The Travellers Warehouse

Sometimes one wants a vacation but needs to figure out where to go an a trip. Here are several points to consider when deciding where to travel.

1. How Long Can You Travel For? Often you have so much time for vacation and you want to get the most out of it. If you only have a three day weekend, you will most likely want to go somewhere that takes less than 5 hours of travel. While this is only a rule of thumb, consider that you want to have time to enjoy the place you are going as well as have enough time to really get your money’s worth. If you spend too much time actually getting there and back, your 3 day weekend ends up being a 1 day weekend. If you find you want to go somewhere further, consider extending your holiday if possible.

2. What Activities Do You Like Doing? Whether you are going to a golf resort or a beach in the tropics, you want your trip to have all the activities you desire. Taking the time to list what you are hoping for in advance may help your vacation be that much more enjoyable. By doing this, you can research possibilities in advance. Sandals Beaches and Resorts have all the activities any traveler could desire.Save 50% off Sandals Luxury Resorts, Click Here!

3. What Is Your Budget? Vacations can be expensive or inexpensive, depending on your planning and desires. However, when you know how much you want to spend, you can often make your decisions easier.

4. What is Your Preferred Weather Though you can not control the weather, knowing what normal conditions are helps. Additionally, you may choose a different destination if you find that the weather is too hot or too cold during the time period you want to travel.

5. What Do You Like to See Do you want a get away in the country or in a big city? Do you like to explore beaches, historical sites, mountain hikes or museums? Depending on what you want to see will further narrow your destinations. Alternatively, if you want some of everything, you may want to consider a tour or cruise.

6. Do You want to Visit Friends or Family? If you are going to visit family or friends, your destination will often be determined by their location unless you plan to do a multi-stop trip. One way around this can be doing a trip together. THis can be exciting but takes additional coordination.

7. Night Time Activities? Many people think of daytime activities and then are disappointed when their idea of nightlife and their destinations nightlife availability differ. Be sure that where you are going has the activities you desire.

8. Peak or Off-Peak? Off-Peak seasons are often much cheaper and less crowded - but sometimes you will find that many estbalishments are closed. Do your homework first so you don’t go to a beach town to find everything closed when you get there.

9. Events, Festivals, Shows, Exhibits Whether you are traveling to see the Superbowl or a movie festival, timing is everything. Know that during the even itself housing is often in short supply, so booking early is key. If you are staying extra time, you can stay in a different hotel to get a totally different feel of the city and the surrounding area if desired.

10. Stuff for the Kids, Adults, Seniors and Pets Of course when traveling, make sure there are activities for everyone in your group. If you are taking your pet, trip planning is essential. Often hotels will have activities for children, be certain to ask in advance.

Technorati Tags: where to go an a trip, deciding where to travel, trip planning

Shopping for bargain cruises is when all the fun really begins, and it is a good idea to continuously shop especially if you are avid traveler. Travelers need to keep a sharp lookout out for really good deals. More and more people will be seeking out other ways to take trip besides using air travel. Cruises are a lot more fun, and if the right company is used the service might be a lot better. Cruise lines could be entering a whole new phase of business navigating the high seas.

Cruise travel has been a luxury option for travelers in the past, but now it is becoming a more reasonable option. With a little time and effort, you can find yourself on bargain cruises that have all the amenities of a luxury cruise, but at a fraction of the cost. One cruise broker we can recommend is cruisedirect.com

To find a bargain cruise the traveler needs to spend some time learning just what a “bargain cruise” means. What should always be included in the definition of bargain cruises is the value you get for every dollar you spend. Surfing the internet is a good place to start, but good information can be found in travel magazines and publications. Taking small local cruises can also be helpful because of connections made with other travelers. Who knows who one might meet on a daily cruise between Los Angeles and Catalina Island. The idea is to focus and spend a while really researching your trip. These types of cruises are ideal for family outings so consider Family Cruises

Cruise Bargain Hunting Tips

1. Look for cruise specialists. They are really interested in finding the best deal, and help get the best value for the money. Use an agent that specializes in various types of cruises, for example: someone who does nothing but Mediterranean cruises, and then start narrowing the search down to those agents who are willing to help find bargain prices. They know exactly where to look.

2. A good agent will keep their eyes open for ships that have a lot of empty cabins, and often can get substantial discounts because the company wants to leave port with a full load of passengers.

3. A lot of times travelers can find space at the last minute if the ship is not filled to capacity, and either the traveler or the agent can barter a very good trip. Look at favorite internet sites on a regular basis to keep abreast of new developments.

Travelers who do not mind some inconvenience, freighter ships can certainly be considered bargain cruises. These types of cruises are definitely not luxury trips but are a lot cheaper, and might stop in ports that are skirted by more expensive cruise lines.

Technorati Tags: Shopping for bargain cruises, Cruise travel, bargain cruises

When booking a trip across the country with 7 weeks notice, I found prices were much more than expected. For my preferred flights (non-stop, daytime, etc), it was going to be $660 per person. That was much more than I wanted to spend. Then I found Travelocity Trip Packages! I managed to get BOTH my preferred flights and my 3 night hotel stay for $605 per person. That is a HUGE vacation savings! Here is how I proved I was really getting a deal:

First I compared the price of my desired flight on Travelocity, Orbitz, Cheap Tickets, and the actual airline. All were within $5-10 depending on how they showed booking fees/taxes.

Then, I noticed that Travelocity had a button next to my desired flight saying book with hotel stay for as little as $583/person. I figured that was in addition to my cost — but it wasn’t! I looked at over 125 hotel choices. I found the hotel I was wanting to stay in before booking the flight. So, I chose that hotel. Total cost for flight and hotel was $606 per person.

So if you are needing both airline tickets and a hotel stay, consider this amazing vacation package deal. Know Travelocity SAVES You 20% or MORE on Air Fares and save hundreds of dollars!

Technorati Tags: HUGE vacation savings, vacation package deal

Peter Greenburg, a contributor for The Today Show related an experience he had  at Chicago’s O’Hare Airport where he found himself stranded.  He invoked the old “Rule 240″ regulation that states that when flights are delayed or cancelled for anything other than weather the airline has to re-book a passenger on the next available flight. That means that flight can be on any airline. The ticket agent may try to get you on one of their flights, but that flight may not leave until the next morning.  By asking nicely about Rule 240 there may be help for a stranded passenger.

Greenburg noticed that while flights were cancelled on his chosen airline other flights on other carriers going to the same destination were leaving on time.  He invoked Rule 240, and it was only then that airline employees began booking flights for stranded passengers.

Most airlines that were around before de-regulation adhere to the rule. Some of the newer airlines never had the rule in their guidelines and they may not follow it.  But it doesn’t hurt to try!

The rule was enacted by the Civil Aeronautics Board which used to regulate airlines. Airlines had to pay tariffs and documentation governing them included all the company rules on delays, baggage and fare conditions.  These documents included the 240 Rule. After deregulation airlines were not required to submit tariffs anymore, however a lot of them reluctantly will still honor the rule, especially if a passenger brings it up.

Also, keep your eyes on the departure boards.  Check and see when your flight is leaving from its’ original destination and when the plane will be arriving at your departure gate.  If the airline says the flight is delayed don’t be afraid to ask why.  If the delay is going to be too long and you will miss connecting flights nicely ask if they can invoke the 240 Rule and get you on another flight.  Sometimes they will do it, and sometimes they won’t.  But, you can try!

I remember the time that a group of my friends and I were traveling in Europe when one of the troop fell and hurt themselves. We were in Holland, and while they had very good hospitals and medical facilities there this individual would have been in a very difficult situation if he had not had some type of travel insurance. He made sure that prior to leaving he was covered in the event of any mishap or illness that might happen.

Travel is supposed to fun and enjoyable, however in today’s world it pays make sure that there is something to back you up in case of an emergency. Some people call it “peace of mind” while others call it travel insurance.

All kinds of things can crop up—such as my friend’s unexpected medical emergency or less serious things like lost baggage or travel delays. In our complex world the traveler needs to think about serious political problems that may occur especially when traveling to the Middle East, South America, some parts of Africa and Asia. In some cases no amount of travel insurance is going to make a difference, but it is still good to be prepared.

Travel insurance is supposed to provide protection for the traveler from the time they leave home until they return. A lot of other types of insurance do not have clauses in the policies that cover travel. Some companies may include provisions for medical emergencies at an additional cost. Prior to embarking on a trip one should check with their insurance company to see if they have any travel coverage. Don’t just assume that you have coverage.

Good travel insurance policies will cover financial as well as medical expenses either domestically or internationally. If you use a travel agent to book a trip they usually have pretty good information about travel insurance and you can purchase the insurance directly from the agent, cruise line or tour company. Travel insurance needs to be purchased through an insurance company directly if an agent or other travel company is not used to secure the coverage.

The most common risks that are covered by travel insurance are:

• Cancellation
• Curtailment
• Delayed departure
• Loss, theft or damage to personal possessions and money (including travel documents)
• Delayed baggage (and emergency replacement of essential items)
• Medical expenses
• Emergency evacuation/repatriation
• Overseas funeral expenses
• Accidental death, injury or disablement benefit
• Legal assistance
• Personal liability and rental car damage excess

Some companies carry coverage where additional costs may be forthcoming while others do not.

Separate insurance can be purchased for:

• high risk sports (e.g. skiing, scuba-diving)
• travel to high risk countries (e.g. due to war or natural disasters or acts of terrorism)
• pre-existing medical conditions (e.g. asthma, diabetes)

Most companies may exclude certain conditions or situations. A few of them are listed below. Check and see what is not covered in the policy. Take time to read the fine print.

• pre-existing medical conditions
• war or terrorism - but some plans may cover this risk
• pregnancy related expenses
• injury or illness caused by alcohol or drug use

Travel insurance may provide other services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. These services may include concierge services and emergency travel assistance. The best place to start looking for travel insurance is by looking at an existing health policy which may cover expenses for domestic travel emergencies. The insurance carrier may cover an international trip for an additional cost. If they cannot do it the agent may know where and how it can be purchased. For business travel the company you work for might already have coverage for you, or know where good insurance can be bought, and they will probably help to defray the costs. Talk with friends who have done a lot of traveling. The may or may not have some good information. I traveled for years without travel insurance and had a few close calls. Today, I would probably look into some type of travel insurance prior to any extended trip.

Technorati Tags: Travel insurance, Good travel insurance policies

This section of Travellers Warehouse will be dedicated to Passport Issues and will be updated as new information becomes available.

Since the events of September 11, 2001 travel outside of and into the United States has changed significantly. Today we have what is known as The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), and it is being strictly enforced. Its’ birth can be found in the Intelligence Reform and Prevention Act of 2004 (IRTPA), which requires every traveler to present a passport or other document as a method of identification and citizenship origin when entering the United States. That includes U.S. citizens. An individual may be able to go to areas in the Caribbean and have a wonderful vacation, but could run into difficulty getting back into the United States without proper identification. Anyone re-entering the United States by air must have documents that meet the WHTI regulations. The same policy is true for Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, The Bahamas and 17 different islands in the Caribbean. This policy started in January 2007 and will continue. There are also new procedures for children traveling into these areas. The whole family will be involved.

In the summer of 2008 a plan will start to be implemented to extend the rules to seaports and land ports of entry. It may take some time to fully expedite the program, but commencement of this activity is planned for that time frame.

Following is the list of accepted identification documents that are WHTI compliant as released by The Department of Homeland Security that will be accepted under proposed regulations.

U.S. Passport: U.S. citizens may present a valid U.S. passport when traveling via air, land or sea between the U.S. and the aforementioned Western Hemisphere countries.

The Passport Card: This limited-use, wallet-size passport card is not yet available and is under development. When available it will only be valid for land and sea travel between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean region (includes Bermuda).

Other Accepted Travel Documents: SENTRI, NEXUS, FAST and the U.S. Coast Guard Mariner Document. Members of the U.S. Armed Forces on active duty traveling on orders are exempt from the passport requirement. The Department of Homeland Security website has more information on these travel documents. This information may be seen at http://www.dhs.gov/ or http://www.travel.state.gov/.

The goal of these new programs is to make it easier for U.S. citizens and legitimate foreign visitors by requiring standardized documentation that enables the Department of Homeland Security to quickly and reliably identify a traveler. It is also an effort to secure our borders and more readily identify those who have no good intentions when they attempt to enter the country. It is an effort by the agency make a more safe and secure environment for American citizens and their neighbors.

Technorati Tags: passport, accepted identification documents, U.S. passport

Traveling across various time zones can wreak havoc with your vacation if you don’t take a few minutes and study up on how to handle jet lag. Jet lag is a relatively new term because flight across time zones didn’t become a reality until the 20^th Century. Going from New York to London on a ship a passenger had some place they could stretch out and rest. Ocean travel has its’ own set of issues but the phenomenon known as “jet lag” is not one of them, although there may still be some change in the body clock.

Dry atmospheres in airline cabins can cause dehydration. Altitude and pressure changes at each landing and takeoff also upset body systems, and although airliner cabins are pressurized, these changes can cause jet lag. So, drink a lot of liquid to counter the effects.

Frankly, I have my own way of working with jet lag. It may not work for everyone but might be helpful for some. First of all, I learned to take a leaf out of the books of other travelers, and did my best to be rested before starting the trip. Jet lag really becomes a problem when I travel coast to coast or overseas. If a trip takes me to Europe or Asia I try to plan an intermediate stop and take a few days to rest up before tackling the rest of the trip. However, that is not always possible especially for business travelers or if someone is short on funds.

Over the years I have traveled a lot to Europe for business and religious reasons. I do try to sleep on the planes, dressing as comfortable as possible. Instead of any sleep medications I take along something like some sort of tea or homeopathic remedy that encourages sleep and relaxation. It is best not to take any over the counter sleep aids or medications to use just prior to the flight. A passenger needs to be aware enough to handle an emergency. A mild relaxing tea is going to allow that. Save the stronger items for use at your destination. When I arrive at my hotel the first thing I do is lie down and take a nap. It doesn’t have to be very long. Mine is about two hours. Then I proceed through the rest of the day. Try to make flight arrangements so that you arrive during the day instead of late at night. It’s safer and there is more time to begin adjusting to the time change. The next day I try to get right out and make an attempt to fit into the flow of the new time zone. Sometimes, it is a bit of a push, but by the time you arrive back at the hotel you are ready to sleep. This is where other types of sleeping aids can come in handy. It normally takes me about two days to really adapt to the new time frame.

Here are some other tips from experts who have studied jet lag.

1. Sleep on the plane, and do use earplugs to shut out noise and eyeshades to shut out light. Pack a good neck pillow that can be folded up.

2. Take along some good warm socks or knitted slippers. Feet and legs tend to swell on a flight. Keeping your feet warm will help.

3. Dress warmly. I usually wear a pullover shirt with long sleeves over my blouse.

4. Avoid alcohol to keep from being dehydrated.

5. I do not put sugar in my decaffeinated coffee on a flight because it can cause dehydration. Also, limit your intake of salt or just don’t use it.

6. Try to get some exercise if you can on a flight. It will actually help with the jet lag problem and help you adjust to a new climate. There are special exercises you can do while sitting. On a long flight it is a good policy to find some way to exercise because Deep Vein Thrombosis can set in. This is a condition which has been tagged “Economy Class Syndrome” by some travel writers. The condition normally doesn’t affect most people, but a lot of airlines do warn passengers about it in their literature.

Technorati Tags: sleep on the planes, jet lag, Sleep on the plane

There are a lot of single people living in the United States, and most of them travel alone. According to the most recent U.S. Census 26% percent of us live in a single household. That does not include singles living with parents or other relatives or significant others. It also does not include singles who are roommates. The actual percentage is a lot higher.

The travel industry seems to hold themselves aloof from these facts and works to appease couples, and families. This leaves the single person pretty much on their own. Here are some tips to make a lot easier.

The bane for the single traveler is what is known as the “single supplement” imposed by cruise lines on people traveling alone. Cruise lines typically charge solo travelers 125–200 percent of the per-person, double-occupancy price. Some of these tips on cruise travel as well as travel in general might help you to have a more pleasant trip.

1. Work with a travel agent when booking a cruise. They can find the best deals. Paul Lasley and Elizabeth Harryman write for San Diego Westways, the publication for the American Automobile Association members in San Diego. They say some cruise lines will charge single passengers only 25% more that the double-occupancy rate. Agents are familiar with these companies. You may have to pay the agent a fee, but it would be well worth it.

2. Another way to get around these policies is to travel with friends or consider traveling with a tour group. They can sometimes work out arrangements with a cruise line.

3. I always say, “When in Rome, do as the Romans do.” It is a good adage to take along with you when traveling solo. In Istanbul once they wouldn’t allow me to tour a mosque because the greeter there thought my slacks were too tight. I had to put on a loose skirt furnished by him over the pants before entering. Do some historical research about the place you will be visiting, and then follow the local customs there.

4. Take along a small language dictionary. It never hurts, and it could be a life saver in an emergency.
If you have the time, learning the basics of the language opens up entire new vistas of experiences.

5. If you are going to another country know where the nearest U.S. Embassy is.The following website run by the State Department is loaded with good information for travelers.It is a very good resource for anyone traveling alone (http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips). Also you might take a look at their home page, http://travel.state.gov
and peruse the whole site for other travel information.

6.There are special considerations women traveling alone. It doesn’t hurt to invest in a self-defense course if you have to travel very often. A lot of women these days like to travel alone because there is such a sense of freedom and fun involved. Here are a few things to keep in mind. At the hotel ask for a room near the elevator, and don’t just leave your key on the lobby desk. Make sure the clerk puts it away. Arrive during the day. Most airports have shuttles and good transportation, but this becomes a real issue if a loner is driving or taking the train or bus. It is best to have someone you know meet you upon arrival. Use common sense when making new friends. Meet them in public places for a while. Keep in contact with someone at home. Telephone cards can be purchased almost anywhere, and there is internet access in most hotels.

• http://travel.yahoo.comhttp://www.amazon.com/Young-Female-Traveling-Alone

  http://www.delta.com/planning_reservations/
  special_travel_needs/services_for_children/
  children_traveling_alone

  www.associatedcontent.com/article/128767/
  tips_for_seniors_traveling_alone.html

  www.continental.com/web/enUS/content/
  travel/specialneeds/minors

  www.ramblingtraveler.com/2007/05/
  traveling-alone.html

Sites for further research:

Technorati Tags: travel agent, American Automobile Association, tour group, language dictionary, traveling alone, travel alone, Telephone cards

I never leave on a trip these days without taking my Airborne along especially if I fly through the friendly skies. During the last few years each time I flew I would come home with a cold or just not feel very well. There are those who would chalk it up to jet lag or some other travel phenomenon. Airborne was developed by school teacher Virginia Knight-McDowell when she no longer wanted to fall victim to second grade germs. Some may find that it doesn’t work that well for them, but it does for me. Another thing that always goes with me is a light, non-habit forming sleep aid. Equate is the one I use. I found it at Wal-Mart. Sleeping in a strange bed is always hard and it does seem to help. Of course, anyone needs to read the labels and make sure there is nothing in the formula that might have an adverse reaction. What works for one person is not always right for someone else, and a doctor might need to be consulted.

There are other things a traveler can take along with them like Chamomile tea bags. I also look for smaller sample products when going on a trip. The nice thing about that is that you can leave them behind if you run short of room in the luggage, and it leaves more space to place small gifts for friends and family back home.Traveling is supposed to be fun and trouble free. Getting a cold and a fever really puts a snag into an otherwise pleasurable trip. Sometimes, it can’t be helped—like the time my friends and I took turns getting infected with a nasty form of flu found only in Caracas. Certain countries in South America, Mexico, some areas in Asia and Africa need special attention. Before traveling to these places check with the U.S. State Department for latest updates on health and political conditions. They always have up-to-date advisories.

Some years back I went to Ghana and one advisory warned that buying food in some supermarkets could be risky. They suggested that if food needed to be bought that it be purchased from a street vendor because it was likely to be fresher. But, even then one does need to be cautious.I have always been pretty careful about food consumption when traveling to other countries. It is also a good idea to check and see if the country has its’ own water treatment plants. A good rule of thumb is to stay away from fruits and vegetables that grow along or under the ground. In some places contaminated water is used to irrigate the fields. Something like watermelon or cantaloupe is probably alright because the fruit comes encased in a thick skin. At best, make sure that items like carrots and beets are cooked almost to death.

Once in Bogota I ate beets which looked like they were cooked, and in fact, they were marinated. This was one time I really got sick. It pays to know someone who lives in the area when something like that happens. There is no better source than a local resident who deals with these types of issues all the time. My friend took me back to my room and sprinted down the street to the local market and came back with several large South American papayas. Papaya in those areas can be eaten safely because it has a thick covering. It should, however, be eaten right away. My friend surprised me by bringing all the seeds in a bowl and told me to chew them up. This did actually help along with some supplements another friend gave me. I was lucky. If someone gets a really bad case of food poisoning, especially if it is a child or an older person, they should go to a doctor. Following are some other tips that will most likely help to keep a globetrotter healthy. Other tips may appear throughout this website.

• Wash the hands. Yes, it is simple but effective.
• Drink a lot of water. These days bottled water can be purchased almost anywhere.
• Antiseptic wipes are a good, cheap investment.
• Bed sheets are more likely to be cleaner than blankets in a hotel room. Travel experts suggest that the sheets should closest to your face.
• An N95 mask is carried by some travelers. I never use one myself, but it could come in handy if someone is just recovering from a cold and does not want to pick up other maladies from fellow plane passengers.

Check out these websites for more information.

• www.cdc.gov/travel
• http://www.healthytraveler.com/

So travel healthy — practice these travel health tips and really enjoy your trip!

Technorati Tags: travel healthy, travel health tips

A few years back when Northwest Airlines decided to re-vamp their frequent flyer program it turned out to be a boon for me. I had a lot of Northwest miles racked in their World Perks frequent flyer program. There was a wonderful opportunity to go to China. When I called them to check out what I could do with my credits they told me that because of the new changes I had enough to get me to Hong Kong with one intermediate stop either in Manila or Tokyo. I grabbed the chance to stop in Tokyo for a few days and then fly on to Hong Kong. From there, along with friends, I took another airline to Beijing. The trip consisted of the stuff that dreams are made of because I bothered to ask the right questions, and it saved a lot of money.

Frequent flyer programs were originally started by some airlines as a promotion, and they have evolved into standard features on most airlines. They include partnerships with foreign carriers, hotels, car rental companies and some cruise ship lines. For the avid traveler these programs are well worth it. I have a friend that got her credit card through a special program where miles were credited to her frequent flyer account. This helped when she wanted to visit family members across the country, and take trips to conventions.

Check and see if the hotel accommodations share a contract with any airline frequent flyer programs. If they do, your visit could give you more miles in a program. Also, some hotel perks might include late checkout, free breakfast, and in some cases an upgrade to a better room. Many car rental firms also have special considerations on frequent flyer promotions that could get customers a larger car without having to wait in long lines. It is good to check and find out exactly what is covered in the program.

Most programs are pretty good. Some, of course, are better than others. The best thing to do is find out where an airline flies. Do they go where you want to go? Business travelers may have different criteria because sometimes a company will send an employee to a lot of different places. Even if an airline does not fly to your preferred destination they may have a partner who is part of their alliances that do. Maybe an airline has alliances with several partners and the frequent flyer miles might be interchangeable. Airlines do make the rules regarding a frequent flyer program and they can change it any time they want to. So, it is good to periodically get updated information. Here are some other tips to remember about frequent flyer programs.

• I always keep my cards with me because I never know when I might need them. It is always good to have them on hand when checking in. When the reservation was made the agent should have made inquiries about a frequent flyer number. Make sure that it shows up on your itinerary or ticket when you check in.

• Check out all the alliances in the program including hotels and car rentals before you leave home.

• Redeeming miles is usually very simple, but keep in mind that there are blackout dates where the frequent flyer program cannot be used or unusual restrictions apply.

• If you can afford it, and a ticket is not too expensive, opting to spend the money and adding miles to the account may be the better way to go.