Travel and tips

A little bit of planning can result in a big increase in security and satisfaction when it comes to student travel.
Here are some tips from experts on how to prepare for a student trip:• Before you go, learn about the laws and customs of the countries you’re visiting, especially those concerning drinking age, drugs and curfews. You are not immune to a country’s laws just because you’re a visitor. • Tell your trip leaders about any medications you’re taking. (Medication should be in the original containers and you should take the actual prescriptions with you when traveling overseas.)• Play by the numbers. Give your parents the phone and fax numbers of your hotel, the cell phone numbers of the chaperones and a full itinerary of your trip. If anything changes, e-mail your parents immediately with the new info.
• Pack all valuables, medications, travel documents and passport in your carry-on bag. Occasionally, checked luggage gets lost at airports, so you want to have your important items on you.
• Do not carry all your cash at once. Keep your wallet in a zippered pocket, preferably inside your jacket. If you need to exchange money in a foreign country, only use authorized vendors such as banks. • Don’t be flashy. Wear an old, inexpensive watch and leave the bling at home. Don’t make yourself a walking target for thieves. Avoid flaunting your digital camera or MP3 player.
• When you check in at your hotel, grab a card from the counter with the hotel’s name, address and phone number on it. Keep this card on you at all times. • Travel with a buddy at all times and never wander off alone from the group.
• If a charter flight is involved, check the operator’s registration with the U.S. DOT’s Special Authorities Division at (202) 366-1037. You will need your dates of travel, the name of the carrier and the charter operator’s name, address and public charter number. • Make sure your trip is designed and sponsored by a reputable travel firm.

If you feel you are ready for an African safari, think again. Even if you are travelling to a country you are familiar with, it is still very important to be aware of the physical conditions and safety. This is very important if you are considering a visit to most of the African countries. Here are tips on what to do before leaving home and while you are abroad.
Before leaving home Make sure you have enough Information about the country you are visiting, including that on traditions and security concerns. This can be got from the travel guides and Directory. Ensure that you are updated on the current issues and changes in the politics.
Remember to make a computer scan of your passport, write your passport number down and potentially learn it in case you lose it. Its important that you note down the diplomatic mission offices to the country you are going to. This ensures easier processing of your documents in case you lose or misplace them.
Photocopy any official documents you might have with you, scan them and email them to your self so that you can access them wherever you are. The internet cafes are almost in every Major and small centre districts of Africa so you would have no trouble over this.
It is very important to have a medical check up to prepare for a healthy holiday. Remember you are looking forward to having the best time, so you would not like a simple illness to distort every thing you planned. if you have a chronic illness( like diabetes, high blood pressure, sinus problems or even nervous disorder), check with your doctor, who can at the same time give you a letter explaining the same problem in English and the details .
Its important to read the health tips for the traveler. Diseases like Malaria have to be avoided. Some of the things you will eat won’t go down well. Be armed! Make sure you have seen your dentist recently. And it is also advisable to pack a medical kit with pain killers , repellants , bandages , and an antiseptic cleaners, for your self and children travelling with you If you are on regular medication , take care to pack enough to last the travel time .
Ensure that you’re insurance coverage is valid in case you become sick or injured abroad. Some insurance campanies specialize in overseas travel insurance and may allow you to buy short-term coverage.
It is recommended that you attend practical training courses to equip your self with the skills and state of mind for a safe and productive mind for a safe and productive trip.
Check out the political situation in the country you are to visit and get psychologically prepared. Official web sites on the Internet will provide you with the ideal information. Inform your self on the quality of public transport at your destination.
Set a limit on your credit card, so if it is stolen, thieves will be unable to takeout a large amount of money on it. Clothing is very important. Please get to know the climate and weather conditions before you take on a safari. If you have hired a safari operator, contact the company for recommendation on clothing during the specified period of your travel. Remember that decency is preferred by all the African countries.
At the destinationAfter you get to your destination, there are more important points worth considering to avoid illness so as to enjoy your holiday . To relive symptoms of jetlag, eat lightly, drink a lot of fluids but avoid alcohol and caffeine a few days after your trip. Try to relax and sleep on your flight so you can be energetic nonce you reach your destination .Try to sleep when locals do in order to get used to the local time.
Watch out for road signs: the most common reasons for death abroad is car accidents. Visitors are not always aware of the driving culture at the place they visit. Use two wallets. Hide one of them with essential belongings in your jacket pockets. Fill the other with a small amount of money. In case of an assault you can hand this one over. Do not count your money in public, as you might become a target for thieves Know what notes you have in your pocket and wallet. Keep larger denominations away from prying eyes. It is better to book an earlier flight than a later one. It is easier and safer to find your hotel and the people you may need to meet during the day than the night.
Try not to stand out in the crowd and if you have an expensive laptop, cover it so it is not apparent.Do not use or take an expensive mobile phone; an older one, reliable model will do.
Learn to identify what the uniforms of the local police look like.
Do not take any taxi you find – check to see if it belongs to an official company . Ask the hotel reception about rates you can expect to pay when you use a taxi.
Always set a price before getting in the taxi or ask for a meter to be used . Pick up the hotel’s business card. You can always present this to a taxi driver if you cannot find way back especially in the local language.
This presents a just a few tips on Travelling to Africa. If you are planning a Safari, some countries not to miss out include Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, South Africa, Botswana and Rwanda.

As we draw closer to the schools summer holidays, Orlando will inevitably be a dream holiday destination for many. You wouldn’t be able to comprehend the number of visitors I have spoke to that have visited WDW during the high season, whether that be summer, Easter or Christmas and really weren’t prepared for the crowds. This usually leads to those folks having a disappointing trip. Here’s some advice.
Back in the day, you had quiet times at Walt Disney World. You could guarantee that if you turned up in March the parks would be quiet. To a lesser extent this is still true, and I would still recommend avoiding all school and public holidays if at all possible. What Disney World and the other theme parks in the area now regularly doing is holding special events at the parks to draw in the visitors even during quieter times. For example Star Wars Weekends and Super Soap Weekends are huge crowd pullers. So, I’d say prepare for Disney World to be busy. If they’re not then great, but if they are you’ll already have the upper hand.
So what planning trips should you take on board?The Disney World maps are freely downloadable online with information about each attraction. So find out what attractions your party want to ride before you go and visit these rides as a priority, fitting in the other attractions when you can.
I still find it unbelievable that people visit the Disney parks and don’t make full use of Fastpass, Disney’s virtual queuing system that gives you a time to return to the attraction and ride with a minimum wait. Make sure you use this. If you’re unfortunate enough to not be able to get a Fastpass some attraction do have single rider lines, so if you are not bothered about who you sit with take advantage of this.
Above all, make sure you get to the park before the official scheduled opening time. Sometimes the parks open prior to this time so you can get a headstart on the other visitors. Beyond that, remember any plan isn’t set in stone, so be flexible and have fun.

Safety on the StreetUse the same common sense traveling overseas that you would at home. Be especially cautious in (or avoid) areas where you may be more easily victimized. These include crowded subways, train stations, elevators, tourist sites, market places, festivals and crime-ridden neighborhoods. Don’t use short cuts, narrow alleys or poorly lit streets. Try not to travel alone at night.
Avoid public demonstrations and other civil disturbances.
Keep a low profile and avoid loud conversations or arguments. Do not discuss travel plans or other personal matters with strangers.
Avoid scam artists by being wary of strangers who approach you and offer t be your guide or sell you something at bargain prices.
Beware of pickpockets. They often have an accomplice who will: * jostle you, * ask you for directions or the time, * point to something spilled on your clothing, * or distract you by creating a disturbance.
Beware of groups of vagrant children who create a distraction while picking your pocket.
Wear the shoulder strap of your bag across your chest and walk with the bag away from the curb to avoid drive-by purse-snatchers.
Try to seem purposeful when you move about. Even if you are lost, act as if you know where you are going. Try to ask for directions only from individuals in authority.
Know how to use a pay telephone and have the proper change or token on hand.
Learn a few phrases in the local language or have them handy in written form so that you can signal your need for police or medical help. Make a note of emergency telephone numbers you may need: police, fire, your hotel, and the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. Some countries have tourist police that speak multiple languages and are used to working with tourists.
If you are confronted, don’t fight back — give up your valuables.
Be aware of scam artists. They exist in every country in the world. If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. There are many reports online of gem scam artists that may have accomplices from your home country. Don’t try to make a fast buck; you will wind up losing many, many dollars.
Do not even think of getting involved in drugs or drug trafficking. You do not want to spend the rest of your life rotting in a foreign prison. Remember, you have to follow the laws of your host country and you may not be afforded the luxuries that criminals back home receive.
Be smart, use common sense, and have a great vacation.

One or two weeks before I travel overseas, I make a packing list and check items off as they go in my suitcase. In addition to the packing list, I also have my electronics list.
With all of the gadgets and gizmos, wires and cables, I need a list to make sure that I have everything. It is no fun to arrive in a foreign country and not be able to use your laptop or camera.
First and foremost, I check my laptop. I want to make sure that I have everything. So, I check to make sure that I have my power supply and spare battery. I also have a USB device that converts one port into four. I prefer to use a mouse, so I pack that too. I bring a LAN cable in case there is no wireless available in the hotel.
I already have a power strip that will accept 3-prong electrical plugs. This is an absolute must as a 3-prong plug will not work in most Thailand electrical outlets.
Next thing I do is charge up my camera batteries. I like to take pictures of my entire holiday to include the departing airport, layover and arrival. I also ensure that I have my memory card and my spares. I also have a USB device for my memory card so that I can transfer pictures to my laptop. I check the memory card and delete or transfer any pictures on the card. I like to start my vacation with empty memory cards.
I have a tri-band, GSM cell phone that works in Thailand with a local SIM card. So, I make sure that the battery and back-up are both charged so that I can use my Thai cell phone as soon as I hit the ground in Bangkok.
Next, I check my portable DVD player. I make sure that I have my power cord and also my DIN jacks for the TV to DVD connection. I charge the battery and make sure that I have the small remote control and that the battery is operational.
Packing up all the charger cables and wires on the very top of my suitcase makes for easy finding when I arrive.
I also have some minor electronics. I have sound reducing headphones that I pack in my carry-on. No real electronics, but I do make sure that I have 4 AAA batteries. That way I have 2 to use and 2 spares.
Checking your electronic devices before you go, charging all of your batteries, and packing all the cables and wires, will make your vacation go electronically smooth.

Especially during the first week of June two Festivals will take place in the old medieval streets of Prague: the Prague Writers Festival and the World Festival of Puppet Art. With the first theme, our mind immediately flies to Kafka, his life and writings. Prague hosts his house that has became an interesting museum to visit. From such a leading figure, Prague has developed one of Europe’s leading cultural events. In particular, this year (2008), the Prague Writers’ Festival celebrates its eighteenth anniversary. Started in 1990, the Festival has established itself as a Czech cultural foundation in 1997. The Festival brings to the attention of its public international and vibrant authors from Central and Eastern Europe such as Paul Auster, Margaret Atwood, Graeme Gibson and many others.The Festival managers have organized workshops, meetings, conferences and collateral initiateves all related to the theme: 1968 Laughter and Forgetting. For more information you can visit the Festival main pages online at pwf.cz or visit the Guardian that is sponsoring the Festival at guardian.co.uk. The relevant dates are between 1 and 5 June 2008. If you wish to be there there are plenty of accommodation options in Prague for different budgets! Nowadays, online is the easiest and fastest way to find and book all kind of accommodations you might desire. In general it depends on the people you are travelling with and the spirit with which you want to live the city. A recent trend among the youngest is either to book an apartment either to stay in youth hostels.
Concerning Prague apartments, the city is starting to offer upper standards of comforts, services and atmosphere. Usually very well refurbished, coloured and with modern furniture the average price per person is between 20-40 euros per night. Some good ones located all thru Prague historical centre are the Old Town Apartment House, Apartments Magicka Zahrada (magic Garden), Hotel Apartments Wenceslas Square, Amazing Prague Apartments. In terms of hostels or youth hostels, Prague has a lot to offer too! The Chilli Hostel, the Manhattan hostel, hostel le Papillon, Leon Hostel, Plus Prague hostel, Hostel Spoas are among the most economic in the old city. Prices from 14 euros per person. So do not indulge to spend a magnificent week in Prague in June. And if you are not keen in literature, you can always indulge in the puppet show Festival held in the same days!! More coming soon!

Visiting Dubai today, in the age of the Internet, is far easier than it was before the world wide web made it possible to communicate with people across the globe in the blink of an eye. If you have even the most basic familiarity with search engines and web research, you can find out the most relevant information about your trip from the comfort of your own home. With a few clicks of the mouse you can uncover the details about what sort of visa you will need for your trip, what to expect when you reach Dubai, what the money exchange rates are, and even what the weather will be like so that you will know what to pack in your suitcase.
Of course, the Internet has much more to offer future visitors to Dubai than just information. It is increasingly possible to make travel arrangements over the web, and the excellent telecommunications in Dubai make communication with hotels, airlines, and even government agencies very easy. Thanks to the Internet, you can compare the prices and schedules of several different major airline companies that provide service to Dubai, and you can book your preferred flight directly over the web without going through a travel agent. Once you’ve researched the various lodging options for your stay, you can look at the rates of many different Dubai hotels for the period of your stay, and you may even be able to reserve the room of your choice with a few keystrokes. From how to get to Dubai to what you will do during your stay, the Internet makes travel to this unique part of the UAE a snap.
For many international travelers, visa and passport issues are a big headache. Luckily, the official website of the Dubai Department of Naturalization and Residency provides a comprehensive guide to the various types of visas and permits you may need in order to enter the United Arab Emirates for your visit. Although you need to submit your visa application through the mail along with a processing fee, you can set the wheels in motion to get your visa by printing your application from your computer. All the forms you will need are available on the web, which saves you the trouble of spending an afternoon tracking down paperwork before you head for your destination. Whether your trip to Dubai is for business or pleasure, you are sure to find that the Internet makes the process of obtaining the visa you need much easier than it would have been a decade or two ago.

Since it is already 2008, or 2551 on the Thai calendar, it is time to take a look at the Thai holidays so that you can plan your trip accordingly. Some people want to be in Thailand when there is a holiday and partake in the celebration and others want to avoid some holidays (i.e. Songkran) like the plague.
Traditional New Year has already come and gone (today is January 6, 2008) but there are many other days to celebrate in Thailand.
Here are a few words of caution for the unwary traveler. Many of the holidays involve celebrating with large quantities of alcohol and the traffic death toll increases dramatically. This is mainly during the celebrating of the various New Years. Many of the holidays are family-oriented requiring people to return back to the nest to celebrate with the rest of the family. Therefore, traffic on the roads can be horrendous.
Here are the main holidays for 2008. Use them as a guide for your travel plans.
Chinese New Year will be celebrated on February 8th. This is the start of the lunar year and is primarily celebrated in the various Chinatowns throughout Thailand. There will be some business closures but it is not a national holiday.
February 21st is Makha Bucha Day which celebrates the Buddha’s first sermon given to his disciples.
April 6th, 2008, is Chakri Day and this day commemorates the founding of the Chakri Dynasty. This dynasty is referred to as Rama I. Since this falls on a Sunday, businesses may be closed on Monday the 7th.
Songkran, Thai New Year, is celebrated from 13 – 15 April and even longer is some of the tourist spots, like Khaosan Road in Bangkok and Pattaya. This is a traditional water festival, so if you are in town, expect to get wet. This is also the time of year for most road deaths. Alcohol and wet roads don’t mix.
Labor Day is celebrated on the 1st of May and is a national holiday but most folks just look at it as a paid day off.
The 5th of May is a holiday to honor the day when the current King of Thailand was crowned. It is officially called Coronation Day.
Another Buddhist Holy day is observed on May 19th. This is Visakha Bucha and is the holiest Buddhist holiday celebrates Lord Buddha’s birth, enlightenment and entry into nirvana.
Buddhist Lent begins on July 18 and is celebrated as a national holiday. Monks retreat to their temples and celebrate a time of year when new life comes forth.
The Queen’s Birthday, or Mother’s Day, is celebrated on August 12th and is a highly honored, national holiday.
Chulalongkorn Day is observed on October 23 honoring one of Thailand’s most revered kings.
Loy Krathong will be celebrated on 13 November coinciding with the 12th lunar full moon. Thais celebrate by floating small rafts, called krathongs, in the river, lake or ocean. This is to pay respect to the goddess of the water – with candlelit offerings floating away the bad and bringing good luck to lovers. This is the best holiday to observe firsthand.
His Majesty the King will celebrate his 81st birthday on December 5th. This is a national holiday celebrated throughout the country and also doubles as Father’s Day.
The 10th of December marks the day in 1932 that the country was given its first Constitution. This is also a national holiday.
The last day of the month will celebrate the end of 2008 and the beginning of 2009. The Thais celebrate the traditional western New Years especially in Bangkok and other tourist areas.
That covers the main holidays but no specific elections. Elections can pop up at anytime so you have to keep current with Thai online news. They don’t have much effect other than the occasional bar closure. There you have it – plan your vacation accordingly.

Return TransportationYou should confirm your return reservation at least twice, and at least 72 hours before your scheduled departure. Whenever possible, obtain a written confirmation. If you confirm your return reservation by phone, record the time, day, and the name of the agent who took your call. If your name does not appear on the reservations list, you have no recourse and may find yourself stranded.
Departure TaxSome countries levy an airport departure tax on travelers, which can be as high as $50. Please ask the airline or a travel agent about this tax. Make certain to have enough money at the end of your trip so that you will be able to get on the plane.
Immigration and CustomsIf a passport was required for your trip, have it ready when you go through Immigration and Customs. If you took other documents with you, such as an International Certificate of Vaccination, a medical letter, or a Customs certificate of registration for foreign-made personal articles, have them ready, also. Have your receipts handy, in case you need to support your customs declaration. When returning to the United States by car from Mexico or Canada, have your certificate of vehicle registration available. It is a good idea to pack your baggage in a way to make inspection easier. For example, pack the articles you acquired abroad separately, if possible.
Articles acquired abroad and brought back with you are subject to duty and Internal Revenue tax. U.S. Customs currently allows each U.S. citizen to bring back $400 worth of merchandise duty free, provided the traveler has been outside the United States for at least 48 hours, has not already used this exemption within the preceding 30 day period, and provided the traveler can present the purchases upon his or her arrival at the port of entry. The next $1,000 worth of items brought back for personal use or gifts are subject to duty at a flat 10% rate. (Your duty-free exemption may include 100 cigars, 200 cigarettes, and one liter of wine, beer or liquor.) Make sure you check for the latest information as this changes periodically.
There are two groups of destinations from which the duty-free exemption is higher. These are a group of 24 countries and dependencies in the Caribbean and Central America from which the exemption is $600, and a group of U.S. insular possessions (the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and Guam), from which the exemption is $1,200.
Ensure you declare all that you purchased or received as gifts overseas. If you are selected to have your baggage checked upon arrival, cooperate with the U.S. Customs agent and, unless you have something to hide, this should only take a few minutes. If you are caught with undeclared items, be prepared to pay stiff penalties.
Plan ahead – save time and money.

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