Memorable-Travel-Trip

Budget Travel Basics

Travel Guide, Travel Tips, ,
19
Apr 2016

The world of budget travel can be filled with excitement and appeal, and in our expensive world today traveling on a budget is becoming more necessary if you want to travel at all. It is important to keep costs low when traveling, whether you are traveling solo seeing a foreign country for the first time or a family with your car filled with kids and luggage heading for the beach or an amusement park.

If you want to go the lower cost route while traveling, it is definitely a good plan to generate a travel budget. Determine the approximate costs and prioritize the different portions of your trip, such as hotel, airfare, car rental, visiting attractions and sights, food, and gasoline. Once you have a good idea of what you want to spend on each part of your trip, then you need to begin shopping around for the best deals.

When it comes time for you to formulate a budget for travel, you should first prioritize by deciding what is most important to you and what you can cut back on. For example, while some travelers would rather spend a more on a higher class of accommodations, others would rather save money by staying at lower priced hotels or motels splurge on sightseeing or their food budget for the family.

Once you have prioritized the elements of your trip, begin researching what the best deals are. Often, discounted admission rates on area attractions are the most common and easiest to find, since many theme parks, museums and other attractions run specials to draw tourists.

To get big discounts on local attractions, the best place to start is the Internet, specifically the web site of whatever attraction you want to visit. Often you will find great deals online, such as two-for-one deals, free admission for children, special reduced admission days, even discounts on food and lodging.

There are other ways to get great discounts. If you are in the military, a senior citizen or a member of an organization such as AAA, you will find that there are many discounts available to you. Most AAA offices sell discounted tickets for theme parks, museums and other attractions within driving distance, and most AAA offices sell discounted tickets to popular destinations like the Walt Disney World Resort, too. The secret to making the most of your travel budget is to research and take advantage of any discounts available.

If you plan to drive your car on your trip, make sure you get it services so that it is in good condition before you leave. Something small like under-inflated tires or worn spark plugs or brake pads can affect your gas mileage and increase your fuel budget.

A good tip for keeping your fuel spending under control is to invest in a map of your destination. It will keep you from getting lost and therefore wasting gas. Being able to find your way to and from the hotel or other destinations without trouble will make your vacation less stressful and less costly.

No matter how work to save money on your next vacation, planning a budget and adhering to it will let you enjoy your vacation more, and worry about the costs less.

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car rental

Avoiding the Most Expensive Car Rental Cities

Travel Guide, Travel Tips
23
Nov 2015

Figuring out what a decent price for a rental car is versus a complete rip-off is not nearly as easy to determine as one might initially think. Rates vary depending on which company, which city, and which day it is. Strangely enough, it is not unheard of to get four different quotes on how much it would cost to rent a car on four consecutive days. One of the things that kills car renters’ wallets, is not doing the research to learn what the local fees and taxes on car rentals are.

In fact, local and state taxes make up an extremely high amount of the total car rental cost. In the 100 most heavily trafficked U.S. airports, the airport itself, and demanded rent was often a problem. Such add-ons averaged nearly 26 percent of the entire cost, compared with a 14 percent average for off-airport locations. In some cities the gap between on-airport and off-airport costs is nearly unbelievable. In Dallas, for example, 61.4 percent of the total cost of renting a car at the airport came from taxes, while taxes at nearby neighborhood locations only made up 17 percent of the total. Like most taxes, these just continue to grow.

The most expensive cities in the United States to rent a car (the taxes are so high that it actually is an absurd idea for most people to even think about renting a vehicle here) are Boston, New York, and Houston. In all three cities rates can easily almost double over what was advertised. At Houston’s Intercontinental Airport, if you rent a car for two days at $50 per day, you’d expect your bill to be about $100. Once taxes and fees are added in, watch out, because you will owe a minimum of $171. Aside from the big three, some of the other worst rental rates from airports include Austin, Cleveland, Dallas/Fort Worth and New Orleans. No matter what city you are in, it is often a good idea to rent from centers away from the airport. They will always be cheaper.

Taxes and fees (which are often much higher in cities that need funds for construction of convention centers or stadiums) can increase your final bill by up to 70 percent. Watch out for these cities, watch out for the taxes. While it may be uavoidable, really weigh your options. Is it really worth this much to rent a car instead of using public transportation? At the very least, find a rental center away from the airport. It might be a little inconvienent, but at least you save yourself something, which in high tax cities, migh end up being more than just a few pennies; it might be a small bundle.

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Asia travel

Asia Safety Travel Tips

Travel Tips, , ,
01
Oct 2015

Asia occupies a quarter of the earth’s land mass, it spans a lot of time zones. Having a single travel guide for all of Asia is virtually impossible. Asia like any other continent, here are basic travel tips for a few of the most happening countries in Asia.

Vietnam
The country’s recommended tourist spots are Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, which are both modernized. All tourists in Vietnam, except Thai and Philippine Nationals need a tourist Visa before entering the Country. Health wise, Malaria is prevalent in Vietnam, it would be best to bring with you anti-mosquito lotions to prevent being bit.

Indonesia
Aside from the usual prohibition of narcotics and deadly weapons, Radio cassette Players are banned in the Island of Bali, which is a prime tourist spot in Indonesia. Any object with Chinese characters written on it, are also prohibited in Bali.

Thailand
Thai people are very religious and very loyal to the monarchy. You would often see pictures of the king around the cities, never make fun of him. The Thai also consider the head as the highest part of the body, whether spiritual or physical. Refrain from touching anybody in the head, and try not to point at anything with your foot.

Malaysia
It’s best to bring light and cool clothing in Malaysia. You would usually find food stands in the cities selling the local delicacies, “teh tarik” a creamed tea, and “roti canai” a type of pancake, are a must try when you do encounter them. Malaysia has many religions, you would usually see, a variety of Christian churches, Muslim Mosques and Buddhist and Hindu temples may be present in each city.

Philippines
The Philippine has 7,107 islands and islets; beaches are the main tourist spots in the country. There are several museums and Historical Landmarks in Manila, the country’s capital. Boracay Island is the boast of the country which has white sand beaches.

Hongkong
Hong Kong is a key destination for many travelers. It is located in Eastern Asia, near China and the South China Sea. Formerly, leased to Great Britain, Hong Kong was officially returned to China in 1997. Hong Kong offers diversity in: culture, religion, and lifestyles.

Chinese, (Cantonese) and English are both the official language here. So foreigners, who are planning to visit, should not have any problems exploring, and experiencing the culture of this vibrant place; since English is widely spoken here.

Hong Kong dollar is the currency in use here. One American dollar roughly equals around 7 Hong Kong dollars.
Hong Kong is known for: its unique energetic vibe, its wonderful food, and beautiful skylines. Hong Kong offers many great upscale shopping districts that rival the high end streets of: Shanghai, London and Paris. But the best places to shop here are the unique shops, and street markets that exhibit the charm and uniqueness of the locality.

General Tips
Each country in Asia has its own currency, although up-end establishments will accept dollars, there are very few of these around. It is best to have your money changed at the local bank. Some hotels also offer money changing, but usually at a lower exchange rate.
Like any kind of decisions people have to make, it is always important to know the area they will be visiting so as to familiarize themselves with the laws, locations of best tourist spots, and the kind of people they have to deal with.
Going to a place without having the slightest idea what it is all about is just as bad as going to the wilderness with beasts lurking everywhere and there’s no gadget to protect them.

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Airline-Travel

7 Tips For Travel Trips

Travel Tips, , , , , , , , ,
22
Sep 2015

We love taking trips, whether it’s a short road trip, or a longer trip by air to some distant exotic place. But all too often we fail to plan for our trip and the result is frustration and annoyance.

1. For road trips, get the right maps and plan your route thoroughly. Everything won’t go exactly to plan, but at least you’ll have much fewer nasty surprises.

2. Never, ever make a joke about bombs or terrorists near security at an airport. Many people have jokingly mentioned they have a small bomb in their case as their luggage is being inspected. Later at the police station they deeply regretted their stupidity.

3. Be immediately suspicious in airports, railway or bus stations when someone bumps into you. It may be a pickpocket. Also be aware if something is spilled on you, or a spot on your clothing is pointed out to you. These things are designed to distract your attention from what is really going on: the theft of your valuables.

4. While cruises make planning easy with their all in charges, there is likely to be many extra items that you should budget for. These include, taxes, surcharges and fees, tipping, drinks, some shore excursions, shopping purchases, etc.

5. The most obvious thing to check on before setting off on a foreign trip is the state of the local weather where you are going. You don’t want to arrive in a tee shirt if it’s snowing, or in a fur coat if it’s in the 90s.

6. When travelling with children bring along recent photos of each one. If a child gets lost, the photo will prove invaluable in helping to locate the child again.

7. A trip to a theme park will suffer from a lack of careful planning. Some parks are so big that planning is essential. Get a list of all the rides and a map of the park, as well as opening and closing times, before setting off.

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tourist

6 Ways Travel Can Craft You A Better Human Bein

Travel Tips, , , , , , , , , ,
06
Jun 2015

 

Passion for travel makes people crazy for exploring more. With traveling to new destinations, people get in touch with new cultures and traditions. This helps people to change their way of thinking about the world. And, if anything in the world can ideally change the odd views of people, it is traveling. Travel can genuinely change people.

All the changes that occur throughout a journey are positive changes for travelers. Travel makes people better human beings. There are various positive advantages that come with traveling. Most importantly, you can see the world through a different view. The following are some of the most effective advantages of traveling.

1. Better Communication Skill

When you opt for traveling to a new destination, you have to communicate with new people. After living in several places, and communicating with many people you will surely have better communication skill. In fact, you can live in some places where English not the first language, there you have to make them know about your question in their local language. It is surely a tough task to handle. It will surely improve your overall communication skill.

2. Widening Your Views

Dealing with different people of various countries will let you expand your horizon of world views. You will be able to accept all kinds of differences surrounding you. You will learn to respect others and their views. Every religion and culture is valuable for each community. Accepting this fact will be easy for you with traveling to different countries.

3. Better Patience

Throughout the long journey, maintaining a scheduled time is not easy task. So you have to handle it with your patience. You have to make several decisions in a trip. Having proper patience is vital for better decisiveness. You can get better patience with the help of traveling.

4. The Art of Helping with Generosity

Throughout the journey, you will meet many people. Some of them will become friends with you. They may help you without expecting any return. Similarly, you also will help people without expecting any return from them. Travel helps people being more generous and happy to help other.

5. Getting Friendly With the Strangers Easily

The skill of getting friendly with others easily is possible with the help of traveling. You can easily get acquainted with your co-travelers in your journey. It will surely enhance your friendly nature.

6. Making the Most at the Moment

Traveling to different destinations makes people more fun-loving. You can forget about all worries by enjoying with your co-travelers. It is a positive side of traveling. You are more prone to have fun.

Having a fresh start for a new life is much more pleasurable than losing in old memories. You can surely enjoy your positive traits with your friends. After traveling to various destinations, many positive traits will add to your personality. It makes better human being and not just a good traveler. That is why most of the travelers are genuine and authentic by nature.

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sardinia

Planning Successful Holidays to Sardinia

Best Travel Visit, Travel Tips, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
06
Jun 2015

 

Planning last minute holidays to Sardinia? While holiday planning may be daunting, with a few tips, patience, and an open mind, anyone can plan a successful getaway to this picturesque Mediterranean island. The important thing to remember when preparing is to do your research.

Getting There and Getting Around

Being the second biggest island in the Mediterranean Sea, there is a lot to explore in Sardinia, including the beaches, the ancient churches, the local cafes, and the magnificent ruins. But all of these beautiful sites may be out of reach if you don’t plan properly with regards to getting around. Holidays to Sardinia can take many forms, and how much you see and do will depend on your expectations and ability to be flexible.

Sardinia has three main airports, in Cagliari, Alghero, and Olbia – all have direct flights to major cities all around the world. Moreover, there are many access points to island by ferry from different cities in Italy, including Genoa, Livorno, Naples, and Palermo. From this information alone you could plan an entire itinerary and make adjustments in your budget by saving money – whether travelling by ferry from another Italian city or getting a direct flight. Once you’ve arrived on the island, you should also familiarise yourself with the best ways to get around. Unlike other smaller islands in Italy, which you can easily tour on foot, Sardinia is best explored with a rental car or motorcycle. You can, of course, also travel by bus.

Don’t Skip the Beach

Some people may find it a bit exhausting to plan an itinerary that will take them from one big town to another every day. It might sound good on paper, and you’ll be able to explore plenty of the island’s fascinating history, but it could also sometimes take the fun and relaxation element out of your holidays to Sardinia. The solution is to factor in a few days just lazing on the beach. The island is renowned as having some of the world’s best beaches, and there are so many, you’ll be able to steer clear of the crowds if you’re savvy. Pristine San Giovanni di Sinis is a divine beach near the town of Oristano; it’s only half an hour away from the city, but is considerably less touristy than more popular destinations. La Pelosa Beach, another less crowded spot near a fishing village in Stintino, is breathtakingly beautiful with its fine, white sand, and blue-green waters. There are plenty more and sometimes it’s nice to just drive and stop where somewhere takes your fancy.

Accommodation

Last minute holidays to Sardinia, especially during peak season, typically mean that it’s more challenging to book affordable accommodation. However, there are several other options apart from the higher profile hotels. In Santa Teresa Gallura, for example, not only does the commune offer a superb beachfront and excellent scuba diving spots, but it also has a wide arrange of accommodation options. For families or groups with at least four people, renting villas can be your best bet – and will certainly give you the best value for your money. However, if you’re already having a hard time finding a villa, camping is a wonderful cheaper alternative. The camping area provides easy access to and from the beach and other nearby towns. Ultimately, whether you choose to stay at a luxurious hotel or villa or camp by the beach, this stunning island will not fail to delight in every way.

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