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Archive for the ‘Travel Tips’ Category

1 The Uffizi Gallery Tip

The Uffizi Gallery contains some of the most important and greatest art collections in the world. It is also the world’s oldest museum. Most tour guide books and online travel sites will urge you to ensure that a visit to the Uffiizi is included as part of any Florence vacation, no matter how short. What most of them fail to tell you, or at least stress with sufficient emphasis, is that without a pre-booked ticket, you may not be able to visit the Uffizi at all!

My wife and I had a three day holiday in Florence at the beginning of April 2005. We had planned on visiting the Uffizi Gallery and as soon as we checked in at our hotel we telephoned the gallery to purchase tickets. After several attempts without our calls being answered, we asked the hotel reception to do the booking for us. They explained that it was nearly always difficult to get through on the booking line and that our three day stay might not provide sufficient notice to make a booking possible. Despite this, the hotel staff were most happy to keep trying whilst we enjoyed the other wonders of Florence. We decided to check out the situation for ourselves the next day but discovered queues that hardly seemed to move, stretching for an enormous distance around the area of the Uffizi. Queuing all day was certainly not the way we wanted to spend our time in Florence, so we decided to leave things in the capable hands of the reception staff whilst we enjoyed the other attractions that we had come to see. The following evening, we were informed that after many fruitless attempts at getting through on the booking line, success had finally been achieved but only to receive information that all tickets were sold for the following day. We consequently missed out on seeing many of Florence’s greatest art treasures and our top travel tip for anyone visiting Florence on a short stay vacation is to book tickets for the Uffizi Gallery online some time before their holiday.
2 The Inside Tip for the Duomo

Another of the wonders of Florence not to be missed is the Duomo. Actually, it is impossible to miss this magnificent building because it dominates the city and can be seen from virtually everywhere. Savour the views of it whilst enjoying a coffee at one of the cafes in the surrounding piazza. Walk around it, pausing every now and then to appreciate it from every aspect. View it from more distant, elevated, positions around the city. This was once the largest cathedral in the world and even now, nearly six hundred years after it was built, it is the fourth largest. Florence always insisted on everything being the biggest and the best but what really makes the Duomo unique is its dome or “Cupola”. When Fillipo Brunelleschi undertook this masterpiece of renaissance architecture, no one believed that such a dome was possible. The secret had been lost for over a thousand years but Brunelleschi travelled to Rome to unravel it by examining the dome of the ancient Pantheon.

My tip for the Duomo is to ascend this incredible feat of engineering. You can do so by entering a stairway that leads up inside the dome, between its inner and outer shells. When you reach the top, you can step outside onto an external gallery that provides magnificent views of the city and the surrounding Tuscan countryside. This gallery was never finished however, so your views are restricted to northerly and westerly directions.
3 Palazzo Vecchio – David’s Copy Tip

Perhaps the next most famous landmark of Florence is the Palazzo Vecchio. Once again, it is a building worth enjoying from every aspect on the outside before entering to explore its fascinating, art filled, interior.

My tip for the Palazzo Vecchio is to spare a few minutes looking at the pollution-streaked COPY of the world’s most famous statue, realizing that although the original Michelangelo’s David is safely inside the Accademia, the copy is standing just where the original once stood.
4 River Arno Cross Over Tip

This tip is to retreat from the busiest tourist attractions of the city centre and to cross the Arno river via the Ponte Vecchio. The crowds on this wonderful, historic bridge will probably be even more tightly packed than in the central Piazzas you have just left but within a hundred metres of the other side, they will have thinned out and you can explore the delights of the Boboli gardens and the Palazzo Pitti before walking up the meandering paths to the Piazzo Michelangelo which stands on a beautiful hill overlooking Florence and its surrounds.
5 A final Florence travel tip – Avoiding “Stendhal Sydrome”

Florence has so much beauty that every year, there are a few tourists who have to be treated at local hospitals for a condition known as “Stendhal Syndrome”. Symptoms range from feeling faint to complete exhaustion. Stendhal was a French tourist whose nineteenth century tour of Florence overloaded his senses so much that he collapsed with these symptoms.

My final travel tip for a short vacation in Florence is not to try to pack too much in. Even if Florence’s wealth of art treasures, beauty, and architectural achievements don’t actually send you running for medical help, they can easily overwhelm a tourist who fails to heed this advice.

I don\’t know about you, but I think there\’s some old-world charm about long bus trips that you cannot find in an airplane flight.

Although it is true that traveling time can be shortened to a few hours, even minutes, in one short plane ride, but doing so will deprive you of the scenic montage of vast cornfields, picturesque country roads and colorful villages when you take the bus.

Bus travel remains a practical alternative to long distance trips and it can be an enjoyable experience if you know how to avoid the common glitches associated to it.

The buses of today used for long distance trips are no longer the same cramped and uncomfortable tin foil of a vehicle of yesteryear\’s.

In fact, some buses have been transformed into luxurious forms of land travel that can rival that of any airline\’s first class seats. Reclining seats, linens, overhead reading lights and climate controls are no longer uncommon among modern buses. Some of these buses even offer free Internet connection to make sure that passengers can stay connected all through out the trip.

With the current cozy condition of buses used for long distance trips, traveling in comfort is no longer impossible. You just have to take care of a few details to make sure that your ease and comfort are not disturbed all the way to your destination.

Do keep in mind that there is more than one bus company servicing any one route. Thanks to free trade, there are several options available for you. So, before you purchase your ticket, research on what choices you have and choose one that will give you the most comfortable trip possible.

When comparing buses, consider seat sizes, allowed baggage size and weight, bus fare prices, number of stopovers and expected travel period for your route. Also, do note that some bus lines give generous discounts for early birds. So, you might want to prepare for your trip early for this.

Buses now require their passengers to check-in at the terminal at least 30 minutes to 1 hour before departure. They will not wait for you so be sure to arrive on time; the same rule applies for stopovers. Carry-on baggage should be small enough to fit inside the overhead rack. Do check the placement of your bags on the overhead rack to ensure that they will not fall down on you once the bus is in motion.

You want to choose a seat that will give you the most freedom to do things that you want. If you are the kind of passenger who can\’t remain seated for longer than an hour or who needs to go to the toilet every now and then, you are better off in an aisle seat.

If you are the opposite, choose a window seat so that you will not have to stand up every time the person beside you needs to go. Also, you may want to avoid the back row because they do not recline. If you need to have a reading light, avoid front row seats because these fixtures are not usually available for this row. You also want to sit a little farther from the bus toilet for contingency measure, if you get my drift.

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The malfunctioning of your old baggage will be sure to happen sooner or later. It \’s just a matter of time. Pray that it does not happen while you are charging around in a crowded street or on a flight of stairs or while you\’re on track to catch a plane.

If your prayer has not been answered and an unfortunate incident does happen, take a deep breath and calm your nerves down. Have a calm mind and concentration to effectively deal with the malfunction of your baggage.

First, you must understand that your luggage needs to be retired off after many years of service. If you\’ve seen the phenomenon of spreading worn edges and were listening to the sounds of wailing metal for some time, it\’s time to put the poor luggage down.

These are the signs of baggage ready to die and needs to be put to rest soon. Do not wait for your luggage to play up while you are using it. If so, you may end up buying a brand new luggage at the airport for an exorbitant price or have to wrap your luggage in a plastic bag as a desperate measure.

Luggage malfunction occurs in many different ways and each case requires a unique solution. Here are some of the problems that may cause damage to baggage and a list of creative ways you can use in dealing with them.

Zippers that are open. This is a common problem, if you tend to over pack. Many travelers to save on the number of bags they need, tend to pack too much into a bag and the zip will weaken. By over packing the capacity of the bag, you will cause zipper over-stretching, and it will eventually break.

So if you do it often enough and you will get a broken zipper. If this happens and you do not have the luxury of time or money to buy a new bag, use packing tape to close bag. Wrap your luggage, horizontally and vertically. If you make a pretty solid job, It\’ll buy you enough time to get home without losing your bag or its contents.

Stuck handle. This applies to both new and old baggage. For some reason, mechanical, the retractable handle either fails to retract, or remains in an out position. If the handle can not be removed, you can use the handle that\’s fixed (not retractable) of the luggage and carry it with you. But if your luggage has got tires, you can then use an umbrella to take the place of the retractable handle socket and attach the J-shaped umbrella grip to the bags set handle.

Now, if the retractable handle is locked in a drawn out position, you should check your luggage in, because that protruding handle of your luggage may be too long to fit in the overhead compartment of the aircraft.

A tire missing. If your baggage lost a tire and there is no way to replace it, remove the tires. It is in order to restore the balance to rather lopsided luggage. Baggage will easily fall over and the final result will you bending over many times to pull it back upright. So you better keep it well balanced to prevent back pain later.

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Do not make assumptions about your skill level and follow these Travel Tips with care. Most accidents occur because skiers take a drop more than difficult than it\’s capabilities. Ask a professional to assess your skills and ask what the slopes are safe for you to try. This sport can be a daredevil, but if you do not have the goods to back it up, to work better in their abilities first before making the leap.

Skiing is indeed a dangerous sport and accidents happen at the slope. Therefore, before you head to your ski trip, make sure your insurance policy covers any eventuality that may happen while you\’re at it. If not, get a good insurance policy to cover all the activities it intends to participate in during their skiing holiday.

Prepare properly. Helmets are essential, including veterans and use what you have no excuse for that you will not. Sunglasses are also essential as the pristine blanket of snow can be blinding. padded gloves and clothing should not only protect them from cold, but should cushion your body in case they are. Make sure your boots are well equipped with good ankle support to prevent blisters and leg cramps typical of the sport.

You may feel cold and cold with snow all around, but if the sun is shining and be sure to apply sunscreen on your face to prevent sunburn.

Do not ignore warnings about the weather. Ski resorts (as you know your business), it\’s better to trust them in their own personal assessment of the weather.

Pay attention to the condition of your body. Hypothermia and frostbite are common under conditions of extreme cold. Views from the hostel are in order, if you get too cold, and put off skiing until the sun has become very high in the sky.

The warm beer and Scotch whiskey may seem like a good idea when it\’s cold, but you better go easy on alcohol if you are on the slopes. \”Alcohol not only delayed his reactions, but also affected his vision\”. Do not jeopardize your safety on the slopes, be sure to keep safe by staying aware and alert on their feet.

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Going to exotic destinations and scenic is to escape the monotony and stress of daily routine. Instead of wasting time in airports or arguing with taxi drivers, many travelers have found relief from the hassle of air travel and land on ocean cruises.

What better way to travel to holiday destinations to spend a vacation in a luxury cruise? Imagine days of pampering on board waiting to get to your destination. Much better is being able to stretch your budget while you\’re at it. Therefore, I will serve well to reveal some tricks on how to save money on cruises.

Book your ticket when cheaper. You do not have to pay full price to enjoy the same level of pampering on a cruise. Time is essential. Shop around for early bird specials or last minute offers. These are valid marketing campaigns to maximize sales. The cruise lines want to make sure that they will sail on a boat full. Therefore, it is likely to offer large discounts to early birds to ensure full capacity. If your quota is not reached within 30-60 days before sailing time, a call for last minute deals is more likely. When demand is low, cruise ships are more than willing to lose a few hundred dollars on your cruise fare in the hope that their purchases on board will be covered by it.

Enjoy dollars out of the discounts and other promotions. Believe it or not, the coupons for cruises are also available online. As for the official web sites of cruise lines, and its online travel agency. Cruise companies also offer complimentary drinks, food and transportation that can save you hundreds of dollars if you are sharp enough to grab them while available.

Consider the possibility of getting into an \”all inclusive\” cruise. These offers all-inclusive suite includes its board, meals and drinks, accommodation and flights on the ground back to its port of embarkation. All-inclusive prices not only save a few hundred dollars, but will also help meet the budget and avoid overspending on your holiday.

Book a room cheaper. The location of your suite has a significant impact on the amount of your cruise will cost you. And an outdoor balcony or suite cabins are more expensive. If you do not have to have these rooms, then opt for an inside cabin, as they are much cheaper and also save you from having to watch the stormy sea, if time does not feel like being too nice.

Finally, do not spend on plane tickets if you do not have to. Many cruise unnecessarily spend hundreds of dollars on airfare to the port options unwise. Verify that the ports are closer to you and book a cruise from there. Consider driving to his home port of shipment to save on airfare. Most ports have been allocated secure parking spaces for cruise ship passengers, so you do not have to worry about your car while you are at sea.

Finally, the stock more affordable offerings that can help you save money on cruises, to use cruise comparison sites such as Travelocity, Cruisedirect, and Priceline. Check out the available offers and calculate what is the best deal of all.

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A vacation can be a great way to relax and reduce the stress in your life. However, some people do not make sufficient plans before they go on vacation and end up having a horrible trip. Instead of helping to reduce stress, a poorly planned vacation can contribute to your stress. One great tool that many people are unaware of using is the travel community. Why would anyone ignore the information provided by other people who have been through what you are going to do? Learn from the mistakes they have made and gain travel tips that can enhance your trip.

Many websites have been created that can provide you with the necessary information you might be looking for concerning your next vacation or trip. If you are traveling by plane, you can receive travel advice that will help you to avoid delays at the airport or with customs. It does not take much to cause you to be delayed because you do not know enough about the current issues that many travelers need to be aware of.

If you are looking for recommendations on how to save money while traveling (who does not want to save money), the traveling community can provide help in this area as well. Other travelers may have discovered inexpensive but extremely attractive places to stay that will enhance your next trip no matter where you are going. The world is a very large place and finding help for the area that you plan to visit might seem difficult. However, travel tips are available to help you from websites that cover a great deal of the planet.

Take a few minutes to learn about the great travel advice that is available from the traveling community to ensure that you have all the necessary information and resources to make your next vacation or trip the best possible one!

But the international travel needs some extra care. We can follow some tips to make the travel abroad an enjoyable one.

The first tip to follow is that in a foreign country it is very important for the travelers to know they are guests and they should make it point to obey the country’s laws and should not involve themselves in any illegal activities like smuggling and drug trafficking. If these are abided by then the stay in the country will be peaceful and enjoyable.

Next is the baggage. It should be as light as possible but it should include all the essentials so that no difficulty is faced at any time. Also you need to check the things you carry until the last. This can prevent any theft from happening lest you get stranded.

The currencies of the countries differ from each other. Knowing the exchange rates would help a lot. Before going to the destination you can carry some with you because you may need some to pay the taxi fare. One thing to be really careful is never to discuss the money matters and your finances in the public nor count them in public. You may be inviting some harm to yourself. Most countries would require the travelers to declare the cash that you are carrying.

Next in line are the travel documents. They should be in place and all of them should be valid and you should be aware of the extensions possible. Also the tickets of the travel should be checked thoroughly and the route to the destination should be known properly. Another hurdle is the customs handling which is not an easy task. But if you declare your belongings and the items you purchased for personal use and as gifts you have nothing to fear.

Thus international traveling can be pretty much enjoyable if these tips are born in mind to the core.

ExpatIntelligence website contains more information related topics likeInternational Travel Tips and Overseas Without Insurance.

Cruise travel tips explores who goes on cruise vacations these days but according to Cruise Market Watch it is estimated that 18.4 million passengers took cruise holiday in 2010.

Who Goes On Cruise Vacations?

There are all kinds of cruises available and all kind of people that go on cruises. Despite popular misconception there is no typical cruise passenger.

Cruising appeals to wide range of people so there is usually good mix of people on board – different age groups, families, couples and singles. However, some cruise companies aim their cruises towards special group of travelers.

There are many great romantic cruises available for romantic couples and newlyweds and family cruise travel is getting increasingly popular. Cruises are also an excellent option for senior travelers and there are cruises aimed for single travelers, gay travelers, handicapped travelers, etc.

There are not only leisure holiday cruises available – there is great variety of cruises out there. There are adventure cruises, wildlife expedition cruises, cultural cruises, educational cruises… where there is water you are likely to find some form of cruises on offer. These types of cruises appeal to varied range of people.

Cruises are not for everyone but most people do enjoy their cruising experience and amazingly high proportion of cruise passengers repeat the experience. The sociable atmosphere and sense of occasion lures them back again… and again.

Why Go On A Cruise Vacations?

There can be many reasons why people choose to go on a cruise vacation.

Cruise travel tips considers some of the main reasons to be that cruise vacation is a good way to visit many places in relatively short period of time and still only have to unpack your bags once. It’s relatively easy to stick to your travel budget as most of the expenses are usually included in the price, i.e. accommodation, meals, entertainment and activities. The amenities on board do vary but usually cruise lines have all the amenities you need on board, e.g. swimming pools, cinema, theatre, casino and nightclubs.

The atmosphere on board tends to be relaxed and sociable, making cruise vacation great way to meet new people – making friends for life on cruise vacation isn’t unheard of.

Last but not least cruising is a lifestyle… and a pretty amazing lifestyle when you think about it.

Maybe the cruise lifestyle is what the non existing typical cruise passengers have in common?

Cruise travel tips wish you a happy sailing.

Argentina is a popular destination, but it’s important to note on any vacation that there can be cultural, geological and meteoroligical differences when travelling abroad that could potentially ruin your entire trip. While in some places the differences can be minor, in others you could deeply offend a person by doing something you thought to be kosher. Don’t let this happen to you, below are what I believe to be the top 7 Argentina travel tips. Follow these tips and you’ll be sure to leave an impression of courtesy and enjoy more hospitality from the locals.

1. The most common form of greeting in Argentina betwen friends is kissing one anothers cheeks, so don’t be caught off guard when someone makes a lunge toward your cheek. And return the favour out of courtesy if they have.

2. Once in Argentina, one of main methods of transportation is underground shuttle, or by bus/trolley bus, or taxi. Their are 5 main public ral lines, labelled A to E and services operate from early mornng to late at night on a fixed-fare basis. Buses are generally very crowded but are often the quickest means from one place to another.

3. Spanish is the offical language of Argentina, while English is widely spoken – don’t rely on everyone to speak English, you should at least get some basic Spanish down before travelling to Argentina.

4. More then 90 per cent of Argentina’s religious faith lies in the Roman Catholic church. Remember this as it does have an effect on what is kosher and what is not.

5. Argentina has 5 major airlines in an effort to make the big country smaller when travelling. Oddly enough, sometimes a flight will be faster and cheaper then say a bus or a taxi, so look into flying as a possible means of transportation for those slightly longer endevours.

6. You can get answers to most of your questions about Argentina tourism from the Argentina Tourist Information Center:

Secretariat of Tourism, Tourist Information Centers: Av. Santa Fe 883, (C1059ABC) Buenos Aires, Tel. 4312-2232 or 0800-555-0016; Ezeiza International Airport and Jorge Newbery Airport; info@turismo.gov.ar.

7. The official currency of Argentina is the peso, ills come in 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 pesos. One pesos equals one hundred cents. 2 pesos are blue, 5 pesos are green, 10 pesos are brown, 20 pesos are red, 50 peseos are grey, and 100 pesos are purple/violet.

8. Tips are somewhat outlawed in Argentina, though people still expect a tip in most situations – if that’s the case 10 percent of the bill as your tip will suffice for the most part.

9. The Argentina time zone is Argentina Standard Time, which is GMT -3 hours, and GMT -4 hours in the summer. So set your watches correctly!

And the best tip of all is to plan ahead, use caution and common sense, and most of all – have fun!

It seems like everyone enjoys a good adventure. However, proper preparation can certainly make the difference between a great trip and a great disaster. Knowing what to expect, what to pack, and covering your basis will make your trip go smoothly and therefore be a lot more enjoyable then being unprepared. Below you will find a collection of some of the most important adventure travel tips from experienced travelers.

Things To Do Before You Go:

It is important to do some research on the country that you will be traveling to. Are there things that you should be aware of before going to the country? For example knowing a little bit about the history, culture and political climate of the country you will be traveling in can not only help you stay safe it can also improve your enjoyment and knowledge of the trip. Also before going you will want to clearly find out what important documents you will need to take to travel. Will you need a passport for example? It can also be a good idea to find out the number and location of your countries consulate or embassy before going. This can again be a good extra safety measure.

Are You Covered?

One of the most important things to research before going on a trip is medical information. You will want to know if your medical insurance will cover you and if so what the procedures are if you are to get ill. Sometimes you will need to contact you medical insurance provider to get clearance before seeking any medical care in a foreign country. Otherwise you might get stuck with the bill yourself. Find out what the procedure for payment with your medical insurance company is and how it works. Do they reimburse you for any medical expense and if so what documentation will you need to get the reimbursement. It is also a good idea to make sure you have fund that are easily accessible in a medical emergency.

When You Go

It is important to get an information update on the current security measures necessary for air travel. These are changing frequently right now and it is therefore very important to check on the internet or with someone who has recently traveled. Don’t have anything on your person or in your carry-on that could be confiscated at the airport. When you are on the plane, pay attention to instructions about filling out the visa forms for the country you are entering. If you do not fill out the document on the plane, you could be charged a fee for completing one when you arrive at the airport. It is also a good idea to have some American one-dollar bills on hand for tiping when you go through the airport.

When you get there: adventure travel tips from veteran travelers urge other tourists to use common sense. Remember, you are in another country. People do many things differently from what you are accustomed to. You have a right as a guest to be treated well, but you also have a responsibility as a guest to behave well. Remember, if you are tempted to buy or use illegal drugs, that the laws in the country you are visiting are not necessarily the same as those of your own country. Foreign jails can be extremely unpleasant, and your family might have to spend a lot of money to get you home.

Just a few more adventure travel tips: stolen passports are worth a lot of money on the black market. Make sure yours is in a safe place when you are not actually carrying it. If the tap water of your host country is not safe to drink, do not use it to make ice-cubes. Freezing does not kill bacteria. Nor should the water be used to rinse lettuce or other vegetables or fruits. In some Third World countries it is best to know whom you are dealing with if you rent a vehicle. Disreputable rental operators have been known to steal rented motorcycles and cars, and then bill the renter for the cost of the vehicle. At night, keep away from dark, unfamiliar places. Being safe means being smart.