Travel Tips for Vacation Makers

Summer is here! Where are you going this year? We all need vacations; we all need to recharge our batteries once in a while. Vacation undeniably is one of the best ways to release your stress. But before and while you are on vacation, one needs to be very careful especially if you are vacationing in a foreign country. Whether you are organizing your own trip or purchasing one of those vacation packages, right from the airport till you return home, we need to be very careful as even a slightest mistake can spoil your entire vacation.

Here are some simple and common yet very helpful tips to help you enjoy a hassle free vacation:

1. Am pretty sure, I don’t have to add this on the list but let me just do it. Decide carefully on what kind of vacation you want. If you are looking for a stress free vacation, try to avoid hip and bustling cities such as New York City, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Paris, Rome, Venice, London and Amsterdam. Because these are some of the most visited destinations and visiting any of these cities will just add more stress. Try one of the lesser known destinations. But if you want both the crowd plus relaxation, Bahamas and the Caribbean are a great option.
2. Be wise in choosing the right travel agent. But instead of a regular travel agent, why don’t you go for an online travel websites. Am sure you will find these websites much cheaper. Expedia, Orbitz and Travelocity are some really awesome sites. Don’t forget to compare the rates using websites such as FareCompare and TripMama. Please before finalizing on anything, read the terms and conditions of the website, incase, in future, if you want any changes or cancelation. Just as they offer great airfare deals and vacation packages, they are also very good in ripping customers.
3. It is always advisable to learn atleast some basic words, if you are traveling to a foreign country. It will help you greatly. If you are visiting a conservative country such as the countries in Middle East, India, Pakistan and so on, please dress as conservative as you can. Unless you enjoy unwanted attention! Don’t forget to take you vaccination as per the country. Collect your country embassy phone number, address and email in that particular city or area.
4. While shopping, try to bargain as hard as you can. But also research before you head out where bargaining is allowed or not. In countries such as India, China, Thailand, Pakistan, Bargaining is a must in almost every shopping areas and bazaars, with exceptions in malls.
5. It’s good to party really hard and get waste sometimes, but I would encourage you to do this only when you are with your closest buddies. But do you really want to spoil their night out taking care of you. Try to keep the alcohol intake to minimum or should I say in limit. Excessive alcohol use is a big NO for solo travelers, whether you are a guy or a girl. We all know that once we start drinking, it’s almost impossible to stop. For solo travelers, you have no one to take care of you. There have been many cases where travelers have been robbed while drunk and even sexually assaulted especially in India.
6. Drugs are another big NO. No matter where you are going, try to avoid drugs and drug dealers. Am sure no one would like to land in a foreign jail especially in a third world country.
7. These are some common things that you need to be careful while going on a vacation. But the most important of all is, don’t forget to have fun, after all you have worked really hard for this.

Hostels! For Youths Who Loves To Socialize

Are you young and adventurous? Well this vacation forget the conventional hotels, resorts or motels and stay in a hostel. If you have stayed in a youth hostel while traveling, am pretty sure you know why am encouraging youths to stay in a hostel. But if you haven’t, here are some reasons why you should stay in a hostel. First of all, hostels are way cheaper than hotels. No doubt hostels offers less amenities compared to hotels but if you choose your hostel carefully you will find almost everything you need such as TV, Internet Access, cafes, restaurants and even a library.

Besides saving your hard earned money, hotels are the best place where you can meet fellow young travelers from different parts of the globe. If you are single, you have very high chances of hooking up with someone. Hostels are fun but staying in a hostel also has its own share of disadvantage but I will be discussing about that in another post. For now, here are some hostels located indifferent parts of the globe, which are considered as some of the best as according to other fellow travelers. Next time if you are visiting any of these cities, you may want to check them out.

1. The Gershwin, New York, USA
2. HI Buffalo Niagara, Buffalo, USA
3. Casa Esmeralda, Buenos Aires, Argentina
4. Backpacker Hostel K’s House, Tokyo, Japan
5. Spicy Thai Backpackers, Chiang Mai, Thailand
6. Villa Saint Exupery, Nice, France
7. Cat’s Hostel, Madrid, Spain
8. Art Hostel, Sofia, Bulgaria
9. Long Street Backpackers, Cape Town, South Africa
10. Sleeping with the Enemy, Sydney, Australia

Swapping Your Home? Here Are Some Tips

Are you planning to take a vacation but worried about the hotel rates and the restaurant bills. This vacation why dont you swap your home. Started somewhere in Europe, home swapping is a very popular trend which allows vacation makers to enjoy the comfort of home while away from home. In case if you have never heard about this term, well home swapping is a way through which vacationers swap their home with other vacationers. For example: You are staying in New York City and you are planning to visit London, with home swapping, you find another vacation maker from London who wants to visit New York City. Since both of you wants to visit each other cities, instead of staying in a hotel you swap your home with that person. Simple. The best part is, there are countless of home swapping websites such as the homeexchange, homeforexchange and homeswapper, which help travelers in finding the right partner.

Home swapping is an amazing way to save money on your hotel rates plus to experience the culture and lifestyle of that particular city at its best, but unfortunately, home swapping also has its share of disadvantage. Here are some simple and common how swapping tips that will help you avoid unwanted trouble while swapping your home.

1. The most important of all is finding the right partner with common interest such as if you are travelling with toddlers, find a partner who also has a toddler. That way you dont have to spend more money on basic stuffs such as toys, story books and so on.

2. If you are using a website to find a swap partner, please stick with a reputed website. You may have to pay a little extra bucks but its worth it.

3. Before finalizing anything, spend some time corresponding with your swap partner. After all you are about to hand over your beloved home to a stranger.
4. Request your partner to leave instructions and details for operating home appliances, including television, washing machine and so on. You too do the same for your partner.

5. Dont forget to ask your partner to leave details of the nearest super market, restaurants, local parks and gardens. Plus the emergency contact numbers such as police, ambulance. You must also leave all the emergency number of your city.

6. Do clean your home before you head out and dont forget to clean up his/ hers home before you move out. Do let them know where you are keeping your house keys, where they will be keeping their keys.

Funny Laws of Nevada, USA

Top notch casinos, over the top hotels, world class restaurants, mesmerizing sights and vibrant nightlife awaits you in Nevada. Home to the gambling capital of the world, Las Vegas, Nevada is an experience of a lifetime. Besides all these sights, attractions and activities, Nevada is also the home to some of the wackiest laws in the world. Sit back and enjoy these dumb laws that are supposed to protect its citizens.

1. In Nevada, no matter how rich you are, please don’t ride you camel on the high way, unless you want to be jailed.

2. Did someone shot your dog in your property! In Nevada you can hang that person because it is 100% legal! All dog shooters beware!

3. In Nevada don't go out without your mask as it its illegal to walk the streets without wearing a mask.

4. In Nevada you can be jailed for buying drinks for more than three people.

Funny Laws of Alaska

Have you ever been to Alaska? If not, you should visit Alaska atleast once in a lifetime. Blessed with mesmerizing outdoors and natural beauty, filled with abundance of recreational and adventure sports, rich history, culture, diverse cuisine, vibrant urban life and lively nightlife, Alaska truly is an amazing place to be. Apart from all the attractions and activities, Alaska also is home to some of the funniest laws in the world. If you are visiting Alaska, watch out for these laws.

1. Hunting bear is 100% legal in Alaska. But ironically, it’s illegal to wake a bear from his or her sleep just for the sake of photo opportunities.

2. Are you a die hard moose lover? No matter what, when you are in Fairbanks, try not to give alcoholic beverages to a moose, unless you are willing to pay some fines.

3. Another law in Fairbanks also says that moose cannot have sex in the city, as it is illegal. Can anyone give me some suggestions on how to deliver this message to all those horny moose that no matter how badly they want to do it, they should do it beyond the city limit!

4. Taking one of those breathing airplane tours of Alaska! Be careful as it is illegal to view moose from an airplane.

5. Planning to give your beloved Mr. Kangaroo a haircut, well in Alaska Kangaroos are not allowed inside barber shops. By the way, who in the world would take a Kangaroo to a barber shop????

6. So you are among those who love hunting moose? Well it’s legal to hunt Moose in Alaska, but its illegal to whisper in someone’s ear while they are moose hunting.

Alaska truly is a state full of surprises. Sure these laws are weird and dumb but don’t let these stop you from visiting Alaska.

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United, Continental merger could raise airfares

Consumers probably have more to lose than gain from a merger of United Airlines and Continental Airlines.

The two airlines have already entered into code-sharing agreements and a frequent-flier alliance that provide travelers with many of the benefits of a combined airline. But if the merged airline cuts capacity, it could lead to higher fares and reduced service in some markets.

The consumer impact "is mainly bad," says Ed Perkins, a columnist with SmarterTravel.com. "If you look at what the financial people are saying, the whole purpose of the merger is to reduce competition so they can raise fares. The airlines put up a smokescreen about seamless service and more destinations, but they already do that through these worldwide alliances."

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Hints From Heloise: Tips on tipping hotel housekeepers

Dear Heloise:
I just read the comment in your article about tipping housekeepers and maids. I like to tip housekeepers, especially if I am at a hotel for several days. Sometimes they leave an envelope with their name on it. I want to be sure that the ones who do my room are the ones who get the money.

It's very confusing, and I really do care about this because my mother raised me and put me through school on her tips. If I leave a tip in the morning before I leave the room, it might not be the same housekeeper who cared for me the day before.

Rae in Texarkana, via e-mail

Rae, thanks for writing. Here's a hint just for you: Put your tip in one of the hotel envelopes, and leave it at the front desk.
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Funny Laws of the World: Texas USA

Have you ever been to Texas? If you haven’t, you should at least visit it once in a lifetime. Notoriously known for its action packed old Wild West stories and histories, blessed with jaw breaking outdoors and vibrant cultural life, Texas is an experience of a lifetime. When it comes to sights and activities, no other destinations offer as much as Texas.

Besides all the sights and activities, Texas unfortunately is also the home to some of the most hilarious, wackiest and dumbest laws in the world. So if you are visiting Texas, be careful! We dont want you to mess with any of these hilarious laws.

1. Are you a beer lover? Well unless you want to be caged for a month or two, don’t take more than three sips of beer at a time while standing.

2. Are you broke? Are you planning to sell some of your stuffs? You can sell anything except your eyes because it’s illegal here in Texas.

3. Are you a train driver, a pilot or whatever, be careful while passing through Texas as the law states that if two train meet each other at a railroad crossing, both the train should stop their engine and should not move unless the other train moves.

4. In Texas, the entire Encyclopedia Britannica is banned because it contains a formula for making beer at home.

5. Never shot a buffalo from the second story of a hotel. You know why? Because it’s illegal in Texas!

6. The wackiest of all is, in Dallas It’s illegal to have realistic dildos.

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Five iPhone Applications: A Must Have for All

Let’s admit it! We all have been bitten by the IPhone bug. Well, at least me. I have this urge or addiction to keep on looking for the latest application for my IPhone. To be honest, I don’t use those applications that require me to pay. Yeah I am a cheap dude. But seriously with the current economic situation I better worry about paying the bill than spend my very less earned cash on some IPhone applications. But this does not stop me from trying out new applications.

Over the months I have installed and unstalled tons of applications. Some were great but some applications were way to stupid. Here is a list of 5 free IPhone applications that stands out from the rest. (Before you browse down, let me tell you in advance that all these applications are rated as according to my personal experience)

1. FREE Spanish Tutor: I admit it, I love Spanish though I hardly know any words. Taking a Spanish tuition is not my cup of team. The free Spanish tutor serves as my ultimate guru to learn this beautiful language.


2. Bloomberg: Am not a big fan of the stock market scene, but if you are into it, this is a must have application for you.

3. Virtuoso Piano Free 2: Thanks to who ever created this application, now I can learn piano anytime and anywhere without spending a penny.

4. Racing Live: Please don’t tell me that you don’t play games on your IPhone or in your mobile. Installing games is the best thing about mobile phones. If you too are a game freak like me with an IPhone, you will just love this game.

5. Trapster speed trap alerts: This is a must have application for all, especially me. This application alerts its user of any speed traps, red light and speed cameras, police check points and so on. Whether you are just a regular guy with an expired DL or a stupid bank robber, this application will help you avoid cops.

Guys if you have any cool application do share it on the comment section.

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How to Get The Best Hotel Rate

Two guest paying different hotel rates for the same service and facilities is not a new story. You must have noticed that even though you and the other guests are offered with the exact room with the same facilities and service, still both of you end up paying different room rates. It really hurts when you discover that you have paid more than the others. Here are some simple tips and tricks that will help you get the best available hotel rates.

* For reasons unknown, you will find the online hotel rates much cheaper than regular travel agents. Next time use an online travel site to book your hotel rooms. If you are booking online, the official website of the hotel is the best place to book. Incase if the hotel does not have a website, you may book from an online travel website. But always book your hotels from a reputed travel website.

* Always do a detail research on the rate of the hotel. Compare the rates with different online travel sites before making any final decision.

* A great way to get the best available hotel is call the hotel directly and ask them politely whether you can get any discounts. For members of various clubs and associations such as AAA, you should always ask the hotel whether you are eligible for any special deals.

* Though this idea is a bit risky but works most of the time. Instead of making an early reservation, walk straight to the hotel and try to negotiate the rate with the front desk staff. Many hotels will give you a discount instead of turning you away. Don’t try this during the peak season. This works during the off season when the establishment is running low on business.

* The best way to get the best available hotel rate is by booking way in advance. Nothing can beat booking in advance when it comes to getting the best hotel price.

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