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

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I parked in a BP garage forecourt at Gatwick Airport and notices indicated that i could park for 20 minutes free and would then recive a PCN for £150 (£75 if paid within 14 days) This ticket was issued by an outfit called Civil Enforcement Limited, whose web address of ce-services.co.uk does not seem to work. I question the right of this company to levy this exorbitant charge without any appeals procedure and I should like to be appraised of the law regarding this "offenc."

If you don’t want to pay the fee, then don’t park there! You obviously did see the notices, and parked there anyway, so what’s your complaint?

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Technorati Tags: Gov Uk, Heathrow Airport, Preston Park, Preston Park Station, Thetrainline Com, Trains, Travel In London

Is it nothing but lip service by its American owners?

ask this question when you know what enabling work means. The enabling works are just to make sure the area is suitable

Technorati Tags: Fear, Lip Service, Liverpool Fc, Liverpool News, Quot, Regional News, Stanley Park, Uk Liverpool, Uk News

However, I’m unsure about a few things.

I have to fly from London Stansted, as that is the cheapest airport where I can get to Brindisi in Italy. I will have to travel down the night before, as the flight leaves early in the morning and I can’t find any plane/bus/train that will get me there in time, not even an overnighter. Will I be allowed to sleep in the airport?

Also, I have applied for an EH1C card, but will I need travel insurance as well? I am going to be staying in Italy until the end of August, so I will be there for about 5 months. I can’t find any travel insurance that doesn’t cost a fortune. Even insurance with my bank would cost me £90, which I can’t afford as I have to save up for flights. I’m not even certain exactly how much a flight would cost me, as the prices seem to be changing daily. I can’t book a flight until I’ve received my passport. Does anyone know if flights would be cheaper to book a few days or a few weeks before travelling?

I have found a few things on the Internet about the town I am going to - Lecce - but not a lot. Can anyone give me some firsthand information? I am going to Italy to be an Au Pair, but I don’t even know simple things like where the nearest shops or parks are! I’m going to feel a bit useless having to get the parents or children to show me. I’d rather know a few things before I go.

I’ve been told that the weather has become hot and sunny recently. Do you think this will last, or am I better to bring some cold weather clothes as well?

Lastly, I’ve been told I’m not allowed to take fizzy juice or teabags on the plane with me! I am addicted to Irn Bru and Tetley tea, and I’m not sure how I’m going to be if I can’t drink either of them. Think I’ll end up being even more homesick! It was my parents that told me this, but I can’t find anything that says about it. Does anyone know?

Any other information or help at all would be much appreciated! Thank you in advance =)

i have currently been in Italy for a few months so this is what i know ! :

yes you can sleep in the airport although it wont be much fun. I used to travel to stansted using the national express bus to get there, have you checked them out ?

The EH1C card is for medical treatment in the country, travel insurance is more broad, for example it can cover stolen goods to drugs and medical bills to flying you back home in case of an emergency. Mine cost me about £50 however since you are there longer, unfortunately there is not much you can do about it.

Booking flights is usually cheaper the earlier you do it, for example a month before. It can also be cheap from 7 - 1 days before, as the company wants to fill the plane! however booking a few days before can be a risk.

Don’t worry about the town, why should you feel useless not knowing where the shops are if you have never been!? The people who know the most are the people you are going to stay with! you can look on google earth or maps, type the address in and get an idea of the area.

The weather is getting better slowly, but compared to england its summer right now! take a jacket and some jumpers for the rainy days and the odd cool night just incase, but it’s only going to get hotter and hotter, and since Lecce is in the south, expect it to get very hot!

No liquids are allowed in hand luggage on the plane, doesn’t matter what it is. They are allowed in the suitcase, however check stansted’s website, it should tell you all there.

ciao ciao

Technorati Tags: 5 Months, Au Pair, Book A Flight, Brindisi, Bus Train, Cold Weather Clothes, Few Days, Flights, Fly, Fortune, Job In Italy, London Stansted, New Job, Parents, Passport, Sleep, Teabags, Tetley Tea, Travel Insurance, Work In Italy

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

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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

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however the Heathrow Express train https://www.heathrowexpress.com/index.asp?SID={E391D218-7D7E-48C8-BFFB-17E95DD3F93B} comes into Paddington station which is very near Bayswater so it would be by far the quickest and easiest

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thanks
they don’t seem to have their own parking, but on their website they list local car parks
http://www.tate.org.uk/liverpool/information/

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