Travel Tips
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A Little planning can go a long way towards a trouble-free overseas trip. Whether you're plannlng a romantic getaway, an exotic adventure or a whirlwind sightseeing tour, these tips will help set you up for a trouble-free holiday.
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PACKAGE HOLIDAYS
Many people who consider themselves budget travellers wish to control their itineraries. They shirk the all-inclusive vacation deals and independently shop for the best individual deals on hotel rooms, ground transportation, airfares, and food.
Today, package deals are becoming extremely popular as they take out the stress from planning holidays. If you are budget traveller, the best way of saving both money and time is to opt for a package deal that has everything, right from accommodation to flights for a cheaper price.
Traditionally, package deals comprise of 3 main components: accommodation, flights, and some form of transport from the airport to the proposed destination. Besides, there are additional extras on food and drink, and activities that can be often added to the travel package if travellers opt for the all inclusive deals.
If you opt for non-inclusive holidays, it could be quite tough to determine the exact prices of certain local services and the food and drink before you reach the destination. Who knows, even though you may find some good bargains, you might end up paying more.
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Package deals are available for almost all areas of the travel industry, from business trips to beach holidays. For instance, ski vacations usually comprise more features compared to average holiday packages, as you will have to consider snowboards and ski equipment hire, as well as ski lessons and lift passes, other than accommodation, flights and transportation. On the contrary, if you opt for a package deal, all these aspects would be collectively taken care of.
Escorted tours and package deals are not the same thing. Compared to escorted tours, package deals allow you to travel independently and yet pay as per the group rate. Package deals are ideal for popular destinations. Package deals are usually sold in bulk to travel agencies, who in turn sell them to the public at subsidized rates.
However, the quality of package deals could vary widely, so make sure you shop around before finalizing a deal. If you are planning to travel to a place at a particular date, or have your heart set on a certain destination, it is always advisable to book in advance to avoid any last minute hassles.
You can get a hotel and flight package deal to any destination on earth and all you would have to do is to pick a location and pack your bags! Orbitz
WHEN AND WHERE TO GO Think outside the square when choosing a destination. Start with TV travel shows, travel guide books and advice from friends and travel agents for ideas.
When choosing a time to travel, the top two considerations are crowds and climate. Parts of Europe can be hot, humid and over crowded in the northern summer. Try and visit places in the off season. There will be less rowds and cheaper prices.
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Make your own guide book before you leave. Collect brochures, print web pages and make lists of recommended tours, accommodation, towns and sites you want to see. Put them in a thin folder with clear plastic pages. Before leaving, remove irrelevant material and take the folder with you.
PASSPORT AND VISAS Make sure your passport will have at least six months validity when you travel. Check with the country's embassy or consulate, or your travel agent, well before your trip for up-to-date information on visa requirements. Rules can change frequently and obtaining visas can be time-consuming and fraught with hassles.
Don't leave home without it! Buy it at the same time you book your trip so you are covered if something goes wrong before departure. Read the fine print and ensure any adventure activities you are planning are covered.
PACKING Travel light. A good rule of thumb is to set out everything on the bed, you want, then pack only half of it. Take twice as much money! Mini bottles saved from hotel stays are ideal for shampoo, conditioner and washing powder. New security regulations affect what you can carry on board.
When packing clothes, don't ask yourself if you may wear something while travelling. Ask if you will wear something enough to justify carrying it around. Always pack less, rather than more. When camping or backpacking, carry a couple of tea light candles to use in an emergency or to add atmosphere at night.
TRAVEL WARNINGS Check www.smartraveller.gov.au for the latest travel advice. It includes information about the likelihood of a terrorist attack, recent troubles, local laws and warnings about anything from bird flu to pirates and spiked drinks.
MONEY ON THE GO Select a mixture of at least two payment options, such as credit card, cash card and travellers' cheques.
Leave with someone at home copies or details ofyour passport, itinerary, insurance policy, travellers' cheques, visas, credit card numbers, bank phone numbers to call if credit cards are lost or stolen and emergency contact numbers. Keep a second set of these in your luggage, apart from the originals.
OBEY THE LAW Consular assistance cannot override local laws, even where local laws appear harsh or unjust by your standards.
EATING AND DRINKING The most common travel related illnesses are gastrointestinal diseases picked up from contaminated food and water. Avoid getting sick by taking care when it comes to anything you put in your mouth. Use bottled water and avoid ice in drinks. Eat thick-skinned fruit and vegetables such as bananas, oranges and mandarins and make sure your food is cooked thoroughly. It is wise to avoid shellfish and food from street stalls, unless it is cooked steaming hot, right in front of you. Hotels and restaurant are much safer. Take care with personal hygiene - always wash your hands before eating.
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Other Tips
**Camping is possible in the Everglades, although most campsites are only accessible by boat. It is advisable to book your campsite and obtain a permit a few weeks in advance.
**Washington DC is a great city for free sight seeing. Don't miss the monuments Lincoln Memorial, WW11 Memorial, Washington Monument, Jefferson Memorial, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. To tour the Capitol building, visitors must get tickets. They are free and are handed out on a first-come, first-serve basis, at the Capitol Guide Service Kiosk. Ticket distribution starts at 9 a.m.
**Don't waste money flying from Belize City to Caye Caulkner. The water taxi's between the two cost about $7 and take less than an hour.
**When overseas, visit a local sporting match for a real taste of the town and its people. Minor league teams are cheaper to watch and you can usually buy a ticket at the gate on the day.
**Many of the tourist information centres in small villages throughout Europe give guided tours for free. All you have to do is ask.
**When planning a long road trip to your holiday destination, research the stops along the way. Make a note of the good cafes, towns and parks for a quick, relaxing break, rather than eating takeaways at a highway service station. Remember on a long trip, you should stop and stretch your legs every 2 hours.
**Peruvian taxis are not fitted with meters. Never get in one until a price has been agreed. In Cuzco, it is possible to get most places for AU$1.
**It is almost impossible to book tickets for the train from Cuzco to Aguas Calientes in advance. As soon as you arrive in Cuzco, go to the station and buy a ticket. If your schedule is inflexible and tickets are sold out for the date required, check with local tour operators. Many will sell a ticket for a preferred date for a slightly higher price.
**Check out hostels in the area you want to go. They are relatively cheap and clean. Some of them nowdays are extremely well designed and furnished.
**In most Central American countries, the entry/exit fees are payable only in cash. Fees can usually be paid in $US or local currency. **Buses are very cheap in Nicaragua. Don't waste your money on a taxi during daylight hours but at night, the taxi is a much safer option.
Have fun! Remember, your holiday is a time for rest and relaxation to recharge your batteries and reward yourself for all the hard work you've done throughout the year. Enjoy the opportunity to experience seeing different parts of the world and spending time with the people you care about.
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