Category Archives: Travel

Travel Job Listings – Where To Find The Cash

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Have you been searching near and far to find a travel job that will suit you? Do you want a travel job that is not only fun but also pays well?

As you might already known, travel jobs are abundant. They involve many different industries; hospitality, security, engineering, tourism, and dozens more. However, let us focus on travel jobs that do not require specialized education and can be taken by common folks.

The best travel jobs for an unskilled worker is usually found in the tourism and hospitality industry. They have positions for persons with limited education and experience but also allow growth and upward mobility in their careers. Entry level jobs tend to have small salaries but since you are dealing with affluent travelers and vacationers, you can usually receive tips and rewards.

Food and accommodation is usually free, paid for by the company. If you spend your money thriftily and wisely, you can save a lot in the end. People with this kind of travel job can climb up the career ladder. Of course, excellence in performance and service is a requirement.

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For instance, you may work as a cruise ship crew as your starting position. With hard work and eagerness to learn, you can earn a higher position and you can eventually become a cruise director. Another example, you can have an initial position as a bellman in a hotel but you can eventually be given managerial duties if you persevere enough.

Being a tour guide is also one of the better travel jobs. If you love the outdoors and being one with nature, you can lead treks along scenic terrains. You can create an online page and acquire clients from all over the world. You’ll get to meet interesting people while giving them a gratifying experience touring the local sights.

Adventure guides are quite different. Skills in daring activities are required. This is the suitable tour guide job for adrenaline junkies. Responsibilities include leading and instructing clients to go through various extreme activities. It is fun and if you are the type, don’t pass up this opportunity. Pay is decent but the exuberance makes it worth your consideration.

Now if you are not really on the adventurous side of things, you can become a standard tour guide that does all the basic stuff; educating the travelers with history, a bit of geography, and folklore. Extensive knowledge about the destination is required. Communication and organizational skills are also essential in this kind of travel job.

Artistic and technical skills are great attributes to have when you want to work traveling. Skills in photography, for example, can be an asset. Travel photographers can earn an excellent living if they can capture striking photos and market their work effectively in the market. Publishers of travel magazines, tourism companies with ad campaigns, and the local government are just some of the typical buyers.

In summary, travel jobs are great opportunities for everyone. Do not let the lack of education and experiences discourage you. Work while traveling is for all.

What is “Responsible Travel?”

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What is “Responsible Travel?”

You can enjoy adventure, nature and/or culture, and be socially and ecologically conscious. Responsible travel is about having fun, while also giving back. It is ethical travel that strives to reduce negative impacts of our journey while creating long term benefits to the environment, local people, and their communities.

“Eco-Green-Sustainable-Responsible Travel.” Really? Just How “Green” is Green?
By Peggy Lichter President, Wiser World Travel

The last time I checked, I could place my company on an online eco-directory for 0, no proof necessary as to my sustainable practices (other than professing my “green-ness.”)  As a tour operator, I can convey my environmental concern by asking travelers to offset their carbon emissions ? at their expense. How do we determine if our journeys support local communities? Are we staying in locally owned accommodations, eating in local restaurants, being educated by local guides, better insuring financial benefits to host communities? How do we know if negative impacts of travel are being minimized, that long term benefits to local people and communities will outweigh possible short term costs?

Are we being “greenwashed”? Just what is that, anyway? EnviroMedia Social Marketing says greenwashing is “when a company or organization spends more time and money claiming to be ‘green’ through advertising and marketing than actually implementing business practices that minimize environmental impact. It’s whitewashing, but with a green brush.”

Eco Practices?

I recently attended a conference in a U.S. city.  The hotel that hosted the event belongs to a major chain, which touts its commitment to sustainable practices. They have been recognized twice as the Energy Star Partner of the Year for Excellence in Energy Management.  Yet conference attendees were wearing extra layers of clothing to keep warm in the conference rooms due to the air conditioning setting; just think what energy could be conserved if the temperature was set even two degrees warmer.

Plastic cups wrapped in plastic were replaced daily.  After using a thimble-full of shampoo and hair conditioner, the almost full bottles were removed and replaced with new ones. I don’t have to tell you how plastic and non-biodegradable products clog our earth, not to mention the waste of product.  Is a “green” hotel one that asks guests to place towels on the floor if laundering is desired and guests can choose to not have sheets changed daily? While of course a plus for conservation, are these practices suggested because they are environmentally correct or primarily because they are visible, sustainable practice that positively affect the bottom line and the hotel’s image? And does conservation become the responsibility of the customer?

Questions to Ask

How do we know if tour operators providing great “eco” trips are “walking their talk”? What questions might we ask? Does the operator have any eco-certifications? Are you staying at locally owned and operated accommodations where the employees are from the local community? Are you eating at local restaurants and being guided by local experts? If on a tour, does the tour operator support sustainability programs in the communities/regions to which they go? Do they contribute to a carbon offset program? Does the operator and the accommodations that they support recycle and demonstrate energy efficiency when possible? Are travelers educated about the local culture and environment? Are they encouraged to conserve and recycle?

The New Green

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Perhaps we should do what British journalist Nick Rosen (off-grid.net) suggests regarding greenwashing, “. . . we have to adopt a new color: brown. Brown is the new green . . . Advertisers will never want to hijack such a color. Brown is a reminder of what we talk about when we talk about the Earth. It’s a reconnection with our own dirt . . .”

“Green” has become fashionable, and of course every little bit helps for whatever reason, even if it’s for financial gain. But over the long term, in order to sustain our earth with the least negative impact to it and to life, don’t we need to change our fundamental belief systems about the connectivity between all people and the earth? If we love to travel, by encouraging responsible travel practices, we can contribute to our world’s life span ? and not lose a bit of the fun, adventure, or excitement of new experiences! And if bottom lines are positively affected, it will happen.

About Wiser World Travel, LLC and Peggy Lichter, President

Wiser World Travel matches travelers to the most fitting, enjoyable, quality, and sustainable packaged and custom tours and itineraries offered by our ever-growing group of committed tour operators. We strongly believe that members of the travel industry have a responsibility to the environment and people of the world, and we intend to make sure that the travel providers within the Wiser World network meet the expectations set by our caring travelers.

Wiser World Travel was founded by Peggy Lichter in 2008. Peggy sought to use her business and entrepreneurial experience to make a positive impact on people and the global environment. Upon her travels she became enthused about sustainable tourism, and how through travel we all have the potential to contribute to the betterment of our world. Ultimately, her difficulty in verifying tour operators who “walk their walk” regarding responsible travel, combined with the lack of standardized sustainable criteria in the travel industry, led to the company’s inception.

Responsible Travel: Helping Now
By Reagen Lowrey

Scientists are no longer debating if climate change is occurring, as the devastating effects can already be seen globally. Nor is there any doubt that human activities are a major part of the problem.

So why is this important to you, fellow travelers? Well, if emissions continue to rise as currently projected, many of the places we like to visit will simply no longer exist. A 2005 study conducted by Sustainable Travel International found that the travel industry contributes about one third of the world’s climate damaging emissions. Are we saying that you should not travel? No, of course not. Not only does travel broaden our perspectives, but many economies in the developing world are dependent on it. Put simply, we believe the lesson to be learned is how to strike a balance.

Some members of the travel industry recognize their responsibility to curtail negative impacts of tourism; they are making efforts to create positive outcomes for the environment, local people and cultures, and raising awareness about the need for green alternatives and sustainability.

For the rest of us, it has never been more important to understand and

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Intrepid Travellers

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If you are an intrepid traveller then it will be the unreachable that draws you to new destinations and things to visit when you are travelling. Most people just plan their next holiday, but the diehard traveller will be looking to better their last trip and really make something remarkable.

Why not think about these?

Using all the pages in your passport: what a pride point to achieve! It might seem like a pain to a normal person to apply for new pages, but it’s such a badge of honour to have all the stamps of the countries that you have visited on display.

Climbing to the highest point of the countries you have visited: its amazing to see a country from its highest peak, so why not get to the top and be in the rare few that have seen the terrain from that angle.

Seeing one hundred countries: if you want membership in the traveller’s century club then collect passage into one hundred countries and be one of the elite few allowed to attend.

Acquiring rare passport stamps: there are some countries that are rare and unusual, and the acquisition of one if these stamps is like gold dust.

Take Lichtenstein for example. How many people do you know with that stamp?

Seeing the world in eighty days: might sound easy, but the real trick is to do it without using aeroplanes. You might have to board a boat, or get on a bus with the locals, but it means that you will get out there and live like the locals.

Visiting all seven of the continents: this would be much easier if Antarctica was easier to get to, but it means taking on Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, South America, Antarctica and Australasia in the quest to be well travelled.

Getting your kicks on route 66: renting a car and driving the iconic route 66 is a Mecca for travellers, so get it done and get one of the most amazing trips for travellers.

If you are looking to take a trip this summer then book Travel Insurance Direct

Travel Photography Jobs – Mistakes Made By Amateurs

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Travel photography jobs are tons of fun! But not just anybody can just point and shoot a camera. So how can you be a good travel photographer and stand out from the crowd of camera wielding enthusiasts?

Taking up travel photography is more than just taking pictures. It is a passion for capturing beauty and there are intricacies in the craft that one can only learn through experience. Needless to say, travel photographers with lack of experience are amateurs. They will either have a hard time capturing pictures that are stunning, dealing with local culture, setting up their equipment for optimal results, or all three.

If you want to be travel photographer or just started to become one, this article can help. Let me share some things that can save you a lot of headaches and stress.

In your quest to take quality pictures in a foreign place, let this be your guide. Avoid these amateurish mistakes so you can monetize your passion for photography in a flash. Pun intended.

Remember to travel prepared but travel light. If you are traveling in a place where your goal is to capture beautiful landscapes, you should only bring the appropriate equipment for your goal. Bringing your complete set of equipment will only end up being a burden to your travel so why bring equipment you won’t really use?

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2. Not Using A Camera’s Automatic Settings

The thing about photography is that sometimes great opportunities for a picture are fleeting. You don’t have enough time to change lens or adjust your camera settings. So you should know when is the right time to bring and use a camera with fixed lens. Learn to love your camera’s automatic settings such as, exposure and focus.

Taking photographs about culture and local activities requires readiness and photographers instinct. So you should be ready to point and click whenever an opportunity presents itself. Trust your equipment!

3. Not Being Polite Or Respectful To Local Customs

Taking candid shots of people is priceless but sometimes people just don’t want to be photographed. Before, doing some “people shooting” you must assess first if the atmosphere and the mood of the locals who you are photographing.

You should ask first before taking the picture. Ask if you can take some portraits of the people and if you can take some candid shots of them going about their daily business. Once you have permission, you can fire away with your camera even without asking.

Take note that some places have traditional customs that go against your craft. Islamic countries for example, they don’t want their women photographed. Always be informed about the customs of the people you are photographing.

If you can do it without looking suspicious use a camera with a long zoom. That way you can take pictures without causing discomfort to the subject.

4. Not Scheduling the Photographs

As a photographer, you should take note of the best times of the day to capture your photograph. Always study the scenery first. Find out when the natural light will be most beneficial to your photo capture. Some shots look better at dawn while others look better during early morning or evening.

Most of the time, landscape photographs can be best captured when the there are no distractions from people. If it is best taken early, make it a point to go their early.

These are just some of the mistakes amateur travel photographers make. Avoid them in order to get the best out of your travel photography adventure!

Travelers Checklist

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DOCUMENTS:

o Flight Tickets
o Accommodation Vouchers
o Transfer Vouchers
o Prepaid Attraction Tickets
o Passport (If traveling overseas)
o Visa (Check with Travel Agent if needed)
o Travel Insurance
o Phone numbers for home
o Health Documentation
o Emergency Information
o Currency
o Currency calculations sheet
o Credit Cards x 2/Travelers Cheques,
o Make copies of all documentation keep one copy with you and leave a copy of your passport, credit cards, travel insurance with a friend or family member

CLOTHES:
Before you pack ensure to find what kind of weather you will be getting and pack accordingly, always remember weather can change quickly so ensure to pack for the unexpected changes.

o Underwear
o Socks/Hosiery
o Belts
o Casual Day Wear

o Sleepwear
o Cold weather gear (jumper, coat, warm hat, gloves, scarf)
o Warm weather gear (swimsuit, shorts, sandals
o Comfortable walking shoes (must be worn in)
o Sun Hat

TOILETRIES:

o Comb and/or brush
o Toothbrush, toothpaste, floss etc
o Deodorant
o Soap
o Shampoo & conditioner
o Skin-care lotion
o Razor & shaving cream
o Personal hygiene items
o Vitamins
o Bath / beach towel
o Inspect repellent
o Sunscreen
o Nail clippers
o Aspirin
o Antiseptic wipes
o Antibiotic cream
o Band-Aids
o Upset stomach / Diarrhea medication
o Regular medication, plus a letter from your doctor for anything unusual.

MISCELLANEOUS
o Luggage (Check any weight restrictions)

o Back pack
o Wallet
o Money belt
o Organizer bags (mesh or different colours)
o Ipod/MP3 Player
o Camera & memory cards
o Guide book and maps
o Travel journal & pens
o Games / playing cards
o Small padlocks for suitcase
o Luggage ID tags
o Alarm Clock
o Sunglasses and case
o Travel clothesline & pegs
o Sink plug – (multi size)
o Laundry bag
o Zip lock plastic bags
o Large plastic garbage bag – to use as rain protection for your main bag
o Electrical converter / adapter if you have AC appliances
o Earplugs / eyeshades

o Your favourite book from The Book Brothers www.thebookbrothers.com.au

HANDY TIPS:
o Keep extra cash – 0 in a safe place
o Drink plenty of water and little alcohol on the plane
o Stick to a bland diet
o Always read up on the city before you get there.
o Always take an extra pair of underwear in your hand luggage
o Check luggage weight limits for all modes of transport you are taking your luggage on and purchase luggage accordingly
o Check to see if any vaccinations are required for the country you are visiting
o Set up a worldwide email account if wanting to correspond back home via email

AT HOME BEFORE YOU GO:
o Stop deliveries and have Australia Post hold mail
o Arrange for care of pets, lawn, house plants, garden, swimming pool
o Arrange for home security if you’re worried
o Empty refrigerator and garbage
o Turn off hot water cylinder
o Pre-pay bills (or ask close friend to collect mail and pay bills for you)
o Lock all doors and windows
o Triple check that you have Passport / Tickets / Money

Join a Travel Club to save money on your holidays

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Article by Travel Opportunities

Being part of a Travel Club can really be a sound financial investment as it can save a lot of money. With some Travel Club memberships you can save up to 70% off the normal retail price. This can include luxury Holidays, Cruises and Hotels but can also apply to many other travel related products. Discounts that can add up to a substantial saving provide the true value of a Travel Club membership.

Going on luxury vacations is one smart way to make use of your membership. Just by going on one vacation you could save more than the cost of the entire membership. This means that you can consider holidays that normally would be out of your reach financially. But be warned – this will make you want to Travel more! By joining a Travel Club you can experience fantastic times away and will want to travel more often, so you could end up spending more on holidays than you used to!

Alternatively it might just be that you don’t like to pay over the odds in high prices through traditional travel agencies. At least now with the internet there are many ways to check prices to make sure you are getting the best deals that are out there. What you might not have realized is that some Travel Clubs can get you wholesale prices, the same as if you were a travel agent!

So how does a Travel Club work? Well just like any major company they have the financial backing to buy in bulk but with the major difference that they exist solely to share out the savings to their members. So the more members they have the more each one can save on their travels. Many travel companies are now looking into this and it makes perfect sense. As long as memberships keep getting sold and maintained, their members will keep coming back for more holidays. For people looking to save in today’s economy having a membership like this will help people to travel at affordable prices to 4 and 5 star resorts and villas.

One of the best features about being part of a Travel Club is the concierge service. With this service most of the work of arranging a holiday is done for you. All trips are pre-booked so you don’t have to go searching through loads of websites to book a hotel, find a flight, arrange parking etc. All information is provided for you with full reports on hotel accommodation, what food and drink is included, resort facilities as well as how much you save on your booking if you had booked this as an individual holiday.

Not only can you book all inclusive holidays, cruises or short weekends away but also you can book your flights, hotel stop-overs, car hire and excursions. So by now you can see what the benefits are of being a member of a Travel Club. With the Travel Industry being so large there are bound to be more benefits to come, so being a member can only get better and better.

Thailand travel guide

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Article by Direct Line Travel Insurance

With its beautiful beaches, tropical islands, ancient temples, and wild jungle, Thailand is one of the world?s most popular backpacking destinations. It is also close to other popular travel spots in South East Asia like Malaysia, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Laos. Recent development in Thailand means there are a number of new upmarket resorts and spas offering excellent food, luxury accommodation and relaxing spa treatments. With all this on offer, it?s no wonder some tourists stay much longer than they intended.

Beaches and IslandsAlex Garland?s film adaptation of his novel The Beach in 1996 helped put Thailand on the tourist map. Travellers and holidaymakers are attracted to the clear, sunny days, white sand beaches, cool turquoise waters, and palm trees lining the shoreline.

There are islands in abundance in Thailand, all just a boat trip away. The islands of Phuket, Phi Phi and Koh Hae (Coral Island) are situated in the Andaman Sea. Not far away is the coastal province of Krabi renown for its stunning coastline and limestone cliffs. Here you will find the relatively untouched islands of Khao Lak and Phang Nak.

Thailand is a diver?s dream. Head to the Similan Islands for some amazing coral and tropical fish. If you?re looking for more action on your travels head to the Gulf of Thailand. The islands of Koh Phangan and Koh Samui offer sun, spas and plenty of parties. The nearby island of Koh Tao is a fantastic spot to do some diving. Not to be outdone, the east coast of Thailand offers a number of popular spots for backpackers including Pattaya, Koh Samet and Koh Chang.

Temples and TrekkingThailand boasts over 31, 200 Buddhist temples (wats). Some are used for religious ceremonies and festivals and some are home to Buddhist monks. Not all temples are created equal in Thailand. The highest grade temples are called Royal Temples. There are 200 Royal Temples in Thailand including Wat Suthat and Wat Phra Chetuphon in Bangkok, Wat Phra Pathom Chedi in Nakhon Pathom Province, and in Sarburo Province, Wat Phra Buddhabat.

Some of the temples in Chiang Mai are over 700 years old. Wat Phrathat Dou Suthep sits high on a mountain with spectacular views overlooking the city. Other temples to visit are Wat Chedi Luang, Wat Chiang Man, the colourful Burmese-style Wat Saen Fang and the forests and labyrinth at Wat Umong. Chiang Mai is also a trekkers paradise with two massive national parks, elephant centres, ancient hill tribes and plenty of mountains, wildlife and natural wonders.

Rest and RejuvenationAfter you?ve trekked through the jungle, absorbed the magic of the temples, and tasted the nightlife Thai style, unwind with a spa treatment and massage. Thailand is famous for its spas and massages. If you?re travelling on a budget there are basic treatments or if you?re going for all out luxury, check out a luxurious spa resort. There are destination spas that are dedicated to spa treatments like Chiva-Som in Hua Hin. Spa programmes include relaxation, slimming, detox or focus on increasing energy levels. A number of hotels double as spa resorts. These include The Oriental in Bangkok, The Amanpuri Resort in Phuket, The Oasis Resort and Samui Dharma Healing Centre in Koh Samet, The Central Wong Amat Beach Resort in Pattaya, and The Regent Resort (Lanna Spa) in Chiang Mai.

If you?re looking for a health retreat that specialises in medical programmes, there are a number of day spas that offer beauty treatments and massage centres offering traditional Thai reflexology and Swedish-style massage. The Wat Pho temple in Bangkok, the main school for massage and traditional medicine in Thailand, is famous for its massage and medical treatments.

Favourite hauntsDiving heavenFor a magical view of Thailand?s underwater paradise, take a diving course at one of Thailand?s diving centres. You can learn to dive on Koh Tao, Phi Phi, Phuket or Koh Samui. If you?re rather take a dive cruise, head out to the nine granite Similan Islands in the Andaman Sea, 65km offshore from Phang Nga Province. These islands were declared a National Park in 1982. You will see beautiful coral gardens, sloping reef banks, massive boulders, vast numbers of tropical fish and even some of the more exotic sea creatures like turtles and leopard sharks.

If you?re planning to dive in Thailand, remember to let your travel insurance company know before you go.

Rural retreatHead inland and discover the beauty of Thailand?s jungles. Some of the best treks start in Chiang Mai and take you through lush jungle to visit indigenous hill tribes and wildlife sanctuaries.

Take a trip to the Doi Inthanon National Park and see the Vachiratarn Waterfalls, spend the night in an authentic Karen village (home to a Karen hill tribe), trek through the jungle on an elephant, and raft down a river on a bamboo raft. If you are planning to river raft while in Thailand, make sure you let your travel insurance company know before you go.

Use Chiang Mai as a base to explore the temples in the area and if you fancy becoming an expert in Thai massage, take a course at one of the local massage schools.

Hustle and bustleCity life in Thailand is colourful, noisy and busy. Bangkok is one of those cities you either love or hate. Pollution is a problem but if you can handle the smog, you?ll find a treasure trove of markets, temples, river tours, hotels, nightlife, restaurants, bars and street stalls offering mouthwatering Thai cuisine.

Shop by day at the Chatuchak Weekend Market or if you?re a night owl, shop at the Suan Lum Night Bazaar. The Damnoen Saduak Floating Market is a major tourist attraction with lots of Thai bargains and stunning river views.

If you?re look for an adventure at night, try Sukhumvit, Khao San Road, Silom, Ratchadapisek, Siam and Chidlom, where there?s something for every taste and style.

Travelling by PlaneThe only direct flights from the UK to Thailand fly into Bangkok. Thai Airways, BA, Eva Airways and Qantas Airways offer direct flights from London Heathrow to Bangkok. Once you?ve landed in Bangkok, you can catch a connecting flight to Chiang Mai, Koh Samui, Krabi, Pattaya, Phi Phi or Phuket. If flying is not adventurous enough for you, you can choose to travel by train, boat or bus to a wide range of Thai destinations.

The new Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok may also see flights from other destinations in the UK in the future. For more information visit http://www.flightmapping.com/Asia/Thailand

Thailand travel informationFor more information and holiday ideas visit http://www.tourismthailand.org and http://www.tourismthailand.co.uk.

Guidebooks are a another useful source of ideas, suggestions and travel tips:? The Rough Guide to Thailand ? Thailand?s Beaches and Islands? Lonely Planet’s Thailand and Thailand?s Islands and Beaches

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Travel Tips, Travel Tips, Travel Tips?

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Rising gas prices, air fares, hotel rates… bills, bills, bills… But none of these are keeping travelers off the roads to get their much deserved vacation. According to the triple-A, around 35 million Americans traveled during the Memorial Day weekend – A hundred thousand more than last year’s. The number only says that there’s no stopping the common American from hitting the road to take a break. But how does one cope with all the spending to make sure that there’s enough left to go back to the normal life they left off? How does one prepare for traveling and avoiding hassles during and after their vacation?

Hotel rates are up between 5 and 10 percent.; Airfares, 14 percent; a gallon of gas? More than a higher than last year. So what’s an American to do? Here are a few tips:

1. Awareness of Peak Travel Day Fees – Peak travel day fees are applied when there is a higher demand. These hidden travel fees increase the price of your flight, especially during the months of June, July, and August. During these months, every day is almost considered as a “peak” day. And the only way to avoid it? – postpone your vacation until the end of the summer, which is quite a hassle since you don’t want to ruin your kids’ summer vacation.

2. Bargains — There are lots of cheap travel packages going to the Caribbean, Cancun and Las Vegas during the summer months.

3. Travel Tips from CBP – They say that people who read fast get ahead. This might be true, except for some information that you really need to remember and digest like the tips from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Here are some CBP tips that you should remember before you go:

a. Have all the required travel documents for the countries you’re visiting. To add, identification for re-entry to the U.S. Passports are also required for re-entry.

b. Declare everything you are bringing in from abroad. This includes items that are bought in a duty free shop as these items are also subject to U.S. duty fees and other restrictions.

c. Be cautious when buying something from a street vendor. Some merchandise can be classified as counterfeit or unsafe and you may have to surrender it to the CBP when you get home.

d. Know that things bought abroad for personal use or as gifts are eligible for duty exemptions. But if you’re going to resell them, they are not eligible.

e. Have a quick look at the list of prohibited merchandise (such as ivory, tortoise shell, absinthe, and counterfeit items) and restricted merchandise.

f. Be aware that many foreign-made meds are not FDA-approved. You cannot bring these meds into the U.S. Also remember that, when traveling abroad, bring only the amount of medication that you’re going to use during your trip.

g. Cuban-made products are a big no-no.

h. Don’t bring any food into the U.S. without checking to see if it’s permitted. To add, exotic pets like live birds, whether it’s for your personal use or for commercial use, may be restricted and/or quarantined.

i. You also have to remember that CBP officers can inspect you and your belongings without a warrant. This may include your luggage, vehicle, and personal searches. This is meant to enforce U.S. laws as well as protect legitimate travelers.

4. Maintain Your Tires – Most people would opt to go on a road trip instead of flying, so a good advice to take is to check if your tires are properly inflated. Estimates show that U.S. motorists could save up to 700 million gallons of gas each year just by maintaining their tires properly. To add, tuning-up and putting the correct motor oil in your car can improve fuel efficiency by up to 4 percent.

5. Find a Cheap Vacation Rental — Looking for a cheap vacation rental near your intended destination can save you money, especially if you’re going out with a large group. Instead of booking a hotel during peak season, try to look for a vacation rental that has all the amenities that you need.

 

Travel Wrap for Travelling

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The words travel wrap, to me give me the feeling of warmth, snuggling down with a good book or a mug of hot chocolate.  It says a warm blanket, folded at the end of the sofa ready to wrap you up on a cold winter’s night, or a shawl you can wrap round your shoulders.

But of course a travel wrap is not really for home it’sis really for travelling, whether it be a car blanket that you keep in the boot for emergencies, or a shawl you use on a long train journey, or a kids blanket to help the children to sleep on a long flight.

A wrap or travel blanket for the car is great to keep in the boot all the time, it can be used as a picnic blanket if you have not packed one, or if you are on a long journey and the passengers want to sleep, a rug to keep them warm.  They are also fantastic for emergencies in the cold weather, if you break down or get stuck in snow, they can be essential, especially if you cannot use the car heater.

A travel wrap can simply be a really wide scarf or pashmina that you can wear on the journey but you could also can stretch out over you or wrap it around your shoulders on the train or plane.

A wrap can also be a really great solution for travelling with kids, they often get cold if they are young and can’t yet walk and if they are still sleeping in the day, so a blanket that you can have with you all the time in the buggy or car seat is a really good idea, you can take is out when you get on the train or plane and use it on the journey as well as travelling to the station or airport.

These days you can get travel wraps for kids that are shaped and fit into a seat and have holes in to allow the straps through.  They can be left in the car seat or buggy all the time so you always have it with you if you need it.  They can be wrapped or unwrapped, which is great for travelling when often the temperatures change dramatically as you move in and outside, air conditioning, cars in cold weather before they warm up.  It also means if the child is sleeping you can wrap and unwrap them as often as you like without waking them up.

It is always worth having a travel wrap, or something that can be used while travelling.  They can have so many uses and be left in the car or buggy so you always have it with you.  Make sure you get one that is useful to you and that you can keep especially for travelling.