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By admin, January 3, 2010 7:42 pm

These days travel can be stressful enough. If you are the kind of person who prefers everything organized for you and everything included with no hidden costs, a travel package may be just right. Packages can differ as to what is included, but they generally include all airfare, accommodation and usually some meals, activities and ground transportation.

The concept of a travel package is older than many people think. In 1841, Englishman Thomas Cook chartered a train to take a group of people on a twenty mile train journey; the cost of the trip included food for the day, which was a novel idea at the time. Thomas Cook grew to be one of the largest and most well respected names in the history of travel and a major influence on the travel industry.

Today, travel packages are still popular, despite the internet having made it easier to plan and book trips on line. Packages range from airfare and a couple of nights in a hotel, to all inclusive trips of several weeks at luxury resorts. Travel packages can be found to just about anywhere in the world. It’s the perfect way to see a place that you might be reluctant to visit on your own. Whether you will be wine tasting in France, hiking in the Himalayas, or scuba diving in the Caribbean, you can easily find a package that works for you.

One big advantage of a package is that they are generally less expensive than buying all the components of your trip separately. Airlines and hotels often sell blocks of seats or rooms at lower prices. The savings are then passed on to the traveler. There is always an exception to the rule and it pays to check the total costs of both options before purchasing your package. Most major airlines offer their own packages, which are nearly always less expensive than booking air and hotel separately.

Some packages include an event or activity that is difficult to see if you had to book it yourself – particularly appealing are sports packages or packages for a unique event. It’s virtually impossible to attend the Olympic Games unless you buy some sort of a package. A New York or London package might include tickets to a sold-out show; a ski package might include the use of slopes that are often booked up; a golf package might include a guaranteed tee time.

Check the conditions of your package carefully to see exactly what is and what is not included. Whereas the most important components, airfare and hotel, are probably included in a package vacation, some other potentially costly things may not. If meals are included in your package, does that mean breakfast, lunch and dinner? What about alcoholic drinks with your meals? Also, is ground transportation, bus or taxi from the airport to your hotel or cruise ship included?

Be particularly careful of extras such as activities or excursions – both of which can be costly parts of any trip and are often not included in a travel package. One of the best features of a cruise is the option of taking a tour or excursion at different ports of call. These are not always included and the cost can add up. The meals included may just be breakfast, rather than three meals a day. And determine whether tips are included in your package, another potentially costly item.

Although it is nice to have everything booked and paid for all at once, the ideal package should offer some flexibility and some time to do your own thing. If you are taking a tour of Europe, you will want some free time to just shop; and if you are on a driving tour of the Southeast US, you don’t want to be sitting in a bus all the time. Many more complex packages will include the occasional free day; and you may find that you have a choice of activities or events.

Some independent and experienced travelers claim that a travel package takes away some of the spontaneity and flexibility that traveling can provide. That is true to some degree, although the convenience and cost saving are worth it to many people. And if you are a solo traveler, you may find that you are charged more for the dreaded single room supplement that tour companies levy; although sharing a room with a complete stranger is certainly a good way to meet people.

So is a travel package right for you? Only you can decide that. It may depend on your budget, your destination and your comfort level as well as whether you just want to let someone else do the planning.

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By admin, December 28, 2009 7:38 am

How many times have you returned from a trip only to discover that at least some of the clothes you packed in your suitcase were left folded without ever seeing the light of the day? Well, I do not about your traveling packing skills, but I had to work on mine before being able to state that I am now officially a “light” traveler!
I still remember the first time I began packing for a trip overseas and laying out all those stuff I originally thought of carrying to the other side of the Atlantic. My bed was full and the carpet around it seemed pretty packed as well. I panicked when I dragged my “perfect-sized” suitcase inside the room only to discover that it could barely fit one third of the things I have placed on or near the bed. I recall laughing at the sight of the suitcase in comparison with the heavy load scattered around my bedroom. There was no way anything would fit in there! I placed the suitcase at an empty corner and before aborting this impossible mission, I tried to check off my list what seemed as unnecessary or over the top. For example, regardless of the cold weather, nobody needs three pair of gloves. The four pair of jeans became two, and so forth. By the time I had successfully stacked almost half of my previous previously exposed wardrobe back into my closet space, I felt hungry, confused, and that more than three hours have passed; even though this process took me not more than one. But then I discovered with pleasure that I was able to fit my belongings to my black medium-sized carry-on luggage and I felt proud of my accomplishment.
Since then, I have packed, unpacked, and repacked my possessions tiny or big, heavy or light, useful or slightly not, more than 100 times. I am not considering myself to be an expert, but I have certainly advanced my ability to see, before it is too late, if the stuff I want to carry can actually be carried and safely reach their destination point. My advice to all of you that have gone through a similar experience or are planning to board a ship, enter an airplane, or ride a train, is to travel light. Not only you will save precious space in your luggage for the things you will want to buy during your vacations, but most importantly you are able to carry your belongings without feeling that you could have done a better job. Although when I unpack I still discover something I did not wear or use while being away, I am certainly a better backpacker and I managed to survive during all those endless hours that I had to wait to get on board, without hurting my back, arm or neck. Good luck with your packing business and remember to have fun during your much desired recreational trip.

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By admin, December 23, 2009 8:08 am

On the surface, many individuals feel that all of the information on flights, hotels, rental vehicles and other aspects of a vacation are on the internet. While it may be possible for you to find good deals using the web, the best value can be found by consulting a travel agent. This value comes because the agent provides resources and knowledge that is difficult to obtain on your own.

The foremost advantage of working with a travel agent is experience they bring. He or she has likely been working in the field of travel for years and has learned all of the ins and outs of the industry. Even brand new agents have their colleagues to help them learn the ropes. Most agents also undergo rigorous training. This experience and training will allow the agent to serve the consumer very effectively. Perhaps the most beneficial aspect of the experience and training is an agent’s ability to understand the fine print. Sure, you can go on an airline ticket search engine and find what seems to be the cheapest deal. But do you know what you are really getting for that money? More importantly, do you know what you will be missing out on because of the discount? There may also be hidden charges, fees and taxes as a part of the apparently cheaper ticket price, driving what you actually pay up as much as a few hundred dollars. A more expensive flight may often be the best value. The travel agent will always know.

A second advantage that a travel agent can boast is connections. Over years of service, agencies develop relationships with individuals throughout the world. This means that you can have the best options available for you before you even begin your trip. Looking by yourself you may be able to find a great deal of information on what to do at your eventual destinations. However, only a travel agent with good connections can really take care of all the details. Using their ability to get information about the area where you will be visiting, they can get every aspect of your vacation taken care of, even the most miniscule of points. Instead of stopping for lunch at a place that looks okay from the outside, you can be recommended to the perfect local cafe. Instead of wrangling through throngs of tourists to get to an overpriced monument, you can be told the best times during the day to hit each spot. For example, many cities have one day a week in which public museums are open for free. Your agent will be able to find out the best times to go anywhere. All in all, the agent can use his or her connections to set you up with the best possible ways to have the vacation of your dreams.

A recent trend for online travel shopping is packages. Companies will get together to put hotel, food, flights and many other amenities altogether into one bundle that will leave you spending less money. But these bundles are not always as great as they seem. Not only can you end up having to pay hidden fees and charges, but you can also be lured into a sense of security that everything will be taken care of for you. Sometimes everything is not taken care of. It is easy to get yourself trapped into buying an all-inclusive package thinking that you will not need much cash while on vacation, only to find that any slight change in plan is going to change your bill drastically. There also may be little details not covered in your package that you would never think about ahead of time. With any package deal the fine print can be a very important thing, and if you do not have a complete understanding of what you are doing, you could miss something crucial. But travel agents know the industry jargon. They know the best websites, what the packages actually contain and they are out to get you the best deal. Sometimes buying a package that is not the cheapest, but only slightly more expensive will lead to you having a much better vacation. It is not that travel agencies do not take advantage of special packages and promotions. It is that they know the best way to use them.

A final and very beneficial advantage of using travel agents is simply that they are after your best interests. Any supplier of service, whether an airline, hotel, restaurant or rental company; is looking to sell you their product. They also may not tell you when another company offers a better service for a very similar price, or a similar service for a better price. A travel agent wants you to come back again, and therefore will work to find you the best value deal with whatever supplier is offering it. Within that, they are looking for the best deal for you, not for an anonymous internet customer. Using a travel agent can ensure that you have the plans in place to give you a perfect vacation. Also, if something goes wrong during the vacation, the travel agent will be available to help fix the problem.

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By admin, December 16, 2009 7:35 am

Many pregnant women are understandably concerned about flying in their condition. Assuming that you have a healthy and normal pregnancy and you are not too close to your due date, there is no need to alter your travel plans. However, you probably should not fly if your condition has complications such as hypertensive disease, extreme nausea, placenta plevia or pre-term labor. If you have to fly during your pregnancy, there are many ways to make your trip more comfortable, and less stressful.

First, allow yourself plenty of extra time at the airport, by making sure you check in at least ninety minutes early if you are traveling domestically, and two hours early for international flights. If you need assistance navigating the airport, do not hesitate to take a ride on one of the little electric carts, or request a wheelchair from your airline. A wheelchair can be booked in advance and it should be available for you upon arrival, at no charge.

Most airlines have some kind of policy for pregnant travelers, it should be clearly stated on their website, or you can call the airline for more information. Make sure you are speaking to the right person. Most airlines have staff that are trained to assist not only pregnant passengers, but also passengers with disabilities and special needs. The restrictions can be different depending on whether you are flying over land or over water; and if your trip involves different airlines or traveling overseas, it can be difficult to keep track of the various rules and restrictions.

If you are flying during the first or second trimester and have a healthy and normal pregnancy, you should not have any serious problems either with your own comfort or with your airline prohibiting you from flying. In fact, the second trimester is often considered the safest time to fly, as the first difficult months have already passed and there is no risk yet of premature labor.

It is the third trimester that may cause problems – if you are flying during the last few weeks of your term, make sure to check with your airline for their rules regarding how close to the due date you are able to fly. In general, airlines do not like you to fly within a week or so of your due date (the exact rule depends on the airline). In addition, if you are flying during your third trimester, you may need a letter from your doctor stating that you are healthy enough to travel.

Seating is important if you are pregnant, and you want to be as comfortable as possible during the flight. You may want to have an aisle seat, which provides easier access to bathrooms, and a seat close by them to minimize the required walking distance. If you are lucky enough to have an empty seat or two, you can stretch out, be sure to take advantage of them.

You may not be able to sit in the emergency exit row if you are pregnant and you are still required to keep your seat belt fastened, which can be a challenge. The extra room in business or first class is definitely a major benefit for pregnant women. If you are taking a long trip, consider paying the difference for an upgrade or cashing in some of those hard-earned frequent flyer miles.

Be sure to wear loose and comfortable clothing when you fly. This can increase your comfort level resulting in an enjoyable flight. You may also want to wear some compression stockings to help blood circulate from your ankles to your heart and lungs. Try to move around regularly to keep your blood flowing – even if you cannot get up, there are some beneficial exercises you can do while seated, such as rotating your ankles or flexing your feet.

Some pregnant women also wonder if it is safe to fly because of the pressure in the airplane cabin. All commercial flights have pressurized cabins and are quite safe but you probably should not fly in a smaller plane that does not have a pressurized cabin. Some wonder if it is safe to walk through the metal detector at the airport. It is perfectly safe because it is not actually an x-ray machine, and it should not harm you or your baby in any way.

Flying can be stressful enough. Just because you have a baby on board does not mean you cannot have a safe and comfortable flight. Make the most of it before you have all the stress of traveling with a baby! When flying while pregnant is completely safe but it is best to fly during your second trimester. It is possible to fly during the first or third trimester but it is not recommended. If you planning a vacation while pregnant, consider these tips and you can be on your way to a wonderful vacation.