Travel tips to European Countries: Ukraine

About the county

Ukraine which is located in Eastern Europe is one of the largest country in that region of Europe bordering Russia in the northeast, Belarus in the north, Poland, Slovakia and Hungary in the west, Romania and Moldova in the southwest and also Black Sea and Sea of Azov in the south. It is a popular tourist destination especially for tourists from Western Europe and North America. The main selling point is the rich historical character of the country with as many five hundred cities dating back as early as nine hundred years. Visitors are spellbound by the architectural beauty of Ukraine. Kiev is the capital and the largest city of Ukraine where most travelers begin their journey.

Population & Languages

Ukraine has a population of roughly 46.7 million and the official language is Ukrainian. The other languages spoken here are Russian, Romanian, Polish and Hungarian.

Electricity

Voltage – 220 volts, Frequency – 50Hz. Standard European Round pin attachment plug

Geographic Location

Ukraine is located in Eastern Europe bordering Russia in the northeast, Belarus in the north, Poland, Slovakia and Hungary in the west, Romania and Moldova in the southwest and also Black Sea and Sea of Azov in the south. The strategic location of Ukraine between Asia and Europe made it a transportation hub in the region.

Local Customs

Ukrainians are warm hearted and welcoming people. Casual dressing is mostly worn here though it will be a good idea to wear smartly for theatres. Small gifts are appreciated. Tipping is not very common; service is usually included in fine restaurants and hotel bills.

Places to see
St Sophia Cathedral – As old as nine centuries, it is one of the architectural marvels of Ukraine.
Kiev-Pechersk Lavra (Caves Monastery) – These caves are as old as one millennium and dating back to 11th century.
Great Patriotic War Museum
Statue of the Motherland, Kiev

Travel

By Air – The national airline of Ukraine is Ukrainian International Airlines. In collaboration with Aer Fi Group and Austrian Airline it links Kyiv to Amsterdam, Barcelona, Berlin, Brussels, Copenhagen, Frankfurt, Lisbon, London, Madrid, Milan, Paris, Rome, Rotterdam, Vienna and Zurich. There is one more airline in Ukraine called Air Ukraine which serves relatively less number of European cities. Lviv is also connected to New York, Warsaw and Washington. It is connected to Turkey through Simferopol and to UK through IvanoFrankivsk. The major airport is Boryspil State International Airport (KBP) which is located twenty five miles from Kiev.

By Sea – The primary ports of Ukraine are Izmail and Odessa which are situated on the River Danube. The ferry services connect Ukraine with Russia and Georgia. They also connect various cities on the Black Sea and the Mediterranean Sea. Sevastopol is the port which connects Istanbul, Turkey.

By Rail – Ukraine has approximately 14,000 miles of railway tracks linking most towns and cities. Kyiv and Lviv are the main stations which connect with Moscow on a daily basis. Ukraine also has direct lines to Berlin (Germany), Budapest (Hungary), Warsaw (Poland) and Bucharest (Romania).

By Road – Ukraine has an extensive network of roads with approximately 107,000 mile of road network out of which nearly 18,000 mile is main or national roads.

Duty Free Items
1. Up to 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250 gm tobacco
2. 1 liter spirit over 22% or 2 liter wine or 32 liter beer
3. Goods for personal use with a combined value of €200

Prohibited Items
Narcotics, firearms, ammunition, weapons, most meat and dairy products, eggs, plants, endangered species, fireworks and alcoholic beverages that contain more than sixty per cent alcohol.

Travel tips to European Countries: UK

About the county

The United Kingdom also called as England or Great Britain is the country which once ruled nearly the entire world a century ago. The glory might have been lost but people are still proud of their country and heritage. It has come a long way from a colonial empire to a member of the EU. The country comprises mainly of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The country is full of scenic locales and energetic cities. Also the county is home to nearly two million heritage points. The capital city of UK is London. A city beyond comparison, representing itself as an icon of diversity with people from different races, creeds and all walks of life blended into its culture. It is also home to many architectural marvels and one of them is the London Bridge. While York and Durham manifests the bygone era of country, Liverpool and Newcastle are modern industrial marvels. Not to forget the scenic Lake District and Edinburg still attract people from all over the world.

Population & Languages

The population is around 61 million and the official language is English. Other regional languages spoke are Welsh, Scottish Gaelic, and Irish etc.

Electricity

The voltage is 230-240 V and the frequency is 50 Hz. The type of plug used is rectangular blade.

Geographic Location

It is located in Western Europe and consists of islands including the northern one-sixth of the Ireland. It is 22 miles from the France border and linked by a under sea tunnel. The terrain is mostly rolling lowlands and low mountains.

Climate

It has a moderate climate but lots of rain with around half of the years being overcast. The lowest temperatures never go below −15 °C (5 °F) and in summer the average maximum is 34 °C (93.2 °F). It also gets snow in winter and early spring.

Local Customs

The handshake is customary when you are meeting somebody for the first time. When visiting someone’s house a small gift like flowers or chocolates is customary. Waiting till everyone is served before eating is also one of the etiquettes. Tipping is usually 10-15% in hotels, restaurants and taxis. Smoking and non-smoking areas are clearly designated and thus should be taken care of.

Places to see

London – Buckingham Palace, Hampton Court Palace, Kensington Palace, Whitehall Palace and the Tower of London
Scotland – The Bannockburn Heritage Centre and Ben Lawers Mountains
Wales – Aberdulais Falls, King Arthur’s Labyrinth, Dolaucothi Gold Mines, Great Orme Mines, Portmeirion Village, Rhossili Visitor Centre, Taff Valley Activity Centre and TechinQuest

Travel

By Air – The domestic airlines is British Airways which also connects almost all major world destinations. Almost all airlines connect UK through London which is hub for all international flights between east to west and west to east. Heathrow and Gatwick are international airports of London.

By Sea – Since UK is surrounded by water from almost all sides it has many ports. There are many ferry services operating between Europe and UK.

By Rail – Trains connect Ferries at Dover, Folkestone, Newhaven, Portsmouth and Weymouth, sailing for Belgium, France, Germany and Spain (you need to board at Victoria Station in London); and at Harwich, sailing for Germany, The Netherlands and Scandinavia (you need to board at Liverpool Street). Eurostar train connects London with Brussels and Paris through channel tunnel.

By Road – The vehicles can enter UK through channel tunnel. Cars and motorcycles, coaches, minibuses, caravans, campervans and other vehicles over 1.85m (6.07ft) can also use channel tunnel. Bicycles are also provided for.

Duty Free Items
1. Up to 3200 cigarettes
2. 400 cigarillos or 200 cigars
3. 1 liter spirit over 22% or 2 liter wine or 32 liter beer
4. Perfumes
5. Gifts up to ₤145

Prohibited Items
Narcotics, firearms, ammunition, weapons, most meat and dairy products, eggs, plants, endangered species, fireworks and alcoholic beverages that contain more than sixty per cent alcohol.

Travel Tips to European Countries: Switzerland

About the country

Switzerland is blessed with all the bounties of nature. It is the most preferred tourist destination among all the countries in the world. The Alps region has a cold weather most of the times, where as the summers are warmer in the northern area. Visit Saas Fee to ski and snowboard. Dream of living in real life igloo can come true as many resorts, like Zermatt and St Moritz (which is a celebrity resort), had them built for their customers.

Culture

Italian, German and French are the official languages of Switzerland. Many English people can also be found here. Unwrapped flowers must be presented to the host to show appreciation. White asters and chrysanthemums flowers are reserved for funerals, so precaution must be taken when presenting flowers to others, even red roses are better avoided. One can move around in casuals but it is important to dress in warrant jackets and ties when attending social gatherings or when eating out at a fine restaurant. Swiss Franc is the currency used here.

Shopping

Switzerland is famous for its exotic chocolates, finest handmade clocks and luxury watches. Other specialties are embroidered linen, music boxes, wood carvings, Swiss cheese and Swiss army knives. Many shops remain close on Monday, so shopping should be avoided on that day. Since service charge is applied on all services, so tipping is an issue of free-will. 7.6% VAT is charged on all purchases made in Switzerland, which can be reclaimed later by asking for a global refund check, if the purchase crosses 400 CHF.

Electricity

The standard current used is 230 volts (AC) and 50 Hz.

Getting There

Swiss airline is the national airline of Switzerland, which connects to 71 destinations all over the world. Zurich is the most popular airport, located at a distance of 11km from the city. Every 15 minutes, trains shuttles passengers to their destination. Fly-Rail Luggage ticket can be bought if the passengers want to collect their luggage at the railways station rather than the airport. While leaving Switzerland, Fly-Rail Baggage service can be availed that enables passenger to check-in their luggage at the railway station itself. Other facilities provided here are duty free shops, banks, restaurants and car hire. Check out Geneva, Basle and Bern airport for offers.

Since weather conditions are worst during the winters, train is an efficient and cheaper option. They are also great if one wants to enjoy the scenic beauty of Switzerland. Swiss Pass can be purchased to visit most of the tourist attractions in Switzerland.

High quality roads are maintained here. Roads connect to Austria, Germany, Italy and France. But in winters things can get worse, so it is better to carry chains and snow tires. Cars should be kept to the right.

Duty Free Items

a) Visitors from European countries

200  cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco
2 liter of alcohol (up to 15 per cent) and 1liter of alcohol (over 15 per cent)

(b) Visitors from non-European countries

400 cigarettes or 100 cigars or 500g of tobacco
2liter of alcohol (up to 15 per cent) and 1liter of alcohol (over 15 per cent)

Meat items, narcotics and absinthe are strictly not permitted. Other items that come under the prohibited items list are firearms and animals.

Travel tips to European Countries: Sweden

About the county

Beautiful and clean, the peaceful Sweden is a land of cultural diversity with a mix of Danish and Wild Arctic North influences. One can also get the feel of urban living in its beautiful and sophisticated cities and at the same time one can feel the tranquility in the countryside. Sweden is full of charm with scenic medical villages, islands, lakes and forests dotting its landscape.
Most of Sweden’s area is covered by forests and not to forget thousands of lakes. One of the beauties of Sweden is its islands and one cannot go without seeing these islands. They offer the most scenic and beautiful experience to any visitors. Stockholm is the capital of Sweden, a city with 14 islands dotted with great restaurants, nightclubs, pubs and artistic grandeur. Wherever you go most people speak English. If visitors want to have a taste of seafood the west coast is the place to be. Also it is popular for ancient city Uppsala. Do no miss a trip to the Ice Hotel which is sculpted from ice each winter in Lapland. Sweden is an exciting country with great roads and state of the art high speed train system.

Population & Languages

Sweden has a population of around 9 million and the official language is Swedish. Lapp is spoken by Sami people in the north. Most people speak English fluently and also many speak German and French.

Electricity

Voltage – 230 volts, Frequency – 50Hz. Standard European 2-pin plugs are used.

Geographic Location

Sweden is a Nordic country lying in the Scandinavian Peninsula and is the fifth largest country in Europe. Its west neighbor is Norway; Finland in the northeast, the southwest border is surrounded by Skagerrak and Kattegat straits and the west coast is surrounded by Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Bothnia. Majority of the area is forest and there are thousands of lakes mostly in the Southern part of Sweden.

Local Customs

Like any other country Sweden has its own customs too. It is customary not to drink until the host makes a toast. Smoking is prohibited in most public areas. It is also customary to say Tack för maten to the host after having a meal which means thanks for the food.  Casual dress is acceptable for everyday wear and formal wear for social gatherings. Also tipping up to ten percent is customary for service in restaurants and around same percent for taxis also.

Places to see

Stockholm – The biggest city and capital of Sweden and is one of the most beautiful cities of the world. The old town is a treat for your eyes and a walk around city’s waterways and parks is an experience to cherish. Most visitors prefer walking around on foot and visit the medieval part of Gamla Stan. The city is basically constituted by archipelagos which are outstandingly scenic and can be explored by cruises.

Gothenburg – it is the second biggest city of Sweden. Not to be missed attraction in this city is Liseberg, a world class amusement park. It is home to popular museums like Ostindiska huset, Konstmuseet and Sjöfartshistoriska museet.
Vadstena – The Renaissance castle Vadstena slot & klosterkyrkan.

Visby – Port of Visby, ruins of Drotten, St Nicolai, St Lars and St Carin, cathedral of St Maria and Gotlands Fornsal historic musem.

Oland – Fort of Graborg, Eketorp museum and ruins of Borgholm Castle.

Travel

By Air – It is well connected to the rest of the world by air. Many international airlines serve Sweden apart from its national airlines SAS. The other airlines are Air Canada, Air France, Aeroflot, British Airways, Finn air, Lufthansa, Ryan air etc.

By Sea – The ferries connect Sweden with other destinations such as New Castle, Copenhagen, and St. Petersburg etc.

By Rail – Trains connect Ostend, Sweden to London. It is also connected to Denmark by Eurostar train.

By Road – Visitors from UK can drive to Sweden through Demark or Germany

Duty Free Items
1. Up to 200 cigarettes or 250 gm tobacco
2. 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars
3. 1 liter spirit over 22% or 2 liter wine or 32 liter beer
4. Perfumes
5. Gifts up to SEK 1700.

Prohibited Items
Narcotics, firearms, ammunition, weapons, most meat and dairy products, eggs, plants, endangered species, fireworks and alcoholic beverages that contain more than sixty per cent alcohol.

Travel Tips to European Countries: Spain

About The Country

Spain is famous world wide for its flamenco dancers and bullfights. The architecture reflects the Moroccan style. Cave paintings, renaissance cathedrals, Moorish palaces prove the diversity of the country. Spring, fall and early summer are very pleasant here, though summers are hot.

Culture

Spanish is the regional language of Spain. English is also widely spoken here. Over the period of time, Spanish people have become modern in order to gel with the changing times and are no longer conservative. But that hasn’t changed the values, traditions, manners and customs of the locals. People here have two surnames; the first surname can be used to refer to the person. To greet someone, a handshake will do the job. Take a small gift along when visiting someone’s house. Save the flowers for special occasions. Dinner is generally taken very late in the night. People wear casuals most of the time. Men are expected to wear jackets at some restaurants. Swimsuits should be confined to the pools and beaches. Recently a ban has been applied on smoking in public places.

Shopping

Shops open quite early in the morning and stay open late in the evening. In the afternoon, they are closed for lunch or siesta. Porcelain and leather goods are famous and they will be good gifts for friends and family members back home. Bills are to be paid along with the service charges, so tipping is a matter of gratitude.

Electricity

Voltage is 220 volts and frequency is 50 Hz

Getting There

IBERIA is the national airline of Spain. Many other low-cost airlines offer services in the country. There are nearly thirty international airports in Spain, out of which Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Alicante and Malaga are famous.
Madrid located at 13km away from the city has a good bus service every fifteen minutes. Underground service also works to transport passengers to their destinations. Other facilities offered at this airport are duty free shops, bank, restaurant, tourism information, and hotel reservations.

Barcelona is very close to the city, situated at a distance of 3 km only. Buses are available every 15 minutes and trains are available every 20 minutes. Taxis are available throughout the day. Duty free shops, restaurants, bank, car hire and tourism information are available here.

There is a good network of roads connecting Spain north to south. Toll booths are installed in some parts of the country. Carrying few Euros will help smooth sailing at the toll booths. If driving one’s private car, it would be better if the travel insurance covers medical costs too. Carrying a medical kit can prove to be of some help.

Duty Free Items

1. 200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos 50 cigars or 250g tobacco (300 cigarettes, 150 cigarillos, 70 cigars and 400g of tobacco for EU nationals)
2. 1litre of spirits if exceeding 22 per cent volume or 2 litres of alcoholic beverage not exceeding 22 per cent volume and 2 litres of wine (1.5 litre exceeding 22 per cent and 3 litres of up to 22 per cent and 5 litres of wine for EU nationals)
3. 250ml eau de toilette and 50g of perfume
4. 500g of coffee or 200g of coffee extract (1000g of coffee and 4000g of coffee extract for EU nationals)
5. 100g of tea or 40g of tea extract
6. Gifts up to the value of approximately €37.26.

Travel tips to European Countries: Romania

About the county

Lying in the Southeastern Europe Romania is slowly emerging from the shackles of its dark history. Modern Romania was formed by merging two Principalities i.e. Moldavia and Wallachia in 1859 which were ruled by Ottoman Empire for centuries before. Romania is bordered by Moldova, Ukraine, the Black Sea, Bulgaria, Serbia, Montenegro and Hungary. Bucharest is the capital of Romania. Transylvania and Moldavia constitute the northern half of the country. Romania’s main attractions include Black Sea Coast, the Carpathian Mountains and Transylvania. The Black Sea Coast is popular for its white sandy beaches and offers a perfect experience for families. The Carpathian Mountains are beautiful and covered by dense forests which offer skiing opportunities. There are many health resorts also in Romania. Transylvania is popular for Romanian Spas which have been known for its many healing powers. Local food specialty includes cuisines like ciorba de perisoare (soup with meatballs), ciorba tanancasca (meat with vegetables), lamb bors, giblet soup and a variety of fish soups.

Population & Languages

The population of Romania is around 22.5 million and the official language being spoken is Romanian. The other popular languages are Hungarian and German.

Electricity

The voltage is 230 V and the frequency is 50 Hz. The types of plug used are round pin with attachment and “Schuko” plug and receptacle with side grounding contacts.

Geographic Location

It is located in Southeastern Europe bordering the Black Sea between Bulgaria and Ukraine. It is bordered by Hungary and Serbia to the west, Ukraine and Moldova to the northeast and Bulgaria to the south. Carpathian Mountains pass through the center of Romania.

Climate

The climate of Romania can be termed as Temperate and it has four seasons. While spring and autumn are cool and pleasant. Summers are very short and hot occurring in July and August. The winters can be harsh and cold with snowfall between December and March. The best months to visit Romania are May and June and September and October.

Local Customs

Handshaking is the common custom. It is also customary to kiss when being introduced to a woman. Mostly all normal European customs apply to Romania also. Dressing is conservative and casual. Smoking is prohibited on public transportation vehicles and theaters. Romanians like smoking themselves and thus like if you gift them cigarettes. Tipping is 5 to 10 percent in restaurant, hotels and taxis.

Attractions

Bucharest: Once used to be known as Paris of the East the city of Bucharest is a city of lights bustling with cafes, night clubs and restaurants. It also has Romanian Opera House and a huge National Museum. The historic sites include the Palace of Parliament, Old Court Church and Athenee Palace Hotel.
Brasov: Not to be missed places are Castles in Transylvania which include Bran Castle, Rasnov Castle and also do miss to see Sighisoara about 90 miles from Brasov, the birth place of Vlad tepes.
Romanian Riviera: This is along the coast of Black Sea which is huge tourist attraction. It is also home to several resorts and Romanian spas famous for their healing powers.

Travel

By Air – The national airline of Romania is Tarom. Many popular airlines that fly to Bucharest include Air France, Alitalia, Austrian Airlines, British Airways, KLM, Lufthansa and Swiss. The biggest airport is Bucharest Otopeni Airport which is located like 10 miles north of the city.

By Sea – Constanta is the major port on the Black Sea. Currently no ferries are being operated. But there are many cruises available which stop at various points of tourist interest like Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest, Bazias, Giurgiu, Calafat and Bucharest.

By Rail – There is an international service to Bucharest from Western Europe which runs only in summer months i.e. from June to September, the name of the train service is Wiener Waltzer.

Duty Free Items
1. Up to 200 cigarettes or 200 gm tobacco
2. 200g cocoa and 200g coffee
3. Perfumes, medicines and souvenirs
4. Two cameras, One small movie camera, Twenty Four cassettes, One portable radio, One TV set, One tape recorder, One pair of binoculars and One typewriter.
5. Gifts up to €175

Prohibited Items
Un-canned goods, meat or dairy products, Narcotics, firearms, ammunition, weapons, eggs, plants, endangered species, fireworks and alcoholic beverages that contain more than sixty per cent alcohol.

Travel tips to European Countries: Portugal

About the county

Portugal was a world power in 15th and 16th century but was reduced to rubbles during an earthquake in 1755, Napoleon’s Invasion and Brazil’s Independence. Sharing the Iberian Peninsula with Spain and bordering Atlantic Ocean by both west and south coast it is popular for its long and varied coastline, sunny climate and the charming towns makes it a traveler’s paradise. Lisbon is the capital of Portugal.

The best thing about Portugal is that despite being a part of modern Europe one can still find the rural dwellings which has stood by time and has preserved its traditions. While modern architectural marvels like high-rise resorts dot the coast in the Southern province of the Algarve, Lisbon on the west coast on the other hand is a crowded city home to many fine tourist resorts. If you want to go back in time you have to just travel few miles north or east where you will see scenic countryside still resemble medieval villages and towns of earlier centuries.

Population & Languages

The population of Portugal is roughly 10.6 million and the official language being spoken is Portuguese. Mirandese is also second officially language spoken in some parts of Portugal.

Electricity

The voltage is 230 V and the frequency is 50 Hz. The types of plug used are round pin with attachment and “Schuko” plug and receptacle with side grounding contacts.

Geographic Location

It is located in Southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. It shares the Iberian Peninsula with Spain in north and east and borders Atlantic Ocean by both west and south coast.

Climate

The climate of Portugal can be classified into two. It is oceanic in the north and Mediterranean in the south. It is also one of the warmest countries of Europe. The average temperatures in the mainland are 13°C (55°F) in the north and 18°C (64°F) in the south. Summers are hot and dry. Winters are cold and wet. Spring and autumn are the best seasons to visit Portugal.

Local Customs
Casual dressing is acceptable. But keep in mind not to wear beachwear in towns. Smoking is allowed after meals in Restaurants. Smoking is prohibited in theatres, cinemas and buses. Tipping is 10 to 15 percent in restaurant and hotels and 10 percent to taxis.

Attractions

Castelo de Sao Jorge – Castle of St. George
Alfama – The oldest part of Lisbon
Sé (Cathedral) – first church in Lisbon
Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation Museum
The Bairro Alto – The Bairro Alto district, an historic enclave dating back to 1513
Monument to the Discoveries – One of the popular attractions in Lisbon is the monument, situated on the riverbank in the Avenida de Brasilia in the district of Belem, which was designed to commemorate the Portuguese Age of Discovery
Tower of Belem – This is a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Parque das Nacoes
Fatima
Museu Nacional de Soares dos Reis – dedicated to Soares dos Reis, the famous sculptor born and bred in Porto
Igreja de Sao Francisco
Solar Vinho do Porto
Vila Nova de Gaia
Frederico de Freitas Museum
Sao Vicente Caves
Cable Car
Cathedral
Whale Museum
Porto Santo
Setubal
Coimbra
Coimbra University
Guimaraes
Guimaraes church and palace
Braganca

Travel

By Air – The national airline of Portugal is TAP Air Portugal (TP). The airlines operates direct flights to many destinations like Faro, Lisbon and Porto from a number of countries, including Canada, France, Spain, the UK and USA. Portugalia Airlines (NI) operates flights from Europe. Many popular airlines that fly to Poland from UK are British Airways, GB Airways and Monarch Airlines, Easyjet, bmibaby, Jet 2, MyTravelLite, Flybe, Flyglobespan and SATA.The biggest airport is Lisbon International Airport which is located like 4.5 miles north of the city.

By Sea – The main ports for international passengers are Lisbon, Leixes (Oporto), Funchal (Madeira) and Portimão (Algarve), served by Cunard, Italia, Linea C, Olympia, P&O and Union Cas

By Rail – If coming from UK, the fastest way is to get on Eurostar train to Paris and from Paris to Portugal by Sud-Express.

Road – Spain is the only country sharing border with Portugal. The major border posts are open most of the time now.

Duty Free Items
1. Up to 200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars or 250g smoking tobacco for Non-European union countries.
2. 1 liter spirits with alcohol greater than 22%, or 2 liter spirits or aperitifs made of wine less than 22% or sparkling wines or liqueurs, or a proportionate mix of these, and 2 liters of wine
3. perfume up to 50g and 250ml eau de toilette
4. Gifts up to €175
5. 500g coffee or 100g tea or 40g of tea extract
6. Medicines for personal use

Prohibited Items

Birds and poultry arriving from countries infected with Avian influenza, Un-canned goods, meat or dairy products, Narcotics, firearms, ammunition, weapons, eggs, plants, endangered species, fireworks and alcoholic beverages that contain more than sixty per cent alcohol.

Travel tips to European Countries: Poland

About the county

Poland is one of the ancient nations that was formed around 10th century. It is Central Europe, east of Europe and most of the area being a flat plane and mountains along the south border. Warsaw is the capital of Poland which was completely destroyed in World War II and was rebuilt from scratch again. Royal Castle of Warsaw which was reconstructed after the world war is a must see attraction. The Lazienky Palace should also be not missed which has an open air theatre and Chopin’s monument. Krakow is the second biggest city of Poland stands as a witness to its medieval era. Poland has a strong liking to music and theatre and thus home to many theatres and opera houses. Popular Polish Cuisines include Zrazy Zawijane (mushroom-stuffed beefsteak rolls in sour cream) served with boiled kasza (buckwheat) and pigs’ knuckles.

Population & Languages

The population of Poland is roughly 38.5 million and the official language being spoken is Polish.

Electricity

The voltage is 230 V and the frequency is 50 Hz. The types of plug used are round pin with attachment and Round pin plug and receptacle with male grounding pin.

Geographic Location

It is located in Central Europe, east of Germany bordering the Baltic Sea, the Russian Federation, Belarus, Ukraine, Lithuania, the Czech Republic, the Slovak Republic and the Federal Republic of Germany.

Climate

The climate of Poland can be termed as Temperate. Winters are severe inland with average temperatures in Warsaw being 23°F (-5°C).   Summers are hot inland with average temperatures in July around 66°F (19°C). The precipitation occurs round the year.

Local Customs

Handshaking is the common custom. It is customary to bring flowers if you are going to someone’s house. Dressing is fairly conservative and casual and formal for entertainment in the evening or in a good restaurant. Smoking is prohibited in some public buildings. Tipping is 10 to 15 percent in restaurant, hotels and taxis.

Attractions

Warsaw: The city was completely destroyed in World War II and was completely rebuilt after the war. The popular sights include Historic Museum of Warsaw, the Lazienki Palace with its open air theatre and Chopin’s monuments, and Palace of Culture and Sciences.

Cracow: St. Mary’s Church, Royal Castle, and Royal Cathedral on top of Wawel Hill

Travel

By Air – The national airline of Romania is LOT Polish Airlines (LO). Many popular airlines that fly to Poland include Aeroflot, Air France, Austrian Airlines, British Airways, Easyjet, El Al, Lufthansa, Ryanair, SAS and Swiss Air. The biggest airport is Warsaw Frederic Chopin Airport which is located like 6 miles southwest of the city.

By Sea – Pol Ferries operates connect Poland to Sweden, Denmark and Finland

By Rail – Polish State Railways (PKP) (website: www.pkp.pl) operates Eurocity trains from Poland various major European cities. But, all services from Western Europe to Poland pass through the Czech Republic, Germany or the Slovak Republic. The main routes link Warsaw with Berlin and Cologne, Budapest, Prague and Vienna. There is also a car-sleeper service from the border of Holland to Poznan/ Warsaw.

Duty Free Items
1. Up to 250 cigarettes or 250 gm tobacco or 50 cigars for Non-European union countries.
2. 800 cigarettes or 200 cigars or 1kg smoking tobacco for EU Countries.
3. 1 liter wine and 1 liter spirits for Non-EU Countries.
4. 10 liter spirits, 90 liter wine and 110 liter beer for EU Countries
5. Perfumes, medicines and cosmetics for personal use
6. Gifts up to €175

Prohibited Items

Birds and poultry arriving from countries infected with Avian influenza, Un-canned goods, meat or dairy products, Narcotics, firearms, ammunition, weapons, eggs, plants, endangered species, fireworks and alcoholic beverages that contain more than sixty per cent alcohol.

Travel tips to European Countries: Norway

About the county

Norway, a Nordic country lying on the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula is located in Northern Europe. It also borders Sweden, Finland and Russia. Norway is an outstandingly beautiful country with a long coastline, snowy mountains and breathtaking fjords.  Oslo is the capital of Norway and also the largest city. Norway is bestowed with lots of natural beauty encompassing wild forests, historic towns and beautiful fishing villages. The country is very hospitable to the tourists and people are very friendly too. Many tourists are attracted by the famous midnight sun of the Arctic. All three big cities of Norway offer different experiences to visitors.  Norway is a place to be for nature lovers and for cultural enthusiasts. Norway is truly one of the greatest tourist destinations of Europe.

Population & Languages

The population of Norway is only 4.6 million and the official languages being spoken are Bokmal Norwegian and Nynorsk Norwegian. Other languages that are also spoken in Norway include Sámi and Finnish.

Electricity

The voltage is 230 V and the frequency is 50 Hz. The types of plugs used are Round pin attachment plug and “Schuko” plug and receptacle with side grounding contacts.
Geographic Location

It is a Nordic country lying on the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula and located in Northern Europe. It also borders Sweden, Finland and Russia. About two-third area of the Norway is mountains, has around fifty thousand small islands along its coast. It also has one of the longest coastlines in the world.

Climate

The climate of Norway can be termed as Temperate with hot summers and cold overcast winters. The highlands of interior Norway have an arctic like climate with snow, severe wind chill and frost. Most of the rain is along the coastal areas and comes down in winter quite heavily and frequently. Winters are mild too along the coastal areas.

Local Customs

Like any other country Norway has its own customs too. It is customary not to drink until the host makes a toast. It is customary for guests to offer gifts to the host of a meal. Smoking is prohibited in most public areas.  Casual dress is acceptable for everyday wear. Tipping the taxi drivers is not customary. Tipping up to five percent is customary for service in restaurants. Porters at railway stations and airports charge per piece, while porters at hotels generally charge around NOK5-10 depending on the number of pieces of luggage.

Attractions

Bergen – Numerous museums, galleries, aquarium, medieval age buildings, cable car to the top of Bergen’s hills and boat trips to fjords.

Oslo – Old medieval buildings, churches, modern architecture, museums like Edvard Munch Museum and the Norwegian Folk Museum, art galleries, Vigeland Park, and Akershus Fortress

Fjordland – Geirangerfjorden known for tiny S-shaped fjord,
Sognefjord – the longest and the deepest fjord, beautiful villages such as Balestrand and Flam, old stave churches, Nærøyfjord – Narrowest branch of the Sognefjord and Palteau of Jostedalsbreen glacier

Tromsø – Arctic cathedral, Polaria and Tromsø Museum

Travel

By Air – Many airlines operate to Norway like Braathens SAFE (BU) and SAS Scandinavian Airlines (SK), a Scandinavian airline, Air France, British Airways, Finnair, Icelandair, KLM, Lufthansa, Northwest Airlines, Norwegian Air Shuttle, Ryanair and Swiss Airlines. Oslo International Airport (OSL) (Gardermoen) (website: www.osl.no) is the biggest airport of Norway which is located 30 mile north of Oslo.

Sea – The important passenger ports are Bergen, Kristiansand, Larvik, Oslo and Stavanger. The main sea routes from the UK, operated by Fjord Line and DFDS Seaways respectively, are from Newcastle to Bergen and to Kristiansand.

By Rail – The country is part of the extensive network of trains connecting the European cities. If you are coming from UK, the connections are from London via Dover/Ostend (via Denmark, Germany, The Netherlands and Sweden) or Harwich/Hook of Holland, or from Newcastle to Bergen via Stavanger. It is also connected to Sweden throught two routes, with daytime and overnight trains from Copenhagen, Malm and Stockholm.

Duty Free Items
1. 200 cigarettes or 250g of tobacco products and 200 leaves of cigarette paper for EU countries.
2. 400 cigarettes or 500g of tobacco products and 200 leaves of cigarette paper for Non-EU countries.
3. 1liter of spirits and 1liter of wine or 2liter of wine and 2liter of beer for EU countries.
4. 1liter of spirits and 1liter of wine or 2liter of wine and 2liter of beer for Non-EU countries.
5. 50g perfume or 500 ml eau de toilette
6. Gifts , Food, fruits, medications and flowers for personal use of value up to 3,500 kr

Prohibited Items

Un-canned goods, meat or dairy products, Narcotics, firearms, ammunition, weapons, eggs, plants, endangered species, fireworks and alcoholic beverages that contain more than sixty per cent alcohol.

Travel Tips to European Countries: Luxembourg

About the country

One of the Europe’s smallest sovereign states is The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. The north part of the country is blessed with greenery and hills. The Ardennes provides great scenic view. The country is small and all the tourist attractions are within reachable limits. It snows during the winters in Luxembourg, but isn’t as cold as its neighboring countries and the summer is warm which comes in May and lasts till September. Incase of emergency dial 112 or 113.

Culture

Generally handshake is used to greet people. Although majority of the locals speak English, Letzeburgesch is the national language of Luxembourg. French and German is also spoken by many Luxembourgers. When appearing as a guest at someone’s house, it is a good practice to bring along gift or flowers. People are expected to dress in smart casuals, but it would be best to turn up in formals when attending social functions, or clubs. It’s not advised to smoke in public places.

Shopping

Crystals and porcelains of Villeroy and Boch are very famous and the earthenware pottery from Nospelt is a shopper’s must have item from Luxembourg. VAT of 15% is applied to all items purchased other than that from campground, hotel, and restaurant, which charge 3%. Tipping is exempted.

Site Seeing

The capital, Luxembourg is a place to be. Stay for a day or tea to explore the city. Village of Viaden has a cliff top castle which is a famous landmark.

Taxis can be hired to move around the city. They charge 10% extra from 10 pm to 6 am and if hired on Sunday, an extra 25% extra will be charged if hired for the whole day.
Accommodations

Luxembourg has many luxurious hotels, most of which are located in Lux City. Other options are guesthouses which are beautifully decorated with flower and plants.

Travel

The national airline which operates here is Luxair. There are flights from London to Luxembourg every hour. The Luxembourg airport is at a distance of 5km from the city and it takes about 20 minutes to reach there. There are provisions such as duty free shops, bank, tourism information and car hire for the passengers.

Eurostar provides a fast railway service from London, Paris, Belgium, France or Brussels to Luxembourg. Bookings can be made via telephone and £5 fee is charged for telephonic booking. Check out for offers which are provided on some of the routes. To travel within the country, Inter-Rail pass can be bought which gives the offer of unlimited train travel for 29 countries of Europe.

When driving on road, it is recommended to take the train or ferry service when passing the channel between Dover and Calais. Check out for vacancy before hand especially during the rush hours. While driving, drivers should stay on the right side and there are strict rules for drinking while driving and seat belt.

Duty Free Items

1. 200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco
2. 1liter of spirits or 2liter of sparkling wine or 2liter of liqueur wine and 2liter of non-sparkling wine
3. 50g of perfume and 250ml of eau de toilette
4. 500g of coffee and 200g of coffee extract
5. 100g of tea and 40g of tea extract
6. Tobacco and Alcohol can be carried by visitors over 17 years of age only.

Travel Tips to European Countries: Italy

About the county

Italy, the birthplace of pasta and pizza provides a wide range of choices for artwork lovers to experience. A temperate climate exists here with very hot summers and not so cold winters. The weather is the best in spring and autumn with pleasant temperatures and scenic views. At that time of the year, the place isn’t crowded much and things can be enjoyed in leisure.  Incase of emergency call 112. For fire call 115 and for ambulance call 118.

Culture

Italian is widely spoken and is the official language. English isn’t very familiar to the locals. Family ties are of utmost importance here and hence social courtesies mean a lot to the locals. There is a great impact of the Roman Catholic Church on the culture here. There is a high content of chlorine in tap waters, so bottled water is recommended for staying fit during the trip. Since Italian is spoken on a wide scale, it is highly recommended to learn few common Italian phrases which can be of great use. Social gatherings call for formal wear, but one can dress in casuals otherwise. At some religious places, sleeveless shirt and shorts are frowned upon. So they are better avoided. Purses and wallets should be well guarded and in case of any theft, police should be informed about the incident.

Site Seeing

The first thing to check out is the leaning tower of Pisa, where Olympics originated. At places like museums and art galleries, photography, especially flash photography is restricted. Check out the ticket counter for more information. Italy should be majorly discovered on foot for a thorough viewing of all the beautiful buildings and monuments. Coaches and trains are a good option to get to a tourist spot.

Shopping

Shops here are open from 9am to 8pm, closed for lunch. Quality of goods is great although the prices are very less. Items like crystals, lacework, leather good, and jewelry can be bought at the stores. Remember to hold on to the receipt. Tipping of 10% is customary along with the service tax levied on the bill. Italy is famous for top designers of the world, so do buy clothes and accessories to update your wardrobe. Cruises have formal gatherings in the evening, so ensure to buy a cocktail dress or some formal wear, though casuals can be worn at other times.

Electricity

The voltage used is 220 volts and 50 Hz frequency.

Getting there

Alitalia is the national airline of Italy.  Many other flights connect to Italy from USA, Canada and Australia and there is big competition to attract passengers giving a wide range of offers to travelers.  Rome airport is located 26 km away from the city and it takes 45 minutes to get there from the airport.  Trains connect directly to Termini Station from where one can take taxi to get to their destination. Duty free shops, bank, car hire and restaurants are the other services provided at this airport. Milan has another famous airport here, which is at a distance of 45km away from the city.

Brindisi, Ancona, Naples and Venice are the major seaports of Italy. Italian State Railways connects many European cities. But, Eurostar provides the fastest train service.

If choosing to drive, don’t forget to carry international driving license and international insurance certificate. Roads connect Italy to France, Austria and Switzerland. Many coach services are provided from the neighboring countries.

Duty Free Items

1. 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 100 cigarillos or 250g of tobacco
2. 2liter of wine and 1liter of spirits (over 22 per cent) or 2liter of fortified or sparkling wine
3. 50g of perfume and 250ml of eau de toilette; 500g of coffee or 200g of coffee extract (if over 15 years of age)
4. 100g of tea or 40g of tea extract
5. Gifts not exceeding €89.96 (if entering from an EU country), €175 (if entering from a non-EU country).

Travel Tips to European Countries: Ireland

About The Country

The summers are warm and the winters are moderate with some snow. May and June are the sunniest months. Weather changes quite frequently from cloudy to sunny and vice versa. If planning the visit during the summer, lightweight woolen or cotton clothes are recommended and jacket for spring and autumn. Always carry raincoat for that untimely showers. Incase of emergency call 999 or 112.

Culture

Most of the locals prefer speaking English here. Handshaking is customary. Irish are social people and are good at having a lively chat even with strangers. People live in great harmony and make great friends. Foreigners are welcomed with warmth and are made to feel at home. Guests are never sent back empty stomach as food is always served at any time of the day, to the guest. Most of the locals come from an agricultural background. Dinner is considered to be a meal of importance as it is the time when the whole family gets together and eat. One can dress casually when out on the streets except women are expected to dress formally at social gatherings and at fine restaurants. Smoking is banned in public places.

Shopping

Many towns organize flee markets at least once a week, which is worth checking out for cheap goods. Belfast is the shopping capital of Ireland; most of the stores open up early and close early too. On Thursdays, shops remain open till 8 in the night.  Value Added Tax of almost 17% is charged, which can be reclaimed later. So if the visitors buy anything from the stores remember to check if the store operates the Retail Export Scheme, which would require the passport and filling of the Tax Free Shopping Form by the sales person. If the restaurant bill doesn’t includes any tax, leave behind a 10% tip to appreciate their service. Giving a tip to the porters and hair dressers is customary here.

Electricity

The voltage in Northern Ireland is 240V, 50AC.

Getting There

The national airline that operates here is Aer Lingus, which provides service from most of the major cities of the world. Airlines like Delta Air Lines and many other have been introduced and to promote them, promotional air fares are being offered. Checking out such offers will prove to be money savers. There are many flights from UK to Ireland. The Dublin airport is located at 10 km away from the city. Services like taxis, air coach, buses transport passengers to their destination. Airport has duty free shops, bank, currency exchange, car hire, tourism information, and restaurants for a comfortable journey. Shannon Airport is situated to the north of Limerick City and is 24 km and 25 minutes away from it. Buses, coaches and taxis are available for transportation. Other services that are provided are duty free shops, currency exchange, bank, tourism information and restaurants. While planning to travel, check out other airports like Cork Airport and Knock Information Airport for more options. A departure tax of €10 is to be paid by people over 12 years of age at the Knock International Airport.

To take ferries check out the Baltimore, Galway, Dublin, Wexford and Kinsale ports. Most of the ferries offer high-speed services. Time to time special offers are being announced which can be availed to save money. Check out the websites as some of them offer online booking facility.

Travel tips to European Countries: Iceland

About the county

Officially known as the Republic of Iceland, is located in northwestern Europe. It comprises of the island of Iceland and its outlying small islands in the northern Atlantic Ocean between Greenland, Norway, Scotland, Ireland, and the Faroe Islands. Iceland’s glassy glaciers, hot thermal springs, spectacular geysers, active volcanoes, lava fields, stunning waterfalls and snow-capped mountains, indeed makes it the original ‘land of fire and ice’.

Iceland is a very large island with a unique landscape which is rugged and colorful with black lava, red sulfur, hot blue geysers, rivers, waterfalls, bays, fjords and green valley. The capital of Iceland is Reykjavík which is also the largest city of Iceland. Nearly half of Iceland’s population lives around Reykjavík. The popular tourist attractions are centered also centered on this city. The most famous attraction is Gullfoss double-tiered waterfall which is set off with an outstanding rainbow and hot springs of Geysir.

People might wonder what one can do in Iceland. If you hear the list you will be amazed that there are so many things to do and see here. From watching whales to chic fine dining, hiking, seeing Europe’s largest glacier Vatnajokull, fishing in rivers, horse riding, rafting, exploring the landscape on a snow scooter, shopping designing wear, Summer Solstice Festival, visit island of Grimsey to cross the Arctic Circle, visit medieval farm at Stong and what not, the list is endless.

Population & Languages

The population of Iceland is only 299,388 and the official language being spoken is Icelandish. English, Nordic languages, German are also widely spoken.

Electricity

The voltage is 220 V and the frequency is 50 Hz. The types of plugs used are Round pin attachment plug and “Schuko” plug and receptacle with side grounding contacts.

Geographic Location

It is located in northwestern Europe. It comprises of the island of Iceland and its outlying small islands in the northern Atlantic Ocean between Greenland, Norway, Scotland, Ireland, and the Faroe Islands. It is strategically located between Greenland and Europe

Climate

The climate of Iceland can be termed as temperate with damp and cool summers and mild and windy winters. The highest temperature recorded was 30.5°C (86.9°F) on 22 June 1939 at Teigarhorn. The lowest temperature ever recorded was -38°C (-36.4°F) on 22 January 1918 at Grímsstaðir and Möðrudalur.

Local Customs

Like any other country Iceland has its own customs too and normal courtesies should be followed. Handshaking is customary. Visitors are invited to homes when on a business trip and normal courtesies should be observed. The people pay careful attention to their appearance and, as for most Western countries, casual wear is widely acceptable. Service charges are included in the bills most of the time and tips are not expected.

Attractions
Reykjavik Attractions – Hallgrimskirkja Church, National Museum of Iceland, Botanical Gardens and the Einar Jónsson Museum

Travel

By Air – The national airline of Iceland is Icelandair which operates to many internationsl destinations such as Amsterdam, Baltimore, Boston, Copenhagen, Frankfurt, Glasgow, Halifax, London, Minneapolis, Orlando, Oslo, Paris, Stockholm and Washington, plus other destinations in the summertime only. Other international airlines operating from Iceland include Air Greenland (website: www.airgreenland.gl) and Iceland Express (website: www.icelandexpress.com).

Other, predominantly Scandinavian, carriers also operate services. Some airlines like Condor and Corsai, operate flights during the summertime. Flights also operate to the Faroe Islands and Greenland during the summer months. Major airport is Keflavik International Airport (KEF) located at 31 miles south of Reykjavik.

Duty Free Items
1. 200 cigarettes or 250g of other tobacco products
2. 1 liter spirits and 1 liter wine, or 1 liter spirits and 6 liter beer; or 1 liter wine and 6 liter beer; or 2.25 liter wine
3. Food items up to 3kg not exceeding kr13,000
4.   Permits from Post & Telecom Authorities are required for cordless phones,   remote controls or radio transmitters. It is not required for a GSM mobile phone

Prohibited Items

Un-canned goods, meat or dairy products, Narcotics, pornography, firearms, ammunition, weapons, eggs, plants, endangered species, fireworks and alcoholic beverages that contain more than sixty per cent alcohol.

Travel tips to European Countries: Hungary

About the county

Also known as the Republic of Hungary or Hungarian Republic, Hungary is a landlocked country located in Central Europe and bordering Austria, Slovakia, Ukraine, Romania, Serbia, Croatia, and Slovenia. Budapest is the largest city and also the Capital of Hungary. One of the key reasons why Hungary is popular is its hospitality to tourists. Also one can find an ideal mix of history and modern day in Hungary. While Hungarians proudly stick to their old Magyar Tradition they also keep them abreast with current fashions across the world. Most visitors flock to see Budapest, a truly world class city situated on River Danube which enchants everyone with love and music. The city is a blend of culture and outstanding beauty making it the right place for tourists. The city has been a paradise for writers, musicians and artists who were greatly influenced by this graceful city. If you travel west in Hungary Lake Balaton is popular with tourists. Local cuisines include halászlé (fish soup) with pasta and goulash (gulyás) soup.

Population & Languages

The population of Hungary is Roughly 10 million and the official language being spoken is Hungarian.

Electricity

The voltage is 230 V and the frequency is 50 Hz. The types of plugs used are Round pin attachment plug and “Schuko” plug and receptacle with side grounding contacts.

Geographic Location

Hungary is a landlocked country located in Central Europe and bordering Austria, Slovakia, Ukraine, Romania, Serbia, Croatia, and Slovenia. River Danube and River Tisza divide the country into three large regions. The country is strategically located astride main land routes between Western Europe and Balkan Peninsula as well as between Ukraine and Mediterranean basin

Climate

The climate of Hungary can be termed as Temperate with hot summers and cold winters. The average annual temperature of Hungary is around 9.6 °C. The maximum temperature in summer can be 43 °C and as low as -30 °C. The summer average is 26 to 36 °C and winter average is 0 to -16 °C.

Local Customs

Like any other country Hungary has its own customs too. It is customary to handshake. It is customary to make the toast and return. It is customary for guests to offer gifts to the host of a meal. Smoking is prohibited in most public areas.  But travelers can smoke in long distance trains. Casual dress is acceptable in most places and formal for special occasions. Tipping up to 10 to 15 percent is customary for all services including restaurants, bars, clubs, taxis etc.

Attractions

Budapest
* Castle Royal Palace
* Fisherman’s Bastion
* Matthias Church
* Gellért Hill
* Chain Bridge
* The Great Synagogue and Jewish Museum
* Parliament Buildings
* Statue Park

Eger
* Eger Castle
* Szépasszony Valley (Valley of the Pretty Woman)

Lake Balaton
* Hévíz
* Keszthely

The Danube Bend
* Esztergom
* Szentendre
* Visegrad

Travel

By Air – The national airline of Hungary is Malv which operates flights from more than forty cities across the world. Other international airlines operating from Hungary include Aeroflot, Air France, British Airways, easyJet, KLM, Lufthansa, Sky Europe, Swiss, United Airlines and Wizz Air. Ferihegy Budapest International Airport (BUD) is the biggest airport which is like ten miles southeast of Budapest.

By River – There is a daily hydrofoil service run by MAHART connecting Vienna, Bratislava and Budapest in the months of April to October.

By Rail – The country is part of the extensive network of trains connecting the European cities. Hungary is connected to 16 European cities and there are 47 international trains daily to Budapest by direct rail link.

Duty Free Items
1. 800 cigarettes or 400 cigarillos or 200 cigars or1kg smoking tobacco for EU countries.
2. 200 cigarettes, or 100 cigarillos, or 50 cigars, or 250g of smoking tobacco for Non-EU countries.
3. 10 liter of spirits with more than 22% and ethyl alcohol, or 20 liter of beverages less than 22% alcohol content, or 90 liter of wine or 60 liter of sparkling wine, or 110 liter of beer for EU countries.
4. 1 liter of spirits and 2 liter of wine for Non-EU countries.
5. 50g perfume or 250 ml eau de toilette
6. Gifts , Food, fruits, medications and flowers for personal use of value up to €175

Prohibited Items

Un-canned goods, meat or dairy products, Narcotics, firearms, ammunition, weapons, eggs, plants, endangered species, fireworks and alcoholic beverages that contain more than sixty per cent alcohol.

Travel Tips to European Countries: Holland

About the Country

The summers are cool here but the winters are severe with some chances of snowfall. Rainfall can be expected in any month of the year. Dutch is the official language here. English, French and German are the other languages that are spoken, out of which English is widely spoken. In case of emergency call 112.

Culture

Handshake is the commonly practiced form of greeting. Although tipping is not mandatory, but it’s better to pay rounds figure in restaurants and taxis. A humble gift should be taken to the host’s house always when invited for a meal. Informal clothes are worn on a daily basis, but people are expected to turn up in formals at social functions and smart restaurants.

Shopping

Pottery of Delft, Makkum and Workum is a must buy. Silverware from Schoonhoven, crystals from Leerdam and diamonds from Amsterdam are highly recommended.

Site Seeing

Apenheul Primate Park is a place to visit which is a home to more than thirty species of mammals. It remains closed during the winter. De Hoge Veluwe is the oldest and largest park of Holland. Bicycles can be used to explore the 5,500 hectares of the park. Paleis Het Loo is a magnificent Palace surrounded by gardens and remains open year round except on public holidays.

Electricity

230 V and 50 Hz

Travel

The national airline that operates in Holland is KLM-Royal Dutch Airlines. It connects to almost all the major cities of Europe, North America and Asia. Amsterdam Airport is the hub for many international and local flights. It is located at 15 km away from the city and it takes 20 minutes to reach there by train. The Airline, KLM, provides bus service every 15-30 minutes which takes passengers to some of the famous hotels of the city. Public buses can be availed too, to reach destination. Trains connect to Amsterdam’s Central Station and Zuid Station. Taxis take tourists to almost any location. The Airport features duty free shops, banks, showers, business center, baby rooms, and car hire.

Rotterdam airport and Eindhoven airport are 8km away from the city. Trains and buses operate every 15 minutes to transport passengers to their hotels. Facilities such as duty free shops, eateries, car rental, and internet can be availed at these airports. No departure tax is implemented on passengers at any of these airports.

The main sea ports are Hook of Holland, Vlissingen and Rotteradm. Stena Line, P&O ferries and DFDS seaways provide ferry service to get to Holland.

If traveling by railway, Eurostar provides the best service and connects to all the major cities of Europe. It provides high grade services. Good offers are provided on regular basis and to utilize them they should be monitored from time to time. Unused tickets are easily refunded. The Inter-Rail pass can be bought to avail the unlimited second class train travel within 29 European countries.

Top class road network connects Holland to majority of cities in Europe. They are well maintained and signs are posted every where for safe driving. 120kph is the speed limit while driving on highways. Many car dealing agents exist if opting for car-rental. Some of them are Avis, Europcar and Budget.

Cycling is also a major means of transportation in Holland and is part and parcel of daily life. Tourists can hire cycles from the airport or other service providers with some money-deposit.

Duty Free Items

1. 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 100 cigarillos or 250g of tobacco
2. 50g of perfume and 250ml of eau de toilette
3. 1liter of liquor or 2liter of sparkling wine or liquor wines and 2liter of non-sparkling wine
4. 100g of tea or 40g of tea extract
5. 500g of coffee or 200g of coffee extract

Travel tips to European Countries: Greece

About the county

Being one of the earliest civilizations known to human kind Greece is a country with rich history, heritage and culture. It is the place where Byzantine Empire once ruled and also great Ottoman Empire. It is also considered to be as the birth place of Democracy. Athens is the capital city of Greece. The Olympic games originated in Greece. Not only that, it was the world center for western philosophy, political science, astronomy, mathematics, major scientific studies and what not. It is also known as a Mediterranean country as it has Mediterranean Sea in the south. It is a popular destination for world tourists in that region known for its beautiful beaches, reach history and charming villages. The Greek islands are one of the most wonderful places to be explored by Cruise or Yacht. The trip of Greece will definitely be one of the most memorable to remember in one’s life.

Population & Languages

The population of Greece is around 11 million and the official language being spoken is Greek. The other popular languages are English and French.

Electricity

The voltage is 220 V and the frequency is 50 Hz. The types of plug used are round pin with attachment, round pin with ground, Round pin plug and receptacle with male grounding pin and “Schuko” plug and receptacle with side grounding contacts.

Geographic Location

It is located in Southern Europe bordering the Aegean Sea, Ionian Sea and the Mediterranean Sea between Albania and Turkey. It is situated in the southern side of Balkan Peninsula. It is also bordered by Bulgaria and Macedonia in the southeast.

Climate

It has three distinct climates namely Alpine, Mediterranean and temperate climate with mild and wet winters and also hot and dry summers due to Mediterranean affect. Alpine system is seen in mountainous regions. The temperate climate is seen near border along Macedonia. Athens has both temperate and Mediterranean weather.

Local Customs

The Greece is a place with strong historic and cultural background. There are different traditions and customs in different parts of the Greece. The throwing back of a hand is considered to be a negative gesture here in Greece. Casual dress can be worn most of the times. Smoking is prohibited in public transport services and public buildings. Tipping 12 to 1 percent is customary in restaurants, hotels and taxis.

Attractions
* The Olympic Games in Athens (the spot of the historic 2004 Olympic Games)
* Mardi Grass Celebrations in February
* The Parthenon in Athens
* Skiing in Arahova Mountains between October and March
* Easter Celebrations
* Thessaloniki’s White Tower and country’s rich Byzantine culture
* The south of Corinth
* The beaches in Lesvos
* The wine vineyards in the countryside
* The islands near the Aegean Sea
* The wildlife preserve in Alonissos (Sporades Marine Park)
* The famous, Moni Panagia Chozoviotissa, a Byzantine monastery in Amorgos

Travel

By Air – The national airline of Greece is Olympic Airlines. Many popular airlines like British Airways and Delta Airlines operate daily flight from Athens. The biggest airport is newly constructed Athens International Airport which is located like 17 miles northeast of the city. The other international airports of Greece are Heraklion (Crete), Thessaloniki (Macedonia) and Corfu (Kerkira).

By Sea – The popular Greek ports include Corfu, Heraklion, Igoumenitsa, Patras, Piraeus (Athens), Rhodes, Thessaloniki and Volos. Shipping vessels and ferryboat lines link these ports with Italy, Croatia, Cyprus, Russia and Turkey. Some of the popular cruises operating in Greece are Celebrity Cruises, Costa Cruises, Crystal Cruises, Festival Cruises, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Silversea and Swan Hellenic.

By Rail – If one is coming from UK, the best way is to take Eurostar train to Brussels or Paris and from there take connecting train to Greece.

Duty Free Items
1. Up to 200 cigarettes or 250 gm tobacco
2. 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars
3. 1 liter spirit over 22% or 2 liter wine
4. Perfumes – 50 gm or 250 ml
5. Gifts up to €175

Prohibited Items

Narcotics, firearms, ammunition, weapons, most meat and dairy products, eggs, plants, endangered species, fireworks and alcoholic beverages that contain more than sixty per cent alcohol.

Travel Tips to European Countries: Germany

About the country

The Federal republic of Germany is the most influential country of Europe. It has witnessed the most controversial facts of history like Nazism, Holy Roman Empire and the building and demolition of the Berlin wall. With many magnificent castles it has wealth of art and culture. German is the widely spoken language in German, but outsiders can find many English speaking locals especially in the common tourist destinations.

Weather

The weather here is very unpredictable as there is a possibility of rain almost all months, so carry clothes accordingly. April and May are the months of spring which brings in full bloom of fruits and flowers. Months from May to September have very fine weather with sunny skies and offers the best time for traveling and site-seeing. People who have a passion for sports like swimming, hiking, and cycling can have the best time here during these months. Winter sports can be enjoyed at the resorts in the months from November to early March. The temperatures are below freezing and the days are too short (comprise of only six to eight months) in winter.

Local Customs

Locals greet each other by handshaking and saying Guten Tag. To say goodbye, people use Auf Wiedersehen. Guests are expected to bring uncovered and odd number of flowers, especially roses, when visiting someone’s home. The guests are welcomed with either food or refreshments. At the table, hosts say ‘Guten Appetit’ to which the guests should reply with ‘Ebenfalls’. Smoking should be better avoided in public areas. Locals dress informally but certain occasions like opera, theatre, certain restaurants and social functions call for formal wear.

Electricity

220 V, 50 Hz

Moving Around

The best way to get around is to buy the Welcome cards or the city passes which allows the customer to access unlimited bus facility in many cities of Germany. It also gives special offer on certain tourist attractions. For flexibility one can rent-a-car or go for chauffer driven cars. Along with the rent, VAT of 16% is payable. Car insurance should be available before hand in case of any accident. The speed limit within the cities is mostly 50kph and 100kph on the highways.
Nine stars

The nine stars of Southwest Germany comprise of Baden-Baden, Freiburg, Heidelberg, Karlsruhe, Heilbronn, Mannheim, Pforzheim Stuttgart, and Ulm. They are considered to be some of the beautiful cities of Europe. Each of the cities play a vital role in the culture of Germany. Baden-Baden has few of the finest resorts and also has Europe’s second largest opera and concert hall. Freiburg is known as the historic city center and is famous for cobblestone mosiacs, open streams and ancient alleys. Heidelberg has world famous castles and Germany’s oldest university. Karlsruhe has the famous museum Center for Art and Media. Look out for various amusements along the Nectar river of Heilbronn. Pforzheim is the capital for watches and jewelry. Stuttgart is famous for theatres and opera.  Ulm is the birth place of Albert Einstein and is also house to the world’s tallest hurch spire.

Travel

The national airline that serves Germany is Lufthansa. Bwelin-Tegel airport is situated at 8 km away from the city and it takes about 20 minutes to reach there. There is a provision of duty free shops, banks, post office, eateries, conference hall, and car hire and tourism information for the passengers.

Another busy airport is the Frankfurt airport which is located at 13km away from the city. Buses take about 20 minutes to get there. Taxis are available at any time. The Intercity railway network at the airport also provides international services to Hungary, Switzerland and Austria. The facilities provided here are duty free shops, left luggage, restaurants, banks, conference halls, post office, car hire and tourism information. No departure tax is levied on the passengers.

Those wishing to travel by sea can avail the ferry connections to Finland, Lithuania, The Netherlands, Latvia, and Norway.

Eurostar provides railway service to and from Belgium, France and the UK. Booking can be made by telephone. The Inter-Rail offers unlimited second class train travel within 29 European countries. The Eurailpass offers unlimited first class train travel within 17 European countries.

EuroCity and InterCity trains have a restaurant on board, providing food and drinks. InterCity Express target the business class and provides services such as fully equipped office, conference compartments, etc. Tourist over 17 years of age can carry alcohol and tobacco with them within permissible limits.

Travel Tips to European Countries: France

About the city

The crowd is attracted to sparkling ski slopes of the Alps, sunlit vineyards and sun-baked beaches of this beautiful country. France is a country which draws more tourists than any other country. It is easy to see why this is the case given France’s great reputation for fine wines, good food, high fashion and relaxed lifestyle. But while France is undoubtedly a place to eat and drink till your heart is content, there’s much more to this fascinating country than only cutting-edge cuisines. Spring is the best time to be here, and those interested in winter sports can drop at the Alps and Pyrenees with some polar gear. The summers are very hot and winters are moderate. An all-weather coat and pair of comfortable shoes are a must. Women, especially, should carry cocktail dresses as some of the restaurants ask for it. When visiting any religious site, refrain from wearing sleeveless shirt and shorts, as they are disliked at such places.

Culture

English is widely spoken here, although French is the official language. Handshaking is
customary greeting and women should be kissed on both cheeks and should be addressed
as Monsieur or Madame. French people are popularly known for their like for stylish sportswear
and of course perfumes. Nudism is allowed on some beaches only. Social functions, fine
restaurants, and clubs call for more formal dressing. When at a formal dinner, wait till the host
gestures to start the dinner. Smoking is banned in public places.

Site Seeing

Paris, the city of love, is a massive city with many attractions in reachable distance thanks to the
highly efficient public transport system. It boasts of more than 80 museums and 200 arts
galleries. A trip to Disney land and the magnificent Eiffel tower will make the trip worthwhile.
The attractive tourists spots are the Arc de triomphe which spans over the tomb of an
unknown soldier, the forbidding gothic architecture of the Notre Dame cathedral, the picturesque
Sacre Coeur, to Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, the Moulin Rouge and boat tours along the
Seine. Get the Carte Musees-Monuments pass, which gives access to 70 monuments and
museums.

Shopping

Although service tax is included in the bill, a humble tip won’t cost much. An extra dollar can be given as tip to the waiter. A tip of $2 can be left for the bus drivers.
Electricity

220-volt, 50-cycle AC current.
Getting There

The national airline that operates here is Air France. Many low-cost airlines, too, provide services from UK. Paris-Charles de Gaulle also known as Roissy-Charles de Gaulle is the major airport of France, which is 23km away from the city. Coaches, taxis, limousines services are provided at the airport. The railway facility provided by the airport, claims to reach all the terminals within eight minutes. These trains run 24 hours. The other airports that offer flight services are Paris-Orly, Marseille, Bordeaux, Nice, Lyon and Toulouse.

Ferry and cruise trips can be made from ports such as Atlantic, North Sea, Mediterranean, and Havre.

Duty Free Items

1. 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 100 cigarillos or 250g of tobacco
2. 1liter of spirits over 22 per cent or 2liter of alcoholic beverage up to 22 per cent
3. 2liter of wine
4. 50g of perfume and 250ml of eau de toilette
5. 500g of coffee or 200g of coffee extract
6. 100g of tea or 40g of tea extract

Food and agricultural products should be avoided.

Travel Tips to European Countries: Finland

About the Country

Finland is a country of islands, lakes, and forests. The modern capital city of Finland is Helsinki and is filled with museums and galleries. In summers, sun never sets here and vice versa in the winters.

Culture

While in Finland, greet the locals by a handshake. The people here are quite reserved and don’t open up easily. Leave shoes outside the house when going over to someone’s house. It is customary to wait till the toast is being raised at the dinner table. Host raises the toast by saying ‘kippis’ or ‘skol’. People dress casually most of the times.

Travel

Finnair is the national airline of Finland. Other airlines that fly to Finland are Air France, Air Canada, Cathay Pacific, American Airline, British Airways, KLM, Swiss airline, Lufthansa, and United airlines. The major airport of Finland is Helsinki airport. It is 19km away from the city and it takes about 25 minutes to get to the city from the airport. Finnair provides buses for the passengers. Taxis and hotel coaches are also available. The facilities provided at the airport are duty free shops, car hire, bank, hotel reservation service, conference room, restaurant, and a multimedia center. Other than Helsinki airport, there are about 22 other airports and Blue 1 is the domestic airline which operates within Finland. Times to time cheap offers are being announced by the airlines. Prior checking of such offers will prove to be of great help.

If deciding to go by the sea, ferry services are provided and the major ports are Naantali, Vaasa and Turku. These ferries connect to Rostock, Kapellskär, Grisslehamn, and Travemünde. Some of the cruises offer small cabins along with the provision of meals if staying aboard overnight.

Trains from St Petersburg and Moscow can also be boarded. All the trains are clean and very comfortable. Car-carrier trains also operate in Finland. Traveling by rail proves to be inexpensive and efficient and also great options for enjoying sight seeing. Avail the unlimited train travel offer of Inter-Rail pass or Eurailpass. There are offers for elderly people and children, check them out.

When traveling by road there are chances of running into an elk or reindeer. In such cases, police should be reported immediately. Blowing horn for small reasons should be avoided. Keep your car to the right. Gas stations accept credit cards. Laws about seat belt and drinking while driving should be strictly followed. Extra precautions must been taken if taking caravan along. National driving license or International Driving Permit and car insurance must be there with you at all times. Coach Service is also available and connects to even the remote places. Taxis can be hired at the airport and railway stations and tipping is considered offensive here. Check out agents in Helsinki who run a rent-a-car business for hiring cars.

Duty Free Items

1. 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco or 100 cigarillos
2. 50g of perfume and 250ml of eau de toilette
3. 2litre of alcoholic beverages of less than 22 per cent by volume or 1litre of alcoholic beverages of more than 22 per cent by volume, 2litre of sparkling wine and 16litre of beer
4. 100g of tea or 40g of tea extract and essence and 500g of coffee or 200g of coffee extract or essence

Tobacco and alcohol can be carried by people over 18 years of age. Agricultural and food items should be avoided. Certain medicines require a doctor’s prescription for verification. Firearms and sharp objects are strictly prohibited.

Travel Tips to European Countries: Austria

About the Country

Located in central Europe, Austria celebrates world’s best music festivals like the Salzburg Festival, Haydn Festival in Vienna, and the International Chamber Music Festival. Vienna is the capital of Austria as well as the musical capital of Europe. Music and art are in full flare here after centuries of hardship and innovation. That explains Vienna being the birthplace of Mozart. Horse dances are also part of these festivals. Since it snows in winter, the snow covered Alps is a must be visited place during the winter. Austria experiences a moderate summer. Rains can be expected year round. Incase of emergency call 120 or 123.

Site seeing

The romantic castles simply leave you astounded. The Schloss Durnstein provides a magnificent view besides the River Danube. A 10% tip should be paid to the taxi drivers, which is customary here.

Culture

German, Hungarian, Slovene, and Croatian are the languages spoken by the locals. To greet the locals, a handshake will do. When meeting someone for the first time, its better to refer them by their last name, but once better known they can be addressed by the first name. When out in the public, say Guten Tag or Gruss Gott to greet people and while leaving say Auf Wiedersehen. Carry along flowers when going over to someone’s house. The locals here have a passion for horse riding. The world’s best art of horsemanship can be found here which is as old as 400 years and to watch the horses perform at these schools; tickets must be booked in advance. Although service charge is levied on restaurant bills, an extra 5% should be paid as tip.

Getting there

Three national airlines operate in Austria, Austrian Arrows, Austrian Airlines and Lausda Air, which work in collaboration with the Austrian Airlines Group. The Vienna airport is 18 km away from the city. Airport buses transport passengers to the South Train and West Train Station. Railway, chauffeur-driven car and taxi service is also provided at the airport. Duty free shops, post office, bank, eateries, left luggage, tourism information, conference hall, nursery, car hiring and car parking facilities are provided to the passengers at the airport.
Salzburg airport is 4 km away from the city and buses, trains, taxis and hotel coach shuttle passengers to and from the airport. Facilities such as duty free shops, post office, currency exchange, left luggage, conference hall, restaurants and car hire exist at the airport. Check out the other airports such as Klagenfurt airport, Graz airport and Linz airport for more details. All the airports charge a fixed rate for porter service.

International tourists can get to Austria by Austrian Federal railways, if planning to travel by train. It has a large network which connects the major cities within Austria and also outside Austria. Travelers can find connections to/from Germany, Russia, Greece, Romania, Turkey Brussels, Paris and Italy. International rail passes or Eurail pass can be bought to travel around Austria as they provide unlimited travel and other offers too.

A good network of roads here provides an interesting journey. Take Eurotunnel when crossing the Channel Tunnel while traveling by car. Bookings should be made in advance. The cars can be hired at the airports and railway stations and if driving own car carry documentations like UK driving license or national driving license and car registration papers. Toll booths are installed on the motorways and ‘S’ roads, so if change is carried in advance it will ensure no delays in the journey. Registration documents should be carried along all the time while driving. The lights should be turned on while driving, in the city or outside, all the time. There are strict laws for seat belts and drinking while driving. If using the motorbike, high visibility jacket and helmet must be worn, it’s a compulsion for both the passenger and the driver. Many federal, private companies and local authorities provide bus service. Coaches are provided for moving around within the cities.

Wurm and Kock provide cruise passenger service. Along with the cruise trip, packages include stay at a hotel. Check out, before hand, for offer. There are many Ferry service providers too.

Duty Free Items

1. 200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars or 250g tobacco or a proportional mix of these products
2. 1l of spirits over 22 per cent or 2l of fortified wine or spirits up to 22 per cent or 2l of sparkling wine or liqueur and 2l of still wine
3. 500g of coffee or 200g of extracts, essences or concentrates of coffee, and 100g of tea or 40g of tea extracts
4. medicinal products sufficient for the journey
5. 50g of perfume or eau de toilette
6. All the above mentioned goods should be carried by a person over 17 years of age.

Travel Tips to European Countries: Belgium

About the Country

Belgium is situated in the west of Europe. The land here mostly comprises of flat coastal plains in the northeast, and southeast is occupied by the Ardennes Forest. Dutch, Flemish, French and German are the official languages of Belgium, with Dutch being the widely spoken followed by French. The weather here is pretty predictable. Months from April to September are the warmest. Otherwise the weather is pretty humid and skies are gray, that explains why umbrellas and raincoats are a part of the dressing. So, if the visit is planned for holidays during the rainy season, one must not forget to carry sufficient cover for maximum protection, as this is a coastal region. In case of emergency call 100 or 112.

Culture

Belgians are English-friendly and will make every attempt to speak in English with a foreigner. Always remember to carry a small gift or at least flowers especially when invited over dinner. The dress to wear will be mentioned in the invitation, when invited for a party. Smoking in public is acceptable.

Shopping

Brussels, Antwerp, Bruges, Ostend, Namur, Mons, Liège, Ghent and Mechelen are the main shopping centers. Belgium is famous for ceramics and hand-beaten copperware from Dinant, laces from Bruges, crystals from Val Saint Lambert, woodcarvings from Spa and Belgium’s finest chocolates. In jewelry, diamonds from Antwerp are on high demand.

Eating Out

The specialty of most of the restaurants is horse and rabbit meat dishes. Although visitors can find a wide range of ethnic foods, but the most famous are frites and mayonnaise and mitraillette; mitraillette is a large bun filled with fries, donair meat and garlic sauce, the vegetarians can ask for a veg. substitute for the donair meat. While eating at a restaurant, tipping is considered customary along with the value-added tax. At the cinemas, leave a €0.50 tip for the attendant and €0.25 after using the public toilets.

Electricity

Voltage is 230 V and frequency is 50 Hz.

Travel

Delta Air Transport has inaugurated its new European airline SN Brussels Airlines recently. It flies to more than 58 destinations in Europe and as well as worldwide. The Brussels Zayentem airport is twelve km from the city and it takes 35 minutes to reach the city from the airport. The airport has facilities like duty free shops, car parking, taxi booking, car hiring, banks, post office, restaurants, and medical help. Internet and fax services are provided for the passengers. The Airport City Express train transports passengers to three main railway stations – Brussels North, Central and South. One can avail a bus which runs regularly from the airport, taxis can also be hired which wait outside the arrival hall. Tipping the taxi drivers is considered customary. Train runs every 15 minutes.

Another airport, Brussels South Charleroi, is 5 km away from Charleroi and 46 km from Brussels. Ryan air serves as the local airline here and has cheap deals for several European destinations to and from Charleroi. The facilities provided here are bus and train services, café, car hire, and duty free shops.

Ostend airport is 5 km away from the city and car parking, car hire, duty free shops, and restaurants are provided here.

Antwerp airport is just 2 km away from the city. Buses run to the Brussels Central Station every few minutes.

Liege is situated at a distance of 5 km away from the city. Buses run at regular interval here.

The departure tax at Brussels Zayentem is €20.93, Brussels South Charleroi is €3.49, Ostend and Antwerp is €10, and at Liege is €7.

There is a network of high-speed trains, which are operated by Thalys, from Belgium to France, connecting Brussels with other destinations like Bordeaux, Chambéry, Cannes, Marseille, Lyon, Nice, Valence Perpignan, and Rennes. Booking should be made in advance for these trains. The national railway operates through out the day providing service every few minutes to destinations such as Andorra, Austria, France, Czech, Germany, Italy, Poland, Luxembourg, Switzerland, the UK and the Netherlands. Insiders can avail the Inter-Rail pass which allows visitors to travel almost 29 European Countries. This service is valid for residents who have been settled there for more than 6 months.

Duty Free Items

Visitors can carry alcohol, tobacco, cigarettes, coffee and tea without getting customs duty levied on them, but only the goods should be limited. Check out for the limits before carrying such goods. Food items that are not preserved are better avoided.

Travel tips to European Countries: Bulgaria

About the county

Officially known as the Republic of Bulgaria or Bulgarian Republic, Bulgaria is a beautiful mountainous country lying in Balkan Peninsula in Southern Europe bordering the Black Sea to the east, Serbia and the Republic of Macedonia to the west, Romania to the north, Greece and Turkey to the south. Bulgaria also borders Turkey, Romania, Ukraine, Russia, and Georgia along the sea. The largest and the capital city is Sofia. The country may be very small in area but it is rich in ancient culture, picturesque locales, down to earth and friendly people who provide the warmth and hospitality of old days. Bulgaria is known as “Land of Roses” due to the largest production of roses here. Although Bulgaria is known mostly for its sea resorts much of the actual country can be explored in great mountain regions, with many ski resorts a perfect destination for skiers. With unique customs, spectacular crafts, colorful festivals, folklore and so on Bulgaria has it all to take the imagination of visitors by surprise and excitement.

Population & Languages

The population of Bulgaria is roughly 7.4 million and the official language being spoken is Bulgarian. Turkish and Roma are also spoken by considerable percentage of the population.

Electricity

The voltage is 230 V and the frequency is 50 Hz. The types of plugs used are Round pin attachment plug and “Schuko” plug and receptacle with side grounding contacts.

Geographic Location

It lies in Balkan Peninsula in Southern Europe bordering the Black Sea to the east, Serbia and the Republic of Macedonia to the west, Romania to the north, Greece and Turkey to the south. Bulgaria also borders Turkey, Romania, Ukraine, Russia, and Georgia along the sea. Bulgaria is strategically located near Turkish Straits making it the control point of key land routes connecting Europe to Middle East and Asia.

Climate

The climate of Bulgaria can be termed as temperate with hot and dry summers and cold and damp winters. Summer temperatures average around 75°F (24°C) and winter temperatures average about 32°F (0°C). The ideal time to visit Bulgaria is summer.

Local Customs
Like any other country Bulgaria has its own customs too and normal courtesies should be followed. Handshaking is customary. Dress should be conservative but can be casual. Souvenirs from home country are appreciated if invited to home. Here is Bulgaria, a nod of the head means ‘no’ and a shake of the head means ‘yes’. Tipping up to 10 to 12 percent is customary for all services including restaurants, bars, clubs, taxis etc.

Attractions

• Sofia
• St. Sofia Church
• St. George Rotunda
• Alexander Nevsky Cathedral
• National Ethnographic Museum

Mountains

• Village of Momchilovtsi
• Pirin National Park
• Rila Monastery

Travel

By Air – The national airline of Bulgaria is Bulgaria Air. Other international airlines operating from Bulgaria include Bulgaria include Aeroflot, Air France, Alitalia, Austrian Airlines, British Airways, El Al Israel Airlines, KLM, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, MALEV Hungarian Airlines, Olympic Airlines and Swiss Air. Sofia International Airport EAD (SOF) is the biggest airport which is like six miles east of Sofia. Other international airport is Varna International Airport (VAR) located in the western outskirts of the city about five miles from Varna.

Sea – The important international ports are Bourgas and Varna along the Black Sea.

River – Ferries can cross into Romania from Vidin to Calafat.

By Rail – Sofia is connected to Budapest, Belgrade, Bucharest, Thessaloniki, Paris, Vienna, Munich and Berlin through frequent services of trains.

Duty Free Items
1. 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco
2. 1 liter of spirits and 2 liter of wine; 50g of perfume and 100g of eau de toilette
3. Gifts and personal use items.
Prohibited Items
Un-canned goods, meat or dairy products, Narcotics, pornography, firearms, ammunition, weapons, eggs, plants, endangered species, fireworks and alcoholic beverages that contain more than sixty per cent alcohol.

Travel Tips to European Countries: Cyprus

About the Country

Cyprus is an island located in the Mediterranean Sea. It is inhabited with mountains on the north and south and the south coast is covered with plains. The temperatures are really hot indicating Mediterranean climate. Winters are cooler. Nicosia is the capital city of Cyprus. The currency used here is Cypriot Pound.

Culture

Greek, English and Turkish are the languages spoken here. There is a mixed culture of Greek and Middle East. The locals are very friendly and welcome outsiders with an open heart and make them feel at home by offering them with something to drink. To greet someone a handshake will do. It is customary to offer the guest a small gift when invited for dinner. One can dress casually, but the swimsuits must be confined to the beaches only. Social functions call for formal dressing.

Site Seeing

The country is full of vineyards, 12th century buildings, orchards and monasteries. Be careful when photographing outside. It is forbidden in military areas and special permission must be taken for taking pictures in places like museums and art galleries. Most of them do not allow flash photography. Taxis can be hired to move around the big towns in Cyprus, which charge according the government regulated meters. Tipping the drivers is customary.

Electricity

240 V, 50 Hz

Getting There

Port of Famagusta at  Ammochostos and Port of Kyrenia, and airport of Ercan, have been declared as illegal ‘ports of entry’, so check it out while planning to get there.

The national airline is Cyprus Airways. It connects most of the major cities of Europe. Other forty airlines, too, serve at the airport of Larnaca, which are 5 km away from Larnaka and 50km away from Nicosia. Taxis can be hired to reach any destination from there as there is lack of buses and trains services at the airport. The other services that are offered at this airport is duty-free shops, bank, tourism and hotels information, restaurants, car hire, post office and reservation office. The other airport, Pafos, is 15km away from the city and it takes about 35 minutes to reach the city from the airport. It provides the same facilities like the Larnaca airport.

The major ports of Cyprus are the Limassol port and Larnaca port which connect other ports of Middle East and Greek. Not only ferry services are provided here, even cruise services are provided here.

Cyprus Island is not connected by roads to other countries, but roads run across Cyprus connecting all the cities and villages. Buses run on roads except on Sunday but they run late in the mid-night during summers. Tourists can get on to rural buses to surf through the remote villages, but they are very slow. If planning to hire car, advanced booking is recommended, especially in summer as the booking is full most of the times. Do remember to carry a National driving license or International driving permit.

Duty Free Items

1. 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco
2. 1l of spirits (over 22 per cent volume) or 2l of fortified wine or sparkling wine
3. 2l of still wine; 50g of perfume and 250ml of eau de toilette
4. 800 cigarettes or 200 cigars or 1kg of tobacco
5. 10l of spirits, 20l of fortified wine, 90l wine, 110l beer

Most of the food items and items relating to agriculture are prohibited. Explosives and fire arms are a strict no-no.

Travel tips to European Countries: Czech Republic

About the county

Czech Republic is located in Central Europe bordering Poland to the north, Germany to the northwest and west, Austria to the south, and Slovakia to the east. The capital of Czech Republic is Prague which is also the biggest city of Czech Republic and a popular tourist destination. Czech Republic became a member of European Union in May, 2004. Czech Republic was earlier a part of Czechoslovakia which was dissolved in January, 1993 and was split into what is now called Czech and Slovak Republics. Brno, Ostrava, Plzeň, Olomouc, , České Budějovice, Zlín, Hradec Králové, Ústí nad Labem, Pardubice and Karlovy Vary are the other important cities of Czech Republic. Czech Republic is divided into two parts based on geographical and cultural classification. They are Bohemia and Moravia. Bohemian cities and towns are popular for their spas and wine vineyards. It is also home to many castles which are open for visitors. One of the other tourism attractions is the availability of hundreds of miles of marked trails for hiking, cycling and skiing.

Population & Languages

The population of Czech Republic is roughly 10.2 million and the official language being spoken is Czech.

Electricity

The voltage is 230 V and the frequency is 50 Hz. The type of plug used is Round pin plug and receptacle with male grounding pin

Geographic Location

It is located in Central Europe bordering Poland to the north, Germany to the northwest and west, Austria to the south, and Slovakia to the east. It is basically a landlocked country strategically located on some of the most important land routes in Europe.

Climate

The climate of Czech Republic can be termed as Temperate with hot summers and cold overcast winters. It also gets snow. Most of the rain comes down in summer. Due to different altitudes the variation of temperatures is diverse. The temperatures are relatively low at high altitudes and more precipitation. The temperatures average only -0.4°C at high altitude areas whereas the temperatures can average as high as 10°C in low altitude areas.

Local Customs

Dressing should be conservative and casual except at formal dinners or good hotels or restaurants. Tipping is usually 5 to 10 percent in restaurant, hotels and taxis.

Attractions

The Castle District (Hradèany) – It has some of the best churches and museums. It also has some beautiful gardens, fortifications and state apartments also.

St Vitus Cathedral – It is located in the Castle District, the prominent feature of this cathedral is the spires which soar high in the sky. It is also country’s largest church with great architecture.

Charles Bridge (Karluv Most) – This is one of the most popular tourist spots of the city and should not be missed.

Old Town Square (Staromĕstské Námestí) – It is the most vibrant square of Prague with many historical structures. It also hosts various markets every year like yearly Christmas market.

The Jewish Museum – It is the largest Jewish Museum in Central Europe with a vast collection of Judaic art works.
Vyšehrad – Is a great hill fort built on a rock above the river.

Travel

By Air – The national airline of Czech Republic is Czech Airlines. There are many other small and popular international airlines operating from Czech Republic. The major airport is Prague Ruzyne International Airport (PRG). The airport is located approximately 10 miles north west of Prague.

By Rail – The country is part of the extensive network of trains connecting the European cities. If you are coming from Western Europe the most convenient connections are via Berlin, Frankfurt, Munich, Vienna, and Zurich to Prague.

Duty Free Items
1. 800 cigarettes or 400 cigarillos or 200 cigars or 1kg tobacco for EU countries.
2. 200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars or 250g tobacco for Non-EU countries.
3. 10 liter of spirits with alcohol content over 22%, or 20 liter of alcoholic beverages with alcohol volume less than 22%, or 90 liter of wine or 60 liter of sparkling wine, or 110 liter of beer for EU countries.
4. 1 liter spirits or 2 liter wine for Non-EU countries.
5. 50g perfume or 250ml eau de toilette
6. Food, fruits, medications and flowers for personal use
7. Gifts up to €175

Prohibited Items

Un-canned goods, meat or dairy products, Narcotics, firearms, ammunition, weapons, eggs, plants, endangered species, fireworks and alcoholic beverages that contain more than sixty per cent alcohol.

Travel Tips to European Countries: Albania

Albania is a mountainous country and the one of the smallest countries of Europe. The residents supposedly descended from ancient Illyrians.

Culture

The culture of Albania is majorly influenced by that of the mainland Greeks especially in the urban locality; nodding one’s head means ‘no’ where as shaking the head means ‘yes’. To greet someone, handshaking is preferred, though Shoku (Comrade) was used before, which has been long forgotten now. People dress informally here. Swim suits are meant for the beaches, otherwise women are expected not to dress in a revealing outfit. When addressing someone prefix Zoti(Mr) or Zonja(Mrs) before the name and always remember to carry some gifts when visiting someone, although flowers aren’t much acceptable. The guests are served with coffee, raki or sweets. Smokers don’t have to worry much, but they should avoid it where they see a sign of Ndalohet Duhani or Ndalohet pirja e duhanit.

Travelling within the country

Buses with relatively cheap fares operate in the main cities of the country or taxis are another choice which provided service for some main hotels.
Visit Dajti Mountain and experience Dajti Ekspres Cable car for an unforgettable 15 minute ride passing through Dajt Oark to reach Tirana. The route is about 4.2 km long and the ride costs €6.5.Alpha Yachting provides crewed yacht which is a luxury in itself. Tirana Bank is the best place for withdrawing money as it allows access to Visa cards.

Eating Out

Restaurants are not always sufficiently heated, so always wear warm clothes if out in the night during winters. Foreigners are charged more than the locals. Both the entry fees as well as any merchandise will be on a higher scale, so it’s better not to reveal the fact that you are a foreigner when out on the streets.

Site Seeing

If you enjoy canoeing, this is the right place to be. There are places right outside Tirana which is an amazing site for not just canoeing, but also rock climbing, hiking, and camping.

Accommodation

If you want a 5-Star ambience, try The Sheraton Tirana Hotel and Towers, which is situated in the middle of a shopping and entertainment center. There are about 151 rooms and 56 suites. So, along with the comfort, one can shop at once convenience here. Another hotel which provides all modern facilities is Hotel Mondial. It is located 1000 m away from the city and is also a good example of traditional architecture.

Getting There

One of the best and the easiest means is to go by air. Albanian Airlines is the national airline which works in collaboration with Tyrolean Airways, and provides service to almost all the big European cities. The airport, Mother Teresa, is 16 miles or 26 km away from the capital. A tourist bus is available every 3 hrs to get to the city center and takes about 30 minutes to get there. Taxis are available round the clock. While waiting for any transport service, tourists can check out the duty free shops, bank, eateries and car hire at the airport. A departure tax of $10 USD is imposed on all foreign nationals. Check out www.flyalbanian .com for flight times and offers.

If trying to get there by sea, try the ferry services which are provided by Adriatic Line and Agoudimos. The main ports are Durres (has ferry connection to Italy, Bari, Brindisi, Trieste, and Ancona), Vlora (has ferry connection to Bari, and Brindisi), Saranda (has connection to Corfu), Shen Gjini (has ferry connection to Bari). Check out www.adriatica.it and www.aqoudimos-lines.com for more information.

Bus is another option. Buses start from Istanbul, Athens and Sofia. Internal passengers have lots of options with bus services provided. If traveling by road in a private car, there is road network to the Kosovo region, but they are too dangerous to use because of the political tensions within the region. Crossings at Hani I Hotit, Bllata, Oafa e Thaes, Tushemisht, Gorica, Kapshtica, and kakavija can be taken. If tired one can take halts at hotels or other designated areas. There is a network of 18,000 km, out of which only 7450 km are main roads, for local travelers. About 2138km stretch of these roads is in poor condition and has pot holes, and utmost safety precautions should be taken when driving on such roads. Speed limit should be strictly followed on highways as well as within towns. Driving at night should be better avoided because of the absence of street lights on the road except for urban areas. Traffic should drive on the right-hand. There is a shortage of gas stations in the countryside, so filling the gas tank completely when passing through urban area is recommended and since there is lack of national recovery system; travelers should be prepared for an emergency or breakdown before hand. One should carry necessary documents like International Driving Permit and national driving license.

Duty Free Items

Following are the items that can be carried without customs duty being levied on them:
1. 1liter of spirits or 2liter of wine
2. 250ml of eau de toilette
3. 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco
4. 50ml of perfume.

Prohibited Items

Things that are prohibited to carry are firearms, narcotics and ammunitions. Special export permission should be taken for precious metals, books, antiques, work of art, or material of national or historic value.

Are you interested in going on a fun filled hiking adventure? If you are, you are definitely not alone. In the United States, a large number of individuals enjoy hiking, often whenever they get the chance to do so.

Although there is a good chance that you may have gone hiking before, there is also a chance that this hiking adventure may be your first one. If that is the case, you may be wondering what you should bring along with you. If you are, you will want to continue reading on, as some common hiking gear pieces and hiking supplies are outlined below for your convenience.

Before examining some of the common pieces of hiking gear that you should bring with you on your hiking adventure, as well as other hiking supplies, it is important that you take the length of your adventure into consideration. If you are planning on camping overnight on a hiking trail or in a hiking park, you will need to have some additional supplies, like a camping tent, sleeping bag, and so forth. The above mentioned items can serve as a great starting point for you, but you may also want to think about creating your own hiking adventure checklist.

When it comes to hiking gear, one of the most important pieces of gear that you will come across are hiking boots or hiking shoes. Many individuals do not know that they should actually go hiking in boots or shoes that are designed for hiking. Unfortunately, many individuals set out on a hike in traditional sneakers or even sandals. Hiking shoes are not only comfortable, as they are designed for hiking trail terrain, but they can also be used as a safety tool. With strong support for your feet and your ankles, hiking shoes and boots can help reduce your risk of injury in the event of a slip or a small fall.

A hiking stick is another piece of hiking gear that you may want to think about buying or bringing along with you. Hiking sticks can be purchased from sport stores, but hiking sticks can also be found by scavenging through your backyard. Hiking sticks are not only nice because they look neat, but they can also help you keep your balance. Also, in the event that you fall or have a hiking accident, your hiking stick can be used to bang against rocks or something else to help get the attention of rescue workers or passerby’s.

As for the clothing that you will want to wear on your next hiking adventure, it will depend where you are going hiking, for how long, and what the weather will be like. You are advised to thoroughly examine the weather forecast before leaving for your hiking trip. Even if the weather is expected to be nice, you may still want to bring a few warm clothes with you, as you should also be prepared for the unexpected. An extra change of clothes is also advised. If you are concerned with space, you may want to think about look into buying some of those space saving bags, which are perfect for hiking.

You will also want to make sure that you bring a selection of food, snacks, and drinks with you on your next hiking adventure. As for drinks, you will find that water is the best. As for the snacks, you will want to make sure that you bring snacks that are easy to eat, like small bags of trail mix, pretzels, or other easy to eat and transport snacks. If you will be hiking and camping at the same time, you want to make sure that you bring more than just snacks; you will also want to bring real food. You may want to think about making yourself a few sandwiches, as well as bringing along a few pieces of fruit.

Additional items that you will want to bring along with you on your next hiking adventure include a map of the hiking park or hiking trail in question, a compass, a cell phone, and a first aid kit. Of course, these items, in most cases, are optional, but they are items may make your next hiking adventure enjoyable, as well as safe.

Are you interested in going on a camping adventure? If you are, have you already decide where you would like to go camping? If you have yet to choose a campground park to camp at, you may want to think about doing so soon. In the summer months, camping is a popular activity; therefore, you will want to make sure that you are able to get a camping reservation at the campground park of your choice.

Another one of the many reasons why you may want to think about making your camping reservations in advance is because many campground parks allow their guests to handpick which camping spots they want. Of course, not all campground parks allow you to do this, but you will find that a large number of them do. In terms of getting a good camping spot or a campsite, you will find that the earlier you make your reservations, the more campsites you have to choose from.

Speaking of choosing a camping spot, which is also commonly referred to as a campsite, you may be wondering what you should look for in one. In all honesty, the “perfect,” campsite is likely to vary from person to person. It actually depends on your wants and needs, as well as the wants and needs of those in your camping group. Although there may be some variations of what you are looking for, you may want to take some of the factors mentioned below into consideration, when choosing the perfect campsite.

One of the first things that you will want to do is review who you are going camping with. If you are going camping with children, namely small children, you may want to think about making sure that your camping site is a good distance away from any bodies of water or any dangerous hiking trails. You will also find that many campground parks have on site playgrounds and such. If you are camping with children, it may be a good idea to try and get a camping spot that is located near a playground or other locations that are designed for children.

In addition to the safety of those that you will be camping with, preferences are also something that should be taken into consideration, when choosing a camping spot or a campsite. If you are a water lover and would regularly like to spend your time boating, fishing or swimming, you may want to think about getting a camping spot that is close to the water. On the other hand, if you would prefer to spend your time hiking, you may want to try and get a camping spot that is located near the campground’s hiking trail, and so forth.

Size is also another factor that you may want to take into consideration, when choosing a campsite. When reviewing campgrounds, you will find that different campground parks have different sizes campsites. Often times, the larger campsites are designed for those with multiple tents or with motor homes. Before agreeing to rent a particular camping site, you will want to make sure that the site in question is large enough for all of your camping group members. This is important as not having enough space could put a damper on your next camping adventure.

The above mentioned factors are just a few of the many factors that you may want to take into consideration, when choosing a camping spot for your next camping adventure. As a reminder, not all campground parks allow you to choose your owing camping sites, but a large number of them do.

Are you looking for a fun and exciting way to spend a day off that you have or even a whole weekend that you may have free? If you are, have you ever thought about going on a hiking adventure? If you are like many other Americans, there is a good chance that the thought has at least crossed your mind before. Hiking is not only fun and exciting, but, for many, it is also a great way to relax.

If you are interested in going on a hiking adventure, you may want to get started with the planning right away. While it is more than possible to do so, there are a number of important factors that you may first want to take into consideration. These factors, which are outlined below, may help make planning your next hiking adventure easier and they may also make your adventure, when it comes, much more memorable.

One of the many factors that you will want to take into consideration, before planning a hiking adventure, is your health. Although hiking can be a fun and exciting activity to participate in, it can also be strenuous. If you are planning on going hiking, it is advised that you go hiking on a trail that is designed for beginners, unless you receive clearance from your physician. Most individuals are able to go hiking without experiencing any health problems, but you don’t really want to take that chance; do you?

Something else that you may want to take into consideration, when planning a hiking adventure for yourself is the length of your hike. How long would you like to go hiking for? While a large number of individuals choose to go hiking just for a day, there are many more who take extended hiking trips. What is nice is that many hiking trials and hiking parks in the United States have on site campgrounds. This means that you could turn your hiking adventure into a camping one as well, if you wanted to do so.

Location is another factor that you may want to take into consideration, when looking to plan a hiking adventure. In the United States, you will find that a large number of cities and towns, both large and small in size, have numerous hiking trails to choose from. Before you start planning your next hiking adventure, you may want to examine where you would like to hike. If you are interested in hiking at a park that is located a ways away from your home, you may need to make additional travel arrangements.

Cost is another factor that you may want to take into consideration, when looking to plan your next hiking adventure. In the United States, you will find that you will be charged a small admission fee to go hiking. While this admission fee is almost always reasonable, it is important to determine whether or not you can afford the cost of it. The length of your hiking adventure and if you plan on camping on site may play an important role in the cost of your next hiking adventure.

The above mentioned points are ones that you will want to think about, when planning your next hiking adventure. By taking the above mentioned points into consideration you will not only have a good time, but you will make sure that you stay healthy and safe as well.

Are you, your family, your friends, or your romantic partner planning to take a hiking adventure soon? As you likely already know, hiking can be fun and exciting, but it can be dangerous at the same time. Of course, there are a number of different steps that you can take to protect yourself on your next hiking adventure and a few of those steps are outlined below.

If you have yet to choose your hiking trail, you will want to do so soon. The sooner that you choose your hiking trail, the easier it will be to familiarize yourself with where you will be hiking. When choosing a hiking trail, it is advised that you take the difficulty level into consideration. For instance, you can find hiking trails in the United States that are designed for beginners, as well as those that have advanced hiking experience.

Once you have decided which hiking trial you would like to hike on, you will want to take the time to fully familiarize yourself with the trail. If you are able to acquire a map of the hiking trial in question, you will want to closely examine it. You will want to know exactly where you are at all times, as well as how to get out of the area, in the event of an emergency. If you do acquire a map of the hiking trial that you plan on hiking, you will want to make sure that you bring a copy of the map with you. This will also assist you in the event of an emergency.

You will want to think about familiarizing yourself with the security of the hiking trial or park in question; get their contact information so you can contact them in the event of an emergency. Speaking of contacting security guards, you will want to make sure that you bring a cell phone with you. A cell phone will allow you to call for help if you or someone in your hiking party has an accident or wanders off the trail. If you do not own a cell phone, you may want to think about buying a cheap prepaid one or borrowing the cell phone of someone that you know.

Although it is important that you bring a cell phone with you on your next hiking adventure, a cell phone is not all that you will want to bring. Even if you are only planning on hiking for a day or two, you will want to make sure that you have enough food and drinks, just in case something went wrong. Many hikers are urged to prepare for the worst, just in case. For that reason, you may want to think about packing a number of extra snacks and drinks.

Another great way that you can stay safe on your next hiking adventure is by making sure that you have all of the right hiking equipment or hiking supplies. In this aspect, you will want to make sure that you are dressed for the hike. Hiking should involve sneakers at the least, but you may want to think about buying a set of hiking boots. You will also want to review the weather before leaving. Even if it will be bright and sunny, you may still want to think about bringing a light coat with you, in case of rain or in case you become stranded on the hiking trail overnight.

Perhaps, the best way that you can go about staying safe on your next hiking adventure is by letting your friends and family members know where you are going, when you will be leaving, and when you will return. Should you not return on time, those that you know should be able to find you, or at least have a generalized idea of where you are. You may also want to think about writing down the same information and leaving it at a safe place at home.

The above outlined hiking safety tips are just a few of the many that you may want to think about practicing. As a reminder, hiking can be fun and exciting, but it can also be dangerous as well.

Are you looking for something to do this summer, spring, or even fall? Whether you are looking to do so something independently, with your family, or with your friends, have you ever though about going camping? If you have yet to examine camping, you may want to think about it, as camping is often referred to as a fun and exciting pastime.

Although it is nice to hear that camping is a fun way to spend some free time that you may have, you may be wondering if you should really go camping. In all honesty, you will find that it depends. While individuals from all walks of life enjoy camping, camping isn’t always for everyone. If you would like to know whether you should go camping or at least think about it a little bit more, you will want to continue reading on.

One of the many signs that you should think about going camping is if you love spending time outdoors. Whether you just like sitting out on your porch, going swimming, or playing sports outdoors, there is a good chance that you like camping. Camping is based on the doors. You will likely find yourself sleeping outside, eating outside, and playing outside. For that reason, if you have a love for the outdoors, a camping trip is something that you may want to examine.

If you are looking for a change, you may want to think about going camping. If you are wondering if you should go camping, there is a good chance that you have never gone camping before. Unfortunately, when many people take a short trip or a full fledged vacation, many end up staying on the “safe side.” While it is more than possible to do this, you may want to think about trying something new, like camping.

Another sign that you may want to think about going camping is if you are on a budget. Camping is nice is because it is a relatively affordable activity. When it comes to camping, many campers choose to camp in parks or other public campground areas. Many of these camping establishments will charge you a small admission fee or a small camping fee, but you will find that the cost is significantly lower than the cost of an amusement park or airfare for a long trip. It is also important to mention that you can get a lot of your camping supplies, like your food, for very cheap prices as well.

Also, what is nice about going camping is that you will find that you have a number of different options. For instance, you will find that you can choose to camp in a traditional tent or an RV. If you don’t own your own RV, you may be able to rent one. You will also have a choice when it comes to choosing a campground. No matter where you are looking to camp, you should be able to find a number of campground parks to choose from. If you carefully choose your campground park, you may even be able to handpick your own camping spot!

Of course, the decision as to whether or not you want to go camping is your decision to make, but you may at least want to look into it. There is a reason why camping is regarded as one of the most popular American pastimes.

Are you planning on taking a camping trip in the near future? If this is your first time going camping, you will need to get camping gear to take with you, as you may not already own it. While your first impulse may be to head on down to your local sports store, did you know that you have another option as well? You do. In addition to buying your own camping gear, you may also be able to rent it.

When it comes to determining whether you should buy your own camping gear or just rent the camping gear that you need, you may have a difficult time deciding what to do. If you are wondering what you should do, you will want to continue reading on. Below, the pros and cons of both buying your own camping gear and renting your camping gear are outlined.

As for buying your own camping gear, you will find that the biggest con or downside to doing so is the cost. Depending on what you need to buy, it can get pretty expensive to purchase your own camping gear. With that in mind though, there are a number of camping gear equipment pieces, like camping tents or sleeping bags, that can be purchased for affordable prices. If you are looking to camp on a budget, you can still buy your own camping gear, but you just need to know where to look.

Although there are a number of downsides, like the price, to buying your own camping gear, you will also find that there are a number of pros or plus sides to doing so as well. One of those plus sides is the fact that you will own the camping gear in question. This means that you can use it as little or as often as you would like. If you are planning to take a number of camping trips in the future, you will find that it is easier, as well as cheaper in the long run, to buy your own camping gear.

It is also important to mention the freedom that you have, when buying your own camping gear. When buying your own camping gear, you can buy basically whatever you want. For instance, if you would like a camping tent that is the color black, you are free to do so. When you buy your own camping gear, you have the ability to be picky if you want to be. With a large selection of camping gear pieces to choose from, from a number of different retailers, the decision as to what you want to buy is yours to make.

If you are unable to buy your own camping gear or if you would prefer not you, your other option is to rent your camping gear. When it comes to renting camping gear, you will also find a number of pros and cons. As for the cons of renting your camping gear, you may find that you are faced with a limited selection of camping gear pieces to choose from. Many camping gear rental stations only carry the basic items, like tents, hot plates, and coolers. While you may have some choices, you will mostly find that your selection is limited.

As for the pros or plus sides to renting your camping gear, instead of buying it, you will find that the cost is much more affordable. Despite being relatively affordable, different camping gear rental stations charge different rental fees. You will also find that camping gear can typically be rented for as little as one day or as long as a couple of weeks. Renting your camping gear is nice if this is your first time going camping and if you are unsure as to whether or not you would be interested in doing so again.

As you can see, there are a number of pros and cons to both buying your own camping gear and renting it. In addition to the two above mentioned options, you may also want to think about borrowing camping gear from someone that you know. You may even be able to do so free of charge.

Camping in a Tent or a Motor Home: What is Best?

Are you interested in going on a camping adventure? If you are, you are definitely not alone. In the United States, camping is often referred to as a popular pastime. One of the many reasons why camping is so popular is because of all of the choices that you have. One of the many choices that you have is deciding how you would like to camp, in a motor home or in a tent.

If this is your first or even your second time going camping, you may be unsure as to whether you should camp in a motor home or in a tent. This is a decision that many people have to make. If you would like advice on what you should do, you will want to continue reading on, as the advantages and disadvantages of both tents and motor homes are outlined below.

As for camping in a traditional tent, there are a number of benefits to doing so. One of those benefits is the cost. Tents come in all different sizes, shapes, and styles, as well as prices. Tents can also be purchased from a number of different retail stores, including those that are located both on and offline. Depending on where you look, you may be able to find a camping tent for as low as twenty or thirty dollars!

Another one of the many benefits to going camping in a traditional camping tent is the experience. Camping tents, as you likely already know, are sort of like tarps. They give you protection from the outdoors, but they still leave you feeling as if you are camping in the open night. If you are an outdoor lover or if you are truly looking to get the “camping feel,” you may want to think about camping in a traditional camping tent.

Although going camping in a traditional camping tent is nice, there are a number of downsides to doing so. One of those downsides is bad weather. For your information, a large number of camping tents are strong and waterproof, but not all are. If you are unsure as to what the weather will be like for your next camping adventure, you may want to think about purchasing a camping tent that comes highly rated and recommended. Doing so may help ensure that you don’t awake to any wet surprises.

As for camping in a motor home, you will also find that there a number of advantages and disadvantages to doing so as well. Perhaps, the biggest disadvantage of camping in a motor home is the cost of doing so. Motor home are expensive to buy and if you are looking to camp on a budget, you may not be able to afford to buy your own motor home. Of course, with that in mind though, you should know that you don’t actually have to buy a motor home. There are a number of individuals and companies that have motor homes available for rent. Renting a motor home, instead of buying one, is a nice, affordable way to camp in style.

If you are able to camp in a motor home, you may enjoy doing so, as many motor homes appear as if they are small apartments or small homes. Motor homes often come equipped with working bathrooms, kitchens, and televisions! This is nice if you are looking to enjoy camping, while still being able to bask in the modern luxuries of life.

As it was previously mentioned, one of the reasons why camping is so popular is because of all the choices that you have, like the choice to camp in a traditional camping tent or a motor home. The decision as to whether you want to camp in a motor home or a traditional camping tent is your decision to make, but you may want to keep the above mentioned advantages and disadvantages in mind when making your decision.

Hiking and Camping: The Perfect Combination

Are you interested in taking a trip? Whether you want to your trip to be alone, with your friends, with your family, or even just with your romantic partner, you will need to find a place to visit, as well as activities to participate in. If you have yet to decide what you would like to do for your next trip, have you ever though about going camping and hiking? When alone, camping and hiking are both fun filled activities, but when combined, they are, literally, the perfect combination.

Although it is nice to know that hiking and camping are the perfect combination, you may be wondering exactly why that is. If you are, you will find that there are an unlimited number of reasons as to why hiking and camping are the perfect fit for each other and the perfect way to spend your next vacation. For reasons as to why you should give camping and hiking a try, you will want to continue reading on.

As previously stated, camping and hiking are things that just seem to fit together. This is apparent in a number of different ways. For instance, hiking trails are commonly found in areas or establishments that are referred to as hiking parks. Hiking parks, especially large popular ones, often have their own onsite campgrounds. You will also find that most public campground parks have at least one or two hiking trials on them. The fact that hiking and camping experts automatically pair hiking and camping together is a sign that camping and hiking really are the perfect combination.

Another reason why camping and hiking may be perfect for your next trip or vacation is because they are both designed for individuals of all ages. This is important, especially if you are looking for something to do with your family. Children of all ages, as well as adults, enjoy both camping and hiking. In fact, in the United States, you will find that hiking trials come in a number of different difficulty levels. For instance, it is more than possible to find hiking trails that are designed for beginners. These types of hiking trials would be ideal, in most cases, for young children or elderly individuals.

The cost of hiking and camping are another one of the many reasons why they make the perfect combination, as well as why they may be perfect for your next trip, vacation, or adventure. Hiking and camping are both affordable activities for you to participate in. In fact, if you decide to make a reservation at a public campground park, you will likely find that you are able to go hiking, on an onsite trail, free of charge. The same may even be said for if you visited a hiking park and decided to stay overnight. While many activities may end up being free for you, you will see that it all depends on the establishment in question.

If you are interested in combining hiking and camping to make the perfect adventure for you, your family, your friends, or you and your romantic partner, you may want to think about making your arrangements in advance. Hiking and camping are both popular activities in the United States. While you may not necessarily need to make reservations to go hiking, you may need to make them if you plan on camping overnight at a hiking park or in a public campground. In fact, the earlier that you make your reservations, the more choices you may have, as many establishments allow you to handpick your own camping spots.

As you can see, there are a number of different reasons as to why hiking and camping make the perfect combination, as well as why they would be great for your next vacation, trip, or adventure. Hiking and camping is something that you may at least want to think about discussing with your traveling party. Once it is mentioned, you may be surprised with just how many people would like to give this perfect combination a try.

Hiking Clubs: Should You Join One?

Have you ever heard of a hiking club before? While hiking clubs do have different meanings, a hiking club is often used to describe a group of individuals who regularly enjoy hiking, often together in groups. If you are an avid hiker or if you just enjoy going hiking, you may want to think about joining a hiking club.

As it was previously mentioned, hiking clubs are often used to describe groups of individuals who have a love for hiking. The majority of the time, you will find that hiking club members hike together. This is ideal for a number of different reasons. For one, hiking with someone that loves hiking just as much as you do can be fun and exciting. It is also important to mention safety. When you hike with multiple individuals, especially experienced hikers, you are less likely to have an accident or find yourself in a dangerous situation.

In addition to going on traditional hikes with each other, there are many hiking club members who travel to hiking trails or hiking parks that are not considered local. Many times, these types of trips require camping or staying at a hotel. One of the many reasons why these types of long distance hiking trips are done by hiking clubs is because the group members can split the cost of doing so. What does this mean for you? It means that if you would like to take long distance hiking adventures, but you don’t have any friends or family members who would like to go with you, you may want to think about joining a hiking club.

When examining all of the benefits of joining a hiking club, it is important to remember that not all hiking clubs are the same. There are some hiking clubs where members only meet up for hiking adventures, but then there are hiking clubs that do much more. For instance, there are hiking clubs that have monthly or even weekly meetings. These meetings are often used to plan hiking trips, discuss the latest in hiking gear trends, and so forth. There are also hiking clubs that use fundraisers, like car washes or chicken barbeques, to pay for their hiking adventures. In all honesty, you will find that the benefits you are presented with will all depend on the hiking club that you choose to join.

Speaking of choosing a hiking club, when it comes to choosing a hiking club, there are a number of important factors that you should take into consideration. For example, you will find that many hiking clubs charge their members small monthly or yearly fees. You will want to find a hiking club that is easy to afford. You may also want to take your schedule into consideration as well. Do you have time to attend all monthly or even the weekly meetings? If your hiking club has scheduled meetings, you will want to attend them, not just attend the scheduled hiking adventures. This will help you grow comfortable with those that you will hike with and visa versa.

If you would like to join a hiking club, you may want to first try and see if there are any local hiking clubs in your area. Depending on where you live or if there is a hiking trail or a hiking park nearby, there is a good chance that you may have a local hiking club or even a number of them to choose from. You can usually find information on local hiking clubs by using the internet or by asking those that you know for recommendations. If you are still coming up empty handed, you may want to think about asking the staff at a local hiking park if they know of any local hiking clubs.

As you can see, hiking clubs are fun ways to share your love for hiking with others who feel the same way about it as you do. Although there is a good chance that you will be able to find a hiking club to join, you can also always start your own, if you wish to do so.

Hiking Trails: How You Can Choose the Best One

Are you interested in going hiking? Whether you would like spend one day hiking or five days, you will need to find a hiking park to visit and a hiking trial to hike. Although you can choose to go on any hiking trial that you want, you may want to take the time to find and choose the best one. Those who take the time to examine a number of different hiking trials and handpick their favorite ones are more likely to have an enjoyable time.

Although it is nice to hear that you should take the time to find the perfect hiking trail, you may be wondering exactly how you can go about doing so. In all honesty, there are an unlimited number of different ways that you can go about finding the “perfect,” hiking trail. A few of the many approaches that you can take are outlined below.

One of the easiest ways that you can go about finding a great hiking trail to hike is by asking those that you know for recommendations. Asking those that you know for recommendations is nice and easy because it limits the amount of research that you have to do yourself. If you know of anyone, like a friend, family member, neighbor, or coworker, who enjoys hiking, you may want to see if they can recommend any good hiking trails to you. You will want to try and find hiking trails that are well maintained, cheap to hike, as well safe.

Another way that you can go about finding a great hiking trail to hike is by contacting any of your local hiking trails or hiking parks. If you are looking to hike locally, you should be able to find the contact information of local hiking trials or hiking parks by using your local phone book. By contacting some of your local hiking parks or hiking trails, you may be able to get information on the trials in question. In addition to getting information over the phone, you may also be able to request that you have a few brochures, like maps, mailed to your home. If you live close enough to the hiking trail or park that you would like more information on, you may want to think about stopping by to get the same information in person.

If you are interested in not hiking locally, but hiking a distance that is away from your home, you may be wondering how you can go about researching hiking trials or hiking parks. Of course, you can use the internet and other resources, but you may want to think about waiting until you get to your destination. As previously mentioned, asking those that you know for recommendations is a great way to find a good hiking trail. When you arrive at your destination, you may want to think about asking some local residents for hiking trail recommendations.

As previously stated, you can also use the internet to help you research local and non-local hiking trails, as well as hiking parks in general. When it comes to using the internet, one of your best options is performing a standard internet search. When you perform a standard internet search, you will want to search with phrases like “hiking parks,” or “hiking trails.” If you know where you would like to go hiking, like in what city or in what state, you may want to incorporate your destination into your search. This may help give you more tailored results. Speaking of those results, you will likely be connected to websites that are referred to as hiking websites. These websites often provide you with information on hiking, as well as information on popular hiking trails.

When performing a standard internet search, you may also come across the online websites of local hiking parks or hiking trials. If you find those online websites, you will want to thoroughly examine them. The internet is a great way to research hiking parks and hiking trails to find the one or ones that are best for you, your wants, as well as your needs.

Are you interested in taking a romantic getaway with your romantic partner? If you are, have you already decided where you would like to go and what you would like to do? If you have yet to choose your romantic getaway destination and your romantic getaway activities, you may want to look into camping. Camping is popular, but it is still considered unique, at least for romantic getaways. With that in mind though, it is a romantic getaway that you and your partner would likely enjoy and possibly never forget.

Although it is nice to hear that camping in a unique, yet fun way to spend a romantic getaway, you may be wondering exactly why that is. If you are, you may be pleased to know that there are a number of different reasons as to why camping is perfect for romantic getaways, like your next one. Just a few of the many reasons why you may want to think about further examining camping are outlined below.

One of the many reasons why camping is perfect for romantic getaways is because of the nature. When camping, you are, literally, one with nature. You will find that the surroundings are absolutely beautiful. Most campgrounds have hiking trials, lakes, forests, and much more. You and your romantic partner should love waking up to the beautiful surroundings each and everyday of your romantic getaway.

Another one of the many reasons why camping may be perfect for your next romantic getaway is because you may be able to handpick your own camping spot. If you make your camping reservations in advance, you will find that many campground officials give you the opportunity to choose which camping spot you and your partner would like to have. If you prefer hiking, you may wish to be located close to a hiking trial. On the other hand, if you would like privacy on your romantic getaway, you may be able to choose a camping spot that is more secluded than the others.

Also, what is nice about camping is that you have a number of activities to choose from. When examining the activities, it is important to remember that camping is an activity all by itself. When camping, you can either choose to rent or buy an RV or you can choose to camp in a tent, both of which are pretty romantic. As for the other activities that you may be able to participate in, you may be able to go hiking, swimming, or boating. You may also enjoy just spending time with your partner around the campfire.

If you are interested in making your next romantic getaway a camping one, you will want to start planning your getaway well in advance. By taking the time to actually plan your next camping getaway, you can ensure that it is exactly how you wanted it to be. You may want to think about reviewing a number of campgrounds, to find the perfect one. Unless you are planning on making your camping getaway a surprise, you may want to think about planning your camping adventure with your romantic partner. This will help to ensure that both of you enjoy your next camping getaway.

Of course, your romantic getaway doesn’t have to be a camping adventure, but you may at least want to think about it. For many, camping is a great, yet unique way to spend quality time with their romantic partners.

Are you interested in going on a camping adventure? If you are, you will need to find a public campground to visit. Public campgrounds are also commonly referred to as campground parks. If this is your first time going on a camping adventure, you may be wondering exactly how you can go about finding a campground park to camp at. If you are, you will want to continue reading on.

When it comes to finding a campground park to camp at, you will find that you, literally, have an unlimited number of options to choose from. One of those options involves using your local telephone book. Your local telephone book should have the name and contact information of local campground parks. If you are looking to camp locally, this is a nice and easy way for to find and familiarize yourself with local campground parks.

In addition to using your local phone book, you may also want to ask those that you know for recommendations. Since camping is a popular activity in the United States, there is a good chance that many of your friends or family members have gone camping before. If they have, you may want to get information on the campground park that they visited, as well as a general overview of their camping adventure, like if they enjoyed it or not.

If you are looking for a campground that is local or even one that is a distance away from your home, you may want to think about using the internet. The internet is a great way to find and familiarize yourself with campground parks. One of the many ways that you can use the internet to your advantage is by using online resources like online phone books or online business directories. These online resources allow you to find a particular business, like a campground park, by searching in a specific area. Often times, you will get the name and the contact information of a campground park by using online business directories or online phone books.

In addition to using online business directories or online phone books to find a campground park to camp at, you can also use standard internet searches. When performing a standard internet search, you may want to think about searching with phrases like “campground parks,” or just “campgrounds.” If you know where you would like to camp, city and state wise, you may want to think about incorporating that information into your standard internet search. Your standard internet search will likely connect you to the online websites of campground parks.

Speaking of the online websites of campground parks, these websites are a great way for you to familiarize yourself with the park or parks in question. Many campground parks have detailed information on their online websites, like park maps, as well as pictures. You may also find the cost of renting a campsite on their website. It is also likely that you will come across a detailed list on onsite activities that you and your camping party may be able to participate in.

You can also find a campground park to camp at by keeping your eyes open at all times. Some of the greatest campgrounds are discovered purely by accident. Whenever you are out driving, you may want to always be on the lookout for campground parks. Many of these parks are advertised in plain site. You may want to think about stopping and requesting information or using the internet to research the park in question when you get home.

As outlined above, there are a number of different ways that you can go about finding a campground park to camp at. As a reminder though, you will want to try and do more than just find a campground park. You will want to make sure that you take the time to find and choose the one that is best for you and your camping party.

Are you planning to take a camping adventure? If you are, have you ever been camping before? If this is yours first time taking an extended camping vacation, you may be unsure as to what you should bring along with you. If that is the case, you are definitely not alone. Although a camping vacation can be fun and exciting, it can sometimes be stressful to plan. If you would like assistance with planning your next camping vacation, you will want to continue reading on.

When it comes to camping, you will find that you need to bring multiple items with you. These items often include items that are referred to as camping supplies and then items that are referred to as camping gear. In most cases, you will find that camping gear is used to describe pieces of equipment, whereas camping supplies are often used to describe food, health and beauty products, and so forth.

When it comes to camping supplies, like clothing and food, there are many individuals who automatically know what they need to bring. On the other hand, when it comes to camping gear or camping equipment, there are many individuals who are unsure as to what they really need to bring with them. Just a few of the many pieces of camping gear or camping equipment that you may want to bring with you on your next camping adventure are outlined below.

One of the most common pieces of camping gear that you will need to bring with you on your next camping vacation is a tent. Depending on who you are going camping with, you may even need to bring multiple camping tents with you. If you have yet to purchase a camping tent, you will want try and make sure that you purchase a tent or tents that are strong, sturdy, dependable, and waterproof. Even if you are planning on camping in a motor home, you may want to think about bringing a tent, just in case. Many motor home campers prefer spending at least one night in the open wilderness and you may too.

A sleeping bag is another piece of camping gear that you will want to make sure that you bring along with you. If you are camping with your family or your romantic partner, you will want to make sure that you have enough sleeping bags to go around. Although you may assume that a light sleeping bag is good in the summertime, you may still want to think about bringing along a heavy style sleeping bag. These types of sleeping bags are good in case the weather suddenly turns cold.

In addition to bringing a traditional sleeping bag with you, you may also want to think about bringing along a sleeping pad or an air mattress. If you will be camping in a traditional tent, you may find it somewhat uncomfortable. While many campsites have level ground, not all do. If you are concerned with how you will be able to sleep on your next camping adventure, you may want to buy a sleeping pad or an air mattress along with you, just to be on the safe side. With these items being relatively affordable, you really have nothing to lose by doing so.

The above mentioned camping gear pieces are just a few of the many camping gear pieces that you may want to think about bringing along with you on your next camping adventure.

If you ask a representative sample of baby boomers that are approaching their retirement years what they are looking forward to the most about retirement, the most common answer that comes back is, “travel”.  There is something about the romance and fun of travel that appeals to us as we think about stepping out of the work world and doing things we have been hoping to do for all our lives.  And travel has that sense of adventure that calls to us when we look forward to a time when our responsibilities are few but we have the resources to realize our dreams.

If travel is a major objective of your retirement planning, the earlier in life you get started planning your travel adventures, the more fun your trips will be.  They say that anticipation is half the fun of a trip.  So why not start now planning for your various destinations and the adventures you want to have when you get there?

If the baby boomer got a chance to travel during those child rearing years, you no doubt already have some solid travel disciplines in place to use for routine trips.  Most of us have learned to travel smart from business travel or traveling to see family over the years.  But it’s a good idea to review your preparation check lists when you start thinking of longer trips, perhaps to more exotic and unknown locations such as Europe, The Middle East or South America.

Remember that when you are retired and planning longer trips, that is going to present some unique challenges in terms of packing.  Its one thing to pack for three days in Orlando but its something else entirely to pack for two weeks in Germany or Greece.  It takes an experienced and prepared traveler to only take the essentials and to keep your packing light and efficient.  Some core principles that will help you include…

Take things that don’t need pressing or a lot of maintenance.  If you can use the same garment over several days, that cuts down on your bulk considerably.  You can even rinse out wash and wear garments in your hotel room and hang them up in the bathroom while you sleep and they will good as new in the morning.

Don’t pack it.  Buy it.  It might pay to pick up some of your disposable items when you get to your destination.  You can buy your toiletries and even a garment or two if something gets left behind once you arrive.  And by not taking a lot of disposable items, you cut down on the chances you will have trouble with security.

Check your bags.  You see people who try to drag everything on board with them to avoid baggage claim.  These are your rookie travelers.  Better to trust the airline with the bag and be prepared if your bag gets lost than to have all that struggle trying to get everything into bags you can take on board.

Be prepared to lose your bags.  Just pack a small carry on with what you must have that first night in the hotel.  Include small items for changing clothes, sleepwear and hard to replace toiletries so if you do find your bags didn’t make the trip, you can stay comfortable until they catch up to you.

Be smart and think ahead about where you are going and what you will need there.  Read as much as you can about your destination and book your accommodations well in advance so you know you are expected even in a part of the world that is new to you.  These kinds of preparations will make your retirement travel fun and exciting and keep you on the road regularly for many years to come.

Are you planning an RV road trip this summer?  Or, have you decided that you would like to rent a motor home?  If so, you may be interested in taking an RV trip this summer. As with any other season, there are a number of steps that you can and should implement to improve the overall enjoyment and safety of your upcoming RV trip.

Perhaps, the most important step that you should take, before leaving in your RV this summer is to have it inspected.  Is your motor home fit to travel during the summer?  Most are, but it is also important to examine long distances.  If your summer RV trip is a cross-country trip, ask your mechanic if your RV will be able to survive.

The next step that you should take involves mapping out your intended route.  Deciding ahead of time where you will be going and how you will get there is an important part of traveling by RV.  This is not only important for yourself, but for those that you know.  Should you end up stranded in your RV, an itinerary that was left with a close friend or relative can help you be found by rescue members.

Always carry a cell phone with you.  Cell phones are one of the best ways to stay safe on the road.  Make sure that you know where your cell phone is at all times, as it can be easy to misplace items in a motor home.  Also, be sure to bring your cell phone charger with you.  A dead cell phone will not offer any assistance in the event of an emergency.  Maps and GPS units are also advised for traveling by RV.

Having a toolbox on hand is also a great way to avoid complications on your next summer RV trip.  When packing a toolbox, you don’t need an over-sized toolbox filled with tools.  Often times, the basics are enough.  These items should include screwdrivers, wrenches, a pocketknife, a box cutter, and a hammer.

A toolbox is just one of the many supplies that you will want to have for your next summer RV trip.  In fact, you may want to create a checklist for yourself.  A checklist is a great way to make sure that you haven’t forgotten anything.  On your checklist, include the basics, such as food, drinks, clothing, first aid kits, and so forth.  Your personal wants should also be included as well, such as a deck of playing cards, movies, and so forth.

For summer travel, be sure to have plenty of bottled water on hand.  Other drinks and convenient to prepare and eat snacks are advised.  During the summer, we are all encouraged to drink more water to stay hydrated.  This is important when on the road.  Water is also important during an emergency.  If you are stranded and the temperatures are high, water can help to save lives.

The above mentioned points are all important points to take into considerations, when looking to travel by RV in the summer.  Another great tip involves making all reservations before you leave.  This is particularly important with public campgrounds and RV parks, as summer is a popular time for traveling by RV. Make sure you research whether you need to make reservations so you always have a place to stay in your RV this summer.

Is a motor home on the top of your list of things to buy?  If you are, is your intended purpose for doing so to enjoy long distance trips across the country?  If so, you are not alone.  Many individuals enjoy traveling long distances in RVs as they have many of the comforts of home.  If this is one of the many reasons why you want to buy a motor home, you need to exercise caution when looking to make your RV purchase.  RVs come in a number of different formats, but not all may be perfect for your wants and needs.

The first factor to take into consideration, when looking to buy a motor home, is whether you would like a new RV or a used RV.  You should have both options to choose from.  When looking at both new and used RVs, your financial resources and your travel intents should be examined.  For example, how much do you have to spend on a motor home and how much do you plan to use it?  These two questions can help you decide whether you should buy new or used.

If you are interested in buying a used RV, mileage is another important factor to take into consideration.  Mileage is important for used RVs that will be used to travel long distances.  If you want to take extended or long distance RV trips, a used motor home with relatively low mileage is advised.

Cost is another factor that should be examined, when looking to buy either a new or used RV.  You will not want to overspend.  With that being said, many motor home owners are able to secure financing from a local lender or bank.  Still, judgment should be used.  You shouldn’t have to go without anything just to own a motor home.  Also, remember that you should always carry extra money when traveling by RV.  For that reason, you will want to look for the best prices and price compare when needed.

Size is also important when looking to buy a new or used RV.  What you will want to do is take a close look at those who you are likely to travel with, like your family.  If you are a family of four, be sure to purchase a motor home that sleeps at least four.  Many RV owners also report success when having extra space to move around, so an even larger size may be best for you and your needs.

Features are another important factor that should be taken into consideration, as they can help you buy the RV of your dreams.  When examining RV features, be sure to take your wants and needs into consideration.  For example, do you want to have a full shower or an RV that comes equipped with a television?  If so, look for RVs that boost these features when you shop.

When looking to buy a motor home, it is also important that you do the proper amount of research. Most car buyers do not buy cars without first doing the proper amount of research. This research often involves checking out rating and reviews online.  The same should be said for RVs.  Never buy an RV without first doing research online.  Be on the lookout for RVs that have been recalled or ones that are known for having problems, which may end up costing you money to repair later on.

When looking to buy a new or a used RV, remember that you do have a number of options, in terms of purchase points.  All across the United States, there are RV dealers. These are individuals and companies who specialize in the selling of motor homes.  Occasionally, you may find a car dealership that has RVs available for sale.  As for used motor homes, be sure to examine your local newspaper classified ads, namely the auto section. Most people selling their motor home advertize locally first.

Are you planning a long road trip in an RV?  If you are, you will likely end up staying at a RV park.  For many traveling by RV, motor home parks are their only affordable overnight accommodation option.  RV parks are similar to traditional campgrounds, but they are designed with motor homes in mind.  When compared to traditional campgrounds, RV parks often have more space.

Whether you are interested in staying at one RV park or if you would like to stay at multiple RV parks along the way, it is important to first familiarize yourself with all of your options.  This is best done with a little bit of research.

Researching RV parks enables you to save money.  Regardless of where you travel, you will find that RV parks differ, on a number of different levels, including the prices that they charge.  Price comparison is particularly important for long distances trips.  The longer you must stay at an RV park, the more you will have to pay.

Researching RV parks is also important to get an idea of what you can expect, in terms of features.  RV travelers are urged not to make reservations at a motor home park without first knowing what they can expect to get.  For example, does the park in question have a swimming pool or a hiking trail?  What about a play ground for kids?

Speaking of kids, if you are traveling with your family, will young children be present?  If so, there are a number of additional reasons why RV parks should be closely researched and examined.  For safety, will your intended parking spot be near a lake?  If so, does your child or children know how swim?

Researching RV parks before you leave for your RV trip also gives you enough time to examine all park rules and restrictions.  Although most public RV parks will allow pets and children, not all do.  That is why it is important that you do the proper research first.  This research will allow you to first make sure that you can meet all rules and restrictions.  If not, it also gives you time to find an alterative.

Now that you know a few of the many reasons why it is important to research RV parks and public campgrounds with motor home accommodations, you may be curious as to how you can go about doing so.  The good news is that it is relatively easy to do.

When researching RV parks and public campgrounds with motor home accommodations, perform a standard internet search.  You will want to search with the name of the park in question.  Your standard internet search should connect you to the website for that particular park or campground, should they have one.  Examine that website to learn as much as you can or at least get the contact information from the website.  This allows you to contact the park or campground in question to ask any additional questions that you may have.

Even if you do not have a RV park name, you can still use the internet to your advantage.  Business directories enable you to search for a business, like an RV park, in a particular area, such as a specific city and state.  You can also perform a standard internet search with a generalized phrase, such as “New York RV parks.”  Through the use of a business directory and standard internet searches, you should be able to find the online websites of multiple parks or at least the proper contact information.

As a recap, there are a number of reasons why you should take the time to research RV parks and public campgrounds with motor home accommodations.  By taking the time to do the proper amount of research, you are more likely to choose the park or campground that is the best fit for you and your needs. This will certainly make your stay more comfortable and you holiday much more enjoyable.

Do you spend time traveling in your RV?  If you are, you may enjoy the freedom of being able to come and go as you please.  This is a nice luxury that many motor home renters do not have.  Since you, as an RV owner, do have the freedom to come and go as you please, you may be interested in taking a last minute RV trip.  If so, the following tips may be able to help you do so.

One of the most important things to do for an RV trip involves mapping out your route.  In all honesty, it doesn’t matter whether your trip is planned a few hours before you leave or a few weeks before, it is important to know where you will be going.  Of course, you can be spontaneous along the way, like by taking a side trip, but having an intended route planned out is ideal for safety, security, and comfort.  It can also help to prevent you from getting lost when you are unsure of your surroundings.  Speaking of which, be sure to pack a map or having a GPS installed in your motor home.

Before heading out on a last minute RV trip, it is important to make all needed reservations.  This is particularly important during peak motor home travel times, such as spring and summer.  You will not want to assume that all RV parks and public campgrounds have available spots.  This is particularly the case with public campgrounds, as many are already limited on the number of spaces they have that can accommodate motor homes.  Once you have a destination in mind, you can quickly examine your options, in terms of RV parks or public campgrounds, online.  Get the contact information and place a call to make reservations or at least see if they are needed.

It is also important to let someone know that you are leaving.  Although last minute RV trips are typically planned one or two days in advance, you may have the urge to take a last minute trip and leave within a few hours.  When doing so, notifying friends or family members of your travels is probably the last thing on your mind, but it is still something that you should do.  Let those that you know, especially those who will notice if you are gone, when you will be leaving, where your intended destination is, how to get a hold of you, as well as when you can expect to return.

It is also a wise idea to quickly create a checklist for yourself.  Even if you intend to leave in a few hours, a checklist is an important preparation step when traveling by RV.  A traveling by RV camping checklist does not have to take hours to make.  Simply write down the items that you need to bring, such as food, clothing, and toiletries.  Next, write down your wants, such as a radio, a video gaming console, or movies.  Then, check off the items as you pack them in your bags or place them in your RV.

In keeping with making sure you have all needed supplies, do a quick run through of your RV at the last minute.  This will help you determine if you are missing anything of great importance.  For example, look at your sleeping areas.  Do you have enough sheets and blankets?  What about items to cook?  Do you have the needed food, pots and pans, and eating utensils?  Missing supplies are easier to notice when doing a quick walk through your motor home.

The above mentioned tips are just a few of the many that can help you prepare for a last minute RV trip.  As nice as it is to be spontaneous and hop in your motor home and leave at the last minute, it is still important to be prepared. To have the best time while traveling the road make sure you prepare well for your trip even at the last minute.

Does traveling the open road in a motor home appeal to you? Are you interested in planning a cross-country trip in a motor home?  If you are, are you currently the owner of motor home?  If not, you may be interested in making arrangements to get a rental.

When looking to rent a motor home, many individuals wonder how they can get started. The first step in renting an RV involves familiarizing yourself with your options, in terms of RV rental companies.  The good news is that this is relatively easy to do.

One of the best ways to find a local RV rental company is by using your local phone book.  If you already know the name of a motor home rental company, you can search for that name in the white pages of your phone book.  If you are unfamiliar with your local options, turn the yellow pages or the business directory section of your phone book.  Many RV rental companies are listed under auto related headings, such as car rentals, auto rentals, or auto sales.

The internet is also a great way to find information on RV rental companies.  In fact, when using the internet, you may be pleased with all of your options.  One easy way to familiarize yourself with RV rental companies online is by using a business directory.  Business directories allow you to search for a particular business, like a motor home rental company, and in a specific area, like your city and state.  If the company in question has an online website, you may be provided with a link to that website.  If not, the proper contact information will be listed in its place.

In keeping with using the internet to help you find local RV rental companies, a standard internet search should be used.  When performing a standard internet search, tailor your search to your area.  For example, search with a phrase such as “New York RV rentals.”  This should bring you to the online websites of rental companies that operate in New York State.  Examine all websites that you find to see what is available, get an idea of average rental rates, as well as get a phone number to make additional contact.

Contacting local campgrounds and RV parks is another great, yet unique, way to get information on RV rental companies.  Most RV parks and campgrounds have advertising agreements with local rental companies or they at least operate on friendly terms.  This is a nice last approach, if you have been unable to find success with using your local phone book or the internet.

Another great, yet unique way to find information on local RV rentals is by turning to your local newspapers.  Many businesses, including motor home rental companies, advertise their businesses locally. You will also want to examine the classified section of your local newspaper.  There, you may find RV owners who are looking to rent out their RVs.  This approach is a great way to find affordable RV rentals.  Many RV owners allow others to rent their motor homes, with some restrictions of course, to help pay for the motor home in question.

As highlighted above, you have a number of different options when looking to rent a RV.  If you aren’t planning to take an RV trip for another month, you may want to take the time to examine each of the options listed above.  This can enable you to find the best RV for your needs by properly comparing all of your options, in terms of both features and cost.

It is also important to remember that renting is not your only option.  If you have rented a motor home before and liked the experience, you may want to consider making a purchase instead.  Never assume that a motor home is financially out of your reach.  There are many used RVs available for sale, with affordable price tags attached. Try you local lenders for help financing the purchase of your RV.

Is you perfect holiday traveling the open road in an RV? If you do, you may have recently made a motor home purchase.  If you if are not an RV owner, RV rentals are easy to come across, as well as afford.  When you travel by RV, where do you go?  What do you like to see?  If you are like many other motor home lovers, there is a good chance that you use your motor home to travel to vacations or to visit long distance friends or relatives.

As previously stated, a number of RV owners and renters use their RVs to travel to visit friends and family members who live a considerable distance away.  Of course, these are all great RV travel purposes, but did you know that there are a number of events that are perfect for traveling by motor home?  There are.  In fact, many motor home owners and renters are surprised with all of the options that they have.  Speaking options, a few events that are perfect for those traveling by motor home are highlighted below for your convenience.

As for sporting events, NASCAR races are the most popular with RV owners and renters.  NASCAR races operate different than most other sporting events, as ticket holders don’t just gain access to one day events.  Many NASCAR ticket holders are able to get tickets for practice sessions and qualifying races, all of which are held on different days.  That is one of the many reasons why NASCAR races are perfect for sports fans who love to travel by RV.

Although NASCAR races are, by far, one of the most attended events by RV owners and renters, other sporting events are popular as well.  Due to the popular pre-game event of tailgating, traveling by RV to an NFL football game is a great idea.  There is nothing better than throwing a tailgating party while having many of the comforts of home.  Many other football fans wish that they had more than the back of a truck.

Aside from using an RV to plan long distance trips to catch up with friends or relatives, the next most popular activity is that of camping.  RV camping is a great way to experience the outdoors, without having to give up all modern day luxuries.  In terms of camping, those traveling in RVs have a number of options.  Perhaps, the best option is that of an RV park.  RV parks are designed with motor homes in mind.  Another option is that of public campgrounds with RV accommodations.

Family reunions, even they tend to appear as if they were a thing of the past, are a great way to keep in touch with long distance relatives.  If your relatives are scattered all across the country and if you are unable to visit each person individually, a family reunion may be a great idea.  A family reunion is also the perfect event to travel to in an RV.  This is mostly due in part to the fact that many reunions take place in national parks or campground parks, which typically offer overnight accommodations for RV owners.

If you have a love for antiques, as well as RVs, you may be interested in attending antique shows.  The good news about owning or renting a motor home is that you do not have to limit yourself in terms of distance.  You have the opportunity to travel by RV all across the country to attend antique shows, flea markets, as well as other large sales.  Depending on the size of your RV, you may have a decent amount of space to store all of your purchases.

Antique shows, camping, family reunions, NASCAR races, NFL football games, and other sporting events are just a few of the many events you may want to consider attending when traveling in a RV.  With that being said, there is no reason needed to travel by motor home. The best part of traveling in an RV is that your home goes wherever you go.

Is a road trip in an RV something you want to do? Have you recently decided that you would like to take trip in an RV?  If you have, you likely have a number of tasks that you need to get stared with completing.  One of those tasks involves packing for your trip.  To reduce the number of complications that you run into, you are urged to create a traveling by RV checklist for yourself.  When doing so, however, there are a number of dos and don’ts that you will want to keep in mind.

As previously stated, you do want to create a traveling by RV checklist for yourself.  This can do wonders for improving your trip.  An otherwise good trip can be ruined when you don’t have everything that you need, like a swimsuit or a raincoat.

Do create a checklist well in advance of your trip.  Waiting until a day or two before your RV trip can result in you rushing a checklist.  This may also result in you forgetting important wants and needs.  With that being said, even if you are planning a last minute RV trip, like one where you may leave the next day, a checklist is still advised.

Don’t rely too heavily on free printable checklists.  Free camping and traveling checklists are easy to find online with a standard internet search.  Although they can be helpful, you will find that most are generalized lists.  They will not list all of the items that you will want or need to bring with you on your next RV trip.

Do use free printable RV checklists as guides or starting points.  What you can do is either print them off or write down some of the items listed and add from there.  For example, would you like to bring board games or magazines along for the ride?  If so, add these items and any others to the free RV checklist that you printed from the internet.

Do let those that you are traveling with add to your RV checklist.  This is easy if you are traveling with your family.  Have them create their own checklist or let them add to yours.  This is important to ensure that all members of your traveling party are happy on your next RV trip and have everything that they need.

Don’t create a checklist for yourself and then toss it off to the side.  Doing so often results in lost or misplaced checklists.  What you will want to do is take your checklist and put it in a safe spot, such as on your refrigerator.  This allows you to add any additional items that you may think of at a later date and time.

Do start your packing and shopping as soon as possible. This is one of the many benefits to creating a checklist well in advance of your RV trip.  If you want to save money, buy necessities, like food and drinks, when they are on sale.

Do check items off your checklist as you pack them or place them in your RV.  By not doing so, you can become unorganized.  When you have a list that has nothing crossed off of it, you are more likely to get confused.  This can result in you forgetting to pack some of the items that you did list.

As highlighted above, there are a number of benefits to creating a checklist for your next RV trip.  With that being said, you will want to use caution when doing so. Make sure you use your checklist when planning your trip or you will have wasted you time making the checklist in the first place.

Are you trying to plan a long RV holiday?  If you are, you may be excited. After all, experiencing the United States from the comfort of a motor home is an opportunity that many individuals wish they had.  With that being said, it is even possible to be bored while traveling long distances aboard an RV.  For that reason, you will want to make sure that your motor home is stocked full of fun activities that you can enjoy while on the road.

When making sure that your RV is filled with activities for you and the rest of your traveling party to enjoy, it is important to take your wants, needs, and hobbies into consideration. For example, do you enjoy kitting or drawing?  If so, you may want to bring these supplies along with you for the ride.  If you are a passenger, as opposed to a driver, you may find quite a bit of time on your hands.

The items that you have readily available to stay occupied on your RV should all depend on your own personal preferences and the preferences of those that you are traveling with.  A few common items that you may also want to add to your RV trip checklist are highlighted below for your convenience.

Board games and card games are ideal activities to have on hand for traveling by RV.  Board games are ideal for family trips, as many board games require at least two players.  As for card games, there are many multi-player card games and solo games that are perfect for traveling on the road.  Most board games and card games are nice, as they are relatively affordable to purchase and easy to store.

Video gaming consoles are great for traveling by RV.  They are ideal for individuals of all ages, but children tend to have the most fun with them.  If you own or rent an RV that comes equipped with a television set, you may have more options.  However, hand held video gaming consoles are often a better idea.  For large family trips, handled video games keep the television set free for others to enjoy and watch.

Speaking of television sets, most luxury and modern motor homes come equipped with a small television.  Many also come with movie players or you can bring your own.  In these instances, DVDs or VHS tapes should be brought on your trip.  Even if your motor home does not have a television, you can still purchase portable DVD players.  They are ideal if you plan to travel by RV or even by car on a regular basis.

Reading is another activity enjoyed by many traveling by RV. For that reason, be sure to stock up on some reading material.  Adults and children both enjoy reading books and magazines.  Book stores and libraries are great way to find books and magazines to take on your trip.

The above mentioned items are just a few of the many that you may want to consider having on hand when traveling by RV.  As fun as it is to travel by RV and sight-see along the way, there are still a number of benefits to having fun activities for the road. This will make it fun for all the family and the miles will go by faster.

Few places around the world lend a friendlier hand than Dublin. The Emerald Isle offers wonderful hospitality, complemented by its warm and friendly hosts. A cosmopolitan city, Dublin is rightly proud of its rich heritage, but also presents a modern face in keeping with contemporary culture.

1. Trinity College

Housing the Book of Kells, a near two century old manuscript written by monks, Trinity College is Dublin’s oldest university, built in 1592.

2. Christ Church Cathedral

Dublin’s oldest building dates back nearly one thousand years to 1038. It was built courtesy of the invading Vikings, a monument to serve a powerful army.

3. Dublin Castle

Dating back to the Norman invasion, this wonderful example of medieval architecture captures the artistic influence of the time. Magnificent painted ceilings and crystal chandeliers portray the Ireland of one thousand years ago.

4. National Gallery of Ireland

Monet and Picasso are just two of the influential artists on display in the city’s largest gallery. Some 2,500 paintings give a flavour of a historic past and present.

5. Guinness Storehouse

Ireland’s most famous export was once brewed in this famous old building. Since relocated, the Guinness Storehouse now delights in telling its visitors how one of the world’s favourite beverages came to be.

6. Temple Bar

Contrasting Dublin’s historic ancestry, Temple Bar brings the city right up to modern day with its cosmopolitan mix of bars, restaurants, shops and art galleries.

7. Smithfield Village

More eating, drinking and shopping can be found at Smithfield Village, a newly renovated development. A walk to the top of the Chimney presents magnificent, panoramic views of Dublin.

8. Grafton Street

Big name department stores trade alongside local craft shops in the busiest shopping area of Dublin. Traditional Irish gifts and souvenirs can be found more easily in the adjacent Nassau Street.

9. Pint of Guinness

No visit to Ireland would be complete without a tipple of the world famous Irish Guinness. Locals say it tastes better in its home city. Well, there’s only one way to find out!

10. Irish Grand National

You can smell the money amongst the punters present at one of the great sporting events of the calendar. Join the runners and riders during the month of April to witness the Irish Grand National.

High spirits and vitality govern in abundance when in Barcelona. This infectious capital of Catalonia, and second largest city in Spain, exudes soul and energy, living life to the full. Barcelona’s verve is matched by its magnificent architecture, characterised by one man’s signature, Antonio Gaudi.

1. Las Ramblas

Running from seafront through to Placa de Catalunya, Las Ramblas is a fusion of market stalls and street entertainment. Watch out for the mime artists, though keep a hand on your wallet.

2. Sagrada Familia Church

In progress since 1882, La Sagrada Familia is perhaps Antonio Gaudi’s most magnificent achievement. As yet unfinished, the ongoing construction of this gothic masterpiece is financed through tourism.

3. Picasso Museum

Born in Malaga, Pablo Picasso moved to Barcelona during his teen years. Though many of his greatest works are in private hands, the Picasso Museum on the Carrer Moncada is well worth a visit.

4. Casa-Museu Gaudi

A pink, Alice-in-Wonderland house is the setting for the Gaudi museum. Gaudi lived in this surreal location between 1906 and 1926 with his niece. Exhibits in the museum include furniture, drawings and portraits designed by the great man himself.

5. The Poble Espanyol

Completed in 1929, the ‘Spanish Village’ is a compilation of buildings representing the collective architectural characteristics of Spain. A celebration of all things Spanish, the village has become a gathering place to dine and be entertained.

6. Bishop’s Palace

After being destroyed by fire, Bishop Juan Bautista Grau i Vallespinós commissioned Antonio Gaudi to design a new, more magnificent palace in 1887. Upon the bishop’s death, and consequent interference from the diocese, Gaudi abandoned the project. It was not inhabited until 1961.

7. Gothic Quarter

On the site of an ancient Roman village, the Gothic Quarter is a contrast of contemporary and medieval architecture, incorporating the magnificent 14th century cathedral.

8. Olympic Stadium

During 1992, the eyes of the world focused on the Olympic Stadium in Barcelona as they hosted the Olympic Games. Today a popular athletics facility, the stadium was a redesigned version of the original built in 1929.

9. Passeig de Gracia

As one of the major shopping areas of Barcelona, Passeig de Gracia caters for the modest, and also those who prefer the more sophisticated boutiques. Bars and restaurants also line the thoroughfare.

10. Lover’s Day

On behalf of those looking for romance, Barcelona obliges with its own version of St Valentines, known as Lover’s Day, celebrated every April 23rd.

An enticing fusion of ancient and avant-garde, Amsterdam is a beautiful city of creative legacy. Take a walk along the cobbled streets and serene canals and you can seem a million miles from the vibrant nightlife on every corner.

1. Dam Square
Dam Square is the hub of the city and located on the site of the original Amstel dam. The focal point of the Square is the Royal Palace. Originally the town hall, it became regal following Louis Napoleon’s crowning in 1808.

2. Anne Frank’s House
In close proximity to the Square, Anne Frank’s house provides a constant reminder of Nazi occupation during the Second World War. Her infamous diary is kept here; be prepared to queue as it gets very busy during the tourist season.

3. Rijksmuseum
The fabulous Rijksmuseum is home to some of the most important historic art in the world. Perhaps the most famous pieces here are that by Rembrandt; the works of Frans Hals and Vermeer also feature prominently. Beautiful examples of porcelain dolls and dolls’ houses can also be seen.

4. Van Gogh Museum
Another unmissable illustration of fine art is exhibited at the purpose built Van Gogh Museum. Including many of his finest pieces, the Van Gogh Museum is home to the largest collection of his work in the world.

5. Albert Cuypmarkt
If you feel the need to shop, the Albert Cuypmarkt offers just about everything you could wish to buy. This cosmopolitan shopping region will provide your credit card fix.

6. Queen’s Day
A sight to behold, Queen’s Day is the celebration of all that is gay and lesbian. Music is pumped from every corner, as what seems to be the entire world’s gay population descends on Amsterdam.

7. Vondelpark Summer
This summer festival is held between June and August and features all forms of entertainment including open air concerts, theatre and cabaret. The fun is enjoyed by men, women and children of all ages.

8. Holland Festival
The Dutch certainly enjoy their festivals; this is the biggest annual arts event in the country and continues for three weeks during the month of June.

9. Dutch Clogs
You cannot visit Holland without at least trying on a pair of their famous wooden clogs. Other iconic souvenirs include Dutch dolls and Delft pottery. Cheese and the famous windmills are also very popular.

10. Grand Cafes
Amsterdam’s notorious cafes are spread densely throughout the city. Take a well earned break and try the local erwtensoep as you wet your whistle.

What image does a New England Christmas conjure up in your mind?

A Currier and Ives scenes of a snow-bound village with festive decorations… skating on a frozen pond… or taking in an exciting holiday show in Boston? And if you have kids… no Christmas is complete without a ride on the Polar Express – New England style.

Here’s where you can experience six holiday magic events this season…

BRIGHT NIGHTS AT FOREST PARK

Billed as New England’s single most popular holiday destination, “Bright Nights at Forest Park” is entering its ninth season. Located in the Forest Park area of downtown Springfield, Western Massachusetts, it’s a wonderland of marvelous displays such as this year’ lost in time display where eight mammoth dinosaurs come to light along side an exploding volcano with flowing lava.

Entrance fee is $12 per car and the show begins on November 23, 2005 at 6:00pm and operates through January 1, 2006.

CHRISTMAS AT THE NEWPORT MANSIONS

Each holiday season the Newport Mansions of The Elms, The Breakers, and Marble House put on a stunning show of spectacular evergreens, trees, thousands of poinsettia plants, fresh flowers and wreaths.  The great entrances and hallways display magnificently decorated trees. The dining tables are set with period silver and china, and mannequins are dressed in authentic costumes.

You can see this stunning display of seasonal decorations at these Newport Mansions yourself November 12 through to January 1, 2006.

NEW ENGLAND CHRISTMAS AT OLD STURBRIDGE VILLAGE

Between December 1, 2005 and January 1, 2005 Old Sturbridge Village in Massachusetts will be transformed so you can experience a 19th century New England Christmas.

Old Sturbridge Village has always been one of my favorite places to visit and discover about life in 19th century New England. Now with the holiday season upon us, the village once again displays its ability to provide a discovery experience in a fun and entertaining way, and with a New England Christmas flavor.

THE BOSTON CHRISTMAS SEASON

Whether you delight in taking in the seasonal favorite of Boston Ballet’s “The Nutcracker” or soaking up “glad tidings of joy” at Symphony Hall with the Boston Pops Holiday Series, Boston knows how to celebrate the season with special shows and concerts. And of course there’s always the Candlelight Carol Concerts at Trinity Church in the Back Bay area, and the famous “First Night” celebration.

The Boston Pops kicks off on Friday, December 9th at 8:00pm and continues through to their annual New Year’s Eve celebration on December 31st at 10:15pm. The Boston Ballet performs “The Nutcracker” at The Opera House, and the season starts on November 25th with performances through December 30th.

POLAR EXPRESS – CONNECTICUT STYLE

The North Pole Express is a popular nighttime steam train ride with live readings of Christmas stories, hot chocolate and cookies, sing-along, and holiday surprises. Special guest Santa Claus has a treat for all children, and you’re guaranteed lots of fun and lots of extras.

Essex Steam Train’s North Pole Express operates Fridays through Sundays December 2 through December 23, with special early trips on November 25-27. Tickets are sold at the Essex Train Station in Essex, Connecticut – call (860) 767-0103 or toll free 800 377-3987.

NEW ENGLAND CHRISTMAS TIME AT SANTA’S VILLAGE

Way up north is the village of Santa. You can visit him in the summer, and you can visit him in the fall, but the best to time visit him is… Christmastime! Santa’s Village is located in Jefferson, New Hampshire – a spot deep in the White Mountains. Santa is preparing for his world tour on Christmas Eve, but you can take a peek for a brief time if you hurry.

The village opens for the Christmas season on Friday November 25th from 11:00am to 7:00pm.  Then every Saturday from November 26th through December 17th from 11:00am to 7:00pm, and every Sunday from November 27th through December 18th from 11:00am to 6:00pm.

Make your New England Christmas magical this year by experiencing one or more of these attractions. It is after all the season to create unforgettable memories.

Student travel promises to be an enjoyable trip. Not only do students can visit several places, they could also learn so much on every trip. And since air travel agencies as well as airlines provide student travel discount and special student travel rate, student travel is becoming more and more available for greater number of students who want to explore and learn more about the world.

For first time travelers, here are some historical destinations you can consider for you student travel:

Athens
As the center of knowledge, government, and system in the ancient world, every student would be amazed how this ancient city grew and evolved. Students can visit Acropolis, Agora, Library of Hadrian, Kerameikos, Olympieion & Southeast Athens, Pnyx, Roman Agora & Tower of the Winds, Arch of Hadrian, City Eleusinion and other ancient sites in this ancient city of Athens.

Egypt
Visit one of the earliest civilizations founded in this part of the world. Egypt features 3000 years old city in the banks of River Nile. Egypt is also one of the oldest tourist spots in the world with visitors coming from the ancient Rome and Greece.

Moving your way south from Cairo, the nation’s capital, you can stop at Giza where the infamous Great Pyramid stands. It was built by Pharaoh Khafu in the year 2550 BC. Standing at 147 meters, it was the largest and the most ambitious structure built in the ancient Egypt requiring 2.3 million stone block to erect. Also at Giza, see the Pyramid of Khafre home if the Sphinx. It was built 30 after the Great Pyramid. As the second largest, the Pyramid of Khafre stands at 144 meters of 471 feet. The third pyramid located at Giza was the Pyramid of Menkaure which stands at 65 meters or 213 feet.

Further south, Saqqara is home to the Step Pyramid of Djoser built in 2630 BC. Pyramid of Pepi II, also located at Saqqara was the last pyramid built by ancient Egyptians. In Dahshur, the Bent and the Red Pyramids are located. And down south at Maidum, the Maidum Pyramid can be found.

See the temples, mummies, tombs, hieroglyphics, and Valley of the Kings and the Queens if you visit Egypt.

Rome
See ancient Rome still intact with evidences of Roman structure and architectures built more than 2000 years ago. Rome presents the living timeline from the Roman Empire to the shift of the Middle Ages, to baroque and renaissance, to the dawn of the romantic period and enlightenment. Rome preserves its temples, churches, arts, and priceless paintings and murals.

Turkey
A former territory of the Roman Empire which stood strong for more than a thousand years against several barbarian attack. Turkey is in the easternmost part of Europe that features a diverse culture, religion, philosophy, and architectures.

China
Travel Far East and learn the history of the ancient eastern civilization that was once unknown until the last centuries. See the Great Wall, a remnant of the Zhou Dynasty along with other unique oriental culture and tradition. See the Chinese painting, calligraphy, paper cutting, and Chinese art.

Peru
As the center of the Inca civilization, Peru is a great destination for student travel for discovery of South American history. The 500-year old Inca traces could be relived in the Inca Trail that is both exciting and educational. Walk to the Ollantaytambo, Sacsayhuaman, Machu Picchu, and Pisac.

If there’s one thing that many visitors at Disneyland find annoying or frustrating, is the long lines for the rides. You can literally spend several hours of the day standing in line to ride popular attractions. These lines can be avoided in one of five ways.

One way to avoid getting stuck in long lineup is to purchase FastPass tickets for the rides that offer them. Do this early to ensure that you get to ride those rides earlier in the day.

Second, ride many of the popular rides later in the evening, while the majority of people are enjoying the entertainment. Disneyland has nightly entertainment, and this is a good time to find shorter lines. Of course, it will mean that you probably miss the entertainment, so if you can use one of the other options for shorter lines at Disneyland, you should probably do so. Besides if you are deciding to stay in Disneyland for a few days, you can always plan to explore the nightly entertainment on the last of day of your trip, it’s great way to end your holiday.

Third, avoid going to Disneyland during busy times such as between Christmas and New year, spring break, the summer months, or on Saturdays.

Fourth, get to the park early. The lines are shorter in the morning when the park first opens. Instead of jumping in line for the first ride you see, head for the rides that you really want to ride the most – the most popular rides, which includes “Indiana Jones,” “Pirates of the Caribbean,” “Matterhorn,” “Thunder Mountain,” “Haunted Mansion,” and “Splash Mountain”.

Last but not least there are websites that are so dedicated to providing informations on Disneyland such as mouseplanet.com or laughingplace.com. These sites can help you provide a better plan of attack sort of speak, by providing the best times to visit, which rides you should visit first, how to get cheap tickets and so on.

Planning your vacation to the happiest place on earth is becoming more critical every year to avoid long lineup as it will have tremendous impact on your overall experience and your wallet.

According to the latest reports from the tourism industry Turkey remains the number one emerging holiday hotspot despite recent cases of the human form of avian flu having been discovered in remote areas of the country.

The appeal of the country for those in search of a dream vacation destination stems from the following five key reasons: -

1)    Turkey is a vast country with a rich historical and cultural background that offers the summer holidaymaker some of the most stunningly beautiful and unspoilt beaches on the Mediterranean Sea and some of the most exciting resorts which are becoming increasingly popular with European sports stars and celebrities.

2)    The summer sunshine shines in southern Turkey from March until October giving tourists the chance to sample the delights of this inimitably interesting nation throughout the spring, summer and autumn.

3)    In the winter Turkey plays host to winter sports fans and those in need of some après ski fun in a wide range of sophisticated ski resorts where prices are far lower than in Austria, Italy or Switzerland but where the quality of facilities and amenities are on a par with those of the best European winter sport resorts.

4)    Prices for holiday accommodation to rent or even buy in Turkey are the lowest in the entire Mediterranean region and it’s possible for a family of four to rent a villa with sea views and a private pool for a tenth of the price of a similar property in Spain, Cyprus, Italy or France.  Furthermore anyone wishing to buy a holiday home in the sun will save hundreds of thousands of dollars, euros or pounds by buying property in Turkey rather than buying property on the Greek Islands or on the Spanish Costas for example.

5)    The accessibility of Turkey is improving all the time as more airlines open up more routes to and from Turkey from across Europe.  One of the most recent developments in this area is a new regular British Airways flights from the UK to Dalaman and in terms of domestic flights within Turkey they are incredibly affordable which gives the holiday maker a chance to enjoy a dual or multi location holiday in the vast nation of Turkey.

Thailand has one of the most beautiful beaches on the planet.  For those that have traveled there they know that the beauty of this untouched place makes for some of the best vacations in the world.  This is coupled with the vast amount of historical culture that abounds the countryside and there is never a shortage of things to do in this country.  Because much of this land is untouched by development you will find that relaxation and peaceful living is more than possible.  The reaches of the mighty have not gotten this far and that means that you will get the very best in the vacation arena, especially when it comes to the Thailand beach areas.

Khao Lak is a wonderful Thailand beach.  Just a short drive from the airport, this paradise offers a remote vacation area like no other.  Thanks to the area being largely uninhabited, there is lush rain forest nearby along with a whole host of wildlife to be viewed.  The water remains warm in the November through December months and the fishing and scuba diving is out of this world.

Phuket Thailand Beach is another great spot.  Enjoy this resort November through March.  There is more than enough to do.  It is a bit more crowded than other beaches as this area thrives on the tourism dollars that it brings in.  The scuba diving is top notch in this area and you will also find some of the warmest most clear water in the world.  There are several nearby attractions to keep one busy for quite a few days.

Phi Phi Don Thailand beach is quite the turn around.  Once a remote and nearly unknown place, this Thailand beach came to life when Hollywood came in and filmed a movie here.  It is now considered to be one of the most popular beaches in the entire country and is frequented by many big names.  This is a site that you will not want to miss, as the views are breathtaking and the water warm and inviting.

West Raily Thailand beach is one of the undiscovered diamonds in the rough.  There is very little that is expensive here and one can stay at the “resort” for over a week and barely tap the budget.  The sands are milky white and the water clear.  Scuba diving is very popular here as well as the fishing.  This location is only accessible by long tail boat so plan for a bit of a long ride.

In many countries, professions such as waiters and hotel bellhops expect to be tipped. Tipping is an odd practice primarily because it is common and expected in some professions and not at all in others.  As adults, we become accustomed to tipping in the normal day in day out activity of our business and private lives.  Most adults have a tipping policy and they pretty much follow it without giving it much thought.

But when it comes to tipping on a business trips, its best to think about the use of tipping as a common courtesy in light of your business trip and how it can be used to benefit you during the trip.  To do that, think about the tip as a practice and why you do it at all. Mostly we know it is expected and we may also be thanking people for exceptional service.

Often your long business flight can turn into time well used for business. For most business people, this is lost productivity time that can be torture if you cannot get work done in flight.  How often have you said to yourself or to a coworker, “That’s all right, I will just work on that on the airplane.”  That is a noble intent but circumstances inside an airplane cabin, especially in coach, can make the fulfillment of that commitment hard to accomplish.

Like anything else, if you are going to redeem the time while you are in the air, you should come prepared with an agenda of work you can get done in that setting and with your expectations well in check before you even check in.  Let’s face it, the cabin of a domestic airplane is not designed for business productivity.  You may have a myriad of distractions from crying babies to a talkative neighbor.  The airline personnel have quite an agenda of items to interrupt your time with and then there is the turbulence and the narrow seats that dictate that whatever you are going to get done is going have to be done in a place of very little space availability.

To expect that you will have the seat next to you to spread out your work or that this will be the flight of perfect peace and quiet is to set yourself up for frustration and disappointment.  So to be prepared to achieve some level of productivity on an airplane, be aware of these limitations and design your work so you can use that time within those constraints, not in spite of them.

A basic necessity to use to realize some level of concentration in flight is a good set of ear plugs or an earphone and an ipod.  You can use that device to pipe music to your mind that can be conducive to concentration and thought.  Now earphones sufficient to block out the kind of distractions you will encounter on an airplane will have to be pretty sophisticated.  So don’t cut corners on this purchase.  It will pay you back over and over as you use them to block out surface noise in airplane cabin.

The best way to walk off of that airplane with a sense of accomplishment is to set your goals before you board and make them goals you can attain.  You cannot expect to be able to open up your laptop and work peacefully in coach.  It is very possible you will be able to do that but you may find turbulence, an active population around you or other factors may make such work very difficult to do.  So to be sure, prepare a project to work on using your laptop but don’t be disappointed if it turns out to be too difficult to attempt.  And above all avoid having a deadline you have to hit using the time during your flight to make up for lost time on your deadlines.   That will only make the flight frustrating and result in an angry and worn out business traveler.

The best form of work you can assign to yourself is analysis or reading.  If you have a document or some documents to review, the confines of an airplane seat accommodate that work just fine.  Business reading is easily the best form of work to do in flight.  Using those head phones to block out the world, you can lay back with a book, a business magazine or a report and take your time to study it or read lengthy blocks of that material during a long flight.  In a two to three hour flight, you can read entire chapters of a business book and come off the flight with a tremendous amount of food for thought to take into your businesses meetings at your destination.

It is possible to redeem the time in the air by accomplishing some solid work.  But the key to getting success at that goal is to be realistic about what can be done in an airplane seat and tailoring your expectations and goals accordingly. Doing this will let you use your time on the flight productively.

Traveling internationally is becoming a more common way of doing business especially as the Internet has opened companies up to a world of new opportunities. International business travel is rapidly becoming common to work out deals and to organize international partnerships. The economy is becoming more global as the world becomes “flat” due to increased communications and the rise of the economies around the world.  No longer are businesses deals assumed to occur only on a national scale.  To look at the business community as an international neighborhood is in step with the markets of this century.  And that means that you could easily find yourself flying overseas to conduct the business of your company.  And international travel takes some preparation.

Long before you book your flights to travel overseas, you will need to get your documentation in order so you can pass through customs and get on your way.  Due to increased security, an up to date passport has become essential to even travel to adjacent countries.  Due to the increased requirement of passports, it takes longer to get that documentation together so plan early to secure your passport so you don’t come up short when it is time to conduct your overseas business.

Also, keep in mind that a visa is required to travel to some countries.  So when you set up the business meetings, find out from your contact at your destination country what is required.  To get a visa, you will need to have had your passport for at least six months.  In addition, you will need an original copy of an invitation from your host in the destination country.  Those documents will be taken to the local embassy of your destination country to get your visa issued to you.  So plan these steps if a visa is necessary for your trip.

Next to the legal documents, health issues are second in priority to attend to for a successful business trip.  You may need to get your vaccinations up to date for certain destinations of your trip.  Consult your doctor so you are ready.  Do some preparation for the unlikely chance that you will have a health emergency overseas.  This is a place where travel insurance is a good idea.  If you are hurt or have a severe illness overseas, you will need that kind of assistance to get medical care and to get moved back home for long-term care.

Also be sure your medical documents are available and copied in several places should you become separated from them.  You want to be able to access insurance information, emergency contacts, information about medication you need and emergency contacts even if you loose everything overseas.  One way to do that is to scan critical documents and store them on the internet in a folder that you can get to from anywhere in the world.

Use much of the same travel savvy that keeps you safe traveling domestically when preparing to go to a foreign country.  You probably do not have knowledge of the town you are going to and where the safe places are to stay and dine and what neighborhoods to avoid.  You can use very current travel books and internet information to learn that kind of “street knowledge” before you leave.  But nothing replaces a local contact.  Use your business contacts on the other end of your travel plans to advise you on not only where to go but where to avoid when coming into town.

Your contact in the foreign country you are traveling to can also give you insights about how to handle transportation and security in his or her country.  Hailing a taxi may not work the same over there as it does here.  And you want to avoid getting into a vehicle that is not a legitimate carrier who may not take you where you want to go or should go once they pick you up at the airport.

Also, spend some time learning local customs and methods of communication.  Be aware of how you act, stand and use your hands as you could without knowing set off a dangerous situation.  For example, the thumbs up sign in western cultures means affirmation and success.  But in the Middle East, a thumbs up is the same as showing the middle finger is to us. You do not want to upset anyone in authority in an Arabic country just because you are ignorant of local laws and customs.

Doing business in a foreign country can be a strange experience. The odd thing about business travel is to some extent, it is a mixture of what you know the very strange.  The business you are going out to do you know how to do.  Whether it discussing a new business project, developing a software product or attending a seminar or conference, the business part of your business trip is probably not the hardest part.

But if you are new to business travel, there are some aspects to it that are very different from travel for leisure and ways to prepare for the trip that will make or break whether it goes well or you come home frustrated in your efforts.  Just like any business venture, the key word for success in this venture is preparation.  Above all, have your business program well organized and ready to use when you get there.  If you are giving a presentation, have it finished, the PowerPoint slides prepared and tested and all of your equipment ready to go when you set out.  The sheer fact that you are prepared for the work you are going to this new city to do will relieve your tension tremendously.

But preparation doesn’t stop just in planning for a successful business effort.  Do your homework about the place you are going and how you will handle the trip once you get there.  Here are some key things you should think well in advance about to assure your trip goes well.

Your plane flight.  As soon as you know your destination, book that flight.  The earlier you nail that down, the more you know you will have a flight and that your choice of seats is assured.  This can make business travel by air much less stressful.

Driving in a new town.  If you are going to drive in a new town, be sure you have maps and know how to negotiate the roads.  It’s a whole different world to drive in Boston compared to driving in Kansas City.  If you can avoid driving, make sure your ground transportation is arranged ahead of time.

Accommodations.  Obviously, book your hotel well in advance to assure you will have a room when you get there.  Only in situations where you are not sure where you will end up should you put this off.  The last thing you want would be to need a room at 11 p.m. and everything in town is booked up.

Extraordinary needs.  If you have medicines or other needs that are going to require special planning, get out ahead of that too.  If there are business needs you will require upon your arrival, you can ship things ahead for yourself so that equipment is waiting in your destination office when you arrive.

Dealing with security.  Remember that homeland security at airports is tight and the rules change from time to time.  You can usually find the current restrictions and ways the airlines will allow you to travel on the internet.  By knowing this in advance, you can avoid a lot of heartache when you get to the airport.

Money.  You don’t want to have wads of cash with you when you travel but think ahead about how much cash and other monetary needs you should have.  Travel with plenty of credit at your disposal.  Emergency situations on the road can be defrayed with good credit or you can find yourself in a real jam without it.  If you are traveling overseas, become familiar with the monetary system you will be using there.

Things you take for granted.  Little things mean a lot.  If you have creature comforts you need in the hotel room, think about them and pack such things so you can feel as at home as possible.  Something as small as your favorite pillow or a scented candle to relax you can make all the difference in your ability to rest and be ready for business the next day.

By doing plenty of good planning, you can assure yourself that you have what you need on the trip and nothing more.  This will become more natural as you travel more. Always be prepared before you travel and you can be confident everything is well taken care of.

We all know the further ahead you plan your travel the better deals you will get. But in the world of business, it often occurs that you have to get to a destination immediately and the ability to move swiftly is critical to the success of the business goal.  The good news is that you can do some preparations well in advance for short notice business trips so you are not caught completely without a plan.

You don’t want to have to flounder around about how to book a flight and where to stay if the business journey looms suddenly and immediately.   Short notice business trips seem to be endemic of certain industries and job descriptions so if you know you will go through this drill often, you can make some arrangements far in advance so you have a checklist of just what to do when you find out that you must be at your destination virtually immediately.

First of all, in a short notice travel situation, economy takes a second priority.  Your employer knows that if you have to book full fare on an airline to get to your destination at a specific time, the higher expense is unavoidable.  Make sure that your company travel policy has some clauses to put aside travel budget limits in such a scenario.

The part of the trip where you will have the least “wiggle room” will be airline accommodations.  Of course, you can use the big internet search tools like Travelocity or Orbitz.  In general, those are good places to start to find what airlines do have flights at your specified times.  But once you pick an airline, working through the airline’s web site directly will show you the most options they can offer and sometimes provide you with better fares, even on short notice.   Be sure you watch the travel details closely so you don’t find yourself enduring long layovers that are going to jeopardize the tight timetable of the business meetings you need to attend.  If necessary, spend the money on nonstop flights to assure that the business goal of the trip is top priority.

Do your homework about hotel accommodations well in advance.  If there are likely destinations that you could be called upon to go to quickly, you can do your research on the closest hotels to the business site so you cut down on commutes once you are there.  By having your target hotels bookmarked and the phone numbers on file, you can quickly call and set up your accommodations in a matter of minutes.  But if you find that your best choices for hotels are booked up on the days you will be at your site, call them anyway.  A good hotel will call around to other hotels in the area and get you a room as close to your destination as possible.  They can save you hours of frustration searching for a replacement room.

Rental cars are usually not as much of a problem.  It’s a good idea to call ahead and get a reservation but short of a major convention or sporting event in town, there are so many rental car agencies that you should be able to find a car to rent even if you don’t start your search until you are on the ground at your destination city.

You can make other preparations for the possibility of a short notice business trip like having your toiletries and personal affects you always travel with packed and ready to walk out the door. By doing this you will save yourself a lot of time, worry and stress and  it will minimize the likelihood of leaving something behind.

Traveling for business is not always just about business – it is profitable and rewarding and a good opportunity to see some more of the world. But there are some downsides to the life on the road especially if you must travel for business often.  Besides the occasional airport delay or layover and the ever present issue of how weather affects your business trips, it is always hard to say goodbye to your family as you go out of town to accomplish the mission of your business trip.

For many business people, one solution is to take their family with them on business trips if the nature of the trip will accommodate such arrangements.  Few would deny the road weary business traveler the joys of having family with them on a challenging trip.  And for your family, not only does this mean more time with you, it can be a big adventure for everybody involved.

Taking your spouse on a business trip is entirely different scenario than if you are planning a trip to include the spouse and children.  In that your spouse is an adult, can rent a car and plan a day without help and mold his or her schedule around yours, a spouse can be a huge plus to you because you have that familiar face to greet you in the hotel room when you return from your business affairs of the day.  And there is a strange vicarious enjoyment to be had as you are working hard to know your spouse is taking in the pleasures of the local area which you will hear about that night.

Taking the kids on a business trips gets to be more of a logistical challenge and there are some real limitations to the kind of trip that will work as a full family outing.  One of the big factors in determining if this trip is a good one for the whole family to enjoy is location.  If the trip is to a popular destination such as Orlando or California where your spouse and children can find plenty to do each day, then it’s a good situation for bringing the family along.

Other locations that make great choices to include the family are historic and memorable cites such as New York, New Orleans, San Francisco or some of the great overseas destinations like London, Paris or Rome.  If the children have your spouse to guide their tours, those trips with you can be events to remember and tremendous learning experiences that they will be talking about to their grandkids decades from now.

Obviously, the time of year for your business travel is a determining factor on whether the children can tag along.  Summer business trips work well for such plans but if your travel will interrupt the children’s school schedule, it usually is not feasible to include them.  Now in a case where there is significant educational benefit to the trip, there may be some concessions to be made to the children out of school if they will gain valuable experiences from the trip.

But all of these factors, including just including your spouse on the trip will hinge on one important factor that only you can determine.  And that is how much time you will be able to spend with the family when you are working and traveling.  It is well known that business travel also frequently means long yours and then business dinners and negotiations that can go into the night.  If you are going on a trip that such dedication to the task is necessary, it’s best not to bring the family.  It does them no good to come along on an exciting business outing only to find themselves never seeing you until the flight home.  They will feel frustrated and you will wonder what value there was to the expense and trouble of bringing them if you could not enjoy them except to kiss them good night in their hotel beds and good-bye in the morning.

But if all of the factors fall into place, taking the family along on an occasional business trip can take a humdrum trip and put some real fun into it.  So keep your eye on that business travel agenda you have. There just may be the opportunity to take your family with you on an occasional business trip.

It can be easy to lose control of you costs when you are traveling for business. But if you are working from a per diem or have other constraints on your travel budget, you should learn some cost cutting methods that you can put into effect that won’t make your life miserable on the road.

These cost-cutting ideas are not just to stay out of trouble with the budget people back at the home office.  Often businesses have a set budget for business travel and once it is gone, no further trips can be made during that budget year.  So if you anticipate the need for more business trips in months ahead, it is prudent to keep an eye on costs as you go so you can conserve that limited budget to facilitate important trips yet to come.

Economizing on the road can be difficult because you are put right in the middle of the hospitality industry which, while good at making you feel comfortable and providing for your needs, hotels and restaurants are also good at running up your tab.  But there are some easy ways to sidestep a lot of unnecessary spending so you can stretch your business travel budget.

Eat before you go.  Airport restaurants or snack bars are notoriously overpriced.  So even if you are leaving early in the morning, have breakfast and get well satisfied before leaving home so you don’t have to buy food en route.

Wise packing.  Think through your life in the hotel and on the road.  You can buy travel sizes of almost everything you will need.  Moreover, you can pack some light and easy to carry snacks such as trail mix, candy bars or nuts that can be used to tide you over during the trip until you can get a good meal.  By being self-dependent during the trip, you save a lot by not using airport services.

A hotel is just a bed, a shower and a TV.  When booking your accommodations, think about where you should stay.  If you don’t need a luxury hotel, don’t book one.  If you are just staying the night in one place and then moving on, a clean, well run motel can take care of you just as well as the executive suite at the Hilton.

Share that ride.  If you are traveling as a party or you are meeting business partners at the destination, you can share cabs or rental vehicles and save business costs as well as conserve on burring fossil fuels unnecessarily.

Markets and delis.  You can even eat economically in a big town like New York or Orlando by using the same sense you have at home.  By taking an early trip to a nearby grocery, you can stock your room with fruits and travel foods and cut down on the amount of meals you have to eat out.

Public transportation.  If the town you re traveling to has safe and workable subways or other public transpiration, that can be much more efficient for you than renting a car.  Washington DC for example has outstanding rail transport that you can use rather than rent a car.

By using some of the same good common sense you use at home to keep expenses under control for your home budget, you can not only live inexpensively on the road, you can actually live better. There is nothing better than the feeling than living well for little cost and becoming known as a smart traveler.

In this day and age getting thro9ugh security takes longer than ever. Ever since homeland security has become such an issue, moving through airport security has become more difficult.  As a seasoned business traveler, this part of your business trip requires some savvy preparation and your knowledge of the system so you can sail through security at the airport as quickly as possible.  But the ability to navigate airport security quickly is not something that comes easy or without some significant planning and training.

The biggest problem of getting through security is not you, it’s the other people who did not come prepared for this process.  If you get stuck behind someone who is completely stumped by what is expected of them, it can take forever to get through the system.  So the first priority is to hit airport security when the crowds are low.  The easiest way to accomplish this is to take the first flight of the day out of that airline.  This will be the time when there are fewer people in the airport than anytime of the day.

Usually it is only business travelers who are at the airport at six a.m. so they will be the ones that already know how to handle security and the lines will move much more quickly.  Like them, you have already learned the most recent rules about what will pass through security and what will get you stopped.  You will need your driver’s license and boarding pass several times as you move through the process.  So have that out early on and ready to show it often.  Don’t put that information away until you are on the other side of security and ready to go to the gate.  That one-step alone moves you along quickly through the different checkpoints of airport security.

Usually airport security uses a queuing system to handle the crowds.  That means that usually it is one long line moving up to the gates and then that line splits into several gates where various teams work the travelers through the scanning stations.  As you are standing in line to go through the gates, keep an eye on the different stations.  Some stations will stop more people or their equipment is too sensitive so it is moving slower.  You may notice that a new team has arrived and is preparing to open a new station.  With a bit of maneuvering in line, you can hit that new station as it opens and move through fast before the lines accumulate there.

This is also a place to do a bit of profiling.  While it is not ok for police to profile, you can look over the people ahead of you and profile those who will either be detained for scanning or will be a big problem when they are ready to put their stuff on the belts.  Certain ethnic groups might get scanned more often.  It’s sad but true.  We all want racial equality but if you can avoid being behind that person, you might get through security faster.  Also, avoid “amateur travelers” who have lots of kids, the elderly, people in wheelchairs or anyone who looks like they are confused by this process.  You can be a hero and help someone out if you have plenty of time.  But as the lines split up to go to the different stations, you can simply avoid being behind people who will slow up the process and go to the fast lines to get through more efficiently.

You can cut down on how much you get scanned before you get to the airport.  Wear slip-on shoes that you can get off quickly and back on quickly.  Boots and tie shoes just slow you down.  Keep the amount of “stuff” you are carrying through security to a minimum.  Put your wallet, keys and other pocket material in your briefcase or purse before you even get in line.  In that way you are down to shoes and that item to move through security and you can move more quickly.

These tricks of the trade can make the beginning of your business trip much less of a problem and get you to the gate more quickly. And, this will reduce the stress of your trip and let your focus on the purpose of your business trip.

When traveling for business you need to focus on what you need to achieve for your company. It’s important to know your objectives on a business trip and to set out with those goals in mind and to accomplish them.  But along the way, something rather amazing happens when you travel on business.  You may get to go to some pretty amazing places and get chances to see things you would have never sought out if you have your wits about you as you travel.

Business trips don’t have to be all about business.  There are times when you have completed your work and you can take in some of the local color, attractions and good food as part of your visit to an area.   The first resource to tap to find out what is really cool to enjoy in the city or town you are visiting are the locals.  If you go to a far away town to conduct business with a partner or vendor, they are often more than happy to show you the lay of the land and what is fun to see and do in town.

If you can secure the evening of a local in your destination town, you can get quite an amazing tour of the area and see things that tourists may never find.   It isn’t that hard to woo a local to be your guide.  If you have expense account money, you can arrange to buy your guide dinner on the company dime.  They get a good meal for free and you get a guided tour of the area.  The first lobster I ate in Boston happened when a person in the office I was working with took me to see the sights and find the best lobster in town.  She got a great meal and I enjoyed the local haunts of one of the great cities in the country.

But don’t be afraid to be a tourist if you are in a great city and you want to see the big sites.  If you are in New York and you want to take the tour of the Statue of Liberty and the boat ride around the island, by God, you just do that.  It can be a fine memory of your visit to the town and after all, you worked hard on your business objectives while in town so your entitled to some relaxation.

One of the best ways to get some free time to enjoy the local events and attractions is if you are there on Friday but your work must be continued on Monday.  Most businesses would rather pay for two nights in a hotel and meals rather than fly you home and back out again.  So you can keep your rental car and have two days to simply be a civilian for a while and really explore the local haunts.

To find those unique events in town that not many know about, read the local paper and look for those little local culture or arts papers like the Village Voice in New York.  These papers will carry details of festivals going on around the area, what is happening in the clubs and theaters in town as well.  You may find a regional celebration not far away that you can be part of and pretend to be a local for a few hours and have plenty of fun along the way.

If you do have a couple days to explore, don’t be afraid to travel a bit to see some things not that far away.  On the east coast, a trip up Highway One will move you through some of the most scenic New England towns you can imagine.  And you can linger and take a whale watching tour if you want to.  If you already have a rental car, usually it is no more expense to use it to see the state or go to the coast nearby where you are doing business.  At most it might cost you a tank of gas and for that you may get so see one of the great sights in the country.

Take advantage of your business travel to see the world, have some fun and as the song says “stop and smell the roses along the way”. Combining business with pleasure can make those long nights away from home not so empty.

No matter whether your trip is long or short, it is always tiring when traveling for business. The work of moving through airports, dealing with delays, handing your baggage, finding transportation at your destination city and getting to the meeting are a much greater stress than you ordinarily go through doing business at home.  But when you add the problems introduced by jet lag, you face physical distress that can almost feel like you are becoming ill as your body reacts to the long distance travel.

So it’s a good idea to have some techniques ready to use to prevent jet lag when you are traveling overseas or across several time zones.  Yes, you can get jet lag just traveling from the east to west coast domestically.  Jet lag comes from the change in time zones and the adjustment your body has to make to deal with the new time cycles in that time zone.

We are not aware of it but our bodies are finely tuned to work at their best in the time zone of our homes.  Our biological clocks are tuned to react to the time of day, the daylight and nighttime cycle, environmental factors and the magnetism of the local environment.  We have an internal monitor that tells us when we should sleep or be active based on that internal clock.

When we travel to a new time zone, while our mind finds it peculiar that it is a new time of day that is out of sync with what we know, our bodies go through quite a dramatic adjustment to adjust to the new environment.  That is why in a new time zone, you may not be able to sleep when it is 11 p.m. where you are because to your body, it may be the middle of the afternoon or the next morning.

The symptoms of jet lag are fatigue, lack of appetite, shortness of temper and even a feeling of mild nausea that comes from an internal system that has been thrown for a loop.  So the best cure for jet lag is good preparation so you can ease into the change of location without too much anxiety.  By reducing the effects of jet lag before they even happen, you make the potential that your business meetings will go well much more likely.

Start adjusting in advance.  If you can put yourself on the time frame of your destination a few days in advance, the jet lag won’t be as severe.  Start adjusting your sleep times and when you take your meals even before the trip begins so you are already “living in that time zone” before you even make the trip.

Keep a clean diet.  Jet lag experts advise that you simplify your diet significantly for several days before the trip.  Begin to reduce the amount of heavy foods, carbohydrates, sugars and fats in your diet and increase the level of fruits, vegetables and juices you consume.  This will make your system more nimble and able to adjust to change.

Give yourself time on the other end.  Try to make arrangements to arrive a day before your meetings so you have time in your hotel room to rest and prepare for the business objectives to be achieved.

Eliminate physical stress sources.  During the stressful time, try to cut down on physical stresses such as drinking or extreme physical exercise so your body has more reserves to handle the jet lag symptoms.

By thinking ahead about jet lag, you are taking the measures you need to take to eliminate a threat to the success of your business goals on this trip. So if you can minimize the effect of jet lag, your business trip will be a lot more successful.

Most experienced business travelers rarely experience trouble while they are traveling. Learning to be safe in this world has to become second nature for all of us.  When you learn to drive a car, its second nature to buckle your seat belt and check your blind spot when you change lanes.  But early in your life as a driver, you learned the need for those precautions, sometimes the hard way.

We don’t want to learn the rules of traveling safe on business trips the hard way.  When you are on the road for business, you are just as susceptible to danger or accidents as any tourist.  The difference is that as you have become “professional” at traveling to accomplish your business goals.  And those safety measures that you have to focus on at first become second nature.  Let’s look at some key safety precautions that must become part of that discipline of travel.

Avoiding crowds goes a long way toward taking you out of situations where thieves might lurk.  Not only that, it makes life on the road so much easier.  Check in lines may be one of the most frustrating rituals we have to go through as we travel.  And it is a place where thieves can “case” you because you have your luggage there, you often open your briefcase or purse and take out your wallet to show id.

So too avoid the check in line entirely, use your computer at home to log in and check the status of the flight so you don’t have to go to the airport too soon if it is delayed.  On your home computer, you can move your seat if possible and you can print your boarding pass and other important check in documents.  By getting all of this done at home, you can skip the check in line entirely and proceed directly to the gate.  Your homemade boarding pass will get you through security.

If you have baggage, don’t overlook the convenience of street side check in.  There you can check your bags quickly.  Show your boarding pass and your bags are safe as you head off happily to find the coffee shop to relax before your flight.

In addition to getting away from crowd situations at the airport, think about securing your financial information before you even go to the airport.  For one thing, you many of the cards and documents in your wallet do not need to go on the trip.  You don’t need your ATM card, your library card or your social security card.  You only need one credit card and your driver’s license.  So go through your wallet and cut down on what you are taking on the road.  It helps you travel lighter and safer.

But don’t stop there.  In addition to removing cards at home so they cannot get stolen, also remove valuables from where thieves would expect to see it.  Put most of your cash and credit cards in your checked baggage or on a money belt under your clothing.  You can still carry a wallet but it will only have enough cash for the day of travel and no additional documentation.  If you needed your driver’s license or credit card for check in, go to the bathroom and tuck them away.

Along with these precautions, stay in a state of awareness about your personal effects as you travel.  Watch your purse or briefcase and keep your head up at the terminal so if you see suspicious behavior, you can stay away from it. Always keep safety your top priority and watch out when you are traveling.

When you travel for business you communicating with the people at the office can sometimes be difficult. If you are a manager or a project leader, your need to stay in touch with your team and what is going on at all times is crucial.  It would seem that this need is at cross-purposes with the idea of business travel.  But with modern technology and a bit of coordination on your part, you can maintain a reasonable level of connectivity to your important projects and team activities even while driving in the rental car or waiting out a flight at the airport.

The actual technology you use to stay connected may change over time.  Whereas in the past we could only use pay phones at airports, we have evolved technologically so you can travel and access your network via your cell phone, wireless PC or an assortment of other devices.  So the first step is to identify the type of technology that satisfies your need for connectivity as well as enabling you to work productively in diverse locations such as the airport, your airplane seat or your hotel room.

As you conduct a technical review of the available technology, be careful to research the durability of the equipment you are taking on the road.  You may be able to afford the most sophisticated equipment on the market today.  But if that equipment cannot survive the rigors of travel including being banged around in your luggage, exposure to heat, cold and moisture or just about any other harsh condition you might throw it into, it isn’t going to be the kind of equipment you want by your side on a long business trip.

Once you settle on the equipment, you should configure it or have it configured for internet access as well as the ability to tap into your corporate intranet and network.  It is crucial that you can communicate with your team and access corporate files so you can stay on top of what is going on with your projects at home.  For example, if you have your project team file status reports each Friday morning, you must be able to review those and give directions for action items to take that come from those reports quickly and efficiently, even if you are on a ten hour flight from Europe.

To manage your phone contacts, the idea of just putting the “out of office” auto-answer on your office message service is so last decade.  Instead, you can forward your office phone to your cell phone and receive your phone calls in remote so you can conduct your business as though you were on site throughout your trip.

There is adequate technology available currently for you to be able to access and operate your desktop computer back on your desk at the office even while traveling.  One such service is gotomypc.com.  But there are many such services or your IT department may have a methodology to enable that access that you can use if you get them involved in your trip planning.  By accessing your PC daily or several times daily, you can activate your instance of Microsoft Outlook or whatever your email software is and read and respond to important business emails as you relax in your hotel room after your business meetings out of town.

These are just a few of the technologies that make it possible to perform virtually any function from remote that you could have done only in the office in the past.  So don’t accept the limitations of the road. Make sure you can stay in touch with what is happening in the office so you can stay in control while you are on the road.

There is no reason why your business trip cannot be fun as well as productive. The time you spend doing business in other locations expands your business reach and scope and broadens you as a person as well.  Getting skilled at business travel is a solid business goal because there are skills related to business travel and being productive on the road that are impossible to learn if you don’t get out there and travel.

Many of the skills associated with business travel have to do with how to live productively on the road.  This is especially important if you find yourself on a lengthy business trip.  The life of moving in and out of hotels, traveling by car or airplane and the stresses of the work can wear down even the most robust and experienced business traveler.

Maintaining a healthy diet while traveling for business is a serious challenge and one that really can only be accomplished with some serious planning.  You will inevitably find yourself eating in a lot of restaurants on the road and that kind of food does not lend itself to a diet that is designed for weight loss or for a diet you must maintain for health reasons.

The first but biggest step forward to achieving diet goals while traveling is to communicate your desires to your traveling companions.  In a business setting, there is often a lot of encouragement to eat and drink well.  Everybody is on the expense account so it is easy to overdo it.  But if you let your coworkers and clients know you have compelling reasons to maintain a disciplined diet, most of the time they will respect that and find ways to help you be successful.

Another trick of business travel is not to depend on restaurants for your meals entirely.  If you can get out to a market early in the trip and purchase some fresh fruit and vegetables, you can prepare some healthy food in your room to fill you up and keep you on track. Then if you find that you must eat in a restaurant to discuss business with coworkers or build relationships with the client, your appetite will be low so you can get by on much less.

You can also be a voice for moderation in the selection of eating establishments for your meals.  Obviously, fast food is not going to be a good choice for you.  So if there is discussion about where to stop, you can vote for a place that serves a good variety of meal choices including some healthy choice menu options.  In that way if you must eat in a restaurant, you can find items to order that can be prepared in accord with your diet needs.

You will be surprised how many allies you will find both in your travel associates and with those you are doing business with at your destination who have diet goals but have not been successful because of the temptations of the life on the road.  Your open statement of intent to stick to your diet in spite of the rigors of business travel can be a tremendous inspiration to them.  Moreover, by building partnerships in your intent to live healthy, it is entirely possible to take your business to a healthy restaurant or deli and allow the rest of the party to go to a place of their liking.  As long as this is done without animosity, everybody wins.

Avoiding alcohol and snacks can be a huge challenge on the road as well.  Very often in a seminar setting or during a long day of discussions, the host company or office will provide cookies or other snacks to help the meeting go well by keeping everybody’s blood sugar up.  These snacks are going to be hard to resist.  One way to help yourself in that situation is to be prepared with your own snacks in your brief case to bring out to substitute for the unhealthy food being provided.

By thinking ahead about your diet needs and how you will provide for yourself while traveling, it is possible to sustain a healthy lifestyle even during business trips. Also get a good night’s sleep and you will be more effective and productive for your company.

It is not hard to tell the difference between a seasoned business traveler and one who is new to the world of business travel. It is easy for someone new to business travel to participate in excesses on the road.   As business traveler, you are an adult and you are trusted by your company to conduct yourself in a businesslike fashion during your time out representing the firm.  But it is easy to let the idea of an expense account and free time in a far away town get the best of you and to let yourself go as you travel.

These kinds of excesses are the types of behavior that you will see an experienced business traveler avoid.  If you are setting out on a lengthy business trip perhaps lasting many weeks and traversing many cities, the road itself can take a toll on your health and well being.  The disruption to your normal life patterns, the hard work and the stress of making connections and moving from town tot own can introduce levels of fatigue that can take a toll and even lead to illness on the road.  And there is no more unpleasant experience than to be ill while traveling for business and to still have to do your duties despite your poor health.

It is for this reason that observing some strict rules of good living on the road will pay off over the life of the trip and make the rigors of travel much less serious.  Much of the discipline of business travel involves simply introducing a daily routine to your life that includes some healthy activities so you can keep your physical, mental and emotional state in good shape and ready for business each and every day.  Some simple but effective rules to live by for a healthy business travel experience include…

Sleep routines.  A good nights sleep is something we take for granted.  And to get into a rested state takes more than just a bed and an alarm clock.  You have routines at home that you use to cycle down toward rest.  Adapt those to life on the road and allow yourself that hour before bed to get ready to rest as well as ample time to rest as well as sleep.  Both are necessary for good health.

Regular exercise.  Most hotels have an exercise room or pool you can use to get some motion into your muscles.  Sitting in airplanes or conference rooms can cramp your muscles and keep you from maintaining good flexibility in your muscles.  Even if it is nothing more than taking a walk after dinner or doing some simple exercises at night in the hotel, give your body some movement so stretch those muscles and get some fresh oxygen into your blood.

Time not working.  For the sake of your mental health, take some time just for you.  If you are in a town that has some fun things to see, get away from the business side of business travel and go to the zoo or a museum or see an attraction to give your mind a break from the stress of business.  And take a few hours at night to relax in the hotel and read a book or watch your favorite TV show.  You need that mental down time to recuperate and process all that is going on during your trip.

Good foods.  Don’t cave into the temptation to eat fast food.  Look for restaurants that will serve you well-rounded meals and make sure you eat fruits, dairy, vegetables, breads and good healthy proteins each day.

Don’t drink.  Alcohol, while fun, is a huge drain on your body’s resources.  The time drinking and recovering makes demands on your body that take away from the task of recovering your health each day.  So avoid alcohol other than perhaps a glass of wine at night.  You will survive the trip so much better if you are careful about your alcohol consumption.

Some of these ideas seem almost ridiculously simple.  But if you have done any business travel at all, you know that sometimes the simple requirement of a healthy diet and some time to yourself to exercise and rest can be elusive in a busy work schedule. All you have to do is eat the same way you do when at home to keep your life in good balance.

Business traveling can be a hassle relying on the reliability of public transport. That means you are going to have to deal with airports, security procedures, crowds of “non business” travelers around  you at all times and the inevitable delay or canceled flight.

As a business traveler, you have a mission to complete.  This is not necessarily an adventure nor is it something you are doing for fun.  Its business and you handle it as business.  If you travel frequently on business, you have a standard process you go through to handle waiting for flights and how to store and retrieve travel documents when they are needed.

Most of time we had handle the presence of large crowds around us.  After all those families on vacation, groups of teenagers on spring break or young couples on honeymoon have as much right to the airways and the airports as you do.  But everything changes when flights begin to get canceled, especially if you are in a situation where so many flights are canceled and large amounts of people are going to be stranded in that airport overnight.

When such a situation begins to loom, it is easy to sense that feeling of panic rise up as you sense it happening in those around you.  Inexperienced travelers may have no idea how to handle this situation.  But as a business traveler, you are there doing the bidding of your company.  You probably are on an expense account of some sort and you should have good credit that you can use to navigate this situation.  So if you see an airport shutdown situation happening around you, you may ask yourself that question, “Is this a good time to panic?”  The answer is no.  But it is a good time to act fast so your needs are met.

It is always a good idea to keep your wits about yourself in an airport situation so you can take action early if you see an airport shutdown situation beginning to happen around you.  The thing to remember is that you are the one in control here and you do not have to let yourself be put at the whim of the airlines or the airport.  But detecting the crisis coming early is the key and taking quick action.

Often as flights begin to get canceled, you may find yourself in long lines to try to rebook flights or find a solution to the problem.  Realize that if the airport is stopping all flights due to weather or other reasons, there is no resolution waiting for you when you get to the front of the line.  And staying in line will only add to your sense of crisis and panic.

So get out of that line!  You have resources to make accommodations for yourself.  The last thing you want is to have to pass the night in that airport.  If you can get another form of transportation, you can still get to your destination albeit a little late.  But rental car agencies are going to be flooded with people who, like you, are looking for a solution.  So the earlier you can diagnose the situation as not acceptable and get a car, the faster you can leave the airport and head for a hotel or for your destination.

Use the same strategy in booking a room at a nearby motel or hotel.  If you can get to private accommodations for the night, you can work, make your phone calls and preserve your energies so you are able to conduct business well once the crisis is passed. The key is to stay calm and deal with situation quickly and efficiently using the resources you have on hand.

Has the Internet Wiped out Travel Agents?

With the onset of new digital technology, the world has become a smaller place with websites like Travelocity and Orbitz popping up on the Web. These travel web sites have been very successful at facilitating travelers to book their own airline and hotel reservations online.  So with this huge push from the internet to take over the travel industry, one has to ask, “Are travel agents obsolete?”

If you have browsed some of these travel sites, you have observed that they are amazing in the diversity of travel options that they make available.  And it is impossible to deny that many thousands of people have taken advantage of these services.  As a business traveler, however, your needs are somewhat different than the typical airline passenger.

There are some very specific services that a living and breathing travel agent can provide that simply cannot be replicated by an automated web site like Travelocity or Orbitz.   Some of those services that a seasoned business traveler would be hard pressed to live without include…

Focus.  You as a business traveler are not arranging this trip for entertainment.  You have specific business objectives in mind.  So if you must take time away from preparation for  your business task to worry about travel itineraries, hotel and rental car reservations and the like, that is time that you are not being productive for your business.  If you can call a talented travel agent who knows your travel profile well and delegate those arrangements to that agent, they do their job in finding just the right accommodations for you and you are freed to do what you do best, focus on your business and the upcoming business trip.

Economy.  It is difficult to find that balance between finding the accommodations that fit the demanding schedule of a businessperson on the road and is respectful of the companies travel budget as well.   If you use an automated online travel service, you may have to sacrifice convenience, schedule or location for economy.  A good travel agent will work hard to get you the right itinerary while getting as close the corporate travel cost restrictions as possible.  And they will do it without taking up a lot of your time.

Back up.  You don’t need help if your trip goes completely as planned.  But if you encounter problems on the road, you can find yourself in need or rescheduling flights and finding new accommodations to work around canceled flights, weather issues or other unexpected interruptions to your plans.  These travel disasters are not mindful of your tight deadlines to meet your business goals.  But if you have a travel agent who is dedicated to providing you service, he or she can find those alternative routes and resources to do all they can to get you to your destination so you can conduct your business on time.

That personal touch.  You may have travel preferences that you want to achieve with each trip you take.   A travel agent has your profile and your travel history so they can do what they can to accommodate your preferences.  But moreover, if you have specific special needs such as a diet limitation or a need for accommodation due to a disability, it will be a travel agent that sees to it that your needs are provided for and you are well taken care of on the road.

Complications.  If your travel itinerary involves making connections with other business partners who are traveling from diverse offices, complex travel schedules and itinerary challenges that just cannot be described to the generic screens of an online travel service, you can explain these complications to your travel agent and they can work with other travel agents working to organize the meeting and see to it that your itinerary meets your requirements.

While the online travel services do provide a valuable and affordable alternative to the general traveling public, it is easy to notice their limitations if you are trying to book a trip that is tricky or if you have specific needs that the screens do not anticipate.  Human travel agents still do have a place in the world of travel and they will help you plan, budget and book the trip that meets your travel needs and purpose.

Do not fall for the old anxiety of forgetting to turn off the oven that arises while you are traveling. While that is a domestic story, there is just as much or more anxiety that can go into getting on the road for a business purpose as there is for private travel.  The details that must be taken care of to put a business trip on the road can be overwhelming.

It is easy to develop an anxiety complex when going on a business trip and get to where you are in a constant state of stress and worry that you have forgotten something or that there is an important detail that was left undone before you left.  This stress anxiety can be destructive to your business goals for the trip.  So you need some basic concepts that you can go back to just before the business trips gets underway and as you get on the road so you have some ammunition to combat travel anxiety en route.

Call in the troops.  One big way to stop travel anxiety in its tracks is to utilize your business partners to help you prepare for the trip.  It is likely that a number of people in your chain of command or in your department have a vested interest in seeing the trip you are setting out to accomplish is a success.  Use their help to plan the trip and to develop detailed check lists of what has to happen before you leave and what has to go with you.  Then on the day before you depart, meet with those associates and review those lists.  As you check off each thing, insist that your associate initial the list to validate that the detail was taken care of.  Then take the list with you.  By consulting it often, you can calm yourself that you did take care of all the details along the way.

Did you forget your head?   Ok so you have a good system in to make sure all of your business needs are covered, the next level of anxiety comes when you are sitting on the airplane and you wonder if you packed everything you need for travel personally.  There are a couple of antidotes to this type of travel anxiety.  First of all, use a similar check list system to assure you have what you need on the flight.  You can develop a travel check list that you maintain and update from business trip to business trip.  As you use that list each trip, you will discover any missing items or things to do and update the list.  And by checking each need off as you take care of it before you travel, you can calm that nervous system of yours that you have done everything so its time to relax.

What do you really need after all?  Second of all, if that check list system has dozens of items and issues on it, much of that can be eliminated by that simple question.  The truth is there is very little you really need that you cannot get there if you forgot something at home.  You must have your airline tickets, your driver’s license and credit card and any special medication that cannot be found at your destination.  If you have plenty of credit, there really is little else you cannot buy at your destination point if you forgot something or other.  Comfort yourself that the trip won’t grind to a halt if you forgot something.

But what if?  That question literally can drive you insane.  If you let yourself start thinking about whether the plane will crash or if your dog dies while you are away or the hundred of other “what ifs”  that might happen, you will turn into a ball of anxiety before the first flight is done.  So the answer to “but what if?” is “that has not happened so far and the odds it will happen this time are remote.”  Use some logic and adult thinking to combat emotional urge to worry.

The urge to worry is natural in all of us.  It’s part of your urgent desire to do well on the road. But be sure you take time out on the road to relax to help make your business trip a success.

With the turmoil many countries of the world are in there may be times where you are faced with danger when traveling on business. But in some cases, there may be some real travel threats on your route to your business destination.  This is especially true today in the age of terrorism where a trip to Europe or the Middle East can mean some very real danger may loom as you travel.

It is our job as responsible adults to think about the dangers that could happen on an upcoming business trip and assess that danger and either approach the business objective differently or prepare accordingly.  The first step if you suspect that your next business trip may be hazardous either from political unrest, bad weather or other reasons, is to do an honest review of the importance of this trip.  If you can accomplish he goals of the trip without putting yourself or your business associates in harms way, that would be preferable to a potential disaster on the road.

If it looks like the trip is still a go, be sure you learn all you can about your destination, recommended safety precautions and the nature of the potential danger.  The US State Department keeps their web site up to date on the nature of potential security risks at http://www.travel.state.gov.

The next step for preparing for a business trip that may be hazardous is to double and triple secure your documentation.  You can make copies and scanned images of your important personal documents such as your passport, visa, driver’s license and other crucial identification cards that you must have overseas.   By leaving copies of these at home where a contact person can access them and uploading digital copies to a public folder that you can access anywhere you can find the internet, you give yourself a safety net should those documents disappear.  Also review the status of your travel documents and get y our renewals done now if there is any chance one of them will expire as you are out on the road.

If you are traveling to one or many foreign countries, make yourself familiar with the location and phone numbers of the US embassies in those countries.  By having that information on your person as you move from country to country, you are ready to move swiftly should you need to call on them to help you out of a jam.

If you do encounter trouble and require medical help, you should have on your person your crucial personal data that can be used to quickly get you help.  You can print up a card with your name, names of who to contact in an emergency, blood type, medical details such as allergies that should be noted, important medicines that you may have that can help you if you are in physical need and anything else a lay person might need if you are in a far away place in critical need.  For even more security that this card is able to communicate your critical data, you can have it translated into the language of the country you are visiting so there is no delay as local health or public service persons work to get you help.

The more you do to prepare for your trip, the better prepared you will be to respond to trouble or even avoid trouble entirely if it occurs.  By understanding the local customs and what to do in an emergency situation overseas, you can respond calmly and quickly to crisis and secure yourself, your business associates and property early and quickly.  Being prepared is always good because you never know when you may need to react quickly when traveling in foreign countries.

It can be untrue that employees are unhappy with company policy for corporate travel.  The truth is, employees like to know what is expected of them and how to comply with a corporate policy as long as that policy is fair and give them the ability to what they need to do on the road.  So a well thought out corporate travel policy is a benefit to the company and the business traveler alike.

If it has been given to you to put together a corporate travel policy, your mission from the stand point of the company is to develop a policy that standardizes business expenses, eliminates waste and excess on the road and puts some controls around that part of the business expense picture.  So there are some definite focus areas you should include in the stated corporate policy including…

Reservations.  If you utilize a travel agent that is looking for the best deal for the company.  The best rates can be identified and taken advantage off but only while making sure the business traveler’s needs to meet the business objective of the trip are satisfied.  Requiring that employees utilize the corporate travel agent again is not harsh and it clarifies for the employee how to handle the situation.

Use of credit.  It is a bit of effort and expense to set up corporate credit cards that you can require your traveling employees to use.  But by trapping expenses to the corporate account, you can get a record of a good percentage of the business expenses that the employee is incurring.    Many of the expenses of travel such as airline and hotel can be direct billed back to the company thus taking both the hassle and the opportunity for creativity out of the hands of the business traveler.

Travel rewards.  If you have your corporate travel coordinated by an internal or external travel agency, corporate accounts with the major airlines can be established so the frequent flyer miles can be collected by the business.  As such the business can redeem those miles and realize those benefits as a significant discount on the travel that must be paid for.

Daily limits.  Your corporate travel policy must communicate clearly to the traveling employee what their limits are for hotel, rental car and meals on the road.  You want to head off before it starts any tendency by the employee to go to expensive restaurants and see the business trip as some form of all expenses paid vacation.  But you also must allow for some leverage for the employee to eat well while traveling.  This part of the policy should be reviewed annually to update to current costs.

Reporting.   One of the chief complaints employees have about corporate travel policies are that the expense reporting system is cryptic and hard to fill out.  You will give the employee a standardized form that each traveler in the company must fill out to get reimbursed for expenses while traveling.  But review these forms and even design your own so the format is understandable and you have categories to cover all types of expenses the employee might encounter.
Along with these general categories, your corporate travel policies should include some leverage for employees who are faced with exceptional situations.  Room and food expenses can vary widely depending on where the employee must travel.  So you don’t want to set the hotel limit to $125 per night because it is reasonable to stay in a comfortable hotel for that rate in Lincoln Nebraska but enforce that same limitation for an employee who must do business in New York City.

If you create good general policies to cover your employees while they are on the road, there is a win win situation for you and your employees, and there will be a productive outcome that is cost-effective for the company overall.

There are always those business travelers that are organized and then there are those that are always running late. The business traveler who has been at it a while figures out some insider information that not many travelers know.  These little travel secrets make the world of difference when traveling.  And you can bet they are not going to share this information with just anyone because this is the kind of information that can change the nature of your business travel forever.

Your laptop is a crucial piece of equipment as you travel.  In an airport emergency situation, your wireless laptop can be used to change reservations so you can avoid those long lines to get on the next flight out.  You can reserve a rental car or snag one of the few remaining hotel rooms in town right from the comfort of a seat at the airport.  Then the savvy business traveler can casually stroll to his or her designation as others around them panic because they knew how to leverage technology and the internet to bail themselves out of a crisis situation.

But one aspect of using your laptop to rescue yourself when the airport is in shut down is the limited power of laptops.  To see your battery go dead just when you needed it the most is like watching your ship sink as the sharks circle the lifeboat.  What not many people know is that there are open electrical outlets in airports that are there for cleaning crews if you know where they are.  Usually these outlets are just under the windows that overlook the landing strips so if you can secure a seat near these outlets, you can charge up your laptop and keep your lifeline to the world alive.

Business travelers also know how to take full advantage of resources that are made available to business travelers exclusively.  Find hotels that cater to the traveling businessperson.  These hotels will not have amenities for families nor are they trying to bring in busses of teenagers on the way to camp.  So you can find a hotel with much fewer young people making noise and being a nuisance when you are trying to focus on business.

In addition to using businesses that cater to the business traveler, take advantage of frequent flyer and priority clubs that many airlines and hotels offer.  If you are going to travel a lot, you can rack up some credits on those clubs, which can result in upgrades to first class, better accommodations or free services when you stay at your selected hotels.  They win because they capture your travel dollar.  You win because you get pampered for a while.

You can gain a lot of convenience and reduce your hassles by using a less popular airport to come into town.  By utilizing an airport in a smaller town near by and renting a car, you get out of the congestion of traffic and can drive to your destination without that exposure to the masses all pushing and shoving to get through the major hubs.

Extra copies of travel documents can speed things up a lot especially if you are leaving the country.  Often when you are going through customs, you must surrender your passport so the customs agent can make a copy.  So you make a copy before you get there and give it to them.  With a quick scan, they can confirm that it is a legitimate copy and have you on your way much quicker.

Don’t overlook how public transportation can bail you out of dealing with a lot of traffic in large city situations.  In Washington or New York, the subways work exceptionally well.  If you can get out of the airport area via mass transit, you can find a rental car location in town and conduct your business with less wait and without the traffic jams you would face at the airport.  Plus airport rental car sites are more expensive than those in town.

These little tips can go a long way toward making your trip less of a hassle, less expensive and more successful. Knowing what resources are available to business travelers you can save money and make your business trip hassle-free.

You want to turn up at that business meeting look as fresh as a daisy even if you have just got off a long international flight. If that was all business travel entailed, that would be challenge enough.  But to carry off a successful business trip, you have to think about your personal needs, medical needs and everything you might require.  The ability to travel light on a business trip is truly a refined skill that takes into account the ordeal you might go through at the airport, the potential for lost baggage and what you really do need once you get to your destination.

Many travelers have a firm ethic about not checking bags.  The result is you see almost a comical effort by travelers to drag huge bags onboard and jam them into overhead bins.  As a business traveler, your ability to relax and pass through the airport system with little fuss is paramount.  When you take bulky bags on board on an airplane, you exchange the time at baggage claim for a huge hassle in getting your bags on and off that airplane.

It’s best to balance what you really need at your destination with the problems of taking too much on board.  To reduce your anxiety about baggage claim, leave plenty of time between your travel plans and your business appointments at your destination.  If you have several hours or a day before you must make your business contacts, you can relax and go through the baggage claim process without anxiety.

The other problem with baggage claim is lost luggage.  So to assure you will have the basics when you get to your hotel, lost luggage or not, pack a very small bag to take on board.  In that bag, only take your basic requirements.  Include your medications, contact lens supplies, sample sizes of toiletries, underwear and one change of clothes.  Then you have what you need for one night and the next days meetings while your baggage catches up with you.

To pack light, do a good inventory of what you really do need.  There are some economies you can utilize to greatly reduce the bulk of what you are going to take without sacrificing your needs and ability to look good when you make your business contacts.

Wear a basic outfit.  If you have a suit or other garment you know will be your anchor piece, wear it on the plane.  You can also wear a coat or jacket that you might need there and then fold it and use it for a pillow on the plane thus keeping it out of your bag.  That coat is not considered part of your carry on but it helps you reduce your baggage bulk.

Economy of space in your bag.  Compress what you pack and use every empty space.  Pack socks into shoes and roll your clothing rather than lay them flat to squeeze the empty air filled space out of them.  You can always iron and get pressed any outfits that get wrinkled in route once you are at your destination.

Mix and Match.  Take outfits that can be used over again with a different pant or shirt combinations.

You can get it there.  Don’t take anything that won’t get guaranteed and frequent use.  If there is something you might need, remember, you can buy it there in a drugstore or nearby store.  So don’t let anxiety make you over pack.

These steps can reduce your packing problems and result in a workable travel system that will reflect that you are well organized and ready for the road. It is great to be prepared and not to have to go shoppingbecause you have forgotten something you cannot live without.

There is a big difference between traveling for business for a couple of day s compared to being on the road for a few months continuously. But it is a necessity of some areas of business that professionals representing that business do stay out on the road for a very long time.  These road warriors are examples of people who understand the wear and tear the road can cause on the body, mind and spirit after months of continuous travel.

As humans, we are designed to have homes and nest.  So the life on the road runs against that natural instinct to settle in one place and rest there.  So the first challenge of traveling continuously is finding ways to replicate a “normal life” despite the constant travel.  The one factor that can help with combating road weariness is the psychological factor of familiarity.

Because business persons who travel for many weeks may not see the same people for very long and often move from city to city, the hotels and restaurants eventually begin to blur into one place and the desire for the familiar and “home” starts to make itself known.  So one way to provide that sense of sameness is routine.  Even on the road, one can establish a routine that you can look forward to each evening.  Whether that means watching the same television shows, scheduling your calls home at the same time each day or week or establishing hotel room rituals, by maintaining a “sameness” no matter where you are living at any given time gives the traveler that sense of normalcy that is missing in a life of nonstop travel.

Oddly enough, role models for living successfully on the road are some rock and roll bands who have been living such a life for years if not decades.  If you examine their approach to touring, the ones that live that life for very long learn quickly to avoid substance abuse and live a healthy lifestyle.  While the typical businessperson doesn’t have to get up and perform on stage for thousands, it is important to sleep well and see your digestive systems and regularity remain stable during the constant change of travel.

That may mean establishing an exercise regime that you simply do not break.  A morning run followed by a sauna and a light but healthy breakfast not only can get  your day off on the right foot, it can confirm your routine and that you are in charge of your lifestyle on the road, not the hotel or the circumstances around you.

Another lesson we can witness from professional musicians who travel a great deal is an intense devotion to professionalism.  For the musician, they are on the road for one and only one thing, to put on great shows for their fans.  That focus can keep them centered for long periods of time.   We can translate that focus to what we are about as we set out on a long business journey.  By focusing on what we are on the road to achieve and give that 100% of our best efforts, that will give us validation when we find success at every stop along the way.

Musicians who learn to survive the road learn to take care of each other and use a sense of family and mutual support to get through a tough tour schedule.  If you are traveling with others from your business, that same mutual support can go a long way to toward helping each you survive the experience.  Talk openly about the challenges of traveling for such lengthy periods of time.  Form an accountability structure to your professional friendships so each of you is looking out for the other.  If you can get everybody out for that morning jog, soon your ability to work as a team goes beyond just how you function during meetings but you become a mutually supportive team in getting through the rigors of an aggressive business travel schedule.

By looking at the challenge of surviving the wear and tear of the road as one of life’s great adventures, you can gain an energy and a resolve to win each and every day of your business journey. And that positive energy will radiate from you and affect the people you are traveling with to make you all feel good.

There are a lot of decisions when booking a business trip. Obviously, the important issue is your business objectives and that everything you need so the business you will do when you arrive comes off well.  So you will spend the majority of your efforts on those preparations or so you are well equipped for the trip.

But to use the old phrase, it’s the little things that mean a lot especially when you are enduring the inconvenience of business travel.  You put up with a lot of inconvenience and having to accommodate the needs of others in airports where everybody wants to be comfortable.  Little things mean a lot on a long business flight from how well you eat to the kind of car you rent on the other end.  Just a small surprise or accommodation along the way can set put you in a good mood on the trip and that mood could even influence the outcome of the meetings you will conduct when you make your business contacts at your destination.

Some people do not have a preference where they sit during the plane flight.  But there are a number of issues that can become significant during those hours where you are essentially immobile as you fly cross-country.  Some of those are.

If you are claustrophobic, having a window seat isn’t about sight seeing.  It can be a sanity saving necessity to keep you from focusing on the enclosed airplane space.

• If you wish to work, you need some space to spread out.
• Some medical needs might require easy access to the privacy of the laboratory, if for no other reason than to take medicine without being observed.
• If you have close connections and are on a tight deadline, sitting near the front of the plane helps with getting off quickly.

To get some control over the variable of where you are sit en route to or from your business trip, put some thought into the issue up front and see if you can reserve the seat that suits your purposes before you ever get to the airport.  If you use online reservations, you can get a map of the plane, which will show you which seats are open.  This gives you excellent ability to move your seat so you can sit just where you want before you go to the airport.

Some factors to take into consideration are the room you need and whether you need to recline your seat or not.  The seats on the exit row are almost always more roomy.  In exchange for being willing to open the door in an emergency, you can gain twice as much room as you might have had which pays off when you want to work during the flight.

The last row of the airplane does not recline.  The upside of that row is that you don’t have anyone behind you to kick your seat back or bounce the tray table as they do whatever it is they are doing back there.  By the same token, the first set in the section does not have seats in front of it so it can be roomier.  But you may not have a tray table to use to set your laptop on for work.  These are trade offs worth thinking through in advance.

You can have your travel agent know your preferences when they book your flight.  But don’t miss the chance to make changes as late as the day of the flight.  You might spot a row that is not full and be able to grab a seat and have the row to yourself. And believe you me that can be a rare treat indeed.

If you like to fly, whether it be for business or for fun, do you belong to an airline’s frequent flyer program?  If not, you should join now.  Why?  Because you are missing out on a number of good opportunities.  As nice as this is to hear, why should you join an airline’s frequent flyer program?

These programs are free to join.  There is no cost when joining an airline’s frequent flyer program. In fact, registration is easy.  Most airlines will prompt you to join their program when booking your flight online.  It is quick, easy, and convenient; you have nothing to lose.

A large number of airlines have these programs available.  Most airlines in the United States have programs for frequent flyers.  The rare exception is with budget airlines.  They are designed to cheaply get you from point a to point b and that it is.  Most of the well-known airlines in the United States have free frequent flyer programs.  These include Delta Airlines, Northwest Airlines, American Airlines, and United Airlines.

When joining a frequent flyer program, you can join as many as you want.  For example, if you are known to fly both Northwest Airlines and American Airlines, join both programs.  Remember, they are free and easy to join.  With that said, review the perks offered by each program.  If one is better than the other, focus your attention on that airline.

Speaking of the perks, they are the greatest benefit of joining an airline’s frequent flyer program.  The greatest perk of all is the ability to save money on your flights.  This is done through frequent flyer miles.  Each time you fly, your miles are recorded into your account.  These miles later translate into dollars.  The more you fly, the more money you save.  Although some airlines do have a few rules and restrictions, you can use your accumulated miles to get a discount on your airfare, to get a free flight, or to upgrade to first class.

Honestly, the greatest benefit of joining a frequent flyer program is the free miles you get, which can later be redeemed.  There are additional benefits as well.  These vary depending on the program in question.  For example, Northwest Airlines not only allows you to redeem your frequent flyer miles, but you can gift or transfer them to another person!  Additional perks may include access to moneysaving hotel and car rental coupons, free airport parking, access to a VIP lounge, and so forth.  Before getting your heart set on these member benefit, read all program benefits, rules, and restrictions first.  Focus on the fine print.

When joining a frequent flyer program, some companies give you access to online tools.  For example, Delta allows you to make changes to your flight, update your account, print your tickets, and check-in from the comfort of your computer.  This is nice, but some airlines also provide these and other similar services free of charge to all passengers.  When opting between two different airlines and their frequent flyer programs, choose the program that offers you the most and best rewards.

In conclusion, frequent flyer programs have theirs pros and cons.  The worst that happens is you get email updates and mailings delivered to your home.  Since these programs are free to join and have special perks for members, give it a try.  You can close your account later if want.

When Is the Best Time to Fly?

For most individuals, the best time to fly is whenever they prefer.  However, if you are traveling on a limited budget, your preferences may be unable to dictate when you travel.  Instead, you may need to find the best deals on airfare.  So, when is it the cheapest to fly?

In the off-season.  If you are traveling to a popular vacation destination, such as Orlando, Florida or Denver, Colorado, expect to pay more during peak tourists months.  During the winter, tourists flock to Colorado to enjoy some of the best skiing in the United States.  Airlines know this, so they charge high fares.  On the other hand, Colorado isn’t so popular in the summertime, as there is no snow.  It is harder to fill flights to Denver, so the airlines offer deals and discounts.  If you can, without ruining your trip, fly in the off-season.  You could save $100 on your airfare alone.  Moreover, since it is the off-season, you should receive a discount on your car rental and hotel too.

In the early morning or afternoon hours.  Usually, airlines have early morning flights departing at five or six in the morning.  Rarely are these flights booked solid. After all, who wants to get up that early to start a long day’s journey?  If you want to save money, you should.  Remember, airlines offer discounts to fill flights.  You are more likely to get a discount on a 6 am flight than you are a 9am flight.  Afternoon flights are also a wise choice.  Vacationers usually want to fly in the morning or at night.  Some feel they waste a vacation day by departing in the afternoon, so these flights are usually less full too, meaning discounts.

Not during the holidays.  One of the most expensive times to travel by air is for the holidays.  We want to spent time with our family, especially long-distance family members.  Unfortunately, airlines know this and they try to capitalize from it.  If you were to fly home to visit your family in the middle of July, as opposed to two days before Christmas or Thanksgiving, your airfare could be hundreds of dollars cheaper.

At least three days before a holiday.  As previously stated, people want to fly home to visit family during the holidays and they do, no matter what the costs.  To save money, do not fly the day or two before a holiday, like Christmas.  These are peak travel dates; they are when most passengers are trying to get home for the holidays.  Your flight will still be expensive, but you may save $50 or more by spending an extra three days with your family.

On Wednesdays and Saturdays.  When it comes to the best days to travel, Wednesdays and Saturdays are your best option.  Mondays and Fridays are the most expensive.  Why?  People traveling for weekend getaways usually fly on Fridays.  People traveling for business tend to fly on Mondays.  They are the airlines two most profitable flying days, so avoid them.  By flying on Saturday, you miss most of the weekend warriors; remember they flew on Friday.

In short, when you travel does influence your ability to save money.  If you can be flexible the next time you fly, do it.  You may save hundreds of dollars on airfare alone.

What to Consider When Price Comparing Airfare…

If you need to travel by air, you want to save money.  After all, airlines are suffering financially.  For that reason, they have increased fares, added new fees, and put less planes in the air.  You might think this makes it harder to get a good deal, but it doesn’t.  Honestly, all you need to do is compare prices.  Price comparing is the easiest and quickest way to save money, but you should consider some factors.

When price comparing to find the best airfare, you will instinctively head to the well-known airlines, such as Delta Airlines and American Airlines.  Yes, these are companies you may know and trust, but don’t limit yourself.  Check out all airlines.  A good approach is to find the online websites for your arriving and departing airports.  Each will have a list of airlines that provide service.  You now know which companies you can fly.  Compare prices to find the best deals.

There are many ways to compare flight and prices online.  Your two most popular options include third-party travel websites and the airline companies themselves.  You should try both.  First, start with the airlines.  Perform a standard internet search to find the websites.  A search for Northwest Airlines will lead you to NWA.com, and so forth.  Request a free travel quote and record your findings.  Then, visit an online travel website.  You can also find these with standard internet searches.  Request the same travel quote.  Now, compare the prices.  In most instances, it is cheaper to book a flight directly through the airline, but it will only take a few minutes to check.

When price comparing airfare, be flexible with your dates of travel.  Experts have long said that it is cheaper to fly on a Wednesday, cheaper to fly early in the morning or in the afternoon, and cheaper to avoid the holidays.  Yes, this is true, but still be flexible.  Luckily, most airlines enable you to do so.  When requesting free travel quotes online, select the option that checks airfare a day or two before your provided dates.  You may be surprised to see there is a $100 fare difference between a Friday and a Saturday flight.

Not only do most airlines and third-party travel websites allow you to be flexible with your travel dates, but your departures and arrivals too.  For example, if you live in Western New York, you have at least three airports to choose from.  They include Rochester, Syracuse, and Buffalo.  Yes, it would be more convenient to depart from the airport located ten minutes from your house, but not if you can save $100 by driving 30 minutes to get to the next airport.  Always compare your airport options.  You may be surprised the difference in fares between airports located less than an hour apart.

The price you see may not be the final price.  Unfortunately, this is a big disappointment for first time travelers.  They visit the website for a budget airline or a third-party travel website and see they can travel from New York to Las Vegas for under $100.  What most don’t see right away is that this fare is usually for a one-way ticket only.  Not only that, but it does not include the cost of taxes and fees.  Don’t let a big airfare discount get you too excited.  Wait until you get the final cost.  With some airlines charging hundreds of dollars in extra fees, your cheap flight might not be so cheap after all.

How to Get Upgraded to First Class with Frequent Flyer Miles

If you are a regular traveler, you may wish to fly in first class, but what you if cannot afford the cost?  Does it mean that your dream of having seats that are more spacious and a quiet ride are tossed out the airplane window?  Not necessarily; if you are a regular flyer, you may have accumulated frequent flyer miles.  If you have, there is one trick that you can use on some airlines to sneak into first class.  The trick is buy a seat in coach and then use your frequent flyer miles to upgrade to business class or first class.

As an important note, this process is frowned upon by some airlines.  In fact, some have taken steps to prevent flyers from what the airlines call to be abusing the system.  Before relying on this method to get you into first class, proceed with caution and review the airline’s rules and restrictions.

To get started, buy a ticket in coach.  When doing so, make sure the ticket can be upgraded.  You want to specifically ask about upgrades, not transfers.  You are not transferring the ticket, as you are still the traveler in question.  You just want to upgrade to first class.  If upgrades are allowed, pay with your credit card or debit card.

When it comes time to upgrade, you have two options.  You can request an upgrade a day or two before the flight leaves or right at the airport.  Waiting until the airport does improve your chance of an upgrade.  The airline has empty seats.  They will not lose money by letting you use your miles to pay for the upgrade.  Unfortunately, if the flight is full, an upgrade is impossible.  What you can do is monitor the flight before hand.  Pretend you are requesting a first class seat on the plane.  The airlines online website will tell you, right up until the flight, if first class seats are still available.

If you intend to ask for an upgrade to first class at the airport by using your airline miles, you want to arrive early.  This tip is shared on many online websites and travel forums.  You may not be the only person who asks for a discounted upgrade with your frequent flyer miles.  For that reason, arrive and ask early.  Make sure that if anyone gets the upgrade, it is you.

Due to the poor economy and the financial troubles experienced by many airlines, some are changing their business structure.  Now, you are likely to find more filled airplanes and fewer flights.  If you are unable to get an upgrade, but are on an overbooked flight, the attendants will ask if anyone is willing to give up their seat.  Unless you are traveling for an important business meeting or a special event, wheel and deal.  See if you can get a first class upgrade, without wasting your frequent flyer miles for taking the next available flight.

One question that many travelers ask is “why can’t I just use my frequent flyer miles to purchase a first class seat?”  You can.  With that said, you use a lot more miles.  In fact, it can be more than double the miles used for a coach seat.  Moreover, since you paid for a portion of your ticket in real money, airlines are more willing to work with you.  They aren’t giving you a free ride in first class.

Save Money by Avoiding Extra Luggage Fees

If you want to save money on the cost of air travel, a good place to start is with your airline reservations.  The less you pay for a ticket the more you save.  With that said, many airlines are now increasing their fees and even creating new ones.  You will see this with luggage.  At first, airlines started charging passengers for a second bag of checked luggage.  Now, some are even charging for the first.  If you are taking an extended vacation, these extra fees can quickly add up.  So how do you eliminate them?

For starters, you must know that the fees exist.  An increase in fees is not something an airline wants to shout from the rooftops.  Most travelers showed up for their flights to learn, for the first time, it would cost $30 roundtrip for their only suitcase.  Imagine the anger.  Although these fees are well-known now, you still need to look for them.  Know if your airline charges you a fee for your first or second suitcase and how much.

As for how you can avoid or lessen the impact of these extra baggage fees:

Pack your carryon bag full.  Most airlines outline rules and restrictions for carryon bags on their websites.  You should know ahead of time how big your bag can be and how much it must weight.  Use a ruler and a bathroom scale to ensure you are just under.  If traveling for a two to three day trip, you can get away with using your carryon bag alone, provided you pack wisely.

Speaking of packing wisely, do it.  Only bring what you need.  Having four pairs of shoes for your trip to Hawaii is nice, but do you really need them all?  You should be able to get away with a pair of sandals and sneakers.  Also, research your hotel or resort ahead of time to see what you are supplied with.  Is there a curling iron and hair dryer in your room?  If so, don’t waste valuable space by bringing yours from home.

Watch the weather.  Knowing the weather forecast for your vacation destination makes it easier to pack wisely.  If you are traveling to Hawaii, see what the weather is forecasted to be like.  If rain is predicted, bring a raincoat.  If the temperatures will be above 70 your entire trip, live the winter coat at home.  Pack only what you need, especially in terms of clothes and accessories.

Opt for large suitcases.  Most airlines have strict rules on carryon luggage, but they are more lax on checked luggage.  Do you need two suitcases to hold all your clothes?  Are they small suitcases?  Head to your local department store and purchase a bigger suitcase.  Most airlines charge $25 one-way for a second suitcase.  For $50, you can easily purchase a larger suitcase that you can reuse, making it a wise investment.

Share luggage with family.  If you are traveling with your romantic partner or with your entire family, condense luggage.  This is best when charged for each checked suitcase.  Does your ten year old really need to have his own suitcase, especially if it is only half full?  Have all members of your family condense luggage into as few suitcases as possible.  Depending on the size of your family, this could save you $100 or more a trip.

Use space saving bags.  Because the commercials for Space Bags appear like infomercials, many consumers believe they don’t work.  They actually do.  Not only that, but they have bags designed for air travel.  With these bags, you place your clothes inside and apply pressure by leaning.  Watch your clothes as they shrink in size.  You can use this approach to eliminate a second suitcase.  For short trips, use these space saving travel bags in your carryon; you may not even need to check a suitcase!

Although there are many travel deals and discounts offered by airline companies and third-party travel websites, you may find yourself paying full price for an airplane ticket.  If that does happen, there are still ways that you can reduce the cost of your trip.  How?

Bring a snack with you to the airport.  Airlines have increased the cost of their onboard snacks.  Not only that, but they are expensive in airport shops.  A small bag of chips could easily cost you $2.  On the other hand, it would have been $1 or less at a nearby gas station or grocery store.  If you have a long day of flying ahead of you, pack lots of dry snacks.  They will come in handy and easily reduce the cost of flying.

Buy a drink at the airport.  Unfortunately, there are rules and restrictions in place for liquids on an airplane.  Unless you are a parent traveling with a small child, you cannot bring a drink through airport security.  Most airlines have done away with free drinks, meaning you must pay for a water or soda on the airplane.  You could easily pay at least $2 for a small can of soda.  Although it is more expensive to buy a water or soda bottle at the airport than a grocery store, it is still cheaper than paying for an in-flight drink.  At each connecting airport, buy a drink.

Eat before traveling.  At many airports, you will find fast food eateries and upscale restaurants.  Even fast food restaurants are expensive.  For example, McDonald’s is known for their dollar menu, but many airport McDonald’s do not have this cheap selection of food.  You can save money by eating a full meal at home or at a cheaper restaurant before arriving at the airport.  If you must buy a full meal at the airport, consider sharing with your partner to reduce the cost.

Bring books and magazines from home.  Not only are snacks, drinks, and meals more expensive at the airport, but so are books and magazines.  If you have a long flight, you may want some reading material.  Decide ahead of time.  Wal-Mart is known for reducing the average selling price of magazines.  You can find cheap books at Wal-Mart too, as well as the discount bins at most bookstores.  Do not pay full price or more for books and magazines at the airport.  Plan ahead instead.

Bring a portable DVD player or laptop.  If you are on a long and large flight, your airline may show an in-flight movie.  This sounds nice, until you learn that you need special headphones.  The headphones from your iPod will not work in most situations.  Most require a special connector.  These headphones usually cost at least $3.  Bringing your own laptop or portable DVD player, you save money on this fee and get to handpick what movie you watch.

Avoid extra baggage fees.  Since airlines are losing money at an alarming rate, most are increasing their fares.  Not only that, but they are also increasing and creating new fees.  Now, many airlines charge you for a second bag of check luggage and some even charge you for the first.  It is right that you are charged an extra $30 roundtrip just because you have a suitcase?  No, but it does happen.  Luckily, there are many ways you can avoid these added costs.

Condense luggage with family.  If you are traveling with your family for a family vacation, condense your luggage.  As cute as your five year old will looking dragging her own suitcase, is it really necessary?  By combining her clothes into your suitcase, you could eliminate the common $30 roundtrip charge for the first checked bag.  This approach is best done with family, as there are little safety and security risks.

Buy space saving travel bags.  We have all seen the commercials for Space Bags and other similar products.  These really do work and there are bags designed especially for travel.  Instead of using a vacuum cleaner, you seal the bag and lean on it to apply pressure.  These bags really do work.  Put your clothes inside and you reduce the need for an extra suitcase.  If you are taking a short flight, these space saving bags can help you get all of your clothes in your carry-on bag, eliminating any additional fees.

Of course, the best way to fly cheap is to get a good deal on your airline reservations.  If you are past that point, try some of the above mentioned steps; they do work.

The Pros and Cons of Vacationing in the Off Season

If you want to save money on airfare, you may turn to the internet to search for moneysaving travel tips.  One tip you will find involves vacationing in the off-season.  Apparently, it saves most travelers hundreds of dollars, just on airfare alone.  As great as this sounds, is vacationing in the off-season right for you?  To determine if so, examine the pros and cons of off-season vacationing.

The Pros of Vacationing in the Off-Season

You pay less in airfare.  The greatest benefit of vacationing in the off-season is the cheap airfare.  Why is it cheaper to fly in the off-season?  It has to do with popularity and filled flights.  Airlines lose money whenever there are empty seats on a plane.  They want to fill those seats, so they offer discounts.  As for popularity, most vacation destinations have tourists seasons and off-seasons.  The height of tourist season in Colorado is winter, as it is a ski state.  Due to popularity, airlines have no problems filling flights in the height of tourist season, but they do in the off-season.  That is why you are more likely to find deals and discounts.

You get better deals on hotels and resorts.  The possibility to save one hundred or more on airfare is enough for some tourists to hold off on making their travel plans, but what if you could also save on your hotel or resort?  It is possible when you vacation in the off-season.  Hotels and resorts offer off-season deals and discounts for the same reasons the airlines do; they lose money each time a room is empty.  It is harder to fill these rooms in the off-season, so the discounts are more frequent and more valuable.  When you calculate the money saved on airfare and your hotel, you could save thousands of dollars on an extended trip.

There are fewer tourists to deal with.  Do you want to relax on the beaches of Miami, Florida in the middle of July?  If so, you are not alone.  Luckily, those same beaches are beautiful in late spring and early fall.  If you wait until then to travel, you will find fewer tourists.  Whether you want to travel to relax or have the adventure of a lifetime, you don’t want to be one in a crowd of thousands.  Overcrowded hotels, beaches, and restaurants, are one of the quickest ways to ruin an otherwise good vacation.  By vacationing in the off-season, you still again access to great activities and attractions.

The Cons of Vacationing in the Off-Season

You may not have the freedom to decide.  If you are traveling for a vacation, you can try to work with your employer to negotiate your vacation time.  However, if you are traveling to spend time with friends and family back home or to attend a special event, such as a wedding, your hands are tied.  Although it is easy to save money by traveling in the off-season, not everyone has the luxury to dictate their travel dates.

The discount may not be that good.  You will save money by vacationing in the off-season.  This is all but guaranteed.  However, the amount you save will vary.  It depends on where you travel, which airline you fly, and your destination.  If waiting until late fall to visit the beaches of Miami only saves you $50, is it really worth the hassle?  Not likely.

The weather may hamper your vacation.  There is a reason why popular vacation destinations have off-seasons.  That reason is the weather.  New York City is a popular vacation destination, but no one wants to visit when it is covered in snow and ice.  Not many people want to visit Colorado in the summertime, as there is no snow to ski on.  In this aspect, the weather can impact your available vacation activities.  If you have your heart set on skiing the beautiful mountains of Colorado, don’t wait until the off-season.  You will get your trip and save money, but it will be nothing like you dreamed.

If you want to travel, but are turned off by the rising costs of airfare, you may consider flying with a budget airline.  These airlines come in many different formats, but most operate by a “what you see is what you get,” standard.  That is usually a cheap flight with little perks.  If your one and only goal is to save money, flying budget may seem like a good choice, but is it really?

The Pros of Flying Budget Airlines

You usually get good rates.  As previously stated, most budget airlines have cheap flights, but offer very few perks to travelers.  This is an easy way to save money.  If your goal is to cheaply get from point a to point b, you should have no problem flying on a budget airline.  As for how much money you save, it depends on the airline in question, your travel dates, and your destination.  On average, most travelers save at least $100 a trip by flying budget instead of well-known.

You have a number of airlines to choose from.  For the most part, budget airlines were a well-kept secret in the United States.  Most air travelers were familiar with the big carriers, such as American Airlines and Delta.  It wasn’t until airfare skyrocketed that passengers started examining their options more.  Most were pleased to see that not only did budget airlines exist, but there were quite a few to choose from.  In the United States, just a few of your options include Southwest, Spirit, Virgin American, JetBlue, and Horizon Air.  With a number of budget airlines to choose from, you have a good chance of saving money.

The Cons of Flying Budget Airlines

There are little to no perks.  When most of us think of perks, we think of in-flight movies, drinks, and snacks.  On occasion, some budget airlines forego these extras, but there is more.  Some budget airlines allow you to make your reservations, but you don’t choose your seat until you arrive at the airport or board the airplane.  For most travelers this is okay, but it may be risky if you are traveling as a family.  Since budget airlines focus on cheap travel, many completely forego first class.  If you want to have your perks, it may be best to avoid flying budget airlines.

You don’t always get the best deals.  For example, JetBlue was mentioned above as a good airline.  If you search for a flight between Syracuse, New York and Orlando, Florida, a big $114 pops up on your screen (at the time of this article).  You think great, as Northwest Airlines quoted you $156 for that same flight.  That is until you see the $114 isn’t for a roundtrip flight, even though you selected roundtrip from the options.  You must scroll down the page and select your return flight, which also has a price tag of $114.  This “budget,” airline is now $72 more expensive.

Some budget airlines load you down with fees.  Southwest Airlines is well-known for being a good budget airline.  Their website and commercials say “what you see is what you get.”  This means the price you see is actually the price you pay.  Not all airlines are like this.  Many have hidden fees and taxes, which you may not see until you are ready to pay for the flight.  Always read the fine print of a budget airline.  After doing so, you may see that their deals aren’t so good after all.

You have a limited number of airports to choose from.  As previously stated, there are many budget airlines in the United States.  Unfortunately, they service a limited number of airports.  The reason why budget airlines are able to offer discounted flights is because they wisely choose their destinations.  They know where travelers want to go and when.  Unfortunately, if you want to travel to Kansas, it will be hard to find a budget airline that services state airports.  On the other hand, if you want to travel to Florida, your options are virtually unlimited.

As you can see, flying budget airlines does have its pros and cons.  If you opt to give these airlines a try, price compare to ensure you really are getting the best deal, make your travel plans in advance, and arrive at the airport early.

Pros and Cons of Buying a First Class Upgrade

If you want to fly in first class, your first thought is likely to purchase a first class ticket.  This sounds like the best approach, but many travel websites offer a different form of advice.  That involves not originally booking a first class ticket.  Instead, buy a coach ticket and later upgrade to first class.  This sounds like a good way to save money, but it also sounds risky.  Is it a good idea?  To determine, examine the pros and cons of using this approach to score a first class upgrade.

The Pros of Buying a First Class Upgrade

An upgrade is cheaper.  Upgrades are offered at the last minute.  They are used for a number of reasons.  Commonly, airlines are selling tickets right up until the flight leaves; this is especially the case now as there are fewer flights in the air.  It is easier to sell a last minute coach seat than a first class seat.  If you are upgraded to first class, your cheaper seat becomes available to sell.  Airlines also encourage first class upgrades to balance the weight of a plane.

Since airlines consider upgrades a last ditch attempt to increase profits and improve safety, upgrades are cheaper.  It is usually two or three times more expensive to purchase a first class seat than a coach seat from the start.  On the other hand, you can get away with buying an upgrade for as little as $50 or $100.

You have the freedom to decide at the last minute.  Since most first class upgrades are given at the last minute, you can wait and ask.  This is provided a seat is available.  For example, you may be unwilling to pay for a first class ticket, until you see your flight is full of kids.  There is nothing wrong with traveling with small children, but you may get a rowdy bunch.  If so, your plans to relax are gone.  If this causes you worry, ask to buy an upgraded ticket.  If one is available, you should get an upgrade with a cheap price tag.

The Cons of Buying a First Class Upgrade

First class upgrades are usually offered to preferred customers first.  Regularly, these customers fly for business.  Many are frequent flyers.  Some are encouraged to use their frequent flyer miles and others are given free upgrades.  Why does an airline do this?  Preferred customers fly multiple times a year.  They generate income for the airline.  These are customers the airline wants and needs to keep happy.

They may not be available.  Since most first class upgrades are purchased at the ticket counter, there are risks involved.  The flight may be booked to capacity, including first class.  Then, you are stuck flying coach.  If you have your heart set on flying first class, it may be worth the added cost to purchase a first class ticket from the start.  Otherwise, arrive at the airport early.  The first flyers to ask for upgrades are usually the ones to receive them.

You still have to pay.  Although you do save money by opting for a first class upgrade, as opposed to booking a first class ticket, you still pay.  This upgrade fee depends on the airline and how desperate they are to fill the seats.  Make sure you are getting a good deal.  As stated above, some airlines move passengers to first class because of weight and safety issues.  How would you feel if you paid for a first class upgrade and later saw passengers being pulled into first class for free?  Always keep this in mind.

So, is waiting until the last minute for a paid first class upgrade the best choice for you?  It all depends on your personal preferences.  If flying first class is a luxury and not a necessity, try it.  The worst that happens is you are still flying in coach, but at least you are on the plane.

Las Vegas is a popular vacation destination.  It is the perfect destination for a trip with friends, your romantic partner, and even your family.  If you want to visit Las Vegas, you want to save money on the trip planning.  After all, you may lose money in the casino, so it is better to start saving now.  Luckily, it is easy to save money on a trip to Las Vegas.

Las Vegas is different that many other vacation destinations.  For starters, it is one of the most popular in the United States.  Then, you have the world readily available.  There are many hotels, resorts, casinos, and car rentals to choose from.  Also, just about any airline company flying in the United States can get to you Las Vegas.   What does this mean?  There are always ways for you to save money.

The easiest way to save money on airfare for a Vegas trip is to wisely choose your travel dates.  Unlike Florida, New York, Hawaii, and other popular vacation destinations, Las Vegas really doesn’t have an off-season.  It is always packed with tourists all year round.  So, your best bet is to wisely choose the travel dates.  The cheapest day to travel is on Wednesdays.  Schedule your departing and returning flights for a Wednesday.  Mondays and Fridays are the most expensive.  You may save hundreds of dollars just by flying on a Wednesday instead.

Look for special deals and discounts from travel websites and budget airlines.  You will easily find good deals on these websites.  Many have flights to and from Las Vegas from well-known airports, like JFK, for $100 or less each way.  Many times, it is cheaper to book a roundtrip flight, but not when you find these special one-way travel deals and discounts.  Of course, you need to proceed with caution.  Some budget airlines and third-party websites do not disclose additional fees and taxes until the end.  Your low cost flight to Las Vegas might not be so low cost anymore.

Another easy way to save money on a trip to Las Vegas is to book your vacation in the form of a travel package.  Popular third-party travel websites, like Orbtiz.com and Priceline.com, have many packages to choose from.  You can handpick your vacation package.  Do you need airline reservations, a car rental, and a hotel or just airline reservations and a hotel?  There is a package available for you.  These travel websites also partner with a number of hotels and resorts in the Las Vegas area, meaning your staying options are virtually unlimited.  Although there are no firm guarantees, you can easily reduce the cost of your trip by $500 or more just by purchasing a vacation package.

In keeping with reducing your airfare, there are more ways to save money than by getting a discounted ticket.  Try to find a cheap one-stop or no-stop flight.  This limits the amount of time you spend at the airport, also reducing the money you spend.  If you have long flights or layovers, eat before you leave for the airport and pack a snack.  If traveling with family, condense luggage to reduce bags and rely on your carryon bag; pack it to capacity.  This reduces the extra fees you are charged for your first and second bags of checked luggage.  By taking the time to find cheap tickets and implementing a few of these steps, you may be surprised how cheap your trip turns out.

In short, there are many ways that you can reduce the cost of a trip to Las Vegas, especially your airfare.  Whether you want to gamble in private, catch a show with a group of friends, get married, or have a fun family vacation, you can do it in Las Vegas without breaking the bank.  Remember, price compare to find the best deals, fly on Wednesdays, and consider moneysaving vacation packages.

Are you a parent who needs to fly with your young children?  If so, you need to look for ways to save money.  Unfortunately, parents often pay full-price, if not more for their children to fly.  Realistically speaking, it should be the other way around.  So, how do you, as a parent, find cheap airfare when traveling with children?

Do not get a seat for a child under the age of two.  Most airlines allow children under the age of two to fly on the lap of a parent.  If you have a child under two, don’t pay full-price for a ticket.  Depending on where and when you are traveling, this seat could cost $400 or more!  Some airlines do charge a fuel charge for lap infants, but it is still cheaper than a single seat.

Right about now, you may be thinking it is too uncomfortable to fly with a child on your lap.  It is best if you are traveling with your spouse or another adult.  You can alternate between holding your child.  This is ideal for long-distance flights, ensuring both parents get to relax on the flight at some point.

Do not let an airline charge you extra for a car seat.  If an infant under the age of two gets their own seat, most airlines require you to have a car seat.  This car seat is for safety purposes.  Although some airlines require infant car seats, they have no problem charging you extra.  Don’t let this happen.  If you must have a separate seat for your infant, contact the airline directly and bargain.  Let them know that if they do not waive the fee for the infant care items, you will opt for a lap arrangement instead.  Once again, this can lose the airline up to $400 or more!

Ask for a discount.  If you have a small child who is over the age of two, you must buy a seat.  As previously stated, that seat could cost $400 or more.  What you need to remember is that your child weighs less than an adult, they have less luggage, and most have few travel needs.  They aren’t calling the attention of a flight attendant every ten minutes.  Technically, it costs less for your child to fly, so try to pay less.

When seeking a child airfare discount, these discounts are rarely offered online.  In fact, they are rarely offered at all.  Parents need to seek them.  Before making your airline reservations, contact the customer service department of your preferred airline.  Outright ask about a discount.  Mention the fact that your child does weighs less and will not have as much luggage.  Be very polite, but clearly state your point.  You should get a discount.

The best way to reduce the cost of flying with kids is to focus on airfare.  However, don’t discount other moneysaving areas.  It is cheaper to fly with layovers than take a direct flight.  Unfortunately, that leaves you and your kids hanging out at the airport.  We all know how expensive airport meals, snacks, and drinks are.  Eliminate this added expense.  Give your kids a full meal before leaving, pack lots of dry snacks, and share drinks bought at airport stores.

If you are traveling with one or two children, they may want their own suitcases.  As cute as they may look dragging this suitcase along, it may cost you at least $30 extra.  Now, many airlines charge for not only second suitcases, but the first one too.  Save money by condensing luggage with your family.  Will your daughter’s clothes fit into your suitcase and your son’s clothes fit into your husband’s suitcase?  If your airline charges you $15 each way for a checked bag, you save $60 total!

As you can see, there are many ways that you can save money when flying with kids.  Whether you have one child or three, don’t let the cost of flying ruin your finances.

When it comes to first class upgrades, a lot of focus is placed on convincing ticket counter agents to upgrade your flight status. Yes, this is your best chance of an upgrade, but it is never too late to get your seat moved.  There are some ways that you can score a first class upgrade after you already boarded the airplane.  How?

Complain about your seat.  When taking this approach, it is best that you have a legitimate complaint.  Is your seat cushion ripped, does the armrest not work, is the fold down lap tray broken?  If so, voice your concerns to a flight attendant.  Right away, ask if there are any seats available in first class.  If there are, he or she will likely direct you there and free of charge.

As for why you should ask for an upgrade right away, most flight attendants will not immediately suggest first class.  Their first thought is to find you another available seat in coach.  After all, that is what you paid for.  They only exception is if you take the stance of an angry customer, but this is too risky with security nowadays.  Instead of finding yourself in first class, you may end up in jail.  So, don’t wait if you have a complaint about your seat.  Mention your unhappy status and immediately ask if seats are available in first class.

Once again, this is best if you have a legitimate complaint.  A flight attendant can easily tell if you are lying.  You are stuck with these attendants on the plane.  Most will give you good service regardless, but some may remember you lied and tried to use them.  This may result in less than stellar service.

Complain about a problem with a nearby passenger.  When doing this, make sure your complaint is a valid one.  In addition, pull the flight attendant aside.  You do not want the passenger in question to hear you complaining about them.  If your upgrade to first class doesn’t go as planned, you are now stuck next to that unhappy passenger for entire flight.

When it comes to complaining about another passenger, your best option is to point out a screaming or crying child.  Flight attendants sympathize with passengers put in the next seat, as they have been there before.  This complaint increases your chances of making it into first class.  Other valid complaints involve an overweight passenger who doesn’t give you enough room, a nearby passenger wearing strong perfume or cologne, or a passenger using bad language.

Once again, you should automatically make the suggestion to move to first class.  After voicing your discord, immediately ask the flight attendant if there is a seat available in first class.  If you are flying on a large plane, most flight attendants will try to move you to another coach section.  Plant the idea in their head first.

Whether you are unhappy with your seat, a nearby passenger, or if you have another valid concern, they key is to be polite.  In most cases, passengers never consider scoring an upgrade to first class.  Instead, they take their anger out on the flight attendant.  Acknowledge you know the flight attendant is not in control of the situation.  Be polite and never blame them for the problem.  Never raise your voice or use foul language.  This will get you nowhere, except possibly pulled off the flight in handcuffs.

In short, the best way to get upgraded to first class is to buy a discounted upgrade coupon or wow the airline attendants at the ticket counter.  Take these steps if you must fly in first class, not if you just consider it a luxury.  Still, if you have a legitimate concern or complaint when onboard the plane, don’t be afraid to speak up.  As long as you are calm and polite, doing so may land you a free first class upgrade.

Flying During the Holidays:  How to Save Money

If you are one of the millions of Americans who moved away after high school, you have long-distance family.  You may only get to see your parents and siblings once or twice a year.  Usually, that is during a holiday.  Unfortunately, holidays are the worst and most expensive times to fly.  On that same note, there are a many ways that you can save money during holiday travel.  How?

Buy your ticket early.  Any other time of the year, it is easy to find last minute travel deals and discounts, but not around the holidays.  This is peak travel season and airlines know this.  If anything, they are likely to increase the price at the last minute.  They do so hoping to profit from poor planners.  If you book your flight two months before the holiday, you could easily save $100.

Not only does buying your airline tickets early save you money, but it also ensures you get a seat.  Right now, most airlines are losing money and very quickly.  To avoid bigger losses, they are increasing airfare and offering fewer flights.  Five years ago, you may have had ten Christmas flights to get you home on Delta Airlines.  This year, you may only have three.  If you wait until the last minute to make your reservations, you may find no available seats.

Play the waiting game.  It seems ironic to wait when you were just told to book your reservations in advance.  Only play the waiting game if you are planning at least four months ahead.  About three months before your travel date is the best time to find good deals.  This buys you some time.  Monitor your interested flights or setup email alerts.  Set a goal price.  If the airline does not lower their price to meet your goal after one month, go with the cheapest flight available.  This is another benefit of planning ahead, you have time to experiment and monitor.

Check other nearby airports.  Do you have at least two or three airports within a reasonable distance to your home?  What about your destination?  If you are flying home to meet your mother, chances are she will not mind driving an hour to pick you up.  If it saves you money, do it.  Although there are no guarantees, usually the larger airports have the best deals to offer.

Arrive home for the holidays early.  Usually it is very expensive to fly a day or two before a holiday, like Christmas or Thanksgiving.  If you can, arrive home a few days earlier.  Spending three extra days with your family may save you $50 or more!

Accept a bump if you can.  As previously stated, the holidays are a popular time to fly.  Since there are fewer flights, there are more overbooked planes.  If your plane is overbooked and volunteers are sought to take a later flight, try bargaining.  You may be able to get an upgrade to first class, a discount on your next flight, and so forth.  Just be sure to call your family back home to let them know you will be arriving late.

Finally, pack snacks.  Not only will this save you money at the airport, but time too.  Airports are loaded with travelers during the holidays.  This not only means long lines at airport security, but at eateries too.  Pack a snack or a bagged lunch to avoid paying for an expensive meal and having to wait in line.

How to Fly Cheap:  What the Travel Experts Recommend

If you need to fly, you may wish you didn’t have to.  This is because of the high airfare most airlines are charging.  What use to be a cheap trip across the country is now one that most Americans cannot afford.  Whether you are flying across the country or to the next state, you want to save money.  There are many moneysaving travel tips available online.  These are nice, but who has the best tips?  The travel experts and what do they have to say?

Avoid weekend departures.  This is when most people travel, as they don’t have to miss additional work.  If you can, fly on Wednesday.  Wednesday is the best and cheapest day to fly.  What are the worst?  The worst and most expensive days to fly in the United States are usually Mondays and Fridays.  Why is this?  Friday is usually reserved for the weekend warriors.  Monday flights are loaded with those traveling for businesses.  You can easily save at least $100 by departing on Wednesday instead.

Consider flying in the vacation off-season.  If you are flying to take a vacation, consider waiting.  What is your destination and when is the off-season?  For example, Florida is most popular in the winter and New York is most popular in the summer.  By avoiding these busy months, you not only save money on airfare, but your car rental and hotel too.  Why are these special discounts offered in the off-season?  Airlines have no problem filling up flights from New York to Orlando in January, as those in the Northeast want to escape the cold.  It is however, harder for them to fill the same flight in the month of July.  The Northeast now has warm and beautiful weather, so less travel.  With that said, the airline still needs to fly between these destinations.  To ensure a full flight, they offer deals and discounts.

Avoid flying during the holiday.  Although it is cheaper to depart on a Wednesday than a Friday, there is one simple way you can save money.  That is stay home for the holidays.  Airfare skyrockets around Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter.  Why is this? Airlines know this is when Americans travel the most.  Staying home is nice, but don’t let it ruin your holidays.  If want to fly back home to spend Thanksgiving with your parents, do it.  Price compare to find the best deals and leave early.  Around the holidays, the most expensive flights are the two days before the holiday.  Arrive three to four days before Thanksgiving; you should find better airfare rates.

Book your flight at the right time.  Did you know that when you book your flight is just as important as when you depart?  Most travelers are surprised to hear this.  Travel experts state there are two good times to make airline reservations.  They are Wednesday morning and Saturday morning.  Around these times, airlines review their status for their upcoming flights.  If there are more seats to fill, cheap discounts are temporarily offered.

As you can see, there are many ways to fly cheap in the United States.  According to the experts, you should avoid holidays, fly on Wednesdays, book your flight on Wednesday or Saturday morning, and vacation in the off-season.  If you can implement these expert recommended moneysaving travel tips, do it.  You may save hundreds of dollars on airfare.

Fly Cheap:  Do Budget Airlines Save You Money?

If you are looking to reduce the cost of airfare, you may stop and consider budget airlines.  These airlines claim they have the best rates in the business.  What do you sacrifice for these rates?  It depends on their airline in question.  You may give up an in-flight snack, drink, movie, first class, or assigned seating.  If this does not concern you, you may be ready to book your travel plans.  But wait!  Do these budget airlines really save you money?  Yes and no; it depends on a number of factors.

The budget airline in question.  After a quick search online and after requesting free price quotes, you will see that not all “budget,” airlines are so budget after all.  In fact, some charge fares that are inline or more than popular and well-known companies, such as Delta and American Airlines.  As great as budget airlines are, never assume you are getting the best deal.  Most times you are, but there are no guarantees.  Determine which airlines can get you to point a and point b and then back.  Visit the online websites for these airlines and request a free quote.  If a budget air carrier is truly cheaper to fly with, make your reservations.

If your travel dates are set in stone.  Unfortunately, life happens.  It is hectic and plans change all the time.  If you book a flight with a budget airline, you want to make sure this does not happen.  It is best to schedule your reservations after you are sure of your travel date.  Why?  You are charged a fee for changing your plans.  Some budget airlines, like Southwest, charge you a fee and then hold on to your money.  This money can be transferred to a new ticket within twelve months.  If you don’t use it, you lose it.  For many first time travelers, this seems risky and shady.  Yes, it is a pitfall to flying on a budget airline, but not if you are 100% sure about your travel dates and time.

The price you see upfront may not be the actual price.  Most well-known airline companies, such as Northwest and Delta, let you know your fees and taxes upfront.  For example, you search for a flight.  Each of your options appear on the screen.  The large price is your flight price.  The smaller printed price is the total of your flight after taxes and fees are included.  You know this information right up front.  You rarely do with budget airlines.  It usually takes you two or three pages, after seeing your flight options, before you see the total for fee and taxes.  So, don’t get excited right away if you can fly between Las Vegas and New York for $89 each way, as this is not the final ticket cost.

If you are traveling to a popular vacation destination.  Budget airlines keep their fees low, hence the name.  There are many ways they do this, including eliminating many perks for passengers.  They also carefully choose the airports they service.  Ohio is a great state, but it isn’t one of the most popular vacation destinations in the United States.  So, if you need to fly to Ohio, you may be unable to find a budget airline that can get you there.  Your chances of flying budget and getting the lowest fares increase with the more popular destinations you choose.  Luckily, most budget airlines are known for their no or one-stop flights to popular vacation destinations, like Las Vegas, Florida, and New York.

In short, budget airlines are doing a good thing.  They are working hard to provide customers with cheap ways to fly.  If you are more concerned about saving money and getting from point a to point b, you should consider flying budget.  If you want the perks that come with being an air traveler, it is best to go with the airlines you know and trust.

Easy Ways to Fly Cheap…

Do you need to travel by air?  Whether you must attend a special event, like a wedding, want relax and hangout with old friends and family, or just have the adventure of a lifetime, you want to save money.  Right?  Don’t you want a cheap flight?  With the tough economy and the fact that airlines are losing money at an alarming rate, many consumers mistakenly believe the days of cheap and affordable airfare are gone.  They aren’t   You just need to know where to look and how to find these cheap rates. How?

Compare airlines.  Unless you are flying out of and flying into a very small airport, you should have at least three different air carriers to choose from.  Most can choose from at least five.  Visit the websites of well-known and budget airlines operating in the United States.  You can do this with a standard internet search.  Then, request a free travel quote for your intended dates of travel.  You should get varying results.  Compare your findings.  Which airline will get you to and from your destination the cheapest?

Compare online travel websites.  Typically, it is cheaper to book a flight directly through the airline, but not always.  It will not hurt to visit third-party travel websites, like Orbitz.com.  Use the same information you entered above to get a price quote directly from the airlines.  Which way is it cheaper for you to book your flight?  Don’t forget to include the cost of taxes, fees, and so forth.

Don’t give up.  As previously stated, you should check and request free airfare quotes from all airlines directly and third-party travel websites.  Yes, this does sound like a lot of work and it is, but it is very easy.  The internet allows you to move around quickly.  It should take less than an hour for you to get airfare rates from all popular travel websites and all airlines.  Keep going because the last place you visit may be the one to save you the most money.

Signup for email alerts from airlines and travel websites.  Technology is cool.  Most of us internet users rely on technology and airlines are now starting to embrace it too.  Are you a regular traveler or someone who only flies when you get a good deal?  If so, signup for email alerts.  Most third-party travel websites and now some airlines offer them.  In some cases, you can customize your alerts to include moneysaving discounts for specific states, airlines, and airports.  If you like getting last minute travel deals, this simple step can make it happen.

Be flexible with your travel dates and times.  Typically, mid-day and overnight flights are the best.  People avoid these flights because they are an inconvenience.  No one wants to be on a plane overnight because it is hard to sleep.  Vacationers don’t want to lose a valuable afternoon of their vacation, so they fly early.  If you can be flexible, you can save money.  With many airlines, you are able to shave $100 or more from your flight by departing Wednesday, as opposed to Monday or Friday.

Book your reservations in advance.  Many travelers hold out for last minute travel airfare deals.  Yes, these do exist, but they are risky right now.  Since many airlines are losing money, some have reduced their flights.  Since there are fewer planes in the air, those that are up there are fuller.  You may be unable to find a flight with an empty seat at the last minute.  Not only that, but not all airlines offer last minute travel deals and discounts.  Some even raise the price!

Finally, getting a cheap airline reservation isn’t the only way to reduce the cost of your flight.  To save money, familiarize yourself with your airlines baggage fess.  Did you know that some airlines now charge for your first checked back of luggage? Many do.  If traveling with family, condense luggage to reduce the suitcases.  Only pack what you need, rely on your carryon bag, and use space saving travel bags.

If you want or need to travel in the coming months, you may turn to online travel websites.  These popular websites, which include PriceLine.com and Orbtiz.com, are a great way to book a trip.  In fact, many have special deals and discounts.  For some individuals, these deals and discounts can save hundreds.  For others, there are no savings.

Are the airfare deals offered by most online travel websites a good deal for you?  It all depends.  To decide, examine their pros and cons.  Then, apply them to your own personal situation.  After doing so, you have your answer.  So, what are the pros and cons of the airfare deals offered by most third-party travel websites?

The Pros of Online Travel Website Deals

You have a number of online travel websites to choose from.  As stated above, PriceLine.com and Orbtiz.com are two popular travel websites.  They are not your only options.  Perform a standard internet search with the phrases “travel websites” or “travel deals,” and you will be surprised with the results.  Orbitz.com and other similar websites tend to specialize in domestic and international travel.  You can also find websites that deal with specific vacation destinations, such as Hawaii, Florida, or the Caribbean.

You have a large number of travel deals and discounts to choose from.  As previously stated, there are many online travel websites to use.  Most offer moneysaving deals and discounts.  In fact, it is common for one website to offer at least ten deals.  Some can be for last minute airfare; others can be for vacation packages, and so forth.  Your best chance of finding a good deal is to examine each online travel website and their moneysaving offers.  It will take time as there are many, but you could save hundreds or thousands of dollars on your next trip.

You should save money.  Since travel deals and discounts are designed to save you money, they should.  The only tricky part is finding a special deal on airfare that gets you to where you need to go.  For example, if you are flying to a little-known city in Idaho, your chances of finding an amazing airfare deal is slim.  Most often, these deals are offered for popular destinations, such as Las Vegas, New York City, and San Francisco.  As long as your destination is popular and serviced, you should get a good deal and save money.

The Cons of Online Travel Website Deals

Most of the discounts are for last minute trips.  Airlines want to fill their flights.  They lose money each time a seat is empty.  As the flight date approaches, they offer discounts directly to travelers and to third-party travel websites.  For that reason, most of the “amazing,” deals and discounts you will find are for last minute travel.  If you are flying to attend a special event, like a wedding or an important business meeting, it can be risky to wait.  These last minute deals are ideal for those who have money to spend and vacation time to use.

These travel deals and discounts rarely last long.  For most, it is going, going, and gone.  For example, say it normally costs $399 to fly roundtrip from New York to Las Vegas.  If an online travel website offers one-way flights to and from the same destination for only $99 one-way, there is a great potential to save money.  Since many travelers want to save that money, the available seats on the cheap flights will be snatched up quickly.  When you find a good travel deal or discount on a third-party website, there isn’t much time to do research.  You usually need to act now.

In short, online travel websites do offer many deals and discounts.  If you can find a flight that applies to your travel wants or needs, take the offer.  You can save money.  With that said, third-party travel websites are known for adding extra fees.  Read the fine print before making your reservations.  Ensure your cheap flight will stay that way.

Cheap Airfare:  Should You Book Early or Late

If you need to fly, the cost is likely to be a turn off.  Watch the news and read financial reports; you will see that airline companies are in financial trouble.  Many are barely staying afloat.  What does this mean for you?  It means higher airfare.  If you want to save money and find a cheap flight, you may wonder whether you should book your trip in advance or wait until the last minute.  Each option has their pros and cons.

The greatest benefit of booking a flight early is the preparation.  If you are planning a vacation, you not only need to make your airline reservations, but reservations for a car rental and hotel too.  For some travelers, it is too nerve-wracking to wait until the last minute.  And, the price difference varies from airline to airline.  Some airlines offer $100 or more discounts for last minute travelers, some offer a measly $25 discount, and others actually increase the price.  If you are the type of person who needs to plan, go ahead and do so.

Another benefit to booking your airline reservations early is that you are guaranteed a seat.  As previously stated, most airlines are in financial trouble.  To save money, they have not only increased fares, but cut flights.  There are now fewer airplanes in the air.  The planes that are flying are usually booked full.  If you wait until the last minute to book your airline reservations, your flight options may be limited.  This will not happen if you book early.  In fact, you should have a number of flights to choose from.  Are you traveling with kids?  Choose the trip with the fewest and shortest layovers, so you aren’t stuck in an airport with bored kids, and so forth.

As for waiting until the last minute to book your airline reservations, you may find good deals.  It all depends on when you look.  Towards Saturday morning, you are likely to find the best deals on last minutes flights.  Airlines just reviewed their flight lists.  They are trying to fill all empty seats.  To increase appeal, they offer better discounts.  This is your chance to save money and get a cheap flight.

Your reasons for travel should also be considered.  If you are traveling and staying with friends and family, you can be flexible with when you make your travel plans.  However, if you are looking to attend a special event and must make hotel reservations, keep these in mind.  You do not want to wait until the last minute to book your airline reservations only to find that nearby hotels are booked solid.  Yes, you may have gotten a good deal on the tickets, but now your entire trip is thrown out of order.

So, should you book your flight early or wait until the last minute?  Honestly, it all depends on your personal preferences.  If you have to plan ahead for your sanity, do it.  If you don’t want to take any chances, book your flight early.  If you wish, monitor the airfares for your flight.  Although airlines are under no obligation to refund you the difference, you can attempt to get that refund.

Since it is risky to book your flight too early and too late, it is best to familiarize yourself with other moneysaving tactics.  For starters, price compare.  Unusually, multiple airlines can get you to your destination.  Price compare to find the best deal.  Next, avoid flying on the weekends and holidays.  Flights departing on Wednesday to the same destination are usually $100 cheaper than flights that depart on Monday or Friday.  Also, consider other ways to save.  Do not fall victim to the high fees passengers are charged for snacks, drinks, pillows, and blankets.  Bring your own.  Even if you pay $2 for a 20-ounce bottle of soda at the airport, it is still a better value than buying an in-flight drink.

5 Ways to Get Upgraded to First Class

If you rarely fly, you may mistakenly believe that first class seats, also commonly known as business class seats, are only for the rich.  They are expensive, so only the rich must be able to afford them.  This is not true.  Did you know that many of the people sitting in first class did not pay full price for their ticket?  In fact, some are relaxing in first class with a free upgrade from coach.  How does this happen?  How can you get an upgrade to first class?

1 – Pay for an Upgrade

When it comes to paying for an upgrade, you have two options.  Most airlines enable flyers to upgrade their seats to first class on their website.  If you monitor your flight and know that first class is quickly filling, you may want to upgrade your seats in advance.  You can usually do this on the airline’s reservation website or over-the-phone with a representative.  You can also upgrade at the airport ticket counter.  When checking in, ask if there are first class upgrades available for sale.  If there are, purchase an upgrade.  They are usually cheaper at the airport and at the last minute.

When it comes to paying for your first class upgrade, you have two options.  You can pay the traditional way with a credit or debit card.  If you are an avid flyer and have accumulated frequent flyer miles, use these to pay for the difference.  While it seems like a hassle, you save more money than just using your miles to buy a first class seat.

2 – Ask for an Upgrade

Whether you want to pay for a first class upgrade or not, just ask.  It all depends on how you ask, who, and when.  If you ask the airline representatives at the check-in counter, you will likely have to pay for your first class ticket.  These individuals specialize in making and changing reservations.  If you want a free upgrade to first class, wait until you are inside airport security.  This group of airline workers takes your tickets.  Before the flight boards, just ask if there are any additional first class seats available.  If there are, you may get a free first class upgrade.

3 – Be Nice

When it comes to asking for a first class upgrade, whether you pay for it or want it free, be polite.  You must be on your best behavior.  Even if first class seats are available, flight attendants are under no obligation to provide upgrades, especially free upgrades.  The key is to be polite.  Right now, most airlines have low approval ratings.  Customers are upset with the long lines, airport security, rules and restrictions, and high airfare.  Many take their anger and frustration out on flight attendants and ticker counter representatives.  Being polite not only puts a smile on their face, but it may get you an upgrade.

4 – Volunteer

This approach is hit or miss, but there are times when flight attendants must scatter the weight on a plane to balance it.  This is a safety issue.  In small flights with first class, this can result in passengers from coach being put in first class for free.  Many times, flight attendants ask for volunteers or seek out passengers flying alone.  If this happens on your flight, be one of the first to volunteer.  Since you are doing the flight attendants a favor by volunteering to relocate, you get a free first class upgrade.

5 – Get Bumped

Most times, getting bumped from a flight is an air traveler’s worst nightmare.  Not everyone is traveling to relax or see friends and family.  Many travelers are on a strict deadline.  These individuals may be flying to attend an important business meeting, see a sick relative, or attend a special event.  If you are traveling just because, offer to be the person bumped from an overbooked flight.  With that said, state you want something in return.  That is a free upgrade to first class.  Most flight attendants and ticket counter representatives will quickly accept your offer.

How to Lose to make Money…

The ups and downs of the stock market can be a steep learning curve if you are new to the everyday movement of investing and some day you will win and other you lose. By doing this you will be in a much better position for making wise decisions later on based on your past experiences.

This means that you will either need to lose money by investing in a broker that can assist you in making those initial trades while educating you on the ways of the market or you are going to need to spend a little money learning the ropes on your own. Either way in the stock market you will learn much more from the losses you take along the way than you will ever learn through successes that get you through the days.

The theory behind losing to win is that you will spend a little money learning the ropes and that will be money well spent once you learn the ins and outs of trading. It is quite likely that this will not be the only money that you will lose along the way as you journey into the world of high finance and stock market and mutual fund investments but it is probably going to be the largest concentration of money that you will lose during the process.

If you are willing to risk those initial dollars for the purpose of learning a new and better way of making your money work for you then you can expect to not only establish a comfortable retirement but also to quite possibly make a comfortable living in the meantime. Most day traders fail all together. Among those that ultimately succeed they face heavy losses in the beginning at least until they work out some sort of system that brings success their way more often than not. In order to succeed in that particularly volatile market you must be observant, pay attention to detail, and keep accurate and copious records not only of all transactions but the results of those transactions for better or worse. This helps you see patterns that you might not otherwise see as well as keeps your wins and losses in black and white so that you are aware of just how much money you are making and losing while learning the ropes.

For those who are willing to take these steps there is a lot of money to be made in the stock market—particularly in the field of day trading. High profits are great and something that most investors secretly dream of whether they’ll ever admit it out loud or not. The difference in those investors and those that go the day trading route is that the day traders are actually placing themselves in a position to experience these massive profits that everyone else will be so jealous of in the end. It is a risk, no doubt, but careful consideration, planning, and attention to detail can bring those big paydays.

Some people go to college for advanced degrees in their chosen fields. Education is a big investment with high interest bearing student loans left over when all is said and done. All in all, a year of learning the ropes with day trading can prove to be a much lower expense than a full four-year college education (interest included) and bring about bigger profits without creating nearly the mountain of debt (provided of course that you invested wisely). If a small learning curve and one year’s worth of time can produce results such as this wouldn’t it be well worth it to try and see how much of a difference day trading can make in your financial future? Make sure you do your research if you want to invest in the stock market.

Tips for Estimating the Cost of a Summer Vacation…

Due to the poor economy, many Americans are foregoing their annual summer vacations or at least significantly cutting back.  If you are on a budget, but still want to plan a good summer vacation, you should take three steps.  They involve determining how much money you have available to spend, estimating the cost of your trip, and cutting corners when needed.  Out of these three steps, estimating the cost of your summer vacation is the most important, but it can also be the most difficult.  Continue reading on for a few helpful tips.

Estimate the cost of everything.  Your goal is to plan a summer vacation you can afford.  To do that, you must know how much you can expect to spend.  Are you driving or flying?  Honestly, it doesn’t matter.  Estimate the cost of travel.  Where do you intend to stay?  Unless staying with friends and family, estimate the cost of a hotel or resort.  You want to account for each dollar you are likely to spend.  If you will buy souvenirs, estimate the cost of them.  If you attend to pay for activities and attractions, estimate their costs.  Since you need to eat, estimate the cost of food, snacks, and drinks.

Do more than just a general estimate; create a detailed one.  For example, you may think “I can spend $50 to eat on the first day of my trip.”  This is good, but created a detailed list.  Start with breakfast, lunch, snacks, and dinner.  A good example is to plan to spend $5 for breakfast at a fast food establishment, $15 dollar for lunch at a casual restaurant, $5 for snacks a local convenience store, and $25 for dinner at a nice sit-down restaurant.  This approach is best as it later allows you to cut corners.  If your estimates have you going over your vacation budget, forgo the dinner at a fancy restaurant.  Reduce the cost from $25 down to $12 by opting for a casual restaurant instead.

Use the internet to help you estimate the cost of your trip.  As previously stated, you want to know how much you can expect to spend.  This will help you determine if you can truly afford your dream vacation.  It is easy to estimate the cost of air travel or hotels.  Use the internet and request a free quote.  As for attractions, activities, and food, use the internet as a guide.  Visit a few websites for nearby restaurants and attractions.  What are their average costs?  Use them as a guide.

Overestimate. Using the internet makes it easier to estimate the cost of a summer vacation, but rarely are you 100% on.  For that reason, always overestimate.  If you come across a cute restaurant online that charges an average of $12 a meal, roundup to $15.  This will help account for an unexpected price increase.  Overestimating is better than underestimating.  If you underestimate the cost of your trip, you may be left broke on the last two days.  How will you eat now?  With overestimating, the worst is you will have extra cash in your pocket.  Splurge on a nice meal, buy a few extra souvenirs, or save the money.

Don’t forget about free things.  The best way to save money on a summer vacation is to take advantage of anything that is free.  For example, your hotel may have free donuts or bagels available for guests.  A warm breakfast is nice, but why pass up something for free?  At the very least, intend on eating breakfast at your hotel half of the trip.  By doing so, you have no costs to estimate as it is free.  Do the same with activities and attractions.  Use the internet to research those with low or no admission fees.

As a recap, if you are vacationing with limited financial resources, create a budget.  Determine much money you have to spend, estimate the cost of your vacation, and compare the two.  If your dream vacation is too expensive based on your estimates, work on cutting costs.

Plan a Cheap Summer Vacation and Lower the Cost of Airline Baggage…

Did you just finish making your summer vacation travel plans?  If so, your trip dates will soon arrive.  If you are flying to your destination, you may start to pack soon.  If you haven’t already heard, many airlines have started charging extra baggage fees.  Many airlines now charge you a set fee, like $25 one way, for a second bag of checked luggage.  Unfortunately, some are also charging for the first.  Although this added expense is well-documented by airlines, it may throw your vacation budget out of whack.

So, how can you avoid or limit the cost of the extra fees airlines charge for your luggage?

First, do you need a suitcase?  Do you have one?  If not, keep costs in mind.  How much do you travel?  If you only take one vacation a year, you don’t need to invest $100 or more in one suitcase.  Wal-Mart and Target have cheap suitcases for an average of $50 or less.  If you need suitcases for each member of your family, look at the packaged deals.  The suitcases are often different sizes, but a better value for the money.

Check the weather forecast before your trip.  It is always good to be prepared for the weather, but don’t go overboard.  If traveling to Hawaii, you won’t need a winter coat, hat, and mittens.  You may want to bring a sweater and a raincoat, but don’t fill your suitcase with unneeded clothes and supplies.  Check the weather forecast first.  You may be surprised how much room you save in your suitcase by doing so.

Don’t pack what you don’t need.  Many hotels no longer offer small bottles of shampoo and soap.  If you do get some, it is usually less than before.  This is a cost cutting measure.  For that reason, bring health and beauty products from home.  It will be cheaper than buying at a nearby convenience store or hotel lobby.  Many discount and department stores have small travel size packages available for soaps, toothpaste, shampoo, and so forth.  With the exception of toothpaste, save your money.  You can also buy cheap packages of empty bottles, often marketed as travel cases.  They cost no more than $2 for a large set.  Take the empty bottles and fill with shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and lotion.

Invest in space saving travel bags.  Many of these bags are advertised on television, so consumers think of them as nothing more than an infomercial product, but they do work.  Travel bags don’t use a vacuum cleaner.  Instead, you just fill, seal, and lean on.  The key to using these bags is to not just fold your clothes into one pile.  You will get a brick that isn’t much smaller in size.  Fold that pile, but then fill the empty spaces in the bag.  By properly using space saving travel bags, you can fit many clothes into one suitcase.

As previously stated, many airlines are now charging for the first bag of checked luggage.  If you want to avoid these fees and are taking a two or three day rip, make use of your carryon bag.  By using space saving travel bags, you may be able to fit all of your clothes into your carryon.  Another great alternative is to limit the number of clothes you bring and wash your clothes at the hotel.  Paying $5 to do a couple loads of laundry is still cheaper than paying an extra $15 each way.
If you are taking a vacation with your romantic partner or family, consider condensing luggage.  Does your teenager have a half empty suitcase?  You are wasting money if you pay $30 roundtrip for that suitcase.  Share them instead.  You may eliminate one or two suitcases by sharing, saving you money.  This step is best with family.  You never know what an acquaintance may try to sneak in their suitcase; don’t be held liable for someone else’s lapse in judgment.

Finally, be careful with souvenirs.  They are nice, but costly and take up extra space.  What if you don’t have enough room?  You may need to buy an extra bag.  Not only do you end up paying for the souvenir and emergency suitcase, but your airline may charge you an additional baggage fee.  Your $5 shot glass may easily cost as much as $10 now.  Use space saving travel bags to create extra space for souvenirs, limit your purchases, and only purchase those small in size.