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By admin, December 19, 2009 8:55 pm

It’s common for many travellers to suffer post-travel regret. Whether it’s because of lost or stolen belongings, being taken for a ride, getting lost, or just suffering a poor travel experience.  No one wants their memories of a long anticipated trip to be peppered with bad experiences, and fortunately there are some incredibly simple things you can do to lessen the chances of it happening.  

1.       Prepare before you go.Obviously the more prepared you are for your trip; the less likely you are to suffer frustration when you arrive.  A good start here is ensuring you have most of your plans pre-booked, particularly your accommodation. Usually when you arrive you’ll be exhausted, and often it will be in the evening, so as a minimum it’s a good idea to have your first night or two in each city booked. And check the city tourist websites prior to booking to see if there are local events being held at the time of your travel, as this can affect availability & price. Otherwise you can still bargain-hunt when pre-booking, by using a price-comparison site, or last minute engines. Here are a few other items you shouldn’t leave home without.  - At least one power adapter for the country you’re visiting. -Local guidebooks are invaluable for determining places to see, times & days of sight openings, places to eat, and the basic & words phrases you’ll need in that language to get by. If it’s a heavy guidebook, you may find removing the language pages & jotting other day trip details down is a good option. You can then carry them separately in your bag, which is a much lighter option to the whole book.  -Printed directions for the hotels you’re staying at. Google maps are perfect for this whether on foot or by vehicle. -At least 2 ATM cards. Preferably 2 per person if you’re travelling with a mate. This way if one is rejected in certain countries, or worse gobbled up by a machine, you have a back-up. It’s usually worthwhile to take a credit card, but there are some cautions here. See more on this below. 

2.       Pack light – Pack right One of the major frustrations when travelling can be either having too much luggage or the wrong kind.  The all-time most important tip any regular traveller will give you is to pack light. Inevitably at some point even with planned travel, you will need to pull or carry your luggage. If there are two of you, this makes it somewhat easier. But remember there’s a good chance you’ll pick up a few souvenirs or other items while you’re there, so starting with a lot of luggage, will only make it more difficult later. Layer clothing is the best kind to take, with a good mix of easy wear t-shirts & singlets. Check expected temperatures before you go, but inevitably you’ll almost always need at least one warmer jacket. Choose one that is warm, but not too bulky.  If you are travelling with a mate or spouse, combining your luggage into one medium or large case can be a great decision. If you find you’re picking up items on your travels, and running out of room, it’s usually extremely easy to pick up a cheap knock-off bag on wheels that will see you out til you get home. Starting out with just one main piece of luggage, makes sharing the load with a companion easier. This is also a much safer option, see more on this below. 

3.       Get the right travel gearIf you are travelling through a westernised country and are likely to be in built up areas, luggage on wheels is almost always the best option. It’s easier to pull luggage than carry it, and it’s more secure against serious thieves.  However for rural, remote areas or under-developed countries, a backpack is definitely best.  It’s not only more practical if you’re getting around on foot more or transporting via boat or bus, it’s also a lower security risk in many of these places. You don’t want to draw attention to expensive-looking baggage, which could imply you have expensive contents. If you take a back-pack, make sure it’s sturdy, and can be kept secure. Don’t keep items of value in any external pockets. The other major key to having fuss-free daily adventures is to make sure you have the right carry-bag. A long-strapped sling bag is best. Small backpacks of any description are a shining beacon to thieves, where your belongings are easily reached conveniently behind your back. You should have a bag you can cross over your shoulder. Ensuring it has a comfortable, strong strap. This bag will do a lot of walking with you, and hold most of your valuable items, so getting it right is a high priority. A zipped bag is mandatory, one which allows no gaps for sneaky hands. If it has a flap, ensure the zip under it is always fully closed, and the zip opening facing to your front. In this way, your valuables are carried at the front of your body, and near impossible to access by another person.If you are travelling as a male & female, a satchel which is more uni-sex is ideal, because you can share carrying the load.

4.       Be travel wise By following the above suggestions on luggage, you should hopefully have a limited amount of it which is always a far more secure way to travel. If you stop at anytime to make arrangements, always stay with your luggage, and if possible always keep a hand on it. Un-attended luggage is the No.1 kind to go missing in high traffic areas, such as train & bus stations. For this reason when travelling on trains over longer periods, you should keep your luggage close to you, or at least where you can see it. Ideally, get a compartment where you are guaranteed to have it with you. Where possible you should carry your passports with you at all times. Even many hotel safe’s, unless it’s a reputable hotel, are not very secure. So aim to take things of value with you throughout the day. You should keep your valuables at the bottom of your carry bag, and in an internal zip compartment if you have one.  In many parts of the world credit card fraud is still rampant. Whilst you’ll usually want to take a credit card with you, try to use it sparingly to lessen the chances of the number falling into the wrong hands. It’s a good idea to try and pay for transportation, dining etc with cash withdrawn from an ATM. Do your best not to let your credit card leave your sight. In certain countries, over-charging tourists is common, so be cautious. For hotels, take all paperwork detailing the room type with you, to help ensure you get what you’ve paid for.  Scams can also occur in cafe’s, particularly with getting wine inferior to that which you’ve paid for.  If in doubt query it before you consume it.  If you are blatantly overcharged, stand your ground. And try to give close to exact money, so there’s no opportunity for them to conveniently keep the change. In most under-developed countries, you can expect scams around every corner. From travel agencies, to people approaching you on the street. When you arrive, read the hotel information or speak to them about what dangers there may be in that area. Guidebooks will usually indicate which tour agencies don’t offer products as displayed, so peruse these before spending your money.

5.       Be travel safeIn many cities all over the world, you can find yourself a target for those who prey on un-wary travellers. Be sensible, do your best not to look like a tourist. Pulling out maps in the middle of the street is a clear sign you’re a tourist, and an easy target. So try where possible to find a convenient spot to do this discretely, or make your plans over lunch. Waist bags worn outside your clothing are to thieves like a red-flag to a bull. There are far better ways of keeping your money close. If you’re not carrying a bag, choose a belt that goes under your clothes. When walking from place to place, try to stick close to others, and avoid dark streets at night & quite alleys in the day. There’s usually another way you can go that’s populated, or catch transport. Being street smart is fairly common sense. Stay aware, and cautious..and you’ll likely ward off any potential incidents. This doesn’t mean you have to be paranoid, but just remember you’re away from home, and as a tourist you’re at risk. 

If you keep these few basic rules you should find you enjoy fairly fuss-free travel. Inevitably there will always be things that go wrong, and can’t be avoided. But don’t let them spoil your dream trip. Prepare well, be travel wise, and you’re very likely to have an adventure full of wonderful memories.

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By admin, December 4, 2009 2:44 am

Being organized helps to make your trip go smoother and easier. When you have everything in one place, it makes finding the necessary tickets, itinerary and papers a lot simpler. Also keep in mind, that we know need to carry a passport anytime we leave the United States. Even with “electronic” ticketing, you still need to know your seat selection, the gate number and the time you’re traveling. It seems there’s more paper than ever! Many companies have gone from making a simple passport case to designing these very efficient travel wallets. Dilana is one of the well-known brands that makes a case with a pocket outside for your boarding pass. These cases are available in soft nappa leather in black, brown and tan. These Dilana cases are known for their elegant styling and fine craftsmanship. You do not have to open the case to show the boarding pass while going through the different security points because of the handy outside pocket. They are also available in zippered or tab closing models. These will hold your passport, baggage checks, driver’s license, tickets, and train or bus passes. Additionally, there are deep pockets that will hold foreign currency as well as American currency or traveler’s checks. Small pockets will accommodate credit cards or those very important frequent flyer cards that are so handy should you need an upgrade or special assistance. These travel wallets fit easily in your lightweight luggage or carry-on.

For those traveling with less, you may require something smaller and less bulky. The Lodis brand makes different short models in smooth Italian cowhide or nappa leather. These beautifully designed cases are a delight to the eye and touch. They come in fashion colors as well as the basic colors. They are small enough to fit in a man’s back pocket or a woman’s small purse. The inside pocket lifts up and expands to accommodate the boarding pass, tickets, and traveler’s checks. It then folds down to fit into those smaller areas. It has a few smaller pockets to hold luggage checks, a few cards and your driver’s license. The smaller size makes this perfect for the backpacking crowd as well as for those who like to travel light. It can be easily carried along with your other important travel accessories. The size will also fit into a fanny bag worn around your waist or a small camera bag or shoulder tote. The bright colors available insure you will spot the case when you put it down and make it easy to locate inside your bag. Lodis also makes matching wallets for men and women to carry the balance of your credit cards and cash. You’ll be fashionable and organized when you travel on business or vacation trips.

Men that travel for business and wear a jacket find the Johnson and Murphy or Tumi brand ultimate travel organizers handy. These are a larger size which fits easily into an inside jacket pocket. They will hold everything in one place and are only slightly larger than a breast pocket wallet. There’s even a pen pocket inside for ease in jotting down notes and numbers. Receipts and itinerary will fit easily inside this generous sized case. Some models also have an inside zipper for extra security. These larger sized cases will even hold rental car information and small maps. If you need a currency converter, these can also fit inside one of the pockets. These cases are available in elegant leathers that can be monogrammed or engraved. A logo or company name can also be added, making them ideal for corporate gifts. Women also enjoy this complete travel case and will tuck it inside their handbags. Families can fit more than one passport inside when traveling with small children.

The Vantaggio brand makes travel wallets in elegant full-grain Italian leather which achieves a deep patina over years. Richly burnished and hand-stained, these Vantaggio travel wallets let you travel in style. Vantaggio Italian leather products have the look and feel of enduring quality. Keep everything handy and easily available in the zip-around style or the tab closing model. The tab-closing model also has a zippered pocket on the inside. Both models have an outside boarding pass pocket for your ease in going through security check points. Traveling with discount luggage? Vantaggio will give you the elegance you need while keeping everything organized and in one place. Driver’s license, baggage claim checks, receipts, etc., will fit securely inside these cases. You’ll find superb craftsmanship in each travel wallet, and the pockets galore will give you a home for all of your important travel documents at very reasonable prices.

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By admin, November 29, 2009 7:31 am

Planning a vacation or just need to get away? Start packing your lightweight luggage and begin planning. You can read books, travel magazines or research your plans on the web. You’ll find all of the information you need about airlines, trains and buses. You can also do your research on the computer. You can check on what to expect as far as weather goes at www.weather.com. You can research something in your price range or splurge. You can check out the tourist highlights, restaurants or the best beaches. Whether you like kayaking or horseback riding or golf, the web will point you in the right direction. You can begin with airline websites. There’s www.aa.com for American Airlines, www.nwa.com for Contintental Airlines, www.usairways.com for US Airways, www.delta.com for Delta Airlines, www.ual.com for United airlines and www.icelandair.com for Islandair. There’s also www.ba.com for British Airways, www.Southwest.com for Southwest Airlines, and www.jetblue.com for Jet Blue Airlines. Many of these sites have specials available by web only. You can also call the reservations department of any airline, but there’s generally a saving of $10.00 for making your reservation on line.

While you are looking over your favorite travel accessories, check out some of these web sites. They also offer frequent e-mails. Arthur Drummer’s Budget Travel is www.frommers.com, Travel & Leisure magazine is www.Travelandleisure.com, and Conde Nast Traveler is www.concierge.com. If you are on a budget, there are fare alerts that will alert you to specials. Check out the e-mail services from www.expedia.com, www.forecast.com, www.kayak.com, www.travelocity.com and www.orbitz.com. Some of these will search for specific dates, and others will search for hotel and airfare packages. Do your research and check them all thoroughly before booking.

You’ve chosen your discount luggage and are anxious to go on your trip. You know the type of vacation you’re looking for and you’ve chosen what to pack. You’ll still want to peruse these very important websites. Begin with www.smarterliving.com, www.Travelocity.com, www.Lowestfare.com, www.Quixo.com, and www.travelzoo.com. Other very popular websites are www.Hotwire.com, www.priceline.com, and www.travel.nextag.com. You’ll also need the information available on airport terminals and transportation when you arrive from www.Worldairportguide.com. The best and worst seats by jet type can be found at www.Seatguru.com. Resort information is available from www.Luxurylink.com and gym information for the so inclined is at www.Heathclub.com.

For the last minute traveler information can be obtained at www.Site51.com or www.Sidestep.com. Driving information and destination maps are available for North America and Europe from www.Mapquest.com. If you prefer to rent a house or condo, you can get assistance from www.Rentvillas.com and www.Resortquest.com. Electrical voltage information and phone information is available at www.Kropla.com. If you wish to travel by train throughout Europe there are interactive route maps and point-to-point information available at www.Raileurope.com. You can also receive information on rail pass tickets from that site. Are you in the mood for a cruise? Check out www.Icruise.com, www.Cruisesonly.com, www.smartcruiser.com and www.cruises.com. With all of these websites available, there’s no excuse not to plan ahead and have a great trip!