Travel Tips

How to Pack for your Cruise

If this is the first time you are going on a cruise, you may think that packing for it is much like packing for any other trip. But this is not entirely true, so here are a few tips that may help you to be better prepared for any event that you encounter.

· Pack lightly but not too lightly. Avoid buying things while on the cruise; whatever items you buy on the cruise will be sold at high prices because of the premiums attached to them.

· Cruise’s have a couple of different modes - formal, casual or even both. Knowing this is important because a formal cruise indicates that you need to dress up in formal clothes for certain events (like Dinner) that you will encounter during the days of the cruise. However, the definition of “formal” on cruise is more like wearing a decent suit or a nice cocktail dress, so it does not represent too much of a hassle. If you wish to avoid formal events you can always request for alternative dinner times or even have it delivered to your room.

· Pack lightweight, combinable and easy to maintain clothes (e.g. Jeans). This will allow you to have fewer items in your baggage and still let you have many different looks.

· Do your laundry using the self-service facilities available while you are on board. This is another thing that will let you enjoy the cruise with fewer items to lug around. Following the previous tip will be especially useful in this instance.

· Find out about the conditions that you will encounter during the cruise. If you don’t ned the heavy winter clothing, don’t pack it.

· You should also find out if the cruise has any restrictions on certain items being brought aboard (e.g. Alcohol).

Things to Do and See in New Orleans

New Orleans is the biggest city in Louisiana, and is also one of the most visited cities of the state. New Orleans is well known to tourists for having great food and music, muggy and hot weather, and for its unique history and culture. After the devastation left by the Hurricane Katrina last 2005, New Orleans still remains one of the top tourist hot-spots of all time.

Some of the sights that you cannot miss when visiting New Orleans include their historic architecture, which showcases the Victorian mansions as well as their city-wide structures, and a hint of French and Spanish architectures as well. You can also visit the historic cemeteries of the city, which are located mostly uptown. You can also go to the Superdome located in New Orleans’ CBD. There is also the Audubon Zoo located uptown, where you and your family can enjoy looking at wild animals. In the butterfly park of the zoo, you get to see the majestic Mississippi River. This river can also be seen when you are on the French Quarter.

To lift up your spirits, you can also go to the city’s prided church, the St. Louis Cathedral.Aside from visiting historical places in New Orleans, you can also do some memorable activities in the city like having street car rides, going to riverboat cruises, river ferries (for budget conscious tourists), walking and bicycling tours, casino gambling (if you are feeling lucky), antique shopping, learning from cooking classes, carriages rides, and finally, celebrate the Mardi Gras.

Places to See in Tokyo, Japan

Every time people hear about Tokyo, Japan, there is one thing that first comes into their minds - a very modern city with a very high cost of living. But contrary to the thinking of many, Tokyo is one of the most affordable cities you will ever find in the world. There are a lot of bars, restaurants and cafes which serve food as cheap as buying drinks. Aside from that, most of its attractions are free, and you can stroll freely to see the beauty of the city. At first glance, you can see the main city filled with thousands of people walking on the streets, a traffic jam in almost every road, and the hundreds of skyscrapers with colorful lights at night.

But if you walk further to the suburbs of the city, you will find Tokyo’s hidden treasure - the wooden houses, the temples and shrines which are all but sights which preserve the beauty of Tokyo. The first thing that should be on your list when visiting Tokyo is the Tokyo Tower in Shiba-Koen. This magnificent building, erected in 1958 is higher that the Eiffel Tower. On the top of the building which boasts of its 164 floodlights which are incandescent white during summer and orange during winter, are stations where you can take a glimpse of the whole of Tokyo, as well as the Mount Fuji. Aside from that, you can also enjoy different places inside the tower once you visit the Trick Art Gallery, the Mysterious Walking Zone and the Tokyo Tower Wax Museum.

Cruising in Alaska

Alaska’s reputation as a tourist destination has grown tremendously over the past few years. This is mainly thanks to the increase in cruise lines offering packages to tourists. Another reason is that the cruise line offer differing types of vessels to their passengers. So, depending on how much you want to spend, you can choose from low key ships to mega cruisers.

The main thing you have to keep in mind about an Alaskan cruise is that it is seasonal. The season begins in May and ends in September. This is the period when the waterways are not frozen, thereby enabling ships to freely navigate the area. The season peaks in June, July and August as the temperature reaches up to 80 degrees in the daytime making the weather quite pleasant. Nighttime temperatures will drop but not to the freezing levels of winter.

There are two main routes that are taken by the cruise lines - The Inside Passage and the Gulf of Alaska. Although both cruises take very different routes, they do intersect at some stops. Keep in mind that the Gulf cruise is a one way journey ending in Vancouver or Anchorage, depending on where you boarded the ship.

If you plan to take one of these cruises, do not pack very think clothing. Since temperatures do not hit subzero levels during the season, you would only be lugging around heavy luggage. Multiple amounts of thin layer clothing is the way to go, as you can add or subtract layers as you wish.

Avoiding Scams

Scams are part and parcel of world travel. Whether you are visiting a third world country or standing in the heart of New York City, you are vulnerable to scams. Here are a few that you should be aware of:

1. A stranger asks for fuel money - Usually this is accompanied with a sob story of a funeral, family emergency, etc. If you do feel compelled to help this person, tell them that you will go with them to a gas station and you will find that they disappear very quickly.

2. Free gift - Someone asks you a very simple favor (i.e. directions) and return they put a bracelet on your arm or something similar. You don’t want it but you can’t take it off your arm either, so feel compelled to give that person some money. A variation of this is where someone “finds” a “valuable” watch or bracelet in front of you and tries to sell it to you.

3. Diversion - You get a flat tire and a good Samaritan pulls up to help you. Keep an eye out, his friend might be emptying your luggage. This works in reverse as well, where you are flagged down by someone who needs help. Another diversionary tactic is where someone helps to clean bird poo from your shirt. You wallet might disappear at this point.

4. Overcharge - Taxis are notorious for taking advantage of unsuspecting travellers. If they are on the meter, they will deliberately take longer routes. If they are without a meter they will name atrocious rates.

Trekking about in Cape Town

Going for a trek is always an invigorating experience and it allows you to take in the surroundings at your pace. Trekking or hiking in the Cape Town region can be an unforgettable experience due to its beauty and wildlife. But before you decide to rove the countryside you should take some precautions to stay safe.

1. Dehydration is a killer. Remember to take plenty of water with you.

2. Treks have a way of stretching out, so you may lose track of time. Take some energy bars or snacks that will keep you going.

3. Strong, thick boots are essential as you are walking in snake and scorpion country. Thick socks are also advisable accessories.

4. Although shorts might be tempting at times, trousers are more advisable in this location.

5. A waterproof jacket to keep you nice and dry in case of sudden showers.

6. Carry a torch with you if you leave in the afternoon. Nightfall can be sudden and can leave you disoriented.

7. Carrying a first aid kit is never a bad thing. If you don’t know how to use any of the medicines that are contained within it, consult a doctor on
their use.

8. Wear a hat and sunblock. Prolonged unprotected exposure to the sun can cause problems, so it is better to have some protection.

9. Get a route map that will initially help you plan out where you are going and will guide you during your hike. This can be purchased locally or even downloaded from the internet.

10. Finally, make sure you cellphone is charged, has credit and has numbers of the local emergency services saved in the phonebook.

A Trip to Dubai

If you’ve never been there, Dubai probably conjures up images of tents, camels and Bedouins smoking sheesha’s in your mind. While all of that can still be found in certain places, modern Dubai is as far from that image as possible. Towering skyscrapers, cutting edge technologies and opulence by the bucket load is what you can expect now if you visit there.

First of all you should be aware that you are visiting a Moslem country. Therefore you should be prepared to hearing the call for prayers regularly throughout the day and especially before Sunrise. You should also be aware that most establishments close for a period of about four hours every day, around midday.

Dubai is a shopper’s paradise, so make sure that your wallet is well stocked. It is home to he world’s third largest shopping mall and the world famous Gold Souk. The Gold Souk is unparalleled in the world and nothing can prepare you for the sight of tons of gold jewelry stretching out in every direction when you get there. Dubai has many great hotels and restaurants which are designed to cater every kind of palette. It is a fun destination for kids as well, with amusement parks, a great zoo, indoor ski slopes and whole host of other activities designed to keep them captivated for hours.

Before you go there, check up on the weather as it can hit all sorts of extremes (heat, cold, rain etc.) depending on the time of the year.

Getting Through a Long Flight

Although air travel is more commonplace now, the speeds with which we reach destinations have not changed by much. This does not matter for first or second time fliers, but for regular travelers air travel soon becomes a bore. Cramped seating, unchanging scenery, not-very-exciting food etc, are all hallmarks of any flight. But by doing a few simple things, you can make a boring long flight more bearable.

Killing time - Bring a book or two along, to keep you occupied. Pocketbooks are better suited for this purpose. Don’t read for long periods at a stretch, as the lighting in the plane is not the best for reading. Break the reading with short naps and by listening to some music with your eyes closed. Carrying a small MP3 player with you will ensure that you have all the music that you like. You could also carry a PSP or similar gaming device as well.

Move around - Sitting in one place for a long time can cramp you up and affect your blood flow. Every two hours or so, get up and walk around. Spend a few minutes walking up and down the aisle; if possible do some light stretching. Yes this can earn you a few quizzical looks, but you should ignore them in the interests of your health. You should also try to get seating near the exit doors. These seats have more leg room than the others and are usually reserved for disabled persons. At the time of check-in, inquire from the staff as to their availability and take them if they are not required for any disabled persons.

Don’t dry up - Dehydration is an unseen assailant. Go easy on the alcohol or drop it if you can. Drink lots of water or juice to keep you hydrated.

Safety Tips for Ladies

Travelling alone can be daunting enough without having to worry about valuables and security. Yet, this is a reality that every lone traveler has to face. For women, especially, security is of paramount importance. There are a few simple steps that can help towards this factor.

Always pick a hotel that is situated in a bustling neighborhood. If there are lots of restaurants, night clubs, late night stores etc it is better, because there will always be people around. Picking a smaller hotel in this area is also a good idea. The staff will get to know you better and will be more alert to strangers hanging around the premises.

Don’t take a room that you are not comfortable with. Try to keep away from those that are close to the emergency exit and pick one that is closer to the elevator. Even if you have just come off of a long and grueling flight, do not settle for any room. Make the extra effort to find the right room.
Exploring cities can be fun and getting lost also has a bit of to it. However, you should always carry a map with you. Run through the map before hand and familiarize yourself with certain key landmarks and their proximities to each other and your hotel.

Lock up all your valuables in the hotel safe. You should also split up your cash; put some in your handbag, wallet, secret compartment in your luggage, etc. This will minimize your loss in case one of them is stolen.

Tips for First Time Cruisers

Going on a cruise is a very different experience to any other holiday that you are likely to take. It takes care of your accommodation, food and travel criteria while taking you to various destinations. If you are thinking of taking a cruise and it is your first time, here are some helpful tips to keep in mind.

The best time to book a cruise is in the early stages or the very last minute. This strategy will give you the best possible price as there are many deals floating around at these stages. Small cabins obviously go for low prices and they get even lower if you do a last minute booking.

Find a reputable travel agent and utilize their services. The agents have inside knowledge on the best deals and will be able to advise you on your course of action. This is especially useful when it comes to avoiding cabins that are close to noisy parts of the ship and also in sorting out any special meal requirements.

Try to drive or take a train to the port of departure. This will reduce your travel cost drastically when compared to taking a flight. If you do plan to drive there, consult your travel agent as they may be able to give you a deal on long term parking.

You should also try to get a group of people together to go on the cruise. Not only will this be fun, as you will be travelling with friends, it will also help you get better discounts for the large number of bookings that you will make.

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