Helpful Tourne Articles

Gone are the days of relying on your neighborhood travel agent or spending the first day of your vacation hunting for a local outfitter or guide. Reliable travel specialists are located in virtually every corner of the world and can now be accessed on the web.

Whether you are searching for a tour operator, travel agency or outfitter, the following tips will help you weed through the plethora of travel specialists hawking their wears online.

Websites
The design and content of a company's website speaks volumes about the way they do business.
- A travel specialist's website should provide information that is useful, informative and fun.
- The contact information, including a phone number and an email address, should be easy to locate.
- The site should also include all relevant information, such as the cost of an excursion, maps and directions. And, for those engaging an adventure specialist, a packing list, either directly in the content or in the form of an FAQ (frequently asked questions).

Visible track record
Great website but how do I know they can deliver? Assessing a travel specialists credentials is not as difficult as it sounds.
- Many industry associations and tourist boards list members and accredited agencies on their websites.
- Check references, read testimonials from previous clients, pose questions on a travel forum.

Knowledge and experience
Nothing can be a substitute for knowledge and experience.
- Determine the agency or outfitter's knowledge of your travel destination as well as the type of adventure you wish to experience.
- Find out how long they have been in the business and whether they are accustomed to organizing tours for singles, families or seniors.

Location of the outfitter
If they are not located in the country you will be traveling to you may also wish to understand:
- Who will sort out any problems, accidents, or emergencies that may arise during your holiday?
- When was the last time they biked down that country road?
- Or how they will obtain a refund for the boat tour that was cancelled due to inclement weather.

Client service
If communicating with the specialist is a challenge there is a good chance your trip will turn out to be a disaster. Select a specialist that is committed to organizing quality trips and returning satisfied clients.
- How quickly does the agency or outfitter respond to your emails and telephone calls?
- Are they eager to assist you with the planning of your vacation?
- Do they go the extra mile to customize your itinerary?
- Does the proposed itinerary reflect your interests?

Cost vs Value
Get more than one proposal and compare.
- Find out what is and what is not included in the price.
- Determine the location and quality of the accommodation.
- How many meals are included and whether they are buffet or a la carte.
- Is the trip fully guided or will you be touring on your own?
- In addition you will want to know what, if any, sightseeing is included and whether you will have any free time.

Conditions
Make sure to read the fine print before you commit. The terms and conditions should clearly spell out your responsibilities as well as those of the specialist.
- What is the company's policy on reservations, deposits and cancellations?
- Can a tour or excursion be cancelled for a lack of bookings?
- Who is responsible for additional payments in the event of a currency fluctuation?

Where to get the lowdown on travel specialists, guides, and outfitters:
Washington Post
Condй Nast Traveler
Epinions.com
The Thorn Tree Travel Forum

Greece can satisfy even the most demanding of its visitors. It has beautiful scenery and great man made establishments, it has sea but also mountains, it has archaeological sites and night clubs as well, it has crowded areas but it also has nice and quite places. The best of all is that all these are not far away from each other. I don't think its an overstatement to say that Greece is a traveler's paradise.
Where can you find such places.
If you want to find fancy restaurants and Hotels and all the comforts a man can get those are the services every known place has and they are actually difficult to miss. Mykonos, Santorini, Rhodes, Corfu, Crete, Athens, Thessaloniki, Samos are among the most visited destinations in Greece. If you need luxurious accommodations, fancy restaurants, loud music, packed cafes, lots of visitors you can find them here.
Places that are not crowded but still have lot to offer are more difficult to find. There are less services and less money to be gained from visitors and therefore are not heavily promoted. If you are looking for those places don't ask at your local travel agent. Don't arrange a Cruise hoping to find them. The are usually very close to the crowded centers but not much is mentioned of them.
Lots of smaller islands that are not heavily advertised, and island satellites to famous ones usually fall under this category and would be ideal places for people that want to explore the alternative Greece. For the sake of the discussion I am going to mention Gaudos, Paxoi, Fournoi, Sifnos, Ikaria, Chios but this is not extensive by any means. These places are usually recommended from people that have already gone there. If you have not had such recommendations then I would advise you to prepare your trip to the most favorable location leaving some room in your schedule for visiting places that the locals will undoubtedly suggest. An inquiry to a local Greek travel agent or a Greek Habitant might reveal some hidden treasures around the area. Keeping in mind the pros and cons presented right after, one can easily recognize such places.
With quiet destinations you avoid the mass tourism and the noise and you enjoy more the nature and the hospitality of people simple and not caught up at the great rush of our times. Nature is purer and the food is fresher and atmosphere is unspoiled and healthier. The prices are cheaper too. One great disadvantage is that such places don't have many means of transportation to and from them and not to many comforts should be expected when looking for accommodation. Some of them don't even have air connectivity with mainland Greece. They might have boat or bus connection 3-7 times a week from the near by Town.
Travel off high season
Greeks usually take their summer vacation around the 15th of August that is the biggest festivity in the Orthodox Christian world, commemorating the Assumption of Theotokos (Mary the mother of Jesus). Around these days everything gets very busy with boats running full and extra flights being added and all types of accommodation running at full capacity. These period makes for some very tiresome vacation and I would definitely avoid it if I had the choice. Planning either before or after August is probably the smartest thing one can do when traveling to Greece. You do avoid the headaches and prices are a whole lot different.
Almost all destinations in Greece are connected through Athens, so this gives an opportunity to the traveler to explore the Athenian lifestyle and Acropolis if he/she so chooses. Some alternative routes include Italy which has daily direct boat connections to the Ionian islands and Turkey which has daily boat connectivity to the nearby islands of the Aegean.
Arranging your car rental before hand
Small places usually luck the public transportation of the big and famous cities. Buses usually run not very frequently and planning your excursions around them usually is not an easy chore. The more crowded places will probably have cars booked fully for the high season times. So if you are planning on using a car arranging it ahead of time is always good choice.
Alternative accommodations for rent
If you are not interested in the standard services of a hotel (food, everyday cleaning/towels/sheets pools and restaurants) you can rent villas or homes at cheaper prices. Usually the such places provide a high level of service compared to what you pay for them. Plenty of non Hotel accommodations are spread at all possible places and the go by the names of "studios" "apartments" "homes" "rooms to let" "homes". Some times its even possible to rent such places a monthly rental fee, provided you will stay for at least 1 1/2 months there.

On the road, drivers must deal with constant traffic concerns, including glaring sunlight, blinding rain, traffic jams, street signs and other drivers. But one distraction you might not have thought about is your kids.

According to AAA, more than 1.5 million crashes have involved some kind of driver distraction, and 24 percent of crashes occur because of drivers having to deal with children in the back seat. Here are a few ways to keep the kids occupied the next time you hit the road.

* Books and children's magazines: Time passes quickly when children are engrossed in a story. Take this opportunity to teach your children the importance of reading. If your kids can't read in the car, try books on tape or compact discs.

* Crafts: Have the kids put together scrapbooks with items from the trip. Pack instant cameras, glue sticks, markers and construction paper to get them started.

* Puzzles, board games and cards: At first these activities might seem unfit for road trips, but many newer versions are designed for travel. These games either come in compact cases or with magnetic boards to keep pieces from being lost in the vehicle.

* On-screen entertainment: Increasing numbers of consumers are purchasing vehicles with liquid crystal display TV screens for passenger viewing. Today, not only can your kids play video games and watch DVDs in the car, they can catch their favorite television shows as well.

The TracVision A5, created by Rhode Island-based KVH Industries, lets you watch live television while on the road. This in-motion satellite television system has a low-profile antenna that mounts to the roof of the car and a compact satellite receiver stored in the trunk.

Compatible with DirecTV service, it provides hundreds of channels of satellite television and music. It's also designed to be part of a versatile entertainment system that can include DVD players, VCRs, video game systems and digital video recorders.

The system sells for about 3,500. The monthly satellite service fee varies depending on the package selected but is similar to home programming.

Located in Southern Europe, Italy is a peninsula extending into the
central Mediterranean Sea, northeast of Tunisia. When traveling to
Italy it is important to remember that you are not at home, so
always be respectful and conservative.

WEATHER AND CLOTHING

In general the weather is very hot and steaming in the dead of the
summer. We recommend that you wear light clothing. Be sure to
have sunglasses, hat and sunblock, as they are essential.
Afternoon thunderstorms (brief) are common in Rome and inland
cities, so you may want to consider bringing an umbrella. It is
essential to follow dress standards (no bare shoulders or knees)
and is strictly enforced in many churches, especially in Rome at St.
Peter's and the Vatican Museums and at the Basilica di San Marco
in Venice.

SAFETY

Remember to protect yourself against purse-snatchers and
pickpockets. It is recommended that you wear a money belt or a
pouch on a string around your neck, both concealed. When you
have to carry a purse make sure that is around your neck and
tucked between your body and arm. A word of caution: "gypsy"
children are widespread in Rome, are skilled pickpockets that are
quick, and know more tricks than you do.

TELEPHONES

Since hotel tend to overcharge for long distance and international
calls. It is best to make such calls from public phones, using
telephone cards. For general information in English dial 176. To
place international telephone calls via operator assisted service,
dial 170 or long distance access numbers. The country code for
Italy is 39.

If you are in need of additional information or have found what you
are looking for. We suggest that you complete an internet search
for additional information.
Have a safe and enjoyable trip to Italy!

Travelers are likely to spend more this year than in years past. According to the latest research from the Travel Industry Association of America, total travel expenditure among U.S. residents increased by 5.3 percent in 2005. Whether planning a weekend escape or a tropical getaway, there are ways to hit the road without breaking the bank. Here are some tips that will help you stretch your resources so that you can get the most out of your trip:

Budget Before You Go. Determine in advance how much the entire trip-meals, transportation, travel accommodations, entertainment, shopping and miscellaneous expenses, such as admission to theme parks and museums-will cost. Online resources, such as www.practicalmoneyskills.com, provide budget calculators that help itemize vacation spending. If you know how much the total trip will cost, you can save toward your goal before you pack your bags.

Reap Your Rewards. It's time to cash in rewards points you've been earning all year on your credit or debit card. First, determine your eligibility. Do you have enough points to get to your destination? Are you traveling during dates when rewards points are accepted? Have any of your points expired since you last checked? Once you know your rewards status, determine how best to use them. If your initial travel dates and preferred destination don't work, consider being flexible with your plans to save on major expenses, such as airfare and hotel accommodations.

Do It Yourself. Tourist groups or high-priced guides can drain your budget quickly. Be your own guide by reading up online or at the library before you arrive. Use of these free resources can help you put together a personalized tour without spending big bucks. If you prefer guided tours, advance research allows you to invest in parts of the trip that matter most and self-guide through the rest of your vacation.

Pack Your Wallet Wisely. Today's travelers have more choice than ever when it comes to handling trip expenses. In addition to credit and debit cards, many travelers are using prepaid cards, which allow them to pay up front and then access the funds by using the card like a debit card. Protections make these cards more secure than carrying cash or traveler's checks with all the convenience of a debit card. Visa TravelMoney (www.visa.com/ustravelmoney) even provides lost luggage reimbursement without requiring purchase of travel with the card-those who carry an activated and eligible card are automatically covered. Packing your wallet with a range of payment options will allow you to take advantage of such benefits when you least expect them and need them most.

Treat Travel As An Investment. While heading out on a road trip or exploring Europe can feel like an escape from reality, your budget stays the same. If you have a special trip in mind, treat it as a long-term investment. Set aside funds monthly so that you can book the room with the ocean view or stay an extra day. Vacation requires time and money, but it is also an investment in you and your family's future with the potential for cultural enrichment, rest and relaxation.

Finally, wherever you travel this summer, don't let rising prices keep you from enjoying your dream vacation. With a little extra planning and some smart choices, you'll be packing your bags in no time.

Many travelers are using payment cards to cover travel expenses, which are safer than carrying cash and more conve-nient than traveler's checks.

When you enter a foreign country, you will have to go through Passport/Immigration and Customs. Here you will have your passport stamped to gain entry to the country. You will also have to go through customs and possibly have your luggage inspected.
This will depend on what you declare on your arrival form. This is the one that you fill out in the airplane. It will also depend on how you look.
You may think that I am talking about profiling whether it be racial profiling or otherwise, but what I am talking about is how you appear to the security inspectors.
I always dress half-way decent when I travel. I do not wear a suit and tie but at the same time I don't wear cut-off shorts, sandals and a ripped shirt. I dress in-between.
I usually wear a pair of jeans, collar shirt, and loafers. Loafers make it a little easier to get through security at the departing airport and the jeans and polo type shirt are comfortable. I recommend you wear comfortable and presentable clothes.
If you look like a shabby bum the chances are higher that you will be inspected.
It is also recommended that you don't wear anything that will bring attention to yourself. Don't wear a shirt that promotes drugs, is vulgar, or is extremely patriotic. Dress down a bit and be comfortable.
There are a couple of other things that you can do to be a bit more presentable to the security personnel.
About one-half hour before your plane is scheduled to land, stop off in the bathroom and freshen up. Use either your own toiletries or the free ones in the bathroom. Brush your teeth, comb your hair, and splash some water in your face. Long flights can leave you looking a bit haggard.
You may want to check your appearance in the mirror and see if your need to tuck in your shirt, straighten up and try to flatten a few wrinkles, or just clean the sleeping gunk out of your eyes.
I know it can be a pain to carry toiletries on the plane with all the new security requirements, but you are allowed to bring small items of liquids as long as they are displayed properly in a large zip-lock bag. Check with the TSA web site for the latest rules.
If you are dressed neatly, and look refreshed, you should be able to waltz right through Customs and Immigration.

Want to go to a new exciting place, but don't have anyone to tag along? There may be times when you have to travel alone in a foreign land. Whether just for fun or on official business, you have to take safety measures. Traveling alone need not be lonely. It could be fun in more ways than one. Don't be reluctant to travel just because your on your own. Just remember these things:

*Plan ahead
Research and read about the place you're heading to. Know where's the nearest hotel, restaurant, and such. Make reservations too, if possible. That way, your travel is on a good start.

*Take a city map
You better study how to read maps. Needless to say, these can guide you where you are going, especially if it's the first time you're going to that place. Relying too much on the cab driver is not a good idea.

*Learn the language
Just study the basics, and the most common things you're likely to ask a local. Learn it before you arrive.

*Hide your valuables
Put your guard up. Don't invite muggers to come and get you. Don't wear too much jewelry outside the streets. Use inexpensive accessories.

*Dress appropriately
Check what the locals wear on a given time of day. You don't want your clothes screaming you're a tourist. The lesser attention you draw to yourself, the better.

*Don't be afraid to ask for directions
It would be okay to ask someone for directions, but be sure you are going to choose who to ask. You can ask a waiter in restaurant, or the receptionist in your hotel. Just be sure you get all information. Asking from a complete stranger outside is not advisable.

*Bring some cash
Take just enough. Traveler's checks and credit cards are good, and it could be your primary mode of payment, but you might want to keep a few extra dollars in your pocket with local money.

*Enjoy your self
Well, you are traveling, so make the most of it. Make friends with a local. Talk to somebody over lunch in a cafй. Get the addresses of the friends you make to send them a thank you card. Maybe next time, you'd be their host.

Traveling alone can be your best experience. With solo traveling, you will definitely learn more about your self and what you can do. Try it. It would be fun!

Considering the areas most impacted by bird flu are in Asia, Europe, and the Middle East, it is advisable to stay clear of these regions. However, circumstances may arise that necessitates travel. In which case, you need to know how to protect yourself in these areas from contracting bird flu.

In general, basic hygiene can prevent a wide array of infectious diseases. For this reason, frequent hand washing is advised to eliminate bacteria and viral components from one's hands.

More specifically, travelers should avoid any contact with poultry, including those held for agricultural use or wild birds. Any area potentially contaminated with bird feces should also be avoided. Currently, bird flu is only being transmitted from poultry to humans and not from human contact; therefore, you should assume every bird you see is potentially infected, as that very well may be the case.

You should also take special care not to ingest undercooked poultry, poultry products, or dishes made with poultry blood, as the virus may still be active in such dishes.

You also need to avoid contact with sick people or people that are exposed to poultry. This may seem excessive, but the bird flu virus is expected to mutate and be transmitted through human contact. If this were to occur, you could easily catch the disease from someone else. It is better to be cautious and alive than the alternative. Likewise, you may also consider avoiding crowds, as densely populated areas are an ideal breeding ground to spread disease.

If, during your travels, you become severely ill, you may contact a United States Embassy for guidance in seeking treatment and notifying family and friends. Depending on your location, medical care may be limited. Use caution in securing treatment.

Special concern has been shown in visiting Singapore and Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve; however, it has been made very clear that Singapore is free from bird flu. Two entities, AVA and NParks, have continual surveillance projects of the reserve and take blood samples from the birds on a regular basis to ensure infection has not occurred. On the same token, it is unlikely a human would become infected by a wild bird, as direct handling is almost impossible. Most of the cases reported have been contracted from chickens or domestic birds. The primary way a human would be infected from a wild bird is through contact with bodily secretions and feces.

Looking for some vacation money saving ideas? There's nothing wrong with vacationing on a budget. Hey, we all can't travel like the rich and famous.

You save all year to get the money for a well earned vacation. You want to stretch your vacation budget but still enjoy yourself. Sounds like a good plan. To help you out I've together some vacation money saving ideas that I hope you will find useful.

If you have a particular destination in mind it pays to plan ahead. Research the attractions and facilities. Find out what specials or discounts they may have going. Look for other things to do or see nearby so that you can make good use of your time and cut down on the running from place to place.

Plan your vacation for the off season. You can usually get better deals on lots of things like plane tickets, hotels, car rentals, cruises and lots of other things.

If you have friends or relatives nearby your destination consider asking them if you can stay with them. Don't be a freeloader though. Even though you help pay for the groceries and other expenses your host incurs, it's still a good vacation money saving idea.

If you are flying try to plan your trip for when tickets are traditionally cheapest. That would be Feb thru May and September thru December (except the week before Thanksgiving and the two week period before Christmas). Try to avoid flying on Friday afternoons as this is often the busiest time of the week for airlines.

Meals can be expensive at restaurants so you can save some money by packing food for the road.

When eating out try to avoid the places that obviously cater to tourists. Find out where the locals eat. Ask around. The smaller family owned places usually have better food at better prices. You may have to go a little out of your way but it is usually worth it for some vacation money savings.

Hotels are typically more expensive the closer you get to a major attraction. With a little planning you can find a good balance between price and distance.

When picking hotels don't just go by the ratings. Compare the amenities they offer. Often you will find that you really don't need everything offered by that 4 star hotel and you can do very nicely at the 3 star...with a better price!

Consider buying or renting an RV. You travel at your own pace. Cooking and bathrooms are always close by. You can meet a lot of other friendly RVers who will usually be glad to point out the best places to go.

When traveling by car you can save fuel by renting a smaller fuel efficient model. Packing light, reducing your speed and maintaining proper tire air pressure will also cut the gas costs.

Make sure that your car is ready for the trip. Good tires, oil change, tune-up and all that good stuff. It's a heck of a lot cheaper and more convenient to deal with these things before you go rather than on the road somewhere.

Check out the local transportation system of buses, trains or trolleys. These can be considerably cheaper than using taxis.

Camping is a great vacation money saving idea. There are lots of campgrounds around. They are cheap and you may end up with an experience that outshines anything you can get a fancy hotel.

Plan activities that don't require a lot of money. Hiking, and swimming are good ones. Local Museums and historical sites are often very reasonably priced as well as being quite educational and fun. The big theme parks have their appeal but you can really go through the cash at those places.

Plan picnics. These can be excellent vacation money saving opportunities as well as a chance to really relax and enjoy the local area.

Avoid buying souvenirs. It's easy to get caught up and blow a bundle on these overpriced goodies. Set some mental rules ahead of time about how much you will spend on souvenirs and it will be easier to stick to it when the time comes.

I hope that you find some of these vacation money saving ideas helpful. Make a plan and stick to it. There's no reason why you can't have a great vacation without emptying the bank account.

I went on my first holiday to the tropics recently. I was afraid of catching a disease, so I did a bit of research, and took some precautions. Here are some tips I found useful.

1. Get your shots.

I spent a short time in areas relatively free of mosquito-borne disease. The key word is 'relatively'. A two week holiday in an urban area is probably alright. If you're staying for months, or in an area flagged as dangerous, get your shots well in advance. Don't leave it until the last minute, as by then it'll be too late! The drugs need some time to 'kick in', and your doctor may have to order them in advance.

2. Get an insect repellent.

I made one for mosquitoes by mixing citronella with olive oil. Citronella is an essential oil (an essence). I rubbed the mixture on all exposed areas morning and night, and after washing. Seemed to do the trick. I put too much oil in, I think, so it smelled a bit. Better that, than being bitten, I say!

3. Wear long sleeved shirts and trousers.

I also wore socks in bed. Give pests no purchase! Mosquitoes are just doing what comes naturally; they need your blood to live. It's just unfortunate that they can pass on parasites when they bite. Deny them a meal, and the only things you'll bring back from your holiday are a silly hat and some souvenir photos. To wear long sleeved garments in bed, you'll need a room with a fan and air conditioning. No need to set them to freezing; just cool, with a slight breeze.

4. Air conditioning.

Air conditioning and fans are supposed to deflect mosquitoes, which is good. Avoid 'going native', and thinking you're as hardy as the locals. They get malaria and dengue as well, be sure of that.

5. Use mosquito nets.

Do what you can to keep them at bay. Paranoia is good!

6. Avoid ice and salads

Ice can have faecal coliforms. It depends on what water it's been made from. Salads can be prepared by low-paid workers who've forgotten to wash their hands. In Muslim countries, they often don't use toilet paper, just a hose, so if the staff haven't been scrupulous about their personal hygiene ...

You may feel self-conscious about refusing. Would you like your holiday to be spoiled by a spell in hospital, in a Third-world country, just for the sake of avoiding embarrassment? People like people who are forthright, so stick to your guns.

7. Don't drink the water.

A country can have a veneer of modernity, but what separates the men from the boys is the sewage system. The tap water may not be filtered properly. Drink bottled water, or water you've boiled yourself. Get a kettle, and boil it up every day, then put the water in your water bottle in the morning. Easy.

8. Drink plenty of water.

A few sips every so often, rather than a litre in one go. You'll save on trips to the lavatory!

9. Stay out of the sun.

There's a reason the locals are laid back; it's too hot to run around like you do at home. Sun tanning is actually skin damage. Due to ozone layer depletion, you may be getting more than a golden tan. Who cares if you don't come back home bronzed? Ladies especially will appreciate this in later years, when their sisters have leathery skin from roasting on the beach. Nothing less 'cool' than a white man with sunstroke, either.

When travelling in the tropics, it's best to be paranoid. I hope you can still enjoy your holiday!