Travel and tips

I live in Hawaii and travel frequently to Thailand and other Asian countries. I can choose from five different airlines all departing within 2 hours of each other. The difference is – 4 of them arrive at around midnight and one arrives at 4 PM. Trust me – arriving in Bangkok at 4 PM as opposed to midnight is a huge difference.
Japan, United, and Northwest Airlines all depart an hour or two later and go through Narita Airport in Tokyo, Japan. Korea Airlines goes through Seoul. All arrive at about midnight and then it takes another 2 hours to get through immigration and luggage.
I am not picking on these airlines – it is just that their arrival times are very inconvenient. Only one airline arrives at a decent hour – and only 2 days per week.
China Airlines has two flights per week that arrive while the sun is still out and I can plan to have dinner shortly after arrival. How do they do it?First – from Hawaii – these flights are on Thursday and Sunday. They used to offer it on Tuesday also – but it was recently changed.
Second – China Airlines flies through Tao Yuan Airport (formerly Chiang Kai Shek Airport) and only has a 1 hour and ten minute layover. This is opposed to the other airlines that have 4-6 hour waits. There is nothing worse than a layover longer than the flight time of your second leg.
A little earlier take off time and a much shorter layover equates to about an 8-hour difference in arrival time. For me – it is close to perfection – just enough time to have a couple cigarettes and board the next leg.
Don’t forget to check the departure and arrival time for your return flight. Again – from the Thailand to Honolulu flights most of the flight depart at about 8 in the morning and arrive in Hawaii at about 6 in the morning (same day – dateline adjustment). But – one airline has a big difference – and to me it is a huge negative. The Korean Air flight from Bangkok to Honolulu departs at 1 in the morning. For me – this is a terrible departure time and the arrival time is about the same as the other 4 airlines – only difference is the long layover in Seoul.
So, check and double check flight arrival and departure times – both coming and going. Also, check flights on different days of the week – you may be able to find a better flight.

Some all inclusive resorts for the family even provide vacation nannies, supervised day-care, and/or babysitting. Others may have a teen disco. Children stay free at some resort hotels. Others offer a deep discount for children. Some can accommodate larger families and allow up to 3 children and 2 adults in a room. An interesting note: There’s a new trend online in “get it together” vacations: making it easier to book trips for friends or family members who live in different cities but want to meet up for a holiday. Disney, for example, introduced online booking features about a year ago to help family members and friends converge upon Disney World for some “togethering”. Many all inclusive family resort hotels have adult-only restaurants and areas, children-only and adult-only pools, and water parks. The Internet is your ideal source for information and booking. There are many sites available. And, you’ll be pleased at the number of discounted packages available to you when you go online.
If you decide to take a family trip and not go to one of the all inclusive resorts, keep these things in mind. The leaky diapers, the flat refusals, the tablecloth pulled off at the restaurant… It’s true; travel with small kids has its perils. Yet, years later, family trips are often our best memories of our kids’ young years and just may be the most perfect family vacation ever!The years pass quickly, so enjoy your time together now.
Seven Essential Tips1. Prepare. Take lots of snacks, drinks, amusements, (see below) on long plane rides – and, really, everywhere you go. 2. Pace. Don’t try to do too much! Schedule one major activity per morning, or afternoon; if all goes well, you can perhaps slip in a second activity. (Don’t mention the second activity until you’re certain, though – avoid disappointment!) 3. Pacing also means allowing extra time in the day for some down time, and some wild time: kids need rest periods, and they also need to run around and let off some steam.
4. Pre-empt: offer snacks and drinks before kids get too hungry or thirsty. Take a break before they’re overtired.
5. Also: watch out for those small but tell-tale signs that your kids need a rest: that change in tone, that particular frown…
6. Patience: and more patience. Patience actually saves time, in the long run: it’s far quicker to muster an extra five minutes of patience than to spend fifteen minutes coaxing a three-year-old out of a snit. Remember: even the bad moments of your travels with wee ones will look very precious, once they’ve grown into large-size kids! 7. And perhaps most important of all: Play. Have fun with your kids!Preparation is key when planning the perfect family vacation requires air travel–whether you’re rich, poor, young, old, or if you’re strict oror not you are probably dreading long plane rides with babies and toddlers. Relax: it probably won’t be as bad as you fear. How to Survive Plane Rides With Kids: 1. Bring plenty of snacks and juice boxes: it may be a long time before the flight attendants can bring food or drinks.
2. For bottle-feeding babies, bring ready-made formula (small size), or powdered formula and bottled water.
3. Bring three more diapers than you think you’ll need. And zip-loc bags for any soiled clothes.
4. Bring baby-wipes even with older kids, to clean up dribbles down shirt-fronts, spills, etc.
5. For babies, bring several changes of clothes, and extra clothes for yourself if possible ( – the worst can happen).
6. An extra t-shirt for older kids can come in handy too – seems to be easy to spill drinks on planes. 7. Keep your stroller until the last possible moment (usually right until you board the plane): if your flight is delayed, your child can sleep in the stroller. Umbrella strollers are handiest. 8. With toddlers, expect to spend a lot of time walking your child up and down the aisles on the plane! 9. Bring along some plastic food containers, to keep half-eaten or untouched meals for later – Bring closable drink containers too. 10. Take plenty of amusements: inexpensive novelties – in three layers of wrapping – work wonders. (See list of “stuff to bring on trips” below.) 11. With tiny kids, expect to spend pretty much every minute taking care of them. Forget that in-flight movie; you can watch it when they’re nine or older. (Sheer luxury.)12. If you need water or juice for your small child, don’t hesitate to walk to the kitchen area and nicely request it. 13. Don’t give out your loot (treats, toys, etc.) too soon! Make sure to hold back enough surprises to last the whole trip. 14. To avoid ear pressure problems, have babies either nurse, or suck their bottles during takeoffs and landings; small kids can suck on a candy or chew gum. By land, sea or air-—planning the perfect family vacation will be far easier for you if you turn to the Internet for ideas, travel packages and the lowest prices available. Whatever you do, it would be wise to plan and book your reservations early.

When you are going on a trip to get away from it all and you have a younger child you need to look at it from their point of view.
Often preschool age children won’t remember a lot about the vacation as they get older, and that is okay they live in the moment and we want to make those moments as happy as possible.
A couple years back I took my daughter on a trip to the mountains, we took in a lot of fun things and she had a great time. We even caught a live production of Dora the Explorer which I thought would be the highlight of the trip. Don’t get me wrong she loved it and talked about it for quite awhile.
She also enjoyed climbing in the mountains and seeing a waterfall, the chipmunks we saw, the zoo, and the tram we took up the mountain. We also played lots of car games so even the riding in the vehicle part of the trip was pleasant.
She loves to look at pictures from our vacation and talk about all the fun, but she said we don’t have pictures of the “funnest” parts of the trip. I took a look at all the pictures and thought what didn’t we get pictures of, I couldn’t remember anything special we had done that I didn’t have documented on film.
When I asked her what the best part was she said swimming in the pool with me, and staying in the hotel room watching television and reading books.
That got me thinking, we go swim frequently, we watch T.V., and we read a lot of books all the time, so what was so special about doing it on vacation. I think it was several days of undivided attention, there were no phones or computers or meetings or chores to interrupt our fun. We just got to spend a ton of time together without anyone competing for my attention.
Don’t get me wrong, we still take in the fun sightseeing attractions when we are on a trip but I make sure we take time to spend a day or afternoon at the pool as well. Never do we try to pack so much fun in that it isn’t fun.
We also try to plan an overnight trip or two to a fairly close town that has a pool. We just go and relax, swim and spend time together. This is especially fun in the winter when we go to a hotel with an indoor pool.
So remember when planning your next getaway, it doesn’t have to be fancy or expensive to create lifelong memories your child will appreciate as they grow up.

Your holidays are booked, your bags are packed and you think you have everything you need—money, passport, tickets, and clothing for every occasion. What more could you possibly require?For almost 41% of Canadians who do not always travel with it, the answer is emergency medical travel insurance. Whether simply forgotten or deemed unnecessary, the fact is that travel health insurance should be a must-have before you leave the country.
When you are away from home even the most minor injuries or illnesses can become a major expense. So while an accident or illness can happen anywhere at anytime, emergency medical travel insurance helps to protect you from the unexpected costs that can come with a visit to a doctor or hospital outside of your home country.
Consider for example the following estimates: A stay in a US hospital typically costs about $2,500 Canadian per day. Even more shocking is that if your condition is serious and you require intensive care, it is not uncommon that you would end up paying about $10,000 per day.
If you’re not worried about the costs, because you believe your province’s health insurance plan will cover it, make sure you look into your province’s coverage first. You may be surprised to learn that if your province’s health coverage does extend outside of Canada it will likely be limited.
For example, if you are an Ontario resident travelling outside of Canada you will be covered for emergency care from a physician but only for as much as that service would have cost in Ontario. And, if you need to stay in a hospital to receive emergency services you are covered up to $400 per day for intensive, complex care. If it is less intensive, the maximum is $200.
Why risk it, when emergency medical travel insurance is so inexpensive?There’s a good chance you’ve spent hundreds, if not thousands of dollars on your trip. For a few extra dollars, you can protect yourself by ensuring you get the attention you need, when you need it while not having to worry about how your emergency treatment will get paid.
The following travel health insurance quotes can be found easily online and show how little emergency medical travel insurance actually costs:• For travellers aged 16 to 40 years, emergency medical travel insurance is available for as little as $15 for a 2 week trip—or for as little as $26 for an annual travel health insurance policy that covers you for every 2 week trip you take in a year.
• For travellers aged 41 to 55 years, emergency medical travel insurance is available for as little as $15 for a 2 week trip—or for as little as $27 for an annual travel health insurance policy that covers you for every 2 week trip you take in a year.
• For travellers aged 56 to 59 years, emergency medical travel insurance is available for as little as $21 for a 2 week trip—or for as little as $28 for an annual travel health insurance policy that covers you for every 2 week trip you take in a year.
Quotes are for single and annual trip emergency medical insurance for a resident of Ontario travelling overseas or to the US.
Without emergency medical travel insurance, an illness or injury could not only ruin your vacation but would likely have financial consequences for years to come. Why risk it when emergency travel health insurance costs so little and can save you so much? Not to mention the peace of mind it will give you knowing you’re covered.
Don’t leave home without travel health insurance. Compare emergency medical travel insurance quotes online today and get the coverage you need for your travels. It is a travel tip that could save you thousands of dollars.

Germany is set to host the FIFA World Cup this summer with an anticipated 3-4 million fans travelling to the 12 host cities for a festival of football and culture. As the global community descends on the host cities, they will be greeted with improved infrastructure and a greeting that has taken six years of preparation. For the host cities themselves, it is an opportunity for commerce and to showcase themselves to the rest of the world. Of course, cities such as Munich and Berlin are familiar to the global community and prominent as tourist destinations, but for some of the other host cities, this is really an opportunity to put themselves in the shop window.
With a proportion of the 3-4 million World Cup fans swelling the 600,000 population of Dortmund this June, the city has prepared in earnest since the announcement of the host venues in 2000. Dortmund has the largest football stadium in Germany apart from the Olympic stadium in Berlin where the final itself will be played. With a capacity of over 82,000, the former Westfaldstadion will host one of the semi-final matches as well as r of the preliminary round matches.
A compact city, Dortmund has seen enormous change over recent years. As a former industrial hub and centre for the steel industry in Germany, Dortmund has developed into a modern, contemporary city within the heart of the Ruhr Valley. Much preparation has surrounded Dortmund’s status as a World Cup host city and visitors to Dortmund will be well catered for as they participate in the summers’ festival of football. Although added accommodation has sprung up in Dortmund to handle the influx of visitors, hotel rooms are thin on the ground in the run up to the event. For those looking to find accommodation in Dortmund, the area authority website ( http://www.dortmund.de ) is informative and up to date with World Cup information. Alternatively, some of the major European hotel resellers ( http://www.superbreak.com/maps/international-hotels.htm ) may yet have availability in or around Dortmund.
Dortmund lies in the middle of Germany and has strong road links with the other major host cities. The city’s airport is well served by domestic flights and travelling on from Dortmund simple either by air, rail or road. A number of the major car rental firms (http://easycar.com/aspx/car-hire/location/GermanyAirports.aspx/EN ) have a presence in the city making it easy to follow yor team on from Dortmund – if they get that far!

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Here are some important pet travel tips that you need to know while planning a vacation with your pet.
Bringing your pet with you on your vacation is becoming easier. Lots of hotels and motels are accommodating pet travel.
Most National Parks have strict regulations restricting pets. Check with them ahead of time. Your pet may not be able to walk with you but you can still spend some happy time together.
Before you bring Fido or Fluffy on your trip make sure that they are physically up to it. Take her to the vet first and be sure that she is in sound health.
Make sure she has all her necessary vaccinations along with a health certificate to bring along with you on your trip.
Be sure she has a collar with ID tag that contains your name and phone number. If she gets lost somehow, that could be the only way she gets back home.
A pet that is not well behaved can be a problem and may not be suited to travel. She will be in strange surroundings and you don’t want her to scratch or bite out of fear and confusion.
If you must leave your pet home please be sure that she is well cared for. Professional pet sitters, kennels, friends or family are options available to you.
Leave explicit instructions for care and the phone number of your vet.
Most airlines will accommodate pet travel but they all have their own rules. Dogs and cats are usually ok but other pets may present a problem.
Your pet can travel either in the passenger cabin or in the cargo hold. Pet travel in the cargo hold can be a little rough and ventilation is not the best. Your vet should be able to help you evaluate if Fido or Fluffy is up to it.
Well behaved pets that are able to travel in an appropriate sized container may be brought with you on the plane. They will be treated as carry on luggage and will have to ride under your seat.
Pet travel in your car is a much more straight forward arrangement for all. Some pets can’t handle it though and it is best to make sure she is up to it before your vacation starts.
Take basic safety precautions like not letting the animal run free in the vehicle. She could cause an accident. This means that she should be leashed securely or travel in a pet container.
Never leave your precious pet in a hot car with the windows shut. It doesn’t take long for the temperature inside to reach lethal levels.
Make sure you provide her with fresh water and food. For dogs, she will greatly appreciate frequent stops to get a quick bit of exercise.
When bringing your pet to a motel or hotel that accommodates pet travel please be sure to follow all their rules. A bad experience will make it more difficult for future pet owners. Keep her leashed and clean up after her. Do not allow her to damage property by chewing or scratching.
Be prepared for emergencies and possible problems due to stress. If possible, find out the name and phone number of a local vet or animal hospital near where you will be staying.
With a little effort your vacation can be safe and fun for both people and animals. Remember, Fido or Fluffy can’t look after themselves so it is up to you to be sure that their traveling needs are taken care of.

Many people cannot imagine placing their pets in a kennel while they are on vacation. The thought of their beloved pet cooped up while they are on vacation is just unimaginable. Most people consider their pet as part of the family, therefore their pet goes with them on vacation. If you have decided to take your pet with you on vacation, then there are things you need to consider, the first would be finding a pet friendly hotel.
Making Your ReservationWhen making your travel plans, check with the reservation clerk at the hotel to verify that they do accept pets. You should also indicate the breed of your dog, as some hotels have restrictions on the size and breed. You should also ask about any additional costs or deposits that may be necessary if you bring your pet. Another question would be if you were allowed to leave your pet unattended in the room. The bottom line is to be sure you understand the hotel’s pet policy so there is no misunderstanding when you get there.
Packing For Your PetFor your pet’s sense of security, pack your pet’s favorite toy and food. Just like packing for yourself, pack any medications or vitamins that your pet may be taking. In addition, be sure to have your pet’s vetrinary phone number on hand just in case there is an emergency.
Pet Identification.
Emphatically you would not leave home without any identification neither should your pet. Your pet’s identification tag should have the pets name, contact number, and immunization tag if applicable. Never let your pet out of your sight, tying them up outside while you shop inside could be detrimental for you and your pet. Someone could steal your pet, or even antagonize your pet to the point that they may bite. Consider a Transportable KennelA portable kennel for your pet will offer a comfortable and secure place for your pet while you are out. In addition, it will eliminate any mischievous behavior and possible damages to the room. A portable kennel will put your mind at rest knowing your pet is safe and so is the hotel room.
Research Your Vacation LocaleMany attractions are pet friendly. Research your vacation area for these pet friendly tourist sites either online or through the local chamber of commerce. It is worth your while to know what attractions in the area allow pets before you travel.

* Notify your immediate family of your departure and return dates, but don’t otherwise publicize your travel or vacation plans. Always leave contact information with your family. Provide them with an itinerary, hotel names, phone numbers, airline flight info, and any other important travel information. It is a good idea to also leave them a copy of your passport.
* Register your trip with the state department online or with your embassy upon arrival.
* Check plane, train, and bus times before you travel.
* Sit near other people or near aisles or doors. Learn the location of emergency alarms and exits.
* Stay awake and alert when using public transportation.
* Consider purchasing special clothing or accessories to hide your passport, money, or credit cards. Keep the majority of your funds in traveler’s checks and hidden; carry some in your wallet or handbag. Use a money clip. If you are robbed, you may lose the money in the clip but will retain important credit cards and documents.
* Keep valuables out of sight and luggage close at hand. If carrying a handbag, keep it in front of you, closed, with the fastening toward your body. Keep a wallet in your front pants pocket. * Let go if your bag is snatched. * Do some research on the area you are visiting. Talk to your security officer or consular colleagues regarding travel advisories or warnings. * When traveling, dress casually; dress down where appropriate. Be aware of local customs. * Don’t wear excess jewelry. Reduce wallet and purse contents, particularly cards that denote affiliations, memberships, accounts, etc. * At airports, proceed through security checks and go to the boarding area as quickly as possible. These areas are usually the most secure in the airport. * In any crowded situation, be aware of any crowding or jostling, even if it appears innocent. This is often a ploy by pickpockets to distract you. * Be very careful any time you use a telephone calling card. Fraudulent uses of these cards are on the rise. Look for people observing your card or your fingers as you dial your code. Avoid being heard giving the number to local telephone operators.
* Maintain a low profile, use common sense, know your surroundings, and have a safe trip. Don’t bring attention to yourself with your clothing or your actions. Be alert, report anything suspicious, and obey security personnel.
We live in dangerous times and have to remain ever vigilant. You never know when something bad may happen to you or your family. Follow the above tips to minimize your risk and increase the odds of you having an incident free holiday.

* Do not discuss your business or travel plans in public areas where they may be overheard. Discuss your travel plans and movements during your stay with as few people as possible.
* Selecting a hotel room on the third to fifth floor generally will keep you out of reach of criminal activity from the street but still within reach of most fire truck ladders.
* Do not entertain strangers in your hotel room. If you feel you must, require them to leave a valid ID card with hotel security or the front desk.
* Be alert to overly friendly locals who may have criminal intentions. They may offer to take you to a “special” restaurant. Their ruse may be to offer drugged refreshments.
* Never leave valuables in your hotel room exposed or unattended, even in a locked suitcase.
* Place valuables–money, jewelry, airplane tickets, credit cards, and passport–in a hotel safe deposit box or room safe. * Familiarize yourself with escape routes in case of fire or other catastrophe.
* Use the door chain or bolt lock whenever you are in your room. * Use the door viewer (peephole) before opening the door to visitors.
* Do not discuss your room number while standing in the lobby or leave your room key on restaurant or bar tables.
* Keep your room neat so you will notice disturbed or missing items quickly.
* Secure your laptop to an immovable object using a lock and cable. You can purchase one of these for about $25 online. If you have sensitive files on your laptop, consider removing your hard drive and bringing it with you when you go out.
* Carry a business card from the hotel to make it easier to get home in a foreign country where not many taxi drivers speak your language.
* Carry a color copy of your Passport wherever you go. Some countries, like Thailand, require you to carry your Passport at all time, but most law enforcement officials will not penalize you for having a copy and going to your hotel room to get the original.
* Make sure you know the local phone numbers for police, fire and emergency. Countries like Thailand have tourist police in addition to the regular police and they are trained to speak foreign languages and assist tourists.
* Try not to let your credit card get out of sight. It is very easy for someone to skim your card in just a few seconds.
Just because you are on vacation doesn’t mean you should let your guard down. Big cities are big cities everywhere in the world and all big cities have their share of crime.
A little prevention can go a long way in a foreign country and make your vacation a memorable one.