strategies, many of the no-frills and budget airlines are offering very cheap flights across mainland Europe. The unwary student should note that the eye-catching prices quoted are invariably exclusive of taxes and fuel surcharges which can add between £30-£200 onto the quoted cost (depending on destination and distance).As a general rule, the cheaper the flight, the greater the sacrifice of both flexibility and conditions. A flight that arrives or leaves in the early hours of the morning, does not supply food, has minimal in-flight entertainment and a strict baggage allowance, is clearly going to cost less than one that has additional amenities. A word of caution also for these flights as there are generally strict terms and conditions, limited changeability and minimal prospect of refund if there's a problem.Cheap flights are at the other end of the spectrum from cheap holidays. With holidays the greatest savings are made by those who are willing to book at the last minute. With flights, the converse is true. As flights get booked up, the prices tend to rise. (Bernstein J et al., 1999)Two of the most commonly used mechanisms for obtaining cheap flights are flight-brokers and screen scrapers. The flight brokers make their money by selling you a flight that gives them a commission. There is therefore a balance between the amount of commission that an airline pays them to fill their seats and the requirements of the student. The screen scrapers are web-based tools such as TravelSupermarket, TravelJungle, and SkyScanner. You effectively enter your requirements and these sites send the details to dozens of airlines (and some brokers) and display their findings with the cheapest first. (Sheth A et al., 2002)There are variations on this process with sites like Expedia and Travelocity specialising in long-haul flights and Expedia and Opodo allowing flights to one airport then leaving from another. Flights Direct will specifically examine the charter market for occasional bargains.If you intend to fly on certain dates a few months in the future, it is well worth signing up to the e-mail lists of the appropriate airlines. They will send out details of short-term sales so that you can snap them up at the right moment if they come up. British Airways, Opodo, American Airlines and KLM are particularly good for this type of approach.Once at the destination, the student has to consider the best way of travelling around. Rather like the airlines, one pays for convenience, accessibility and comfort – the cheapest forms of travel generally being the slowest and least luxurious. It is clearly impossible to generalise throughout the world, but hitch-hiking, which might have once been considered the cheapest way to travel, has a distinct risk element of personal safety and clearly is inappropriate for the lone female traveller. Many of the commercially available insurance policies specifically forbid such practices. (Cullinane S, 2002)Public transport is often the most reliable of the cheaper options. Either the local busses, the long-haul coaches or the train services being generally safe and reliable. Many of the more developed countries offer student travel cards (or a variant) to reduce the costs of repeated journeys and some bus companies (Australia travel being a notable example) will sell an open ticket between two specified destinations which can be used with different segments of the journey being undertaken over a period of several weeks.There are other considerations relating to travel such as how best to deal with money. The time-honoured way of carrying travellers cheques may no longer be popular, with many students electing for the convenience of "plastic" money and credit cards. One should note that Mastercard will generally convert foreign exchange transactions at about the best commercially available rate, but will then add about 2.75%. This does vary between cards and therefore should be individually checked. Overseas cash withdrawals are also usually subject to a 2% additional fee (minimum charge £2) on both credit and debit cards. In addition to all of this, some credit card companies will also add a transaction fee on foreign transactions. (Halifax is currently the worst, levying £1.75 on each transaction.) For the student, the Post Office or Nationwide credit cards appear to be the best option. They have no levy on overseas purchases but they do charge interest on all cash withdrawals.As with all travel, insurance is not essential, but only the most foolhardy student would travel without it. The annual multi-trip insurance is seldom competitive except for the USA where it may work out cheaper than individual trip cover (mainly because of the medical expense element applicable to the USA). Most will require you to be staying at pre-booked venues which may not be appropriate for the student traveller.Decide what cover you need, what excess you need (the first part of each claim that you have to pay yourself) and then shop around. The classic insurance selling line is "why not upgrade to our platinum policy, with £30 million worth of medical cover etc." In real terms, the chances of you ever needing more than £2 million of medical cover or repatriation to the UK is virtually negligible and therefore perhaps best avoided. A good plan is to include a personal liability cover of £1 million and also cover for "cancellations and curtailments" together with cover for lost or delayed baggage and cash.You should note that Europe-only cover is cheaper than further afield and therefore only select wider cover if it is appropriate. Lastly, ensure that the company you are dealing with is covered by FSA regulated underwriters.Bear in mind also that the new EHIC card (free from www.dh.gov.uk/travellers) will provide free or discounted health care costs in the EU, but does not cover any repatriation costs.Useful sites for comparisons and costs are Travel-Insurance-Web for Europe-only travel and Insure For for world-wide travel.ReferencesJudith Bernstein, Susan C. Awe (1999) "Wired travellers : travel and tourism", Reference Services Review ISSN: 0090-7324 Dec 1999 Vol 27 (4) 364 - 375Cullinane S (2002) "The relationship between car ownership and public transport provision: a case study of Hong Kong" Transport policy Vol 9, (1), January 2002, pp. 29-39(11)Frost F, T Shanka (1999) "Asian Australian student travel preferences: An empirical study", Asia Pacific Journal of Tourism Research, 1999REISINGER Y, F MAVONDO (2004) "Determinants of youth travel market's perceptions of tourism destinations" Page 1. Tourism Analysis, Vol. 7 pp. 55–66 1083-5423/02 2004Sheth, A. Bertram, C. Avant, D. Hammond, B. Kochut, K. Warke, Y. (2002) "Managing semantic content for the Web", Internet Computing IEEE Jul/Aug 2002 Vol: 6, (4) 80- 87
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This article was written by Verena Veneeva professional writer working for www.coursework4you.co.uk You are free to reprint this article; however should you do so you must place a hyperlink to Papers4you
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Article Directory: http://www.globalarticlesdirectory.com
This article was written by Verena Veneeva professional writer working for www.coursework4you.co.uk You are free to reprint this article; however should you do so you must place a hyperlink to Papers4you
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