Friday 4 May 2012

Traveling Tips For People With Disabilities


People who have disabilities find their own ways of becoming comfortable in their homes. These days it is not difficult for such people to see the world if the wish to do so. Earlier, they would be expected to visit only places where their friends or relatives lived so that special arrangements could be made. However, this is not longer true because many hotels and transporters have separate arrangements for disabled people.
Just keep these tips in mind while planning your trip and you will travel in peace.
The most important thing that you should remember while traveling with someone with disabilities is the need to book the right rooms and arrange for the right kind of transportation. You must tell your travel agent about your requirements right in the beginning so that they can make appropriate arrangements. It is always a good idea to book well in advance because the number of rooms with special arrangements is often limited.
If there is a possibility that the person may require oxygen or any special type medication, it is important that you carry the contact details of the nearest medical facility centers of the places that you are going to visit.
It would also be a good idea for you to keep photocopies of the prescriptions of the medicines that the person consumes on a regular basis in the bag that you will carry with you on the plane. A photocopied set of the medical documents should also be kept at home where someone else may be able to access it if required. You should also learn the names of the medicines because people often come up with answers like 'the small yellow pill' when they are taken to emergency rooms!
Last but not the least; try to reach airports and other boarding points with at least an hour in hand. This is what everybody ought to do, but if you intend to travel with someone with disabilities this is a rule that you should never ignore.
Find online travel information and travel tips for people with disabilities.


Thursday 3 May 2012

Travel Light - How to Survive It


When we think of traveling, most of us envisage a week of pulling things out of shelves and dumping them into the luggage. And then spend the next three hours if you need them, taking them out and putting them back into the shelves only to put them back into the luggage the next day. Repeat cycle.
The thing about traveling is that we think we need to bring everything that we need for every single day that we are there. If we are going to Boston for five days, we need to bring ample supply of clothes for five whole days. We forget that there are stores and malls in Boston and they most probably have something in your size...believe it or not.
Budget traveling? Fine. Make allowance for small purchases and when it comes to clothes, you either buy new emergency ones in the city that you are visiting (good as a memento, we say) or use the laundry or self-cleaning services that are available in the city. Pre-plan your activities so that even if you are not completely sure where you will be at at most hours during your travel, at the very least you have a vague idea.
Knowing what you are going to be doing when traveling gives you a little bit of time and space to get your stuff together...as in, you know what you need to get, when you need it.
Stressing and getting anxious over minor things like DVD player when you are bored, books to bring, how to keep your crystals (yes, some people never leave home with them) safe from thieves and also your preferred 3-in-1 coffee can drive you nuts. Don't. Just let them be. Traveling is a time to have a little bit of fun. Time to throw caution to the wind. And let be. You will not die from drinking another brand of coffee and maybe there is reading material in the hotel lobby that you can make use of, don't sweat the small stuff because if you do, you will be ruining a potentially care-free trip to the city of your choice.
Travel light, and let everything else fall into place...as they often do all by themselves.
Pamela Lawson is a part of a leading charter bus rental company in the United States, US Coachways Inc. US Coachways serves most major cities in the country including New York, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Boston, San Antonio, Miami, Hawaii, Sacramento, Washington DC and many, many more. Pam, in the meantime, is dedicated to bringing you fun, lively and easy to read articles on travel and living via her US travel blog.


Wednesday 2 May 2012

How to Stay Healthy While Traveling


Some of us are required to travel frequently for our jobs, while others just love the adventure of taking regular trips.  Unfortunately, sometimes our health doesn't cooperate and we become ill, making it tough to enjoy the trip or vacation.  If you take some important precautions before and during your next flight, you'll have a greater chance of preventing any sort of illness or health complications from getting the best of you.  Read on for some tips to help you stay healthy while traveling.
So you've bought your airline tickets and are all ready to travel by plane.  You'll want to make sure you do several things before you take off though.  Prior to taking your next trip, make sure you have your immunizations and shots up to date, and carry your medications along with you as well.  Make sure your meds aren't packed in checked luggage, so you'll have access to it while on board your flight.  For your flight you'll want to wear comfortable clothing and shoes, and make sure you've arrived on time to check in for the flight.  The last thing you want is extra stress which can cause you to become ill.  If worst comes to worst and you find you're not feeling well, you may want to consider delaying your trip if possible.
During the trip itself you should eat lightly yet keep yourself hydrated.  Bring bottled water or juice on board with you as it's permitted.  If you have problems with flying and it's a lengthy flight, you might consider getting up to stand and walk around the cabin every once in a while.  This is a good idea for you to do whether you are prone to air sickness or not, as you can use the circulation on long flights.  Also, make sure you've left yourself room under the seats to allow your legs to stretch.  If you follow most of the tips we've provided for you here, you should be ready to travel after buying your cheap airline tickets online for that next trip.
Some of the common problems people experience on flights include motion sickness, jet lag and even deep vein thrombosis.  If you are prone to any of these problems you may want to check in with your physician prior to your next flight so you can make sure you're fully prepared.  The last thing you want is to experience sickness or any other stressful health conditions when you're on a business trip or taking a relaxing vacation!
Erica Wright writes for the Dirt Cheap Tickets Travel [http://dirtcheapticketsite.com/] site which covers travel information, tips, reviews and ways to find cheap airline tickets online.


Tuesday 1 May 2012

3 Things to Consider While Traveling For Photography


Traveling is pleasure for me. I take it as an opportunity to learn and observe, specially the nature. I always consider these 3 things during my Travels.
1. Respect the Culture you are traveling in.
Once you get to know the culture of the place you are traveling in, be it the Shrine of Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai in Sindh or the Valley of Kalash in Northern Areas of Pakistan, you will be more comfortable with the sorroundings. You should learn about their culture. Learn few phrases of their language. Know about their dress and try not to wear the cloths which might happen to be offensive for them.
When it comes to culture, it means their values and traditions. Ask for the permission before taking photograph of people, especially the women and the senior citizens. If they do not allow, DO NOT take the picture. It's easy to take the picture and run away but that will then be unprofessional and you will not be able to make a long term relationship. I usually dress up in Shalwar Kameez during my travels to the interior sides of Pakistan especially in North West Frontier Province. It feels good and comfortable.
2. Communication is the key.
Since you have learnt few phrases from the language, it shows that you are actually a part of their family. Talk to them. Do not take picture at once. Hang around. Visit Bazaars. Visit the market, have few conversations with the locals. Introduce yourself. And Shoot next day. They will now know who actually is wandering around. I stayed in Kalash Valley in May 2009, and learnt phrases from the Kalasha Language. I used to greet them every day with "Ishpata" which is a greeting in their language. They loved me taking photographs. I didn't shoot at the very first day. I talked to them and visited their houses. And then shot whole next 2 days. It's all about taking your subjects as a Family.
3. Be rough:
When it comes to traveling, forget all your luxuries. Pack up with your equipments, water bottle, clothing, pair of shoes and a nice book to read because that's what I do during my travels. Remember, traveling is when you buy a one way ticket to a place you have never been to, rest is all unplanned. Go on, take the initiative. Take you camera out and shoot the people, the environment and everything.
So Taking photos while traveling is easy if you understand the culture, communicate with the people and motivate yourself in rough travels.


Monday 30 April 2012

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.


Sunday 29 April 2012

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.

Sunday 22 April 2012

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.