Archive for the ‘Travel Tips’ Category
Travel Tips For Your Cycling Vacations In Italy
In this article we present common sense tips you can employ to ensure that you have a fun and safe vacation in Italy.
“When in Rome, do as the Romans do.”
That’s an old cliche, but it’s true. When you travel to a different country you’ll come across different ways, different customs. It’s important to know a little bit about the culture before you visit, and of course there are common sense precautions you should follow where ever you travel.
Advance Planning
Do you need medications of any kind? Always bring the medication - and the appropriate documentation to prove you need it - with you. You may be able to get the same kind of medication in Italy - but then again you might not. Better to be safe than sorry.
Do you plan to do any driving? Find out if you can drive in Italy using your regular car license, or if you need to get an “international driving license.’ If you are not familiar with international road signs - learn them before you go. While driving, check out your route in advance so you have some knowledge of where you’re going before you try to get there. Know the rules of the road in Italy and what to do in case of accidents.
Make a list of the places and things you want to see before you go, and do research into them. Some events or museum exhibits are time sensitive, so you’ll want to make sure you’re going at the right time to see everything. Now that practically every museum and art gallery is online you can easily check to make sure if there’ll be an exhibit you’ll want to see, or if a gallery will be closed while you’re visiting.
Can you get along without your cellphone? You may be able to get a special card in it to make sure it will work in Italy. Ask your service provider about that. Will you be bringing a laptop computer? Make sure you have transformers so that you can plug in batteries to recharge, not only for computers but also for other electronic devices. And not only will you need a transformer but also a converter - to make sure you don’t burn out your appliance. Just because a plug fits into the socket, it does not mean the right voltage is going through it!
Site Seeing
You’re in Italy, and you’re seeing the sites. Depending on where you are, you will be in a crowd of other tourists. If you’re traveling with family or friends make sure that you have contingency plans in case you get separated. Distribute your money in such a way that if you lose a wallet you will not lose your vacation.
Be aware of the rules for each site you visit, and make sure you follow them. Not all of the sites you visit will allow you to take pictures, for example, and if you are inside buildings such as art galleries or museums you will certainly not be able to use a flash.
If you enter a church, be as quiet and respectful as possible. Even if there are famous for their architecture and open to tours, worshippers are still there and should not be disturbed. Be careful about using a camera in this instance.
Dinning Out in Italy
It’s a good idea to drink bottled water instead of the tap water, at any time of day. It will save you from any stomach unpleasantness.
There are some countries where you can go into a restaurant, order food, and get it “your way.” This is not the case in Italy. Don’t insult the chefs by making special requests to substitute or leave off an ingredient.
As you travel from country to country you’ll find that different regions have different table manners. You may look odd, for example, if you cut your spaghetti with a fork - the Italians wrap the spaghetti around a spoon and eat it that way. However, so many tourists travel in Italy with so many different customs that it won’t invite that much comment - you’ll probably just be considered a tourist. If you are traveling on business - that is the time to make sure you eat your food the way the Italians eat it.
Italians like to linger over their food. You will not be presented with a check - you’ll have to ask your server for it. Tipping is an accepted practice, and should be done in cash. Most of the dining restaurants in Italy are the sit down type with several different courses. If you want “fast food,” a pizzeria is your best bet.
You’ll enjoy your trip to Italy much more if you are familiar with the customs in advance, have plans to take care of every contingency, and know what you want to see and when you want to see it. Avanti!
Alastair Hamilton
http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/travel-tips-for-your-cycling-vacations-in-italy-83229.html
Tags: Car License, Cellphone, Cliche, Common Sense, Different Ways, Electronic Devices, International Road Signs, Italy Rome, Laptop Computer, Museum Exhibits, Right Time, Rules Of The Road, Sense Precautions, Sense Tips, Travel Tips, Travel Vacations, Vacation In Italy, Vacations In Italy, When In Rome, When In Rome Do As The Romans | No Comments »
The Best Safari Travel Tips
The information about travel,safari,travel tips presented here will do one of two things: either it will reinforce what you know about travel,safari,travel tips or it will teach you something new. Both are good outcomes.
Before stepping on that plane for a marvelous safari adventure, plan like there’s no tomorrow. You will thank your self for being precautious when faced with untoward incidents. Here are the important things you should consider when going on a safari travel:
1. Remember that it is one challenging endeavor.
Planning a safari can be one of the most exciting feats one can ever manage to make happen. It is not one of the generic travels, usual jetsetters indulge in. Though you are provided with a tour brochure and a tourist guide, it still is better to research on your own regarding the various itineraries.
2. Best spots for safari should be spotted. The most suggested parts of Africa to enjoy safari include East and Central Africa, Southern Africa and Indian Ocean Islands.
3. Prepare for the climate. It is a must to know the seasonal trends and how they will affect your travel. But also remember that the weather is fickle-minded so you can never really accurately predict the outcome of your travel if you will base it one the weather alone. If you are going to visit East and Central Africa, long rains start early in April to early June. Short rains abound during late November to December. Southern Africa has its rainy season from late November through mid-April for the safari areas. However, during that time, it will be summer in Southern Cape. When one prefers Indian and Ocean Islands he or she can expect the seasonal trend to be more like of that of Southern Africa. In these islands, summer rains last from November through April. Cyclones can also be experienced during those seasons. From May to October, the dry season occurs.
4. Choose your activities. Among others, safari traveling offers these fun-filled activities: a. gorilla trekking b. sailing c. birdwatching d. participatory camping e. self driving
5. Know what you can afford. When choosing a trip, budget constraints should never be overlooked. Decide on a price range that you can work on. To make your budgeting more effective consider the level of luxury of your safari travel, length of your trip, activities, accommodations preferences, meals and season. 6. Determine your travel style. Do you prefer your safari to be more luxurious, moderate or rustic? Will you let kids tag along? Are you traveling with a group or will you be one bold, independent traveler? Will you travel by air or road? What about your guide and your vehicle? Answering those questions will more or less improve your overview of your dream safari travel. Have fun!
This article’s coverage of the information is as complete as it can be today. But you should always leave open the possibility that future research could uncover new facts.
Michael Hehn
http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/the-best-safari-travel-tips-81328.html
Tags: Africa Safari, Central Africa, Cyclones, Feats, Gorilla, Important Things, Indian Ocean Islands, Itineraries, Late November, Rainy Season, Safari Adventure, Safari Areas, Safari Travel, Sailin, Seasonal Trend, Seasonal Trends, Southern Africa, Tour Brochure, Travel Safari, Travel Tips | 3 Comments »
Travel Tips: Your Flight to Hawaii
One of the most frequented questions on my blog is if you need a passport to visit Hawaii. If you are a U.S. citizen the answer is no. Hawaii is the 50th U.S. state so there is no need for a passport. It is no different than from going from say, Nevada to California except the long flight of course.
Flying to Hawaii can be a very long trip if you haven’t planned right for it, especially if you have kids along. Flight times vary from around 6 hours from Los Angeles or San Francisco, 8 hours from Salt Lake City and around 12 hours from New York and as long as 17.5 hours from the UK.
To keep your kids busy bring along some books or a portable DVD player and a couple DVD’s to help keep them occupied. Make sure the DVD player is fully charged or has new batteries so it will last long enough for the flight. Don’t forget the headphones! People in the neighboring seats don’t want to hear the Barney song all through the flight. Most flights should have an in-flight movie to watch as well.
If you are bringing an infant be sure your car seat has the FAA approval sticker on it somewhere or you won’t be able to use it. Have an ample supply of diapers, wipes and powdered formula as well. A few dry snacks are also a good idea especially if your kids are picky eaters, they might not like the food served on the plane so bring something you know they will eat. You can bring fruits and vegetables on the plane and eat them there, but you cannot take them off the plane in Hawaii. Also be prepared to fill out the Agricultural form in flight so keep a pen handy.
I usually fly the red eye out of Las Vegas at 2 am so it is dark and much easier to sleep through the six to seven hour flight. The flights can get a little chilly since you are sitting in an air conditioned place for so long so bring a light jacket, you are likely to need one sometime during your Hawaii trip anyway, keep it handy in your carry-on.
The flight is a good time to reread any Activity brochures you may have picked up or to go over your itinerary to make sure you time is wisely spent, or just sit back and relax and prepare yourself for the slower lifestyle of Hawaii, after all you are going to Hawaii!
Ronnie Wayne
http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-tips-articles/travel-tips-your-flight-to-hawaii-705774.html
Travel Tips For Driving and Car Rental In France
A car is a convenient way to travel around in France. Roads are very well maintained and the French road network includes 4960 miles of motorways (many with tolls) which link Paris and the main provincial towns and cities.
The French motorways are a delight to drive on, as they are all relatively new and incredibly well maintained. They are usually expensive and the locals prefer to avoid them and stick to the national routes. One leg of a motorway is often 1.50 euros no matter how short. To give you an indication, the toll from Paris to Tours is about 26 euros one way for a journey of about 2.5 hours.
If you want an up to date break down of the tolls on any trip log onto the Michelin website and it will calculate the current tolls for you. Beware they really do add up quickly.
The motorways are fast efficient way to travel and once you are on them they are easy to navigate. The speed limits on motorways are 130 kilometres in fine weather and 110 in the rain. Beware the gendarmes usually hang out around the exits with their speed cameras catching unsuspecting motorists as they fly past. If you must speed on a motorway do not do it under an exit bridge.
The gendarmes also like the long viaducts, which span huge valleys. Typically the speed limit is reduced to 90 kilometres per hour because of the huge winds at those altitudes. The gendarmes catch out many unsuspecting motorists at the far side of these huge high bridges.
Lorries, trucks or HGVs (Camions in French) are not permitted to drive on the motorways on Sundays. The exits from the motorways often bank incredibly hard and when they say 30 kilometres per hour for the exit, it is a fair indication and should not be ignored.
If you have the time it is lovely travelling along the national routes and not just hurtling past all of the countryside on the motorway. It is easy to get stuck behind lorries and extra wide vehicles.
If you are travelling on the national routes you have to be really careful about buying petrol or diesel on a Sunday. Almost every service station is closed on a Sunday (except those on Motorways) and all of the automatic petrol pumps do not accept international credit cards only French debit and credit cards.
It is easy to find yourself almost out of petrol at a pump unable to fill up on a Sunday because you only have foreign cards. This happened to me and luckily I was able to convince a lovely French man to put 60 euros of petrol in my car on his card in exchange for cash. If I had not happened upon this very sweet gentleman, I would have been sleeping in the car until Monday morning until the service station staff returned.
Permanent speed cameras are normally well signposted and are big rectangular boxes painted with bright fluorescent yellow and black diagonal stripes to warn you. The Michelin website also lists where these fixed speed cameras are on your journey and advises the speed limit at those locations.
The French are a very proud nation and avidly support their own automobile manufacturing industry. Accordingly there will be lots of Peugots and Citroens available to rent. Because France is such a large country being the size of Texas, lots of French have embraced diesel-powered cars for economic reasons.
Most people prefer manual to automatic diesels, as they are more responsive. The end result is that if you are from Australia, New Zealand or England and do not fancy driving a manual car and changing gears with your right hand whilst driving on the other side of the road, you need to book your automatic hire car early as they only have a few and they get booked out early especially in the height of summer.
Perhaps you may want to request your hire company to arrange an automatic car for you from a different depot. This is all possible, if you provide the hire car company with enough notice.
The minimum driving age in France is 18 years old.
A valid U.S. driver’s license is required for all U.S. citizens who drive in France. Minimum driving age is 18. Proof of insurance coverage is necessary; your license, insurance certificate, and vehicle registration may be requested along the way.
To rent a car in France you must be at least 20 years of age and have held a full driving license for at least a year. Insurance is obligatory. The main car rental companies have offices in all railway stations and airports, as well as in major city centers.
Car rentals in France can be costly; reserving a car in advance on the internet can mean significant savings if you reserve ahead for a minimum of days and pay in advance.
Corina Clemence
http://www.articlesbase.com/destinations-articles/travel-tips-for-driving-and-car-rental-in-france-125496.html
Insider Travel Tips for Mexico: Beyond Cancun
The last time I was in Mexico, so was everyone else, or so it seemed. But it is possible to travel to Mexico and enjoy a white sandy beach and some peace and quiet at the same time. All you need to know is where (and, in some cases, when) to go.
When to Go
November to April is widely regarded as the best time to visit. The summer months can get pretty hot. September and October is the peak of hurricane season, which actually stretches from November to June.
Keep in mind that the month of March tends to be very busy on the Mexico beaches with high school and college students on Spring Break. If it is a quiet vacation you want, you will also want to avoid the time around Christmas and Easter, as well as July and August.
Where to Go
There is a lot more to Mexico, and the Yucatan peninsula, than the city of Cancun.
Here are five favorite destinations that offer memorable Mexico vacations. Each of these spots can be reached by flying into Cancun. So if you would like to get a taste of the big city resort and then set out on the less traveled path, you will have the best of both worlds.
1. Isla Mujeres. Just 8 miles across the bay from Cancun, Isla Mujeres is a peaceful fishing village with restaurants, shops, and small, charming hotels. In fact, the whole island is cozy: The island itself is less than one mile wide and about five miles long. Downtown Isla Mujeres stretches only about six blocks. The signature turquoise waters and white sandy beaches make for great snorkeling and scuba diving. You can rent kayaks, snorkeling equipment and other gear right on the beach. Other activities to enjoy during your stay at Isla Mujeres include fishing, sailing, and swimming with the dolphins.
2. Riviera Maya stretches down the peninsula from Cancun to Tulum. Here, you will find white sandy beaches and water sports of all kinds, including scuba diving along the Great Maya coral reef, the second largest barrier reef system on the globe. Divers, and snorkelers may be rewarded with the sight of water life ranging from sea anemones, sponges and sea cucumbers to starfish and sea urchins, as well as underwater caverns. Sport fishing is a big business in Riviera Maya, as well. Other activities include golfing, spa going, and eco touring at the various ecological reserves in the region. Two highlights: the Xcaret EcoPark and the Sian Kaan bioshphere.
3. Playa del Carmen. About 40 minutes by car down the coast from Cancun, Playa del Carmen is growing into a bustling resort along Riviera Maya. If you like to shop, you will love Playa del Carmen. Boutiques in the town offer everything from cutting edge European fashions to crafts from local artisans.
During your stay, do not miss Quinto Avenida (Fifth Avenue). It is the heart of Playa. There are no cars, you can stroll the Avenue and be entertained by street performers, including artists and musicians. Playa del Carmen also features premiere dining, as the majority of the restaurants in the Riviera Maya are here, and quite a few of them are on Fifth Avenue itself. The bars and nightclubs are hopping on into the evening, so bring your dancing shoes.
4. XelHa. XelHa is an archeological site and eco park, located between Playa Del Carmen and Tulum. This destination offers adventures for all ages and mesmerizing ecological sights, as well as water sports, such as diving and snorkeling. You can swim with the dolphins here, as well. XelHa is particularly friendly for families and is bound to be an education in both Mayan history and ecology for the entire family.
5. Tulum. Drive a bit further south down the Mayan coast and you will find the small town of Tulum. Tulum is perhaps best known for its Mayan ruins, high on the limestone cliffs. These cliffs offer scenery you will not soon forget of the Caribbean alongside a picture perfect coastline. Tulum is the starting place for eco tourism and adventure travel, so make sure to look into nearby day trips and local attractions.
For an ideal and well rounded vacation, try a few days exploring the gradeur of Riviera Maya, then take some time to shop and play in the bustling Playa Del Carmen and another day or two visiting the Mayan ruins, and taking in the sites, of Tulum.
The word is out about these magnificent resorts, so you will not be able to avoid the crowds completely, but by striking out and having fun off the beaten path, you will find a good balance, and learn a lot about ecology and ancient Mayan culture.
Jamie Jefferson
http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/insider-travel-tips-for-mexico-beyond-cancun-101906.html
Tags: Barrier Reef System, Best Of Both Worlds, Coral Reef, Favorite Destinations, Fishing Village, Hurricane Season, Insider Travel, Isla Mujeres, Mexico Beaches, Mexico Vacations, Quiet Vacation, Riviera Maya, Sandy Beaches, Second Largest Barrier Reef, Snorkeling Equipment, Swimming With The Dolphins, Traveled Path, Turquoise Waters, White Sandy Beach, Yucatan Peninsula | No Comments »
