Travel and tips

It’s easy to get mixed up the first time you look to rent a car. When scanning various advertisments, do you ever flip back and forth, completely unsure of whether or not you’re getting the best deal? Not even sure if you can figure out which one is the best deal? Whether this is your first time renting or not, it is always important that you never enter a car rental arrangement without researching all of your options first.
Insurance is a classic example of this. The four most common types are: collision damage waiver (CDW)/loss damage waiver (LDW), supplemental liability insurance, personal accident insurance, and personal effects coverage. Most rental car companies will pitch the CDW really hard, as well as the theft insurance. What you should know is that usually you don’t need either of them. Before you shell out $15 per day or more for these options, check your normal auto insurance already covers rentals. The other thing to look up is your credit card’s policy on rentals. Almost every rental company requires a credit card for payment. That is because it makes it easy for the company to add charges for “damages” later. As a side note, because of this, DO NOT use a debit card, ever. You will have no opportunity to dispute the charges if you get cheated. Make sure you use a real credit card. Since you have to use a credit card, see if your credit card offers automatic insurance coverage as long as you charge the rental to that card. You would be surprised how many do. The next major rip-off is the fuel purchase option. The idea is that you pay for a full tank of gas ahead of time so you can return the vehicle on empty. The catch: it’s virtually impossible for you to use all of the gas in the car, so it’s best to decline the offer and fill up the tank just before returning it. That way, you only pay for what you’ve used. Otherwise, the cost is usually far more than what you actually use.
Aside from hidden costs, most rental companies will only rent to someone who is at least 25 years old or even older. Some companies will rent cars to persons 21 years or older but often charge an additional ten to twenty dollars a day. Also, only the driver who is renting the car is covered under the insurance, so don’t let a buddy drive because if he wrecks it, you’re responsible. Keep this basics in mind, and watch out for local taxes. With the internet, it can be easy to search out the most expensive and least expensive cities and to plan your rental accordingly. Use all the tools at your disposal, and your experience is much more likely to run smoothly without any unpleasant surprises.

Are you planning to visit Jerusalem and seeking a good car rental Israel deal? What about your car hire Israel? Here is a useful Israel Driving Guide to help you drive safely in your car rental Israel all over the Holy Land. International Driver’s License – Car Rental JerusalemDo you have an American, Canadian, and U.K. driver’s license? If so you do not an international driver’s license to drive in Israel. Well, on the other hand, it’s cheap and makes a nice souvenir of Jerusalem car rental trip. (Be sure to take pictures of your car rental Israel for you scrap book)Israel Auto Club – Car Rental Tel Aviv Israel’s automobile club is called MEMSI… Even people living in Israel many years have no idea what MEMSI stands so don’t ask them out of courtesy… The MEMSI phone number is 03- 564-1121 and fax number is 03-566-0493. Their main office in Tel Aviv at 20 Rehov Ha-Rakevet. They are open:30am to 7pm, until 1pm on Friday; closed Saturday. Israel Auto Club – Car Rental Jerusalem The Jerusalem office of MEMSI is at 31 Ben Yehuda St. (tel. 02-625-9711; fax 02-625-5994); same office hours as Tel Aviv. Israel Auto Club – Car Rental Haifa The Haifa office of MEMSI is at 31 Ben Yehuda St. (tel. 02-625-9711; fax 02-625-5994); same office hours as Tel Aviv. Importing Cars Versus Car Rental IsraelIn theory, you can bring your car to Israel for up to one year if you have a valid license and the car is licensed. The good news is there is no customs or deposit required. The bad news is the paper work, hassle and cost of sending it back home. In short, a car rental Jerusalem, car rental Tel Aviv or car rental Haifa is the way to go – less hassle and cost effective.
Israel Road Conditions – Car Rental JerusalemIsrael is tough on cars and some older roads are narrow and full of curves. On the other hand, Israel now builds excellent highways and bridges. Jerusalem has lovely roads that are well maintained and other cities are improving road conditions. There are beautiful winding roads on the way down South to Eilat and up north to the Golan Heights.
Drivers Education– Israel Car RentalWhile some consider Israeli drivers overly aggressive on the road, others are polite and careful drivers. In recent years, Israel has initiated on-going driver education for young drivers and veteran drivers that teach defensive driving techniques. Traffic Tickets – Israel Car RentalWatch your speed in Israel, there are street lights that record speeders, photograph your license plate and send you a ticket by mail. There are more speed traps than ever in Israel. Don’t ruin your vacation with an expensive ticket and having your driver’s license suspended – obey the speed and look out for tailgaters. W hope this Israel Driving Guide helps you enjoy your trip. See you in Israel.

Lowest Rates Vs. A Good BargainThe thing is, Car Rental market is very competitive one and rates differences for comparable quality and service are relatively small, sometimes as small as $10 to $20. These minuet price differences are going to vanish in the wind when you consider the long lines and lost time at the cheapest renter counter, drop charges for remote destinations, late return fines, and gasoline inflated rates as well as other service charges you didn’t think about when you shopped for the “best deal”.
Don’t get us wrong, we don’t like to pay higher prices more than you do.
We do recommend to shop around and check the various rates available,especially when it’s so easy to do it via the Internet at comparison sites.
All we say here you need to consider other things beside the price and whenyou compare please make sure you compare apples to apples and not apples to pears.
Things to consider when ordering a rented a carWho is using the car, are you by yourself on a business trip or you are traveling with the whole family? How much luggage are you going to have, does the car you are thinking about is big enough to have you all plus all your hand luggage and big suitcases? If not, consider to change to a mini van or a car with extra large trunk.
Do you need an Infant seat or a child booster? make sure it is mentioned clearly with your order, usually there is a shortage of these seats and they are provided for extra charge. Check the state laws for where you are traveling.
A new law in Denver for instance, requires Booster Seats for all 4 and 5 year olds who are not 55 inches tall.
Do you actually need the car in the town or city at the first few days? If not, consider to take a taxi, a bus, a train or the hotel shuttle into the city and when it’s time for you to go out of town and travel around, then, rent the car from the city location and by that save up to 15% on Air-Port charges as well as on city parking fees.
Are you going to a very warm and humid destination? If yes, it’s recommended to order a car with air conditioning, usually the price difference is negligible, the problem is that it’s not available in all destinations like in some European countries.
Most major rental car companies allow for unlimited mileage in the same state, but it’s a good idea to check their policy before confirming. Many smaller local independent companies charge mileage after 100-200 free miles per day.
As mentioned before price is not the only factor to consider when choosing a car rental company. If you choose a very small, no-name company, don’t expect them to provide you with service across all nation or continent, what would you do if the car is needed to be replaced or serviced for some reason?Frequent or Preferred Renter Programs and affiliationsFrequent renter programs, Like airlines and hotels, major car rental companies track their customers’ rental histories and offer preferential service to loyal customers. Most of the major companies offer frequent renter programs that are similar to airline frequent-flyer programs and hotel frequent-guest programs. Preferred renter clubs, Most major car rental companies also offer preferred renter programs or clubs (one example is the Hertz #1 Club). When you belong to one of these clubs, you get preferential treatment, including automatic upgrades when those cars are available. You can join these programs at any time, even if you are a first-time renter with that company.
While basic-level club memberships are often free, higher-level memberships (as in the Hertz #1 Gold Club, which allows you to bypass the rental counter) generally come with a price tag. What most people don’t realize is that it’s often possible to avoid the membership fee by simply writing or calling your car rental company and asking them to waive it. They will do it because the car rental industry is very competitive, and they want your businessIf you’re still faced with a steep rate, try getting discounts based on your affiliations with organizations like AARP, AAA or others. These discounts are usually not great, but they are better than nothing.
In addition, always check for corporate rates if applicable to your situation.
Car Rental Insurance Some of the Insurance terms seem to be confusing, let’s try to clear them out first.
CDW – Collision Damage Waiver.
LDW – Loss Damage Waiver.
PDW – Physical Damage Waiver. PAI – Personal Accident Insurance.
PEC – Personal Effects Coverage.
ALI – Additional Liability Insurance.
Many of the Credit Cards have most of these coverage, therefore it’s notmandatory to purchase excessive coverage. It’s better to check this issuewith your travel agent, insurance agent and your credit card company a head of time. Some Car rental companies require that you show proof of insurance.
Also be aware that your personal insurance probably doesn’t apply to your rental car when traveling overseas. All this is somewhat complicated and at times confusing because there are no industry standards for terminology and policies vary by locations.
Important things to check and do before leaving the Air-PortAfter a long flight and the waiting in lines for your luggage and afterwards foryour keys at the car rental counter, it is understandable you just want to take the rented car and drive away to your hotel, but wait! Here is a list of things you must check first.
Start by making a careful check around the car, look for any small dents or scratches, in case you find some, don’t be lazy, go back to the office and ask a representative of the rental company to write down all of these dents, ask for a copy of that report. Other wise you might be responsible for damages you didn’t perform.
Open the trunk, make sure you have a spare tire, a jack and set of tools, there is noting more irritating than to find out in the middle of nowhere that you don’t have a jack when you need to replace a flat tire.
Many car companies will provide you with an extra key if you ask for one. This can come in handy for some of us who are absent minded.
It is recommended to spend some time to get acquainted with the cars’ features and switches, make sure you know where the lights switches are, how to operate the windshield wipers, the air conditioner and even set your favorite radio stations as well as set your side mirrors. It might be quiet frustrating to fight with the new switches while driving, when all of a sudden it starts raining.
Make sure you have a map and it’s better to spend few more minutes and plan your driving route.
Last but certainly not least, If you have a lot of luggage, don’t park the car in the parking lot and go for lunch, in many countries, this is an easy target forthe thieves, It’s better to buy some sandwiches and beverages in the air-port, or stop somewhere along the way for refreshing but never leave the car unattended.
In case you are involved in a Car AccidentThese are the most important pieces of information to collect from the involved parties: full name, mailing address, telephone number, insurance details, and drivers’ license number.
Also try to get the names and contact information of anyone who witnessed the accident. Make a note of the vehicle’s make, color, brand and license plate number. Try to pinpoint the exact time and location of the accident. If the police get involved, ensure that you receive a copy of their report. Don’t forget to inform your insurance agent immediately and notify the car rental company.
They will let you know about their accident procedure.
If you purchased insurance through the car rental company, they will have to make the claim. If there is damage to the rental car, there will be much paper work to completeMake sure any involved parties are ok. Any injuries should be taken care of ASAP. Call the police and/or ambulance (if necessary), and then call the car rental agency. Be as cooperative as possible. The car rental agency will have its own policies regarding accidents.
Exchange information with the affected parties. Try to record everything on the scene. Your notes should include details of the accident, identification of the autos and people involved, and the names and badge numbers of all emergency personnel.
Take pictures if possible. If you are on vacation, you will probably have a camera handy already. File an accident report with the police, and report the claim to your own credit card company or insurance company. When returning the CarMake all necessary arrangements to return the car on time, that includes looking the location in the map especially if you return the car in a foreign city.
Late return charges are high and arbitrary, secondly, if you are late, you probably won’t have the time to fill the car with gasoline yourself and the rental company will charge you exorbitant inflated gasoline rates.
In case you return the car in a city location on Sunday, it might be that the station will be deserted, it will let you in via automated gate, make sure to take the card and leave it over the dashboard, this is your recorded time of arrival.
In addition, lock the car, take the keys plus your rental contract and insert them into the designated box.

Are you tired of traffic jams, increasing air pollution and ever increasing fuel prices? Do you want to do something about all this? Now you can by forming a carpool. Carpools are an excellent alternative to public transport and private commuting. While there have been carpool sites in developed countries, the awareness about carpools in developing countries such as India is very low. To counter this Indimoto has launched Indimoto.com an auto classifieds site which is also India’s first carpool matching site. A carpool or rideshare is an arrangement wherein people share their vehicles with other carpoolers and commute together. “The objective behind Indimoto.com was to build an auto classifieds site where users can buy and sell cars and bikes, auto products and services, search for auto events, auto clubs and carpools. Our carpool matching service is the first of its kind in India and through it we wish to enable commuters to easily form carpools and enjoy its benefits while contributing to saving the environment” says Udit Bhandari, founder & CEO Indimoto.com. According to Udit “Carpools make lot of sense because you save money by sharing fuel costs, vehicle maintenance cost & parking fee, you save the environment by saving fuel and reducing harmful exhaust gases while reducing traffic congestion. By carpooling you also expand your network of friends/contacts”. Indimoto.com allows users to search carpool offers and requests in his/her city, and also start ones own carpool by posting a free ad in the carpool section.
“With growing air pollution levels in our metro cities, manic traffic jams and increasing burden of fuel prices on commuter’s wallets, there are only two alternatives, public transport or carpools. Public transport infrastructure is not yet a comfortable and logical alternative to private transport for many urban commuters and that’s where carpools come in. Also carpools generate a sense of community and caring for your environment” says Udit. Carpools are a common phenomenon in the developed world often supported by city and state government for the many advantages they offer. Indimoto.com has taken the initiative in India wants to make it a habit amongst Indian commuters.

All there is to know about the vacation destination of your dreams – that is exactly what a Caribbean travel guide offers. But are Caribbean travel guides really godsend? Or are they just patronizing materials designed for commercial purposes?Well, they’re a little of both actually. After all, the people behind Caribbean travel guides do need a source of income in order to continue to publish their guides. But a tremendous amount of research has been placed in these guides to just dismiss them as useless resource material.
What else is more nifty, informative and convenient than a Caribbean travel guide?Sure, the Internet may prove more updated when it comes to information, but you can’t carry the Internet everywhere. And believe it or not, it’s always much more gratifying to pull out a Caribbean travel guide from your carry case, flip a few pages open, then slip it right back when you’re tried of reading. It sure beats having to wait in the airport, sitting bored silly and wondering whether or not your flight’s going to be delayed.
That said, don’t cling to travel guides religiously. Many travelers make that mistake. They are not the bibles that they are made out to be by some people. You should know that published materials, including travel guides, are out of date the moment they are published, because by then, there would have been new updated material that came up and it would be too late to include them.
So, how are you supposed to use Caribbean travel guides then? How would you know which information to believe and which facts are outdated? Unfortunately, there is no exact answer to that. To get the most out of your Caribbean travel guide, use them sparingly for basic orientation. So once you have the basics right down to a tee, go out there and discover the towns and cities on your own. That is, after all, what traveling is all about – adventure and discovery of new things. At the very least, when all other signs look foreign, the information on museums and places of interest are great.
However, when it comes to hotels and restaurants, each to his own taste and budget. Remember that bargains rise in price with popularity, so there’s every bit of chance that that hot new deal in your Caribbean travel guide isn’t much of a deal anymore, considering how pricey it has become. And then sometimes, too, the places get easily full with foreigners and travelers like you, so you can’t always expect your Caribbean travel guide to point you in the right place all the time.
Then, if you do wander around on your own, then you will surely find quality rooms with reasonable prices. They may be located in out-of-the-way places that Caribbean travel guide writers may not know about. Remember that because you in the destination, you are in far better place to get what you want out of your vacation.
So to close it off, don’t be a sad type who writes to say that “it wasn’t like what you said in the book.” Here’s a tip: open your eyes and explore for yourself!

Ever dreamed of going on a Caribbean Cruise but don’t know what to expect when you get there? Well, to start off, you have to know what the Caribbean is. It’s a region of the Americas that’s located in between North America and South America.
When you think about the word Caribbean, you’re probably thinking about beaches. But there’s more to the Caribbean than just beaches. There are a number of things that you can do. You can go beachcombing, have a picnic and sail in San Juan, Puerto Rico, or go on powerboat adventures in Nassau, Bahamas. You will never run out of options as to what to do next. You have the entire place, the sun and the sea.
The top destinations in the Caribbean are Jamaica, Dominican Republic, Bahamas, Puerto Rico, Aruba, St. Maarten, St. Lucia, Cayman Islands, and the US Virgin Islands.
Now what can you do at those top spots? In Montego Bay, Jamaica, you can go on a Catamaran Cruise for approximately 3 hours for as low as US$60 with Viator. You can also go see the Luminous Lagoon for 6 hours in Trelawny, Jamaica for US$37 per person. If you want to go sightseeing in the Dominican Republic, you can go and check out the Ocean World Adventure Park in Puerto Plata. Have you ever wondered how the Caribbean waters look underwater? Well, you can stop wondering and go on the Seaquarium Adventure in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.
If you’re the type who would rather go shopping than go on adventures, don’t worry, you can still shop in the Caribbean. In St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands, driver-guides will show you Magens Bay, St. John and the chain of British Virgin Islands from Mt. Top, the highest point on St. Thomas. After touring the mountains, you will be taken to downtown Charlotte Amalie, where you can be by yourself for lunch or browse the duty-free shops of the Old Danish town.
There is so much more to do in the Caribbean, go on cruises, stay in the best hotels, go sightseeing, go on spa vacations, night clubbing and more. If you just got married, why not have your honeymoon in the Caribbean? Or if you’ve been married for quite a while now, why not have a second honeymoon?For more information on traveling to the Caribbean, visit your favorite online travel guide for an extensive Things-To-Do list for you to enjoy your vacation. Now go check out the Caribbean to experience them!

Overbooking is not illegal, and most airlines overbook their scheduled flights to a certain extent in order to compensate for “no-shows.” Passengers are sometimes left behind or “bumped” as a result. When an over-sale occurs, the Department of Transportation (DOT) requires airlines to ask people who aren’t in a hurry to give up their seats voluntarily, in exchange for compensation. Those passengers bumped against their will are, with a few exceptions, entitled to compensation. Voluntary bumpingAlmost any group of airline passengers includes some people with urgent travel needs and others who may be more concerned about the cost of their tickets than about getting to their destination on time. Our rules require airlines to seek out people who are willing to give up their seats for some compensation before bumping anyone in- voluntarily. Here’s how this works. At the check-in or boarding area, airline employees will look for volunteers when it appears that the flight has been oversold. If you’re not in a rush to arrive at your next destination, you can give your reservation back to the airline in exchange for compensation and a later flight.
But before you do this, you may want to get answers to these important questions:* When is the next flight on which the airline can confirm your seat? The alternate flight may be just as acceptable to you. On the other hand, if they offer to put you on standby on another flight that’s full, you could be stranded. * Will the airline provide other amenities such as free meals, a hotel room, phone calls, or ground transportation? If not, you might have to spend the money they offer you on food or lodging while you wait for the next flight.
DOT has not said how much the airline has to give volunteers. This means carriers may negotiate with their passengers for a mutually acceptable amount of money-or maybe a free trip or other benefits. Airlines give employees guidelines for bargaining with passengers, and they may select those volunteers willing to sell back their reservations for the lowest price.
If the airline offers you a free ticket, ask about restrictions. How long is the ticket good for? Is it “blacked out” during holiday periods when you might want to use it? Can it be used for international flights? Most importantly, can you make a reservation, and if so, how far before departure are you permitted to make it? Involuntary bumpingDOT requires each airline to give all passengers who are bumped involuntarily a written statement describing their rights and explaining how the carrier decides who gets on an oversold flight and who doesn’t. Those travelers who don’t get to fly are frequently entitled to an on-the-spot payment of denied boarding compensation. The amount depends on the price of their ticket and the length of the delay:* If you are bumped involuntarily and the airline arranges substitute transportation that is scheduled to get you to your final destination (including later connections) within one hour of your original scheduled arrival time, there is no compensation. If the airline arranges substitute transportation that is scheduled to arrive at your destination between one and two hours after your original arrival time (between one and four hours on international flights), the airline must pay you an amount equal to your one-way fare to your final destination, with a $200 maximum. * If the substitute transportation is scheduled to get you to your destination more than two hours later (four hours internationally), or if the airline does not make any substitute travel arrangements for you, the compensation doubles (200% of your fare, $400 maximum). * You always get to keep your original ticket and use it on another flight. If you choose to make your own arrangements, you can request an “involuntary refund” for the ticket for the flight you were bumped from. The denied boarding compensation is essentially a payment for your inconvenience. Like all rules, however, there are a few conditions and exceptions:* To be eligible for compensation, you must have a confirmed reservation. An “OK” in the Status box of your ticket qualifies you in this regard even if the airline can’t find your reservation in the computer, as long as you didn’t cancel your reservation or miss a reconfirmation deadline.
* You must meet the airline’s deadline for buying your ticket. Discount tickets must usually be purchased within a certain number of days after the reservation was made. Other tickets normally have to be picked up no later than 30 minutes before the flight. In addition to the ticketing deadline, each airline has a check-in deadline, which is the amount of time before scheduled departure that you must present yourself to the airline at the airport. For domestic flights most carriers have a deadline of 10 minutes before scheduled departure, but some can be an hour or longer. (Many airlines require passengers with advance seat assignments to check in 30 minutes before scheduled departure, even if they already have advance boarding passes. If you miss this deadline you may lose the specific seats you were promised, although not the reservation itself.) Check-in deadlines on international flights can be as much as three hours before scheduled departure time, due partially to security procedures. Some airlines may simply require you to be at the ticket/baggage counter by this time; most, however, require that you get all the way to the boarding area. If you miss the ticketing or check-in deadline, you may have lost your reservation and your right to compensation if the flight is oversold.
* As noted above, no compensation is due if the airline arranges substitute transportation which is scheduled to arrive at your destination within one hour of your originally scheduled arrival time.
* If the airline must substitute a smaller plane for the one it originally planned to use, the carrier isn’t required to pay people who are bumped as a result.
* The rules do not apply to charter flights, or to scheduled flights operated with planes that hold 60 or fewer passengers. They don’t apply to international flights inbound to the United States, although some airlines on these routes may follow them voluntarily. Also, if you are flying between two foreign cities-from Paris to Rome, for example-these rules will not apply. The European Community has a rule on bumpings that occur in an EC country; ask the airline for details, or contact DOT. The most effective way to reduce the risk of being bumped is to get to the airport early. On oversold flights the last passengers to check in are usually the first to be bumped, even if they have met the check-in deadline. Allow extra time; assume that the airport access road is backed up, the parking lot is full, and there is a long line at the check-in counter.
However, if you arrive so early that your airline has another flight to your destination leaving before the one that you are booked on, either switch to the earlier flight or don’t check your bag until after the first flight leaves. If you check your bag right away, it might get put on the earlier flight and remain unattended at your destination airport for hours.
Airlines may offer free transportation on future flights in place of a check for denied boarding compensation. However, if you are bumped involuntarily you have the right to insist on a check if that is your preference. Once you cash the check, or accept the free flight, you will probably lose the right to demand more money from the airline later on. However, if being bumped costs you more money than the airline will pay you at the airport, you can try to negotiate a higher settlement with their complaint department. If this doesn’t work, you usually have 30 days from the date on the check to decide if you want to accept the amount of the check.
You are always free to decline the check and take the airline to court to try to obtain more compensation. The government’s denied boarding regulation spells out the airlines’ minimum obligation to people they bump involuntarily. Finally, don’t be a “no-show.” If you are holding confirmed reservations you don’t plan to use, notify the airline. If you don’t, they will cancel all onward or return reservations on your trip.

A condition of acquiring Canadian citizenship is passing the Canadian citizenship exam. All citizenship applicants between the ages of 18 and 54 must write and pass the Canadian citizenship exam in order to become a Canadian citizen. The citizenship test will measure your comprehension of English or French but it will also measure your understanding of Canada. The exam contains questions regarding Canada’s social, economic, and political structure. The test is divided into three sections. To pass the exam, you must answer 12 out of 20 questions within 30 minutes. However, you should be aware that questions are not given equal weight. The first section contains 15 general questions about Canada of which you need to get at least 8 correct. The following section consists of only 3 questions about the rights and responsibilities of Canadian citizens. In this part of the test you must answer each one correctly. If one of these questions is answered incorrectly, you will not pass the Canadian citizenship exam even if you answer the rest of the questions correctly. The third and final section consists of two questions. In this section, you allowed only 1 wrong answer. If you answer both questions incorrectly, you will not pass the exam.
You should not be afraid to write the exam. The exam represent an important step in a person’s life, and chances are you will pass the exam. The exam is an indication that you understand how the country operates. You are expected to know essential elements of Canadian political life, basic elements of Canadian history and geography, the rights and duties of citizens, and basic knowledge of the Canadian economy. It is always a good idea to prepare. It is also advisable that you stay updated. Some questions will ask that you name the current political leaders of the nation or province; reading daily newspapers or magazines can help ensure that you know the information required. Citizenship and Immigration Canada offers a guide that will give you an idea of what to expect on the exam. You will not be notified if you pass the exam. Instead, you will be notified to attend a Citizenship ceremony where you will become a Canadian citizen. If you did not pass the exam, you will sit before a judge for an oral interview. If you are not allowed to continue then, you have the right to appeal the decision or re-write the exam.
For more information read at :- http://www.immigroup.com

With forethought and a little imagination your camping trip can be very enjoyable and a bit of an adventure. Before I go off on holiday I always have a practice in my garden and make sure I can remember how to put my tent up. When my tent is erected this also gives me the chance to check that all the pieces are there and in good working order and I can also make sure my tent is waterproof. If I have bought a new tent then this will give me the chance to familiarise myself with it before I venture out. Just think how embarrassed I would feel if I arrived at my beautiful destination and didn’t know how to assemble my holiday accommodation!When I have chosen my destination and found my camping site I think facilities, do I want to have them readily available or do I want to ‘rough it’. If I were a happy hiker and carrying my tent and equipment in a rucksack then depending on where I stopped for the night I may have to forgo some of life’s little creature comforts. I would also be limited to how much I can physically carry so I would have to remember to take this into account when packing.
If I were travelling by car or van then obviously I can take more equipment and can travel further afield. There are many organised camping sites available world-wide. They vary from basic sites with water and toilet facilities to ones that also include a swimming pool, shops, restaurants and entertainment. Costs will vary immensely so I always weigh up my options before I decide. Do I want peace and quiet and open spaces, basic facilities or a more sociable and busy holiday full of entertainment, the choice is mine.
I really do think it is a good idea to make a list before I embark on any trip. For camping you really do need to remember the basics. A drinking vessel, water, plate, cutlery, pot for cooking and heating water in, a torch and of course a warm sleeping bag are a definite must as is the one thing most people forget – a can opener! On a personal level, I always think it is also a good idea to take along my own toilet roll. A camping bed or blow up bed are also a must so that I can hopefully have a good nights sleep off the lumpy ground. I also take warm clothes even if I am travelling in the summer as night time can be decidedly chilly in a tent.
Normally when camping I cater for myself so I obviously will need some sort of cooker. I could by a small gas or petrol stove and can choose between single ringed stoves or larger double ringed cookers. It may take skill and ingenuity to cook a three course meal on them but they will do the job of heating or cooking my basic food. Opting for nostalgia and lighting a fire is always a last resort as my surroundings might be dry and a spark could easily set dry undergrowth alight. Apart from the safety aspect fuel would have to be collected for the fire, not easy if there are no old branches or pieces of wood in the near vicinity.
Careful thought goes into what food to take. If I only have one cooking ring then there is no point in taking food which needs to be oven cooked! Unless I can buy fresh food daily then tinned food is ideal as I won’t have a fridge to keep perishable food in.
Most importantly remember to do as I do and leave my camping site as I would wish to find it, clean and tidy, I remove all my rubbish and leave it looking as if I was never there.

The need to go on pilgrimages has always been a human characteristic. People have long trodden paths to destinations that promised miracles or penance, or to atone for sins. And even in this rational age, people are drawn on spiritual quests to the sacred sites of the world. In the Christian world, few sacred sites are more famous that Santiago de Compostela in Galacia, northern Spain. Pilgrims have walked this route for more than 1000 years. And nowadays, over 100000 pilgrims annually make the journey that ends at the cathedral in Santiago de Compostela. What draws them there?One of the oldest extant pilgrim routes is the Camino de Santiago de Compostela, or The Way of St James in English. This way is in fact made up of a collection of old pilgrimage routes which lead to Santiago de Compostela in Galacia in north west Spain. Here a cathedral has stood since the 9th century.
According to legend, the appearance of the remains of the Apostle Saint James led to the construction of Santiago de Compostela in the ninth century. It soon became a pilgrimage destination on a par with Jerusalem and Rome. Of all the many paths that lead to Santiago de Compostela, the most popular is known as the French Way. This is a 750 kilometer route that begins in France and crosses the Pyrenйes at either Somport or Roncesvalles.
Modern pilgrims make this journey for a number of reasons, only some of which are spiritual. In fact over 100,000 pilgrims from over a 100 countries make the journey each year on foot, bicycle, donkey, or horseback. And that’s just official pilgrims holding a pilgrim’s ‘passport’. Most conclude however that it is a moving experience and rewarding in ways they did not anticipateSo for whatever reason you may wish to travel this trail, you can do so on foot or bicycle. Here are some pointers for the journey.
Firstly, you should get a Pilgrim’s “credencial” by registering in a town such as Roncesvalles on the border with France. This document identifies you as a bona fide pilgrim and permits you to stay in the small inns known as refugios or albergues in Spain. These hostels dot the routes along the pilgrim’s ways and often cheap or even free accommodation. This usually takes the form of dormitory beds and accommodation is generally limited to one night.
The credencial is also necessary for getting your Compostela, the certificate awarded to pilgrims on completing the way. To earn this you need to walk a minimum of 100 kilometers or cycle least 200 kilometers on your pilgrimage. To get your compostela, you need to have you credencial stamped in the towns you pass though on your pilgrimage. This proves you’ve walked the route recognized by the Pilgrim Association of St James. Many take the pilgrimage for secular reasons. It’s a scenic route wending its way through vineyards, farms, orchards of apples and pears, herbs and vegetable gardens and a varying landscape marked with with villas and quaint villages set high in the mountains. Whatever the reason for the pilgrimage, finally arriving at the great Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela is a moving experience. True pilgrims embrace the statue of the Saint James and often break down in tears of happiness. And even those who traveled for pleasure find themselves affected in ways they can’t explain.
So if you’re considering a pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostelo, don’t hesitate. Whatever your motives, you’ll have a wonderful experience and who knows, it could change your life.