Archive for September, 2010

How to save money by travel booking at wholesale prices

Thursday, September 30th, 2010

Having family vacations is expensive for average people. However they can take advantage of wholesale travel packages to go on a ship cruise, enjoy the best hotels and use the low priced flights. These deals give you a range of holiday extravaganzas. The packages are available at a more idle time of the year and you get the best rates in this period. Most resorts and cruise liners are rarely full in the off season period.

Because of this the wholesale travel is possible in case of almost all destinations. Some operators use the voucher system but some vouchers have an expiry date so make sure to check the date before buying the deal. Also make sure that the company allows for the transfer of vouchers to other people such as friends or relatives. The vacation time for these deals is normally off peak holiday time as this makes the deal a viable alternative.
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Safeguarding your travel money

Wednesday, September 29th, 2010

Traveling is a fantastic experience. However getting robbed can take away the fantastic part in a second. You may get stranded in a foreign land with nothing to pay for anything is easily one of the worst feelings in world. Here we will see some tips to avoid the danger. The most common principle used for safeguarding the money is splitting it up.

Don’t travel just on cash or a card. To continue on the same principle, do not keep all your money in one bag or purse. Keep the money distributed so that if something awry happens, you have alternative access to money. It is quite natural and to keep your money in your wallet or purse which is easily accessible. But make sure that it is not accessible to other people. Another good option is using the money belt under a shirt or use another place that is the small zipped compartment of your luggage.

Taking care of feet for backpackers

Tuesday, September 28th, 2010

For backpackers it is important to take care of your feet, especially while hiking. An experienced backpacker is aware that if you don’t, it may lead to tenderness and blisters or even an injury. Here is what is necessary.

Keep the feet dry. Wet feet cause irritation. Always wear two layers of socks. First layer should be a thin one for removing moisture and the second one a lot heavier for cushioning. Carry a spare. Keep a first aid kit for treating blisters and injuries to the feet. Immediately treat any signs or beginning of blisters and tenderness. If you ignore it, it will get worst. Now select the right boots. Select a pair that gives the protection and support needed on a difficult trail. Without proper boots there is a risk of injury. Break in the boots before going on a major hike for avoiding the raw spots and blisters. New boots are particularly difficult to break in.

Being a tourist in your hometown

Monday, September 27th, 2010

If you feel like enjoying a vacation without having to leave your hometown limits or driving out in the country, take a weekend off to be a tourist in your own hometown. You will have a great time and will save money on fuel and other expenses related to travel.

Find the most popular spots in your city on the internet. You can arrange a stay at a hotel if your budget allows it. It’s also fun on the campgrounds. Carry your camera with you and get some postcards of your city. If you are really keen on playing the tourist, wear kitschy clothes such as Bermuda shorts and a tropical shirt. Go to a fancy restaurant and splurge a little. Get a souvenir of your city. Do any tourist activities such as a walking tour, visiting the museum or a sunset cruise. Push yourself to discover new things in the city such as a good trek, some architecture or a great view.

Tips to use the frequent flyer miles

Sunday, September 26th, 2010

The frequent flyer programs appear like a good reward with airline linked credit cards and offer of membership. The rules and programs keep changing though. You need to do some research on internet for the best deals.

First check if you have enough miles to qualify. For getting the best deal consult the airline reservation agent. You will have to pay a token fee for this. Look for the air fares 30 days in advance. Use the credit cards affiliated with the airline or the credit card that works on different frequent flyer programs. Don’t go for the generic “reward points” card. If the airline miles expire before cashing them in, use them to get affiliated gifts like hotel discounts and restaurant meals. Avoid buying too many award miles. If you purchase 10,000 award miles via a frequent flier program, it will be more expensive than the outright price of the ticket.

Getting the best cruise travel deals on internet

Saturday, September 25th, 2010

If you are looking for the best or last minute cruise travel deal, no need to worry as they are all around you and you can easily buy one online if you can do some research on internet. Find the different prices from internet. Now get the prices for the specific time period. Now go to a travel search engine such as Kayak.com. Here you will get samples of prices across more than 200 sites. Check if you can find anything lower. Go to the travel company site directly. Get the travel agents to work for you. One site called Cruise Complete can get the travel agents to quote their price. You can book through a suitable agent if you so wish. All this will get you a good sense of prices. This will enable you to enjoy your holiday with the best possible cruise travel deal.

How will you get your travel insurance?

Saturday, September 25th, 2010

The travel insurance includes emergency assistance and trip cancellation assistance. It is a smart thing to do if you are planning your vacation in advance. First check whether you are already covered. Decide the type of travel insurance suitable to you such as terrorism/medical transportation insurance.

The costs vary a great deal depending on age, health and length of the trip. Check whether the following things are included in the policy. International medical insurance, accidental death and dismemberment, emergency medical evacuation and repatriation of remains and other family travel benefits. Search on the internet for the right plan or get your travel agent to purchase a good insurance policy for you. There are many reputed insurance companies on internet offering great alternatives. Ensure that the travel insurance provider has 24 hour customer service. Do not overbuy as you will not get reimbursement for more amounts then the cost of the trip.

Factors that influence the choice of hotels

Saturday, September 25th, 2010

Selecting the right lodging during travel is one important task. Many people select hotels for the stay. So it is important to decide the factors for the best choice of hotel. The first is your budget. A smart traveler knows how to find good hotel deal.

You need to check whether good hotels have discounts on offer prior to booking. Also if you are going to spend lot of time in the room, you might want a nicer room. Second factor is rewards. Many hotels offer loyalty programs and frequent flyer points. Third factor is the reviews. Find out what other travelers have to stay about the hotel on internet. The last factor is location. This is particularly important if you are going to a major city. So read hotel site to know the proximity of downtown attractions to the hotel. Also check the noise levels and availability of public transportation and parking facility.

Some basic travel tips

Saturday, September 25th, 2010

The travel tips can come in handy for long or short tours and at times give very helpful reminders. You always need to try and prepare for a stress free and safe trip. These guidelines will help in dealing with any issues you might face before and during the journey. We will see some tips to save money while traveling in this article.

If you are using your own vehicle for transportation, drive slower for better mileage and avoid too many stops and starts. If you are traveling by air, buy the tickets as early as possible. Travel light to avoid over size baggage charges. While choosing accommodation remember that one suite generally costs less than two rooms. All the accommodations are cheaper on weekdays. If you have kids along find the restaurants that have “kids eat free” plan. Try to get a room with kitchen so that you can cook your own meals.

Packing your bags for a holiday

Saturday, September 25th, 2010

For being a smart packer, you need to pack smartly and choose the right baggage. When you are packing your bags for a vacation you need to make sure that you have packed the most important and significant things without over packing. It is important to follow these guidelines to ensure that you are well prepared for the holidays.

Prepare a checklist before the actual packing. This will ensure that you don’t forget anything. Always try to travel light by packing only the essential items. You can also save money because some airlines offer decreased luggage weight allowance even for the domestic flights. Do not overstuff the bags. They are difficult to repack after security check. And lastly make the right choice of travel bag. It has to be roomy and easy to carry on shoulders. It should have as many pockets and compartments as possible.