travels preparations

GrandLuxe Rail Journeys for 'Rail-Time' Luxury

2009-03-06T07:45:00.000-08:00

America's first luxury railway, the American Orient Express, has changed its name to GrandLuxe Rail Journeys to reintroduce itself to luxury travelers seeking an adventure that offers optimal sumptuousness mixed with a dose of 1940's nostalgia. The best of the past and present is combined for refined trekkers to experience "rail" good times.

Most trips are at least seven days long and offer various vistas for sightseeing along the way. The GrandLuxe Mexico tour is a nine-day excursion with eight days by rail. For all trips, the fine-dining menus are based on the cuisine of the locales being visited. The Mexico venture begins in El Paso and makes stops at Chihuahua, the site of the Mexican Revolution, the golden beaches of Mazatlán, Guadalajera, Copper Canyon, and the oldest known city of North America, Mexico City.

The decorum of the rail cars is an opulent retrofit of the Hollywood heydays of the 1940s. A domed observation car offers passengers a panoramic view. The ambience of the piano lounge and the dining cars leave guests expecting to see Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall, Clark Gable and Mae West discussing an upcoming film project with John Ford and Orson Welles.

Becoming a member of the GrandLuxe's Golden Rail Club is a great way to get on track for substantial savings on future rail cruises. Members can save up to $1,000 per person booked on the same trip. Additionally, there is a 10 percent discount applied on all on-board purchases, complimentary wine served at dinners, and a newsletter filled with upcoming events.

Tour Scenic East Java and Bali

2009-03-06T07:42:00.000-08:00

Explore ancient Hindu pilgrimage sites, discover the Sultan's Palace and stop over at some of the world's finest Buddhist temples. After arriving in Yogyakarta, one of the foremost cultural centers of Java, you'll have the chance to lurk around active volcanoes, climb through undisturbed caverns and immerse yourself in your tropical surroundings. Play with turtles, swim with exotic fish and explore the depths of the Indian Ocean. Stay at the Legian Beach Hotel, an oceanfront hideaway covered with coconut palms, shady trees and fragrant tropical flowers. Make your way to Blok M and find a cozy table at Everest, the newest and hippest hangout in Jakarta.

Days 1-2
There is something about Bali that is very pure and spiritual, very artistic and transcending. After arriving in Bali, get situated at the elegant Nusa Dua Beach Resort and prepare for a busy day of touring Mount and Lake Batur, Celuk, Mas and Ubud. After visiting the Goa Gajah and the Tampak Siring, enjoy a traditional barong dance put on by the natives as you nibble on seafood barbeque at the beach.

Day 3
Today is yours to leisurely explore the island. Head to Seminyak, which is situated in the heart of Bali, surrounding yourself in an eclectic mix of fashionable eateries, boutiques and nightlife. As the island?s most stylish town, you?ll be in the middle of all the action. Listen to local DJs as they perform their magic on the turntables at DeJaVu.

Days 4-5
In the morning, you will fly to Yogyakarta, one of the foremost cultural centers of Java. Arrive at your hotel, the Melia Purosani, located just steps away from the Jalan Malioboro shopping center and the Sultan's Palace. Explore the Sonobudoyo Museum, the batik home industry and Kotagede silverworks.

Days 6-7
After flying to Surabaya, you are transferred to your hotel, the Grand Bromo, which overlooks vistas of mountain peaks and the picturesque harbor of Probolinggo. Spend a lazy morning poolside ordering refreshments from the sunken bar. Later, visit Mount Bromo and spend an unforgettable evening dining on the region's local fare. Arrive at Mount Penanjakan and continue to the edge of Bromo Crater for what many consider to be the best view of Indonesia. Mount Bromo is remarkably a volcano inside a volcano and the most accessible volcano on the island.

Pros and Cons of Timeshares

2009-01-17T01:58:00.001-08:00

Buying a timeshare certainly has its share of pros and cons, and chief among them is money. There are arguments both ways as to the value of timeshares. A timeshare is when you pre-pay for vacations at a particular resort or locale, and then you are guaranteed a specific time period for your vacation each year. It also can include more than one week in certain situations. But what are the pros and cons of timeshares?

Pros – For one, you always know when and where your vacation will be. You do not have to worry about reservations, or your favorite place getting booked up. This certainty is wonderful if you regularly vacation in the same place every single year, and you will often save money under these circumstances.

Another great benefit of a timeshare is the fact that it is already furnished with those things that you will need. This includes appliances, towels, lamps, furniture, and so on. Most timeshares already are fully furnished and stocked with everything you need of this nature.

Upkeep is another attractive option for timeshare owners. You pay a maintenance fee for the timeshare that takes care of the timeshare which collectively pays for any repairs, security, and other needs the property may need. Compared to owning a property, this amount of money is quite negligible in comparison.

As a money maker, timeshares can be quite profitable if you are careful and know what you are doing. Many people invest in a timeshare for the sole purpose of renting it out. This is profitable if you are doing it in the right way, but you must be careful in your dealings.

Cons – Many of the same things that are pros can also be cons if you are not careful. The potential downfalls of the timeshare market are varied, and can be devastating to someone that does not understand how they work.

One of the biggest issues are maintenance fees. At times, they can rise or fall depending upon the repairs and problems that may arise within a timeshare. For example, if the heating system goes out, and the maintenance fees do not cover it as they stand, then the fees will rise. You have to be prepared for these unexpected occasions.

The other major drawback for a timeshare are the many cons working the market. You should always research the company that you are dealing with extensively before purchasing a timeshare. The last thing you want is to get stuck in a financial black hole from your timeshare purchase. There are a number of scams on the market.

If you do not properly network with others, a timeshare is very limiting on your vacation options. Timeshares can be traded or exchanged in certain cases, but you would need to have people to do this with. For this reason, it is good to get to know others in the timeshare market so that you have some options for flexibility.

Finally, the biggest con of timeshares is the money commitment. While this is negligible if you are a regular visitor to a particular location, it can be significant if you are not. Timeshares are really for people that are going to return to the same vacation spot year after year at the same time. This scenario is sure to keep you happy with your timeshare. If you, however, like to shake things up every so often, then timeshares are far to constricting.

Timeshares are really what you make of them. The pros and cons of timeshares are completely up to you in most cases. It is a matter of looking at all the details, and deciding if there are more pros than cons before you make the purchase. Research is the key.

by Rodney Southern

Cruise National Parks on a Budget

2009-01-17T01:56:00.000-08:00

The country is dotted with lots of cool and remarkable national parks. Bold travelers only have their backpacks filled with food and activity stuffs, then gather up their tent and set it up in the campsites of national parks and relax in their chosen resting destination. These parks are awesome getaways for fishing, summer hiking, or simply being one with nature.

This kind of travelers may appear to have no itinerary set in place for their travel, however, they are actually backed up by a good plan how to spend the day in their course of travel. Planning begins by choosing one among the famous national parks in Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Yosemite, and Zion, which are literally crawling with campers during peak summer months. Part of the plan is to make early reservations.

Go online if you want to book your chosen campsite. If you are too busy to do this, travel agents can be enlisted to make the reservations for you from their own system. They can also book you hotel properties in national parks, campsites, and cabins.

Take note that not all national parks offer camping in the wilderness, though there are cabins that are available for renting. Cabins are cheaper alternatives to hotels or motels and they keep you closer to the park. If you are planning to make early bookings at a national park, it pays to do some research first; more importantly, if you are setting up tents or paying for chic hotel room.

Do not forget to consider the season and weather conditions if you are planning to go to national parks. Temperature in these places can go high because of their locations, which are usually in the mountains. This should prod you to bring the necessary clothing, depending on the weather.

If you plan on going to Yosemite National Park, there are certain portions of the place that always have snow. Many visitors are even surprised to see fresh snow in some areas of the park.

Choose campgrounds that provide accessibility. Avoid campsites that require bone-breaking hiking just to get to these places. Carefully consider these things first before you book your reservation.

Camping outdoors by choosing national parks can be quite an exhilarating and a fulfilling experience that will make each nerve in your body come alive. Always remember that in choosing outdoor travel spots, you can still be able to enjoy such moment, even if you are only cruising your way through nationals parks in a limited budget.

by Gary Eugene

How to Prevent Jet Lag

2009-01-17T01:55:00.000-08:00

Jet lag is caused by an upset of the body’s circadian rhythms, the internal clock that tells you when to sleep, eat and be active. When you travel by air, everyone at your destination is on one schedule while you, thanks to the speed of jet travel, are still “lagging” behind on another. The more time zones you skip, the worse the effects of jet lag.

“Traveler’s hangover,” characterized by headache, dizziness, fatigue and digestive upset, has long been considered a necessary evil of long-distance flights. It doesn’t have to be because there are many ways to minimize this physical distress.

Start by resetting your clock mentally and physically as soon as you board the plane:

* Change your watch to the time it is at your destination.
* When it’s night at your destination, go to sleep. If you need help dozing off, ask your doctor about using over-the-counter melatonin tablets to supplement your body’s own production of the natural sleep inducer.
* When it’s mealtime at your destination, eat, but do so sparingly. Airline meals that are high in fat, salt and cholesterol will make you feel bloated. Take along carbohydrate snacks from home in case the mealtime is not in sync with the aircraft service.

Next, exercise to promote circulation and stay limber, and choose the right liquids:

* Drink water. Aircraft cabin humidity is very low. To avoid dehydration, drink 8 ounces of water for every hour you’re in the air.
* Avoid alcohol, which adds to dehydration.
* Avoid caffeine, which is a diuretic and can interfere with sleep.

When you arrive at your destination, go outside during daylight hours to acclimate your body to the new light-dark schedule. If you arrive at night, go straight to bed and try to get seven or eight hours of sleep. If you arrive in the daytime, stay awake until a reasonable local bedtime. Regulate your eating to the local times. If you arrive in the morning, have a high-protein breakfast for energy.

If you absolutely must hit the ground running at your destination, consider the approach used by Olympic athletes when they travel - the anti-jet-lag diet created in 1982 by the Argonne National Laboratory, one of the U.S. Department of Energy’s research centers. This diet is based on the theory that different foods cause different bodily reactions, including sleepiness. The feast-and-fast regimen starts three days before departure:

* On Day 1, feast on a high-protein breakfast and lunch (meat, eggs, fish, dairy products and legumes) and a dinner loaded with carbohydrates (pasta, bread, rice and potatoes). Limit any consumption of caffeine to between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m.
* On Day 2, fast with light meals of fruit, soup or salad. Limit caffeine to between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m.
* On Day 3, feast again (same diet as on Day 1).
* On Day 4, the day of departure, fast again until it’s breakfast time at your destination. End the fast with a high-protein breakfast.

The Argonne diet requires some effort and discipline - cheating greatly affects its efficacy - but it is the most scientific and comprehensive approach to making sure you’re in top form when your feet hit terra firma again, wherever that may be.

by David Di Cristo

Nine Vacation Tips For You And Your Digital Camera

2009-01-17T01:54:00.000-08:00

Vacations are one of the things that most people look forward to most in life. Whether traveling as a couple or with a whole family, some of the best memories are made during a well planned out vacation trip. It doesn’t matter if you are traveling half way around the world, up to the mountains to a family cabin, or a quick trip to the beach, the escape from everyday life that a good vacation provides can be priceless. Your digital camera plays a big part in preserving those vacation memories that you will want to look back on in the future. Whether sharing them online with friends or printing them out and using them in scrapbooking, vacation photos can be one of the most important type of photos you take.
Here are nine digital camera tips that will enhance your next vacation:

1. Keep your digital camera in a camera bag or some other type of enclosure if you plan on taking it to the beach. Sand can get into a digital camera very easily and make it inoperable. Also, after using your camera at the beach make sure there are no grains of sand on the outside of the zoom lens before you retract it into the camera body.

2. Before leaving on your vacation clear your digital camera’s memory card, write your name and address on a piece of paper, and take a picture of it. Now the first picture on your memory card will be the info someone needs to return the camera to you should you lose it. It also isn’t a bad idea to have your contact information in your camera bag and on the camera itself.

3. Make sure you buy the right amount of batteries that you will need for your digital camera before you leave on your vacation. Batteries are usually harder to find, especially if they are an odd type or specialty batteries, and more expensive in a resort or vacation area.

4. Though it does use more battery power, using the LCD screen that most digital cameras come with to take pictures is best because what you see on the screen is exactly what photo is taken. Often, with some cameras, what you see in the viewfinder is not the exact frame of the photo that is taken.

5. Make sure to bring your digital camera’s cable along on vacation with you. One great way to save space on your camera’s memory card is to take advantage of either your hotel’s internet connection or an internet cafe to upload photos to a remote source. You can even email them to yourself, if need be. This also is a great backup for your vacation photos if your camera happens to become lost or stolen.

6. Practice with your digital camera at home, especially if it is new to you, so that you understand the settings and how best to take pictures in various lighting and indoor/outdoor situations. The last thing you want to do on your vacation is spend valuable time trying to figure out how your camera works. The last thing you want to do after returning from your vacation is find out that your pictures didn’t turn out like they should have.

7. Rest assured that when returning from your vacation that sending your digital camera through the airport security and detection devices will not harm your images. If by chance you also have a standard camera or disposable camera, you may want to hand them to the security personnel and ask that they be inspected by hand.

8. Actually taking multiple memory cards instead of just one is a good way to distribute photos so that in the event that your digital camera is lost or stolen, some of the photos you have already taken may be preserved on a memory card that wasn’t inside the camera when it disappeared.

9. Keep your digital camera on your person whenever possible. There are many times, like eating out for example, where it may be tempting to just set your camera down on a table or counter. This opens you up to having your camera stolen and also opens up the possibility that you could walk away and accidentally leave your camera behind.

Often the only way to have anything long lasting from a great vacation is to take a good amount of photos while on your trip. These photos can be used by you to look back at the fun times you had and also can be used as a way of showing friends and family what you did on your vacation. But these photos will be worthless if they don’t develop well, are taken under poor conditions, or are not able to be taken because your digital camera was lost, stolen, or damaged.

by Mark Peters

Keep in Touch Even When on a Business Trip

2009-01-17T01:53:00.000-08:00

If you play a crucial role in your organization, have the responsibility to leave information about how you can be reached when you are out of the office. Keep your mobile phone on and leave numbers and a list of places where you may be reached during those times. This may also be critical in cases where a lot of people rely on a lot of decisions or help from you – situations where they cannot decide for themselves nor have the authority to do so.

Technology, nowadays, has overcome this barrier. Gone are the days when the only contact before and after flight was the airport pay phone. You now have your mobile phone and Internet hotspots when you are at the airport, as well as aboard the aircraft (using the on-board aircraft phones). You may need to identify the technology you need to arm yourself with the equipment that will help you be better connected and provide you with tools to make you more productive in areas outside your office.

You may want to get equipment that is reliable. You will be lugging this whenever you go out on business trips. This will be your “office outside your office”; important business presentations and company files may be stored in your laptop. A good reliable mobile phone, too, will be aid you in what you will need to do business effectively during the whole trip.

Try to organize things for your team while you are on the go. Good-sized corporations usually have their own Intranet system, so even while you are away, you can still tap into the local company database for coordination and updates.

Manage your phone systems; you can set your office telephone to forward the call to your mobile phone so that you can still keep in touch as if you were sitting in the confines of your office.

There are also added features that technology systems have made available nowadays. There are systems that allow you to access your desktop computer at the office while you are in a remote station, like your laptop. There may be instances that you need to retrieve data from your office computer that you either forgot to upload or data that has become of interest while you are conducting your meetings outside the office. You can have your IT department personnel configure this for you, just in case you need to pull out the information while on the go.

by Gary Eugene

Passing Airport Security Quickly

2009-01-17T01:52:00.001-08:00

After the terrorist attacks of 9/11, security has been so tough and uncompromising to the business traveler. It will never be as easy and convenient again to check in and board planes so if you have a meeting to catch, you had better make preparations to arrive at the airport early. Delays are normally caused by people who do not perform the processes at the airport well – infrequent travelers that find out that they are not supposed to bring certain items aboard the aircraft. Once this starts, it goes cascading downward, sending the chain of delays unto the next flight and so on.

This is the reason why a lot of business travelers go on the first flight out. Usually, tourists or those who are in no hurry to go anywhere take the midday and afternoon flights; and these are the heavily booked flights and the most crowded time at the airport.

Frequent travelers know the way airport security works. They are aware of the recent rules so they come prepared knowing what is expected from them and can pass through the lines more quickly and efficiently. Try to leave behind items that have a lot of metal parts, combustible material, plant, or food. Use slip-on shoes if you can; security will ask you to take your shoes off at a certain point. These are some examples of items that will delay your passing through and will cost you a lot of time explaining. If you can check yourself in carrying the least possible things, this will probably save you time. Have your boarding pass and driver’s license ready and in an accessible place because airport personnel will ask for these several times through the process. Put your keys, coins, wallet, or purse in a handbag or briefcase before you get in line. This makes it easier for them to just run the whole thing through the scanner and eliminates the need for you to go sifting around your pockets.

Airport security usually has a queuing system that is designed for breaking up crowds. At the same time, it helps them monitor things around much carefully. They employ a series of gates where they have separate teams working through each line. They do their scanning and sifting process to help eliminate potential hijackers and terrorists that may board the aircraft. Try to keep an open mind about this because it is done for the purpose of maintaining safe flights for all those who board the aircraft.

by Gary Eugene

Ten Great Windsurfing Locations On The West Coast

2009-01-17T01:51:00.000-08:00

For many people, when the weather turns warm their thoughts turn to outdoor recreation. A great many outdoor recreation enthusiasts seek out activities that can be done on or near the rivers, lakes and oceans that are suited for outdoor sports. One of the most popular outdoor water recreation sports that people participate in is windsurfing. Windsurfers utilize a sailboard with a sail and mast attached to it with a u-joint to steer themselves, powered by the wind, across a body of water. The sport of windsurfing is often described as the perfect combination of sailing and surfing as the sail powers the surfer and his board, but the steering and maneuvering is controlled by the surfer’s positioning and manipulations of the sail and board. Windsurfing did not emerge as a widely participated form of recreation until it debuted in many markets in the late 1960s. The sport exploded in popularity during the 1980s and is now enjoyed by many people who cite their love for it based on the closeness they reach with the body of water, the excitement of the sport itself and the seclusion it offers as it is a sport that is usually enjoyed by one person by themselves.

There are a number of areas of the world where windsurfing is popular. In theory all that is needed for windsurfing is the equipment, a body of water and a good supply of wind. The most desirous attribute in a windsurfing location that most windsurfers seek is good consistent wind supply. Fewer things frustrate a windsurfer more than inconsistent winds that are great one moment and then die off to nothing the next. Here is a look at ten great windsurfing locations on the West Coast of the United States.

1. The Columbia River Gorge, particularly near The Dalles and Hood River on the border of Washington and Oregon. The Gorge is one of the most popular windsurfing locations in the country and there are numerous sites up and down the Columbia River that are popular with windsurfers.

2. Lake Chelan, a 51 mile long lake in North Central Washington State. One of the great qualities about Lake Chelan is that it is one of the more secluded locations for windsurfing in the area and is therefore less crowded.

3. Port Angeles, Washington. Near Cline Split, a popular sandbar location on the northern shore of Washington’s Olympic Peninsula.

4. Oceanside, Oregon on the northern end of the beautiful Oregon Coast. Usually a very secluded area for those that enjoy wave surfing.

5. Florence, Oregon. Two great locations in the immediate area including the Rock Dock and the South Jetty.

6. Odell Lake in the Cascade Mountains. A great high altitude location, surfers find the Sunset Cove location best.

7. Boca Reservoir, California. Other locations conveniently nearby include Stampede Reservoir, Donner Lake and North Lake Tahoe. Another benefit to windsurfing on Boca Reservoir is that it is located very near to Reno, Nevada.

8. Limantour Beach, California. Located in the popular Point Reyes National Seashore area near San Francisco, there are a number of other popular windsurfing sites nearby including Tubamancha, Palo Marin and Grassy Point on Tomales Bay.

9. Lake Perris State Recreation Area, California. Located just east of Los Angeles on beautiful Lake Perris.

10. Grand Caribe Shoreline Park, California. Located in San Diego, Grand Caribe Shoreline Park sits on a protected side of the Silver Strand Peninsula. Other popular windsurfing locations nearby include Coronado Ferry Landing, Stinky Cove and Crown Point.

There are a number of ways to enjoy the sport of windsurfing. While far and away the most popular way is as an individual outdoor recreation activity, there are also a number of places in the world that hold windsurfing competitions. Windsurfers can compete in a number of windsurfing disciplines including slalom, super x, speed sailing, wave and freestyle. Whatever the discipline and whether or not the windsurfer surfs competively or just for their own enjoyment, it is clear that windsurfing has developed rather quickly from a relatively new activity to a sport with a big enough following that it has been competed in at the Olympic level. There is no sign of the popularity of windsurfing lagging or decreasing any time soon. Windsurfing is here to stay and every windsurfer on the planet has their own favorite location to participate in their water recreation of choice.

by Mark Peters

How to Deal With Business Travel on a Short Notice

2009-01-17T01:50:00.000-08:00

Everybody hates going on business trips on short notice. It is always better to plan ahead when you are considering going on a trip. Experience dictates that when we practice this kind of preparation, fewer problems will be encountered when traveling. In the business world, however, it is not unusual that you need to go to a certain place right away since the immediacy of your arrival will ultimately determine the accomplishment of a business goal. You will be pleased to know that for short notice trips, there are actually a number of preparations that you can take on to make up for the lack of time to plan these trips ahead of time.

You would most definitely hate scurrying about booking flights and making hotel reservations. Certain jobs and industries inherently and regularly send their associates off on business trips at a moment’s notice; hence, if you are constantly expecting this type of practice, here are some ideas on making early arrangements for these specific types of occurrences to help save you from last-minute travel stress.

With trips on short notice, cost-cutting measures are usually bypassed. Airlines usually charge a higher rate on flights booked in full and at a certain specific date and time. Make certain that the company you work for has a travel policy, setting aside a budget for these types of travel scenarios.

The portion of the travel with the least leg room would have to be the flight accommodations. Travelocity or Orbitz, some of the most popular search tools on the Internet, can be utilized to help you start off in finding the airlines that have flight schedules in sync with the ones that you will be taking. As soon as you have chosen an airline, you may browse their website. You will sometimes find that they have promotions, giving more affordable fares even with those on short notice. It is strongly recommended that you spend your money on flights that are nonstop since flights with layovers might threaten your already very limited time schedule. Nonstop flights will better assure you of the priority of your business goal.

Regarding hotel reservations and accommodations, those concerns can also be planned and booked in advance. If you know for a fact that there will be certain places or locations that you will be visiting often, then look for a hotel nearest to those sites so you can save up on cab fares. When you have the addresses and contact numbers of these key establishments, business travel on short notice can be handled as easily as making a few phone calls.

by Gary Eugene

Recreation Vehicle - Travel and Save in an RV

2009-01-17T01:49:00.000-08:00

Recreational vehicles are getting more famous nowadays, given the flexibility they provide to users and great efficiency. If you are up to a different kind of travel without worrying about hotels and air travels, RVs should definitely be your choice. It is practically like having a home on wheels!

Constant travelers find great comfort with recreational vehicles, especially when trips require them to be budget conscious. RVs are great companions because trekkers of different walks can easily reach their destinations, minus the hassles of lines and cues at the airport, and rushing schedules. The country is literally filled with more than 15,000 RV campgrounds and parks that spell heaven to this new breed of travelers.

RVs are equipped with amenities you can practically find at home. Expect it with a living room, kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom. Your house on wheels, remember? There are even RVs that extend to give you more room when it is parked.

For newbie RV travelers, the fun begins when you start saving some bucks! Read these tips for a fuss-free RV trip:

* Browse the net to load up on info about RV travelling. The web is full of helpful resources and articles about recreational vehicles.
* It is better to rent an RV first before buying for your own. When you rent, you get an actual feel of what it is like to travel in an RV at less the cost to get the experience. If you like its effect on you and you have weighed its possible purchases off with other things and factors, then it is time to get your hands on with your own brand new RV!
* In case you do buy, research first so you will know what to properly look for in an RV. Read reviews and owner comments about RV. You will do yourself a great favor in getting the best value for your money.
* See a couple of RV dealers and take a good look of their RVs in showcase. RV shows can also afford you great deals in the middle of these events.
* Check the RV that perfectly fits you. If you are a restless traveler who pays good attention on budget, you can save a lot when you go for RV.
* Do not forget to research and learn more about RV campgrounds. If you feel parking on campgrounds is your kind of thing when you travel, you can definitely look forward to travelling in an RV. Study campgrounds well to do away with going around in circles around the place like a lost puppy. This way, you save time and gas.

by Gary Eugene

Best Zoos in the US

2009-01-17T01:48:00.000-08:00

Zoos are interesting places to spend a holiday at, as they provide fun and information at one go. If you are an animal lover, and wish to spend good time with your family, especially children, then a zoo is a natural choice. The United States can boast of a large number of world class zoos. Find out which one is nearest to your home, pack your picnic lunch, and get ready to spend a good time viewing the mammals, reptiles, amphibians and birds.

In this article, we enlist some of the best zoos in the United States. These include mammal parks, aquariums and zoos.

The Seaworld is a chain of mammal parks, located at Orlando, Florida, San Diego, California and San Antonio, Texas. The animals that can be seen here are orcas, bottlenose dolphins, False Killer Whales, Pacific White sided Dolphins, alligators, polar bears, penguins, walruses, sea turtles, to name a few. Other thrilling attractions in the park are Shark Encounter, Wild Arctic, Penguin Encounter, and also roller coaster rides. There is a huge play area for children. The mascot of the park is Shamu, the orca. Seaworld’s scientists and trainers have been continuously contributing to the conservation of wildlife.

The San Diego Zoo in Balboa Park, San Diego, California, is a large zoo with around 4000 animals of 800 species. The zoo has guided bus and gondola lifts called skyfari, to traverse the length and breadth. It has a number of exhibits, like the African rain forest and the Arctic taiga and tundra. The cold, sunny climate is suited for most animal and a number of plants as well. The zoo maintains a large number of rare plant collections. The zoo raises bamboos and eucalyptus trees to feed the pandas and the koalas respectively. The zoo is actively involved in animal conservation and raises a number of endangered species in its research center.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom is located at the Walt Disney World Resort, and is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. The park has seven themed areas- the Oasis, Discovery Island, Camp Minnie-Mickey, Africa, Rafiki’s Planet Watch, Asia and Dino Land. All the themed areas has film shows, train rides and other activities, submerging the visitors into various entertaining experiences, while coming in contact with numerous species of animals.

The National Aquarium in Baltimore is located near the Inner Harbor area of Baltimore, Maryland. It is considered one of the best aquariums in the USA. It houses 16,500 exhibits of around 600 species. The major exhibits include dolphin display, rooftop rainforest and the centrally located ray pool. The pool is occupied by sharks, stingrays, green sea turtles and tarpons. The rooftop rainforest displays a number of reptiles, amphibians, and arthropods, along with birds and other animals.

The John G Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, Illinois is one of the largest indoor aquariums in the world, with a collection of over 25,000 fish. Other exhibits include marine mammals, birds, reptiles and insects.

by Ahmad Fairoz

Backpackers Guide to Planning a Trip

2009-01-17T01:46:00.000-08:00

Travelling is a fun activity that many are dreaming of doing, with the expenses it involves though; many find themselves having to postpone travel plans indefinitely until they are comfortable with the budget. For some, this may take years and even centuries. The sad fact is, travelling is very expensive – and it is even more costly if not planned well. For those who really would like to explore the world with a tight (but realistic) budget, the “backpacker” route may be the way to go. Backpacking is not for everyone though, before anything else, set expectations straight and clear – no 5-star luxury treatment. This does not mean less fun though; with a well-planned itinerary backpacking is a great way to experience new places and cultures. Planning a backpack trip is no easy task; it requires tedious research and a substantial amount of time.

The first step in planning is setting a budget and checking if this is enough for the trip. On an excel file, make a travel expense chart that shows the budget on the top most section. Then enumerate all the details that need to be deducted from the budget (e.g. plane fare, hotel, visa, etc.). When the items are identified, start a search online for the actual cost. Placing the detailed expenses on an excel sheet and setting up the functions to automatically total the items and then deduct it from the budget would first save a lot of time from manual computations and secondly prevent human errors.

Setting up basic addition, subtraction, multiplication, division and functions on an excel file is very easy to do – certainly easier than doing it with a calculator and paper. Each cost entered would be deducted from the set budget, making the planner check easily if the money is enough. If the expenses go beyond the budget, then check the list again and see if there are items than can be crossed out. Some frills may need to be sacrificed. In doing this list, the trip organizer should remember to leave provisions for food and miscellaneous expenses.

Once the backpackers are comfortable with the excel sheet of expenses, it is then time to check each item again and make the necessary bookings for things such as the airfare, train fares, hotels and transportation. It is often cheaper to book online and way ahead of time. When making a booking for the plane fare, the organizer should note that most (if not all) budget airlines enforce a “touch move” policy wherein booked tickets cannot be postponed or refunded. Thus, everyone should be sure that the schedules can be followed. File vacation leaves ahead; get the necessary parental permission and final the tour list at least 2 months in advance for a sufficient planning time.

The next step is organizing the list that the group needs to pack. Hop back on the cyber world to research on the country of destination. Check what type of clothes to wear and advisable extras to bring such as mosquito repellent, sun block lotion, lotion, etc. depending on the season. There are sites that provide insights from travelers who have been to the country of destination.

One must remember that in a backpack tour, the success of the trip heavily relies on proper preparation. Allow sufficient time to avoid unexpected expenses that is way beyond the set budget.

by Jackie Acosta

Tips on How to Save on International Car Rentals

2009-01-17T01:45:00.001-08:00

When going overseas for business or pleasure, public transportation in these international destinations is among the things a tourist is going to need all throughout his/her trip. International public transportation systems are affordable, safe, and clean. However, for the more seasoned traveler, driving his/her own transportation is preferred.

Driving a rented vehicle is far better than relying on trains, taxicabs, and other public modes of transportation because of the flexibility of where you want to go and when you want on your own time. The flexibility to be able to travel and go places freely is something you cannot have with public transport. That being the case, going for rented cars is the best, and probably, the only option.

However, you will need to secure an international driver’s license if you plan on going for car rental services. You may have questions about insurance coverage driving rented cars outside of your country. Well, the best thing to do is to always verify with the car rental agency. Check if some of their policies do cover you while driving their cars. This may not be certain, though.

If you really want to have some sort of insurance upon knowing that you are not covered, you can request for special temporary coverage. This is available to a few select car rental agencies. Just ask around for details ahead of time. This way, you do not waste time spending on finding the right car rental agencies for a possible temporary insurance coverage arrangement.

After you are done with the insurance you would want to get from a car rental agency, you can now choose your car. As much as possible, choose the smallest car available. This is the best choice if you are rooting for inexpensive international means of transportation, apart from the public transportation available. This is because smaller cars use up lesser fuel. Although the cost of petrol and diesel is no stranger to you, it might be different on foreign land. It could be either cheaper or more expensive. Again, the best shot is to be always safe. Go for the smallest car available.

And as an extra, if you go for a small car, you save yourself from possible car switching. You might happen to drive on narrow streets. If you first selected a larger car, driving on narrow streets might be a problem, or worse, it might not be even be possible. And because you cannot drive much a larger car around narrow streets, you end up switching to a smaller car. Bottom-line is, you end up spending twice as much as you are supposed to just in car rental services.

by Gary Eugene

Do You Really Save Staying in Hostels?

2009-01-17T01:44:00.000-08:00

A hostel, or more formally known as a youth hostel, is a supervised lodging usually for young travelers. The definition of the word has changed over the years. Right now, hostels are no longer limited to accommodating young people; hostels take in people of all ages. However, some travelers still prefer having their own exclusive accommodations. They would rather stay alone than spend lodging with multitudes of travelers.

There are hostels that have a certain age limit for those who can stay in their facility. Very young children are not accepted in most hostels, and this is just for their safety. Having said so, if you are traveling with your family, together with your little ones, going for a hostel accommodation is not a good idea.

Hostels are just like dormitories. Each room can accommodate about four to ten persons. In the United States, hostels segregate people who check in by gender. Female guests have separate rooms from male guests. In Europe, however, it is different. There is no line dividing both genders when staying in hostels. Male guests are mixed with female guests. This even includes a shared bathroom, shower, etc. However, there are other hostels that do share rooms for both genders, but have separate baths and showers.

Before, hostels were places where one can get a bed and a night to stay in while on a trip. Today, hostels are more or less becoming like mini hotels where people book in advance and bookings can sometimes go for months, depending on the location of the said hostel. If a hostel is located near any popular destination, hostels are pretty much booked and it becomes difficult to get a place to stay if you do not make a reservation in advance.

Hostels are far cheaper than the ordinary hotel. Hostels, mostly, charge only around $25 to $30. There are even others that charge lesser. While in hotels, for a single night you can expect to pay a minimum of $100 for your stay. Furthermore, the staff at hostels can also serve as guides for your trip and destination. More than often, these people are knowledgeable about the places you are going to.

Overall, if you are simply looking for a decent place to stay and you do not want to worry about spending too much, a hostel is your better option over hotels. Of course, you cannot expect grand accommodations. But the thing is, if you are not really staying long and you just want a place to stay, what do you need these amenities from a hotel for? You would just end up paying more than your while.

by Gary Eugene

Travel and Luggage Packing Advice

2009-01-17T01:41:00.000-08:00

For most people, traveling is one of life’s pleasures. It is a luxury that lets a person momentarily escape from the monotony of life on to another place with a completely different environment. It is an adventure, an experience and an opportunity to learn. More than anything, traveling is also one of the best ways to shake off stress and re-energize for what’s ahead! Being far from the comforts of a familiar surrounding has its dangers and disadvantages though, and for this reason one has to be prepared for possible mishaps! While traveling, one is subject to hundreds of external elements that can make or break a trip. A way to prevent a dream vacation from turning into a nightmare is to keep an emergency kit or a “travel must-haves” list that would enable a person to survive possible misfortunes that they have no control over.

Many suffer from one of the biggest and most common traveling tragedy of losing luggage. Airline personnel are subject to human error when it comes to the process of organizing check-in luggage, and this mistake normally results to having bags travel thousands of miles away from the intended location – along with the clothes and basic necessities of the poor traveler. Many have fallen victim to having to wear the same set of clothes (underwear and all) for days until their baggage arrives. For this reason, the first item in the travel checklist is having at least one change of clothes in the hand-carry luggage. Whatever happens, the traveler is assured that they will have a change of clothes upon arrival.

Basic necessities such as toiletries and medicines should also be placed in the hand-carry instead of the check-in luggage. In doing so, one must keep in mind that liquids and gels should not exceed the over-all limit of 100ml, as per the regulations of most airports around the world.

Another important item that must be in the hand carry luggage is a photo copy of the passport and visa. While the passport is kept in handbags that are always kept close to a person, it is also the main target of petty thieves who pick on tourists. Losing a passport is one of the most unfortunate events that can happen to a person while traveling, not having a photocopy of the passport would make it worse! Without a passport, a person cannot leave a country – event to go back home. Depending on the embassy and the country where the passport is lost, the time it would take to process a new passport varies from around 3 days to 3 weeks! Having a photocopy normally helps in speeding up the process and it may save legal troubles when emergency strikes.

Another must-have is a secret compartment for emergency money as well as at least 1 ATM and credit card. For obvious reasons, having cash on hand is essential in traveling so one must make sure that they cannot be without. There are available inner-shirt belt and neck bags that are great for keeping money safe.

Being in an unfamiliar surrounding is exciting but one never knows the possible troubles to come. It is always best take the words of Murphy: “If anything can go wrong, it will.”

by Jackie Acosta