New Orleans Summertime Blues? Try These Vacation Destinations

Summertime is full of barbecues, shorts and river walks. New Orleans is an exciting city this time of year. Everyone seems to have summer fever and is out and about. The only problem is that hot, sticky New Orleans summer weather! You might enjoy this year’s steamy months a little better if you took a break. A cost-conscious, fun-filled vacation is just the ticket if you want a month, week or even a long weekend away from The Big Easy.

The Everglades

Enjoy fishing, boating, hiking, eating and drinking in one of the most unique locations. Stay in Florida City’s Everglades International Hostel and enjoy breezy accommodations at great rates: dorm beds are $28 per person, and a group of six can book a private room with bathroom for $168, according to evergladeshostel.com. They can set you up with tours for any time of day. Prepare to share space with gators the size of tanks and heavy-artillery mosquitoes … it’s all part of the fun!



Photo by Bogeskov via Flickr

Europe

Although it might seem like an ambitious goal, seeing 10 or even 20 countries in a summer is completely doable, as long as you know where the deals are. A Eurail pass for up to 3 months starts at $494, according to eurail.com. Save by staying in hostels and eating cheaply at markets and street stalls instead of restaurants. One of the best sites to check the cheapest flight deals is Skyscanner.com. Round-trip flights from New Orleans to the U.K. start around $1300.



Photo by Terrazzo via Flickr

Charlotte, North Carolina

So you can’t be Katniss Everdeen, but you can at least travel to the state where much of "The Hunger Games" was filmed. Take a day trip to the ghost town of Henry River, where several District 12 scenes were set or catch a show at the Knight Theater, also a filming location, according to romanticasheville.com. Looking for adrenaline boosters? Check out the Charlotte Motor Speedway.



Photo by James Willamor via Flickr

Carnival Dream Cruise

Set sail on the high seas with a cruise through Carnival Dream. Their all-inclusive packages include 24-hour room service and multiple dining options, among them a coffee bar, steakhouse, chef’s table and tasting bar. Entertainment doesn’t lack, either. Packages come with a comedy brunch, access to the art gallery, “dive-in” movies, concerts and an Internet café. If you have a sweet tooth, don’t forget the candy shop. And when you’re done there, head to a yoga or Pilates classes to work off the extra calories before hitting the pool. Depending on your room choice, cruises can cost as little as $40 per night, according to carnival.com. There are cruises departing from the Port of New Orleans year-round.



Photo by El coleccionista de instantes

A quick word of advice: When traveling a lot, protect your identity with security measures while dealing with money or personal information. According to Lifelock, in 2011 there were more than 11 million victims of identity fraud. According to usa.gov, must-dos include keeping receipts or tearing them up, shielding your PIN with your hand while at ATMS and storing personal information in a safe place.

Packing List For Your Next Trip

Hi everyone,

I came across this great packing list that you can use to help you get ready for your next trip. Click here to download the packing list.

Global Humanitarian Experiences for Philanthropic Travelers

As long as you have a spirit to serve and passion for volunteering, you have what it takes to be a humanitarian.

"Whether you're an accomplished physician, a student in nursing school, or someone with zero medical training, there are plenty of organizations (religious and otherwise) looking for volunteers," explains the travel blog of HCCMIS. You can help treat and improve the living conditions of third-world nations by learning more about the following organizations and embarking on the trip of a lifetime. 

Project Hope

Medical volunteers for HOPE participate in ship-based care in partnership with the U.S. Navy. HOPE volunteers also participate in land-based projects that provide medical assistance to needy people worldwide, including major disaster relief efforts. In 2004, volunteers helped mitigate the Tsunami devastation in Southeast Asia. HOPE volunteers provided aid to Katrina victims in Gulf States during 2005. Five years later, HOPE relief workers assisted Haitian earthquake victims.

Volunteers in Latin America, West Africa and Oceania also participated in health education and humanitarian assistance missions. The goal: remediate disasters and improve the quality of life for people throughout the globe by executing educational and health care services.

Embark of any of the current HOPE opportunities: 

• Nurse Educators (Shanghai): Qualified graduate-level nurses will teach undergraduate nursing students.

• Physical & Occupational Therapists (Haiti): Volunteers will train and mentor local techs specializing in PT and OT.
  
   



• Physician Faculty and ESL Teachers (Shanghai): Qualified recruits will teach students about basic medicine, physical sciences and comprehensive English.
  
   



• Various Volunteers (South Africa): Recruits will carry out the HOPE Centre chronic disease project.
  
   



• Health of Women and Children Program (Dominican Republic): Team of diverse volunteers will promote global health program.
  
   



• Physician Specialists (Haiti): Physician Specialists will assist with Hôpital Albert Schweitzer and the health system. 

Global Crossroad: Nepal & Other Destinations

The Himalayan country of Nepal suffers from severe poverty and sickness. Global Crossroad offers life-changing Nepali experiences for volunteers who want to embark on an adventure as well as help heal the sick or make a difference in an orphanage.

Nepal volunteer programs include:

• Teaching English to Buddhist Monks



• Working in an orphanage



• Volunteering in nature conservation or medical/health care



• Becoming a photojournalist



• Impacting the lives of underprivileged children through Mini-Venture Nepal programs 



• Discovering the beauty of Nepal through Summer Escapes program, including community work   

Volunteers will participate in a language and cultural immersion orientation program in Nepal's capital, Kathmandu. During two phases, you'll learn about the county's history and the negative wear-and-tear effects of the modern world. Volunteers become submerged in Nepali culture and way of life for a more rewarding experience. 

Fees include meal plans and accommodations for projects and traveling. You'll receive three meals a day full of local ingredients and traditional cuisine. GlobalCrossroad.com also explains that international volunteers will stay in a permanent residence called a "home base, either with a host family or in a project hostel." 

Individuals with a passion for traveling, new experiences and humanitarian service can also venture to an array of worldwide destinations through Global Crossroad services. Help disadvantaged and at-risk children in Argentina. Care for individuals in Kenya who are infected with HIV/AIDS. Support Thailand locals as they strive to achieve economic opportunity by generating projects, such as a fish farm and animal husbandry. Other countries include Costa Rica, Ecuador, Peru, Uganda and more.

Basic Preparations for International Business Travel

Traveling abroad for business can be beneficial, productive and exciting for your company. It can produce new business and networking opportunities, but it can also be hard on you. Especially if you are a business-travel novice.


Stay Connected
One of your most important considerations, especially for international business travel, is staying connected— to your office, to your contacts overseas and to anyone in the States who you rely on to conduct business. Start by managing your technology to preserve your ability to communicate en route: put your laptop, tablet, digital camera and anything else electronic in your carry-on luggage, rather than in your checked luggage. To make sure you have access to smartphone technology while traveling abroad, your best bet will be Internet-based solutions, which depend on data instead of cell technology. Voice-over-Internet Protocol (VOIP) applications like Skype let you make free calls to other users of these apps and very inexpensive calls to land lines and mobile phones— anywhere in the world. For text messaging, use free services like Google Voice.

Send Things Ahead
Sending materials ahead of time if you’ll be presenting at a conference may be a necessity or simply a convenience. Either way, one of the most important steps in the shipping process is international address verification. The last thing you want to worry about is undelivered mail.

Take Care of You
Jetlag is a common problem for business travelers. Drink plenty of water in the days before your trip, and cut back on alcohol and caffeine. If you’re going to a destination that requires more than 12 hours of air travel, stopping in a city en route for a night or a few hours or arriving early at your destination can help to break up your trip and allow your body to adjust to the time differences. Try to sleep and eat according to your new time zone, not the one you’re coming from.

Protection
To protect your data, files and presentation materials while traveling, Microsoft recommends these precautions:

• Don’t carry your laptop in a designated computer bag— it’s a dead giveaway that you’re carrying a laptop. Instead, consider a suitcase or a padded briefcase.
• Create strong passwords with capital letters, numbers and symbols. Don’t carry them anywhere near your laptop.
• Encrypt your files.
• Use a screen guard to make it difficult or impossible for anyone to see what you’re looking at on your computer.

Acclimate
Familiarize yourself of common cultural practices through books and videos before your trip. Take note of idioms (whether or not you speak the language of the country) and customs. You can even pass the time on the plane by reading up on the culture of your destination. If you can do this, you and the people you meet will all feel much more relaxed.

Cruising 101: The Caribbean

Venturing to far-off places, snorkeling in crystal-clear waters, extraordinary cuisine and first-class treatment is what cruising is all about. You've researched and found amazing Caribbean cruises, but now what? Taking a cruise is definitely not a last-minute vacation. You need the proper paperwork, current passports and up-to-date vaccinations, depending on your location. Below are things to consider before exploring the sights and culture of the Caribbean:

Passport

Your cruise can be denied for the simplest of reasons, like misplacing your passport. Your passport can't need to be renewed in less than six months. A valid passport is essential when traveling so if it needs to be renewed, do it now.

Visa

Visas are required, depending on your location. This generally doesn't include the Caribbean but does in Europe, Central and South Americas.

Sea Travel

For voyages that begin and end in the same U.S. Port, U.S. citizens may travel with both a Government-issued birth certificate and Government-issued picture ID card, preferably your driver's license.

Browse Discount Cruises

Luggage Tags

Make sure every piece of your luggage (including carry-on and purses) have luggage tags. That way it will be very clear which ship you're sailing on, the dates you're going and the stateroom you're occupying. With easy-to-read luggage tags you decrease the change your luggage will be lost or stolen. When checking in to your first port, generally there will be a porter to take your luggage and an attendee to give you luggage tags and tell you your stateroom number.

Documentation

Make sure the name on the cruise reservation is exactly as it is stated on the passport or other citizenship document. If your name has changed for any reason, it is required that the documentation be updated with the new name. If you do not, you could run into delay or possible denial of boarding.

Vaccinations

Be up-to-date on all your vaccines, especially when traveling out of the country. If you think you might be due for a vaccine, contact your doctor's office of your cruise line on recommendations.

Special Health Concerns

If you or anyone you know is traveling with disabilities, you need to notify the cruise line so proper measures can be taken. Services that require advanced notice include raised toilet seat, large print material, shower stool, service animal relief area, oxygen and dialysis supply and medical refrigerator.

Payments

Payment for your cruise should be made during your booking process online and sent to your travel agent or cruise line. Final payment is due 75 days prior to sailing for standard and holiday departures and other select departures require final payment 90 days prior to sailing date, according to celebritycruises.com.
Guests who do not bring the proper documentation with them may be prevented from boarding their flight or ship or from disembarking or entering a country and may be subject to fines and will not be reimbursed any amount of money. So before you book those Celebrity Caribbean cruises, make sure you have all the required documentation.

Choose Dallas: 4 Types of Trips to Take in the Big D

Going away on business or planning a couples retreat? Either way, Dallas has something for everyone. If you're heading to the land of big hair, big egos and big guns, here's a few ideas of where (and how) to spend time.

For a Relaxing Retreat:

If wouldn't be Texas without rustic beauty, hunting and luxurious amenities. Nestled on 11,000 acres in the foothills of Texas Hill Country, Rough Creek Lodge and Resort is equipped with 57-guest rooms and suites with exclusive cabins and guest houses. The resort is equipped with fine dining, a spa and facilities for shooting, fishing, golf, horseback riding and more. The lodge resort is located about 70 miles (90 minutes) from Dallas, but Toyota rental cars are available around the city and airport.

If traveling outside of the city isn't what you have in mind, look to stay closer to the heart of Dallas by reserving a room at the Maple Manor Hotel. It's rated the '#1 romantic hotel in Dallas,' and with all the weddings held there, the five-suite bed and breakfast oasis is sure to be conducive to love.

For Those Away on Business:

One of the most recognizable landmarks and unofficial symbols of Dallas, Reunion Tower offers sight-seers a 360-degree view of Dallas and the surrounding areas. The tower stands 561-feet tall, according to Emporis.com, a global provider of building information, and houses an observation deck and revolving restaurant Five Sixty by Wolfgang Puck. Though it should be noted, the tower opens at 5:30 PM and is only available for those to participate in the (rather expensive) lounge and dining experience, while taking in the view.

For Relationship Training:

If a relaxing retreat isn't enough and it often isn't enjoy Dallas while helping your relationship heal at a couples counseling camp. According to Marriagebootcamp.com, director Jim Carroll designed the program to help couples work through issues using games, drills, competitions and skits. Focusing on application instead of lecture, the purpose of the intense four-day camp is to help couples solve root problems and decide "whether to stay and heal or make peace with the outcome," according to the site.

*In 2013, Marriage Boot Camp will be held in Dallas on the following dates: Jan 23-26, March 6-9, April 10-13, June 12-15, July 17-20, Sept 11-13 and Nov. 13-16.

For History Buffs:

Housed in the building where the (in)famous shots were fired, the Sixth Floor Museum is a historic exhibition of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. The museum is located on the sixth floor of the Dallas County Administration Building, formerly the Texas School Book Depository. Using footage, audio clips and eyewitness accounts to reconstruct the tragic event, museum-goers can get a good idea of what happened the day of, and even see the exact window Lee Harvey Oswald opened fire upon the motorcade. If you have doubts about Oswald being the true shooter don't worry, a travel review guide, Lonely Planet, noted the museum doesn't shy away from conspiracy theories. Open daily except for Thanksgiving and Xmas day, adult admission is $16 with discounts for seniors, youth and children.

Packing Tips for Getting Through Airport Security Quickly

We all know the difficulties of maneuvering the security zones at airports nowadays. You feel you've timed the trip just right only to be thwarted by the long lines of clueless travelers that are most certainly the opposite of prepared. But it's difficult not to feel just as clueless as the next guy when our friends at the TSA are constantly altering the rules. It seems all but the most frequent of travelers tend to find themselves reading (and re-reading) the regulations the night before a flight. 

Questions abound. Will the x-ray's harm my camera? What about my laptop? Should I wear these knee-high lace-up boots? And perhaps, most importantly, what do I do with this bottle of water I just bought? Lucky for you, we have some packing tips to get you through security quickly and with some semblance of sanity remaining when you reach the gate. 

Don't Over Pack

With most items under some element of scrutiny and checked baggage becoming pricier per pound, be sure to pack only what you need. Not only will this clear clutter for your own sake, neatly packed layers allow items to be seen more clearly during scanning. A jumble of clothes and innocent items can be easily mistaken for contraband. 

Tote Your Technology

Pack your digital cameras, computers and i-everything in your carry-on rather than checked baggage and pack it on top. You will need to take these out for screening, so keep e-items accessible. If you're still lugging around undeveloped film, be sure to let security workers in on the secret to prevent exposure during the x-ray process. 

Liquid Courage

The TSA's standing on liquids has been as fluid as your Ziploc bag's contents. Currently, the ruling is a catchy "3-1-1." One plastic bag that is one quart in size containing only 3.4 oz size containers of liquids or gels. Products such as lotion, hairspray, and liquid makeup are all included in the rule. Luckily the beauty product industry is hip to the rule and now sells most products in true travel sizes of 3.4 ounces or less. Certain items, such as medications or baby formula aren't subject to the size rule, but be prepared to declare them. For all liquids, ensconced in clear plastic or not, keep them handy so they can be sent through the screener with the rest of your items. 

Dress to Impress

The security team that is. After all that careful packing, be sure to wear clothing that will cause the fewest snags as you snail through the line. Rather than donning that pull-over sweater, opt for a cardigan that can easily be removed. Tuck metal items into coat or sweater pockets so when it comes off, they come off. Please wear shoes without laces. No one wants to wait for the time it takes to untie and then retie a pair of shoes, least of all you. Pick a pair of boots that zip, or better yet, slip-ons. They're the simplest option and offer the added bonus of allowing you to slide them off and settle in on long flights.

Hopefully, with a bit of preparation and some forward thinking, the security area of your home airport won't be the most exhausting part of your trip. Unfortunately, however, you will have to toss that bottle of water. 
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This article was contributed by Kyle Telenko, a writer for a website providing homeowners insurance quotes, homeownersinsurance-qutoes.org. Kyle primarily writes about home and travel insurance, but also writes about home maintenance tips and travel safety.

It's Never Too Early to Plan Your Honeymoon

You're engaged. You're meeting with wedding planners and caterers, and you're browsing in bridal shops and touring potential venues. You think planning the wedding is the hardest part and the honeymoon should be a piece of cake. It's just a matter of deciding where you want to go and booking a flight. Right? Wrong.

Even if you think that planning the honeymoon is easy as pie, plan that in advance too. A year or more before the wedding, start thinking about when you'd like to travel.  Some people like to honeymoon immediately after their weddings, while others prefer to wait a while. This is also the time to discuss where you'd like to go, what you can afford, and what sort of accommodations interest you. Think about it, talk it through together, and do your research—but don't dawdle, because scheduled flights can only be confirmed up to eleven months in advance.

Plan Ahead

One of the most common pitfalls engaged couples face is failing to attack their honeymoon planning with the same enthusiasm they're dedicating to wedding plans. Failing to start honeymoon planning in time could mean that you might have to spend this one-in-a-lifetime trip in a place that wasn't your first choice, or that you can't afford, or that your dream property is booked up. Also, if you don't have enough time to compare travel insurance policies, you might run into trouble if you have to cancel or reschedule anything, or if bad weather hits. Anything and everything could go wrong.
Is there a timeline we should use when planning our honeymoon?

Book the Transportation

Up to 9 months before the wedding, you should have booked your flight and accommodations, and secured them with a credit card. Set up a folder to keep all your documents organized, and check into whether you'll need any immunizations or special medications. Be sure to tell your travel agent or booking specialists that you're going on a honeymoon—you may qualify for better deals. To save some money (after all, weddings are expensive), you can compare travel insurance rates and prepare ahead.

Renew ID

3 to 6 months before the wedding, make arrangements to obtain or renew your passport and visas if you're traveling internationally. Ask a friend to watch your house, and reserve a place for Kitty and Fido at the kennel. Get any immunizations you might need, and book any excursions you plan to take or shows you plan to see.

One to two months before the wedding, confirm all your reservations and put a hold on your wedding registries, so gifts don't arrive when you're not home. Organize your luggage, read through government websites so you know what you can't take with you, and buy guidebooks. Prepare a list of items you need to pack, and make sure you have enough money in your bank accounts to cover your expenses.

Pack Your Bags

One week before the wedding, pack your bags and make sure you have all the cash and traveler's checks you need. Photocopy your government documents, like passports, and leave them with a trustworthy friend or family member. Place your mail on 'hold' at the Post Office, and deter burglars by canceling the newspaper and putting timers on your lights.

It takes a lot to pull off a major trip like a honeymoon, and you can never begin planning too soon! Use these tips and enjoy your time in the sun. Before you know it, the honeymoon is over and it's time to settle into the everyday hum-drum of being married.

How To Find A Secret Hotel

For some travelers it is a bargain, for others it is a bit of fun. Over the last few years, four and five star hotels in capital cities have been offering what appear to be superb deals. Online booking agents provide a brief description of anonymous hotels in various locations. Take a gamble, book into a hotel that appears to suit your needs and receive a discount of between 35% and 50% on the room price. You find out the name of the hotel only after your booking is accepted.

Secret hotel deals work on customer and seller psychology. Hotels can`t cut their room prices like a high street discount store is able to. They have fixed costs whatever their room occupancy. They don`t want to have unsalable, empty rooms, but if they fill their rooms at deeply cut prices, their running costs increase and they stand to make a loss.

Four and five star hotels build a reputation on the back of quality and service, rather than price. Customers gambling on a secret deal are looking for this service. Those travelers who just want to find a cut price hotel for the night tend to opt for a budget chain hostelry in a less elegant part of town. If the secret hotel offers a free bottle of wine on arrival, their customers may be tempted to use the hotel`s restaurant rather than going out for dinner.

Major city hotels depend highly on business traveller trade and tend to adjust room prices to reflect this. Prices are higher during the week than at weekends. If a city centre hotel has weekend rooms on offer via an online agency, the discount may not be as great in cash terms as its seems as a percentage of the perceived room price. Customers, for their part, can easily find out the name of a hotel from the booking agency`s online description, hotel websites in the city in question and a variety of search engines. So they may not be opting for too secret a deal, but they keep the perception that they are buying value for money.

Mystery hotel deals began as weekend room offers by capital city-based hotels. The business is spreading to regional cities, as well as countryside and beach resort hotels that have greater mid-week room availability than at weekends. Booking times vary. Customers may be able to reserve a room up to three months ahead in some hotels, or just a day ahead in others to take advantage of a sudden cancellation. Just fill in the online booking form and sites such as secrethotels.org will arrange your bargain break.

A Somewhat Stress-Free Airport Departure is an Achievable Dream

Traveling through an airport is no piece of cake, but if you prepare for everything well in advance and decide to travel light, the odds are that things will go swimmingly. Every traveler's dream is to get from the sliding doors, through check-in, past security, and to the plane in ten minutes. With everything from security checks to problems with your ticket as possible curve balls, your airport adventure has a 50/50 chance of being an experience from hell. Instead of clicking your heels together and wishing it all just came true for you, it's a good rule of thumb to be prepared. Like a well-oiled machine, using these tips will help runs things a little more smoothly when you're trying to catch your flight.

Take Carry-On Luggage Only

USA Today highly recommends traveling with carry-on luggage exclusively. This eliminates wasting time on check in and saves time by avoiding the huge wait for luggage. Weight limits for many airlines have been decreased. Some airlines have a weight limit of 50 pounds total for checked luggage. You might as well pack carefully and save time with an efficient carry-on package.

Keep Electronics Secure

When you are at the airport, be careful not to use a Wi-Fi public hotspot with insufficient encryption. If you do, someone could possibly discover your personal information and try to use it. When you use a public wireless network, you should assume that anyone can access your computer. Lifelock's experts provide advice on how to secure your computer and protect your data from hackers while using a wireless device.

• Use a Firewall -Those users who have Windows XP with Service Pack 2, Windows Vista and Windows 7 have firewalls built into their operating systems.


• Hide Your files – Check the network's website and read their privacy statement to learn about the type of encryption they use. If they lack this information, you would be wise not to use the network. If you don't have an operating system with encryption tools, consider getting one.


• Don't Type Personal Information – When on a public network, don't ever enter your credit card, banking information, social security number or password.
  


• Disable Wireless - If you are not using the Internet, simply turn off your wireless network.

Dress For Success

USA Today also recommends dressing for the easiest passage through security. Avoid metallic jewelry and other metallic items. Wear shoes that easily slide off. Shoes with complex lacing and buckles can leave you barefoot and hopping around for more minutes than they're worth. Don't forget to wear socks to protect your feet from being totally bare and exposed to airport bacteria. Make sure you have a convenient, but safe, place to stow your ID and boarding pass, which may be asked for more than once.

Know TSA Rules

TSA has many rules regarding security. Those who are not aware of them can slow down the process for everyone else. The TSA rules, which can be downloaded for viewing, change frequently, so it's a smart idea to regularly keep up on them. The categories for prohibited items are:

• Sharp objects


• Sporting goods


• Guns and firearms


• Tools


• Martial arts and self defense items


• Explosive and flammable materials, disabling chemicals and other dangerous items


• Other items

See, airport experiences don't have to be so hard. A well-planned, well-prepared traveler is a happy one. Heeding these tips will help you go from stop to stop in no time and off to your destination.

Hawaii's Enchanting All-Day Farmers' Markets

Most people don't need their arms twisted to consider visiting Hawaii. The beautiful beaches, laid back atmosphere, amazing scenery, and warm weather attracts tourists year-round to the Hawaiian Islands. What many people may not know is that when the sun goes down and the sunbathers and surfers abandon the shores, there is still plenty to do in Hawaii. The islands are home to enchanting nighttime farmers' markets that are a must-see for tourists.

What to Expect at a Farmers' Market

Farmers' markets are a place for the local vendors to set-up concession stands and make goods available for purchase. Although local produce and other food items from local farms are staple items for sale at farmers' markets- visitors may find a range of goods for sale from used farm equipment to flowers.

Farmers' markets are a great place for people who enjoy fresh, organic food to shop. Farmers all also on hand to answer any questions about growing practices.

A typical farmers' market is not just a place to pick up groceries. Travelers and locals in Hawaii can find ready-to-eat Hawaiian specialties next to stalls selling locally grown fruits and vegetables. Flowers, craft items, and clothing may also be found. The charm of a farmers' market is not limited to delicious food. Storytellers, musicians, artists and performers contribute to a festival-like atmosphere. Attending Hawaiian markets can be equally relaxing as entertaining.
Farmers' markets are important for the local economy in Hawaii and all over the United States. Small farms rely on these markets to bring in a significant portion of profits. Locals also view markets as opportunities to catch-up with the news of their friends and community, and opportunities to meet new people.

What to Bring to a Farmers' Market

When traveling to a Farmers' Market, be sure to have a personal shopping cart and some canvas shopping bags. This will free your hands and make shopping a real pleasure, not just a rush to empty your hands from all those bags of produce you are sure to buy.

Summer Holiday Locations

Summer is the ideal time to go away on holiday. The school holidays coincide with the summer, so this is usually the time that families with children pack their leisure wear and head for somewhere exciting. Even young couples or singles take to the road at this time as the weather is generally great and places look their best.

Scotland in the summer is an exciting place with an extraordinary variety of activities. The cities have excellent accommodation ranging from cheap hostels to luxurious hotels. Public transport is on hand and cars are easy to rent. The nightlife is vibrant and there are a large number of very good restaurants, pubs and clubs to entertain you. The Edinburgh Festival is one of the most popular in the world.

But the true charm of the country probably lies in its stunning natural beauty. Lochs and hills, cliffs and forests form part of the only remaining true wilderness in the UK. Whether you live in one of the many charming self catering cottages, a farm house or a comfortable caravan, your day trips will excite and amaze you. Beach cottages are the ultimate homes in which to relax. Visiting the islands will enchant you with interesting archaeological sites and snow white beaches. Golfers will rejoice to know that there are 550 courses to choose from. And whisky lovers will find enough distilleries to visit to last them for a lifetime.

"When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life". Samuel Johnson was right - the capital has so much to see and do that it would take you an entire year to explore it all. The Natural History Museum and the Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew are just two of the fascinating places to visit; and of course the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, the London Eye and many more. The shops in London are legendary - whether you visit the famous ones like Harrods or the quaint little shops in Camden Town, you can spend days in a daze of retail therapy.

Visiting the theaters for the many excellent plays will keep you busy every night for weeks. Some of the longest-running plays can still be seen, such as The Phantom of the Opera. Transport to and in London is varied and very well-developed. Accommodation outside the city centre is cheaper yet still very good.

Alternative places to visit for a great summer holiday include the coast of Spain with its stunning beaches and lively party life. Portugal will give you much of the same but at a fraction of the cost. France offers a fascinating contrast between the sophisticated cities and the rural towns. Italy and Germany are also geared towards tourists. For a cheaper and very different experience, visit Romania or any other of the previously communist countries.

For those holiday makers who enjoy activity weekends, going backpacking or cycling in the UK or Europe, or camping in nature could be the ideal holiday. You could either join a tour group or grab a map and compass and go off by yourself. Stopping to swim in the heat of the afternoon or fishing for your supper that you can fry over your own fire is adventurous yet relaxing.

Finding the Right Accommodation

Holidays are the high point of most people's year, however finding the right accommodation can be stressful to say the least. There is an almost bewildering range of accommodation options out there so the question is how do you go about finding the right accommodation for your needs.

Finding the right accommodation depends very much on what you want from your holiday. If you want to spend your break lounging around in the lap of luxury then a youth hostel is definitely not the right option for you. However if you are young and traveling on a budget with a group of friends a youth hostel can be an ideal, low cost option.

Hotels are a popular choice for the vast majority of people. They can offer a wide range of facilities to ensure that your stay is both relaxing and indulgent and the chances are that you can get at least some of your meals included in the tariff. Hotels also tend to have regular tours and excursions departing from their lobbies which can provide you with a great opportunity to see all the sites and attractions of your holiday destination.

If you are traveling in a small group or as a couple, hotels can be a very cost effective place to stay with a wide range of facilities. For larger groups of friends or for family holidays, however, staying in a hotel can have its drawbacks.

Not only can they be expensive for larger groups, but it can also be more difficult to really enjoy the freedom of your holiday when you are staying in a hotel. If your friends want to have a late night of partying in your room, or if you have young children who want the freedom to run around and be noisy but need peace and quiet to get to sleep, staying in a hotel surrounded by other guests can make for a stressful vacation.

A far better option for this kind of group is to stay in a private villa. They can be found at a wide variety of different locations which makes it possible to choose accommodation with everything you need to enjoy your holiday right on your doorstep.

A private villa gives you the option to spend an evening in with your friends or family without being disturbed by other people. They are a great option for larger groups and you will often find that they have additional facilities such as private swimming pools and meals that can be pre cooked to order. A wide variety of all the different options on offer can be found at www.privatevilla.co.uk so you will be able to find exactly the right accommodation to help you get the most out of your holiday.

Family Holiday on a Budget

Going on family holidays, particularly if you have school-age children can be expensive. In these difficult financial times more and more of us are looking to economize, particularly when it comes to leisure activities.

If you are prepared to be flexible on where and when you go on holiday you can still have a great time on a budget. With a little bit of research and planning there are a number of ways that you can keep costs to a minimum without forgoing your annual break.

Traveling in the UK

If you are staying in the UK then look out for deals on accommodation. Many holiday parks and camp sites periodically advertise discounts, some even in the school holidays. Alternatively, why not hire a cottage instead of staying in a hotel? You`ll have greater flexibility and will be able to cut back on the cost of eating out.

It can help to research what there is to do in the area that you will be visiting, in advance. You may be able to find discount codes or vouchers that will give you cheaper access to attractions. If you are staying in a seaside resort then make the most of the beach and sea and, if raining, any free museums in the area.

Traveling Outside the UK

Those traveling abroad will find that a lot of their budget is spent on flights and accommodation. If you are looking to go on a package holiday then it can sometimes pay to book last minute, as long as you can be flexible about where you want to go.

If you are traveling independently then make sure to check out both scheduled and charter flights offered by different airlines as there can be a difference in cost. Depending on your destination you will find that certain days and times of the week are often cheaper. You may have to get up very early to make the first flight of the day though!

When organizing your accommodation think about what is important to you. Is it the hotel facilities or proximity to the resort centre? Your budget will stretch further if you are prepared to stay a little out of town and you will generally find that you have better facilities.

Wherever you decide to holiday, there a number of steps that you can take to make sure that your trip matches your finances. Choose self catering accommodation over hotel accommodation to save on food costs, look out for low cost holidays voucher codes to get the best deal and research and plan activities before you travel. With a little thought you can still have a really great break without blowing your budget.

Travel Visas

When traveling abroad, you might need a visa along with your passport to visit certain foreign countries. A visa is simply a special document that permits you to enter the country and stay for a specified length of time. After that time period is up, you must leave the country.

Some countries will give you a travel visa once you arrive in the country, but others require you to obtain your visa in advance. Either way, acquiring a travel visa isn't a difficult process.

Do You Need a Travel Visa?
Travel agents often determine visa requirements for their clients and will arrange any necessary tourist visas for a fee. It never hurts to check out the visa requirements yourself, however. Visa rules are always in a state of flux and you don't want any hassles ruining your vacation.

Find the embassy's website for the country that you would like to visit. You can usually find the visa requirements in the consular section. Read the visa requirements for travelers and determine if you need to obtain a visa in advance.

Many popular tourist destinations will give you a free, short-term visa when you arrive in the country. You just need to go through airport customs to get your passport stamped.

Obtaining a Travel Visa in Advance
Various application procedures exist for ordering a visa in advance. Some countries, including Australia, Iran and Cambodia, offer an electronic visa service for travelers. You submit the application forms and pay the application fees on the embassy websites.

Other foreign embassies allow you to download a visa application from their websites. You then print out the forms and complete your application. Be sure to follow all of the directions very carefully. Mail or take your application in to the relevant country`s embassy or consulate.

You will have to wait from several days to several weeks before receiving your travel visa. It is a good rule of thumb to begin the visa process at least four weeks before you plan to travel.

What Do You Need to Obtain a Travel Visa?
The requirements for travel visa applications vary. Some countries just require you to attach your passport photo to the application forms. Others require you to prove your identity and citizenship by including a copy of your birth certificate, a government issued ID or your marriage certificate. Still others require proof of income before they will issue you a travel visa. You might be required to send copies of your bank statements, income tax returns or certification of employment.

Other potential requirements include copies of your medical insurance information, vaccination information or hotel reservations. If you are above a specific age, you might need to send in medical release forms signed by your family doctor or proof of travel insurance.

Other Travel Visa Tips
Make sure that your passport isn't going to expire within the next six months. Some countries will deny you entry until you renew your passport. Be sure to leave the country you are traveling to before your travel visa expires. If you will be staying longer than specified, go to the nearest immigration service center and submit an application to remain for a longer period of time. A few countries, including Russia and Saudi Arabia, require exit visas as well as entry visas.

Most travel visas aren't valid for longer than six months. They want you to enjoy your vacation and sightseeing but then return to your home country. The set time period for your visa does not begin until you actually enter the country.

Traveling To The Summer Olympics

Every four years, the Summer Olympics is the hottest event around the world. Tens of thousands of Olympians, families, coaches, support staff, and vacationers head to the host country for the two-week event. It is something unmatched in size and splendor, which means planning a trip there can make your experience enjoyable or miserable.

This year, the Olympics are in London, England from July 27 through August 12. Here are some travel tips to help you get there and return home in once piece.

Travel Lightly
International travel comes with its own set of challenges, like needing to arrive at the airport three hours in advance, possibly having your belongings inspected by customs agents, and declaring what you're bringing in and out of country. Pack light – airlines charge hefty fees for extra and overweight bags, and full flights offer little overhead space for anything other than carryon bags.

If you're staying for the full event, remember that your clothing can be laundered, so you can bring fewer changes of clothes than you might initially think. Devices like laptop computers, tablets, cameras, and smartphones all add extra weight. Bring only what you need to make your stay more enjoyable and productive.

Remember, you're going to have to deal with your luggage as you make your way through customs upon arrival in England. You and several thousand others could be doing this at the same time, meaning wait times can be excessive.

When it Rains it Pours
In case you're unaware, it tends to rain in England and the precipitation levels in 2012 are high. If you're unprepared for this, you could find yourself having a miserable time. You should bring proper raingear or purchase it upon arrival, including a waterproof hat and jacket, an umbrella, and if you're going to be spending any considerable amount of time outdoors on foot, waterproof shoes.

Dress in warm layers and be prepared for rainstorms to appear seemingly out of nowhere, similar to weather patterns in Seattle, Washington.

Local Currency Rates
Traveling overseas means using local currency for your transactions. In some countries, the U.S. dollar is worth more, in others not as much. In England, you will need to have British Pounds at your disposal. Presently, each £1 (one British Pound) will cost you approximately $1.60. Exchange rates like this can take travelers by surprise and leave them unprepared for the overall expense of their trip. Plan accordingly when traveling to England this summer. Every £1,000 you spend will cost you roughly $1,600. Sometimes exchanging money before you leave will save you the hassle of a high exchange fee.

Travel to Olympic Events
Like any other major metropolitan area around the world, there are plenty of ways to get around London during the Olympics. For starters, it's a great city to walk, and for short treks this will no doubt be your preferred methods. Cabs are also plentiful around London, but expect to share them everywhere you go. The best bet is to purchase an Oyster card (public transit pass). This will help you save as much as 40 percent on transportation costs versus single-ticket purchases, and will give you the freedom to hop any bus or train at a moment's notice.

Additionally, any event ticket will also give you free passage on any public transportation head to the event. It should be noted there is no public parking at any Olympic event.

Be Patient
London is simultaneously big and small, and during the Olympics a lot of additional people will be everywhere you want to be. This means long lines at stores and shops, restaurants and pubs, places of interest, and of course the events themselves. A little courtesy knowing everyone there is also in the same boat will go a long way to making your stay at the 2012 London Olympics one you'll remember forever, and for all the right reasons.

Ferry travel versus Airline travel

We have definitely been living in an age where people want things instantly: Instant information, instant products and a need to get to a destination as fast as possible. Recently however, we are seeing a trend of returning to a slower pace of life and that has certainly crossed over into the world of travel.

When you compare airline versus ferry travel, supporters of the former will undoubtedly point to the speed and convenience of jumping on a plane. While it may be true that travel time in a plane can be much quicker, is it really all that convenient? With stricter controls and more waiting around, delays are becoming more commonplace compared with ferries which have a far better record of punctuality.

On a ferry it is obviously easier to get up and move around. You aren`t constantly restricted by poor leg room and are generally free to travel around the ship whenever you want. If you have a noisy or awkward passenger near you, just get up and find another seat. Once you`re on the ferry, access is virtually unrestricted.

Meals too are a much more relaxed affair when it comes to ferries: You can eat when you want and as often as you desire. Compare that to an airplane when you are forced to eat at set times - occasionally whether you like it or not! Many passengers have even been woken up in the middle of the night and had food placed before them.

On a ferry, the slower, more relaxed atmosphere comes into its own with regard to food. Tasty meals and snacks are served at a time to suit you.

If you are intending to drive when you reach your destination then if you have the facility to take your own vehicle onto the ferry then that is another huge advantage. Firstly you will have the convenience of using your own vehicle and be able to drive a car that you are extremely familiar with. Additionally, it`s cheaper too as you won`t have to pay parking fees at the airport or rely on a friend to take you there. Once you arrive at your destination, why pay expensive car hire fees when you can make full use of your own car?

Far from being glamorous, airports can be crowded and noisy places and if there is any delay to your flight, they can be frustrating and uncomfortable places to wait in. Delays on ferries are much rarer and in many cases, if you do have to wait, you will still be able to board the ship and walk around at your leisure until it`s time to set off.

A slower pace of life can, in itself be an advantage: You are much more likely to reach your destination feeling relaxed and refreshed after using ferry travel than you are if you've flown. With fewer delays, more room to move around and relax, there are many reasons why it makes more sense to use a ferry than ever before. Why not take a ferry to Holland and see what we are talking about first hand? You won't be disappointed.

Welcome to the AirportGuide.com Travel Blog

Hi everyone,

I just wanted you to all know that I have added a Travel Blog to AirportGuide.com.

If AirportGuide.com is going to be a great travel resource, then I feel it is time to start a travel blog. In this travel blog, we will not just talk about airplanes and airports but all travel. This includes rail travel, road trips, cruises, ferries, etc., etc.

To make this work, I am calling on all of you, to submit your original articles for incorporation into this blog. This means that these articles can't be found on other web sites as we don't want to be penalized for duplicate search content. And YES, you can include a link back to your site in the article, provided it is to a travel-related web site. The only requirement I have is that the articles be written in proper English.

I know some of you are asking what's the catch. Well, as with everything on AirportGuide.com, there is no catch except that I have the final say on what does and does not make it. I want a travel blog with a variety of unique articles and you probably want links back to your sites. It's a win-win for everyone.

Please send your submissions to articles@airportguide.com