Tag-Archive for ◊ Travel ◊

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• Friday, April 27th, 2012

Belarus is a busy tourist destination hidden in the eastern half of Europe. Though it is easy to get there, it is important to understand how the place works so that you are able to see Belarus without much difficulty. The public transportation here is quite cheap. However, do not just look at the prices, and come to a conclusion, as the transport is one of the efficient systems in this part of the world. It is a better idea if you buy tickets before the date of journey, however, if you are traveling by the taxis or marshrukta (mini-bus), it is not necessary to buy tickets in advance.

Visitors can reach Belarus by air and BELAVIA is their national airline. There are two airports in use in the capital city Minsk. There are taxis and buses available round the clock from airport to other parts of the city. One can reach Minsk by bus from various nearby cities like Moscow, St Petersburg and Riga etc.

Three international bus stations are available in Minsk. Railway option is wide open if you are not far away from Belarus. There are rail lines that run from Warsaw, Vienna, Moscow and Odessa. And within Belarus you have quite a few options to roam around to watch different parts of the country. The luxury coaches and taxis are available. Tourists can drive their vehicles with international license without violating terms with in the country.

Try to see if you have any contacts in Belarus. This is because they will be able to guide you well about the local attractions or transport system that is so vital to your travel. It is advantageous if you are a student or connected to the universities in any way. Then you will surely get help from one of the educational institutions. Just approach them and they will be all the more happy to assist you.

Belarus has numerous ATM machines in the main cities. And it is important that you carry cash in your wallet. This is because most of the shopping places do not accept credit cards. So you have to use cash instead. The local currency is Belarusian Ruble and you can find its current price at any of the internet exchange sites. There are many currency exchange counters in Belarus. Here you can easily get your currency exchanged according to the present rates. Many shops and other places accept Euros and dollars. So the Europeans and Americans need not bother!

It is illegal to carry drugs in Belarus. And there are strict punishments for those who are caught with these. Even death sentences can be given if found guilty of highest level of crime pertaining to drugs. So be careful while you are traveling to Belarus.

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Author:
• Tuesday, April 24th, 2012

Traveling should be fun, not disastrous! Here are top ten tips for you if you plan to travel soon.

1.  Bring only what you can carry. Too much luggage can be disconcerting, especially if you are travelling from one place to another. Imagine having to tug several bulky bags along. The annoyance could ruin your escapade. This brings us to the next tip.

2.  Decide on what things to bring. Keep in mind you cannot bring your entire cabinet and toiletry set. Make a list of things you cannot live without. Of course, pack a reasonable number of clothes. Most people travel in summer, so light clothing is enough. Depending on your destination, hats or jackets may be necessary.

3.  Pay attention to travel advisories. Some destinations are risky due to natural calamities or terroristic activities. For instance, Bangkok, a major travel destination in the world, is prone to flooding from August to October.

Tourism in Bangkok during these months falls. On the other hand, travel companies provide travel warnings to certain destinations in the Middle East due to unrest.

4.  Read about the country you are visiting. Know about the culture and general lifestyle of people so that you have a better idea of how to act once you get there. At the same time, follow rules in the foreign land.

5.  Check your travel documents. Lost and left passports cause serious annoyance and disruptions at airports. Make sure you have them at hand. Don’t place them at the bottom of your luggage! Put them where you can easily grab them during terminal check. Travel documents are imperative when entering and exiting places. If you are going to be out there for a long time, make sure your passport remains valid for the duration of your stay.

6.  Don’t crack jokes at the airport! You probably heard of cases of detained travelers who, during the inspection, blurted they carried a bomb in their luggage. Such jokes aren’t funny these days.

7.  Cut back on promises. Do not promise to bring back specific items, especially if you are unsure you can find them in your destination. Don’t you know it’s difficult to look for specific shopping items in another country? Just tell your mom or your sister you’d bring something for them when you return.

8.  Check out health precautions when traveling to certain destinations. Some countries in Africa and South America have incidents of yellow fever, for example. Traveling to these places may require one to be vaccinated against yellow fever. Those coming from countries with reported cases of yellow fever may be required to present yellow fever vaccination certificate.

9.  Pre-book flights and hotel accommodations. Is there a need to explain this? The DIY option can prove to be inconvenient. Prearrange your flights. Pre-book a hotel room. Contact a car-for-hire firm in advance. Or at least know how you’d be able to get around in the place. Check out favorable tour packages, too, for convenience.

10.  Now, where are your house keys? Put them where they can be safe and easily accessible. Don’t toss the keys into your stuff. Rummaging for your keys and fighting aboutwho has the keys as you reach your doorstep are not great ways to end your memorable tour.

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Author:
• Sunday, April 22nd, 2012

If you want to travel in the quickest way, you will most likely go by plane. When travelling, you may not be experienced with the airports that you will come across. Most of them are pretty to ease the mind of a traveller. This article will discuss what you should know about airport when travelling.

 

When you depart from an airport you will need to check in and go through security. Know that no liquids larger than a quart sized bag are allowed in the United States. Plan ahead and compact your liquids into this one bag to make the security process go quickly. Check anything else in with your suitcase. Look online ahead of time to see the rules as they change often.

 

Also make sure you have you identification with you. This will be a government issued document.

Look online to see what is allowable for identification. You will need this as well for children so check to see what they need ahead of time to avoid confusion.

 

On most commercial carriers there is a magazine in each pocket that can guide you through the airport you will be stopping at. This gives you an idea of where you are going to go. If you are connecting to a different flight you can ask what gate you are landing in and what gate your next flight will depart from. With this information you can look on the map of that particular airport to find your way easily.

 

Never leave your bags unattended. This is federal law and it is for everyone’s safety. An unattended bag may indicate to security that there is danger with the materials in it and you may lose your bag. There is also the danger of theft.

 

Knowing ahead of time what to expect at airports and travel will make your trip a lot easier. Planning ahead and being prepared is the best advice you can get. And allow plenty of time at your departure location so you do not have to stress about missing your flight.

 

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Author:
• Friday, April 20th, 2012

One of the safest metropolises in Western Europe is Lisbon, Portugal. When traveling to Europe, tourists oftentimes worry about being pick-pocketed while in major metropolises. Lisbon has the least amount of violent crime compared to other major European metropolises, and actually has the best value for your money. You can stay in the most luxurious hotels in Lisbon for an inexpensive amount.
Exploring the city will leave you very fulfilled as there is so much to do throughout Lisbon. Traveling to the major Western European capital is a cinch, especially if you are traveling from the United States, being that it is the closest capital from America. If you are looking to widen your European holiday and visit other cities it is around a 2-hour flight to any major city you would want to visit.
Blessed with being the only European capital situated so close to sandy beaches and miles of dune-backed sands, locals and tourists alike can come to gaze at the sea, delight in a refreshing day in the sun or enjoy water activities such as swimming and surfboarding. The climate in Lisbon is the best in Europe, usually warm even in the winter, much warmer than other major cities in Europe where the weather can be freezing. This enables you to revel in the gorgeous beaches 20 minutes outside of the city known for world-famous surfboarding are Guincho and Costa da Caparic, where the long stretches of sand along the coast seem to never end.
You can unwind and lay by the sea during the day while being able to enjoy the vibrant nightlife at night while visiting Lisbon. The picturesque views of the endless sandy beaches and the cobblestone streets throughout the city will gratify any kind of traveler. A vibrant, rich culture transudes throughout the city with coffee shops and eating places, stores and museums all within reach. As you are walking through the city you can experience the great lively sense of a caf culture.
For great shopping in the city, Rua Augusta is my favorite destination. A lively pedestrian street with mosaic pavements, this outdoor plaza features vendors who sell anything to get the attention of tourists passing by, international stores and outdoor coffee shops. The main pedestrian street in Lisbon, Rua Augusta is where you would go to get a keepsake or t shirt for your friends back home or if you require upscale shopping as well.
Whatever brings you to Lisbon, you will never run out of things to do in this coastal, historical capital that creates a beautiful setting for travelers and sightseers.

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Author:
• Friday, April 20th, 2012

Travelling with money abroad
Taking cash on holiday has its pluses and negatives. An obvious draw back of cash is that if you lose it, its gone, and that is that. The reality is that we all need to take at least some cash with us before we go so that we can pay for food or taxis when we arrive

If you are thinking of getting foreign exchange you don’t need to worry about the bureaux de change commission but you do need to keep an eye on the exchange rate. What ever you do shop around. Buying foreign exchange from your bank or at the airport will mean you will probably pay over the odds.

As the exchange rates vary you must do your research. In order to get the best deals go online and find a deal. When you compare exchange rates online on a comparison site make sure you check the charges.

The advantages and disadvantages of travellers cheques
If you are going to the back and beyond travellers cheques are probably not a very good choice. Taking cash or a credit card gives you a greater deal of flexibility as you don’t need to go to a bank. American dollar traveller’s cheques are probably the only exception as they are a widely accepted form of cash payment in the US.

Load before you go debit cards
A prepaid debit card is a useful option when going overseas. This card is already charged with currency before you leave the country. All you do is withdraw or spend as you go.

The benefits of the prepaid credit card are that you can get one what ever your credit rating and they are far more secure. If you lose a card the issuer merely cancels it and sends you a new one.

Should I take my debit card?
Debit cards are what most of us would usually take on holiday.

Most of us have one, little thought and planning needs to take place, and your bill arrives in your bank statement the following month with all the rest of your purchases.

The only problem with taking your debit card abroad is that it’s not the cheapest option. The typical rate is about 2.75% to 2.99% which is relatively high. Whilst withdrawing cash out in the UK it will cost you up to 3% abroad.

Using a credit card abroad
Just as debit cards, most credit cards will charge you about 3% but there are some exceptions. Certain cards will not charge you any fees on foreign transactions. Some will not even charge you for foreign transactions. The good thing about most credit cards is that you will be protected for any purchase above £100. So if your turkish rug suddenly catches on fire at least you will be covered

All the above assumes that you payoff your balance at the end of the month so that the interest charges don’t cancel out the gains made on the foreign exchange rates. Most of all keep your money safe. Try to blend in and try not to look like a tourist.

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• Monday, April 16th, 2012

The demand for cheap flights is increasing by the day as more people discover how important it is to cut travel costs. Dallas is a popular place receiving thousands of visitors throughout the year. When travelling to the city, there are a few things that should be taken into consideration as simple ways of getting the cheap flights you are looking to find for your holiday.

Shopping around: Regardless of the season, it is always important to take the time to look around for the different airfares. Even though you might get a rate that you consider to be good enough for your budget, you could still get a much better offer by taking the time to check on two more airlines.

Buying time: Travelers need to have all important information on their destinations of choice. This is because there are times in which it is almost impossible to get cheap flight.

Different seasons attract different rates and having this in mind will help you book at a time that is most convenient for you and your money. The day and time one chooses to travel also plays a big role on the fare and should therefore be taken into consideration.

Flying time: Apart from the buying time, it is always good to consider when the best time to fly to your destination of choice is. It is notably true to say that most people prefer to travel on weekends as compared to other days of the week especially mid week days. Choosing to travel during those not so preferred times can be very beneficial when it comes to getting cheap flights.

Getting Refunds: It is possible for air tickets to become cheap after you have already got your ticket. In such circumstances, you can always ask for a refund to help you enjoy the benefits of the new airfare rates. Although the airlines do not publicly claim to offer refunds, it is always worth asking for what is truly yours. It is not fair that you get to pay more than the next person seated next to you even though both of you get to enjoy the same kinds of services.

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• Monday, April 16th, 2012

Your perfect vacation should not be marred by a turn of events or accident inconvenience caused due to lack of foresight or preparation. This article outlines some useful tips and ideas to ensure that your vacation goes smoothly.

Travel Insurance

Always travel insurance. This will ensure you are covered by many things, such as lost luggage or delayed, natural disasters, theft, flight delays and medical emergencies. It’s too risky to travel to another country without any travel insurance. Rather spend a little more and save major costs of medical expenses if something happens during the trip. Medical costs abroad can be in the millions, a nightmare for any traveler.

Pack smartly

When packing in mind how long and what kind of trip is. If you go on a long haul flight, pack clothing overnight in your hand luggage, along with a toothbrush and soap.

This way you can refresh yourself before you arrive and look far more decent fellow looked tired, disheveled passengers to reach their destination. Also think about the weather at your destination. If you are starting from a stifling heat and India and traveled to Alaska, you might want to pack a spare jacket in his hand luggage.

Take care of your registration on the weight of luggage. Airlines are increasingly stringent and will not hesitate to charge a fairly strong if your baggage exceeds the limit. If you are a family traveling with adults and children, not all pack clothes in a bag adults and all children’s clothes in another bag. Rather split half / half. Thus, if for some unfortunate case your luggage is lost, you are not completely stuck without clothes, whether for children or adults.

Travel accessories

If you are unsure of what the tension in the country you are visiting uses and are determined to bring along your trusted hair dryer and then buy a conversion plug internationally. These come with different options to suit the area to travel a.

Copies of documents

Let’s face it, we can all lose things. the traveler’s worst nightmare is losing a passport or ticket air while on vacation. Remember to make copies of their passports, visas and travel documents essential. Make extra copies with you and leave copies with someone you know, that way, if you lose something you can at least prove that he had the original documents in the first place.

Drugs

Traveling to a new destination, especially one that is very different from their country of origin often can make your body susceptible to gastrointestinal problems or viruses. Take some OTC remedies, such as headache tablets, something for stomach pains and vitamins. This will help prevent them from catching a nasty bug while on holiday.

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