Posts Tagged ‘travel’

Author: Paul Hata

Packing properly is an important consideration for the budget traveler. Traveling on a budget means traveling light. The more unencumbered you are by junk you don’t need, the more chances you will have and the less expensive your travel will be.

For instance, while the traveler with only one bag is free to hop on the inexpensive city bus and pay as little as one dollar to get into town, if that same traveler is loaded down with three or four bulky suitcases, it is likely that an expensive taxi, and a potential fare of $50 or more, may be the only option.

This is just one example of how packing light can help you keep your travel budget under control, but there are many more examples, all borne of experience. In addition to saving money, traveling light makes sense on so many levels.

For one thing, you will enjoy your trip much more if you can just head straight out of the airport, without that long wait at the baggage claim.

Packing properly is an important consideration for the budget traveler. Traveling on a budget means traveling light. The more unencumbered you are by junk you don’t need, the more chances you will have and the less expensive your travel will be.

For instance, while the traveler with only one bag is free to hop on the inexpensive city bus and pay as little as one dollar to get into town, if that same traveler is loaded down with three or four bulky suitcases, it is likely that an expensive taxi, and a potential fare of $50 or more, may be the only option.

This is just one example of how packing light can help you keep your travel budget under control, but there are many more examples, all borne of experience. In addition to saving money, traveling light makes sense on so many levels.

For one thing, you will enjoy your trip much more if you can just head straight out of the airport, without that long wait at the baggage claim.

Traveling light also makes getting around town, from the airport and to the hotel, much easier. Carting a lot of luggage around unnecessarily is a waste of time, money and energy, and most seasoned travelers have learned not to pack too much.

Over packing, however, is a frequent mistake for the first time or inexperienced, traveler, and we are presenting the following list of tips for keeping your packing, and your budget, under control.

- As you are laying out all the things you want to take on your trip, separate them into three different piles the essential pile, the maybe pile and the non essential pile. Then put the non essential, and half of the maybe pile, back in the closet.

- If you possibly can, try to get everything that remains into one bag that can be carried on to the airplane. If you are unsure what constitutes a carry on bag, be sure to check with the airline.

- Do not pack any items that can be purchased inexpensively once you have reached your destination. Be sure, however to pack items that may be more expensive in a tourist area. One example of this, of course, is camera film. Film is often two or three times as costly in a tourist area, so if you have extra film at home bring it along.

- Keep the amount of clothing you pack to an absolute minimum. Choose clothes that can be combined into a variety of different outfits. Keeping the clothes you pack to a minimum is especially smart if you know you will be dong a lot of shopping, and buying a lot of clothes, once you arrive at your destination. Why cart your old clothes halfway around the world if you can wear your snazzy new clothes instead?

- If your vacation is a long one, do laundry while you are away instead of bringing a suitcase full of extra clothes.

- Always pack some versatile clothes. For instance, a pair of swim trunks or shorts can double as sleeping attire. T-shirts are equally versatile and comfortable.

- Pack a collapsible bag in your suitcase. This bag can be used to carry souvenirs and other purchases on the return trip.

- Be sure that all your luggage is clearly labeled with your contact information and name. Avoid putting your street address on luggage tags, however. It is best to use a post office box or a work address.

- Always place any items you need and cannot immediately replace, such as prescription drugs, eyeglasses, and important documents, into your carryon or purse.

- Place all travel documents, maps and printed itineraries on the top of the suitcase, or in a separate zippered compartment, so they will be easy to find.

- If you have an extra pair of eyeglasses at home in a drawer, you may want to bring them along, especially if you need glasses to read signs, find your way around, etc.

- Pack them in a hard sided case and place them either in a purse or a separate compartment of the suitcase. Eyeglasses can be difficult, time consuming and expensive to replace while on vacation.

- And finally, consider packing an extra wallet, with one or two credit cards but no cash, into a separate compartment in your suitcase.

- The purpose of doing this is so you will have emergency funds in the event your regular wallet is lost or stolen. If the credit cards in the suitcase are lost or stolen, they can be cancelled immediately and you will not be liable for any fraudulent charges.

Over packing, however, is a frequent mistake for the first time or inexperienced, traveler, and we are presenting the following list of tips for keeping your packing, and your budget, under control.

- As you are laying out all the things you want to take on your trip, separate them into three different piles the essential pile, the maybe pile and the non essential pile. Then put the non essential, and half of the maybe pile, back in the closet.

- If you possibly can, try to get everything that remains into one bag that can be carried on to the airplane. If you are unsure what constitutes a carry on bag, be sure to check with the airline.

- Do not pack any items that can be purchased inexpensively once you have reached your destination. Be sure, however to pack items that may be more expensive in a tourist area. One example of this, of course, is camera film. Film is often two or three times as costly in a tourist area, so if you have extra film at home bring it along.

- Keep the amount of clothing you pack to an absolute minimum. Choose clothes that can be combined into a variety of different outfits. Keeping the clothes you pack to a minimum is especially smart if you know you will be dong a lot of shopping, and buying a lot of clothes, once you arrive at your destination. Why cart your old clothes halfway around the world if you can wear your snazzy new clothes instead?

- If your vacation is a long one, do laundry while you are away instead of bringing a suitcase full of extra clothes.

- Always pack some versatile clothes. For instance, a pair of swim trunks or shorts can double as sleeping attire. T-shirts are equally versatile and comfortable.

- Pack a collapsible bag in your suitcase. This bag can be used to carry souvenirs and other purchases on the return trip.

- Be sure that all your luggage is clearly labeled with your contact information and name. Avoid putting your street address on luggage tags, however. It is best to use a post office box or a work address.

- Always place any items you need and cannot immediately replace, such as prescription drugs, eyeglasses, and important documents, into your carryon or purse.

- Place all travel documents, maps and printed itineraries on the top of the suitcase, or in a separate zippered compartment, so they will be easy to find.

- If you have an extra pair of eyeglasses at home in a drawer, you may want to bring them along, especially if you need glasses to read signs, find your way around, etc.

- Pack them in a hard sided case and place them either in a purse or a separate compartment of the suitcase. Eyeglasses can be difficult, time consuming and expensive to replace while on vacation.

- And finally, consider packing an extra wallet, with one or two credit cards but no cash, into a separate compartment in your suitcase.

- The purpose of doing this is so you will have emergency funds in the event your regular wallet is lost or stolen. If the credit cards in the suitcase are lost or stolen, they can be cancelled immediately and you will not be liable for any fraudulent charges.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/packing-guide-for-budget-travel-538000.html

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By: Joe Goertz

Families decide to cut out their summer vacation, because summer is the optimal time to take school-age children on a holiday, and a great chance for parents to soothe their frazzled nerves. Nixing a vacation may save money, but it can also result in higher tensions and stress since they did not take a much-needed break from daily life.

If you want to cut costs while still taking a vacation, you should consider renting a cottage. Many cottages are available that can house up to fourteen people, so sharing it with family or friends can be a very effective way to take that vacation on a tight budget, while enjoying your vacation with the people you love.

The primary concern with this arrangement is the decision as to who is responsible for what, such as grocery shopping, laundry duties, cooking expectations, cleaning duties and other chores that are included in a cottage vacation. Even with family and friends, problems can arise if every person’s expectations are not the same. If you work out these differences before the vacation, you can avoid turmoil during and after the trip.

Renting a cottage for a vacation is an option that is widely available across the globe. Some of the cottages are part of larger resorts in popular destinations, but even those usually retain their cosy feel. In addition, many private owners rent out their cottages for the summer. Some privately-owned cottages are managed by a private rental company.

If you choose to rent from a private owner or company, there are some things you should consider before officially renting the cottage. If something in the cottage needs to be repaired, would it be your responsibility to fix it or theirs? If they perform the repairs, how can you contact them and how quickly could they be expected to make the repairs? What are the terms of the lease? Is the cottage furnished, including small appliances and linens, or are you expected to bring your own? In addition, find out if there is a security deposit required upfront. If there is, ask what condition you must leave the cottage in to get your full deposit returned.

Some cottages and pet and children friendly; others are not. If you plan on bringing your pets or children, make sure that the cottage allows them. If you are booking without seeing the cottage in person, make sure to ask for the most current photos of the property and a thorough description of the cottage. Ask for a floorplan if one is available.

Renting a cottage can be done on almost any budget, from the most elaborate to the smallest. How much a rental will cost varies greatly depending on location, size of the cottage, and time of year. If you can arrange a vacation before or after summer, you may be able to save hundreds of dollars by renting in the off season. This option may not be the best choice for families with school-age children, but it is worth considering.

If you plan on vacationing at a popular destination, a vacation in the off season would have the additional advantage of smaller crowds. If you’d like to take a break without breaking your budget, consider a cottage vacation.

Search for Condo and Cottage Rental today!

Article Source: http://www.travelarticlelibrary.com

Read more Travel related articles at: mytravel-magazine.com

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If there is some exotic locale in your travel plans for the immediate future, you’ll need to pack more than your toothbrush, suntan lotion and a favorite novel in your carry-on bag. You’ll need a United States passport, the all-critical key to successful travel beyond U.S. borders. New government travel rules that went into effect in 2007 require that all U.S. citizens have a valid passport when traveling by air to and from Bermuda, the Caribbean, Mexico and Canada. This legislative change resulted in unprecedented demand for passports over the summer. In June of 2007, the U.S. State Department reported that there were nearly three million applications pending for passports, pushing the turnaround time from the standard four to six weeks to twelve weeks or longer.

Don’t let your travel plans get sidelined before they ever get off the ground. To ensure your trip is smooth and delay-free, keep these five passport guidelines in mind:

1. Be mindful of the expiration date.

If you’ve had a passport for a while, take a moment to check the expiration date; you won’t be able to travel if the date has already passed. If it expires after you leave, you may have problems being allowed back into the country. Also, bear in mind that certain countries require that passports be valid for three to six months after your arrival. The exact amount of time varies, so contact the U.S. State Department or your travel agent for the entry requirements for your destination.

2. Apply as far in advance as possible.

The first six months of the year are the busiest for passport agencies, so give yourself at least two months if you’re ordering with regular delivery or three weeks for expedited service (add an extra $60 to your passport fees for expedited service). Traveling within 14 days? Make an appointment with the closest regional passport office. You can check the State Department Web site (http://travel.state.gov/) for locations or visit the trusted passport expediting services posted on www.OfficialTravelDocuments.com.

3. Take a clear photo following passport photo guidelines.

There’s no need to wait in line at a photo studio. Your local copy shop or drugstore may be equipped to take instant passport photos at an affordable rate. You’ll need two copies (2 inches by 2 inches in size) of the same photo, but photocopies are unacceptable, even if you use a good color printer. Your head must take up 50 percent of the photo, so don’t try to submit a full-length shot of your body. Have your picture taken against a plain background with no hat or dark glasses that could cover your face, and print the picture on photo-quality paper to ensure clarity. If the photo is too dark, your application might be rejected, and you will have wasted valuable time.

4. Make sure you have your birth certificate.

If you are applying for your first passport, or if you need new passport and don’t have your old one handy, you will need a certified copy of your birth certificate as proof of U.S. citizenship. All official birth certificates must be processed through the city, county or state where you were born. If you can’t find your old copy and need new one fast, you can visit the vital records office in the city where you were born, if you still live there, and request the record in person. Or, you can avoid the hassle of driving, parking and waiting in line, and simply order the record online through the company authorized by government vital records agencies nationwide–VitalChek Network, Inc. a ChoicePoint company. With online expedited ordering services available at www.vitalchek.com, you have a safe, convenient and quick way to get a certified copy of your birth records at affordable prices set in conjunction with the government agencies.

5. Carry a photocopy of your passport.

What do you do if you lose your passport while you’re in a foreign country? Report it to the local police in case it was stolen and contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. The more information you have about your missing passport (the passport number, when and where it was issued, etc.) can help speed up the process of getting a replacement so you can return home. Make a photocopy of your passport before you leave on your trip and keep it in a suitcase or purse, just in case. You may even want to leave a second photocopy of your passport with a family member at home for additional security.

Article Source: http://www.travelarticlelibrary.com

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Often packing for a trip can be stressful and something that we put off untill the last minute.  Here are a few tips that will hopefully help make your packing a little less stressful.

Only pack what you can manage

Using a porter is great, but they may not always be available.

Make a list of every thing you want to take

Once you have your list go ahead and lay it out on a bed before you start packing so that you can see how much you can squeeze into your luggage.

Consider taking out a 1/3 of the clothing you have packed

In most cases you will never wear everything you pack, and you can always use a laundry service.

Don’t pack the iron and hairdryer

Most hotels have hairdryers in the room now and also irons available.

Don’t pack valuables in your luggage

Jewelery, medications, cameras and your documents should be packed in your carry on luggage.

Other things you can do to maximize your packing success are using the vacuum bags to back your items and rolling your clothing or folding it like a store.