Most of my European travels take place between September and May. I rarely fight the high-season summer tourist crowds. But I just sent my niece across to Europe with a Eurailpass to backpack across the continent like I once did. My, how times have changed.
The old days of hopping on trains at will, arriving in town, searching for a s…
Continue
Added by Adrian Kents on July 21, 2008 at 3:30pm —
No Comments
Common scams / scam-artists and how to recognize them
Unofficial “Moneychangers”
Changing money is an activity that should be confined to banks and licensed establishments, or ATMs, which will dispense cash in local currency. Avoid moneychangers who approach you on the street or in terminals promising you a better rate; these guys are skilled at counting out mo…
Continue
Added by Brando Shaw on July 11, 2008 at 2:00pm —
3 Comments
Seven tips that could save you from expensive mistakes
Shop around. Never buy travel online without checking at least two or three sites for a lower price. Despite the many promises to the contrary, no single resource searches all airlines and hotels or always has the cheapest rates.
Read results carefully. Some travel Web sites bias their displays to list partner companies first. These rarely offer the lowest price, so scroll through all the results or sort by price when…
Continue
Added by Brando Shaw on July 9, 2008 at 4:03pm —
No Comments
Ok, now picture what a shark looks like. We’ve seen hammerhead sharks, and, well, the normal, scary type of shark — the one with the fin raised on the center of its body. Not these sharks — these are the rarely-seen, not-so-ordinary, blink-and-it-attacks-you shark.
It’s been 33 years since Steven Spielberg made us afraid of sharks. Tons and tons of nature shows have proven that in the water, they are king; they are the bears and lions that attack the little nemos and spongebobs of the sea.…
Continue
Added by Bea on July 2, 2008 at 12:25am —
No Comments
The common excuse is that, “I’m on vacation. I don’t need any rules when I’m on vacation.” It might not always be the case. You still have to follow rules of the places where you plan to go. However, if you intend to lose it all, you have to find the right place. You need a break. It means you also want to get away with whatever you want to do. Although these places still have rules, you can somehow bail yourself from the situation. So where are these places?
…
Continue
Added by cristopher arrington on June 26, 2008 at 3:52pm —
2 Comments
As of this writing, the world has spoken: 77 finalists for the top 7 spot for the new top 7 wonders of the world. For today, in keeping with the 7-centric nature of the New7Wonders Foundation, I’m picking out my top 7 from the bunch.
Mind you, I haven’t been to all 77 of the mentioned places, but that’s not to say I don’t know what I like. Here’s my pick. (And hopefully, yours too!)
…
Continue
Added by Bea on June 25, 2008 at 11:55pm —
No Comments
While researching some possible destinations in Vietnam, I’ve come across something I’ve never really written about before: art.
The word “Vietnam” has always been frequently associated with war, and times of hardship, but has anyone ever seen any of the works by Nguyen Thanh Binh? Or photographs from Phan Tu Trang?
According to Nguyen Qui Duc, art cura…
Continue
Added by Bea on June 18, 2008 at 12:30am —
No Comments
It’s the summer season again! We all know what this means! Sand, sun, sea and surf! Locals will again groan in annoyance as tourists fill their beaches. More people will make travel plans to the world’s best shores. Expect more Americans relaxing in the Caribbean. Yep, just another summer for all of us.
This summer, however, I’ve decided to make a little different. I’ve decided to take my friends on an eco-friendly beach trip. It’s kind of like a normal beach trip, but more environment-friendly…
Continue
Added by Bea on June 11, 2008 at 11:32pm —
No Comments
From bluewaveted.com. Some people still use them. :)
A lot of people still rely on travel agents, even though the business is going downhill. For me, however, sometimes it’s best to consult a professional. A true professional. But how can you weed out the good from the bad? Here is my list.
1. Credentials. A sign of a good agent is proper credentials. If he is part of an official association of travel professionals like ASTA (American Society of Travel Agents), he may be legit.
2. Friendly…
Continue
Added by Bea on June 5, 2008 at 2:13pm —
No Comments
From CNN.
Book an airline ticket, save the planet.
Re-use the towel in your hotel; stop global warming. Rent a hybrid car; reduce our dependence on fossil fuel.
Lofty promises made by airlines peddling gimmicky carbon offsets, resorts hawking convoluted green initiatives and companies with shiny new fleets of high-maintenance cars to rent.
And empty promises.
In fact, there's no credible evidence that the greening of travel is saving the Earth. But here's what we do know. A recent Deloitte…
Continue
Added by Bea on May 29, 2008 at 4:48pm —
No Comments
The loveliest times to visit the Eternal City are also the busiest and most expensive: mid-March through June (with a spike around Easter), September through October, and December through early January. Hotel prices are generally lower in August, when locals flee the sweltering heat and many restaurants close. Whenever your visit, be warned that those who procrastinate will be punished with less-than-desirable locations and/or price tags.
It's wise to consult hotel Web sites for possible discou…
Continue
Added by Bea on May 14, 2008 at 5:35am —
No Comments
More from cnn.com. It's a useful site!
Scoring bargain accommodations in Rome can be as tricky as deciphering ancient ruins. But you're in luck: We've done the homework and unearthed nine charming, affordable hotels.
ALBERGO DEL SOLE AL BISCIONE
'Hood: Between Campo de' Fiori and the Pantheon, in arguably the best part of old Rome for wandering and people-watching. Locals take their weekend passeggiata through these busy streets.
First impression: One of Rome's oldest working hotels -- built…
Continue
Added by Bea on May 14, 2008 at 5:34am —
No Comments
From cnn.com. Useful for those who have cars!
With gas prices hitting record levels, the traditional family road trip has become a source of dread. It now costs some serious money to drive a few hundred miles.
But there are some things you can do to cut the cost and still arrive with your sanity intact and your armpits dry.
Pick the right tool for the job: If you have more than one car to choose from, don't just try to squeeze everyone into the one - or two - that go the furthest on a gallon…
Continue
Added by Bea on May 7, 2008 at 1:00pm —
No Comments
Found this helpful post on http://travelnooks.wordpress.com/2008/04/24/5-riskiest-travel-places/
It’s no secret that the world isn’t a safe place. Not every place is as safe as a strongbox, and you can’t feel secure in certain places as when you’re staying at a fancy resort. Even if there is danger, some people still love to explore and are rewarded, while some are easily frightened. So, what kinds of countries do you definitely need to avoid if you want to be sure to come home with your belon…
Continue
Added by Bea on April 30, 2008 at 2:30pm —
No Comments
Also found this on CNN! Quite handy!
Hard as it may be for anyone under 30 to imagine, there was a time when people used to shoot eight-millimeter films while on vacation and then show them to friends and family gathered around a projector in the living room. Nowadays, capturing video is far easier (whether you use a video camera, a digital still camera with video capability or even a cell phone), as is the sharing: YouTube has proved that millions of folks have learned to upload video to a co…
Continue
Added by Bea on April 23, 2008 at 4:27pm —
No Comments
Found this on cnn.com!
You'll never meet a traveler who, after five trips, brags, "Every year I pack heavier." The measure of a good traveler is how light he or she travels. You can't travel heavy, happy and cheap. Pick two.
Too much luggage and camera gear marks you as a typical tourist. It throws up a wall between you and the grizzled Spanish fisherman mending his net. Serendipity suffers. Changing locations becomes a major operation. Con artists figure you're helpless and move in. With one…
Continue
Added by Bea on April 23, 2008 at 4:22pm —
No Comments
A bit of humor from http://lifestylescribe.wordpress.com/.
Going places is nice, but all good sides have a downside. We all know the drill: part of having a good time is having a downtime. So, without further ado, here are the 3 things about traveling I can live without.
1. Jet Lag – I’m sure everyone knows this. You step out of a plane, ten time zones away, it’s really bright out, but you feel like lying down and sleeping! Jet lag is caused by your body not being used to the day and night c…
Continue
Added by Bea on April 15, 2008 at 4:11pm —
No Comments
I found these tips here: http://www.walkabouttravelgear.com/tips.htm. Really useful!
Fake Wallet
When traveling in Europe it is always a good idea to pick up an inexpensive wallet before you leave, fill it with old crap like library cards, fake money, old gift cards, stuff like that. It can be used as a decoy when being mugged. Also, never bring out your real wallet when buying stuff from vendors. (You do not know who could be watching!)
Hidden Charges
Use of a credit card overseas does not a…
Continue
Added by Bea on April 15, 2008 at 10:59am —
No Comments
I'd like to share this blog post by
travelnooks, Top Five Comfiest Airlines. His advice on what airlines to take is great!
Being someone who travels a lot, I’ve had my share of bad planes. It’s not uncommon to step out of a long flight with your legs still half-asleep, praying to be stretched! People I know even say that a more expensive ticket is fine as long as the plane had enough legroom.
Another measure…
Continue
Added by Bea on April 10, 2008 at 2:15pm —
No Comments
This article is from
MSN Travel
With vacation and summer coming up, a lot of us might be thinking of going abroad. These are a set of safety precautions to remember, so we all stay healthy and well!
Traveling overseas exposes you to exotic environments, diverse climates and unique food — as well as health hazards. Here’s how to prevent them from ruining your trip.
By Doug Newcomb
Millions of people vacation outside…
Continue
Added by Bea on April 4, 2008 at 1:04pm —
No Comments
6 key strategies for planning a European trip
Five Rules for Recognizing and Avoiding Travel Scams
Rare And Scary Shark Attacks Waiting To Happen
Top Destinations Where It’s Okay To Behave Badly
