5 Ways to Keep Out of Trouble When Traveling Abroad

When you are traveling in another country it can be real easy to get yourself into trouble. When you don't know the language and don't understand the laws, you can get into some pretty unpleasant situations. If you remember these tips and pay attention to our recommendations you can save yourself a lot of headaches. 

1. Make sure you have a signed and valid passport in you possession at all times. Most countries will require that you carry an identification card or passport with you. A bank card or voter registration card won't make it and your driver license is not going to be satisfactory in most countries. Be sure your passport is current and signed and is still going to be valid for six months after you return home.
2. Be sure to check with the Department of State for any adverse conditions that may exist in the country you will be visiting. If any travel advisories have been issued for the place you are visiting they can be found at passport agencies, US embassies and consulates, and through most airline offices.
3. Be sure to check up on the laws of the country you will be visiting. US laws don't apply in most foreign countries and sometimes the customs in your destination country may be very restrictive. This is one place where the services of a competent travel agent may come in very handy. They can inform you of any unusual laws that you should be aware of in the country where you are vacationing.
4. If you plan to stay longer than 2 weeks in a foreign country be sure to register with the US consulate. They can help if someone back home needs to get in touch with you and they can also be helpful if you don't show up when the time comes for you to return home.
5.  It will always be to your advantage if you can blend into a crowd rather than stand out like a beacon. There will always be someone looking for that special target that could provide an easy mark for a robbery or even an assault. If you find it is essential to be the so called "American Tourist" and stand out from the others then try not to carry a bunch of cash or jewelry with you. That will make you an easy target for a pickpocket and they can be found in any large city and in any country.

Traveling abroad is a normally a wonderful experience and with just a few precautions that experience will be one that is cherished for years to come. It will always be to your advantage to be less noticeable and a little reserved. With reservation will come more respect and enjoyment of your travel experience.

Jere Moline is a travel writer and has enjoyed the cultures of many countries throughout the world. For up to date advice about travleing abroad be sure to stop by our web site at http://www.discounttraveltoday.com.

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Traveling With Kids to Historical Destinations

Do you avoid family site-seeing adventures that involve cathedrals, museums or other historical sites because you are worried about your kids' behavior? Never fear - these tips will make traveling with kids to these destinations a survivable - and perhaps even enjoyable - experience.

1. Begin by setting clear expectations for behavior, including the consequences for misbehaving. Also lay out the basic ground rules for the day. Some standard rules include using inside voices and no running. Try rewarding good behavior by giving kids a small gift shop budget at the beginning of the day. Each time they misbehave, they have to hand over a quarter. At the end of the day, they get to spend whatever is left.

2. All kids have a limited attention span so set a time limit for the trip - generally around four hours is maximum time. Take this into account as you plan the day to avoid missing the "must see" exhibits.

3. Look down. The floors in historical buildings, cathedrals and museums are often adorned with beautiful, intricate designs that capture and fascinate kids and adults alike. My favorite example is the Sistine Chapel. The walls and ceiling are covered with breathtaking masterpieces that held my kids' interest for exactly 45 seconds. Luckily, they noticed the fantastic geometric designs on the floor and spent the next hour finding shapes and patterns throughout the entire chapel.

4. Plan a scavenger hunt through the museum or cathedral. We use color/object hunts almost everywhere we go. They can be as simple as finding something blue to the complex find a blue flower on a hat. Vary the complexity based on the age of the child and, where possible, make each child find something individually. Add learning to the day by bringing along small notebooks and colored pencils. Have kids record scavenger hunt items, interesting facts and include pictures of favorite sites. The journal becomes a memory book of the trip.

5. Research kid/family friendly activities and events. One good example is found at Westminster Abbey where they feature a wonderful family tour and children's scavenger hunt that offers a chocolate reward for completion.

6. Make sure you include some kid-friendly fun along the way. After a long morning at a museum, spend a few hours in a local park. If the museum has a snack bar, take a break during the tour for a snack. Squeeze in a trip to the local zoo or aquarium in the middle of the trip.

7. Involve kids in the planning process. While not all museums have a hands-on room, there is sure to be something of interest. Let them pick at least one thing to see or do at the museum and try to do it late in the visit so you can push for good behavior throughout the rest of the trip.

Use these tips and you will no longer have to avoid taking the kids to interesting historical sites, cathedrals and museums.

Want to find out more about traveling with kids, then visit Jenny Untermeyer's site filled kids travel gear, family travel tips and more.

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Top 4 Travel Social Networks - Summer Vacations Get Social

With Summer officially upon us, experts are forecasting that holiday travelers will increase over 17% this year in comparison to 2009. According to Glen MacDonell, Director of Travel Services, "While financial markets continue to have volatility related to the European debt crisis, the landscape of the U.S. economy is in a much different place than it was one year ago. It is encouraging to see such growth this summer as Americans take to the road to visit family, friends and great vacation destinations." To help aid in your summer vacation planning, below are four great travel social networks.

1) TripAdvisor attracts 35 million monthly visitors and boasts 15 million registered members. It is one of the largest travel social networks in the world with over 35 million travels reviews from real travelers around the world. In addition, members have uploaded over 2,000,000 candid vacation photos from over 100,000 destinations.

2) Dopplr is a great resource for assisting you in planning your next trip. Members can share their personal or business travel plans with their connections and receive notifications when your trips overlap. In addition, the site offers tips for enjoying your travels to cities around the world as well as travel advice from other travellers.

3) Wikitravel is a free worldwide travel guide created and edited by its members similar to Wikipedia. Currently, the site contains nearly 24,000 destination guides and articles from "Wikitravellers" from around the world.

4) TravBuddy is a free community for people who love to travel and explore destinations. This is perfect network to find other individuals to join you on your journeys. In addition, travellers can stay in touch with friends and family by chronicling their trip in a travel blog.

Brian Rice is the editor of B2C Marketing Insider. B2C Marketing Insider aims to provide a balanced view of the current marketing landscape based on industry news and trends, as well as real-life experiences.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Brian_S_Rice

Traveling With Children

Traveling with children can be a challenge, but with careful planning your
family can have a hassle-free trip. Your odds for having a successful trip will
be better if you don't set your expectations too high and if you involve your
kids in planning your vacation.

Here are some additional travel tips:

PACKING

When you pack the car, put the children's suitcases on top. Kids often need
to get into their suitcases to retrieve something. By having the suitcases on
top, you won't have to repack the car every time your kids need their things.

Don't forget to pack essential items such as sunscreen, pain reliever,
calamine lotion, bandages, hats, sunglasses, or umbrellas. The gift shop in
your hotel will charge quite a bit of money for these items if you should need
to buy them during your trip.

HOTELS

In order to keep your young children safe at your hotel room, you should
bring along some child-proofing items. Plastic outlet covers, doorknob covers,
and plastic ties for tying up drapery cords and electrical cords will give you
peace of mind while you are living in your home away from home.

It is a good idea to bring your child's nightlight from home. Children won't
be scared in unfamiliar surroundings with the glow of the nightlight for
comfort.

CARS

My mother taught me a great trick when she went on a trip with my family
to the beach. She brought a bag of new toys with her and she handed them
out to my kids during our car trip. She gave them a new item about every two
hours so they would have something to play with. You might try giving your
children small items such as puzzle books, stickers, cards, stuffed animals, or
crayons.

Pack each child a sack filled with snacks for the trip. This way you won't
have to stop at a convenience store every time they get hungry. Make sure you
pack healthy foods and include some small bottles of water.

AIRPLANES

Allow yourself plenty of time for check-in. When your kids travel with you
everything takes twice as long.

Make sure that your children eat a substantial snack before they board the
airplane. The pretzels and drink served by the airline might not be enough
food for a long flight.

SOUVENIRS

Give each child a set amount of money to spend on souvenirs. Let them
buy what they want even if you think the item is silly. This is a good lesson in
budgeting.

Buy each child a small scrapbook before the trip. Take the scrapbook along
and your kids can unwind at the hotel in the evening by pasting momentos into
their books.

Bon voyage!

Renee Kirchner is a parent, educator, and freelance writer who specializes in writing for children and parents. Visit her fun and informational blog for parents and their kids at http://www.family-friend.blogspot.com and find out more about Renee's writing services offered at http://www.lieurancegroup.blogspot.com or email her at renee.kirchner@usa.net to discuss possible writing projects.

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Tricks to Make Travels Memorable

If you are running low on practical travel tips there is plenty below.

Hole punch all of your information for your trip and make copies of anything you'll need, organize it by what you will need chronologically, and place it in a slim, bright, lightweight soft side plastic binder. You avoid messily digging through your baggage this way since all info is in one convenient location and not scattered everywhere.

Everything in your wallet needs to be photocopied so do it the minute you see a copy machine. Keep one set in your luggage and the other one leave it home. Cash is not included here.

Make sure your will and personal papers are all in order. This will come in handy in case the unfortunate should happen and your family needs to locate your safe deposit box keys or insurance paperwork and will. Do not travel without lining your pockets with coins first. A used film canister works very well for this purpose. Unexpected payphone calls along with train or bus rides require lots of dimes and quarters.

You will not hear a peep from tent campers assigned to cook if you remembered to bring a griddle. Being a small portable gizmo cooking stuff like hotdogs as well as pancakes or eggs plus lots more is no hardship. There is also the option of eating out at a nearby fast-food joint or ditching the cumbrous propane stove.

Familiarize yourself with the travel destination prior to going. Transport info is always helpful so do not focus on tourist attraction particulars. There is info regarding distant travel locations and dress standards in place online but a local could also give you a heads up on such things. Should your research reveal that locals are not as warm you might have a better time touring Walt Disney World.

For trips requiring special gear and clothing put them away in a duffel bag so they are ready to bring anytime you need them. One trip might call for a ski bag filled with ski related items from gloves to thermals to goggles to socks to sweaters. Some biking shorts with a couple of sewn in pockets are suggested if you are donning a long dress. Large pockets mean ample space for keeping various vital documents and passports while traveling.

Put other vital personal effects somewhere equally safe but for the pockets line them with Velcro for added sturdiness. Women travelers can do the same thing with regular slips or camisoles. Shy away from pumped up events like the Harley gathering at Sturgis Michigan if you are a guy.

As a person looking for best travel insurance you should visit that site.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mickey_Sinney_Maney

Travel Tips for Your Honeymoon

Congratulations on getting married! Once the wedding ceremony and reception ends, the real celebrating begins as you and your new spouse embark on your honeymoon getaway! You have chosen a destination far from home, in a country you have always dreamed your honeymoon would be. Here is some advice you should take for planning your honeymoon:

• Find out if there are any newlywed discounts anywhere you plan to go. Do research on any special honeymoon packages for newlyweds. Some hotels cater especially to newlyweds. Oftentimes, hotels and restaurants partner with each other to offer honeymooners a free breakfast or dinner. Take advantage of discounts for newlyweds. Do not be afraid to ask if discounts exist at places you plan to visit. You just got married; you should now be wise about your money and not ashamed of it!

• Plan for the weather. Depending on the season, it might not be wise to choose a tropical destination that has a high average of rainfall in certain months. Find out when hurricane season is and try to avoid going to a place that is affected by it. June 1st to November 30th is hurricane season for the Bahamas. If you are interested in going to an Asian location in the western part of the Pacific Ocean, know that the most typhoons in 2011 will occur between May and November. If you cannot avoid bad weather because your wedding is on a specific date for a sentimental reason, then plan your activities according to the kind of weather you might have to face. For instance, if it is probably going to rain the majority of the time you are going to be on your honeymoon, then you obviously should not plan to go hiking or mountain biking. Also, hurricane season obviously means surfing lessons are out of question.

• Get visitor health insurance. Not many people think about travel insurance for their honeymoon, but you should know that the healthcare coverage you might have will probably not cover you if you are in a different country. Many people do not realize that, while they are on vacation abroad, they are actually uninsured. If by any chance you become sick or injured during your honeymoon, medical bills could be extremely expensive without visitor health insurance. While planning for your honeymoon, you might not even factor in the chance of you or your husband becoming ill or getting hurt. However, the possibility exists and it is best to be prepared. The insurance plan does not have to cost a lot and could cover as little or as much as you choose.

Whichever country you plan on going to for your honeymoon, remember to have a wonderful time with your spouse. The honeymoon marks the beginning of a lifetime of memories, and it will be the first of many happy vacations as a married couple, and possibly eventually as a family if you plan on having any children!

Read more information about visitor health insurance at http://www.nriol.net and enjoy your honeymoon!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=William_C_Gabriel

Essential Traveling Tips

Travelers going abroad are strongly recommended to sign up for the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program or a similar government program. This program will be able to contact the traveler when necessary. If there is a crisis in the country where the person is visiting or a family emergency, it would be vital to get notification as soon as possible.

Information Resources

Always familiarize yourself with your destination. This will help you to get maximum enjoyment from your trip and avoid any potential dangers. When bringing lots of luggage, you will also need to be aware of various restrictions for taking certain items to other countries. Before packing a liquid or sharp item in your Aspire V83, make sure it is allowed by airline authorities. It may also be helpful to look at jeep luggage reviews and other top quality luggage reviews to find a strong bag that will protect your belongings properly.

Consular Information

The consular program is divided into three main components: Travel Alerts, Travel Warnings, and Country Specific Information. Various sheets are provided by your state/country that hold information on road safety, unstable areas, security and crime conditions, and essential tips.

In some cases, a government may issue a warning to a country if they have no diplomatic relations with them. Other reasons may include terrorist activity, dangerous conditions, and civil unrest.

How to Obtain Travel Information

Travel alerts, travel warnings, and country specific information are made available at the official government website of your state or nation. Alerts can also be sent via fax by dialing the appropriate number. If you are part of a travel program, your embassy may be able to reach you over telephone in case there is an emergency.

Essential Paperwork

Before leaving for your trip, remember to check all your paperwork to make sure everything is in order. You will need a valid, signed passport and any visa documents that are required by your destination country. In some cases, you may be granted an automatic 30 days upon arriving to a country, so obtaining a visa will not be necessary if you are only staying for a few weak.

Give copies of your visas, passport data, and travel itinerary to your friends or family prior to leaving. This will help them to be able to contact you if there is an emergency. Consular personnel will also be available 24 hours each day to provide emergency support to their citizens.

This tip is so simple; you can implement it immediately and start seeing results you want! But it doesn't stop there. You can actually take this a step further and increase your understanding using another simple technique. The problem is, I don't have the space here to share it. It is, however, on my website.

So if you want to go further with your knowledge about Essential Traveling Tips, visit my blog for more powerful information, get the best out your Motortroll.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Isobel_Gibbons

Safe Travelling Tips

Anyone that has been robbed will tell you that they could have minimized their losses if they only did .... This article will give you the reasons they would state and will also give you some tips that will keep you as safe and prepared as possible. Remember; preparation is everything.

1. Having a hidden wallet is something that is very useful. Pack it away safely so not in you back pocket. Maybe you have a chain or alarm string that you can attach to it. (You don't have to be a skater to have this.)

2. Take only 1 credit card and if you are only going on holiday, preload it. That way if you get robbed or lose your wallet, you will only lose a preset amount.

3. Always have the most important telephone numbers on you and in your hotel/bungalow/apartment. You will need the numbers of family to contact, your credit card company to block your card, your insurance company and your hotel.

4. Leave a copy of your travel insurance at home. This will save you a lot of problems if you lose the one you have with you. With the technology these days it is no problem to email or fax it to you when you need it.

5. Have your basic medical info on you at all times. If you do have an accident this is the first thing they will look for in the hospital. At least state your blood type and allergies. Although most doctors and nurses will be able to read English, it might be a good idea to also have it in the native language of your destination.

Being prepared is everything. People that are prepared will not be in half as much trouble as people who are not prepared. If you follow the tips from this article you will be off to a good start.

My name is Naithan Weigh and I'm currently staying in Koh Samui, Thailand. My only source of income is the internet. If you want to learn more cheap travel tips take a look at my other article. If you want to know how I make my money online than go to my blog [http://makemoneywhiletravelling.wordpress.com]. There I also give out some good travelling tips.

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Holidays in Dubai, Essential Tips

Dubai is flooded with foreign investors creating a large influx of foreign cash. This becomes immediately apparent when you touch down in the city. The restaurants and hotels are some of the best in the world. If you enjoy Lebanese cuisine, you might gain a few extra pounds. Dubai is also home to some of the world's must luxurious hotels. Now this does sounds appealing but the budget travelers are already thinking how much is this going to cost me? Well Dubai is not cheap and be prepared to spend if you want to live it up. The best travel tip is making arrangements as far in advance as possible. If you really want to get the best prices, you can go during the summer months but be prepared to sweat it out at temperatures above and beyond 40 degree Celsius on average. Even the sea water can get this hot!

Dubai is one of the most open and liberal Muslim cities. But if this is your first time in a predominantly Muslim country there are some travel tips that if followed will make your stay hassle free. For instance, just be respectful of to the Muslim population and dress accordingly. This is substantially easier for the men, which means guys do not walk around with your shirt off or in swimwear. Ladies need to dress more conservatively then than normal. For example refrain from miniskirts, low low-cut tops, in some cases even tight clothing, and sorry ladies no thongs or going topless at the pool or beach. Most importantly, this is a foreign country so do not forget travel insurance.

Some of the attractions in Dubai you cannot find anywhere else in the world. The best thing you can do is pick up a Dubai travel guide before venturing out. Dubai is home to one of the largest and ground breaking architect projects "The World" and "The Palm". The best way to see these man man-made islands and many other attractions like Dubai Creek is to jump on a sea plane. If flying makes you queasy, there are plenty of things to see and do with out leaving the ground. In fact, the best way to visit the renowned Spice Market is by foot. The cook in you will rejoice once the myriad of smells and colorful spices assault your senses. Once you've had your share of saffron and cardamom you can head next door to the Gold Market where you can find silk and cashmere amongst thousands of other items. Prices here are very reasonable, much cheaper then than what you'll find in Europe or the US. There are also fish and perfume markets that warrant a visit. If walking around is getting a little boring head out to the desert in 4x4 safari ride which will have gawking and for the amateur photographer you will get some of your best shots on the ride.

Author, Michael Thornton writes some of the essential tips for Dubai. His tips will definitely help you planning your Dubai holidays. Also check out for cheap flights to Dubai deals.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_M_Thornton

Travel Tips From Professional Guides - Part 1 - Issues About Health

When we travel abroad, it means that we are going somewhere where know little about or we don't know anything about at all. That's why I thought it might be necessary to share some useful information for people travelling to foreign countries. I like to start with issues concerning what to pay attention about health.

1.) Please remember that the medicines you are using in your own country may have different commercial names in the country you visit. So it is best if you learn not the trademark of your medicine, but the Latin name of the components or the ingredients of the medicine.

2.) Please ask your local doctor to prepare a report to be delivered to the doctor in the country you visit, including your name, your address, your social security number, the phone numbers to be called in case of emergency, blood type, the names of the medicines you keep using. In your report, please also state the names of the meds you are allergic to, as well as the reasons of why you stayed in a hospital, if there is any.

3.) Please take 2 units of the stuff which you have to use regularly and which are expensive and hard to purchase in foreign countries. This might be your glasses, your contact lens etc...

4.) Please refer to your doctor or your dentist about the reliable people or health centers in the country you visit.

5.) The toothache is a very strong type of ache which no one likes to have especially when you are abroad. So, please visit your dentist in order not to have any problems with your teeth. Please also take the meds your dentist consults, to be ready for any problem like this.

6.) Please inform your agency about your special conditions of eating. You may be a vegetarian or you do not like salt in your food at all.

7.) Please remember to check if your health insurance cover the accidents or illnesses you might have during your trip.

8.) Please be informed in advance if there is any health insurance programme that your travel agency offers.

9.) Please make sure that you have all the vaccines you need to have, since some countries like Liberia, Sudan etc. ask for an international vaccine document against pyrexia.

10.) Please refer to your doctor if you are diabetic. The diabetic people should not interrupt their cure wherever they are and they have to carry insulin with them during their trip.

11.) If you are disabled, please get information about the location of your hotel, or how long you will be travelling in a bus or a plane and for how long you will have to travel on food. Please also remember to ask for the first line in your plain because the airlines usually reserve these seats for the disabled people.

I like to inform you that these tips were provided by professional guides of Orion Tour Travel Organisation Company. I hope it helps. You can get in touch with the company for more information, especially if you travel to Turkey:

http://www.oriontour.com.tr

+902122326300

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mert_Boz

Air Travel Tips That May Come In Handy

Air travel is the most preferred mode of transport for long distance destinations. This is more convenient and quick despite being a little expensive. However, the whole flight experience can be exciting rather than boring for first time travelers, especially kids. Flight travel can be amazing and very enjoyable if it is fully planned out. We might walk into frustration if it is not thoroughly planned. Therefore, there are a few steps to follow before boarding a flight.

The common rule is to be at the airport two hours before the flight's take off time. Experienced travelers arrive just half an hour before the departure of the flight. New time travelers would want to rethink that because we might not be familiar with the details. We need to be early enough for the baggage check-in. In case we forget something at home we can always go back to get it or have someone bring it to the airport. This is only possible if we check-in early and play safe. The shorter the journey, the better because too much of flight time isn't very comforting for the body.

However short the distance there will be a lot of time to kill and so a book would always come in handy. Kids might like videogames or they may want to tune in to listen to their favorite tracks. It is necessary to have a pastime because getting bored is the last thing we would want. There are a lot of things that we should not forget, for example, toiletries like toothpaste and a toothbrush, important items such as our wallets or keys to bags, also tissues for emergencies. We are allowed to carry just one case and the rest is supposed to come with the checked-in luggage. So, all important articles and valuable possessions like cameras and stuff should go into that case.

Most of the other things are usually provided in the plane. Last but not the least, never forget your tickets!

ExpatIntelligence website contains more information related topics like Air Travel Tips and Air Travel Restrictions.

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Carribean Travel Tip

People have been taking Caribbean travel vacations since the colonial times. Today, millions of U.S. citizens visit the islands each year to experience the tropical extravaganza that a Caribbean travel usually has in store for all its visitors.


Below are some Caribbean travel tips to help you get the most out of your tropical excursion:

Get an early start.


If there's anything you absolutely must do when you go on a Caribbean vacation that is to start early. There are a lot of things you need to take care of. Trip planning can be a tough nut to crack. Often, a passport may be required before you can enter the country you are planning to travel. One Caribbean travel tip you ought to consider is to prepare all your travel documents as early as now.


Choose an island.

Culture-shock. That is bound to happen if you don't do your research beforehand. One thing you should remember about the Caribbean is that it has a culture that is as widely diverse as its people. So take this Caribbean travel tip: read up on the culture and people for the places you will travel.

Another thing, as you travel, keep abreast of local news coverage. If you are in an area experiencing civil unrest or a natural disaster, or if you are going to a place where communications is poor, register with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate for your own safety.

Registration at the State Department's Travel Registration.state.gov website takes only a few minutes, and certainly invaluable in case of emergency. In addition, you can also get up to date Caribbean travel tips and information on any country in the world by obtaining the Department of State's Consular Information Sheet.


Entry.

Every island in the Caribbean has its own entry requirements. That is why your first Caribbean travel tip is to prepare all your documents before you leave home. If you can show proof that you are a U.S. citizen and a return or onward ticket, most countries will allow you to visit for up to two or three months.

Take this as both a Caribbean travel tip and caution: There are countries in the Caribbean with areas infected with yellow fever. If you come from any of these areas, you may be required to have a certificate of vaccination against yellow fever. Also, some airports may require departure tax of up to $25.


Return.

There are some Caribbean countries that require only your birth certificate as an entry requirement. However, this should be reason for you to slack off on your travel documents. Remember that U.S. Immigration requires that you document both your U.S. citizenship and identity. Take this Caribbean travel tip and make sure you can return to the United States with both these documents.

But what is the best document that can prove your U.S. citizenship? The best proof is a valid U.S. passport. However, other travelers give these Caribbean travel tips as documents you can use besides that to prove U.S. citizenship:

Expired U.S. passport
Certified copy of birth certificate
Certificate of Naturalization
Certificate of Citizenship
Report of Birth Abroad of a U.S. Citizen
http://www.runurl.com/xx.php?4rn

About the Author

More information can be found at http://holidayinnexpress.blogspot.com/

Stress Free Traveling Tips

Going on vacation or taking a business trip does not need to be a stressful experience. There are a few steps you can take to make your entire travel experience enjoyable and, most importantly, stress free.

Preparation is of utmost importance when traveling, if you are able to prepare in advance all that needs to be sorted out then you are less likely to be stressed in the event an unexpected delay or occurrence transpires. I personally do not enjoy leaving with loads of time to spare however I do find it defers anxiety on the event that there is a delay of some sort. Leaving well in advance of the time that is stipulated is a key to traveling safely and stress free.

Preparation also involves ensuring you have all that you need for the journey. There is nothing more stressful than arriving at the airport only to realize you left your passport or ticket at home as a result of rushing to leave. Giving ample time to the preparation period is tedious but rewarding as you ensure peace of mind as you travel.

Checking to make sure you have all that you need should be done the as early as possible or the night before and not at the check in line. Talking of the check in line for airborne journeys it could be wise to ensure comfortable clothing that do not constrict. Also ensure to remember to remove all metallic items so as to go the detector with ease. Being aware of the rules regarding check in items is also necessary so as not to have items that may cause issues with the security personnel.

Having arrived at the airport or station in good time is a major stress reliever and you can now relax as you await departure. Listening to calming music or reading a book may help calm the nerves. Items bought within the check in area are normally allowed onto the plane or vessel therefore you could indulge in a bottle of water or ice tea as you wait.

The actual journey may in many cases be the cause of anxiety for many travelers, fear of flying or fear of the ocean is very common and should be confronted by the fact that accidents are actually very rare in these forms of travel.

Finally take measures to ensure the actual journey is not stressful to fellow travelers, be courteous to others and helpful when you can. If all travelers were polite and helpful journeys would be a whole lot less stressful.

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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Eddie_Ochieng

Important Travelling Tips You Should Know

Travelling can be fun, especially if it is a worry-free trip. Thus, to ensure that your problems are minimal when you visit a foreign land, here are some important travelling tips you ought to know.

First, you should enroll yourself in a smart traveler enrollment program or anything like that (depending on where you are from), so that your State Department will be able to help you during time of emergencies. When you enroll yourself in such programs, you will be required to share with them your travel plans, and contact of relevant people to you in case of emergency. Such information will not be disclosed to anyone else unless you authorize of it. In the meantime, you should prepare copies of your travel itinerary, passport data page and visas to be kept with your family members or friends, so that they might be able to contact you if there is an emergency.

Apart from that, you should check out your medical insurance and travel insurance international. Make sure you read through their policies so that you will know what kind of situations you can turn to them for help. Check to see if your medical insurance company covers overseas bills as well. If they do not, check to see if your travel insurance international does cover the medical expenses for the places you intend to visit in case of mishaps. Having travel insurance international will be useful as they might be able to help you in case of loss of documentation or mishaps.

Apart from that, make sure to put an effort in familiarizing the local conditions and laws of the country you are planning to visit. There might be things that you are accustomed to in your own country which are unacceptable in the other country, so you will not want to get yourself into hot soup in a foreign land if possible where help is not a stone throw away. Familiarizing yourself also helps you decide on your safety, luggage and plans.

Last but not least, do not forget to find out the contact number of your country's embassy at the country you will be travelling at. Although you do not want to get into trouble, it is always useful to carry its contact in case of emergency.

Chris is the writer of this article, you can visit us for more information on travel insurance guide and surf spots.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chris_Cornell

How to Get Travel Codes and Save Money on Your Travel

Travel codes are a great way to get discount travel no matter which way you decide to move from state to state, or country to country. Travel codes are specialized codes that are set aside for specific groups of people so that they can get discount travel tickets for trains, planes, car rentals, and even ferries.

Travel codes are usually available through websites to help students, for instance, receive any additional money saving vouchers that will help them get home. In most cases, these travel codes are located on the school's website. If you are in college, the travel codes for your school are located on the school's web pages listed under travel code application, travel discount application, or something that depicts an application for discount travel. People in the military are often able to find these on their government website pages.

All you have to do is fill out the application, which takes only a few moments, and your discount travel code is then emailed directly to you. When you go online to book your mode of travel, you enter the travel code for your school or military until that was emailed to you and you will receive an instant discount.

Almost every organization offers . Churches, high schools, and even some animal rescue groups offer these handy little codes to help you get discount travel. There are some websites that offer these codes to the public so that anyone can save some money. Hotel website, train websites, and even some airline booking sites will offer a travel code voucher application right on their website so that you can receive the offers without being in school or the military.

These codes are particularly useful when gas prices are on the rise. Some gas companies even offer discount right on their site to help you spend less on the petrol you need to get back and forth. It is within everyone's power to reduce their travel costs for one or all family members by looking for these travel codes.

If you make it a habit to find the discount on the appropriate website, you can save hundreds or even thousands on travel expenses, which can ultimately save a vacation or make it possible to take the much needed business trip. The more ways that we all can find ways to save money on travel, the better, as the decline of summertime travel is part of the decline of our economic state. Being able to afford more travel is simply beneficial for everyone.

Alana is an travel with traveling all over the world. She knows from experience that it's difficult to get a travel voucher codes. but finds it an enjoyable challenge with travel. For more information, visit http://www.yootravel.co.uk

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alana_Corrigan

Business Travel Tips For Your Family

Business travel tips often focus on how to make the actual traveler's trip easier. But what about the family that is left behind? Often times depending on the age of the kids, it can be just as stressful for them and your spouse. While you are planning out your next trip, take some time to plan out how you are going to spend quality time with your family both before and after the trip.

One thing to plan is something to do when you return so everyone can look forward to that activity and not on the absence. Plan for a trip to the zoo or some other age appropriate activity for your children.

Help your spouse do any chores before you leave, like grocery shopping or laundry. Being a single parent for a couple of days can be challenging, especially when you are not used to going it alone.

Play with your kids before you leave as well. Before trips we are usually just focused on preparing for the trip itself and not on preparing the family.

Call often while you are gone. When on the road don't forget to check in even more often then when you are in town. This helps maintain a constant reassurance that things are okay.

Families are often the forgotten factor when talking about business travel tips. There is a whole industry focused on the traveler but not on the family. If you are a frequent flyer, take some time to focus on your family.

For more great info visit: Family Stress and Business Travel.

Also be sure to visit my blog at Business Travel Tips.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nickolas_Carroll

Tips to Select a Coach Hire Company For a Luxurious Travel

In most businesses, it is essential to provide facilities for the transportation of staff members and clients to exhibitions or business meetings. Now, let us observe some of the advantages of corporate coach hire services. With the reduction in flight rates, the luxury of air travel may be seen as one of the cheaper modes of transport. With the advertising of discount packages from the important airports, air travel seems most appealing.

However, when you sum up the actual expenses incurred by air travel you will find that it is the most expensive mode of transport. Let's have a brief look at this. Taxis, train fares or the fuel costs should be considered while traveling to the airport. There is no doubt that the actual flight rates might be cheap but the incidental expenses like parking etc can add to the costs. On arrival at the designated airport, additional traveling to your destination would once again mean train or taxi fares.

If you want your clients to reach the venue of the business meeting in a fresh and good mood, then you should definitely consider traveling by a coach. Otherwise, the entire journey could be exhausting. Besides, booking different tickets is time consuming. An efficient way of traveling in luxury is hiring a coach, particularly if you have a group of 15 to 20 people.

You no longer have to wait due to delays in plane and train services. The entire group can travel together in style, comfort and have loads of fun. The new advanced coaches have facilities which allow you to enjoy your journey as they provide music, TV, tables, refrigerators and services of a hostess. You feel quite relaxed as there are no sit outs, transfers or queuing which is common with the other modes of transport. Hence, It is not at all astonishing that most of the business transactions are completed during this relaxed coach travel prior to the meetings, when the staff and clients bond.

So, how will you go about selecting a coach hire company for your business or family trips? Searching the internet is the best option as most companies have their websites which show you precise images of the vehicles that they are available for hire. Clean and good quality coaches create a good impression of their business. You can actually visit the company in your area of business and find out the different options available. It is always better to go for coaches that are categorized as executive ones as they house amenities and features that meet the highest standards.

It is also essential to see that the driver of your coach is well dressed and is polite when interacting with the clients and staff. These are some of the tips to select a coach hire service for luxury travel.

Momentum Coach Hire offer a fantastic range of coaches, available for everything from school trips to stag parties. View the Momentum Coach Hire site for more information.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steven_P_Jonas

China Travel Tips

These China Travel Tips, Survival Techniques, will help you get around and make your trip to China easier, so you will be able to experience the real China with a little less stress.

China is an odd beast that needs to be respected; the major cities, Beijing, Shanghai, and Xian, all have their own personalities.

Some complex situations that you think would be an organizational disaster turn out to be great and you wonder afterward what all the fuss and worry was about. Then the simplest of tasks can turn out to be a major calamity.

This is when you have what we call here a "China day".

These days come and go and are part of the experience of everyday travel in China. One needs to have an open mind when travelling China. It is a place with thousands of years of history and culture that is trying overnight to adapt to Western ways of living.

You need to have a very open mind when you Travel in China.
I have listed below a few China Travel Tips that will make life that wee bit more bearable on your Travel China experience.

China Travel Tips - Be Toilet Wise

o Never expect a clean toilet 100% of the time.

o Be prepared; Carry some tissue.

o You may have to use a squat toilet, again if you know this before hand it is not a shock. If you don't know how to use a squat toilet, try the following experiment at home.

While holding onto something for support with both hands, lower your body down into a low squat position, so that the cheeks of your bottom is almost touching your heels or the back of your calf. Now, let go with your hands. See if you stay in this position for at least 1 minute. If you fall backwards or you cannot get up, then a squat toilet could be a problem for you! Practice, you will be happy you did.

o If you see a clean toilet, Go... it may not come again for a while.

o There are many public toilets around the cities, usually the ones you pay for are OK, (RMB .5), the others best to stay away from if you can. You will soon notice them as you walk around the cities.

o Be warned that public areas like bus and train stations are usually what I class as "tough toilets", however if gotta go you gotta go.

o Outside of the major cities, the toilet systems are old or have very narrow plumbing /pipes and get blocked easily. In these cases a small basket is usually beside the toilet, this is for your used toilet paper.

One of the best China Travel toilet Tips I can give you, is use hotel lobby toilets; these are everywhere and are always clean. Still they may not always have toilet paper. It depends on the class of hotel that you are using.

I do not wish to scare you. However, of all the China Travel Tips in all the other web sites I have read, this is a topic not often mentioned, but it is very important to us all.

So outside of the major cities conditions can be tough. But most of the time everything will be fine, especially if you book a tour; everything will have been checked out before hand. However even the best laid plans can go wrong, so be prepared, the toilets in the smaller cities, towns and villages can be scary.

China Travel Tips - The Food

o The food is great and the variety is overwhelming. Most of the time you get to choose what you eat, or you can recognize what you're eating, however sometimes you do not get a choice. Carry a chocolate bar or something; this will keep you going until some food that you can recognize turns up. Drink bottled or boiled water, as the tap water is NOT safe to drink, this is for the whole of China. Even boiled water, while sterilised can contain a lot of minerals and iron deposits that you probably do not want in your system. The safest bet is to drink bottle water. Tap water in most big cities is OK for brushing teeth.

o Eating habits - Most Chinese people have a great habit of being very noisy when they eat and lunch and dinner times can be a wonderfully noisy celebration, food tends to go in all directions, its just part of being in China.

o People also smoke at the table while everyone is eating, so some restaurants get very loud and smoky.

o If you get stuck what to order as most of the menu's are in Chinese just look at the table next to you and point to the dish you fancy and ask how much it is, this system works really well and know seems to mind.

o I have a basic menu that will help you order safe food, (no Cats or Dog) this will enable you to visit a larger selection of restaurants, not just the tourist ones with high prices. You can carry it with you and use it in the local restaurants where most will be able to serve what is on it. This way you will know what you are eating.

These local places are very cheap and the food it great. Contact me if you would like me to send it to you.

China Travel Tips - Taxis

o China Travel Tips- Taxis - Taxis are an experience that can have you griping the seat and gasping for breath; however you soon get used to it, after the first few rides, you're an old hand.

o The taxis in Shanghai are, overall, quite good. Try to get the Blue, Blue'ish Turquoise, Gold and White taxis, these are the best... these are the four major taxi companies and are generally recognised by their single colour paintwork. The others are OK, just older and a rougher ride (the others also may have faulty metres). No drivers will speak English.

o Carry your hotel or accommodation business card with you, written in Chinese, this helps if you get lost walking around town.

o In all the taxis around the country you will see the drivers name and taxi registration number in plain sight. If you have any problem, or if you think you have been over charged etc, just take this number down, make a big fuss about it, and the driver then should wake up and fix whatever problem you have. Even better is to take the receipt. This has all the trip details on it and you can ring the taxi company if you want to take things further or if you've left something in the taxi.

o The government takes rip-off drivers in all cities, Beijing and Xian especially, very seriously and if you complain they will lose their license. This is their livelihood. So far I have had not one driver in 3 years that has not backed down and we have then agreed a price for the trip or solved our problem.

o In Shanghai, it is common practice for taxi fare increases after 11pm. However, one can usually bargain for a 20% discount, which will get the fare back to the pre-11pm rate.
Be strong with the taxi drivers, never-the-less, keep your cool, smile and negotiate.

China Travel Tips - Shopping

o China Travel Tips - Shopping - China is a shopper's paradise, Markets, Bargains; Top labels... anything and everything if you have the time. With clothes, the larger (Western) sizes can be quite hard to find, however in the major cities where you get a lot of tourist traffic, you can find them.

o Electrical gear, DVD's, Cameras, stuff like this is not worth buying in China, Hong Kong is still the best place for this.

o Store hours in the major cities are from 10am to 10pm, 7 days a week.

o Visa card is still the best card to carry, with ATM's in good supply all with PLUS access etc.
There is usually a surcharge for use of VISA, MasterCard or other forms of credit card.

o Wait on purchasing if you can, look around to get a feel for the prices. The Chinese are VERY experienced at selling and know that we halve the opening price when bargaining.
In the markets go for 25% of what they first ask; go so low that they let you walk away. This will give you an idea of the bottom price. The resulting end-price will probably be around 40% to 50% of where they started.

Whatever the market people say, they are used to pushing and haggling for best prices. Do not worry about being too hard, they are used to it and will not sell you an item unless they make a profit. Don't be concerned with the apparently hurt body language when you go low - it is all part of the game. As soon as they have wrapped up your first purchase, they will try to sell you something more. Remember to keep smiling and having fun while bargaining.

China Travel Tips - Medical Treatment and Records

o Most hotels will have a doctor that you can see. In the major hotels English will be spoken.

o Always take a small first aid kit, cold remedy, headache tablets at the very least. WATSONS is a very large chain chemist. Most of the remedies, tablets etc, that you may require should be in these shops. These shops are all over China.

o There is a great network of pharmacy type shops; these are indicated by a Green Cross. There will always be a 24 hr Green Cross pharmacy in the city you are in. It is handy to carry a Phase book, as no one will speak English, however you will end up with something that will help.

o INPORTANT POINT - for most of the mass produced packet type medicines, the packaging will be written in Chinese on one side, English on the other. However in the shops you only see the Chinese side. Have a good look, turn the packs over, it gives you a lot more confidence knowing you can read the package.

o If you have a specific medical issue, take records, most of the Doctors will have OK written / reading English, even though their oral English will be poor.

China Travel Tips - Telephone

o Using the phone is as easy as at home. However the person picking it up will not speak English or have very broken English... the Major 4- or 5-Star Hotels will all be OK.

o What is worth doing is buying a Chinese Telecom SIM card, they are about RMB100 and with this you get RMB50 in calls, the other 50 is for the price of the SIM card; this SIM card will go into all major brand phones and work OK.

By doing this, people can reach you within and out of China if there is an emergency. If you have a couple of phones, you can short (txt) message each other (SMS). Also you are able to call your tourist guide, hotel etc if you have any major problems. It is a cheap way to keep in touch.

NB.Before you buy a Chinese SIM card, check that it will work in your Cell / Mobile phone. There are plenty of China Telecom shops that can help.

China Travel Tips on when NOT to move around China.

o Spring Festival, this would be the Chinese New Year time, around the end of January / Early February

o Early May; Labour day Holidays

o Early October; National Day Holidays

Of all the China Travel Tips National Day is the biggest one. Millions of Chinese travel at these holiday times of the year. Most are travelling back to home towns or visiting family. Hotels, trains, planes, cars, buses, and roads are all crowded to the maximum. Major congestion, everywhere.

Also travel fares are at their full price. No discounts are offered!
Stay in one place and enjoy where you are. It's best and causes fewer hassles.

China Travel Tips - TV

o If you want to watch TV, most of the major hotels will have cable and if you are in the smaller places, the national channel, CCTV9 is in English. Over the last couple of years it has got a lot better, with some great China Travel Tips programs, news and views on people and places around China.

China Travel Tips - Airport Tax

o There is a "construction fee" at almost all airports.

Domestic flights RMB 50
International flights RMB 90 - which is to be paid in local currency.

Just recently, tickets are being tissued with the Construction Tax included; however make sure you have the Tax money with you just to make sure.

I hope some of these China Travel Tips will come in handy and will make your trip to China that little bit easier.

If you have been to China and wish to share your China Travel Tips, please feel free to contact me anytime.

John Mckenna

http://www.Travel-the-Real-China.com

Hi I'm John Mckenna, I am from New Zealand and have lived in Shanghia China now for 3 years.

I own and operate http://www.Travel-the-Real-China.com; my site provides experienced based Travel and Tour information on the wonders of Travel in China, the Real China, Ancient China, China at its very best...

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Mckenna