Travel and tips

Perhaps jet lag is the culprit. Crossing time zones while you travel is just one of the causes. Some advance knowledge and preparation can result in a more enjoyable trip.
PRIMARY CAUSES OF JET LAG* Crossing two or more time zones: This is worse on eastbound flights because you have to adjust to an earlier schedule.
* Lack of sleep before you travel.
* Physical exhaustion from doing too much too quickly just before you leave.
* Dehydration: Aircraft air is very dry. Drink plenty of water (not soda, coffee or tea). Some people take their own bottled water with them.
* Disruption of the body’s normal wake/sleep schedule (circadian rhythm).
* Alcohol consumption: Alcohol contributes to dehydration. At altitude, affects of alcohol are magnified several times.
* Stale air: Aircraft air is not as oxygenated as outside air. It also contains odors and minute particles emanating from passengers, crew, luggage and the aircraft.
* Inactivity and lack of exercise.
* Climate change.
POSSIBLE SYMPTOMS OF JET LAG* Slow reflexes - especially dangerous while driving* Sluggish thought processes - resulting in poor decisions* Sleep disturbances* Poor appetite* Headaches* Sinus irritation* Gastrointestinal upset caused by unfamiliar food and water* Fatigue* Anxiety* Disorientation* Irritability* Swollen extremities (especially feet and lower legs)* SweatingCOPING WITH JET LAG* Acclimate yourself before you leave. If practical and possible, schedule your alarm clock and meals for the new time zone a day or two ahead of time.
* Don’t leave all your packing until the last minute.
* Make sure you get a good night’s sleep before your departure.
* Choose appropriate flights so that you can arrive well in advance for activities like business meetings. Aim for daytime flying (in both directions).
* Set your watch to the new time zone as soon as you board the plane.
* Stay on schedule with medications.
* Drink plenty of bottled (not local) water.
* Avoid salad or foods that may have been rinsed in local water. This will help to prevent diarrhea - which can contribute to dehydration.
* Get up and move around instead of sitting in your seat for long periods of time.
* Wear shoes a half size larger to accommodate swelling feet.
* Once you arrive, don’t spend all day cooped up indoors. Get out in the sun and fresh air.
* Take a hot shower before going to bed. This helps to retune your body’s circadian temperature rhythm. The drop in temperature after you get out of the shower will make you start to feel drowsy.
* Schedule appointments when you are most likely to be rested.
EVERYBODY IS DIFFERENT* Recovery time, as a rule of thumb, takes about one day per time zone crossed.
* Some people are more adaptable than others and exhibit very few jet lag symptoms. Children almost always fare better than adults.
* The more ‘laid back’ you are about schedules and daily routines, the more likely you are to cope well with jet lag.
With a little advance planning, your next plane trip could be the best ever!

* Be reasonable about the amount of carry-on luggage that you bring. FAA rules require airlines to limit the amount of carry-on baggage, and if you try to carry too much with you, the crew may insist that you check in some items. (There is no universal limit; it depends on the aircraft type and the passenger load.) A bag that is not properly stowed could turn into an unguided missile in an accident or block the aisles during an evacuation. Check for size and weight restrictions before you go.
* Be careful about what you put into the storage bins over your seat. The overhead compartment doors may pop open during an accident or even a hard landing, spilling their contents. Also, passengers in aisle seats have been injured by heavy items falling out of these compartments when people are stowing or retrieving belongings at the beginning or end of a flight. Please be considerate of others and put hard, heavy items under the seat in front of you; save the overhead bins for coats, hats, and small, soft bags.
* As soon as you sit down, fasten and unfasten your seat belt a couple of times. Watch how it works. There are several kinds of belts, and in an emergency you don’t want to waste time fumbling with the buckle.
• Before take-off, there will be a briefing about safety procedures, pointing out emergency exits and explaining seat belts, life vests and oxygen masks. Listen carefully and if there’s anything you don’t understand ask the flight attendants for help. Seasoned travelers keep their seatbelt secured during the entire flight.
The plastic card in the seat pocket in front of you will review some of the safety information announced by the flight attendant. Read it. It also tells you about emergency exits and how to find and use emergency equipment such as oxygen masks. As you’re reading the card look for your closest emergency exit, and count the number of rows between yourself and this exit. Remember, the closest exit may be behind you. Have a second escape route planned in case the nearest exit is blocked. This is important because people sometimes head for the door they used to board the plane, usually in the front of the first class cabin. This wastes time and blocks the aisles.
Oxygen masks aren’t the same on all planes. Sometimes they drop down in front of you. On some aircraft, however, you’ll have to pull them out of a compartment in front of your seat. In either case, you must tug the plastic tube slightly to get the oxygen flowing. If you don’t understand the instructions about how the mask works, ask a flight attendant to explain it to you. When the plane is safely in the air and has reached its cruising level, the pilot usually turns off the “fasten seat belt” sign. He or she usually suggests that passengers keep their belts buckled anyway during the flight in case the plane hits rough air. Just as seat belts should always be worn in cars, they should always be fastened in airplanes.
Follow these simple tips and have a safe flight and a Merry Christmas.

If you’re tired of the same old cookie cutter hotels when you travel maybe it’s time you spiced up your stays with some unique hotel ideas that will make your trip more memorable.
Make note of any interesting hotels you come across while surfing the Web or watching TV. When traveling pick up any brochures of unique accommodations you find. Many times a hotel lobby will be filled with these little brochures all arranged in a nice little display rack.
Consider staying at a Bed and Breakfast. B & Bs are becoming increasingly popular as each one provides a unique experience over any standard hotel chain. From quiet often charming rooms to great homemade food these are many times cheaper than regular hotels and motels.
Inns.com and BedandBreakfast.com are two great Web sites that can help you find the perfect Bed and Breakfast in your destination city.
If you are traveling abroad and seek a special kind of quiet try a convent or monastery for a truly unique experience. In many countries you can stay for far less than what a hotel would cost with some places only asking for a token offering. Just be prepared to give up some of the more traditional hotel amenities like TV for the peace and quiet.
If you don’t mind spending about what you would for a decent hotel check out the offerings at TabletHotels.com where you will find a unique selection of inns and hotels that have been personally rated by guests from all over the world.
If plan on traveling to one of the great parks in the United States check into staying at a nearby lodge or cabin. Many parks have on-site accommodations and of course you could always pitch a tent if you really wanted to rough it and save money.
When a friend of mine goes on vacations he looks for condos or homes for rent. This can be a great idea if you are traveling with your family as you get all the comforts of home and can save money buy cooking your own meals.
Many people will do a house swap with you as well but if you happen to live in a spot that might not be very popular with travelers it could be hard finding someone to swap with you.
Going to Europe and into backpacking? You might consider staying at a youth hostel during your continental travels. Many have a dormitory arrangement with shared baths and kitchens but they can be quite inexpensive and you get a great opportunity to meet some interesting people. Just be sure to use a little common sense if you plan on staying in a group environment.
These are just a few of the many options available to the traveler looking for a little more adventure. Keep your eyes and your mind open to new possibilities and you will be rewarded with rich memories for years to come.

In 1965, the Beatles had a hit song called “Ticket To Ride.” With today’s soaring gas prices, many commuters are realizing that the Fab Four may have been onto something.
With an average fill-up costing anywhere from $40 to $60 each time you visit the pump, it’s easy to see why people are opting for alternative modes of transportation and why ridership on trains and buses continues to increase. According to the American Public Transportation Association, an average transit user saves between $300 and $3,000 worth of gasoline per year. Overall, public transportation saves approximately 855 million gallons of gas each year.
“Public transportation is the quickest way people can beat the high price of gas,” said APTA President William W. Millar.
While some commuters may struggle with relinquishing control of their car to rely on the schedule of a bus or train, consider this fact: The second most expensive cost American families currently incur is paying for their transportation needs, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Using the rail or bus system can positively impact families’ bottom line and put money back in their pockets.
Public transportation is growing in popularity. Since 1995, transit use has increased by 25 percent.
“More and more people are choosing to ride public transportation. With rising gas prices, it is obvious that people need to have transportation choices besides driving a car,” Millar said. For those considering using public transportation, APTA provides the following tips on getting started:* Log on to www.publictransportation.org to find your local transit system.
* Go to your local system’s Web site to find information on schedules and fares.
* Ask your employer if transit benefits are provided. Employers may provide up to $105 a month in pre-tax money for employees to use public transportation. These transit benefits can also be used for parking at transit stations.
* When visiting a community, consider the discounted one-day pass for tourists.

You are ready to do some traveling, but the old bank account is a bit of a problem. Welcome to charter flights, one of the cheaper ways to see the world. Tip on Upgrading To First Class On Charter FlightsAs you know, flying anywhere these days is a particularly pricey option. Fuel prices are through the roof and airlines are hurting financially. This does not mean, however, that you have to get stuck with the high price of a flight. Charter flights offer a fairly amusing, but always cheaper alternative. Charter flights are cheap because the airline is usually very small and only flies part time. Obviously, each company is different, but most fall within this definition. The advantage for you, however, is said companies have much smaller overhead than big airlines and their prices reflect it. During the summer, for instance, you can usually get a roundtrip ticket to Europe for anywhere from twenty to fifty percent less than the going rate on major airlines. Given the cheap price and small nature of the company, there are some downsides to flying charter. First, the planes are not exactly new. Second, the company only has a few flights a year, so they pack passengers on. On a fourteen hour flight, a packed, older plane can leave much to desire. Fortunately for you, however, there is a solution. One of the interesting things about most charter flights is they offer first class accommodations. This is interesting because it is hard to imagine exactly who would fit the customer profile. If you have the money to fly first class, you probably are not hunting through the charter flight listings. In fact, few people ever seem to book the first class section. The economy section looks like the mosh pit a concert, but only a few people sit in first class. This situation is a golden opportunity for the savvy traveler. Yep, you can upgrade from economy to first class with little of complexities of a major airline. Oh, I should also mention the upgrade is incredibly cheap. I did it on a flight from Paris to Los Angeles for $50. Best money I ever spent. To get the upgrade, you simply ask for it when checking in for the flight. The charter company is trying to wrestle every buck they can out of the flight, so they are more than happy to give you an upgrade to first class for the flight. I have done this no less than five times and usually pay $100 or so for the upgrade. The most I ever paid was $200, but it was a 20 hour flight back from Asia and I was willing to pay more!If you are looking for a cheap flight, charter airlines offer a potential solution. Where else can you fly first class for less than an economy ticket on a major airline?

Travelers are likely to spend more this year than in years past. According to the latest research from the Travel Industry Association of America, total travel expenditure among U.S. residents increased by 5.3 percent in 2005. Whether planning a weekend escape or a tropical getaway, there are ways to hit the road without breaking the bank. Here are some tips that will help you stretch your resources so that you can get the most out of your trip:Budget Before You Go. Determine in advance how much the entire trip-meals, transportation, travel accommodations, entertainment, shopping and miscellaneous expenses, such as admission to theme parks and museums-will cost. Online resources, such as www.practicalmoneyskills.com, provide budget calculators that help itemize vacation spending. If you know how much the total trip will cost, you can save toward your goal before you pack your bags. Reap Your Rewards. It’s time to cash in rewards points you’ve been earning all year on your credit or debit card. First, determine your eligibility. Do you have enough points to get to your destination? Are you traveling during dates when rewards points are accepted? Have any of your points expired since you last checked? Once you know your rewards status, determine how best to use them. If your initial travel dates and preferred destination don’t work, consider being flexible with your plans to save on major expenses, such as airfare and hotel accommodations. Do It Yourself. Tourist groups or high-priced guides can drain your budget quickly. Be your own guide by reading up online or at the library before you arrive. Use of these free resources can help you put together a personalized tour without spending big bucks. If you prefer guided tours, advance research allows you to invest in parts of the trip that matter most and self-guide through the rest of your vacation. Pack Your Wallet Wisely. Today’s travelers have more choice than ever when it comes to handling trip expenses. In addition to credit and debit cards, many travelers are using prepaid cards, which allow them to pay up front and then access the funds by using the card like a debit card. Protections make these cards more secure than carrying cash or traveler’s checks with all the convenience of a debit card. Visa TravelMoney (www.visa.com/ustravelmoney) even provides lost luggage reimbursement without requiring purchase of travel with the card-those who carry an activated and eligible card are automatically covered. Packing your wallet with a range of payment options will allow you to take advantage of such benefits when you least expect them and need them most. Treat Travel As An Investment. While heading out on a road trip or exploring Europe can feel like an escape from reality, your budget stays the same. If you have a special trip in mind, treat it as a long-term investment. Set aside funds monthly so that you can book the room with the ocean view or stay an extra day. Vacation requires time and money, but it is also an investment in you and your family’s future with the potential for cultural enrichment, rest and relaxation. Finally, wherever you travel this summer, don’t let rising prices keep you from enjoying your dream vacation. With a little extra planning and some smart choices, you’ll be packing your bags in no time. Many travelers are using payment cards to cover travel expenses, which are safer than carrying cash and more conve-nient than traveler’s checks.

It’s again that time of the year when you want to spend quality time with your family. Planning for an exclusive holiday abroad? Surfing the Internet for best hotels leaves you more confused? Unable to decide which hotel to choose from as all hotels project a perfect image of themselves? Never been to the hotel destination? Looking for discount hotels which will offer you the best holiday packages without burning a hole in your pocket? Stop worrying as all your worries and problems can be solved very easily. Just keep some tips in mind and you are assured of getting your dream hotel. Check Hotel Ratings and Customer ReviewsWhat comes to your mind naturally when the word vacation is mentioned? Of course! Hotel - a decent place where you can stay! Planning vacation with friends or family is always special which you want to cherish it for the rest of your life. What a better way then to make it lifetime memory by staying in a hotel which provides you the comforts and the feeling of home away from home. The task of finding the kind of hotel you are looking for can become quite daunting with every hotelier presenting the best image which may necessarily not be true. However, you can get some idea about a hotel by comparing the star ratings and the customer reviews that are posted in top 2-3 websites. While going through the customer reviews you can easily judge whether the reviews are from genuine customers or fabricated by hoteliers as the other features mentioned on the hotel detail page should substantiate its ratings and reviews. Hotel Chains and ServicesIf you are not sure about hotel facilities provided and to avoid being taken for a ride, always go for hotels according to your needs and budget. If you want to stay in luxury hotels which offers world class services including concierge, shuttle services to the city, laundry services, airport transfers, Internet access etc, you can select the best luxury hotel nearest to public transport. For those who do not want to spend fortune on accommodation, you have the choice of budget or discount hotels with modest amenities and facilities. If you are going for a business trip, check out for hotels that provides meeting rooms, conference halls. But if you are on vacation or leisure trip, opt for hotels that offer outdoor activities, conduct tours, events, and located near tourist destinations. Destination GuideAll best travel-based websites have good destination guide which includes travel, accommodation, food, shopping and attractions. Choose your hotel in such a way that the destination is centrally located, easily accessible to tube station, shopping complexes, and tourist attractions. While looking for hotels you can check out for nearby restaurants and its menu and specialties. However, if you are budget conscious go for hotels that suit your budget but at the same time offer best services. Exclusive Rates and DiscountsAccommodation plays a vital role in travel. Choosing the right kind of hotel according to your budget will decide the future course of your trip. So, plan your travel beforehand to avail of exclusive rates and discounts offered by hotels. Find out hotels that offer seasonal discounts and take advantage to book your hotel at the lowest prices. If you want to travel during particular event, check out for hotels which give event-based discounts. Make your stay and travel memorable by capitalizing on the various irresistible rates and discounts offered by hotels. However, to get the best travel deal you can always check out different websites that lists hotels and their rates. Compare the rates of the different websites and select the best one offering the lowest prices. Your choice of hotel can either make or break your trip. Therefore, try to meticulously pursue the above tips and make your vacation unforgettable! The ball is in your hand!!

When you enter a foreign country, you will have to go through Passport/Immigration and Customs. Here you will have your passport stamped to gain entry to the country. You will also have to go through customs and possibly have your luggage inspected.
This will depend on what you declare on your arrival form. This is the one that you fill out in the airplane. It will also depend on how you look.
You may think that I am talking about profiling whether it be racial profiling or otherwise, but what I am talking about is how you appear to the security inspectors.
I always dress half-way decent when I travel. I do not wear a suit and tie but at the same time I don’t wear cut-off shorts, sandals and a ripped shirt. I dress in-between.
I usually wear a pair of jeans, collar shirt, and loafers. Loafers make it a little easier to get through security at the departing airport and the jeans and polo type shirt are comfortable. I recommend you wear comfortable and presentable clothes.
If you look like a shabby bum the chances are higher that you will be inspected.
It is also recommended that you don’t wear anything that will bring attention to yourself. Don’t wear a shirt that promotes drugs, is vulgar, or is extremely patriotic. Dress down a bit and be comfortable.
There are a couple of other things that you can do to be a bit more presentable to the security personnel.
About one-half hour before your plane is scheduled to land, stop off in the bathroom and freshen up. Use either your own toiletries or the free ones in the bathroom. Brush your teeth, comb your hair, and splash some water in your face. Long flights can leave you looking a bit haggard.
You may want to check your appearance in the mirror and see if your need to tuck in your shirt, straighten up and try to flatten a few wrinkles, or just clean the sleeping gunk out of your eyes.
I know it can be a pain to carry toiletries on the plane with all the new security requirements, but you are allowed to bring small items of liquids as long as they are displayed properly in a large zip-lock bag. Check with the TSA web site for the latest rules.
If you are dressed neatly, and look refreshed, you should be able to waltz right through Customs and Immigration.

Want to go to a new exciting place, but don’t have anyone to tag along? There may be times when you have to travel alone in a foreign land. Whether just for fun or on official business, you have to take safety measures. Traveling alone need not be lonely. It could be fun in more ways than one. Don’t be reluctant to travel just because your on your own. Just remember these things:*Plan aheadResearch and read about the place you’re heading to. Know where’s the nearest hotel, restaurant, and such. Make reservations too, if possible. That way, your travel is on a good start.
*Take a city mapYou better study how to read maps. Needless to say, these can guide you where you are going, especially if it’s the first time you’re going to that place. Relying too much on the cab driver is not a good idea.
*Learn the languageJust study the basics, and the most common things you’re likely to ask a local. Learn it before you arrive. *Hide your valuablesPut your guard up. Don’t invite muggers to come and get you. Don’t wear too much jewelry outside the streets. Use inexpensive accessories. *Dress appropriatelyCheck what the locals wear on a given time of day. You don’t want your clothes screaming you’re a tourist. The lesser attention you draw to yourself, the better. *Don’t be afraid to ask for directionsIt would be okay to ask someone for directions, but be sure you are going to choose who to ask. You can ask a waiter in restaurant, or the receptionist in your hotel. Just be sure you get all information. Asking from a complete stranger outside is not advisable.
*Bring some cashTake just enough. Traveler’s checks and credit cards are good, and it could be your primary mode of payment, but you might want to keep a few extra dollars in your pocket with local money. *Enjoy your selfWell, you are traveling, so make the most of it. Make friends with a local. Talk to somebody over lunch in a cafй. Get the addresses of the friends you make to send them a thank you card. Maybe next time, you’d be their host.
Traveling alone can be your best experience. With solo traveling, you will definitely learn more about your self and what you can do. Try it. It would be fun!

When it comes to choosing a hotel for your vacation, it often becomes an issue of low cost and convenient location. More often than not, particularly when traveling to major tourist areas with popular attractions, the closer the lodging is to the destination or attraction, the more expensive it will be. That is why the best way to save money on lodging is to stay in an outlying area.
Unfortunately, this might mean that you will spend more time driving to your destinations, which inevitably means more money spent on gasoline. It is important to asses all of the factors in order to make sure that staying in more distant hotel will really cost you less money. There are several ways to save money on lodging without compromising the quality of your accommodations. For example, paying for a membership in AAA or a similar auto club also provides you with discounts on hotel rooms, as does being a member of the military or being a senior citizen. When booking a hotel room, make sure you ask about discounts that may be available.
Another tip for finding lower cost lodging is to try shopping early for your hotel room. Often, hotels will reserve a block of lower-priced rooms, available on a first come, first serve basis. Getting the best lodging deal is often based on timing and planning ahead.
Saving money on a hotel room means next to nothing if the place is a pigsty, or unsafe. Shopping for a budget hotel does not mean you have to settle for a hotel that is dirty, poorly run or in a dangerous area. Fortunately, the Internet makes it so easy to find great deals on quality budget hotels. The Internet cuts the time it takes to research lodging down to a fraction of what it used to take. Most hotels, even budget properties, have websites and feature photos of the property, rooms, and the surrounding area. It has never been easier to research the lodging that you are considering, especially if you have never stayed there before.
Don’t forget to research the area in which the hotel is located also. Be sure to check out things like restaurants and attractions within walking distance of the hotel. Amenities, especially on vacation, are important.
On the Internet there are a number of review sites available where those who have stayed in various hotels can share their experiences and their opinions of the hotels. These review sites are invaluable for travelers, especially if you are going to a place for the first time.
In addition, the Internet hosts a number of travel web sites where travelers and tourists can locate and compare lodging based on their particular need, such as for their individual dates of stay and destinations. These web sites provide several ways to search, including distance from an attraction, price, and star level. The only thing that you need to bear in mind when using such a web site is that comparison web sites only showcase properties that pay a fee, so using a particular site does not necessarily ensure the best price for your trip. For locating the best deals online, it is best to refer to several web sites in order to get a real idea of the lowest prices available.