Travel Tips and Guides

Friday, January 7, 2011

How To Have a Stress Free Flight

Air Travel requires a great deal of planning. You can minimize problems by planning well in advance and taking a few precautions before embarking on the journey. This will alleviate problems and ensure that you have a safe and hassle free trip.
1.    Use A Reliable Airline For Booking. Check if they are offering any special fares or discounts. Check the tickets to ensure that what you have is a confirmed booking.
2.    Know Your Baggage Size and Weight Limit. Tag all bags with your name, address, phone number, date of travel, and flight number. Pack the bags yourself and ensure that they are all locked safely. Make two sets of keys. You can know your weight, size and pieces limit by contacting the airline with your reservation number. Make sure you ask all the necessary questions you might have to ensure clarity.
3.    Pack documents, passport, medicines, and other immediate essentials in the carry on case. In case your luggage gets lost or misplaced in transit you will still have bare essentials.
4.    Ensure you abide by all Airport Security Rules. Do not carry electronics, knives, batteries, or other banned items. All dangerous objects like razors, scissors, and so on must be   put in your check in luggage.
5.   All electronic items like cell phones and laptops must be fully charged and in accordance to rules turned on for checking if asked. Use of cell phones while flying is prohibited. So do not plan or making or receiving calls when in flight.
6.    Have a valid photo ID to the airport. Check whether you have your tickets.
7.   Make prior booking for parking at the airport this will save you valuable time circling around to find suitable parking. If the airport lots are full or inconvenient try any of the private parking lots. You can also ask a reliable friend or partner to drop you off at the airport or take a taxi to the airport
8.    Check your flight schedule before you leave the house. Make sure what the check-in-time is for your flight. Leave with plenty of time to spare. This way you won’t have to rush from one end of the airport to the other.
It is against regulations for passengers to carry inflammables, aerosols, or household cleaners. Other prohibited items are: firearms even if you have a license, hunting rifles, baseball bats, golf clubs, pool cues, ski equipment, hockey sticks, darts, as well as bows and arrows. Because of terrorist threats it is against the law to speak of hijackings, bomb threats, or other dangerous things. Be cautious about who you befriend. Never accept any letter or parcel to be delivered to persons known or unknown. Never leave your luggage unattended and if you do notice any abandoned parcel or luggage bring it to the notice of authorities. Be aware of what the weather conditions are like where you going and take clothes accordingly. Prepare well for your flight and enjoy it.

Before leaving check online whether there are any diversions to be made at the airport or whether any new rules have been made. Most airports have easy to use websites. Refer to the site and find out where your terminal is and where your car is to be parked. If using public transport only use transportation services from official pick up points. The vehicles must have official markings. Don’t get conned by people who make offers of special privileges or deals.

Have a safe and stress free flight

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All Inclusive Honeymoon Vacation

All Inclusive Honeymoon Cruise present a romantic way to start a life of wedded bliss. All inclusive honeymoon cruise deals for honeymooners include all the main expenses inside the cruise ship, and add those special details full of romance that you imagine to find during your honeymoon.
The coast of all inclusive packages depends on the cruise line, and the variety of available prices will differ greatly depending on the aspect the package has. You can even demand a honeymoon package while boarding the ship, without needing to do something in advance. All inclusive cruise honeymoon packages are a brilliant way to enjoy your honeymoon. It contains besides the romantic details, the beverages and food, excepting alcohol. All inclusive honeymoon cruises are the correct way to have a no worries cruise vacation. Just take your time selecting the exact package for you and you are definite to have the time of your life.

An All Inclusive Honeymoon Vacation is the best when it comes to saving money for your honeymoon vacation

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Wednesday, January 5, 2011

How To Prepare For Your Flight

Planning a vacation or business trip,flying is a relatively safe, easy, and convenient way to travel. However, before you leave for the airport, you are advised to start preparing for your flight, well in advance. Unfortunately, many travelers do not realize that preparing for your flight does not just include packing your bags. Thanks to new air travel rules and the enforcement of them, preparation now includes more than you could ever imagine.

As previously mentioned, it best that you start preparing for your flight early. In fact, you should start preparing as soon as you buy your airline tickets, whether that be two weeks before you leave or two months. The first step that you will want take is to familiarize yourself with the airline that you are flying with and the airport which you will be flying out of. You can easily do this research online. You will want to determine how early you should leave for the airport and what items you will need to bring along with you, such as personal identification.

It is also a good idea to review the list of banned items. These are items that you are not allowed to have on the airplane or past certain points in most airports. The most commonly banned items include sharp objects and flammable items, but there other items included in these bans, items that you may have never even thought about before. That is why it is best that you learn what you can and cannot bring on your next family vacation or business trip. In the event that you try to bring along items that are prohibited, you may have them confiscated.

If you are planning on familiarizing yourself with banned items and other airline rules, it may be a good idea to print off a list of what you find. Printable lists of items that are banned in airports and on airplanes can be found online from a number of different websites. One of those websites includes the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). A printable list is ideal, especially if you do not need to start packing for your trip right away.

After you have familiarized yourself with the air travel rules, including the ones that were recently implemented, you will need to start packing, whether you do so right away or not. When packing, you will want to remember everything that you learned, although, if you printed off a list, your packing will be much easier. In the event that you are not sure whether or not an item can be brought on an airplane, you are advised to leave it at home. Banned items can not only be confiscated, but they could cause you to miss your flight. That is why you are advised against taking any unnecessary chances.

Once your bags have been packed and all your travel plans are in order, you will need to head to the airport. It is advised that you arrive at the airport, at least, two hours in advance. It is important that you check with your airport, because some airports have different restrictions. Depending on the size of your airport or the number of flights going in and out, you may find that you need to arrive three or even four hours in advance. It is also important to make sure that you not only have your plane tickets with you, but the proper forms of identification.

Once at the airport, it is important that you remain calm at all times, even if you are approached by airport security. In today's world, it is not uncommon for you to be subject to a random bag check or search; therefore, you should not fret if you are asked. Instead, just remain calm and, in no time at all, you should be on your way to enjoying your vacation or your business trip.

Etopedia Travel Blog

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Hiking Adventure in Maine

Numerous opportunities exist to take side hiking trips from Route 1 in Maine and see parts of Maine that few see. Many parts of Route 1 in Maine are designated as Scenic Byways and many of them offer hiking trails.

Even if you opt to just walk a stretch of rocky coastline, you are seeing parts of Maine that few visitors see.

Cobscook Bay, northwest of Machias, Maine is an incredibly beautiful spot that is almost ignored by visitors to Maine.

The tides here are amazing; the low tide is really low and when the tide turns, you'd better be running for shore!

The tides this far north are fast and wild and you had better be prepared, whether you are beachcombing or kayaking.

Winter Harbor and Corea exist on a lovely and quiet peninsula west of Bar Harbor and parts of the peninsula are part of Acadia National Park.

Even if you aren't into geology, the rock formations here are sure to grab your attention. Schoodic Point is an amazing place; plan a long picnic here and make sure your camera battery is fully charged.

Acadia National Park has some of the finest non-mountain hiking in Maine. Yes, you can hike up Cadillac Mountain, but it's just not the same as taking on Katahdin in Baxter State Park.

In August, you"re bound to find plenty of wild blueberries along the trails. In September, the weather is still lovely and the blueberry plants change into a bright red.

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Thursday, December 23, 2010

Where To Travel To Ideas

If you want to travel and need ideas on places to go to and have fun, visit our places to visit section, you will find lots of beautiful places to visit worldwide and their information.

Happy travel

Air Travel Safety Tips For Pregnant Women

Air travel is generally safe for pregnant women, as long as there are no complications with the pregnancy and you are not flying too close to your due date. However, traveling pregnant does come with some warnings, such as an increased risk of blood clots and Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) , especially during long flights. To ensure safe and comfortable air travel when pregnant, follow these tips from the

Quick tips for healthy air travel while pregnant

* Be aware of dehydration on airplanes, which can be worse when you’re pregnant.
* Make sure you have plenty of water with you, and avoid caffeine and alcohol.
* Pack vitamin-rich fresh fruit such as grapes, plums, oranges or dried apricots.
* Wear support hose and shoes with adjustable straps in case your feet swell.
* As always with flying, get up and walk around the cabin every two hours or so.
* Take an eye mask and ear plugs and wear loose, comfortable clothing.
* Rest as much as possible while in the air.

When is the best time to fly?

According to the American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists, air travel is safest for pregnant women during the second trimester – weeks 18 to 24. If you are considering a flight during your pregnancy, check with both your doctor and the airline before you book.

General consensus in the medical community suggests it is best not to travel pregnant before 12 weeks due to morning sickness and possible increased risk of miscarriage. Though many pregnant women have no trouble flying in the first trimester, it is always better to err on the safe side and consult your physician.

After 28 weeks, when the risk of going into labor increases, most airlines will require a letter from your doctor stating that you are fit for air travel while pregnant and confirming your estimated due date. If you are more than 36 weeks pregnant, many airlines will not let you fly due to the increased risk of delivering onboard.
Each airline has its own rules for flying while pregnant

If you’re booking your flights with an agent, let them know that you’re pregnant when you book your flight and check that you are permitted to fly. If you’re booking your flights online, be sure to check the airline’s Web site. It is worth telephoning ahead to alert the airline about your pregnancy – this should also ensure that you get special service to keep you comfortable…
Make yourself comfortable

Especially during pregnancy, reserving the right seat on the airplane can make a difference. You will need to be able to get up and move around the plane.

Try and reserve a spacious seat when you make your booking. Many airlines’ Web sites have information about the varying legroom on each of their seats, or see our legroom report to find out how the different airlines size up. If you plan to travel pregnant, it's worth spending a few extra bucks to get a bit more room. Be aware though that traditional “extra legroom” seats, such as those on the exit aisles, are often not permitted to those who are pregnant.

If you can’t reserve ahead, arrive at the airport early and ask for a bulkhead seat. The bulkhead is the partition between business class and economy, for example.

It’s also useful to reserve an aisle seat if you can, especially if you’re traveling long-distance, which will save you having to squeeze past other passengers every time you want to get out of your seat.

Don’t be shy. Explain that you’re pregnant and ask if there is any possibility of being upgraded, or having a seat with a couple of open seats next to you.
Flight insurance considerations

Pregnant women can be seen as relatively high-risk, and many insurers will not provide air travel coverage if you have less than eight weeks to go before your due date. You could still claim losses unrelated to your pregnancy, but you might not be covered if you have to cancel your trip due to your pregnancy. To ensure peace of mind on flights while pregnant, look into air travel insurance.
Tips for your vacation

Once the flight’s over, it’s time to enjoy the vacation. Here are just a few more things to consider in pregnancy travel:

* Skin is more sensitive during pregnancy, so wear stronger sunscreen than usual.
* Keep a list of names and numbers to be contacted in case of emergency.
* Keep a list of local hospitals from the embassy or tourist board.
* Ask your doctor before embarking on any “dangerous” sports, such as diving or watersports.
* Bring your medical notes with you, in case you need to go into hospital or deliver early.

You’re on the ground. Relax and enjoy yourself on what could be your last diaper-free break for a while.

A post from http://www.etopedia.com/

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

5 Ways To Get A Discount Cruise

Since cruising is one of the options you can prefer to in case you want to have some different vacation experience. Modern cruise ships have varying amenities that will surely make you stay for a week or two.
Lounges, swimming pools, casinos, fitness center, beauty salon, massage and spa center—you can experience it all by going on a cruise travel.
If you are worrying about the foods that you will miss back home, worry no more. These cruise ships also offers the finest dishes—whether Oriental, French, Southern, or Italian—that will make your stomach always full for the rest of your cruising vacation. You can even gain more weight after your vacation!
All of these are included in the travel package cruise lines are offering to you. With array of amenities and delicious delicacies available on-board, expect that it will cost you more than a thousand bucks.
You are considering getting yourself a cruise that is within your budget. How can you get one?
First thing that you may do is to have a concrete plan before you actually book your cruise. In this case, you have two options: either you hire a travel agent that will work out everything to give you the discounted cruise you are looking for or you do it all by yourself.
Since you are getting a cruise within your budget, it is advisable that you take the second option. Instead of paying hundreds of bucks to your travel agent, it is wise that you add the fee to your cruise payment. Here are the things that you can consider in planning your cruise.
1. Have a visit on different travel agencies and request for some cruise brochures.
Check out for some cruise offers. It will help you decide on the best destinations, types of accommodations, and amenities that you can avail while on-board.
2. After gathering such brochures, read it. Figure out what destinations you want to go. Almost all cruise lines provide ship routes on popular destinations like Caribbean, Mexico, and Alaska. In these destinations, there is a high chance that they are providing discount cruise package.
3. Decide on the duration of your vacation. Ideal cruises range from 3 days up to 2 weeks, but there are also cruises that last up to a month.
4. Make up your mind on the budget that you will spend on your cruising vacation. There are numerous categories of cruises: budget, moderate, deluxe, and ultra-deluxe.
Compare these categories and decide on which you can afford.
5. You can also inquire on the cancellation fee in case you cannot make it on the day of your departure. Ask the travel agency if what instances cruise lines impose such fees.
If you have decided on the things you will do, the next step now is getting yourself a discounted cruise. It is mentioned earlier that there are several categories of cruise package: the budget, moderate, deluxe, and ultra-deluxe.
All of these package categories offer discounts although not all the time.
Therefore, if you are now ready, here are the tips that you can use to get your discount luxury cruise.
1. Have your cruise in off-season. Your purpose is to have a vacation, not to make some show-off to co-vacationers.
There is no reason at all to make your trip on peak season if your budget is meager. Just like airline travel, prices at this time are getting expensive.
2. In case you really want to travel on peak season, have your bookings a few weeks before or after the peak season. You will save money if you do that suggestion.
3. Decide which cruise line and cruise ship you want to travel with. From the travel brochures you have collected, check the cruise lines that offers discount on their cruise package.
4. If you plan to spend more of your time in the cabin, then get yourself an inside cabin. It is quite cheaper, except that you will never know what time of day it is since no day light enters your room. In this case, provide yourself a clock.
5. In case you cannot find discounted cruise packages from cruise lines, avail of the services of your travel agency. Just like flight consolidators, travel agencies can purchase bulk ticket. Thus, they can provide discounted luxury cruise.
It is important that you enjoy your cruise without worrying on your budget. Just follow the aforementioned steps and get yourself a discount cruise for your vacation.
To book your next cruise, we highly recommend any of the following websites
(1) Expedia.com
(2) Beaches.com
(3) Cruise Direct
(4) Intrepid Travel
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How To Get The Best Cruise Deals

The travel industry have become the best in several ways in that make use of their natural resources to attract visitors particularly cruisers. Traveling becomes one of their main sources of investment.

Actually, cruise liners have taken the travel industry by storm during the previous season for the past year. In fact, according to the statistics of the number of cruisers who visit the country, it ranges between 8 to 9 million passengers have enjoyed with the luxurious cruise liners. That is the record for the year 2005 alone.

Despite of the lavish and expensive worth of cruising many American people still want to engage themselves with the activity. The industry analysts arrive at a presumption that the numbers of passengers will double this year.

As early as now, the cruising companies start to think of the new itineraries and travel packages that they can offer the passengers for this year’s cruising activity. They need to make a change so that the passengers will feel new thrill and excitement.

The cruising lines also suffer from grave competitions. More than one cruising liner introduces the best purchasing options and competitive prices. They make it a point that they have their own style of gathering passengers. Since most of the passengers do not mind for the worth anymore, you can bring them a luxurious travel as long as they find the trip comfortable.

Reality shows that the perfect months for cruising fall on the month of January, February and March. This is considered as the “wave period” for the cruise lines. They prefer this type because it can boost the adventure of the trip. The big waves move the cruising ships. This makes their adrenaline rise.

Moreover, for the past year it was also on the months of January to March when they get the most loaded bookings. There was an increase of 35% also on their sales, which is almost half-additional profit that they have.

During the peak season, it is the right timing for you to avail the greatest deals bargained by the cruising lines. It is a natural tendency for the companies to compete for every passenger that can come along their way. This is also the season when they offer their hottest deals.

Each cruising line companies have their individual strategies. Some are giving incentives for the passengers, extra drink, blackberries and sometimes phones. This is specifically entitled for the specific packages.

Make sure that when you search for the cruising line, you have exerted more than enough time in deciding. This will help you find out the cruising line that can cater all your needs as a passenger. You can also browse newspapers and magazines and search on the traveling site the leading companies that air their advertisement of the most highlighted features they have such as special discounts. If you do not prefer reading in print ads, you can surf over the net.

Locate the website of these companies online. You can search all the information that you need on their sites. Majority of the largest cruising line companies provide for their own website.

Immediately after you find out your preferred cruising line, you can now make a call. Do not forget to mention your name, age and the state where you are residing. You can also open up to them whether you are going to travel alone or with a group.

It is also more helpful if you will tell them that you had your previous travel in their cruising line. Some companies give special grants to this kind of status. This is also included in their cruise deals. All these factors can help you to avail bigger discounts.

There are times that it is more advantageous if you will have a direct contact with the agents. They know more about the do’s and don’ts that you need to consider. They are also more aware of the details in cruising line.

A reliable agent can provide you the best cruise that you look for. Considering the competition that also exists in getting clients, the agents work hard before they can get a great deal with the client. They can offer you lesser costs for consultation fee than the actual quotes of the company.

Have a great cruise

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Friday, December 17, 2010

Stress Free Travel Tips

The world has become smaller and more reachable. And this is a good thing. It helps us to understand different cultures, different people with different ways of living and working. But there are a few essentials you should always check before setting off.

1. It may seem obvious, but many people don’t bother to find out the most basic things about the country they will travel to. You should do this to avoid surprise or disappointment.

2. Check on the kind of weather you will find where you are going. If you live in Florida and travel to northern Greenland, you will be in for a shock unless you know that much colder weather is normal there.

3. Be sure that the medical and general insurance coverage you have (you do have, don’t you?) is adequate for your destination.

4. Do you have all the paperwork and documentation required for your trip? If not, get it!

5. Are there any diseases you will need immunization against where you are going? Check and find out before getting exposed.

6. If you plan on driving in the place you intend to travel to, check that you have an acceptable licence. You may need an international driving licence, for example. And are you familiar with the local driving laws where you are going? If not, become familiar, fast.

7. Finally, the most obvious one of all: is your passport up to date? And if not, do you have enough time to renew it before you set off? You’d be surprised, amazed even, at how many people get this one wrong.

Have a safe trip

www.etopedia.com

How To Travel With Your Dog Stress Free

Traveling with your dogs can be simply easy if you do it the right way.

Follow these tips to make your trip enjoyable for both you and your dog.

1. Get your dog used to riding in the car by taking him on short trips. Go to fun places like the dog park, the fast food drive through (where you can feed him bits of meat from your burger), or to visit friends. You want him to think that trips in the car are fun. You don’t want your dog to think that all car trips end up at the vet’s office.

2. If your dog tends to get carsick, don’t feed him the morning of the trip. Having your dog travel with an empty stomach will help to prevent any car sickness.

3. Bring plenty of water and a water dish along. You will need to give your dog periodic drinks of water when you stop for a rest. It will be easier to get your dog to drink if it is familiar water from home. Water in different places often smells or tastes differently, and your dog may not want to drink it.

4. Be sure to pack your dog’s food, treats, favorite bed, toys, and leash.

5. If your dog uses a crate, bring that along too. If you don’t have a large vehicle, you can buy crates that fold up. When you get to your destination, you can put your dog in his crate while you go somewhere that you can’t bring him along.

6. How should your dog travel in the car? Some dogs like to sit or lay on the seat, so bring a blanket to protect the upholstery. Other dogs may need to be kept in a crate in the car. Be sure the crate can’t slide around and scare the dog while you’re driving. You can also purchase dog seat belts to keep your dog safe while sitting in the car.

7. Make a stop every few hours to walk your dog and give him some water. Some dogs are frightened by the noisy trucks driving by, so try to walk in a quiet area. Be a good citizen and bring plastic bags along to pick up the mess.

8. If your dog is anxious about staying in a hotel or strange house at your destination, he might not eat or drink. You don’t want him to get dehydrated, so be sure to get him to drink, at least. You can mix chicken broth or gravy into the dog’s water. That will usually get him to lap it right up. You can mix chicken broth or gravy into the food too.

The first trip will be the hardest, because your dog will not realize that you are coming back. With the first trip behind you, if you have taken the time to make sure it is pleasant for your dog, future traveling with your dog should be a breeze.

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