Author Archive
This Year You Can Grab The Best Vacation Travel Deals
March 17, 2010
This year might be the best time in ages to take a well deserved vacation as the travel industry is having financial difficulties in these bad economic times. You can find very cheap airfares and last minute flights, exclusive hotels and bargain hotels, beach resorts and all inclusive resorts, and discount cruises including last minute cruises on the web or at your local travel agency. It stands to reason that if any airplane, hotel, resort, or cruise ship is not fully booked, that represents a loss of income that can not be recouped, so this is your time to book the best travel deals possible.
When you search for holiday air flights on the internet you should first look at sites that have ticket price listings for multiple airlines. That way you can compare airfare prices side by side. If you search for air consolidators you’ll find that they have secured blocks of discount airline fares from a number of airlines. One of the well-known major discount airlines you should also look up is Southwest Airlines which is not usually included in the air consolidator or multiple commercial airline websites.
If you’re planning to travel to Europe there are a lot of European airlines that have incredibly low fares, some as low as $60 U.S., when you fly between countries within Europe. Ryanair is the top low cost airline in Europe. It also flies to and from the U. S.
Choice hotels, luxury resorts, as well as all inclusive resorts are now offering great bargains as they struggle to maintain full occupancy. On the web you can search the words, hotels, or hotel finder to locate multiple discount hotel rates. The same applies also to resorts. If you want to take your pet on holiday with you, search pet friendly hotels.
Another great source for reasonable accommodations are vacation rentals. These can include home owners who own recreational property such as holiday homes, cottages, or condos and now need to rent them because of the slow economy. There are also beach vacation rentals available at substantial discounts.
Luxury cruises at really great discounts abound. One of the major advantages that Americans have is that the cruise lines are increasing their presence by adding a few more ports and increasing some sailings on both the East and West coasts of the United States. Cruise tours are generally comprised of both a cruise and land tour. You can opt for taking the cruise first to a destination port and then continue with the land portion of the tour. Or, vice versa. You can take the land excursion first and then board your ship for the luxury cruise.
If this is your first cruise, or you’re not exactly sure what you want in cruises, it may be to your advantage to deal with travel agencies that specialize in cheap cruises like cruise consolidators, by searching that phrase, or booking with a local travel agency that has extensive experience in booking cruises.
Cruises are somewhat more complicated then booking cheap flights or cheap hotel rooms because there are numerous options which can confuse many first time cruisers. Some items to think about are the choice of state rooms (balcony, ocean view, or inside), deck location of the state rooms, and dinner sitting options except on ships that have anytime dining, etc. Keep in mind that it does not matter if you book the least expensive accommodation, you are still entitled to use all the standard amenities on the cruise ship. All quoted prices are generally based on double occupancy. Make sure that you are aware of the total cost of the cruise including all port charges and government fees.
When booking any holiday travel deals or vacation travel packages, it is always best to pay by credit card. That way you have a record of all your trip transactions just in case a dispute arises with a bill, or a travel supplier runs into some financial difficulty. Its highly unlikely the latter would happen, but if it does you will have a better chance of getting rebooked or reimbursed.
To quickly snag cheap flights and luxury cruises at really great discounts, whenever you want to enjoy an exciting, fun-filled holiday, visit Travel Tips Guide for more information.
When Driving On Holiday Don’t Let Car Theft Ruin Your Vacation
March 9, 2010
In these tough financial times most folks need vacations more than ever. As well, they also want to save a lot of money. One economical solution is taking the family car and driving to and from your holiday destination instead of flying there.
If you are planning to drive, it may also make sense to take a few steps to protect yourself and family from auto thieves. Having a car thief steal your car, your luggage, other items of value in your trunk could really wreck what was supposed to be a fun filled and relaxing trip.
Even by taking all the numerous precautions to prevent auto theft when you travel, very determined professional car thieves can still manage to take any vehicle if they want it bad enough. Did you see the movie Gone In 60 Seconds starring Nicolas Cage? However, you can still dramatically lessen the odds of becoming a victim of auto theft to almost zero.
Almost all of these auto theft preventative measures are common sense and will cost nothing to do. So it may make a lot of sense to implement them not only when you travel by car on your holidays, but also in your every day driving.
To start with, you should never take for granted that you are immune from car thieves when traveling, or that your vehicle would not really be worth stealing.
Keep in mind that thieves might be after more than your vehicle, luggage, or any valuables that might be inside your vehicle. They might only want an older car to take a joy ride in or for its parts.
They could also be after your vehicle documents for identity theft purposes, or they could be contemplating robbing your residence while you are away on holiday. Where would they get this important info? From the car registration and auto insurance papers which are usually put in the vehicles glove compartment.
The best solution is to eliminate this possibly by keeping these documents on your person at all times when traveling on holidays.
The second best way is to reduce the problem by hiding these documents really well in the trunk. Some police forces in high auto theft crime areas of cities recommend this. Don’t forget to tell everyone who is traveling with you where these documents are located in the trunk.
Here are some more ways you can lessen the chances of having your holidays wrecked by car thieves. If you can manage to implement some of these suggestions, you will really lessen the chance of becoming a victim of auto theft when you travel.
Make sure you always close your vehicles windows tightly and lock your car each time you leave it parked, even if its only for just short period of time.
A real invitation to lose your vehicle is to leave it idling while unattended. Under no circumstance should you ever do this. Don’t even think about it.
Similarly, don’t leave your vehicles keys in the ignition or hidden anywhere in car. That includes a second set of keys. Car thieves will easily find any keys hidden in the usual places very quickly. Keep an extra set of keys with you.
Do not leave any valuables in your vehicle, even if they cant be seen from the outside of your car. If possible, you should take them with you.
However, if you must leave valuables in your vehicle, make sure that they are locked up inside your trunk. When you do this, look around to make sure that no one is watching what you do, or better still stop, pull over, and put them in your trunk before you arrive at the place you’re going. Prying eyes could be anywhere.
When parking your vehicle in public areas, turn you front wheels either to the left or right before turning your ignition off. This will engage the steering wheel locking mechanism in the steering column which can make your car a little more difficult to steal.
Engaging the emergency brake after you have parked and turned the motor off may also make your vehicle harder to tow away.
For front wheel and rear wheel drive vehicles you should park them a bit differently when in underground parking. Front wheel drive cars should be parked nose in and rear wheel drive ones, nose out. Then turn your tires to the right or left. Again, this may make your auto harder to tow away.
Its always best to park in an attendant controlled parking lot rather than an unattended one. If it is a place where there is valet parking, only give the attendant your door and ignition key. They don’t need any of the other keys on your key chain.
In public places around dusk and at night, always park in well lit areas that have a lot of pedestrian traffic. Keep in mind that most auto thieves prefer to work at night.
If you can, avoid parking near or next to any obstruction, such as a hedge, fence, large truck, or anything that blocks a clear view of your vehicle to vehicular and pedestrian traffic.
When you’re staying in a place that has secured, gated parking, be certain that the gate has completely closed after entering or leaving so that a thief does not sneak in to the parking area where you are staying.
If you observe any suspicious activity like a person or group of people milling around or near your vehicle you should call the police.
Here are a number of anti-theft devices that can be installed for maximum protection. You might have a few of these products already installed in your vehicle.
You can use a very visible after-market steering wheel locking bar. Most car thieves will likely move on to easier prey/greener pastures. Other less visible after-market products are locks for gas pedals, brake pedals, as well as armored collars that fit around the steering column which protects the ignition. For any manual shift vehicles you can also use an after-market shifter lock. These are effective but not highly visible to prying eyes.
Another thing that you can easily do is to have your mechanic install a hood lock that will prevent easy access to your vehicles battery and security system.
A loud vehicle alarm system with a very visible alarm sticker on your windshield could be worth its weight in gold particularly when combined with a number of these other anti-theft security options.
The best vehicle protection is a passive electronic immobilizer which automatically disables the motor when the ignition is turned off. Its not an inexpensive device to install but it is well worth it for your peace of mind. There are a few other benefits you could receive by installing an electronic immobilizer in your vehicle. Some auto insurance companies may offer a discount on your policy if you can confirm that you’ve had one installed. You also may get more money for your vehicle if you sell it down the road.
Last, but not least, make sure you have adequate insurance coverage on your vehicle including theft and damage before you travel on a vacation.
To quickly latch on to cheap flights and luxury cruises at really great discounts, whenever you want to enjoy a fun holiday, visit Travel Tips Guide for more info.
Luxury Cruises – Travel On A Resort To Exciting Ports Of Call
March 9, 2010
A luxury cruise voyage can truly enrich your life. Not only will you be traveling with like-minded people who love to cruise, you will develop great, lasting friendships among your many cruising companions.
When you cruise you can travel to fabulous ports of call anywhere that cruise ships sail. Not only are there mega cruise liners which everyone is familiar with, there are a number of different sizes and types of ships. The medium, and particularly the smaller size cruise ships can navigate further up inland waterways to cities and historic landmarks where larger ships could never go.
The larger cruise ships generally have one or possibly two organized shore excursions at each port of call. If there are two sightseeing shore excursions scheduled the same day, one may happen early in the morning and the second one in the afternoon. Most shore excursions at take place in the morning normally get back to the ship in time for the people to dine on a fantastic lunch buffet.
Sometimes, on a second excursion, you could arrive back at the cruise ship late in the afternoon or early evening. This may make you a bit late for dinner if you have opted for the first sitting.
It is also your prerogative to explore the city, town, or island attractions and landmarks on your own. Please remember that it is your responsibility to get back on time or your cruise ship could sail without you. However, if you choose to book a shore excursion with the cruise ship, they will not sail until everyone is back on board.
Take full advantage of the time you have in port by using it wisely. Some vacationers decide to disembark and go it alone by hiring a car and driver to take them to see and explore the sights. Usually taxi drivers charge by the carload and not per person so if you want to save some money you can split the cost with a few other fellow passengers. If you leave early in the morning you may be able to get back in time to enjoy the lunch buffet.
When you cruise you should bring detailed guide books that cover the destinations you know that you will be visiting. If the weather is less than optimal for your shore excursion you should always take your camera anyway as the weather could improve very quickly.
And don’t judge any port by the dock and the surrounding area. It is usually the freighter unloading and loading area and major warehouse district of the city or town. You will probably have to travel out of the port area and into the town or city to see the historical sites and unique tourist attractions as well as experience the local culture.
What are the differences between a river cruise and a barge tour?
Although they have similarities, there are major differences between these two types of sightseeing tours. Firstly, the ships that sail the rivers can accommodate approximately up to one hundred and eighty people, while barges usually only can accommodate five to twenty-five people. The second big difference is that the river cruises can visit a number of countries and cities in a week, while barges travel on man-made canals from town to town moving at a much slower, walking pace, and can only cover approximately fifty miles in a week. Thirdly, river cruise ships have a restaurant, lounge, and entertainment, while barges are essentially first-class, floating hotels, and have a dining room and lounge as well as a sun deck. The most popular river cruises and barging tours are located in Europe.
What are luxury cruise tour packages?
A cruise tour package is similar to a regular cruise that stops for half-day or full day shore excursions but gives you the best of both a luxury cruise and a land holiday all wrapped up in one. The main differences between the two is that the land part of your vacation includes transportation by train or luxury motor coach travel to a centrally located quality hotel accommodation at your inland destination. You will be chaperoned by an expert tour guide for the land portion of your itinerary. These combo packages are generally longer, lasting from ten days to three weeks or even a month or more. On most cruise tours you can decide to take the land segment of your vacation either before or after your cruise.
Besides Europe, you can book a cruise land tour for South America, Asia, Australia, Asia and the United States. Alaska is one of the most popular cruise tour destinations.
If you’d like to enjoy the best of both worlds – a fabulous dream cruise holiday and a land tour adventure – a luxury cruise tour is the utmost vacation experience.
To quickly find cheap flights and luxury cruises at really great discounts, whenever you want to enjoy a fabulous, fun vacation, visit Travel Tips Guide for more information.
Travel And Identity Theft – What Do They Have In Common?
March 9, 2010
Over seven million people in the U.S. last year alone were victims of identity theft resulting in approximately fifty billion dollars of fraudulent credit card, bank, and other financial charges. A significant number of these victims were business travelers, people on their holidays, and tourists. Here is some valuable information that may save you lots of grief when you travel.
It’s very easy for people traveling on vacation to let their guard down. They have a lot on their minds remembering everything they have to take care of before they go and what they need to take with them on vacation. Not only that, all they want is to have fun, unwind, and relax. Isn’t that what a vacation is suppose to be all about? When they’re traveling they don’t want to have to be constantly on guard all time and concerned about getting ripped off every day of their holidays.
There are three major sources of identity theft that you need to be aware of when you travel. They are your wallet, laptop or your PDA, and internet cafes.
Research indicates most identity thefts occur when people’s wallets are stolen, usually by professional pick pockets. Whether you travel on vacation or business you must guard your wallet all of the time because you are at more risk than in familiar surroundings. Never ever carry your wallet in your back pocket – it’s not called the “sucker pocket” for nothing. It is best to carry your wallet in a fanny pack. Some travelers recommend a fanny pack with a Velcro closure instead of a zippered one because you can hear it being opened. The usual places you’re likely find pickpockets are in crowded areas such as airports, train and bus stations, hotel lobbies, restaurants, as well as at sporting events.
Most people carry more personal information in their wallets then they really need. The first thing that you should do before you travel is to go through your wallet and take out any personal information items that you don’t need when traveling such as bank checks, check books, credit card receipts, bills, and memberships cards such as library cards. You also don’t need to take your social security card as you probably have that number memorized by heart.
Debit cards are a convenient way to take small amounts of cash out of ATM’s when you travel, but they are also a great way for thieves to clean out your bank account if they get a hold of them. One way to reduce this risk is to open up a separate account at your bank before you leave and only put as much day-to-day cash in as you think you might need for your holidays. Take only this debit card with you.
Credit cards are protected by Federal law and are a much better choice to take with you as you are usually covered for any fraudulent charges incurred. If you are over charged or find an error on any of your credit card transactions when you travel, it’s easier to get the charges corrected or reversed from the card companies. You probably should take two credit cards in case one is lost, or compromised. You can also obtain a smaller, limited amount prepaid cash cards from MasterCard, Visa, and American Express that are perfect for daily use. You can purchase these cash cards in any denomination. It’s probably best to buy a couple of cards with lower limits of about five hundred dollars or less each. The credit card companies will replace any pilfered or lost funds. Leave your passport and major cards in your hotel room safe or the hotel’s safe along with any other personal info that you do not need from day to day.
Before you travel, be sure and check that your credit cards do not expire while you are on vacation. And remember to call your credit card issuers and let them know when and where you plan to holiday so they don’t have a seizure or conniption fit and cancel your card when they see a credit charge appearing from some place like Timbuktu. Be sure and make a note of these phone numbers and take them with you when traveling on vacation.
Another major source of identity theft starts with a stolen laptop. Well over six hundred thousand laptops are lost or pilfered in the U.S. alone, frequently from inattentive travelers in airports, restaurants, and hotel lobbies.
Before you travel, backup your laptop and put the backup disc in a safe place at home or in a safety deposit box at your bank in case your laptop is lost or stolen. Place a small strip of colored tape on the top and bottom of your laptop and laptop case as most laptops and their cases look similar in appearance. Write your name, destination address, and contact information at your destination on a piece of paper and tape it to your laptop just in case it’s lost at the airport. You should not use your home address on this piece of paper. It is better to use your work or business address and telephone number. So many laptops left behind unintentionally. The lost and found offices at airports don’t have time to try and gain access to all the laptops which are more than likely password protected anyway.
The third major source of identity theft that can happen is at any public computer or internet cafe. Your personal information could be at risk even if you are just sending or accessing e-mails. A key stroke logger could be installed which secretly keeps a record of all passwords, user names, and personal information that is entered on the computer. Even if public computers are not compromised they will still store the information you input in the temporary internet files and history. Never access any bank or credit card account, or pay bills from these computers. Computers located in the business centers of hotels and on cruise ships are generally safer to use than other public computers.
The bottom line is to always be vigilant whenever you travel. Have a safe and fun filled vacation!
To quickly find and book cheap holidays, at the best possible price, whenever you feel like traveling, go to Travel Tips Guide, for more information.
How Can Women Avoid Sexual Harassment On Holidays Or Vacation?
March 9, 2010
Women of today are venturing out to travel on holidays and vacations more globally than at any time in their history. Female travelers, whether traveling alone, with a companion, or as a group, are discovering different cultures, societies, and religions. With this freedom comes significant risks that men may never encounter. It is therefore makes sense for women who plan to travel to learn how to handle themselves when on holiday or vacation, studying abroad, or traveling on business.
What are some things you can do that may help you have a safer and more enjoyable travel experience.
When you are traveling, or on vacation, your best protection is to understand the local culture and customs of that country. By observing how the local women behave and dress will give you valuable clues on how to avoid sexual harassment.
If the local women cover their hair and their arms and legs then you should do that also. Do not wear bikinis, swimsuits, or short shorts in towns where local women are all covered up. Dress conservatively.
Avoid direct eye contact with men as they might construe this as flirtatious. Do not talk, smile, or wave to strange men who smile or say hello to you. If a man follows you, cross the street. If this doesn’t work, find a policeman, or enter a store and ask for help.
When you need to ask directions, always ask a woman. And, if you are traveling by bus or train, you should always sit with other women.
A great idea is to always carry a versatile head scarf in your handbag just in case you need to cover your head and arms.
Another tactic is to wear a fake wedding ring to discourage and help ward off unwanted male advances if you are not married.
Wear a referee’s whistle around your neck under your blouse. It may come in handy.
Consider consulting guide books on the countries and areas that you are traveling to or through to give you an idea of what to expect. Also, take along a foreign language phrase book with you to help you communicate with the local people when you get there.
Do not wear expensive looking jewelry, watches, camera carrying cases, or even designer handbags. You don’t want to tempt any would be robbers or muggers. Take a conservative outfit along with you in case you need to wear one on certain occasions.
If you are planning to travel alone, it is best to travel light. One advantage is that you will be more mobile because you aren’t loaded down with luggage. If it’s not too small for your belongings, a wheeled, carry-on bag, or a backpack may be you best bet. It’s important to have one hand free at all times. If you can have two hands free, it’s is even better. You should get a shoulder bag that has a strong, wide strap that fits over your head. Wearing a shoulder bag this way may help prevent a robber from grabbing the bag and running away with it. The shoulder bag should have secure, zippered pockets.
To quickly locate and grab cheap travel deals, for the lowest price possible, every time you feel like traveling, visit Travel Tips Guide, for more info.
Neat Travel Accessories That Will Make Your Holidays And Vacations Easier
March 9, 2010
Whether you travel using air flights, luxury cruises, trains, buses, or rental cars on your vacations and holidays, you are probably curious and want to know what’s new and cool in vacation and holiday travel accessories.
If you would like to find out about some of the travel accessories that are available to make your trip more comfortable, easier, and safer, here are some great products. These items should be available at any luggage and travel accessories stores.
What are compression bags and can they save a lot of space in your travel luggage?
If you use space saving clear plastic compression bags when packing your clothes, you can save up to a whopping 80% more space in your luggage. They can be used over and over again for many years of very easy packing.
How does a non-slip security wallet work?
One accessory you should consider buying is the non-slip security travel wallet. It is about the same size as a regular wallet but it has non-slip rubber on one side which will rub against and catch on the inside of your pocket if it accidentally slips out of your pocket, or if someone tries to pick your pocket. Always put your wallet in your front pocket. Under no circumstances should you ever carry your wallet in your back pocket. Professional thieves the world over call it “the sucker pocket”.
Here’s a neat trick! You can convert your wallet into a non-slip one by putting a few wide rubber bands around it. Another solution that will help with the pickpocket problem is a chain-equipped travel wallet which you can attach to your belt.
The secret waist wallet is a wallet which can compliment a non-slip travel wallet. It fits under your shirt or blouse, but it’s still easily accessible. It is not a good idea to lift up your shirt or blouse to open this wallet in public as you can never be sure who is watching, like a possible pickpocket, or robber. It’s best to open it discretely where no one can see what your doing, like in a public washroom stall.
A leather money belt that has a zippered, concealed pocket on the inner side of it, is a great security travel product. You can hide a key, paper money, or small foldable documents in the secure, zippered pocket.
Elastic security socks have a concealed, zippered type pocket on the inside of each one of a pair of these socks. These socks would be difficult for a pickpocket to access.
Another unique accessory is the RFID blocking passport holder. This radio frequency identification holder protects your passport, and other important documents that could be compromised by data-stealing hackers.
A unique combination and key accessible combo luggage lock makes it possible for a custom’s official to unlock your checked luggage for inspection by using a special skeleton key, then lock your luggage up again. You can then dial the combination and open your luggage when you arrive at your destination. This can save you a lot of time and money replacing regular locks that custom’s agents would usually have to break to gain entry to check your luggage. Another plus with combo locks is that you don’t have any keys to worry about replacing or losing.
You can carry a personal, battery-operated security alarm that emits a loud, piercing sound that may help ward off a robber or mugger. Another product that is inexpensive and that will produce the same effect is a referee’s whistle, which you can hide under your shirt or blouse, attached to a string and hung around your neck.
A battery-operated hotel room intruder alarm is a great hotel room safety device. There are two types of these alarms. One alarm hangs on the room’s door knob. Any slight movement of the door knob or door will trigger the alarm. Another alarm is the doorstop kind which you can push under the door’s bottom edge. If someone tries to open the door, the alarm will go off.
For women travelers, they can get an innovative security purse that has a steel cable sewn right into the strap. This will stop a thief who tries to cut through the strap and take off with their purse.
Easy is the word for the pocket pillow that is approximately 6″ x 4″ x 1″. It inflates to about 19″ x 15″, and is handy to carry with you. It makes a comfortable pillow to rest your head upon.
You should always make sure that you protect your eyes when on vacation in sunny climates by wearing sunglasses that carry both a UVA as well as a UVB certified protection label..
A handy little book light that clamps on to the edge of your book enables you to conveniently read in dim light or total darkness. It also allows you to read in the dark without disturbing your sleeping travel companion.
If you prefer wearing backpack you should check out a steel-mesh equipped backpack. These backpacks have steel mesh sewn into the sides and bottom, the most vulnerable places where a thief can slash it with a knife. When this happens, everything tumbles out, and the thief and his cohorts will grab anything of valuable and run in different directions.
Keep in mind that if you are traveling to certain countries you will probably need adaptor plugs and converters.
One of the largest travel accessory stores, Magellan’s, has an award-winning catalogue that has everything for travelers from connector and adaptor plugs to secret security wallets. You can order their complete line of products catalogue online, at Magellans.com
Tilley Endurables is a legendary manufacturer of sun-protective travel clothing and accessories.They created the world renowned Tilley Hat and specialize in making practical, stylish and comfortable travel clothing and outdoor hats. Most of the fabrics that they use in manufacturing their hats and clothing carry a certified UPF 50 rating label, which is the highest rating available for sun protection. You can receive their sun-protective clothing and accessories catalogue by logging on to their website, at Tilleys.com.
To quickly book cheap flights and luxury cruises at really great discounts, whenever you want to enjoy a fun-filled holiday, visit Travel Tips Guide for more information.
Why Do So Many People Love To Take Luxury Cruise Holidays?
March 9, 2010
In this era of faster everything, including faster and larger commercial airliners where passengers are packed in like sardines, one thing seems to remain constant. That is the wonderful, leisurely world of cruising. For many years the airline industry has experienced numerous setbacks, while the cruise industry has been growing by leaps and bounds. There are many reasons why you should consider becoming a part of this amazing phenomenon. Here are some of them.
According to some recent research from the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), ninety-five percent of cruisers give top marks to their cruising experience and over seventy-five percent are planning to cruise again within three years.
Contrary to what some people may think, cruises are very affordable. With most vacations you end up paying for flights, hotels or resorts, restaurants, entertainment, and also car rentals. When you add all these costs up, cruises can be a great bargain. When booking a cruise, in most cases you pay for the airfare and cruise. However, if you happen to live close enough to your cruise ship departure port, you may be able to drive there a lot cheaper than you can fly.
Even if you do have to fly to the departure port you can always get a flight and cruise package which is usually less expensive than buying your flight and cruise separately. You will save even more money as your lodging, restaurant meals, and entertainment are also included.
When you book a luxury cruise vacation, well over 85% of your holiday is prepaid and that includes all meals, night clubs, stage shows, movies, and entertainment, as well as numerous other activities and amenities. In addition, most ships have onboard activities such as golf, rock climbing, dancing, swimming, scuba diving lessons which can lead to certification, Pilates, yoga, and fitness trainers. You can also pamper yourself with wonderful spas and body massages.
Another way to save a bundle on a cruise is to book an inside cabin. If you don’t need to have a cabin that has a balcony or ocean view, then you will save a lot of money. You have use of all the shared amenities with your fellow passengers, but it is costing you a lot less.
You can also save a bundle on repositioning cruises. A repositioning cruise is made possible at certain times of the year, usually in the spring and fall, when cruise lines relocate their ships from one part of the world to another.
There are many luxury cruise vacations to choose from, ranging from three day mini cruises to several month long cruises as well as a fantastic around the world cruise odyssey.
When you cruise, you are traveling in the lap of luxury in a floating five-star hotel. You will be pampered and feel that you are living the life of a king or queen, not only for a day, but for the entire length of the cruise. Elegant surroundings, gourmet dining and impeccable service are a few of the superlatives that can be used to describe cruising.
If you like delicious food you will absolutely love gourmet meals and scrumptious desserts created by great chefs and served in a variety of restaurants. There are always wonderful buffets available throughout the day and even midnight buffets. A number of themed lounges are located throughout the cruise ships for your convenience.
Love watching Broadway style shows as well as theater performances without having to make reservations or pay exorbitant prices for tickets? Then going on a cruise is the answer. There are so many things that are included on cruises which make them such an incredible value for your travel and entertainment dollar.
From children to great grandparents, there is always something to interest everyone on a cruise. You have the option to be as active as you like or you can just relax and experience magnificent sunrises and breathtaking sunsets while watching the world go by. So many wonderful, precious memories and experiences will stay with you a lifetime when you take a luxury cruise.
Feel like partying around the clock? That’s not a problem. Whether you’re with a partner or single, it’s always party time. You don’t even have to plan or even clean up after a party, only have a lot of fun!
Businesses from around the world book conferences and seminars, team building get-togethers, new product launches and employee reward vacations on cruise ships. Cruise lines do not charge extra for conference room facilities and use of audio and video equipment.
Group cruises are not only for companies and business people. Family reunions, honeymoons and weddings, sports groups and clubs, charities and fund raisers are only some of the many kinds of groups that have their events on cruises.
On cruises there is no hassle of having to pack and unpack again and again every time you travel to a new destination. Another bonus is that there is no limit on the amount of luggage you can bring on a cruise.
People with disabilities should have no problem getting around on a cruise ship. Cruise lines have made onboard accessibility a non-issue as their ships are equipped with ramps, elevators and easily accessible cabins and state rooms.
Modern cruise ships have dramatically reduced the problem of seasickness. Today’s larger ships slice through the waves instead of riding on top of them. Also, new innovative technologies like stabilizers and counterbalancing systems have greatly reduced the pitch and roll of cruise ships, all but neutralizing any problem of seasickness.
A doctor and medical staff are never more than minutes away on a cruise ship should any passenger have to see doctor. Most common passenger minor mishaps and ailments occur less on cruise ships than on shore.
Cruising is one of the safest forms of travel. The cruise industry has an excellent record of safety. And as far as robberies and assaults are concerned, they are over a hundred times less likely to happen on a cruise ship than in your own home town.
For those that have a fear of flying or don’t enjoy being crammed like sardines into commercial airplanes when traveling to their destinations, here is some great news. The cruise lines in the United States are making terrific strides catering to cruise passengers needs. They are opening up more ports of call on both the East and West coasts so more and more people who would love to go on a cruise but don’t like flying, can easily drive or take a bus or train to most departure ports.
To quickly locate and book cheap cruises, at the lowest price possible, whenever you feel like traveling, go to Travel Tips Guide, for more info.
Lost Luggage – You Can Reduce The Risk On A Holiday Flight
March 9, 2010
Whether you take air flights for business, or holidays and vacations, you have probably lost luggage or know of a person that has. Here are some travel tips that may help you prevent this happening.
It is estimated that more than a million bags are lost by commercial airlines each year in the United States alone. How much luggage that get lost in the whole world is anybody’s guess. Here are some tips that may help you recover your bags if they are ever lost.
You should attach two or three tags with your name, home address, and phone number to the handle and zipper-pulls of each bag that you are checking. There is less of a chance that all of your tags will get torn off in transit. Make sure that you have removed any old airline tracking tags that are still attached to your luggage as they could confuse the baggage handlers.
Also, be sure to place the same contact information, including a copy of your itinerary and destination address inside all of your bags. That way, if they do go astray and are found in time, it is possible that they could be forwarded to your hotel.
If you can, pick luggage with preferably a bright or odd color that will stand out from all of the black and brown bags. Know the brand name of the luggage that you own and attach a colorful scarf or ribbon to the handle to make identification easier. Stick a few decals or a contrasting colored tape to all of the sides of the bags so they can be easier to see as it goes around the carousel. Remember these details, or even better, take a digital picture of your luggage just before you leave and bring it with you. This will also help the lost luggage airport staff in finding your bags if they become lost in transit and turn up at their office. It will also help if you have to make a claim.
It helps to make a list of what you have in your luggage and carry that list in you carry-on bag. The chance of your luggage getting lost in transit increases dramatically when you have connecting, or delayed flights. Always pack all of your valuables, including your laptop or Blackberry, travel documents, prescriptions, etc., in your carry-on bag. It makes sense to pack only the things you can afford to lose in your checked baggage. Most analysts believe that the airline industry’s problem of lost luggage is not going to be resolved anytime soon.
What should you do if the airlines lose your luggage?
Go right away to the baggage claim office and file a claim. Many airlines have a twenty-four hour window of time that starts from when your flight arrives to file and be eligible for compensation. You will get a claim receipt to check the tracking of your luggage with your airline by phone, or on the airline’s website. Make sure you keep your flight documents until the lost luggage mix up has been resolved.
How can you guarantee that the airlines will not lose your luggage?
There are some companies like FedEx, UPS or DHL, that can send your luggage in the U.S. directly to your hotel or street address for a very reasonable cost. If you’re staying at a hotel, your luggage will be taken to your room by a bellboy. When you consider that in the United States alone, over a million bags are lost by the airlines each year, this service is well worth considering. If you are planning to travel by air throughout Europe, FirstLuggage.com, provides a similar service.
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Drive On Your Holidays And Vacations And Save Some Dough
January 4, 2010
If you are contemplating driving on your vacation or holiday to save money instead of opting for an expensive flight, cruise, or train then these travel tips are right up your alley.
You can save money on gasoline by replacing the air in your vehicle’s and RV’s tires with nitrogen gas. You can also save money on gas in your every day driving as well. Research has shown that drivers can improve their gas mileage by over three percent when they use nitrogen in their vehicle’s tires..
This is not new technology as it has been used for years by commercial airlines as well as in NASCAR cars. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) mandates that nitrogen gas be used in all commercial aircraft tires to eliminate the possibility of water vapor freezing at high altitudes which happens with air filled tires. NASCAR teams also use nitrogen gas in the tires of their racing cars because the tire pressure fluctuates less than it does with air.
How can using nitrogen gas in your vehicle’s tires save you a serious amount of money over time?
First of all, you do not have to buy new tires to make the change, your present tires will be fine. When using nitrogen gas in the tires you can improve your vehicle’s fuel efficiency and save a lot of money in the process. Nitrogen in your tires will also improve your vehicle’s handling and extend the life of your tires so you will have to replace them less often. There is no question that in this era of record high gas prices you will reap substantial savings on all of your driving for years to come.
How can using nitrogen gas in your vehicle’s tires also help our environment?
If you use nitrogen gas instead of air in you vehicle’s tires, that will help to maintain a proper tire air pressure. This optimizes tire road contact and therefore reduces tire/road resistance. This will increase your fuel economy and put less exhaust emissions into the atmosphere. You might say that by going green you are saving a lot of green, greenbacks, that is.
What can you do to help America’s economy reduce its dependence on foreign oil?
Current national research shows that if every driver in the U.S. replaced the air in each of their vehicle’s tires with nitrogen gas, they would improve their gas mileage by over three percent. These figures translate into an enormous saving of almost four trillion gallons of gasoline per year!
For more information and research data on the growing use of nitrogen gas in motor vehicles’ tires including those of commercial carriers, visit Get Nitrogen at their website, GetNitrogen.org. In addition to the research, you will find a growing list of registered dealers located in the United States and Canada that can replace the air in your tires with nitrogen.
Here are a few important points on how you can save fuel and at the same time lessen green house gas emissions by not driving on under inflated tires, whether you’re using air or nitrogen gas in them.
Check your vehicle owner’s manual for the optimum inflated tire pressure.
Measure tire pressure accurately with a tire gauge as a visual tire inspection is not reliable.
Only measure tire pressure when they are cold. You should wait approximately three hours for the air inside your tires to cool down before measuring the tire air pressure.
Lastly, and probably most important, be sure you check the air pressure in your vehicle’s tires at least once a month.
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Tick Bites Can Do More Than Just Ruin Your Vacations And Holidays
January 4, 2010
When people travel on camping vacations and holidays to wooded areas, it should be an enjoyable experience. Most of the time it is. However, Lyme disease which is caused by infected ticks can ruin a fun vacation or holiday.
Vacationers, campers, and travelers alike can be at risk for contracting Lyme disease, a serious, debilitating condition caused by being bitten by an infected tick.
What are the common symptoms of Lyme disease?
Some of the symptoms of Lyme disease are the classic bull’s-eye red rash, fatigue or loss of energy, feeling sleepy, tingling and numbness, swollen and painful joints, memory loss, and feeling like you are getting the flu. Paralysis of the face is a less common symptom.
Lyme disease can make your life miserable and cause you a lot of pain and suffering if it’s not diagnosed and treated right away. The longer you wait before seeing a health professional allows this disease to progress quickly and it may not be possible to lessen it’s effects.
How is Lyme disease usually spread?
Ticks bite and feed on animals such as mice, other small rodents, and deer. If any of these animals are carrying the Lyme disease bacteria, they can pass the bacteria on to the ticks. When people are bitten by an infected tick they may contract Lyme disease.
What steps can you take to reduce the chance of getting Lyme disease?
Since some people do not notice any symptoms for a period of time, prevention is always the best policy. When you are traveling through the spring and summer months to, or through areas where deer, mice, other rodents and animals reside, the following are some things that you can do.
When you are camping on holidays or vacation, you can lessen the number of ticks around your campsite by cleaning up any brush and leaves debris. Wearing light colored clothing helps you to easily see these very tiny black insects and remove them before they get attached to your skin. Make sure you wear long-sleeved shirts and tuck them inside your pants. Always tuck your pant cuffs inside of your socks. It is also a good idea to wear rubber boots as ticks are commonly found close to the ground. However, you may also get them in your hair if you happen to brush against any leaves on a low tree branch. Wearing a light-colored, wide-brimmed hat will help. Be sure to check your skin and scalp carefully as ticks can easily be overlooked, especially in your hair. Applying a DEET insect repellent to your clothes and exposed skin, as well as applying permethrin, an insecticide, to your clothes will also help.
How can you remove ticks safely?
Ticks that have burrowed and embedded themselves under your skin can be removed with small-tipped tweezers. Make sure that you do not leave any part of the tick under your skin. Once the tick has been completely removed, disinfect the wound thoroughly with alcohol or hydrogen peroxide. Keep in mind that you are not totally out of the woods yet, so to speak, as the symptoms can take several days, even weeks before they show. Using tweezers is the best and safest method for removing ticks. Do not try to remove any ticks using burnt matches, petroleum jelly, or alcohol as this will cause the ticks to release more of the bacteria into your blood stream.
Please note that there is no vaccine available for Lyme disease.
According to the Center For Disease Control And Prevention (CDC) this bacterial disease is vastly under reported, perhaps by well over 100,000 cases per year in the U.S. alone. You can go to their website at cdc.gov for more information on Lyme disease.
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