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

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!

So, you and your family are going to realize the dream of a lifetime, and taking a cruise down the California and Baja coast to Acapulco, Mexico. A cruise or any dream trip should be fun. Experts have come up with some common sense tips on travel safety whether or not your chosen mode of travel is by air, train, sea and even by automobile. In this particular article cruise safety will be featured.

First of all take care of your valuables by not keeping them in your purse. The best place for them is in a neck pouch or a waist wallet. These valuables should include your passport, traveler’s checks, credit cards and cash—anything that might prove useful to a thief or shop lifter. The closer you have these items to your body and how well hidden they are will save a lot of grief for the happy traveler. Purses and handbags are still useful for things like lipstick and toiletries. It is suggested that the globetrotter carry only a small amount of cash. ATM’s are available in most large cities and urban centers in the world. Major credit cards are accepted almost everywhere except in some place like the middle of the Belgian Congo. When I was in Brisbane, Australia all I had to do to get more cash was walk down to a local convenience store and use my Debit Card at an ATM. Modern nations have pretty much the same amenities as the United States, Canada and Europe. This is an area that needs to be checked out prior to any trip overseas. I carry a little cash in one of my skirt pockets along with coins that can be used to purchase tokens for subways or tips.

Another very important thing every traveler should do is leave any medical and contact information in the security area where other valuables are stored. That list should include a list medication allergies and it should be written in more that one language depending on where you are going.

In the event of choosing cruise travel the best resource to check before leaving home is the Vessel Sanitation Program of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). They inspect ships and make sure that they meet strict standards for cleanliness, food preparation and storage. They also demand that a ship be in good repair, and they check the water quality. This is one website that has a ton of good information that will help the traveler remain healthy while enjoying the world. Each ship and cruise line does receive a grade for compliance which should be duly noted.

If you have an on going medical condition, check out the facilities available before leaving port. Injuries and previous medical problems are the most common reasons for visits to the office of ship doctor. There are a lot of situations that occur on cruise ships that do not happen elsewhere. Climate changes are a factor, and changes in diet can present challenges for some passengers. There may be a higher stress level, especially if someone has never been at sea before. It is best to consult with a physician prior to departure, and investigate some of situations a new cruise buff might encounter. Also, check with your agent or the cruise line and see what special medical equipment is on board. Do they have proper treatment for someone who needs dialysis?

Here are a few other tips that might assist the individual planning a cruise

1. Be aware of what is happening around you. Avoid dark hallways, and don’t accept gifts or drinks from complete strangers. Keep the awareness antenna up and fully operational. Remember, that common sense is the best teacher when in a new foreign environment. If something doesn’t look right notify the Purser’s Office.

2. Utilize the ship safe. It is provided so that passengers can store very valuable items in it. Remember, a cruise ship is a floating hotel. Would you leave your diamond necklace in a hotel room? Probably not. The same precautions apply on a cruise ship.

3. Be careful what you eat. This is a good rule of thumb whether you are on a cruise or not. While water on board may be alright the water on shore leave may not be. Carry a bottle with you on jaunts away from the comfort of the cruise liner. If you have the luxury of traveling with someone who is more familiar with the country you are visiting use their knowledge. I have found that the natives know the best home remedies for things they have to deal with all the time. If the situation intensifies see the doctor.

4. If there is gambling on board it is a good policy to periodically cash in your winnings, and don’t get too jubilant if the winnings are large. It draws attention to yourself and makes you a target for cruise predators looking for easy prey.

5. All of the experts suggest that it is best not to just blindly trust the crew. Most of these folks work hard like everyone else, but as in any occupation there are those who will take advantage of someone who is unfamiliar with their new surroundings. TV cruise dramas paint a rosy picture. Fantasy is not always reality.

6. Cruise lines normally have their own tours, but if you choose to look around a port city or island alone bone up on negotiating skills, or find a more experienced shopper to do it for you—preferably someone you know has traveled in the area before.

7. Do report anything that looks suspicious. The crew normally will take it seriously and look into it.

All of this may seem ominous, but most of it is pretty practical. Bon Voyage!

Technorati Tags: travel safety

Sometimes travel is funny. You get a deja vu experience when arriving to a new place — that you just can’t explain. You know the landmarks, you know the people, occasionally you even know what they are going to say or what they are going to do. It is an amazing feeling to remember places you haven’t visited.

Sometimes this is because you have dreamed the experience before it happened. I remember going to Chicago, long ago — and having parts of the trip feel like I knew exactly what was going to happen before it happened. It was eerie and exciting all at the same time. About halfway through the trip I figured out that I had dreamed it before. Yet, still I watched the dream become a reality. It was an odd feeling — partially due to the fact that I was 15 at the time. Yet, it helped me know that dreams CAN come true and I could avoid some problems if I took the dreams forewarning.

Another travel adventure was in Japan. The Shinto Garden I visited in a small town so familiar and comfortable. It felt like I had been there before – though it was my first trip to Japan. I think I felt like I knew what I would see before I saw it — but it’s been long enough time ago, that I can’t be certain. I believe this was a past life recall — but would have a hard time proving it to someone.

Traveling opens up a whole new world of experiences. Some try to have recollections like these– others just want an explanation as it is so different than “normal” life. If you are one of these people who want more insight into experiences like these, I recommend Past Lives, Dreams, and Soul Travel. It will help you understand these experiences more fully. Perhaps, if you desire you can have these experiences too.

Technorati Tags: remember places you haven’t visited, dreamed the experience