Posts Tagged With 'Tips'

Learn The Best Effective Tips For Travel (2)

Learn The Best Effective Tips For Travel (2)

Learn The Best Effective Tips For Travel

There is much to learn about travel and once you know and apply this knowledge you can travel successfully. There is plenty of information available online, however not everything you read will apply to your specific situation. This article will give some of the best tips known in regards to travel.

Before you leave your hotel for a day of exploration, jot down some directions and notes on a stack of index cards which you can consult discreetly for directions. Carry a map, but if you need to look at it, don’t just stand in the middle of the street gawking. Go into a café or restaurant where you can order something to eat or drink and sit inconspicuously at a table to study your map. These steps will help keep you safe in a strange land.

When traveling internationally, arrange your tour guides in advance, and ensure that they speak English. This doesn’t have to mean that you hire a tour guide company, however. Speak to your hotel in advance and ask for an English-speaking person to “hang out” with you for the day. You’ll probably get a local who can take care of issues like, where to eat, and returning you safely to your hotel.

Before you travel it is a good idea to join some online travel forums like TripAdvisor, Fodors, Frommers and LonelyPlanet. These forums are great places to pick up tips and advice from people who have already visited your chosen travel destination. You can also use these forums to find a travelling partner.

If you’ve got a long flight coming up, it may be tempting to take a sleep aide to make the travel time go faster. But wait until your plane is up in the air before you take it. If you doze off before it’s in the air, you may miss important announcements or worse, be asked to disembark to switch planes.

Tired of the same boring road trip? Next time you have to pack up and go to an out-of-town event, try something different. After you map your main driving route, pick a few random places off the beaten path to stop at along the way. It could be a small mom-and-pop diner, a state park or maybe your first visit to a comic book store. Not only will this break up your drive, you will have added memories to keep forever.

A power strip and extension cord are must-haves to tuck into a suitcase for any traveler. Most hotels and motels as well as cruise ship cabins only have an outlet or two available and many times those outlets are not conveniently located to spend any time with a curling iron or offer enough room for camera and cell phone chargers.

In summary, there are some obvious tips that have been tested over time, as well as some newer ideas that you may not have considered. Hopefully, as long as you follow what we suggest in this article, you can get started with a new life of exciting and safe travel.

Top Travel Reservation Tips For A Stress-Free Trip!

Top Travel Reservation Tips For A Stress-Free Trip!

Top Travel Reservation Tips For A Stress-Free Trip!

Anyone who wants to enjoy a stress-free trip has to start with the basic concern of any traveler – how to effectively handle travel reservations. Below are a number of advice that may help:

– Decide on a travel plan – specific destination, how many days, what activities, routes, and other details. The attention given to this first step will ensure smooth sailing in making the necessary travel arrangements.

– If the destination is a foreign country, make sure all information that would be needed in making reservations are on hand.

How about booking your airline tickets? Below are some airline reservation tips you can use:

– If notification of your reservation is done by e-mail, make sure that the ticket price quoted is the same. Sometimes, some airlines claim the airfare booked earlier is no long available.

– If booking on online, use a reservation site where ticket prices for all airlines are shown so a comparison can be readily seen.

– If booking for more than one person, check also the ticket price for both a single passenger and multiple passengers. Some airlines quote different prices.

When it comes to reserving your hotel rooms, below are some helpful tips:

– Ask if the rate is a flat rate or per person.

– Ask how many beds are in the room and what the size is.

– Make sure to finalize a rate before getting off the phone.

– Ask about tax rates that would be added.

– Will breakfast be included with the price of the room? What time is it served and what is included.

– Are there guarantee and cancellation policies? Most hotels require guarantee for reservation with a credit card. Will they ask a check deposit?

– If this is a standard reservation, make sure there is a confirmation number.

Follow these top tips for a stress-free and enjoyable travel experience!

Traveling?  Check Out These Great Tips Before You Leave!

Traveling? Check Out These Great Tips Before You Leave!

Traveling? Check Out These Great Tips Before You Leave!

If you want to become an expert traveler, or even just make sure your future trips all go smoothly and efficiently, there are plenty of ways to transform any travel experience from a merely acceptable one to a great one. Read the below tips to find out how to make your trips effortless and enjoyable.

Befriend your driver when traveling by bus. Though you are not supposed to engage the driver in idle chatter while they drive the open road, you should take the time to talk to them as much as possible. This way you will know of any delays or upcoming route changes.

Take earplugs for flights and hotel stays. With the right level of noise blocking you can eliminate the volume that accompanies airplane travel. Also sleeping in hotels in an unfamiliar location can be hit or miss as far as the outside noise level. These earplugs can be the difference in a good night’s sleep or a grouchy morning.

When you arrive at your destination regardless of if it is overseas or within the country you live in, one of the best places for information is at a local tourism office or at your hotel’s concierge. Ask for the clerk’s recommendations or suggestions as they are native to the area and will have helpful tips to make your trip more pleasant.

Sometimes long flights can cause you to sit and sit and sit. Don’t be afraid to get up and walk down the aisles every once in a while. Exercise is great for you and when the plane reaches its’ destination, you won’t feel so lousy and you will avoid the stiff feeling in your legs.

When deciding to travel by car with children, have a portable DVD player or an built-in DVD player in your vehicle. This can make a really long trip appear much shorter to them and it can keep them distracted so that they don’t start misbehaving because they become bored or impatient.

Consider joining a travel and motor club to provide you with travel assistance. Not only do these types of clubs provide towing, they offer maps, travel planning, insurance, travelers checks, lockout assistance and more. As a bonus, many hotels and attractions offer discounts to members. The cost of membership can pay for itself when you save money on all these things.

When picking a destination to travel to pick somewhere that is affordable. You don’t want to travel somewhere that is so expensive you can’t enjoy yourself to the fullest. You want to make sure you have fun, but at the same time, you want to make it fit into your budget.

Car rental companies generally require their renters be 18 years of age at the youngest, there are now companies that require drivers to be 25 years or older. If you are under 25, the rate may be slightly higher, and a credit card may be required. Some cities do not allow senior citizens to rent cars. When you are making your reservation be sure to ask the age restrictions.

People who travel for a living learn to use a lot of little tips and tricks, like the ones above, to make sure all their trips are simple, pleasant experiences, whether they’re leaving home for a day or a month. With these insider tips, you’re well on your way to being an expert traveler, too.

Travel tips – getting the most out of your limited space

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Travel tips – getting the most out of your limited space

The number-one rule in packing for a trip is to pack lightly because we often forget how frequently we’ll have to lift or carry our luggage during our travels. Consider how, you’ll be dragging your luggage into the trunk of your car and out again, through the airport, off of the luggage carousel, through another airport, back into the trunk of your rental car and out again until finally you get to the hotel where hopefully they’ll have a porter.

On top of having to lug your bags around, your airline will have strict rules on the size, weight and the number of bags you can travel with—for both carry-on and checked baggage. Make sure you check your airline’s website for current information on restrictions and don’t assume that what you took last time will be allowed this time—especially if you are travelling on a different airline. Luggage size and weight restrictions can vary by airline or travel destination.

*MONEY-SAVING TRAVEL TIP*
Packing lightly for your travels can save you money. Many airlines are now charging fees for overweight bags, oversized bags, and for checking more than the allowed number of bags per passenger.

Other great reasons for packing lightly: shorter waits around the luggage carousel, less need for porters (and tips!) and easier Customs inspections (after all, if you had to force your bags closed, imagine how happy the Customs agents will be!)

Travel tips for packing your carry-on
Your carry-on should contain all your most valuable items and must-have documentation like:

• Your wallet
• Your passport
• Your tickets
• Your traveller’s cheques
• Your emergency medical travel insurance
• Your medications (be sure to keep them in their original bottles)
• Phone numbers and addresses of where you’ll be staying
• A small amount of local currency for immediate use when you arrive
• The maps you’ll need to get where you are staying once you’ve arrived
• If you must bring valuables like jewellery with you, your carry-on is your safest bet – but leave them at home if you can.

Travel tips for packing your checked luggage
The following tips should help you keep your luggage light and leave enough room so you can pack souvenirs when you return:

• Find out if where you are staying offers laundry services or has facilities you can use. This is one of the major secrets of packing lightly.
• Coordinate your outfits around a central color so you’ll be able to mix and match.
• Plan your outfits so you can layer instead of bringing lots of coats.
• Take a solid color sweater that will match any outfit to use to keep you warm
• Why pack the rain gear if rain is nowhere in the forecast? Check the weather online, so you can pack weather-appropriate clothing without wasting space on things you won’t need.
• Rolling clothes rather than folding them will help prevent wrinkles and optimize your limited space.
• Take small sample sizes of toiletries that will last just long enough instead of huge bottles.
• Don’t waste an inch of your luggage space, pack underwear and socks inside your shoes. This will also help your shoes keep their shape. Pack your belts around the edge of the luggage.

A final travel tip
Although already mentioned as one of the items you should keep in your carry-on so it doesn’t get lost, emergency medical travel insurance is a must-have for all Canadians. Even Canada’s Consular Affairs don’t mince words when they say on their website “DO NOT leave Canada without supplementary medical insurance.”

Even for the smallest of accidents, or the most common illnesses, emergency medical travel insurance offers you protection by ensuring you get the attention you need, when you need it while not having to worry about how your emergency treatment will get paid.

Before you leave, get emergency medical travel insurance quotes from competing insurers online and get the coverage you need. And don’t forget to pack it with your other must-have documentation!

Compare emergency medical travel insurance today!

5 Diabetes Travel Tips

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5 Diabetes Travel Tips

Planning ahead when you travel reduces stress. This is particularly important for a diabetic. These 5 diabetes travel tips are simple to implement and crucial to your diabetic management. They are particularly important if you are traveling abroad.

1) Have a pre-travel check-up. Make sure your A1C blood sugar levels; your blood pressure and your cholesterol levels are OK. Get the appropriate shots for any country you plan to visit.

2) Wear a diabetes medical ID. Ideally it should be in the language spoken in the country you’re visiting. Not everyone speaks your language and you don’t want medical problems through misunderstandings.

3) Keep your medication and glucose snacks in your hand-luggage. Check-in baggage does, unfortunately, go astray. Don’t risk your diabetes medication by packing it in your main luggage.

4) Keep your medication in its original box, complete with pharmacy labels. It will prevent misunderstandings about why you are carrying drugs and, if you are on insulin, syringes.

5) Be aware of time zone changes, especially when altering your watch. Remember when you travel east your day becomes shorter; if you travel west your day becomes longer. You may need to alter the timings of your medication.

Traveling need not be traumatic. A sensible attitude and a bit of pre-travel planning can make things go far more smoothly.

Travel Tips For The Smart Adventurer

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Travel Tips For The Smart Adventurer

Because of all the steps involved in planning and executing a trip, opportunities for setbacks and frustration abound. However, by planning ahead, you can eliminate your frustrations and sail through your next trip with ease. Just follow the smart travel tips given in this article for a headache-free trip.

To make the most of your travel budget, as well as your home budget, avoid taking it all with you. Taking too much money on a trip can quickly affect how the six months after the trip will go. Do not forget that you will have to return to the real world.

Make sure to plan out your routes prior to car trips to avoid getting caught in rush hour traffic. You can lose so much time on your trip by getting stuck in rush hour traffic. If there are no good main routes, try alternate routes and bypasses to avoid the road congestion.

When you are packing light for an extended trip, bring along a rain coat with a soft lining. You never can predict what the weather will do. Also, the rain coat can double as a windbreaker in cold weather or even a bathrobe while you are in your hotel room.

Make sure your passport will stay valid for the duration of your stay. You might run into issues when boarding your flight home or going through the customs if you have an expired passport or a passport that is about to expire. You might have to extend your stay to renew your passport.

For smokers who are looking at long travel times, you can chew nicotine gum or wear a nicotine patch. Although it may not be the same as actually having a cigarette, it should help to curb the urge to smoke. You can also bring lots of gum, and every time you crave a cigarette, pop a piece of gum into your mouth.

Before you arrive at your travel destination, search the internet to find a blogger who posts about what’s happening in this city. Take the time to email the blogger and ask for his or her recommendations about where you should go. This is a great way to get the inside scoop on your vacation spot.

To help you get the best prices when making travel plans, make sure to compare plane flights on several different websites. Often, specific travel websites will offer limited time promotions on certain routes. So, make sure to take your time when purchasing tickets so you get the best value for your air travel needs.

Dress appropriately when traveling to maximize comfort and safety. No one likes to think about it but you are taking a risk of getting in an accident when you travel. By wearing natural fibers you can actually protect yourself against burns in the case of an accident. Synthetic fibers can melt when exposed to heat and the melting fibers can burn the skin without flames.

As mentioned at the beginning of this article, travel can be frustrating, but whether you are a first-timer or a seasoned traveler, the travel tips given in this article will help you get through your next trip with minimal stress. By planning ahead and keeping these tips in mind, you will have all the tools for frustration-free travel.

Tips On How To Pick The Best Luggage For Your Vacation (2)

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Tips On How To Pick The Best Luggage For Your Vacation

Because of all the steps involved in planning and executing a trip, opportunities for setbacks and frustration abound. However, by planning ahead, you can eliminate your frustrations and sail through your next trip with ease. Just follow the smart travel tips given in this article for a headache-free trip.

Whenever you travel for business or pleasure, research your destination before you leave. Arriving in a foreign city without any idea where to go or what to see can be overwhelming and takes away from the experience. Read a guide on your destination and talk to people you know have been there. You can easily learn some insiders tips.

Your cell phone may be virtually useless when traveling domestically or abroad depending on your cell phone plan and coverage areas. To ensure you are able to make calls wherever you are, purchase a calling card to pack in your wallet as a just-in-case measure. Calling cards can be used anywhere you have access to a public pay phone.

It is important that you always try to plan your trips as far ahead of time as possible. Booking between January and March for summer travel is ideal. By locking in your flight dates and tours or activities in advance, you help ensure that you will get the lowest price possible.

To ensure that your recreational travel adventure is as exciting as you want it to be, you should plan ahead. Go to visitor centers in the area and pick up brochures for attractions that interest you. Of course, one of the best ways to research and plan your trip is the internet.

For international travel, checking the foreign power supplies that will be available is vital. Most modern travelers rely on having their personal electronics available wherever they go. Charging up these gadgets can present a challenge because electrical connections are not standardized around the world. A bit of research beforehand will teach the savvy traveler what sort of power adapters to buy and what preparations to make.

Always make sure to book your flight as far in advance as possible. That way, you can be certain that the flight of your choice won’t be sold out. Also, if you book a flight far enough in advance, you can pick your own seat. The pickings are better if you book your flight earlier.

Taking time to travel to new areas while on the way to an intended travel destination can help one find new places to stay at for the next time they want to take a trip. Side trips can often yield new and exciting places for one to explore either on their trip or to book a separate trip to experience fully.

As mentioned at the beginning of this article, travel can be frustrating, but whether you are a first-timer or a seasoned traveler, the travel tips given in this article will help you get through your next trip with minimal stress. By planning ahead and keeping these tips in mind, you will have all the tools for frustration-free travel.

Having Problems Finding Cheaper Tickets? Easy Tips Show You How.

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Having Problems Finding Cheaper Tickets? Easy Tips Show You How.

Whether you are traveling on business or pleasure you will always want to find the cheapest travel deal available. Looking for cheap airline tickets or bus tickets can be easier than you think.

Your first question is which mode of transportation are you looking to travel by. After you have decided that then you are ready to start researching different travel deals. If you decided you are traveling by plane there are a lot of competitors to compare deals with. Some airline tickets can be rather expensive so don’t take the first deal that you find.

Do your homework and use your resources to find ways to save money on your travel. There are many web sites that will show you the rates of several different airlines. After you have compared all the rates and you’re still not happy with the cheapest available tickets there still may be another option. Some travel web sites will offer you an option to name your own price. The trick to this is not to suggest a price that is 50% lower then the suggested price. This will definitely decrease your chances at getting a cheaper ticket. You never want to go less then 40% off. An example would be that if a suggested ticket price for a roundtrip were 0.00 you wouldn’t want to suggest a price for anything under 0.00. The total after taxes and fees would be around 0.00 or so. If you are successful at naming your own price you can save up to a hundred dollars and sometimes more on your tickets.

Saving money on bus tickets can be just as easy. Once you have found a bus carrier near you find out what kind of specials they might have. Sometimes you can save money on your bus ticket if you purchase it in advance. Depending on the Bus Company you can save almost half the regular cost of a bus trip if you purchase them online and more then a week ahead. There also might be some other deals you can find such as free companion fare on short trips, senior citizen discounts, and some children under a certain age can ride for free. Most people don’t think about taking a bus when they plan to travel far. However it you are planning on only going a short distance you will probably save more money if this is an option for you.

When you are looking to travel it shouldn’t put a hole in your wallet. After all you want to save as much as you can so you will have extra spending cash during your trip. Just remember that finding discount tickets for your next trip can be easier then you originally thought.

Tips to booking a low cost flight ticket

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Tips to booking a low cost flight ticket

Over the last five years Europe has seen an increase in the number of low cost airlines which is great news for the holidaymaker, but many say bad news for the high street travel agent.

I remember a friend looking to take her husband away for the weekend to Dublin, Ireland and went to a high street travel agent. She was given a quote of £300 for a weekend, including flights and accommodation – book the same flight with Ryanair and a hotel in the centre of Dublin direct with the hotel, and the weekend actually cost her only £190 again including flights and accommodation – a saving of £110.

Here are my tips for searching low cost airline tickets;

Book in plenty of time

The later you leave it the more expensive the flight becomes, most airlines charge more if you book the ticket a few days or even a week before you want to departure, so the earlier you book it the cheaper the flight will cost.

Weekend departures

If you book your flight for the weekend then the ticket will cost you more money, as most people travel at the weekend, so try and book the flight departure during the week, and not only will your flight be cheaper but you’ll probably find that they will be more accommodation special offers

Travel agent flight booking

Don’t book your flight through a travel agent, simply because you’ll be charged more than booking direct with the airline – you have to remember that the travel agents in most cases add on commission to the flight, they have to make a living, but why should you pay more.

Travel out of school holidays

Like weekend departures flight prices increase during the school or bank holidays, so where you can try and book your flight during the school term.

Late night / Early morning flights

To save the most money when booking your airline ticket, book a flight either late at night or in the early hours of the morning, this is where the best savings are made, simply because of the unsocial flying times.

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