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Archive for the ‘Travel Tips’ Category

If you improve your time management, you can improve your travel experiences and your travel business operations. So enjoy this brief layover with some short success tips from travel pros who know that time management requires basic management skills as well as learning more about timing issues.

Take the Helm - Just as a good ship’s Captain takes charge of operations, you need to do so, too. No matter whether running your travel operations from out of your home or not, you still need to take charge. Plus it’s equally important to be enthusiastic about your choices and travel ideas, because if you do not enjoy what you’re doing you may either need a break - a travel break! - or to rethink your career strategy and what you’re doing right now. Pros know that the more enthusiastic you are, the more you put into your client packages of yourself and the more you can get out of them.

Decision-Making Skill - You also need to make educated, prompt, firm decisions. Yes, you can change your mind, from time to time, but take a stand and make a decision, right or wrong. Don’t let things get in the way and bog you down. Start by getting more organized with a good planning system like Franklin Covey’s planners and planning software, compatible with Outlook and handheld unit so that you can prioritize tasks and actually complete them in a timely manner.

Know that decision-making is a skill and it can be learned and improved upon, like using tools to help and taking time to learn from past decisions. And pros know that planned are most often the wisest.

Stay Informed - It’s no secret that everyone has the same number of hours in a day and that it’s what you do with them that counts. So do like the pros and study what they do. Find a mentor or coach. Keep up with the travel industry and work-at-home industry and any other fields of interest to learn about any changes and news that may help with your day-to-day operations.

And finally, go back over these basic guidelines to help ensure your own success with time management. Keep up with the latest issues and don’t ever stop learning. Brush up on your leadership and your decision-making skills so that these will take your whereever you want to go.

Dawn Orbeck
http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/time-management-tips-for-those-in-the-travel-industry-130455.html

Technorati Tags: Basic Management, Business Operations, Career Strategy, Franklin Covey, Handheld Unit, Layover, Management Skills, Planning Software, Planning System, Success Tips, Taking Time, Time Management Tips, Timely Manner, Travel Business, Travel Experiences, Travel Ideas, Travel Industry, Travel Operations, Travel Pros, Using Tools

There’s never been a better time to take up the RV life. Whether you’re a weekend wanderer, a snowbird or a full-timer, there’s an RV to suit any travel budget and any taste. With baby boomers starting to hit retirement age, more and more people are taking to the road with their motor home, RV or travel trailer. The Recreation Vehicle Industry Association recently reported that nearly 8 million American households have and RV, motor home or travel trailer and that there are as many as 30 million RV enthusiasts in the US.

Seeing the country in an RV offers many benefits to the traveler looking for an affordable and exciting way to spend quality family time. According to one study, a family of four can save up to 74% traveling by RV instead of more conventional ways. And with more than 16,000 public and privately-owned campgrounds in the US, there’s a site to fulfill everyone’s vacation fantasy, whether it’s an oceanfront view, hiking trails, casino gambling or tennis.

RV travel is easy to learn, and once you’ve got the hang of it, there’ll be no going back! Here are six helpful tips that will come in handy for both the beginning and seasoned RV enthusiast:

Map it Out

A large part of the RV appeal is the exhilarating freedom of the open road to go wherever you want, whenever you want. But it helps to have a solid travel plan in place. If you know where you’re heading, you can determine the best route, which offers the most interesting places to see. Look in travel guides, contact tourism boards in states you’ll be passing through, and search on the Internet. Make sure to have the correct road maps with you; a GPS system is a good idea as well, especially if you’re new to this kind of travel. If you’ve carefully designed the route you’ll be taking, it makes it easier to do spur-of-the moment things like checking out that oddball museum you just spotted on a roadside billboard!

Have A Checklist? Just Checking

During your pre-trip prep, in addition to working out what needs to be in the RV, put together a thorough checklist of things to do when setting up at a campground. There are the basics, like finding out where all the campground connections are, making sure your RV is level and properly hooking up your water, gas and electric systems but don’t forget comfort concerns, like making sure you’ve packed your favorite CDs and DVDs and those new lawn chairs. Equally important, you should have a second checklist of what has to be done when you break camp, both in terms of setting up your RV for departure (quick hint: when you think the job is done and everything is ready, check again).

Be Prepared - Have A ‘Just-For-The-RV’ First Aid Kit

Always make sure you have a fully stocked, up-to-date, just-for-the-RV First Aid kit, and keep it in an outside storage compartment. It should include basic medical supplies (bandages, ointment, OTC pain reliever, insect repellant, scissors, etc.) and items like a flashlight, paper and writing implements, and a disposable camera in case you have to take photos of an accident site. If you don’t feel up to the task of putting one together yourself, an extensive range of ready-made First Aid kits are available for purchase. Also include an emergency supply of must-have medications and a list of important contact names (family members, doctors, insurance agents etc).

Camping with Kids

If you’re traveling with children, make sure to set aside time during the day for outdoor activities, as even the roomiest RV can be confining for kids. And give each child his or her own space in the RV, no matter how small, for personal stuff and toys and games. RV traveling is a unique opportunity for your children to see new and different places and faces. There are often plenty of other kids at campgrounds but be sure to walk around a new campground with your children when you first get settled there. They need to know which campsite you’re in and how to find it from other places on the grounds. If you’re also taking the family pet, check beforehand to see if they’re allowed at the campground

A Little Help From Your Friends

When in doubt, ask your fellow RVer. However well-traveled you might be, odds are there’s someone you’ll meet along the way who has been somewhere you haven’t, solved a problem you haven’t yet encountered, or spotted an out-of-the-way delight you’ve never heard of. No matter how much research you’ve done, there’s bound to be a campsite you haven’t read about, a storage system that has escaped your notice or a funny anecdote that you’ll laugh about for years to come. The new folks you meet may or may not become close friends for life, but they’re an important part of the journey.

John Noble
http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/rv-travel-tips-for-the-beginner-and-seasoned-rv-enthusiast-59665.html

Technorati Tags: American Households, Baby Boomers, Best Route, Gps System, Interesting Places, Quality Family Time, Recreation Vehicle Industry, Retirement Age, Road Maps, Rv Enthusiast, Rv Enthusiasts, Rv Life, Rv Motor, Rv Travel, Spur Of The Moment, Tourism Boards, Travel Budget, Travel Plan, Travel Trailer, Vacation Fantasy

Planning a trip to a far off destination can be a lot of fun. But if you don’t plan ahead, you can sometimes end up with a bad travel deal or some bad timing when you want to see some special events on your trip. This is why it is important to utilize the internet in order to plan your trip. You can get free travel guides and free travel brochures right from the internet so that you can get a great overview of nearly any major tourist destination anywhere in the world.

Planning a trip online will usually save you money. You can save a lot of money when you book your flight, hotel, and rental car (if needed) all from a single website. And many of these websites can give you an overview of the major tourist attractions that are in the city, mainly near where you are staying. They will also provide you with orientation as where you will be located from the airport.

The main concern for people that use the internet to plan travel is to find a website that will cater to your own philosophy about travel and the price that you want to pay. If you find a great, comprehensive site, but all it can offer you is information on five star hotels and swanky restaurants for two, you may not want to use this particular website to plan your family vacation.

If you are working with a tight budget, you can still travel in nearly any city in the world. All you have to do it think outside the box for money saving strategies. If you want to head somewhere warm and tropical, think about trading in your plane ticket for a room of a cruise. Cruises can be much more affordable and you will be able to cover a lot of ground quickly. And if you are worried about hotel costs once you get to your destination, you can explore different options for housing such as house swapping with someone who wants to go to your home and stay for a vacation, or think about couch surfing if you feel safe doing that.

If you want to find a lot of free events and attractions to attend while you are on your vacation, you will want to utilize the local chamber of commerce or city run websites. These will list all of the upcoming events, and things like parades and festivals that celebrate something unique are usually free to the public. Most of these festivals will happen in the summer and fall months, so you will want to plan the timing of your vacation accordingly.

And to make sure you are safe when traveling, you will want to check the US Department of State travel website for any warning and travel advisories for US citizens. It’s not always an ideal situation to travel to an area where US citizens are not welcome.

Jordan McPelt
http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/online-travel-planning-tips-for-rich-folks-555168.html

Technorati Tags: Couch Surfing, Cruise, Cruises, Family Vacation, Five Star Hotels, Free Brochures, Free Travel Brochures, Free Travel Guides, Hotel Costs, Orientation, Philosophy, Plan Travel, Plane Ticket, Planning A Trip, Rental Car, Rich Folks, Tight Budget, Tourist Attractions, Tourist Destination, Travel Deal

Although many people suffer from diabetes it does not stop many to travel around the world and behave just like another any other regular traveler, in most cases these trip end in the most normal and regular way, but in some cases things get a little complicated while the diabetic is on the road, there are a few things to know and consider when traveling. Diabetes should not stop you from traveling but careful planning is required in order to assure a safe and enjoyable trip.

You should always plan everything in advance, what is basically true to all passengers is also true for the diabetic passenger, and even more so if there is any mental pressure on the person that is traveling, make sure you have everything ready well in time, and save yourself the worries and anxiety.

Give yourself at least 2 to 3 months of planning. This will enable you to accomplish everything you need in your trip.

If your trip requires arrangement with a travel agent, inquire on the special package for diabetic. Itineraries should be different and meals should conform to the need of a diabetic.

When packing, do not place your diabetes supplies and medications in one bag. Have them separated in case your bag is stolen or lost. Insulin will lose its strength if stored in a very cold or hot place such as the globe compartment of the car. Un-pressurized environment will also give the same effect.

If you travel by plane, have your medications and diabetes supply especially your insulin in your carry-on luggage. Have them with you all the time. Insulin should not be exposed in x-ray. Security scanners on the other hand will not destroy your blood glucose meter.

Check your blood sugar level regularly.

Take note of your medication schedules especially if you are crossing time zones. If you want to rest during the flight, inform a flight attendant to wake you up for your medication.

Holiday vacation on a cruise can mean buffet meals. Control your cravings and only eat the amount prescribe on you. Physical activity such as swimming, exercising, and strolling the deck can compensate on your food intake.

If you are traveling by car, make sure that you keep a good eye on your blood sugar level before you leave and every 4 hours during the trip.

Make frequent stops to exercise your legs and improve your blood circulation. .

If you are on a backpacking trip, make sure that your diet is followed. Keep off from food that is not suitable to your condition. Make sure that you do not go beyond your limits in drinking and eating.

Celia Namart
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/travel-tips-for-people-with-diabetes-83788.html

Technorati Tags: Blood Glucose Meter, Blood Sugar Level, Buffet Meals, Carry On Luggage, Cravings, Crossing Time Zones, Diabetes Medications, Diabetes Supplies, Diabetes Supply, Flight Attendant, Holiday Vacation, Hot Place, Insulin, Itineraries, Medication Schedules, Security Scanners, Travel Agent, Travel Tips, Worries, X Ray Security

It’s common for many travellers to suffer post-travel regret. Whether it’s because of lost or stolen belongings, being taken for a ride, getting lost, or just suffering a poor travel experience.  No one wants their memories of a long anticipated trip to be peppered with bad experiences, and fortunately there are some incredibly simple things you can do to lessen the chances of it happening.  

1.       Prepare before you go.
Obviously the more prepared you are for your trip; the less likely you are to suffer frustration when you arrive.  A good start here is ensuring you have most of your plans pre-booked, particularly your accommodation. Usually when you arrive you’ll be exhausted, and often it will be in the evening, so as a minimum it’s a good idea to have your first night or two in each city booked. And check the city tourist websites prior to booking to see if there are local events being held at the time of your travel, as this can affect availability & price. Otherwise you can still bargain-hunt when pre-booking, by using a price-comparison site, or last minute engines. 
Here are a few other items you shouldn’t leave home without.  
- At least one power adapter for the country you’re visiting. 
-Local guidebooks are invaluable for determining places to see, times & days of sight openings, places to eat, and the basic & words phrases you’ll need in that language to get by. If it’s a heavy guidebook, you may find removing the language pages & jotting other day trip details down is a good option. You can then carry them separately in your bag, which is a much lighter option to the whole book.  
-Printed directions for the hotels you’re staying at. Google maps are perfect for this whether on foot or by vehicle. 
-At least 2 ATM cards. Preferably 2 per person if you’re travelling with a mate. This way if one is rejected in certain countries, or worse gobbled up by a machine, you have a back-up. It’s usually worthwhile to take a credit card, but there are some cautions here. See more on this below. 

2.       Pack light - Pack right 
One of the major frustrations when travelling can be either having too much luggage or the wrong kind.  The all-time most important tip any regular traveller will give you is to pack light. Inevitably at some point even with planned travel, you will need to pull or carry your luggage. If there are two of you, this makes it somewhat easier. But remember there’s a good chance you’ll pick up a few souvenirs or other items while you’re there, so starting with a lot of luggage, will only make it more difficult later. Layer clothing is the best kind to take, with a good mix of easy wear t-shirts & singlets. Check expected temperatures before you go, but inevitably you’ll almost always need at least one warmer jacket. Choose one that is warm, but not too bulky.  If you are travelling with a mate or spouse, combining your luggage into one medium or large case can be a great decision. If you find you’re picking up items on your travels, and running out of room, it’s usually extremely easy to pick up a cheap knock-off bag on wheels that will see you out til you get home. Starting out with just one main piece of luggage, makes sharing the load with a companion easier. This is also a much safer option, see more on this below. 

3.       Get the right travel gear
If you are travelling through a westernised country and are likely to be in built up areas, luggage on wheels is almost always the best option. It’s easier to pull luggage than carry it, and it’s more secure against serious thieves.  
However for rural, remote areas or under-developed countries, a backpack is definitely best.  It’s not only more practical if you’re getting around on foot more or transporting via boat or bus, it’s also a lower security risk in many of these places. You don’t want to draw attention to expensive-looking baggage, which could imply you have expensive contents. If you take a back-pack, make sure it’s sturdy, and can be kept secure. Don’t keep items of value in any external pockets. 
The other major key to having fuss-free daily adventures is to make sure you have the right carry-bag. A long-strapped sling bag is best. Small backpacks of any description are a shining beacon to thieves, where your belongings are easily reached conveniently behind your back. You should have a bag you can cross over your shoulder. Ensuring it has a comfortable, strong strap. This bag will do a lot of walking with you, and hold most of your valuable items, so getting it right is a high priority. A zipped bag is mandatory, one which allows no gaps for sneaky hands. If it has a flap, ensure the zip under it is always fully closed, and the zip opening facing to your front. In this way, your valuables are carried at the front of your body, and near impossible to access by another person.
If you are travelling as a male & female, a satchel which is more uni-sex is ideal, because you can share carrying the load.

4.       Be travel wise 
By following the above suggestions on luggage, you should hopefully have a limited amount of it which is always a far more secure way to travel. If you stop at anytime to make arrangements, always stay with your luggage, and if possible always keep a hand on it. Un-attended luggage is the No.1 kind to go missing in high traffic areas, such as train & bus stations. For this reason when travelling on trains over longer periods, you should keep your luggage close to you, or at least where you can see it. Ideally, get a compartment where you are guaranteed to have it with you. 
Where possible you should carry your passports with you at all times. Even many hotel safe’s, unless it’s a reputable hotel, are not very secure. So aim to take things of value with you throughout the day. You should keep your valuables at the bottom of your carry bag, and in an internal zip compartment if you have one.  
In many parts of the world credit card fraud is still rampant. Whilst you’ll usually want to take a credit card with you, try to use it sparingly to lessen the chances of the number falling into the wrong hands. It’s a good idea to try and pay for transportation, dining etc with cash withdrawn from an ATM. Do your best not to let your credit card leave your sight. 
In certain countries, over-charging tourists is common, so be cautious. For hotels, take all paperwork detailing the room type with you, to help ensure you get what you’ve paid for.  Scams can also occur in cafe’s, particularly with getting wine inferior to that which you’ve paid for.  If in doubt query it before you consume it.  If you are blatantly overcharged, stand your ground. And try to give close to exact money, so there’s no opportunity for them to conveniently keep the change. 
In most under-developed countries, you can expect scams around every corner. From travel agencies, to people approaching you on the street. When you arrive, read the hotel information or speak to them about what dangers there may be in that area. Guidebooks will usually indicate which tour agencies don’t offer products as displayed, so peruse these before spending your money.

5.       Be travel safe
In many cities all over the world, you can find yourself a target for those who prey on un-wary travellers. Be sensible, do your best not to look like a tourist. Pulling out maps in the middle of the street is a clear sign you’re a tourist, and an easy target. So try where possible to find a convenient spot to do this discretely, or make your plans over lunch. Waist bags worn outside your clothing are to thieves like a red-flag to a bull. There are far better ways of keeping your money close. If you’re not carrying a bag, choose a belt that goes under your clothes. 
When walking from place to place, try to stick close to others, and avoid dark streets at night & quite alleys in the day. There’s usually another way you can go that’s populated, or catch transport. 
Being street smart is fairly common sense. Stay aware, and cautious..and you’ll likely ward off any potential incidents. This doesn’t mean you have to be paranoid, but just remember you’re away from home, and as a tourist you’re at risk. 

If you keep these few basic rules you should find you enjoy fairly fuss-free travel. Inevitably there will always be things that go wrong, and can’t be avoided. But don’t let them spoil your dream trip. Prepare well, be travel wise, and you’re very likely to have an adventure full of wonderful memories.

Rachel Barlow
http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/5-top-tips-to-frustrationfree-travel-700282.html

Technorati Tags: Amp, Atm Cards, Belongings, City Tourist, Day Trip, First Night, Free Travel, Frustration, Google, Google Maps, Guidebooks, Local Events, Mate, Phrases, Post Travel, Power Adapter, Price Comparison, Travel Experience, Travellers, Trip Details